gagglefrak - science fiction blog

Okay, so here’s the thing. As a geek, I’m starting to get a little tired of being excited all the time. “Dude, did you see the awesome trailer for the Watchmen movie?” “OMG, did you get the link I sent with the teaser for the new Terminator movie?” “Did you hear the rumor that there might be as many as THREE Battlestar Galactica movies?” Well, did you? DID YOU??? The truth is, I think I’m just about all trailered and teasered and rumored out right now. How much sustained anticipation can a person actually experience before their brain simply shuts down, or — as in my case — before the state of being excited actually loses all meaning?

I’m reminded of the Terror Alert System. As you may or may not know, the U.S. alert level hasn’t gone any lower than yellow since the day it was first instituted by the Department of Homeland Security back in 2002. That’s six years of either “Elevated” or “High” risk of terrorist attack. What message does that send, and as a society, how do we process that? By being stressed, of course. All the time. By being worried and afraid. Which, many would argue (and I would agree), is exactly what this administration wants us to do. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

But what does this have to do with geeks?

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Even though it’s easily in my Top 5 List of shows right now, for some reason, I don’t ever get around to posting about Doctor Who. I’m not sure why. Maybe because it’s on Fridays, but I sometimes don’t get around to watching it till Sunday, and in any case, I’m already distracted by other things on Monday, and it just doesn’t occur to me. Or maybe because it’s so good and clever and funny and well-written that I’m afraid I can’t do it justice, so I don’t even try. Regardless, this week, I have to post about it. Because the latest episode (here in the States anyway), “Turn Left,” was just SO good that I can’t stop thinking about it. Continue Reading »

And so it comes to an end. Act 3 of 3 of Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog is up. But it will only be up till tomorrow. So unless you plan to buy it on iTunes, or buy the DVD when that comes out, you better get out there and watch it. My (somewhat spoilery) thoughts and more screencaps after the link …

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When I first created this blog, I decided to include a “Science” category … and then proceeded to never use it. But today I ran across a science item that I simply couldn’t NOT share.

Below is video footage of the Earth taken by NASA’s EPOXI spacecraft from 31 million miles away. At about 13 seconds in, you see the moon pass directly in front of the Earth. I’m not sure exactly why this gives me goosebumps, but it does.

via Gizmodo

“This is a little thing we call bad cop / bad cop / bad cop / bad cop / crazy primordial seriously bad cop.” - Angel to Flouncy Theater Vampire

Not thrilled with this issue for some reason, and I can’t quite figure out why. I’ve read it through a few times now, and although some things obviously DO happen, I still can’t shake the feeling that nothing really happens. Maybe it’s because after the finale of the big Angel vs Demon Champions showdown last issue, anything else was going to seem slow? Maybe it’s because I’m not all that thrilled with Nick Runge’s art, and wish Franco Urru was still drawing it?

Anyway, Angel’s comic book dream was a nice touch. Then he talks to Nina and Mayor Lorne and Connor and Gwen and Illyria, and it’s snowing, and I’m kind of bored. The scene between Wesley and his babysitter Spike is okay, but doesn’t really tell us anything we didn’t know about these two already. The scenes where Gunn pressures George to use his powers are interesting — but a bit confusing too. I kind of feel like the whole “What’s the Hell’s Gunn Doing?” mystery has played out way too long at this point, particularly when it comes to how George and the Slayers involved. I get the impression we’ll finally get some clarity on that next issue, but that doesn’t do anything for the frustration I feel this issue.

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