CBS premiered a new show this week: Intelligence. It premiered on Tuesday at 9:00 (after NCIS), but its regular time slot will be Mondays at 10:00.
Here is the trailer if you missed it (or didn't and are interested):
Let me start with the things that I like about this show. Josh Holloway (from Lost) is back on TV. That alone calls for an "oh boy" or "woot woot" or maybe just deep sighs. Ever since Edward Snowden leaked that the NSA is tracking your personal information via phone calls, emails, and such, unless you live in complete denial you now have confirmation that the government is spying on you. Television series (and movies) are merely keeping current with the times. Given that the NSA is so busy spying on us, is it outlandish to think that our government would do something like this? In my opinion, the show and its premise are completely realistic. If they could figure out HOW to do it, they most certainly WOULD. And they may have figured out how... if they had, it would be a Super Duper Top Secret Way Above Most Everyone's Clearance.
What else do I like? The big and little screen are the only places that I can believe for a short while that our government is still on the side of right. At least sometimes. Holloway's character, Gabriel, appears to be True Blue. He served three tours overseas fighting for this country. His wife worked for the CIA and was deeply undercover when her op went wrong and most evidence indicates she switched sides. Gabriel is determined to find her and the truth. He is determined to find the truth and doesn't just accept what appears to be true. And based on what you saw in the trailer (and the pilot), the Chinese are going to have their own upgraded version of Gabriel, so we can expect international intrigue. I fully expect this show to be Gabriel, using all of the tech in his head, to be focused on the bad guys. Isn't the world nice when there are White Hats and Black Hats?
What I don't like... Even though I would like to suspend my disbelief and accept that our government would only put this tech in a person for the purest of purposes, I have this problem. Ever since Edward Snowden leaked that the NSA is tracking your personal
information via phone calls, emails, and such, unless you live in
complete denial you now have confirmation that the government is spying
on you. So, this show is an In Your Face Reminder that our government, if it doesn't already have this technology, is most likely working Fast and Furious to get it. And, as we all know, real life and TV rarely show much resemblance to one another. So, I very much doubt that we will see this show use the tech the way that our actual government would if they had it.
So, my question is this... are shows like this one designed to make us complacent about the idea of the government putting tech in people's heads? Will it be easier to roll out this information after this show has paved the way? Is the government using TV to make the things that they do go down easier? Are they trying to convince The People that they really are wearing a White Hat when they read our emails, listen to our phone calls, and track our movements?
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Sunday, November 10, 2013
This is Mary Stuart
Have you been watching Reign on the CW? Do you like shows based in historical fact? If so, you might want to look into this one. This is Mary Stuart (Mary Queen of Scots) as a teenager. The story begins with her arrival in France to secure her marriage with the king's son (and future King of France), Francis. It turns out to be a more difficult task than she anticipated. Scotland is feeling the pressure of England wanting to take over so she really needs an alliance in the form of marriage to Francis. However, the king is not quite ready to throw in with Scotland. But, he isn't ready to let the alliance go, either. So, there is plenty of political maneuvering as both sides try to get what they feel is best for THEIR country.
What does the potential groom think? Well, he is attracted to Mary, but reluctant to give up being a bachelor. Plus, he, too, places the welfare of France first. Throw in Francis' half-brother, Bash, who appears to have some romantic feelings for Mary, and things start to heat up. The groom's mother, Queen Catherine, is opposed to the union based on the visions of Nostradamus. The seer has predicted that Mary will bring about her son's death. So, she is doing all she can to see that the marriage doesn't happen.
Politics and romance really don't go together, but it makes for an interesting story.
What does the potential groom think? Well, he is attracted to Mary, but reluctant to give up being a bachelor. Plus, he, too, places the welfare of France first. Throw in Francis' half-brother, Bash, who appears to have some romantic feelings for Mary, and things start to heat up. The groom's mother, Queen Catherine, is opposed to the union based on the visions of Nostradamus. The seer has predicted that Mary will bring about her son's death. So, she is doing all she can to see that the marriage doesn't happen.
Politics and romance really don't go together, but it makes for an interesting story.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
The Following
Did you watch the first season of The Following on Fox last year?
No?
Oh wow. It was one of the scariest things I have watched in a long time. It seems appropriate to talk about Scary Stuff given that we are coming up on Halloween.
Kevin Bacon returned to the small screen as former FBI agent Ryan Hardy. Hardy quit the bureau after being stabbed in the heart by serial killer Joe Carroll. Yeah, he caught Carroll, but it kinda sorta destroyed his life. He fell in love with Carroll's wife, Claire, while solving the case, and that didn't turn out so well. He wrote a book about Carroll that sold like crazy, but he is still in a Bad Place when the show started. Someone on YouTube put together a five minute explanation of what happened last season to help you catch up...
At the end of that season Hardy caught up to Carroll again and it "seemed" like Carroll died in an explosion. But did he really??? And Carroll's cult is still alive and well. One of Ryan's neighbors and trusted "friends" is actually a Carroll follower. In the last few minutes she breaks into Ryan's apartment with a knife. Things were not looking good for Ryan and Claire. Can we say Cliffhanger???
So what is the buzz about Season 2?
The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world he did not exist.
No?
Oh wow. It was one of the scariest things I have watched in a long time. It seems appropriate to talk about Scary Stuff given that we are coming up on Halloween.
Kevin Bacon returned to the small screen as former FBI agent Ryan Hardy. Hardy quit the bureau after being stabbed in the heart by serial killer Joe Carroll. Yeah, he caught Carroll, but it kinda sorta destroyed his life. He fell in love with Carroll's wife, Claire, while solving the case, and that didn't turn out so well. He wrote a book about Carroll that sold like crazy, but he is still in a Bad Place when the show started. Someone on YouTube put together a five minute explanation of what happened last season to help you catch up...
At the end of that season Hardy caught up to Carroll again and it "seemed" like Carroll died in an explosion. But did he really??? And Carroll's cult is still alive and well. One of Ryan's neighbors and trusted "friends" is actually a Carroll follower. In the last few minutes she breaks into Ryan's apartment with a knife. Things were not looking good for Ryan and Claire. Can we say Cliffhanger???
So what is the buzz about Season 2?
The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world he did not exist.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Sleepy Hollow
"Welcome to SLEEPY HOLLOW, the thrilling new mystery-adventure drama from
co-creators/executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (the
“Star Trek” and “Transformers” franchises, “Fringe”).
In this modern-day twist on Washington Irving's classic, ICHABOD CRANE (Tom Mison, “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”) is resurrected and pulled two and a half centuries through time to unravel a mystery that dates all the way back to the founding fathers. Revived alongside Ichabod is the infamous Headless Horseman who is on a murderous rampage in present-day Sleepy Hollow. Ichabod quickly realizes that stopping Headless is just the beginning, as the resurrected rider is but the first of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and only one of the many formidable foes that Ichabod must face to protect not only Sleepy Hollow, but the world.
As Ichabod finds himself in 2013's Sleepy Hollow, he discovers a town he no longer recognizes and grapples to understand. Teaming up with Lt. ABBIE MILLS (Nicole Beharie, “42,” “The Good Wife,” “Shame”), a young cop who has her own supernatural experiences, the two embark on a mission to stop the evil that has awoken along with Ichabod and that now is seeping into this once-sleepy town.
Clues from the past enlighten mysteries in the present, as each episode features a flashback to Ichabod's life in 1776. Ripe with untold stories from American history and cloaked in mythology, the divide between present and past becomes dangerously blurred. Lives are in the balance, including that of Ichabod's late wife, KATRINA (Katia Winter, “Dexter”), who is trapped in a mysterious netherworld. In his pursuit to save her, Ichabod uncovers secrets about her, leaving him with countless questions.
Not everyone believes Ichabod's tales of 1776 and supernatural evils, especially the new head of Abbie's police precinct, Captain FRANK IRVING (Orlando Jones, “The Chicago 8,” “Drumline”). When faced with bizarre events he can't explain, Capt. Irving reluctantly turns to Ichabod and Abbie to investigate.
Ichabod's extensive first-hand knowledge of our country's hidden history, coupled with Abbie's superior profiling and modern threat assessment skills, make them a formidable duo. The complex pasts of the pair, from Ichabod's inclusion in the powerful and secretive Freemasons Society to Abbie's childhood visions, will help them solve the intricate puzzles of Sleepy Hollow in order to protect its – and the world's – future. As history repeats itself, the oddly-linked pair will draw on the real stories and secrets this nation was founded on in their quest to stop an increasingly vicious cycle of evil." (source)
That is the write-up of Fox's new show Sleepy Hollow on their website. Frankly, I love the idea of taking a story that everyone knows (Ichabod Crane and The Headless Horseman) and incorporating historical events like the American Revolution for context. Then, throw in Biblical events as described in Revelations. Now, throw in supernatural stuff to bring those Biblical events about and you have a thrill ride. Sleepy Hollow might be the best new show of the fall. I am undecided, but it is in the running...
The trailer:
And one of my favorite scenes:
In this modern-day twist on Washington Irving's classic, ICHABOD CRANE (Tom Mison, “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”) is resurrected and pulled two and a half centuries through time to unravel a mystery that dates all the way back to the founding fathers. Revived alongside Ichabod is the infamous Headless Horseman who is on a murderous rampage in present-day Sleepy Hollow. Ichabod quickly realizes that stopping Headless is just the beginning, as the resurrected rider is but the first of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and only one of the many formidable foes that Ichabod must face to protect not only Sleepy Hollow, but the world.
As Ichabod finds himself in 2013's Sleepy Hollow, he discovers a town he no longer recognizes and grapples to understand. Teaming up with Lt. ABBIE MILLS (Nicole Beharie, “42,” “The Good Wife,” “Shame”), a young cop who has her own supernatural experiences, the two embark on a mission to stop the evil that has awoken along with Ichabod and that now is seeping into this once-sleepy town.
Clues from the past enlighten mysteries in the present, as each episode features a flashback to Ichabod's life in 1776. Ripe with untold stories from American history and cloaked in mythology, the divide between present and past becomes dangerously blurred. Lives are in the balance, including that of Ichabod's late wife, KATRINA (Katia Winter, “Dexter”), who is trapped in a mysterious netherworld. In his pursuit to save her, Ichabod uncovers secrets about her, leaving him with countless questions.
Not everyone believes Ichabod's tales of 1776 and supernatural evils, especially the new head of Abbie's police precinct, Captain FRANK IRVING (Orlando Jones, “The Chicago 8,” “Drumline”). When faced with bizarre events he can't explain, Capt. Irving reluctantly turns to Ichabod and Abbie to investigate.
Ichabod's extensive first-hand knowledge of our country's hidden history, coupled with Abbie's superior profiling and modern threat assessment skills, make them a formidable duo. The complex pasts of the pair, from Ichabod's inclusion in the powerful and secretive Freemasons Society to Abbie's childhood visions, will help them solve the intricate puzzles of Sleepy Hollow in order to protect its – and the world's – future. As history repeats itself, the oddly-linked pair will draw on the real stories and secrets this nation was founded on in their quest to stop an increasingly vicious cycle of evil." (source)
That is the write-up of Fox's new show Sleepy Hollow on their website. Frankly, I love the idea of taking a story that everyone knows (Ichabod Crane and The Headless Horseman) and incorporating historical events like the American Revolution for context. Then, throw in Biblical events as described in Revelations. Now, throw in supernatural stuff to bring those Biblical events about and you have a thrill ride. Sleepy Hollow might be the best new show of the fall. I am undecided, but it is in the running...
The trailer:
And one of my favorite scenes:
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Vampires, Zombies, Supernatural Stuff, and Superheroes
I was reading a blog on writing the other day (shocking!) and a question was raised about vampires: would they ever go out of vogue??? I commented at length over there, but I find myself still thinking about it. I believe that the truth is many people are fascinated by the supernatural, including me. That encompasses all sorts of phenomena, up to and including vampires.
Let's talk vamps for just a minute. I do believe that Dracula was the first story. I know that it has been made into a movie several times and I have seen at least one of those. I remember being fascinated by Dark Shadows as a KID.
The Anne Rice series on vampires reignited vampire love among readers. The movie Interview With The Vampire was one of the best book adaptations I have seen.
Joss Whedon created a successful TV series from a fairly dreadful movie (both by the same name), Buffy The Vampire Slayer that ran seven seasons. It generated a spin-off, Angel, that ran five seasons.
And then Twilight scored big for Stephanie Meyers. Four books and five movies. As usual, the books were better than the movies and struck a chord with youth (the target audience).
Some would say it was the success of Twilight that made The Vampire Diaries on the CW a success. I am not one of those people. I think people are fascinated by vampires and I would watch Ian Sommerhaulder, who plays Damon Salvatore, in ANYTHING.
The CW decided to spin off a show from that series this season aptly called The Originals.
Do I think people are tired of vampires? Nope.
However, it isn't just limited to vampires. The Walking Dead is HUGE, even though I don't watch it. Zombies are possibly the only element of the supernatural world that has no appeal for me. But, I am a lone voice in this wilderness. It is so popular that I even kinda sorta know who this guy is:
Zombie Killer Badass, though I couldn't tell you his name...
Do you remember Fringe? That show was science meets the supernatural. Crazy good show.
And Lost? That show contained supernatural elements. It most certainly wasn't just a plane crash.
The show that covers everything supernatural is, of course, called Supernatural (CW). I think this is the tenth season of Dean and Sam out there saving the world from supernatural calamity.
Most people who like supernatural stuff also like superheroes. It is a bit supernatural, after all. Marvel has been huge at the box office. The Avengers was so popular that Joss Whedon is back on the small screen with Agents of SHIELD.
Other superhero TV shows currently on the air: Arrow and The Tomorrow People. Both on the CW.
Do I know what the next Big Thing will be? Nope. But, I don't see interest in the supernatural or superheroes falling by the wayside anytime soon.
Are any of those shows YOUR favorites? What do you think about vampires and supernatural stories? Is it flash in the pan or here to stay? Did I miss anything supernatural or superhero currently running on TV? If so, let me know in the comments...
Let's talk vamps for just a minute. I do believe that Dracula was the first story. I know that it has been made into a movie several times and I have seen at least one of those. I remember being fascinated by Dark Shadows as a KID.
The Anne Rice series on vampires reignited vampire love among readers. The movie Interview With The Vampire was one of the best book adaptations I have seen.
Joss Whedon created a successful TV series from a fairly dreadful movie (both by the same name), Buffy The Vampire Slayer that ran seven seasons. It generated a spin-off, Angel, that ran five seasons.
And then Twilight scored big for Stephanie Meyers. Four books and five movies. As usual, the books were better than the movies and struck a chord with youth (the target audience).
Some would say it was the success of Twilight that made The Vampire Diaries on the CW a success. I am not one of those people. I think people are fascinated by vampires and I would watch Ian Sommerhaulder, who plays Damon Salvatore, in ANYTHING.
The CW decided to spin off a show from that series this season aptly called The Originals.
Do I think people are tired of vampires? Nope.
However, it isn't just limited to vampires. The Walking Dead is HUGE, even though I don't watch it. Zombies are possibly the only element of the supernatural world that has no appeal for me. But, I am a lone voice in this wilderness. It is so popular that I even kinda sorta know who this guy is:
Zombie Killer Badass, though I couldn't tell you his name...
Do you remember Fringe? That show was science meets the supernatural. Crazy good show.
And Lost? That show contained supernatural elements. It most certainly wasn't just a plane crash.
The show that covers everything supernatural is, of course, called Supernatural (CW). I think this is the tenth season of Dean and Sam out there saving the world from supernatural calamity.
Most people who like supernatural stuff also like superheroes. It is a bit supernatural, after all. Marvel has been huge at the box office. The Avengers was so popular that Joss Whedon is back on the small screen with Agents of SHIELD.
Other superhero TV shows currently on the air: Arrow and The Tomorrow People. Both on the CW.
Do I know what the next Big Thing will be? Nope. But, I don't see interest in the supernatural or superheroes falling by the wayside anytime soon.
Are any of those shows YOUR favorites? What do you think about vampires and supernatural stories? Is it flash in the pan or here to stay? Did I miss anything supernatural or superhero currently running on TV? If so, let me know in the comments...
Monday, October 7, 2013
Jack Is Back
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| Click on this picture to enlarge |
Many of you might know this already, because this isn't NEW NEW news. However, I just read about it a few days ago... JACK IS BACK.
If you just said, "Jack who?" then imagine me shaking my head and muttering under my breath. Jack Bauer. The wonderful, ground-breaking, amazing thrill ride of a show 24 is back for 12 episodes in the summer of 2014.
It starts on location in London with Jack as a fugitive and on the run. When the series ended a few years ago Jack was a fugitive here in the States. Apparently, he has been traveling the world since then.
I have no idea how they are going to work the core of the show into 12 episodes, but I don't even care. Jack Is Back! Will each episode be two hours so that it still encompasses 24 hours in real time? I don't know.
I just hope that it is a blazing success for Fox and it kickstarts the series to become a part of the regular line-up again.
I have all of the previous seasons on DVD (shocking) and have written more posts about this show on this blog than any other. Can you tell that I am a fan???
Until then, I am on the edge of my seat until Summer 2014!!!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
King & Maxwell
My last few posts on this blog have been highlighting some upcoming shows for the fall season.
Let's take a different path today and look at a new show that recently finished it's first "season" on TNT. Cable shows run on a different schedule than the other networks, so that during the summer while all of that is on hiatus, cable hauls out it's best stuff. Not a bad plan when you think about it. Plus, it gives a person something new to watch during those summer months. If this is all news to you, a typical "season" for a cable show is about 13 episodes.
One of TNT's new shows this summer, King & Maxwell, starring Jon Tenney and Rebecca Romijn, features two former Secret Service Agents, now private detectives in the D.C. area. In the pilot, the case involved finding an autistic savant, Edgar, who was suspected of being a serial killer. King & Maxwell disproved that theory and offered Edgar a job. He becomes an integral part of their case-solving process due to his skill with hacking, as well as his ability to recognize the clue in numerical patterns and sequences. The team also seeks help on a regular basis from Benni, one of Sean King's C.I.'s. Her specialties range from forgery to knowing all the dirt on the criminal activity in the city. King & Maxwell also "interact" with the FBI nearly every episode. Agents Rigby and Butler have been tasked to any scene that involves these two. It is a love/hate relationship, with the emphasis more on the hate.
This series is based on David Baldacci's novels. Here is what he has to say about the show:
After watching that you probably have a better sense of the characters. Michelle Maxwell is the first one to manage the "take-down" of a suspect. Sean usually doesn't have his gun. Does it drive her crazy? Yes. Does he care? No.
One of the things that I really liked in terms of the writing for this show is how they managed the story arc for the first season. Edgar found an anomaly watching the video of the assassination of Sean's protectee (that led to his not being in the Secret Service any longer). That thread gets pulled a little bit each show while these two solve all other crimes or mysteries each episode, with the season finale finally unraveling who was really responsible for the assassination. I LOVE a story arc that umbrellas an entire season with the payoff coming at the end. I hope that they find a way to do that every season. We shall see...
Let's take a different path today and look at a new show that recently finished it's first "season" on TNT. Cable shows run on a different schedule than the other networks, so that during the summer while all of that is on hiatus, cable hauls out it's best stuff. Not a bad plan when you think about it. Plus, it gives a person something new to watch during those summer months. If this is all news to you, a typical "season" for a cable show is about 13 episodes.
One of TNT's new shows this summer, King & Maxwell, starring Jon Tenney and Rebecca Romijn, features two former Secret Service Agents, now private detectives in the D.C. area. In the pilot, the case involved finding an autistic savant, Edgar, who was suspected of being a serial killer. King & Maxwell disproved that theory and offered Edgar a job. He becomes an integral part of their case-solving process due to his skill with hacking, as well as his ability to recognize the clue in numerical patterns and sequences. The team also seeks help on a regular basis from Benni, one of Sean King's C.I.'s. Her specialties range from forgery to knowing all the dirt on the criminal activity in the city. King & Maxwell also "interact" with the FBI nearly every episode. Agents Rigby and Butler have been tasked to any scene that involves these two. It is a love/hate relationship, with the emphasis more on the hate.
This series is based on David Baldacci's novels. Here is what he has to say about the show:
After watching that you probably have a better sense of the characters. Michelle Maxwell is the first one to manage the "take-down" of a suspect. Sean usually doesn't have his gun. Does it drive her crazy? Yes. Does he care? No.
One of the things that I really liked in terms of the writing for this show is how they managed the story arc for the first season. Edgar found an anomaly watching the video of the assassination of Sean's protectee (that led to his not being in the Secret Service any longer). That thread gets pulled a little bit each show while these two solve all other crimes or mysteries each episode, with the season finale finally unraveling who was really responsible for the assassination. I LOVE a story arc that umbrellas an entire season with the payoff coming at the end. I hope that they find a way to do that every season. We shall see...
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