In The Flesh, Season 2, Episode 1

A new report gives us some quick exposition – 18 months have passed since the zombies have been reintegrated into society (ish) but there’s now a problem of the Undead Liberation Army causing all kinds of tension. There’s also a drug called “Blue Oblivion” on the streets. There’s also a new political party, Victus, with signs and adverts around that is against PDS integration.

To remind us of this tension, we have a kid calling the PDS “rotters” and that they can’t feel, which our old friend Ken (who lost his wife) objects strongly to, reminding him that the medication the PDS takes makes them safe.

Ken on the kid get on a train with 4 PDS who are probably ULA planning a strike. When the train moves, one stands and begins ranting his party piece in dramatic tones. The 4 PDS take the Blue Oblivion – and become full blown flesh eating zombies. There’s a massacre…

They killed Ken!

Steve and Sue Walker (Kieran’s parents) watch the news of the attack worriedly, as Victus and PDS groups both blame the other. Kieran’s worried that his old friend Amy may be involved in extremism, he shows his sister, Jem, a letter from her talking about going on a “secret mission”. Jem and Kieran seem closer though and she’s faced with the mundane worries of school exams rather than her past zombie hunting – but she also thinks Kieran should go to the continent where people are more tolerant of PDS.

He goes to the doctor (with awesome nurse Shirley, who is truly excellent) because his eyes are aching – which is a sign of more nerve tissue growing back. But it also means he’s wearing his contacts far too much – since he never takes them out. They gently tell him he isn’t supposed to do that and Shirley, who is awesome, asks him to run through an affirmation (little speeches to help build confidence). Which he does – quickly and stiltedly, the doctor’s happy but Awesome Shirley looks concerned. She’s also very much in favour of Kieran staying in the UK and very protective of any suggestion he “should” leave – but the doctor think it’s probably wiser to get out of Britain. Awesome Shirley gives him his meds and leads him out – but as she does another nurse tells her about Ken. Ken’s dead (noooooo, I liked Ken!)

He can’t even get out the door without another incident – a man, Gary, dragging in a rabid PDS, in full zombie. He has him in chains and drags him to a cage where another is already. Everyone around seems so used to this that it’s not even worth noticing. Gary gets an £80 - bounty for bringing in an intact rabid PDS; but Kieran points out the PDS has a bullet wound (Gary denies carrying a gun – there’s been a weapons amnesty) – he loses £40 for a damaged rabid PDS

Vicar Oddie, the hater of all things PDS, is still ranting away to his flock, supported by Phil the general council dogsbody (and Shirley’s son) – but that flock is much much smaller. After the service he’s visited by Maxine Martin, their new MP. She wants to talk to the assembled people but notes that this church is apparently not the place to do it.

The Tomorrow People, Season 1, Episode 22: Son of Man

Stephen is attacking Ultra to free his father and stop humanity dying, but not alone because Jedikiah has gone as well, according to John. Irene says the human body eventually rejects Tomorrow People powers (and yes, Jedikiah did steal Irene’s powers. He stole her genes. No it doesn’t make sense of course it doesn’t make sense this is The Tomorrow People) so Jedikiah clearly took hers not to fulfil his dreams but out of noble sacrifice or some crap.

It also seems that Jedikiah can kill with his powers – as he, at least, severely injures one guard – before having to pick up a gun when he runs out of juice. Of course now he’s human he can’t go near ther machine without dying so we have a dramatic angst moment when Roger urges Jedikiah to shoot him to stop the machine. Drama drama angst, sorry the ridiculous storylines have left me caring so little about these characters.

Stephen arrives, rather late, and runs through the trail of carnage Jedikiah left in his wake and, of course, arrives just in time to see Jedikiah shoot Roger and the machine power down. If you’d just been 3 minutes sooner Stephen.

While they’re all tragic and dramatic, the Founder arrives all evil like because the machine is still working – it’s already got its Roger stuff (don’t ask, it’s Tomorrow People). The Founder and his goons kind of just stand and watch while Roger gives his son an empowerment speech then they let him teleport away. The Founder also wants to be dramatic in killing Jedikiah and Roger too, so he gives them chance to teleport out as well. Perhaps he should quit on the dramatic pauses?

Roger teleports them to a flat somewhere where he dies in Jedikiah’s arms.

Stephen staggers back to the Tomorrow People HQ grieving, telling Cara how he can stop time but he was too late (oh dear gods, did this show just lamp shade its awful inability to keep the powers coherent over a character’s death?). Dramatic grieving Stephen grabs a gun and asks John to take him to the facility where John was experimented on until he learned how to kill – taking the info from John’s mind. Cara asks why he’s doing this and Stephen says “revenge”. Which should have been fairly obvious.

Cara runs through the machine with Tim and this super computer basically has the answer “humans should get far away.” Useful Tim, really useful. Cara wants John to run though he points out without a car, passport or the ability to teleport it’s not like he can. He’s having trouble adapting to humanity but they seem to drag their relationship up again with Cara promising to get to him as soon as she’s stopped the machine. Well at least she has decent priorities.

John goes to Jed’s flat for money and he and Jed have a “awww let’s pretend we have a father/son relationship and forget about all the torture and killing” moment.

Stephen goes to the lab where he finds the Founder is mass producing turn-paranormals-into-killers drug which is ominous but kind of lacking next to the whole apocalypse thing.

Russell with Ultra, is surprised to realise the Founder is evil and now wants him to kidnap Cara. Or he can’t be part of their new genocide future. They end up leading a Paranormal kill squad – Evil Natalie goes ahead to tell Cara she made a “mistake” by becoming evil, of course she’s evil and is just leading the kill squad right to Cara. They knock her down but Russell throws them all against the wall because murder is not part of the deal. Except Roger. And wiping out humanity. But murder bad!

Cara joins Stephen in his easily-found-bedroom Cara tells Stephen how special he is but he won’t save them all by giving up his humanity (um… since killing is something humans can do but paranormals can’t, wouldn’t he be claiming his humanity?). He doesn’t take the drug.

Now Cara has called Stephen special, John goes back to Second-Choice Astrid and all 4 of them meet up. They have 2 hours before the machine explodes and time stops for all humans – and never starts again. Then Russell joins them – Stephen understandably jumps him given the whole father murdering thing and Russell actually has the gall to claim he didn’t know. Russell gives them the plan Roger had – though it required a dozen not 3 (Astrid and John object to being missed out of the plan). The plan involves attacking with someone sneaking in the back (that would be attacking agents who can kill but they can’t because HUMANITY!)

Cara and Russell fight the agents and do really well because the agents keep using guns which are really kind of useless when telekinesis takes out whole scads of people and stops bullets. They’d actually be much better off putting the guns down and just using telekinesis. John shows how you really use a gun – sniping (Astrid tells him there’s someone to shoot – wow, you didn’t even try to make her useful).

Inside Cara and Russell split up for REASONS. Cara gets to confront the Founder while Russell confronts Natalie where he says he simply has to draw the line at genocide (y’know, eventually. Rather belatedly). Natalie is still all “yay genocide!”

Warehouse 13, Season 5, Episode 4: Savage Seduction

I love how these characters bounce off each other, Pete bothering Myka, Artie bouncing in with overdramatic panic (and sending Steve on a Ping with Claudia to distract her), hoogie envy… I’d actually like an episode where they do nothing all day but bounce off each other.

When Kelly arrives – remember Kelly? She had a brief fling with Pete before backing out because his Artefact heavy life was too chaotic. Well she’s in trouble and she’s heavily pregnant! Pete panics about the baby being his before Kelly reminds him that they actually broke up 2 years ago and human biology doesn’t work that way. Anyway, her grandmother’s television is possessed.

Oh, no Kelly, I know you think the TV is eating your brain, but it’s probably just the Tomorrow People, the plots will do that to your head.

Arriving at her grandma’s house, they learn granny is missing and it seems the TV is possessed, showing a Telenovela that has been cancelled – and still showing it even though it’s unplugged. Also, the TV’s glowing blue. Also, missing nana is now on the TV show. Kelly’s extra worried because the role her nana appears to be playing is likely to get murdered at the end of the episode. Purple goo doesn’t work – and they lose the cat into the television screen, where he appears on the show.

Which of course means convoluted things have to happen to drop Myka and Kelly into the TV as well, Myka becoming a maid and all becoming grossly exaggerated, melodramatic characters. Myka and Kelly hate each other and are in competition for Armando.

Artie arrives while Pete is completely lost in the plot (despite not speaking Spanish) and gives Artie a letter that Kelly’s nana received from the producers of the show. As a massive fan, they gave her a brooch used on the set – one that Nana on screen is wearing. Probably the Artefact – Artefacts are created with strong emotional connections and Kelly’s Nana refuses to leave the house after the death of her husband. Either way, to save everyone before the end of the episode they need to go in and goo the Artefact – with the help of Harvey Korman’s cufflinks to keep their real personalities.

Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear. Ok, Pete revels in the sudden ability to speak Spanish, before looking for Artie. Of course, Pete is the much desired Armando. And quickly finds Kelly – playing Carmen his pregnant wife – dramatically demanding his attention and threatening castration if he cheats on her.

Dona Fausta (Nana’s character) is attacked and her brooch is stolen. Pete wants to focus on the brooch but the whole theft/attack on Dona Fausta insists the whole thing is linked to a convoluted plot involving her long lost son. Pete follows that to Myka who is stuck in character as Maribel – she leads Pete to Artie but to learn what Artie knows he has to give up his cufflink to access his character’s knowledge. The three of them play pass the cufflink for a while. Before going to confront Alicia (Kelly), followed by a gun fight and more cufflink passing when Alicia and her mother run.

There’s a big confrontation in Dona Fausta’s room with more cufflink passing until Artie breaks the brooch – just before Armando (Pete) and Maribel (Myka) kiss.

In the real world Pete and Kelly make their goodbyes – with Kelly saying it could never have worked between them because Pete is so in love with Myka.

This Week in Book Covers 28th-2nd May

It’s another week of covers - and we see the continuing trend of big name authors not actually using much on their covers to sell their books - their names speak for them, cover art is unnecessary. For those who aren’t relying on their name in block capitals to sell their books we have the usual ploys - sexy ladies for no reason, abstract to the point of sheer confusion and a sparse… but evocative suggestions.

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Like Anne Rice’s books, this is another classic that doesn’t need a cover to tells us what it is or what it’s about. If you’re going to read this book, you’ve heard of it and you know what it is, or at the very least are familiar already with the author’s work.  The cover is simple, evocative and lacking any need to actually sell itself. It is also worth noting that the society in this book is quite repressed and therefore to truly represent the story the cover must necessarily be understated. A loud aggressive in your face cover would not work for this book.

The Witching Hour (Mayfair Witches #1) by Anne Rice

Again, Anne Rice’s covers always scream “I’m Anne Rice, this could be covered in wall paper!” Which is true. The emphasis is on the title and the author’s name; everything else is just there to fill empty space. It’s like the editor wrote Anne Rice’s Name, the Book Title then rammed some stone angels on there because they had the rights and why not? Witches? Ah, it’s about an old house - statue angels will do.

I like to kind of hope that they’re actually Weeping Angels and they’re there to try and save you from reading this book. Whatever you do…. BLINK!

Midnight Crossroad (Midnight #1) by Charlaine Harris

Midnight is a quiet town like no other, in the middle of rural Texas, with few people passing through. It’s a quiet place, an insular place, a place where the few inhabitants have each other’s back – but keep their secrets to themselves.

Manfred is a new inhabitant to the town and quickly finds the secrets run deep and there is far more than he imagined. Some of these secrets become exposed when a body is found…

This book shows Charlaine Harris’s main strength from the very beginning. Charlaine Harris has a great talent for truly describing a place, really getting a sense of what the town of Midnight is like. But it’s not just the place, Charlaine is extremely good at describing a community and how they all relate to each other. Even really small or background characters are fit into the overall community and the characters that make up the location.

This especially works with this series because it is such a small community as well as the very nature of the community. It’s interesting to see how close and supportive everyone is of each other, while at the same time following Mightnight’s unwritten rules – complete acceptance and not asking any questions. It’s a town for the misfits and people who can’t find somewhere to fit in anywhere else and this is really well presented – not with everyone having to be freaky or weird or odd to stand out – but just this really subtle way everyone’s secrecy has been woven into the community to create a set of unwritten rules that no-one ever has to overtly say though they’re always clearly understood.

There is a problem with pacing. This is the first book in the series and there’s a lot of introduction and description including a lot that probably isn’t necessary. A lot of the earlier part of the book is taken up setting the scene with rather more excessive detail than is necessary that clogs things a little. Especially since it seems to be a while before anyone actually gets involved in any murder investigation (though I did like the moment when Manfred questioned why they’re investigating at all since none of them are police). This slows down the general mystery as well for some time – which is a minor element of dissatisfaction along with a completely unpredictable ending.

One thing the book has is a separatist, white supremist, racist, misogynist, homophobic group. The depiction is pretty good – they’re not soft peddled or excused, they’re a repulsive as you’d expect. But they’re repulsive without the need to turn them into outright cartoonish caricatures, some of them are very very human and even nice (so long as the person they’re being nice to is a nice White Woman) but the hatred is clear. A nasty bigot doesn’t have to be frothing, they can be surprisingly pleasant people – but they’re still repellent bigots.  It also brings in some nicely weird things happening like the whole Sovereignty Movement and the bizarre actual belief that people can set up personal and pseudo states basically by claiming they have. It was pretty well done managing to revile, mock and depict these people as the danger they are. But also make it clear they are not the only sources of bigotry and people shunned the POC or gay people without being part of the hate groups.

Continuum, Season 3, episode 7: Waning Minute

After the revelations last week that Curtis was the one who killed the spare Kiera, Curtis gets himself put in one of the clear cells. They talk about “debriefing” which sounds ominous, applied to Future Alec as well. Curtis mocks her for the title “protector” as well – she didn’t protect Alec, her family and barely even realised what was happening in the future. And now what does she do? She sees one of the other locked up prisoners, with a tattoo, and remembers him telling her that he’s freer than she’ll ever be (I can barely remember who this random encounter was – but the point is made). She cries and asks “what have I done.”

Honestly, Kiera? I think this whole series could be titled “Kiera: What Have I done?”

That calls for a flashback to the future (which sounds so wrong) when she and her colleague stalked tattoo guy who has been getting busy with a knife –stabbing someone and cutting their finer so he can use their DNA/finger print secured gun. A gun that shoots armour piercing rounds that cut through the Protector suits. When he’s out of ammo he lays a crafty ambush for her but her suit protects her and lets her electrocute him.

She ships him back on a future plane thing – which then has a systems failure and crashes. Kiera crawls out of the wreck, the pilot is dead and her CMR is messing up – so is her gun. And her prisoner is up, alive and well except for a chunk of “fascist gunship” in his leg which needs removing and treating. He makes an attempt to bribe her (while taking a swipe at the system) but she’s not playing, she’s too loyal to her corporate overlords and keeps chanting the corporate party lines.

The man keeps trying to talk her out of her party loyalty and that they need to head to civilisation themselves because the corporations will have just written off the plane. 2 men find them (men with crossbows) and take them away – once they’re assured by her prisoner that her CMR is broken.

They take them to a camp of “gleaners”, an old derelict factory turned over to growing plants; they’re self sufficient and try to live separate and apart from the corporate congress. Their doctor fits Kiera with a headband that prevents her CMR, even if it were working, from transmitting, receiving or recording.

Back at the city, Kiera’s husband is informed of Kiera’s supposed death with a corporate drone bringing a pack of paperwork for him to sign and absolve them of all responsibility. Yes they’re caring people

At the commune Kiera tries to convince everyone the system is fair while the farmer points out they were legally required to use genetically modified crops that produced no seed – so they had to buy seed every year; which in turn would only grow with proprietary fertiliser and pesticide. So she and her farm went off the grid “went grey”. Others have stories of how the system treated them and Kiera offers weak, empty sympathy that her prisoner mocks as the useless thing it is.

The doctor is actually Sonya – and in the back she is treating Kagame. And he is sharing banned literature and reminding her that the Gleaners are always on the edge of being hunted down. When he’s alone he bites and apple and puts his blood on it… that’s not hygienic.

Resurrection Season One, Episode Eight

This episode begins in the morgue with Rachel looking down on her body with Tom, Bellamy and Fred. Fred wonders how this is possible and Rachel reports that she feels the same and that the baby is probably alright. Fred says that he has seen several Returned and that the station has been flooded with calls.  Tom excuses himself after receiving a call that more Returned are gathering at the church. Rachel decides to accompany Tom, not wanting to be alone. Bellamy and Fred speculate that there could be more than 100 Returned.

Maggie is in a state of awe looking at her mother and asks how long she has been back.  Barbara admits to being back for a week and when she takes a few steps towards Maggie, Maggie backs away.  Barbara admits to watching Maggie from a distance but says that she didn't approach Maggie because she didn't want to see Fred. Maggie becomes incensed and wonders if her mother stayed away because of Sam.  Maggie then questions who Sam is to her.  Maggie questions what kind of mother / person has a fling right after having a baby. That's a nice little bit of slut shaming there Resurrection. Barbara yells that Maggie doesn't know her, or how cruel Fred can be.  Personally, I'm already team Barbara.  Maggie tells Barbara to stop because Fred is her father. Though Barbara is Maggie's mother, Maggie was  raised by her Fred, so I suppose it instinctual to defend the only parent you have. Barbara points out again that Maggie wasn't there and that Maggie doesn't know how dark Fred can get.  Maggie tells Barbara that she is wrong and that she has no idea how much Fred loves her.  Maggie adds that Barbara needs to tell Fred that she is back. Maggie leaves demanding that Barbara tells Fred about Sam or she will.

Jenny's family is having dinner with the Langston's detailing how they died.  It seems that the Thompson's were out in the woods looking for Jenny's brother Robert. Lucille wonders if Robert came back somewhere else. They Thompson's say that Robert can be identified by a crescent shaped birth mark at the base of his neck.  Fred informs the Thompson's that his brother is the sheriff and promises that Fred will keep an eye out for Robert.

Bellamy arrives at the church to find it filled with people dressed in clothing from various eras.  Tom is trying to organize the Returned in the hopes of helping them connect to living family members. Tom tells Bellamy that the Returned just keep showing up and are starving and need some place to stay. Tom adds that most of the Returned don't have friends or family in Arcadia anymore and that is why they have all converged on the church. Helen marches into the church and Tom tries to intervene thinking that she is there to cause trouble but Helen marches right past him and embraces a woman named Eva.   This is yet another example of how attitudes change when this person who returns is a loved one.

Bellamy calls Toni to report that there are 100's of Returned now. Bellamy says that the people need help and that there is no keeping a lid on this anymore.  Toni says that this isn't in their purview, so Bellamy suggests that she make some calls and get out ahead of this thing. Bellamy wants to ensure the town gets humanitarian aid and points out that if they're not careful, this could go very badly.

When Fred returns home, he finds Barbara waiting for him. Fred embraces Barbara but she doesn't hold him back.  Barbara is quick to tell Fred that this is not what it seems and Fred answers that he already knows about the affair with Sam. Fred starts to beg saying that they have another chance and that he loves Barbara but she tells him that it's too late for that.  Barbara tells Fred that it's over and that when she came back, it was clearer than ever.  Barbara admits that she went straight to Sam when she got back and that Maggie found her. Barbara apologizes for not coming to see Fred.  Fred tells Barbara that it was a long time ago and that he has to accept her choice.  Barbara thanks Fred and walks away. Later, Fred sits and watches home movies of Barbara and Maggie. Fred took this far too easily given his reaction when he learned of Barbara's affair with Sam.

The next morning, Maggie and Eric make their way into the church.   Bellamy reports that they have counted over 75 Returned and that there are calls still coming into the sheriff's office. Eric asks where the Returned are coming from and Bellamy informs him that the proximity projection that Eric came up with does not work.  Bellamy adds that he called his boss for help and that hopefully they will get some aid soon.  Maggie and Eric sit to start interviewing the Returned when they hear a loud rumbling noise.  When they vacate the church, they find the military rolling in in humvees. General Stone gets out of a humvee and introduces himself saying that Toni sent him.

The soldiers are handing out food and supplies when Fred walks into the church.  Fred tells Maggie that he saw Barbara and that he got some closure on some things.  Fred adds that he respects Barbara's decision.  Maggie hugs Fred and then goes to talk to Col. Stone to coordinate the military and the police force. Fred asks what Stone has been told about the situation and Stone reveals that he heard there was a storm, and flooding which left a lot of people without power. Fred informs Stone that Bellamy has left out a few details. Fred then points at Rachel and says that he wants to show him something. Fred takes Stone to the morgue to see Rachel's body and says that the Returned do not die and are dangerous.  Fred claims that a Returned has already committed a robbery and a murder.  Yep, didn't I say from the very beginning that Fred is an asshole. Fred adds that the worst part is that people believe that their loved ones have returned but the Returned are in fact are deceiving the people Arcadia.  Fred tells Stone that they need to protect the living instead of the dead.

Once Upon a Time, Season 3, Episode 20: Kansas

Zelena collects another ingredient for her spell – the gold the Rumple spins she turns into a golden brain which she adds to her box – representing Rumple’s mind. Now just one more to get…

Mary Margaret is rushed into hospital in labour. Regina and Emma casting a protection spell around her hospital room. Hook tries to join them but Emma is still not happy with him for not telling her about his cursed lips. But David insists Emma take Hook for back up if she’s going after Zelena (Emma makes an unnecessary dig at Hook’s hand – hey, yes, Hook is one handed but he’s also extremely competent fighter. By all means point out her doesn’t have magic, but his lack of a hand doesn’t make him less of a swordsman). David insists that she at least take Hook as cannon fodder. Poor Hook. Emma makes her goodbyes to Henry and off they go.

Henry is promptly farmed off on Archie and after a reunion moment it seems Henry is looking for apartments having already planned their life – the house is too crowded for all of them and the new baby, he’ll be zipping between Emma and Regina but Emma needs a place. Archie thinks he should talk to Emma, especially since he’s assuming Emma will keep him in Storybrooke or, as Henry puts it, home.

And a Flashback – Zelena in Oz, taking over the wizard’s castle, bitterly stalking Regina and Rumple through a scrying pool. Glinda pops in to see her – she’s actually quite happy about the Wizard of Oz being turned into a winged monkey since the man was a charlatan. She wants to distract Zelena from her little obsession.

In the present, Zelena forces Rumple to lay out her spell – but he still thinks she’ll fail because even if she changes time she won’t change herself.

Hook and Emma argue as they walk about how Emma feels manipulated into letting Henry having his memories back and how happy they could be in New York while Hook points out that their live in New York was a complete lie. Hook forces her to confront what worries her about staying so much and skewers the idea that it’s all for Henry’s sake.

Unfortunately they’ve made the classic television mistake of focusing on their personal drama rather than Zelena and Rumple who sneak up. And it doesn’t matter how magically powerful Emma is, Rumple is still the trump card and he throws Hook into a pool and holds him under water. Emma tries to pull him out rather than fry Zelena which isn’t very effective.

Flashback time – Glinda takes Zelena to a council of witches, along with North, East and South, they represent courage, love and wisdom (behold conspicuous empty chair). Together they’re more powerful but still can’t travel through time. They want her to take the West seat – Innocence (ha!) and want her to reclaim her goodness. Also their special prophecy book says the land’s protector will be brought to Oz from the West by Cyclone – which sounds a lot like Zelena. But she has to let go of her past – yeaaaah not likely

Zelena tries to let go of her past and in the 5 minutes she tries, Glinda decides Zelena is cured! She gives her the super powered pendant (which is now her life – since it makes you immensely powerful but also strips your powers if you don’t wear it). Are we sure Glinda isn’t the “Innocent” one? But it seems to work, Zelena has let go of her envy and her skin returns to its usual colour.