Outcast, Vol. 3: This Little Light by Robert Kirkman, Paul Azaceta (Illustrator), Elizabeth Breitweiser (Colorist)

When we last left Outcast, Kyle's sister had been possessed by what we assume to be demons. It's easy to make this assumption because the Reverend John Anderson has spent his entire life performing exorcisms to remove them from the bodies they steal. The Reverend sees everything from a biblical perspective and is unwilling to consider any other angle which frustrates Kyle.

Over time and by questioning Sydney and the possessed, Kyle has figured out that the entities which are taking over humans in the town are drawn both to him and his daughter, Amber, who has inherited her unique abilities from him. Allison became possessed because the entity was attracted to Amber's light. Kyle is only beginning to piece things together.  Despite all of the years that Anderson has spent supposedly performing exorcisms, he knows next to nothing about the invaders.

Just as in the show, Anderson is quite an arrogant asshole.  Anderson is absolutely resistant to the idea that he isn't doing God's work. When he is presented with evidence, like the fact that Maurice is just as affected by Anderson reading the phonebook, as when Anderson read the biblical passages to the other afflicted, Anderson decides that God must have somehow imbued his voice with the holy spirit.  Anderson even discounts the fact that regular water seems to work just as well as holy water.  At the center of Andersons's angst is the idea that he is isn't important and that he's lost his family for nothing.  Kyle is determined to experiment and then learn from each interaction while Anderson looks for away to explain away the evidence in order to centre himself and his faith. It's telling that Anderson refers to God as an asshole when he begins to come to the realisation that he isn't the centre of everything. Anderson's faith is based on his own desire for power and a feeling of superiority more than anything else.

It's clear now that Sydney is the leader of the beings which are controlling the humans.  Sydney talks about a great merge that is coming and he clearly sees Kyle as a threat because of course, Kyle can excise the beings.  What is it about Sydney that makes him the leader and what is his ultimate goal? The merge implies that everyone in the small town is going to have a creature inside them. We know that the creatures are attracted to Kyle's light but they can still come through without that.  

Back from the Undead (The Bloodhound Files #5) by D.D. Barant

When Stoker, an old adversary of Jace's, contacts the NSA seeking help to break up a child trafficking ring, Jace isn't sure she should leap to the bait. If there's any chance that this could be true, Jace knows she has to try.  Stopping child trafficking will see Jace cross the border where her badge doesn't hold as much power she's used to and if that were not enough, she's running out of ammunition for her gun, not that a gun will necessarily help her against the ancient God whose attention she seems to have unwittingly garnered.  Just like everything else since Jace has entered Thropirelem, everything is SNAFU.

The hook for this story is supposedly a child trafficking ring; however, D.D. Barant quickly changes the focus and the child trafficking actually becomes an almost insignificant plot point.  As a reader, it felt a little bit like a bait and switch situation for me, particularly given that the plot we were given is so very convoluted that at times it was hard to follow. Also, if you're going to bring up something as serious as child trafficking, you really need to follow through.

Thropirelem is an alternate universe in which vampires, Golems, and shifters exist in greater numbers than humans and have in fact take over the earth.  This is not a book one should read if you have not already read the preceding four books.  As it is, even with awareness of the backstory, Back from the Undead is hard to follow at times. D.D. Barant spends a lot of time on Shintoism in this book and introduces its concept of heaven and hell, as well as various deities.  I will admit upfront that other than the kitsune, I know virtually nothing about Shintoism and therefore, I am no place to judge how Barant treated the belief system.

Having a large focus of Back from the Undead be Shintoism, naturally led to the inclusion of characters of colour, including the return of Tanaka. Unfortunately, the characters of colour were all evil in some way with the exception of Tanaka. This is a problem given that this series hasn't been particularly inclusive in terms of race.  We did learn about Tanaka's back story and it turns out that he's a samurai who now feels that he owes Jace a debt because he betrayed her.  Unfortunately, paying back this debt means sacrificing himself for Jace. If you're keeping score, this means that all of the Asians are evil and the only one who isn't dies. This isn't great.

The Messengers, Season One, Episode Two: Strange Magic

Vera holds a pillow, as she stands at Rose's bedside.  The man appears and tells her not to stop because she is so close. Vera tosses the pillow on the bed and tells the man that if he wants Rose dead, he should do it himself.  Vera questions how she can be sure that the man has Michael and he holds up a toy which used to belong to Michael when he was a baby.  We get a flashback of Vera playing with toy with Michael, as in the background the song Strange Magic plays. An announcement comes over the loudspeaker to ask Vera to head to the nearest courtesy phone.  When Vera turns back around, Michael is gone. Vera starts to scream Michael's name in a panic.  In the present, Vera attacks the man, calling him a sick son of a bitch.  The man wraps his arms around Vera, again asserting that he knows where her child is.  Vera picks up the pillow and again approaches Rose but before she can act, Rose sits up suddenly.  Rose turns and sees the man and says something unintelligble to him, causing him to disappear. 

Vera is shocked that Rose is no longer in a coma. Rose notices the pillow in Vera's hand and realises that Vera came here to kill her.  Rose starts to get out of bed, as Vera pleads to know the name of the man because he knows where her son is. 

Raul has passed out in the back of Erin and Amy's car.  Erin quickly disarms Raul, saying that she needs to get him out of the car, as Amy pleads that Raul is not a bad man and needs help.  Amy sees a sign for the hospital and begs her mother to take Raul there.

Joshua has arrived at the hospital and he makes his way into a room.  When Joshua looks up at the television, his father is hosting an interview where he is being denounced, declaring Joshua mentally ill.  Joshua looks up and sees the sign for a chapel.

Peter has now been dropped off at the hospital by the trucker.  He decides to head inside after a vending machine steals his money. Peter grabs a tray of food meant for a patient.

Amy and Erin talk to a nurse, as the nurse works on Raul. Erin and Amy move to walk away and nurse asks their name because she is required by law to report all gun shot wounds.  The nurse instructs them not to leave and then exits the room. Erin tries to convince Amy to leave but instead, Amy wakes up Raul.  When Raul sits up, Erin snarks that he is lucky they didn't bring him to a police station instead of a hospital. Raul tries to get out of bed but collapses on the ground, with Erin falling on top of him.  Erin's touch heals Raul and he questions what she just did.  The cops arrive and Raul, Amy and Erin take off.

Joshua is in the chapel and sits to pray, asking if the visions are real, adding that he has lost everything.  Peter is also in the chapel and he is eating his stolen meal.  Erin, Amy and Raul rush into the chapel to hide from the cops and they are quickly followed by Vera and Rose.  Joshua recognizes Rose as the woman from his visions and Rose not only confirms her identity but calls the assembled group The Messengers. Rose explains that they are the angels of the apocalypse. When Vera reveals that Rose just woke up from a seven year coma, Peter turns to leave the chapel.  Erin stops Peter and then calls all of the gathered together and informs them that they all died yesterday. Joshua is relieved to know that he is not going "crazy".  Rose explains that God is angry and is giving them a test - this is the beginning of the end. Vera is not impressed and believes that Rose is wasting her time, so she demands to know the name of the man who took her son.  Rose explains that the man is the devil, who was cast down from heaven once again. When Vera declares herself to be an atheist, Rose makes it clear that Vera shouldn't doubt the devils presence, adding that he will play on their worst fears and insecurities.  Vera turns to leave, saying that she is calling the cops but Rose points out that in seven years, they haven't helped her find Michael.

The nursing staff discovers that Rose is no longer in bed and sounds the alarm.

Erin asks why them and Rose explains that if people like them can figure out a way to work together,  maybe the world can be saved.  It's Joshua who points out that Rose is referring to the rapture. Rose explains that God has given them all special gifts to save the earth. Vera however says that she is the one with the gift of sanity but Rose suggests that Vera's gift will reveal itself when the time comes.  Rose adds that God has gifted her with understanding whatever God wants her to in every language known to man.  Vera declares that Rose needs medical attention and starts to rant but Joshua falls to the ground and has a vision.  In Josh's vision, he sees Vera and her son reunited, a horse race and E1.

The meeting is broken up when the nurses enter the chapel.  Rose tells Vera that there is no escaping destiny.  The nurses rush in and call Rose's awakening a miracle.

Erin and Amy rush outside with Raul.  Erin tells Raul to get into the car, saying that she believes Rose is right because she must have healed him for a reason.

Vera walks out of the hospital and she gets a call from Alan to report that they have been fired and locked out of their offices.   Alan is being escorted by the military.  Alan however tells Vera that he still has the rock from her house and she hops in her car to join him.  Vera does not get far because Joshua jumps in front of her car saying that he saw her son.

On the road, Raul explains that he is a federal agent who was framed and now there are people looking for him. Raul asks Erin to drop him off at his brother's because he doesn't want to be anymore trouble.  Suddenly, a cop car starts following them with sirens blaring.  Erin hands Raul his gun and pulls off to the side of the road.  The cop approaches the car and Raul hears Amy and Erin thoughts about not wanting to be hurt.  Raul hears the cop thinking about arresting Erin for kidnapping. The officer orders them both out of the car and Juan uses the door to knock the officer to the ground before disarming the cop and handcuffing him to his patrol car. Back on the road, Raul asks who Ronnie is, causing Erin to realise that Raul was reading her thoughts.

Peter gets a call from Alice asking him where he is and when he can come home.  Peter replies that he cannot return because he is guilty of murder.  Alice reveals that she informed the cops that Sam threatened to kill him and now the cops know that it was just self defense.  Peter however says he has things he needs to figure out before returning home.  Peter stops at a sign which reads, "Need directions? Follow the signs."  The entire time Alice was on the phone, a cop was standing behind her and the cops were tracing the call.  They locate Peter in Houston and thank Alice for her help.

Shining in Crimson (Empire of Blood #1) by Robert S. Wilson

In Wilson's dystopian world, the United States is no more and its place the American Empire rules the people.  It is a theocracy ruled over by an emperor.  The people are forced to live under strict morality laws and those who refuse to conform are sent to Necropolis the former Las Vegas and now home to a population of vampires.  Hank Evan is sent to Necropolis as punishment for procuring a prostitute and he is determined to survive somehow because he is all that his son Toby has yet.  What Hank does not realise is that surviving this night will cost him so much more than he ever imagined.

As an introduction to a trilogy, Shining in Crimson was not bad.  Wilson gave us a sense of the dystopian world and its divisions.  I would have liked to know more about how the American Empire came to be and more specifically how the truce with the vampires came into existence.  We start the novel learning that the war has now been over for 20 years and that the government uses religious propaganda to prop up its rules, along with a fear that the alternative is to become prey to the sinning vampires. 

The POV constantly changes throughout the book and though I normally find this irritating, it helped to bring the different elements of the story together.  I found it interesting to see vampires who based on their long lives understand better than the humans, exactly what the American Empire is all about.  For safety, the humans have traded their liberty.  Hank has vague memories of a time when the world was different and a father who fought and died for the United States.  He is tormented by the horrible bargain he is forced to make.  Then we have Simon a devout member of the Empire, to the point that he even thinks of his own mother as a whore, finally coming to grips with the fact that he has been sold a book of lies and finally, Ishan who is determined to hold his vampire council together and bring down the empire.

The majority of the characters in this book are male.  The only three female characters of note are Simon's mother, who viscously slut shamed.  When she is raped by Peter, Simon is horrified and yet when Peter says that you cannot rape the willing, Simon is quick to agree.  It is because of her dress and the fact that she didn't physically fight back and instead begged for her son's safety that Simon refuses to see her as the victim that she is.  It is only after gaining empathy from Ishan, that Peter begins to understand he may have potentially wronged his mother.  The second female character is the human vampire Rachel.  As with Simon's mother, she is also a rape victim.  Each day she is subject to rape and beatings by her father and her brothers, which she endures until Peter kills them.  In turn, after being judged worthy, Rachel becomes a vampire, only to rape Hank in a bid to help Peter become the leader of the vampires.  There is also Grace, the dead wife of Hank.  Years later he is still mourning her loss.  Grace is really little more than a footnote in this story. Finally, we have the Queen of the Ancients, the only ancient vampire to be sentient.  We don't really learn much about her beyond this.

No Lasting Burial (The Zombie Bible #4) by Stant Litore

Jesus of Nazareth walks the earth and he keenly feels the pain of the world.  The survivors of Kfar Nahum are a broken people despite following the law.  The dead over ran their small fishing town and in the process killed many and left the living broken. In retribution, those who were bitten and destined to rise with a hunger which could never be assuaged were dumped in the sea. The people of Kfar Nahum invoke the memory of Ezra and believe that they have invoked God's anger by not following the law closely enough.  This then explains not only why the dead walk but why those cast into the sea now consume the very fish they need to survive.

Yeshua makes his way out of the desert lost and confused, aware that somehow he must stop the sound of the voices screaming in his head.  He seeks to feed the people of Kfar Nahum by calling up the fish to feed the hungry but in the process calls the zombies out of the sea.  How will the people of Kfar Nahum deal with this horror again, now that they have lost so much?

To be honest, I picked up No Lasting Burial expecting it to be somewhat quirky.  A sort of biblical tale meets zombies ala The Walking Dead.  It's true that No Lasting Burial does indeed fit the model of a zombie apocalypse/dystopian in the loosest sense; however, the zombies themselves feel sort of extraneous to the story.  Life in that time period was hard, particularly for poor Jews.  Litore didn't need to add the zombies to give us a sense of suffering and the stark nature of life that the average human lived.  The zombies just were over to top. No Lasting Burial feels like an excuse to retell an already familiar biblical story.

Graveyard Child (The Black Sun's Daughter #5) by M.L.N. Hanover

After a good deal of time away chasing demons and dealing with vampires, Jayné Heller is returning to Witchita.  Jayné is going to attend her older brother's wedding and the process hopefully get the answers from her parents that has wanted for a long time.  As with all family gathering things go awry quickly but because nothing has ever really been normal in  Jayné's world, it's not as simple as a drunken relative passing out in the mashed potatoes.  The deeper Jayné  digs she risks unearthing an evil which has been haunting her family for generations.  There is a price to truth and now Jayné  has to decide whether she willing to pay it and in the process save the family which has long rejected her.

From the ending of Graveyard Child, it's not immediately clear if this is the last book in the series.  Hanover did leave himself a little bit of room to continue with  Jayné  and her cohorts and in the process managed to tied up a lot of loose ends in the series.  We discover the purpose of the tattoo which Jayné  desperately sought to hide from her father, as well as what happened during Jayné's lost two days when she was 16. 

The most important revelations had to do with  Jayné's family. From the onset we were told that her father was an authoritarian parent with strong religious beliefs.  These facts did indeed turn out to be true; however, Hanover took great care to imbue a sense of complexity to not only his character but those of the other members of  Jayné's family. This allowed the reader to have a greater understanding of Jayné and to fully appreciate her growth as a protagonist.  It's worth mentioning that I still don't find Jayné to be particularly likeable, even if she is no longer naive. 

Rachel Skartsen and the Mosaic Church

Recently it was drawn to our attention that there was a brouhaha about Rachel Skarsten - the actor who plays Tamsin on Lost Girl - tweeting her support and membership of the homophobic Mosaic church in LA. Naturally, this caused some comment, especially given the prominent lesbian and bisexual characters in Lost Girl

This is always an awkward topic to talk about and I was in two minds about talking about it at all. However, having decided to, it is one that requires some nuance and length.

Firstly, it’s a discussion that raises the question of whether we’re going to examine all actor’s religious beliefs - especially since Ms. Skarsten’s church, as far as I can see, is no more homophobic than many other large churches like the Catholic church, Anglican church, Baptists, Latter Day Saints - in fact, I would say that the Mosaic church is pretty standard in its homophobia compared to the majority of organised denominational Christian churches. It would not surprise me if a huge number of the actors in shows we love, attended churches that hold objectionable, homophobic views. I would say it’s almost a certainty that many of them do.

On that, it feels rather unfair to single out Rachel Skarsten. Especially since organised Christian churches that don’t hold views that aren’t at least a little homophobic (churches that outright say being gay is not sinful and treat gay parishioners with exactly the same respect, rites and blessings as straight ones) are not actually all that common. This is a deeply depressing state of affairs - and certainly one that mainstream Christianity needs to address; but how much blame should attach to individual Christians for that? Because if we are apportioning blame, there are 1.2 billion Catholics in the world supporting a church whose homophobic rhetoric is, at very least, as homophobic as the Mosaic church. I would rather all supporters and members of homophobic churches take a good, long look at what they’re supporting and endorsing rather than singling out one among many.

Ultimately, as well, how people deal with homophobia from their churches can be a fraught issue. Personally, I cannot understand why someone would seek deity in a place that preaches hatred. I do not see how a place that preaches discrimination can be regarded as a source of deity (and certainly not morality). I do not understand this, I find it dubious. However, at the same time I acknowledge that the church can be a source of immense importance to people - religiously, culturally and from a community standpoint. I find it... distressing that people feel they cannot connect with their faith, their god, their culture or their community without also endorsing and supporting bigotry; I also can’t help but feel that people are saying “the humanity and rights of GBLT people are less important to me than X” (whatever “X” the church provides for them). But these religious choices are extremely powerful and personal. And at least it’s a little better (though very much in the same vein) than people saying that the humanity and rights of GBLT people are less important to me than fried chicken or watching a film. Because that’s just really depressing.

But there are three elements that I feel are worth mentioning in this case - and they apply not just to Rachel Skarsten but as good general points.

Firstly, there is an issue of tweeting the church and endorsing it; attending a church and extolling its virtues are different things. Herein lies one of the problems with both the brevity of twitter and celebrity endorsement - it’s a good idea to check out what you’re endorsing first. I don’t know how aware Rachel Skarsten was of her church’s stance on homophobia - in fact, I did a fair amount of googling and the Mosaic church does put its homophobia as front and centre as many churches do. This is a trap I’ve seen other celebrities fall into - in fact, it wasn’t long ago that Cher tweeted support for a homophobic pastor and faced gentle criticism of the bigotry she was promoting. I have to say, Rachel Skarsten’s response was considerably better than Cher’s rather... excessive rant.

Save Me, Season One, Episode Four: Heal Thee

Beth and Tom are lying in bed together, when she wakes and says that since God had come into her life that she feels like the world has gotten brighter and louder.  She looks out a window and sees a bird and says that it's like "he/she" has turned up the sound system full blast. Beth gets out of bed and says that we are not alone.  When she opens her window, the tree is now filled with birds and she tells them that she hopes they have the greatest day possible. Emily sees a spider in the tub and freaks out and when Tom goes to kill it, Beth stops him and calls the spider a gift from God.  When she walks out of the bathroom singing to the spider, Tom tells Emily that what happened stays in the house.

Beth decides that her fondness for God's creatures extends beyond animals and after praying for Carly McKenna (Tom's ex mistress) to wake up for days, she decides to pay her a visit. Tom is uncomfortable and wants to leave but Beth tells him to slow down and that they are supposed to talk to patients in a coma.  When he asks what they should say, Beth replies small talk and she tells Carly that they are helping Elliot throw a surprise party tonight.  Then Beth goes on to say that Elliot made a mistake and told Maggie the name of his ex wife and that she finds it ridiculous that Maggie is so insecure because no one liked Elliot's ex wife Diane.  Tom interjects that Carly needs her rest and then reads a text from Elliot asking them to pick up balloons on the way over to JP's.  Tom leaves the room and Beth lays her hands on Carly and says heal thee.  When she looks down, Carly is still in a coma so Beth says, "I'll keep praying for you bitch."

Tom and Beth are in the car and it is now full of balloons. Beth notices that Tom is quiet and so she asks him if he is upset that she came with him to see Carly. At first Tom says that's it great if that is what Beth needed to do and then says that he thinks it's creepy.  Beth asks if Tom wanted to be alone with Carly because he is still in love with her.  Tom denies being in love with Carly and Beth insists that he still seems mad.  Tom tells Beth that they shouldn't look back and he insists that he is not mad about anything.  When a squirrel runs into the road, Beth demands that he stop but Tom does not stop in time and hits the squirrel.  Beth gets on her knees and apologises to the squirrel.  Tom says that they have to put the squirrel out of it's misery.  He grabs a huge rock and is about to squash the squirrel, when Beth gets a message that she is suppose to save the squirrel, so she takes off her sweater and wraps the squirrel up in it.

They take the squirrel to Elliot and he says that if it were human he would run some tests to find out why he has fur and a tail.  Elliot clearly does not want to touch the squirrel. Beth tells Elliot that she promised God that she would save the squirrel.  Elliot is not convinced and says that he admires Beth's feelings for animals but that he took an oath in medical school to do no harm and sometimes it means not intervening with nature. Elliot finishes by saying, "cadaver's boobs are still boobs."

Beth is looking down at the squirrel in a diner when Jenna approaches and tells her that every life is precious. Beth says precious and unnerving and admits that squirrels have always freaked her out because squirrels have always reminded her of rats.  Jenna then asks Beth to move away from the window before their YELP score gets crashed.   When Beth looks out the window, she sees cats and dogs staring in at her.

Tom and Elliot are talking and Elliot says that he can't decide if it's weirder that Beth visited Carly with Tom, or that she is busy nursing road kill. Tom says that Beth was chatting up Carly like they were in the same traipse act and one of them got injured.  Elliot believes that this is a good thing because Beth actually forgave Tom for having an affair. Tom replies that he doesn't feel like a winner and wishes that he could erase the last six months. Tom feels that Beth's reaction is not normal and wants her to be mad about the affair. Elliot talk about the fact that he is always in the dog house with Maggie and suggests that they should do a couples switch, so that he can have all the forgiveness and Tom can have the rage that he needs.  Tom says that he would take the evil eye over crazy eye any day.  Tom adds that he always imagined growing old with Beth and didn't imagine her going crazy.  Beth approaches and says that the squirrel's breathing is laboured and that its fur is pale.  Elliot suggests that it's time to call the squirrel priest but Beth is adamant that they cannot let the squirrel die.  Beth tells Tom that they have to take the squirrel to a real doctor and Elliot says that Beth means a vet.

At the vet, they learn that the MRI revealed that the squirrel has a couple of broken ribs.  Tom says that he cannot believe they are having a conversation about a squirrel MRI. The vet adds that the squirrel also has a shattered pelvis with internal bleeding and Beth asks what they can do.  The vet recommends euthanizing the squirrel and Beth says no and Tom adds that they should have just done the rock thing.  Beth says no again and asks the vet what he can do.  The vet suggests surgery and Tom is concerned about the cost.  The vet tells him that it will cost between 1700-1800 and Tom immediately says no. Beth tells him that they cannot think about money and should focus on the precious life. Tom denies thinking about the money at first and then says that he is thinking about the money and the poor squirrel.  Tom points out that by doing this that they are extending the squirrels suffering and adds that if he had this much damage, he would want her to put him down.  Beth again points out that God really wants her to save the squirrel and that maybe this is all connected to Carly.  When Tom expresses doubt, Beth replies that if he had spent the fifty minutes with bible that she has, he would understand that God works in super weird ways. Tom says that this had been made really clear.  Beth suggests that maybe if she saves this squirrel that she can save Carly and Tom replies that maybe if he eats a really big meal that he can solve hunger. The vet returns to find out if they have made a decision and Beth tells him to do the surgery. Tom leaves to help Elliot and the vet calls for his nurse to prep the squirrel for surgery.

At the party, Elliot thanks them and says that he is looking forward to gratitude sex with Maggie. Jenna says that Maggie just texted her and is on her way there and that Beth has been texting updates on the little guys surgery.  Tom points out that the squirrel is not his little guy and that he is the most loved squirrel in the world.  When Maggie walks in, everyone yells surprise.  Elliot tells Maggie happy anniversary and Maggie asked him how he didn't know that surprise parties are her worst nightmare. Elliot tells everyone that Maggie is very happy.

Back at the vet, Beth says that she is confidant that when she gets the squirrel up and running again that Tom would appreciate all of her efforts.  The vet walks into the room with the squirrel in a box and tells Beth that the squirrel didn't make it.  Beth says that it's not possible but the vet assures her that they did all that they could and that it's just a squirrel. The vet hands over the box and tells Beth that she can see Gena on her way out and that if she pays cash, they will validate and incinerate.

Maggie's party is in full swing, as Beth watches Tom make mix a drink.  Beth say that she is worried that her attempt to save the squirrel has caused some internal bleeding in her marriage as well.  Jenna tells Beth that she gets it and that she once lost a job because she stayed home three days to nurse a lame butterfly back to health. Jenna adds that the butterfly got better and then flew into her fan.  Beth asks how she could fail at something God wanted her to do. Jenna tells her that she will get through this and instructs Beth to put her present down and to ask Tom to make her a drink.  Beth admits that the box she is holding is not in fact a gift but the dead squirrel.  Beth asks to put the squirrel in the fridge because it is starting to smell.  Jenna says that she cannot have a dead animal in there and suggests that Beth take the squirrel home and change into something more festive and come back.

Save Me, Season One, Episode Three: WWJD

Beth Harper is sitting in a diner thinking that she has not yet gotten used to the fact that she is a prophet of God.  Beth suddenly stand up and announces to the crowded diner that they are all loved. She informs one man that he is only going to be unemployed for a short time and this shocks him because he had no idea that he would be losing his job.  Beth then goes on to inform him that six weeks later, he is going to get his dream job.  He ignores the part about the dream job and demands to know who Beth has been talking to and how she knows that he is going to lose his job.  Beth tells him that he is missing the point, sits down and thinks about how her power didn't come with an instruction manual. Suddenly, it comes to Beth that there is an instruction book and she heads home to find a bible.

Beth calls Tom when she cannot find the bible and he is quick to dismiss what she is going through. Beth makes it clear that this isn't just a "thing" and asserts that not only does God talk to her but that she put his ex mistress into a coma. Beth then manages to find a bible and announces that they are good people.  When Beth opens the bible however, she finds it hollowed out in the center and a bag of pot in the middle.

Beth is back at the diner and is now reading the bible. She calls the relationship between Cain and Able a classic bromance.  Finally, Beth admits that she is not understanding a word that she is reading.  The waitress tells her that there are more accessible versions out there than the King James version.  Beth decides to get a children's bible. Back at home, she celebrates the fact that this new bible has pictures. Maggie and Elliot stop by to talk about Ruby leaving the neighbourhood.  Apparently, they have created a petition to get Ruby's house declared a public nuisance.  Tom is pleased to learn that he and Beth are the last two signatures needed.  Maggie points out that they all had problems with Ruby but that Beth has a truly special relationship with her. We get a flash to Beth and Ruby yelling at each other.  In one scene, Ruby threatens to shoot Beth with an arrow and in another, Beth is peeing on Ruby's front lawn. Beth signs the petition saying good riddance Ruby.  When Elliot and Maggie leave, Beth asks Tom if he remembers when they use to fantasize about a gay couple moving into Ruby's house and fixing it up. Really? There are no LGBT characters in this story, so they deal with inclusion by talking about throwing in a trope laden couple who will decorate.  I could have done without that altogether. The Harper family then goes on to fantasize about the jobs this imaginary gay couple will hold and how their work on the house will increase property values throughout the neighbourhood and result in visits from Architectural Digest. Emily even goes as far to imagine one of the men spending hours doing her hair.

The fantasizing is brought to an end when Beth gets a message to check out page 117 in her bible and realises that she has to help Ruby the rat face.  Tom asks what she means and Beth says that she cannot let Ruby be kicked out of her house and that she has to be the one to help her fix it. Tom says that she can't but Beth replies that God is telling her to be a good Samaritan.  When Emily brings up "the gays,"  Beth simply replies, "oh honey I know," before leaving.

With the bible in her hands, Beth heads to see Ruby, who immediately hoses her down.  Beth returns to the house this time with a lawn mower in tow, saying that according to the children's bible that once Ruby realises that she was trying to be a good person that it will soften her heart. Before Beth can even start the lawnmower, Ruby starts to throw empty cans at her. Beth screams stop and declares her intention to help but Ruby believes that Beth is just there to pee on something. Beth tells her about the petition and says that if she doesn't help, Ruby will get kicked out of her home.  Ruby's heart is not softened and she tells Beth that she does not want her help. Beth leaves and yells at God and Ruby calls her a nutcase and demands o know who Beth is talking to.  Beth replies that if she were a nice old lady with a horrible house that she would help Ruby out and she rants that you can't get blood from a turnip.  Ruby is surprised by Beth's choice of words and says that her husband used to say that.  Beth asked how long Ruby was married and she replies 38 years and that her husband Leon used to spend all of his time puttering in the yard. Ruby adds that when he was done, he would always come in the house and say that he just came in for a hug.  Beth walks onto the front porch and gives Ruby a hug.

Over at the Harpers, Pete asks about why Beth was hugging Ruby and Tom reveals that Beth got it into her head that she is supposed to help Ruby and be a good samaritan. Pete says no and reminds Tom about their fantasy about getting someone good in Ruby's house.  Elliot pipes up that he and Maggie have always had a fantasy about getting a gay couple on the block. Pete adds that he and Jenna have always had the exact same fantasy. Tom says that their fantasy couple are named Todd and Benitzio. Elliot adds that their fantasy couple are named  Steven and Rafe and that Steven owns several high end restaurants and that Rafe designs women's shoes. Pete adds that his are Kelly and Kelly and that one Kelly is a lipstick lesbian with a killer ass and that the other is another lipstick lesbian, who also has a killer ass.  Elliot points out that unless Tom makes Beth stop that no one has a chance of getting their "dream gays."  Tom replies that this is not the 1800's and that a man cannot stop his wife from doing something.  Tom adds that Beth thinks that this is God's will.  Elliot asks if Beth knows that God split a baby in half and suggests that Tom tell Beth that one.  Tom argues that Beth is making herself  a better person but Pete is not buying it and replies, "for the sake of me and Kelly and Kelly and their gay twin sisters, who I have not even told you about yet, you discourage her Tom."

Save Me, Season One, Episode Two: Take It Back

Beth is sitting on the toilet and thanking God, saying that she is honored to be a prophet of God. She says that if ze is open for feedback that she is not sure that she is the best choice because she doesn't take direction and is not a religious person.  We get a flash to Beth dressed as a nun saying, "lord have mercy," as she is being spanked. Beth adds that they really hurt someone, even if she Carly is Tom's mistress.  Beth adds that she just want to learn from her mistakes with Tom and move on.  We get a flash of Tom visiting Carly in the hospital.  Beth asks God to stop talking to her and pick someone else. Emily walks in and is shocked to find her mother praying on the toilet and complains that it is constant before walking out.

When Tom returns home, Beth asks how Carly is doing and he replies that the doctors say that she is in a coma.  Beth responds that at least Carly is not dead because that would make it a felony. Tom says that Beth is a former weather girl who now controls the weather and asks her if she is trying to get her fifteen minutes of fame back.  Emily loudly announces that she is entering the room and asks Beth not to electrocute her.  Beth tells Emily that she hopes she is joking and that she wants her to feel safe in her own home.  Emily quips that her friends on Facebook have dubbed their home the house of horrors and that horrors is spelled with a W. Tom tells Emily that he is sorry she found out about his affair but that he is still dad to her, when she calls him by his first name. Emily tells Tom that she never said he wasn't her dad but calls him Tom again.  Emily leaves to hang out with a friend. Tom says that not only does Emily not want to hang out with them but that they have become the pariahs of the neighbourhood. Beth says that they have fallen from grace and brings up the potlucks they used to have.  Tom responds that this was two personalities ago before leaving the room.

Beth admits that Tom was right and says that this is when God told her to win back her family and friends, she would have to start by doing the right thing.  Beth then knocks on  Maggie's door and says that she is starting up their Sunday night potlucks again.  Maggie closes the door in Beth's face saying no thank you.  Beth knocks again and hands her the coffee maker that she borrowed.  We get a flashback to a drunken Beth hanging off of Elliot, Maggie's husband.  Maggie intervenes and tells Beth that it is time to switch to coffee. Beth heads into the kitchen and then steals the coffee maker. Maggie admits that she knew that Beth stole the machine and says that she doesn't want it back because she bought a cheaper version so that every morning her watery latte would fuel her rage against Beth.  Beth comments that this doesn't sound healthy but Maggie says that it provides her with a bigger jolt than caffeine ever could.  Beth barges into the kitchen and Elliot walks into the room saying that he is going to the gym.  Maggie warns Elliot to be careful and says that he is going to get hurt. Maggie asks if this is threat and Elliot asks who is going to hurt him.  Beth admits that she was told this and Elliot responds that he would be happy to make a referral for a psych consult.  Beth assures them that she is fine and tells them to give the potluck some thought before leaving.

Jenny is over at Beth's and she asks if it's a feeling or a voice.  Beth responds that after it's more of a feeling but that after he/she says something that she cannot ignore it. Beth adds that  it like when you dream of eating something and then cannot remember what it tastes like.  When Jenny agrees that she hates that, Beth takes comfort in the fact that Jenny is not scared of her.  Jenny admits that Pete is a little because their power keeps going out since the lightening storm. Beth admits that she is honoured that Pete thinks that she can control the weather. 

Tom is at the gym when he is asked how he knows that God is talking to Emily. Tom then turns to Elliot and asks if Emily knowing about his affair is going to permanently scar her. Elliot replies that the only scars he is qualified to speak for are the ones he can prescribe vanishing cream for. Tom replies that he wishes he could make this whole thing vanish. Elliot adds that Beth is sober now and that they are still together, so it should count for something.  Pete suggests that maybe it's the devil talking to Beth. Tom again protests that no one is talking to Beth.  Elliot brings up the fact that his father had an affair with their mailman and Tom immediately corrects him and says mail woman but Elliot again asserts mailman and says that the mailman woke up at their house.  Elliot says that he knew about his father's affair but even after his parents divorced, his father wouldn't admit it, or talk to him about it.  Ben asks Elliot if he wanted his father to talk about it and Elliot responds that it would have helped him process it better.

Beth is going through her recipe book and says that she is making a simple pasta.  Jenny agrees to make a salad, so Beth responds that a four person potluck is still a potluck.  Beth then turns, looks at the espresso machine and offers it to Jenny.  Jenny says no thanks because she is strictly a green tea girl and suggests that she sell it on ebay. Beth replies that she is supposed to be making amends and not a profit, so Jenny suggests that her church takes all kinds of donations.  Beth thinks this is perfect and asks if she can go with Jenny to church. Jenny says that she would love to have a church buddy besides Pete.

Beth brings the espresso machine with her to the church.  When she walks in, everyone is singing Praise the Lord I Saw the Light.  Beth says that she feels like she is home and gets up and starts to sing, even though she has never heard the song before.  Beth instantly knows the words.  After the service, Beth approaches pastor Jim with the esspresso machine but he says that one of their parishioners gave them a restaurant grade machine recently.  Beth then tells the pastor that Gods talks to her and he encourages Beth and says that she is special.  Jeremy interrupts and says that God talks to him as well and that Pastor Jim is going to live to be 240 years old.  Beth asks if when Jim said that she was special, if he meant like Jeremy is special and Jim replies that they are all God's children. Beth says that she is trying to be a better person and that she is going to need to hear that God's does not exist in Jeremy's toy dog.  Pete and Jenny walk up and Pete says that Jeremy once told him that he could perform psychic surgeries.  Beth calls Jeremy nuts and Jenny admonishes her not to be rude.  Jim adds that they don't cast judgement here.  Beth says that she thought churches specialise in judgement and that she needs to be separated from Jeremy because she is not the crazy one. Beth admits that God talks to her but not through a toy chihuahua but through her mind with a gender neutral voice.  The room goes silent and everyone stares at her.

Save Me, Season One: Pilot

The episode opens with Beth Harper talking about how she died on a stormy night, in a marriage which had gone bad. She stands over Tom with a hammer, after discovering his affair and quickly decides that killing her husband is no way to deal with a hangover.  Beth heads downstairs and raids the fridge but supposedly chokes to death on a sandwhich.

The next morning, Tom comes downstairs and sees a mess all over the floor but no Beth. She bursts in and tells him that she choked on a sandwich and thought she was dead but she is still alive.  Tom asks her if she is still drunk and Beth leans in and kisses him. Beth tells him that she has loved him since they day they met and is glad that she didn't bash his head in last night.

Beth decides to go for a run to celebrate still being alive but is forced to stop and puke in her neighbours recycle bin. We get a flashback to the night before of Beth partying on a coffee table, as the people around her stare. Beth heads home to dump the alcohol down the sink and her daughter Emily enters the room.  Beth asks Emily if she would like to go and see a movie and Emily tells her that she is now pretending to get a text message about something else she has to do and then pretending to feel really bad abut it.

Beth goes running again and says that she has become the source of Emily's teen angst.  Later that evening, Beth goes to Emily's room and says that she is going to do better. Emily tells her where the door is in case she needs directions. Beth tries again and tells Emily that there is magic in her and that she knew it the first time she held her.  All of a sudden, it appears as though Beth has read Emily's mind and brings up Ben, the kid Emily was making out with earlier.  Emily calls for help and Tom comes running.  Emily complains that Beth suddenly knows about Ben and that she calls all of her friends Jessica because she once had a friend named Jessica. Tom asks about Ben and Emily quickly deflects.

Tom goes to see Beth who is jumping up and down on the bed.  He starts to tell her that he wants a divorce but Beth cuts him off saying that what he really wants is an explanation for her behaviour. Beth spurts out that she choked on a sandwich and died Friday night and that is why she feels so different, so alive. Beth adds that ever since it happened, she knows things she shouldn't know.  Tom tells Beth that she has given him a lot to think about, as he backs out of the room to go and sleep on the couch.

When next we see Tom, he is in a hotel room with Carly McKenna explaining that he couldn't tell Beth about the divorce because she was jumping on the bed talking about how she had died. Carly suggests that Tom get Beth a catscan saying that if she is clean, it's an act, because no one just bumps their head and goes crazy. Carly adds that Beth has him just where she wants him and says that she has to run because her boss is kind of a knob.  Tom says that she is upset and Carly replies that she thought that today was the day they were going to start living their lives outside of the hotel.  Tom tells her to get the puppy they were talking about as a way to pacify her.

Back at the house, Emily wants to know how Beth knows about Ben and asks if she is spying on her or reading her text messages.  Beth tells Emily not to worry about it and adds that she wants to know all about it. Emily tells her that she is annoying and weird and that she is not going to just open up to her. When Beth responds that this is a start, Emily says that she is not going to do this with her again and pretend that everything is normal.  Tom walks into the room and asks Beth if she  cooked and Emily replies, "only in the very broadest definition of the word."  Emily leaves the room, as Tom asks what's on Beth's mind.  Beth answers that it turns out that God saved her and Tom points out that she has never even been to church.  Beth says that God has been talking to her and has told her to tell other people.  When Tom asks if she is a prophet, Beth says yes and that the label feels good.  Beth tells Tom that God is pissed at him because he is hurting Emily and that Emily can smell perfume on his clothes when he comes in at night. Tom asks if Emily told her that and when Beth does not respond, Tom asks if God is going to smite him now.  Beth announces that first thing in the morning they have to get a catscan to see what is going on with her and Tom quickly agrees.

Review Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone

Three Parts Dead is outside of our genre, as it falls squarely into the category of high fantasy, rather than urban fantasy, though it does include mages, vampires and gargoyles.  In an alternate earth there are Gods which are worshiped for their ability to provide for human society.  Essentially a legal contract is formed with a God in which they agree to provide certain services for worship. The crafts people are in charge in writing these contracts and ensuring that the letter of the law is followed.  When Kos dies, it endangers the city of Alt Coulumb. He must absolutely be resurrected but with various claims on his person, this is going to be difficult and Kos will not necessarily come back as the God Alt Coulumb knows.

Tara who is an associate at international necromantic firm of Kelethres, Albrecht, and Ao is tasked with bringing back Kos and arguing the side of Alt Coulumb.  With the help of Abelard, a priest who practices his faith by chain smoking, they must take on Tara's nemesis, and deal with gargoyles who have their own claim to Kos' body.  

I chose to read this book because it was recommended to us and the cover showed a Black female protagonist.  Let's be honest, people of colour are highly erased in the fantasy genre and when they do appear, they are most often sidekicks.  Had I not seen the cover of this book however, I would have no idea that Tara is Black.  I understand that in an alternate world, markers of Black culture would most assuredly be different but non-existent does not make sense.  I don't even really remember a descriptive passage in which we are told what Tara looks like.

I really wanted to like this book, but I feel that Gladstone got to caught up in his own story.  After about 60 pages in, I actually started to wonder whether or not I was reading the second part of a series rather than the first book.  The fact that I had to turn to Goodreads to confirm that I was really reading the first book evidences a shortcoming in how Gladstone chose to frame his world.  There was not nearly enough world building and I felt as though I was reading an already established cannon, rather than being introduced to a new world. I constantly felt like I was missing something and the story didn't really pick up for me until about the two hundred page mark.  Having to read 2/3 of a book to get some excitement makes for a slow and boring read.

Bedlam, Season 2, Episode 5: Dare

 

We have a man breaking and entering a long disused chapel -  he seems less than pleased and lobs a cross across the room, lights a ciggie and then realises… he’s being watched. Cue Bedlam spookiness – even in broad daylight. The ratchet it up a notch by having the cross he threw reappear on the altar. The man isn’t frightened though – he shouts a challenge instead.

Now to Bedlam, Max and Ellie are doing the friendy thing and finally Ellie tells Max that she had an abortion last week, she chose to go alone. Max is supportive, she’s apologetic for not telling him, but he’s very clear it’s her choice and she’s very clear she did the right thing with the position she is in life.

And 2 more people are breaking into the same chapel, meeting up with their friend – and Ellie gets a vision of a vicar running from something and grabbing the cross – the one that tidies itself up after being disturbed. Quick summons to Max, a check to see a church local to bedlam (where inmates may have gone) and it’s time for a little trip.

This involves awkward scenes as they visit local churches and pose as an engaged couple, which is awkward but not quite so much as Ellie’s way out (which I had to admire). At least Max learns that the Bedlam inmates never went to the church – they went to their own chapel (which makes more sense and they really should have thought of it).

Max and Ellie do more jokey flirting – Max amused at the idea of Ellie as a bride, saying he’d always stand by her unlike her fiancé (who she defends), but Ellie assures him he can have a big fancy wedding so long as she gets to be bridesmaid. Ouch, Max, not-so-subtle hint there

In the spooky chapel, 1 of them (Liam) wants to film evil/ghosts/demons/lack of common sense whatever and put it on the internet. He’s poking the ghosts, it seems, because of his religious father and something apparently unpleasant that happened. Liam’s dislike of the church seems to be provoking the ghost, though.

Review of Killing Rites by M.L.N. Hanover: Book 4 in The Black Sun's Daughter Series

 

It took three books, but Hanover finally wrote a book that I enjoyed reading. Perhaps it's because Jayné [Gods above how I hate that pretentious faux French name] the protagonist seems to have finally achieved a level of maturity.  After killing an innocent man in Vicious Grace, she is haunted by her actions and questioning whether she is actually in control of her body. Because her powers seem to be increasing, rather than diminishing, Jayné determines that a rider has taken up residence in her body.  

Jayné and Ex head to Sante Fe, leaving Chogyi Jake behind to meet Father Chapin and a group of Vatican approved exorcists that Ex was formerly involved in.  Father Chapin immediately suggests that Jayné seek out psychiatric help.  He feels the fact that she had a controlled childhood, inherited a lot of money from her not gay Uncle Eric, lost her faith in God and Eric, as well as defiled the temple of her flesh [note: nice way to call her a whore for having two lovers].  Though slut shaming is disgustingly sexist, I was not surprised to see it in a Catholic priest. Jayné convinces Father Chapin to go through with the exorcism. She learns that her riders name is The Black Sun's Daughter and it seems as though the demon is somehow related to the desert.  At the moment when the rider is just about to be pulled from her body, Jayné feels another trying to slip in and calls a halt to the exorcism.  Father Chapin with Ex's support believes that Jayné has been overcome by the demon living inside her.

The rest of the novel is essential spent with Jayné looking to prove that another demon was indeed trying to take control of her body.  This however does not mean that it was free of problematic elements.  The following a quote from the book regarding Jayné's feelings on going for an exorcism.

Review: Fire Baptized by Kenya Wright

Lanore lives in the Santeria compound in Miami. All supernatural beings are forced to live separate from the humans who guard the compounds extremely carefully, ensuring they can never escape into the human population. Inside, all are supernatural of some kind - faerie or vampire, shapeshifter or demon or witch or even stranger creatures, and all marked with a brand on their foreheads that denote their supernatural type.

Lanore wears the cross to mark her as mixed blooded. And as such she is reviled by her fellow supernaturals, a lesser citizen, to be mistrusted and hated and discriminated against. She’s the first mixed blood allowed to attend university (albeit with great difficulty) and she must constantly step warily to try and negotiate a highly prejudiced world.

Which isn’t made any easier by a string of murders, one of which she witnessed and the killer made it clear he is aware of her. Faced with a grossly incompetent (and indifferent) human police force, she is pushed into the role of investigator as people keep dying gruesome deaths and she may be next on the list.

And of course she has 2 men to dodge between. MeShack the were-cheatah, and old ex who she grew up with with his own issues, and Zulu, a fellow mixed-breed leader of the Mixed Breed Rights movement, pushing for equality and justice that is both demanding, requires great political maneuvering and sometimes disturbing allies.

The most amazing part of this book is the world, because wow is it several kinds of shiny. We have a gazillion supernatural creatures, an entire society made up of supernatural creatures, and no humans. We have a history of oppression, we have different laws and cultures and different movements and politics for each of the movements. We have many sided many layered conflicts, a rich and complex society we have so much magic and possibilities. It’s almost impossibly rich and diverse yet at the same time incredibly real and well done that I can envisage this society working this way. I think I’d read this whole series even if it were just a long series of info-dumps.

But it’s not - because not only do we have this wide, wonderful world, we also have it presented appropriately, revealed as and when it becomes relevant without tiresome lecturing or screeds of musings to serve as informing us.

And the story works well within this world. Lanore isn’t a trained investigator and it is a little questionable why she gets herself involved but it’s not entirely unrealistic. And the investigation itself is rather reactive because there’s so little to go on, but though Lanore often seems to be running at the rear of the investigation, it works because she isn't a professional and she engages so well with the world while hurrying to catch up. And, in the end, she does get proactive once she has enough information together. Despite her hurrying to catch up, I wasn’t bored as often happens in murder mysteries when they end up chasing rather than investigating, but the rich world and the way Lanore works with it just runs smoothly and makes the pacing work. There are side plots to keep us going with the main plot of tracking down the murderer including Zulu’s work with the mixed-blood rights movements which I definitely want to see more of.

Unfortunately there is also the romance storyline that I didn’t care for at all. First of all, both Zulu and MeShack cross lines a lot. She is marked as possessed twice against her will. They constantly press her and push past her boundaries and their alpha male posturing over her and against each other is intolerable. MeShack breaks her vibrators to keep her loyal to him and throws out the flowers that Zulu buys her. Zulu virtually starts a war because a vampire is touching her. And while Lanore, as the strong, non-spunky, capable woman that she is turns round and says it’s not ok, she doesn’t make it stick or the men don’t respect her enough to take her objections seriously.

Being Human U.K. Season Two Episode Eight: All God's Children

 

This episode opens at the institute with Kemp praying and the other priests getting up to join him in prayer.  Lucy wakes up to a vision of a young girl covered with blood who says, "it's coming."  The priest and Kemp leave the institute to preach on the streets about the agents of darkness being amongst humanity. When they return, George is getting a medical work up done. Annie tells George that the weird bible guys can't see her. Annie points out that they have found Mitchell's girlfriend, and George says "that it does not inspire confidence".  He goes on to say that he is not allowed dairy or meat because they are worried that they will strength the demon.  When Annie asks why he is doing this, he says that since he gave Nina the curse, she has asked him for nothing but this. Annie tells George that she is worried about Mitchell, and wonders what he has done.

In his office, Kemp is making a recording saying that anyone who over heard the conversation in the house would have believed that they were friends, and that their relationship was entirely human. Lucy knocks on the door and tells him that she saw Amy McBride this morning, and that she spoke to her.  Kemp says that Amy McBride came to them willingly and that she knew that her lover had died before her. Lucy points out that Amy changed her mind as they closed the door, but Kemp says that they are doing good work, and that the alternative is to allow the possession to continue.

Back in the room that Annie shares with Hennessey, Annie says that she is glad that she has him to talk to.  Hennessey asks if George knows why she is really there, and Annie says that he thinks that she is there to keep an eye on him, and that she wishes that they would hurry up, because she is sick of all this waiting. In the lab they have a collection of body bags for the type 3's and coffins.  The technician watches as Annie undresses and he begins to jerk off.  What no one realizes at this point, is that Mitchell is in the building because he doen't appear on camera.

In conversation with Lucy, George asks if they are in a bank, and Lucy says that she likes the symmetry because in the 20th century, banks became the religion, and now they are taking it back. "Faith was my dirty secret", Lucy said.  "I then outed myself by writing a book on intelligent design."  When George asks how this went down with the other scientists, Lucy tells him that they hid all of her stuff and drew a cock on the back of her lab coat.  George goes on to say that he knows about her and Mitchell.  Lucy responds, "the intention was to reach out to you. Now, given the exclusivity of your friendship, I thought that the best way to do that was through Mitchell. I fucked up, I lost sight of why I was there. It was unprofessional and adolescent".  George asks if she loved him, and Lucy shakes her head yes.  "Mitchell's gone now," George says. "You make me nervous, it's like all my senses are telling me that you're dangerous".  Lucy tells him that she is, because the creature is looking at her through George's eyes and that it knows what she's going to do. Lucy says that she wants to help and that she wants to do good work.

Back in his room, George says that he is nervous about Mitchell, but Nina points out that he is a mass murderer. Nina tells George that he has to commit to this, and when he says that he will be gone for a few days, she asks him why he even came here.  George says that he is frightened that it will work. "all that time I have been dreaming of life without this, and that might happen, and the thought of it is so exquisite, it's so terrifying."  Nina says "if this works that we will have nothing left to hide behind. It will just be you and me." George answers that she is worth a thousand of him, and that he will stay.  

George walks into the office to use the phone, but instead of dialing out, it seems to be ringing in the institute. George leaves a message on Mitchell's answering machine and says, "Where are you? What's happened to you Mitchell?  I keep dragging you from that world, and you keep sliding back.  I can't risk helping you anymore, there is Nina to think of and Annie, and I think that you should leave us alone."  George then listens to the messages on the machine and hears Annie's goodbye message, though she is still in the room that she shares with Hennessey.  "The man that came to the house to talk to George is helping me to complete my journey. For so long now, I've been tired and frightened. The prospect of this and this stream of time in front me is terrifying. Do you remember George, I was going to pass on and you asked me why if I didn't know what lay beyond? It's because this endless life, never aging, never kissing, never having a family, all of the things that make you human. Not having them is a worse hell than anything that they've got over there. Be good boys, I love you boys, because it was through you two that I've really truly lived."

Being Human U.K. Season Two Episode Seven: Damage

 

It's London 1941, and Ivan and Daisy are in the bomb shelter.  Daisy is talking about not being able to bond with her daughter Pearl.  She says, that she doesn't understand her and that it was like she was left on her doorstep. and that at any moment, the real parents are going to want her back.  Ivan wants to know if the worst thing about thinking like this is the guilt, or the lack of guilt. When Daisy asks if he believes that they are going to win the war, he tells her, "my people have never been interested in politics.  You see, I look at the cogs not the machine, they're easy to predict like you Daisy.  What will happen to Daisy? You will become small and provincial like everyone around you. That beautiful mouth will become mean and tight.   Every human life is just another story by the same author. Somehow staying here feels like more of a risk doesn't it?" He holds out his hand to her.

In the morning, George is sleeping and Molly is watching him.  Molly tells him that he needs to wake up cause nanny needs to ask him something.  At the house, Nina rings the doorbell and Annie answers.  Nina immediately asks how George is doing, and Annie tells her that he has met someone, and he has moved out.  Nina wants to know what he's like.  Sam is charging around the kitchen and she again says that it would really mean a lot to Molly if he could be there, but George says that he can't because of his toboggan thing with Mitchell.  This sets Sam off, because to her it feels like he is still there. "It's like your hedging your bets.  It's like you're giving me mixed signals. I know that this happened really quickly, but this is what you wanted. You set the speed not me. I'm nervous now George. I'm waiting for the other boot to drop", Sam says. When George looks at her without responding she says, "fuck it, I'll see you later" and walks out the room.

Nina says that she told him to get on with his life, and Annie tells her that it's been a bit weird since she left.  Nina tells Annie that she needs to talk to George before the full moon and Annie assures her that it won't be a problem because he is always there.  It seems half of his stuff is still in the house and he treats the place like a shed. Annie gets up and offers Nina tea and stuff.  As she gets up, Nina asks about Mitchell.

Mitchell enters the burnt out funeral parlor, and finds Daisy crying over the spot where Ivan died. She runs to embrace Mitchell, and asks how he got out and he tells her that Ivan saved him.   Mitchell believes that it is payback for killing the police constable, but Daisy tells him that she was on the road when it happened, and that she didn't see any police. "This was quick and brutal but it was amateurish, trust me, it wasn't the police", Daisy says.

In George's room, Nina sees George's cage.  When she hears noise downstairs, she walks into the kitchen where George is cleaning the sink. He is stunned to see her and she tells him that the cage is a great idea.  "Annie told me that you started seeing someone. She said that you're living together," Nina says.  When George responds that she told him to move on, Nina says that it's good and that she is glad that he is happy.  When he asks Nina why she is there, she responds that she is there to see him, and that she met some people who might have a cure.  Nina says that they know about them, and that Kemp was the first person to approach her.  George is instantly distrustful and says "that this is our first conversation. You disappear for weeks and we're talking about this".   Nina asks George if three years ago someone had told him about vampires and werewolves what he would have said, but George feels that the hope that Kemp is giving Nina is cruel because he does not believe in a cure. 

In a cafe, Mitchell and Daisy sit for a coffee.  She asks him that if he watches the news and he says no. "All around the world there are pockets of vampires doing just what we do here, and there have been a lot of accidents recently - humans, they're fighting back." Mitchell responds, "this is what Herrick was always talking about, the survival of the fittest. Look, there's always going to be someone with a bigger stick." Daisy yells that her husband died in there, and that she is going to track down everyone they knew and then torture them, until she finds out who did this. 

At the house, George tells Mitchell that Nina found some people who claims to be able to cure them.  When Mitchell dismisses it as nonsense, George tells him that one of them is a scientist. He says that the vicar is coming by at two, and Mitchell says that he is leaving. Annie is concerned that something will happen, but Mitchell says that just because someone knows what you are, does not mean that they are threat.  Before he leaves, Mitchell tells George that it was a mistake to tell Lucy about him being a werewolf.  

Being Human U.K. Season Two Episode Six: In the Morning

 

This episode opens with a flashback to explain Kemp's absolute revulsion and hatred when it comes to vampires.  It seems that he was a minister, and while he was standing on the pulpit delivering a sermon, a group of vampires broke into his home, and fed on his wife and daughter killing them.  He came home to find them in the act, and chased them away by brandishing a bible. 

In the morning, Mitchell wakes to find Lucy dressed and ready for work.  He asks her to come back to bed, and she says that has an early shift.  He goes on to say that he knows how confusing and overwhelming this can all be, and she simply says that they will talk about this later.  Okay, I know it's just a personal thing of mine, but who gets that close in the morning?  There is such a thing as morning breath, and no matter how attractive someone is, morning breath is still not a pleasant thing.

Instead of going to work as she said, Lucy heads to a church to pray for forgiveness, as Mitchell returns home. He walks into a fight between Annie an George, because Sam and George are viewing houses. When Mitchell does not immediately become upset, Annie says, "you two are just too gay for each other."  Really?  Right, gay as a negative descriptor on a show that has no regularly reoccurring gay characters, and the one episode that did have two gay men, one man killed his lover. Annie says she was fine with the idea when she didn't believe that it would go anywhere, but now that he is moving forward, she is incredibly upset. Mitchell finally concedes that he does not want George to anywhere either, but he says that they cannot keep him in a cage.  Mitchell realizes that this is like the end of an era, and that without them the house will return to just being a haunted house.

In frustration, Annie goes for a walk and ends up at Alan Cortez's psychic experience.  Cortez claims to be a master medium. He claims to have the gift of being able to contact and communicate with the afterlife. 

When Sam and George find an apartment, George says he finds it a bit far out, but Sam tells him that they are moving in together, and that things are going to change.  After they hug, you can see that he is still clearly overwhelmed by the prospect. He pushes forward despite his misgivings.

At the church, Lucy tells Kemp that she is sorry because she thought she could do it, but she can't kill another person.  Kemp says, "that he's not a person and that they're not people".  Lucy says that she is frightened of herself. Kemp attempts to placate her by saying, "it's understandable if you're confused, the devil was designed for temptation. He can be charming, clever and exciting and Mitchell can be those things too, because he was made in the devil's image, just as you were made in God's. But you must remain strong."  Lucy tells him that sometimes she wants to surrender to him, but Kemp continues on, speaking of Mitchell as the devil, and saying that if they don't act, they will be punished severely. Lucy ends up asking Kemp for help because she wants to fight it, and Kemp promises to help her, show her the way, and tell her what she must do.

Annie is in the audience listening and rolling her eyes.  It is quickly clear that the man is huckster and taking advantage.  Annie is loudly complaining, when she is approached by an usher, who tells her that she needs to keep it down.  She is astonished that the usher can see and hear her.  Finally, the usher asks her to follow her and when she walks through another person Annie exclaims, "you're a ghost," and the usher replies, "Of course I'm a ghost. What did you think I was?" The usher tells her that she was electrocuted and leads her to a room where a bunch of ghosts are watching the show.  She goes on to tell Annie, that Alan was really amazing, and then one day he just started ignoring them and stopped engaging with them. 

After the show, Annie is waiting for him in his dressing room. As Alan takes a sip of wine Annie asks, "What has happened to you Alan? Why aren't you listening to us? Why aren't you passing on our messages? Why are you up there on the stage lying to people?"  Alan asks what Annie wants, and she tells him that she wants him to start listening to these poor souls, and the door behind her opens revealing several ghosts.  It finally dawns on Annie that he can't hear the ghosts anymore.

Wednesday Reboot: The Prophecy

 

Did you ever notice in the Bible how whenever God wanted to punish someone, or make an example, or whenever God needed a killing, he sent an angel? Did you ever wonder what a creature like that must be like? Your whole existence praising your God, but with one wing dipped in blood.  Would you ever really want to see an angel? 

The Prophecy was released in 1995 and stars Christopher Walken, Elias Koteas and Virginia Madsen. We are all aware of the original war in heaven where the angels rebelled, and God cast Lucifer our leaving him to rule over heaven.  The Prophecy posits that this was not the last war in heaven.  It suggests that another war has been raging for centuries, because the angels are jealous that God has elevated man over them by bestowing a soul upon humanity.

The movie begins with Thomas Dagget standing in line to take his priesthood vows.  As he lowers his body to the ground to ask for the strength and forgiveness of God, he is overwhelmed with a vision of angels covered in blood, screaming in pain, in the midst of a battle.  We learn that unlike many, Thomas has lost his faith because heaven showed him to much.  Years later he has become a cop.

The war is at a stalemate and the archangel Gabriel is searching for the soul of a man who was a general in life, guilty of heinous war crimes in Korea.  In this search he is willing to stop at nothing.  Being an archangel is impossible to kill and possess superhuman strength.  This makes him a formidable opponent.

Before Gabriel can possess the soul of Colonel Hawthorne, it is removed and placed into a young Native American girl named Sophia.  All that stands between Sophia and Gabriel is Thomas Dagget and her teacher Katherine.  To protect her they must even face Lucifer himself played by Viggo Mortensen.