Does Reading Game Of Thrones Ruin The Show?

I, along with millions of other people, am a huge Game of Thrones (GoT) fan on HBO. I can’t get enough of it, and I may even have an addiction to all things Westeros. So it was at the end of season two I found myself tempted to read the books.  I had been putting it off reading them since I didn’t want to ruin the TV show but I kept hearing about how good they were and I had to quench my thirst for more GoT.  So I broke down and read them, which leaves the question: does reading the books ruin the TV show?

The answer is both yes and no. First of all, let me just go ahead and be that guy that says the books are better. The TV show is brilliant but the books add so much more to the world and that is why it doesn’t ruin the show. There are so many minor characters explained, so much backstory being told and so much information about the world that it really enhances your overall understanding and appreciation of the show. Like the rug on the Dude’s floor in The Big Lebowski, the books really tie the show together.

It also ruins the show because I know more or less, what is going to happen. There are no more “WTF, I can’t believe they just did that,” moments because you already know what is going to happen.  That being said, that being said it is so well done that I still enjoy watching it transpire. The episode from a couple of weeks ago with Daenerys Targaryen leading her army out of Astapor still sends chills up my spine.

To read or not to read is you own decision but personally I am glad I did. Besides, do you really want to wait four more seasons to learn what happens? I think  not.

Top 10 reasons why The Walking Dead opener was a success

The long anticipated season 3 opener for The Walking Dead finally aired Sunday night. Overall I loved the comic book series but unfortunately, I don’t think it has translated very consistently on the small screen. season 1 was strong but I found season 2 to be a bore and frankly, I was glad when it was over. Much to my chagrin, the season 3 opener came out of the gates not walking, but running. Here are my top 10 reasons why the episode kicked zombie booty:

1. Mega zombie killing action: After a leisurely death here and there from last season, we finally see some serious hand to decrepit hand combat. I think more zombies were killed in this first episode than all of last season.
2. Team kills: Everyone is getting better at combat. They aren’t sissies anymore- and it’s about time.
3. More Daryl: Everyone’s favorite redneck is doing what he does best- killing. Every motley crew needs a gunner and he is as good as they get.
4. Michonne: I think she became a fan favorite in about 30 seconds. She’s fierce, strong, and best of all, wields a samurai sword. May the cosplay begin.
5. The Prison will set you free: Herschel’s farm storyline was a brief encounter in the original comic book but somehow turned out feeling like a prison. Unfortunately, they dragged it out for an entire season and it turned the series into The Crawling Dead. The Prison storyline promises to be much more interesting and is possibly the best arc in the source material. It is a rich environment with endless amount of dark corridors which makes it especially creepy. Plus, the sense that a Prison leading them to more freedom is perfect irony.
6. Rick steps up: Finally some leadership from our central character. I liked Shane but he was making Rick look like a whimpering, indecisive fool. Leadership means doing what you have to do for the sake of the group regardless if you lose popularity points. It’s good to see Rick grow a pair.
7. Non-stupidity: At least in this episode, people aren’t doing dumb things- like crashing cars, cutting themselves, getting lost, etc. Sure crazy things happen, but season 2 felt like the writers were just running out of good ideas. Let’s hope they don’t revert back to being idiots.
8. The Herschel upgrade: Not to be an age-ist but we have one in every demographic but an extra in the 60+ category- so Dale had to go. Dale turned out to be pretty whiny so Herschel is a nice upgrade. He brings wisdom and steadiness to the group but has a certain toughness. Plus he has medical skills. Dale skill: fixing an RV.
9. Gore: it’s always nice to remind us why The Walking Dead is on a cable channel. Zombies getting their faces ripped off and peeps getting limbs amputated is good, solid family fun for all. Keep it coming.
10. Finally, Carl grows up: Finally, Carl is doing something instead of getting lost. Put a gun in his hand (with a cool silencer) and get him into the action.

I was really pleased with this season opener. If it follows the comics, this is just the beginning of the roller coaster ride. Let’s hope the writers learned their lessons from season 2 and keep this show running not walking.

The Walking Dead, Running With Ratings

So Walking Dead premiered Sunday night to a record setting 10.9 million viewers for basic cable. I have been really hot and cold on this show. Season one was pretty good while the first part of season 2 bored me to tears. Season 2.5 was okay and saved itself in the end with Shane finally getting killed. So going into season three I didn’t know what to expect. I will say that the plot lines of the prison and the girl Michonne are two of my favorites so I had some hope in me. After watching it here is what I have to say.

It.Was.Awesome. I loved it. It was almost 60 minutes of action packed zombie slaying.  It was what I had been waiting for. Now I know not every episode can be this action packed but it did look the director just went and had fun with. If they follow anything close to the graphic novels there should be enough drama in the next few weeks to keep us glued. It gets a little crazy. It was nice to Rick finally grow a pair and Carl didn’t get on my nerves like he normally does. Regardless of what may come in the next weeks it is nice to know they are off to a solid start.

R.I.P. Ernest Borgnine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ernest Borgnine dies this weekend. A true legend to us Babblers, he starred in The Dirty Dozen, Escape From New York and of course, most importantly Air Wolf. He has gone now the great TV set in the sky. R.I.P.

Announcing the Nerdist!

Well everyone, it may be spring but as far as we are concerned not only is winter coming, but it has already arrived in a full force gale. That’s right, Game of Thrones, the super-duper, ultra awesome, mega hit show from HBO started up again last night and it did not disappoint one bit. Any concern as to whether they would pick right up where they left off has been erased and I would even argue they took it to an even higher level than last year. Also added some nice new characters and showed once again why Peter Dinklage won an Emmy.  If there was any doubt about it before, this show is definitely my favorite (sorry Breaking Bad and Dexter) and I am already completely hooked and looking forward to the Comic-Con panel this summer!

On another nerdy note, we are excited for the launch of The Nerdist channel on YouTube. We got a chance to see some of the at the Wondercon panel and it looks hilarious. Chris Hardwick (the Nerdist) is partnering with Neil Patrick Harris, Weird Al Yankovic, Rob Zombie and several other nerdy types to bring you some very original programming. Be sure to check it out and maybe even subscribe to it?

Dexter Season 6 Trailer

HE’S BACK!

In just 3 more days, Dexter returns for it’s 6th season! I can’t wait. This show surprised me from the very beginning and won me over immediately. With John Lithgow’s brilliant performance in season 4 it’s hard to imagine who they could ever bring in that could deliver a character of that level.

I believe the answer has been found, and it’s EDWARD JAMES OLMOS. Watch the trailer and leave your comments below.

Dexter premieres this Sunday, Oct. 2 at 9 PM on Showtime.

Why Kutcher Will Kill Two and a Half Men….

John Cryer About To Cry

So unless you have been living in a cave or maybe just watching Oprah’s channel, you will have no doubt heard about the epic meltdown “Tiger Blood” Charlie Sheen had that eventually got him kicked off his hit show Two and a Half Men.  Now I am on neutral ground on this show, I don’t love it and I don’t hate it. It has it’s moment but it is not a show I really care for, that being said, since it is big time TV news we will discuss it. More importantly it has been announced that Ashton Kutcher will replace Charlie Sheen on the show. My prediction is this: Kutcher will fail, miserably.

Here’s why. Kutchers’ biggest (only) fans are still in high school and watching The Jersey Shore instead of Two and a Half Men.  Two and a Half Men’s target audience is a much older crowd, think 30’s and 40’s main stream America, not teeny boppers and Demi Moore. I am surprised they didn’t try to replace Sheen with another late 80s early 90s star, Rob Lowe or some other B list type.  How about Judd Nelson? (I mean the show does have Jon Cryer in it after all.)

Truthfully, and sadly, no one can replace Sheen. Just like Steve Carell is the heart of The Office, Charlie Sheen was the heart of Two and a Half Men. The show was built around his immature, crazy antics and it’s those very same immature antics that got him fired and will ultimately end the show. It’s sad for the cast and crew that they had a good thing ruined by a spoiled actor who likes to party. It is also sad CBS expects Kutcher to fill that roll. He is put in an impossible situation and simply won’t resonate with the shows audience. Kutcher won’t kill Two and a Half Men, Charlie already did that, he is the death blow that should put it out of it’s misery. They should rename it Two and a Half Men on Life Support. What do you expect from a guy who still goes by the name Charlie?

The Smallville Finale

After 10 long years, the boy becomes a man- or rather a superman. Baby Kal-El first landed in the humble farm town of Smallville on October 16, 2001 thanks to the WB Network (now CW). The origins series leaped tall nerd expectations with a single bound as fans buzzed about this new ‘Dawson Creek’ meets comic books show. Filled with a young, vibrant, and good looking cast, this modern day re-telling of a 70 year old legend had much potential. We all knew Superman would eventually fly- but I don’t think any of us knew it would take 10 years to get there. As a HUGE Superman fan for over 25 years, I have to confess that I haven’t tracked with Smallville over the years. After the first couple of seasons, the ‘freak of the week’ formula was getting too contrived for me. That was probably the biggest complaint among fans which is the reason why season 2 was the highest rated one during it’s prolific run. However, the core fans stayed faithful keeping it on the air and earning it the longest running comic book series in TV history. I did still drop back in for special episodes like the introduction of Flash, Hawkman, Aquaman, the Justice League, and epic appearance of the late Christopher Reeves. To me, the show got overly ambitious by ‘shoe-horning’ in every DC character and story arc from the Superman mythology and after a while, I just fell too far behind to care. But when the conclusion of the series was announced, I had to ‘fan up’ and join back into the journey at the start of this final season to see how this would all end (and how Superman would begin).

The episode was what you might expect from a finale 2-hour story. There is a lot of wrap up conversations with most of it focusing on whether Clark is ready to take on the mantel of responsibility as the man of steel. It’s evident that these conversations are carrying the burden of 10 years worth of expectations as all the ramifications are explored and weighted. If you were a fan of the show, you probably relished in all the angst about if Clark should suit up or not. Non-fans may have found it a bit tedious. Of course there is a wedding and of course it is rudely interrupted by a super villains attack. In this case, a Darksied possessed Oliver attempts to give Clark a red kyptonite ring that would steal his powers forever. Considering how long Oliver had been under the influence of Darksied, I thought the quick exorcism was rather unsatisfying and unrewarding. You accept it because it needed to happen but it wasn’t particularly creative nor compelling. The finale also focused on the return of beloved characters like Jon Schneider’s Jonathan Kent. Which I have to admit was pretty touching in scenes but then got a little creepy when he started showing up around every corner. I felt like Clark was starting to ‘see dead people’ a la Sixth Sense. I know they were plucking the sentimental heart strings but I think the ‘less is more’ approach would have made a longer lasting impression.

In another conjured storyline, Lex Luthor is ‘frankenstined’ together and brought back to life with the help of some spare clone parts and the spirit of Darksied. Conveniently, his memory is wiped which erases the past 10 years, along with his knowledge of Clark’s real identity. This whole subplot was pretty ridiculous but it was needed to get the future continuity that we know and love back on track. As contrived as it was, it was great to see Clark and Lex share a final moment together. Michael Rosenbaum is a fantastic actor and the tension he brought to Smallville was irreplaceable. After all, the strongest element of Smallville has never been the storytelling but the casting. Clark, Lois, Lana, Lex, and the Kents were all near perfect choices and no doubt was the reason for our 10 year love affair.

After 10 years of build up, we are only teased with Tom Welling as Superman. Even though he suits up in the final few minutes, we are only treated to a few distance shots of him moving the planet of Apokolips away from Earth. Those long shots are clearly CGI and while heroic, felt unsatisfying. The only close up we are rewarded with, is a final shirt ripping scene in the closing shots of the episode. I have to admit, while brief and underscored with John Williams Superman theme, this scene gave me goosebumps. It really is too bad that Brian Singer’s Superman Returns reboot failed since Clark’s suit is from the same version as that one. The continuity would have been strong- and if anyone appreciates strong continuity it’s us comic book fans. I would have preferred a solid shot of a super Clark in action but I am sure it was cost prohibitive to craft an appropriate suit for just a few minutes of screen time. I guess we are left with our imagination which is less painful than a disappointing Tom in a sub-par suit.

All is all, what Smallville was able to accomplish was more powerful than a locomotive. More importantly than helping us believe a man could fly, it helped us believe that the superhero genre could fly as well. The current superhero renaissance in TV and film that we are enjoying was largely contributed to by this small non-network show. It helped usher in a new era and firmly established it’s place in our pop culture lore. Where Superman was under threat of being forgotten in film, Smallville helped keep his legacy alive. Regardless of our gripes, there will never be a series quite like this one. So while there were some complaints with the finale, I turned off my TV with a smile and satisfied with the series overall. Someday, I will sit down and return to all 10 seasons on DVD, perhaps to introduce my son to how a boy became a man.

I give the finale a 2.5 out of 5 Babbles

The New ThunderCats

As goofy as it was, I was a big fan of the original animated ThunderCats of the 80′s. Hollywood is continuing their trend of methodically re-hashing and re-making everything from my childhood- mostly unsuccessfully. However, this new incarnation shown at WonderCon actually looks pretty cool. If you were a ThunderCats fan, let us know. I’m looking forward to seeing this!

Wonder who the new Woman is?

As a kid, I was a hardcore fan of Linda Carter’s iconic TV version of Wonder Woman. Even though the show was pretty campy at times, she played the role with grace and dignity. To depict being both strong and sexy is not an easy one for modern day heroines which is probably why it’s so rare to see a successful version on the big screen. After the failed WB series Birds of Prey and the even bigger failure of the Catwoman movie, we have all learned our lesson and appreciate Carter even more. After numerous attempts and false starts, it looks like Wonder Woman will finally fly again. While we all thought she would emerge in a theatrical form, it looks like she is returning to her roots as a new TV series. After a dozen actresses were connected to this project, Adrienne Palicki finally won the coveted role as the Amazon princess. Palicki’s most notable role has been the main bad girls on high school drama Friday Night Lights. She was in the dreadful angel movie with Paul Bettany called Legion but that movie is not worth the ink of this post. David E Kelley of Ally McBeal is the driving force behind the series. Kelley is also the master mind behind Boston Legal and the most recent Harry’s Law. It is reported that this new version of Wonder Woman will be a high power exec of corporation by day and a costumed vigilante by night. Online fans are already groaning what they are reading and have nicknamed this ‘Ally McWonder Woman’.

Looks like they will be departing from cannon and not sure if it will include her home island, the Justice League, or her role as traditional heroine. While this makes me worried, I am open for a reboot of the story. To me, Wonder Woman is too valuable of a character to just sit on the bench in this golden age of TV and movie heroes. Smallville was a pretty big departure- while far from perfect, it still managed to entertain when at it’s best. As a fan, to me it comes down to creative characters, compelling story telling, and the costume….oh the costume. It’s been rumored that the newest, modernized version of the costume has been to prepare the way for a potential TV show/movie. In this version, WW has traded in her patriotic swimsuit for a pair of black tights and a half jacket. More practical yes, more appealing, no. In my opinion, if the suit was good enough for Cater, its good enough for Palicki. As much as I would love to believe in a creative coordination between the comic book and TV universe, I am doubtful that is what happened. It was probably more of a coincidence. In either case, if Kelley can create a great looking Wonder Woman, both powerful and sexy, then much of the battle will be won. However, my biggest fear is that if this fails, so will any potential big screen incarnation. That is truly where Wonder Woman belongs. Palicki is also an interesting casting choice. While she has donned many looks over the years, she is a natural blonde. I know you can always dye hair, but I have always pictured someone with the power brunette locks like Jennifer Connelly or Monica Bellucci. I’ll wait to pass judgment until I see her- Hopefully we’ll get a little sneak peak at this year’s Comic Con.

Regardless of my personal bias, my hope is that this new Woman will just be Wonderful, even if it’s Ally McWonder Woman. Palicki has big boots to fill (that was tricky to say) and I hope she can help usher in a new era of female heroines on both TV and film. What are your thoughts- skeptical or excited?

New TRON series

A new series is launching that is set after the original TRON but before Legacy. Looks pretty interesting and could really help fill the major gaps that Legacy did not have time to develop.

Smallville with a big ending

You blink and suddenly it’s 10 years and 10 seasons later for one of WB’s longest running series Smallville. As a life-long Superman geek, the conclusion of this show is a momentous occasion for fans everywhere. However, I have not been a fan of the show over the years. I started pretty faithfully for the first couple of seasons but the ‘freak of the week’ formula turned me off and tuned me out (along with a lot of others). I did still drop back in for special episodes like the introduction of Flash, Hawkman, Aquaman, the Justice League, and epic appearance of the late Christopher Reeves. To me, the show got overly ambitious by ‘shoe-horning’ in every DC character and story arc from the Superman mythology and after a while, I just fell too far behind to care. But when the conclusion of the series was announced, I had to ‘fan up’ and join back into the journey to see how this would all end (and Superman would begin). 

Returning back into Season 10 was not as traumatic as I thought it would be. I kept up enough to know of the major new happenings like the exit of Chloe, Lex, Lana, Lionel, the new romance with Lois, and the new environment of Metropolis. A LOT is happening right now to wrap up all the loose ends. Clark, known as ‘The Blur’ to the rest of the world, is on the verge of revealing himself as a public hero. There is a witch-hunt for heroes making it illegal for vigilantes to operate- it’s very similar to Marvel’s Mutant Registration Act or the ‘Legends’ mini-series from the DC universe. A particularly emotional moment was when fans of The Blur posted their gratitude for their unseen hero. This was the pivotal turning point for Clark with his decision to come out of hiding. Clark and Lois are newly engaged so wedding plans are in full swing while fending off Darkseid and his minions. What I am finding really enjoyable and what sets this apart from old Smallville is that it feels more grand set in Metropolis. No longer are the claustrophobic storylines contained to the a small town but it finally gets the scope it deserves. The solid chemistry between our super love birds is reminiscent of another great old show, Lois and Clark. The focus right now is the how Clark evolves into his ‘mild-manner’ persona and his reasons not to be a masked hero. In this past episode, he dons the glasses for the first time and has his first humbling and bumbling Clark Kent moment. I have to admit, I was smiling all the way through. All in all, this is geek heaven for Man of Steel and DC universe fans. At this past San Diego Comic Con, Smallville fanatics were treated to a glimpse of the suit (probably passed down from Superman Returns) which was a magical moment.

No doubt that geeks, fans, and nerds from all over will tune into the epic finale of Smallville. It’s not too late to get acclimated- I am certainly glad I did. I am looking forward to believing again that a man can fly.

Long time fans, let me hear what you think and how this season compares to the past. While my rating for Smallville has gone up and down over the years, I give this current season 10 a 4 Babbles out of 5. Check it out!