Sherlock: The Reboot by Steve Moffat

I recently happened upon BBC’s “Sherlock” and I have to say I am very happy to have gotten access to it before BBC America deigns air it at the end of October. The premise is that Sherlock Holmes is plying his trade today, BAM, just that no background history no mention of deer stalker caps and pipes. Watson, Lestrade, and of course Mrs. Hudson all are there and their roles are completely updated to today’s time.

John Watson, a doctor recently returned from Afghanistan, has psychological trauma. It seems that he has  been shot, has a limp and a cane, and the night sweats about his time in country. He happens upon an old friend who says that he has another “friend” looking for a flat mate. He brings Watson to the crime lab and within minutes is being deductively sussed out by Holmes.. and he is intrigued.. and hooked.

The plot lines move fast as does the dialog in this well written and novel approach to rebooting the mythos of Sherlock Holmes. The first episode plays out the characters well and gives a new old twist to the Holmes character by bringing out all of the things that were there but never spoken of in the original Holmes stories..

• Holmes is allegedly Gay and there is a running chuckle as everyone assumes that Watson is Holmes new boyfriend
• Holmes is said to be a psychotic or sociopath who gets off on the murders. However Holmes says it best “I am a highly functioning sociopath”
• Holmes addictions take root in more than just drugs (he has 3 nicotine patches on at one point “to think better” with)

All in all this series so far (only seen ep 1 so far but have all three) feels a lot like Jekyll. It has a great pace and a new gritty feel about it that makes me love it all the more. If you get the chance catch it on BBC America Oct 24th!

CoB

Carnivale: Two Seasons of Goodness and Then A Blight from HBO

Back in 2005 a show came to HBO that I got in drips and drabs over time while I was a “Travelling Man” for IBM. Since I did not have HBO at home and still don’t I had to finally catch this whole show on DVD. I have just finished watching both seasons of the show and I felt compelled to write a review. The show was Carnivale.

Carnivale takes place in 1934, the depths of the depression in the blighted land of the dust bowl. From the start, it is an incredibly well shot and designed show that really places you in the setting of depression dust bowl life even better than the Dorthea Lange picture of the migrant worker. You literally feel the dust and parching heat of the place and time by just looking at the scenery and of course, the players. Never a more dusty troupe will you ever see.

The basis of the show is the epic battle between good and evil that takes place on the earthly plane after the war in Heaven came to an end. Evidently, every generation has the chance of being led by evil or good according to the deal that was struck between Satan and God. A savior and a devil are born with each generation and they may, or may not, fulfill their destiny to do battle and decide the fate of man.. For that generation at least.. Until the Omega.

In this generation you have Ben Hawkins, a boy who has been shunned by his insane mother and in the start of the show, we find has escaped the chain gang to be with her and try to help her. She refuses his help, which could heal her by the laying of hands upon her, and dies. Ben, moves on to escape the law with the local Carnivale and begins the journey of discovery of what he is as well as hasten the epic battle to come.

The Good:

Fantastic cinematography, set design, costume design, and general historical accuracy down to the language of the time and place! This will be darkly wonderful and dry for you to watch. You will feel like you are literally sitting next to that migrant worker as well as give you a taste of 1930’s carny life.

The Acting was well done and the writing of the characters well defined if not a little cryptic at times.. But that cryptic nature makes you want to know more, so you make a point of watching the next episode. There was not one episode that left me thinking.. Meh, maybe I will not see it next week when it was on tv.. The only problem I had was.. I didn’t have HBO except in hotel rooms!

The story was well defined and had you wondering at every turn just where it was going to go. You had hints and visions of possible futures but you really were left with your imagination as opposed to too many foreshadowing scenes that gave everything away. The interplay of the plot lines both historical and present really kept you going too. All in all, a story that was originally a book that was turned into a series that kept most of its content. This was one of the reasons for its downfall though. The series was just too costly to continue according to HBO and thus, in the end I have a gripe about the ending…

The Bad:

As mentioned above, the cost of the show and the sudden decision to pull it from HBO left it in the lurch. Much of this due to the story lines and arc of the show being presented in book/chapter format. By killing it in the second season, the writers were left to tie up some loose ends hastily and end it with as much finality as they could and still serve the story…

Which, really did not happen.

At the end, the story was forced enough that the last three episodes felt like you were being rushed out of your seat at a busy restaurant by a harried wait staff. You got to eat, but you got heartburn for it really. The story suddenly shifted into high gear with a feel akin to a speed walking version of “The Stand” and the new “Canaan” took the place of Las Vegas.

Additionally, I found that the plot device used to foil the evil one was a bit of a kluge, however, had it been part of the larger arc later discovered through the writers pitch document, then it would not have made it seem too forced. But, because this show was given the axe, the story line and end falls flat. I think though, that I need to find out if the writers etc, knew that this was the end when they had it in the can or, did they think season 3 was coming still? If so, then the pace was just, the pace and my perception of it different because it was “the end” according to HBO.

All in all, the ending left quite the opening for continuation should someone pick up the mantle. However, since its 2010 and Hollywood would rather make crappy re-makes than original works, I hold out little hope of redemption through the arc being finished out.

Final Analysis:

• Carnivale was a fantastic show that got the usual short shrift from the studios.
• HBO screwed the pooch.
• Clancy Brown is America’s scariest actor
• This show leaves you wanting to Google a LOT of things
• It includes Templars, Renne Les Chateau, and other mythos and that is ALWAYS cool
• See it all on DVD.. I promise you you will not regret anything but its ending
• Once you have seen the series read the “Pitch Document” it will give you more to work with

“Ok children.. Let’s shake some dust”

CoB

The Alaska Experiment: Seeing just how domesticated we as a society have become

Recently I got a copy of the first season of “The Alaska Experiment” and decided to have a sit down with the whole series. It took a couple mornings of watching but I powered through the whole season, spending much of that time yelling at the TV because there were more than a couple morons participating in the “experiment”

First off though, let me cover some territory for you here about past posts concerning Alaska, Chris McCandless, and the whole “Cult” that has grown around his story of erzats survival in the Alaskan bush. So here’s my thing:

1) McCandless was not the sharpest knife in the drawer where it came to survival in the wilds of AK. Thus, he died.

2) I am loathe of all those twenty-somethings out there who want to emulate him and wish to trek off to the “magic bus” that he died in. They pose more of a threat to their own lives and perhaps rescuers than anything else. They are just as likely to be as misguided and lacking in true survival skills as McCandless was, if not more so.

3) I believe as a whole, that we as a society have become too domesticated to survive a day without a latte, never mind being plunked down in the bush and expected to survive past a week nevermind three months. This goes not only for the Alaska bush, but just about anywhere woodsy.

4) Lastly, this show is just that.. “a show” so, it is likely that there is some jiggering of plot lines etc here. It is noted in big disclaimers that there were wilderness experts off camera to assure that these people don’t just get themselves offed right quick. In essence, they were in danger there from their own brand of stupid, distance from hospitals, and encounters with wildlife that could end them. Aside from that, they were relatively safe with camera crews etc…

Ok, that said, lets get on to the object lessons..

The show placed four groups into differing areas of the AK coast. One couple had a canvas tent, another had a exceedingly small shack on a glacier, and the other group of three people had a hunting cabin. All of the groups had little to no real backwoods experience and all were not accustomed to the rigours that they were about to undertake.

The groups were sent out at the end of the summer when the salmon were running. Each area had differing amounts of natural game available and ALL only had dried stores of food that really lacked protein rich stuffs. In essence, it’s kinda like that bag of rice that Supertramp had and that’s about it. NONE of them started off with guns whatsoever either.

** Note here.. Uhh WTF no guns? IT’S ALAKSA!! Bears, moose, etc could whack em as well as uh, how do you get protein other than fish? IF you catch fish? Eventually they get guns but mostly I only saw a .22 rifle.. That ain’t gonna do shit!**

So, they are plunked down with some stores and some shelter… Go forth and forage! It wasn’t long before these people began to eat too much of their stores, realize that fishing is hard, and that it’s fucking cold in Alaska. Oh, and did I mention that it’s riddled with wildlife that will eat you or stomp you if it wants to? Yeah… AND it’s salmon run and the bears are hungry… But I have no gun… I will just poke em with a stick… Yeah that will work.

*ok I know there are guides there with guns.. but.. C’mon don’t give people ideas here!*

Ok, we have a mix for disaster don’t we. Yep…

I will not go into much more detail, I will let you all locate the series and watch it yourselves. Perhaps you too will be yelling at the screen because some of these people would have been dead dead dead were it not for camera crews and guides. I saw some powerful epic stupid and really, it’s kinda glossed over by the show and that is troublesome.

The one thing that was nailed home in this series was the BMI needs and the measurements carried out by the volunteers. It quite clearly shows how much BMI is in importance for survival especially in the wild. You are expending a lot of energy to hunt and gather. Unless you do a good job at that and plan, then you will lose body mass and eventually, like McCandless, could die from lack of protein. I am glad that the show at the very least, covered this issue repeatedly. I guess someone learned from the Supertramp experience.

In the end, everyone makes it out alive. Perhaps having learned a few things, like NEVER going into the bush EVER again! Overall though, it really makes you see rather clearly how ill equipped we are as urban dwellers to really make a stab at survival in the wild..

Unless you work at it.

The second season will be broadcast this year with new “volunteers” heh… Donner, party of four now seating!

Really, if you want to learn anything about bush survival, I suggest you look up the name “Ray Mears”

CoB

“Being Human”

Being Human, a new (sorta) show on BBC that has yet to make it over the pond, has me. A werewolf, a Vampire, and a Ghost live together in a Bristol flat. They strive to all be more “human” in nature than their respective monsters or spirit as the case may be.

There are elements of many different mythos within this show. The Vampires though call bringing someone over “recruiting” and the blood lust is more an addiction than anything else that can be controlled.

The Werewolf is a bit of a sad sac with an inner strength and humanity that not even the wolf can diminish.. And the ghost is truly a lost soul.

This show is a nice balance of horror, comedy, and drama… Check it out.. That is when it gets to the US.

Guess who’s coming to FRINGE!

Look at J.J. Abrams using his fancy sci-fi connections. After collaborating on his upcoming Star Trek reboot, Abrams has signed Leonard Nimoy to join the cast of his Fox baby, Fringe. The 78-year-old Trek icon will play William Bell, Walter Bishop’s former lab partner-turned-millionaire founder of Massive Dynamic. “It was a delight to work with Mr. Nimoy on Star Trek,” J.J. tells me. “The idea that he will play the mysterious, much-referenced William Bell is a thrill. I know I sound like a goofy fan boy, but I can’t help it: Leonard is an icon of the genre and such a wonderful actor. To have him come on board Fringe is a mind-blowing honor.” The character is slated to debut in next month’s season finale and then return in the fall for an extended arc. Reaction? Is your inner fanboy on the verge of exploding? Already salivating at the prospect of Nimoy geeking out with John Noble? Stunt value aside, do you think Nimoy is right for the part? Sound off below!

A Shock To The System: House

So, Kutner is dead by his own hand…. House is obsessing over a puzzle that cannot be solved… And everyone is dealing with the fallout of a completely unforseen suicide.

Man.. Do these guys know how to gut check a script huh?

Now, it remains to be seen if the writers and this show avoid jumping the shark here. I love the show, but, if they jump the shark, its over man.

Still, I appreciate what Kal Penn is doing. If you didn’t know, he is going to work in the White House… NO REALLY! He is! I wish him well…

“Zerstorung durch Fortschritte der Technologie”

Fringe is coming along nicely now and Tuesday’s cliff hanger really grabbed me and dragged me in deeper. The ZFT manuscript alone has me fascinated to think that maybe someone has actually put one out there on the intertubes. I would love to come across and read such a document. You hear that Fox and your Fox advertising folks? Please just drop a pdf copy out there on some stealth site ok?

An alternative to that is me actually writing one myself and putting it out there to drive the people mad… But I digress…

The whole plot lines involving Walter’s time machine cum teleport device and the alternative worlds was only enhanced by the ending scene above where Walter Bishop… Or perhaps William Bell? Discovers that he may have indeed written the manifesto.

I predict some cool shit coming in April when this series returns…

Friggin Hilarious

Alec Baldwin is great in this ad… LOVE Hulu btw… Good shit! *Grabs mellon ball spoon*

Goodbye Grissom

Goodbye Grissom

I ran across an article on CNN.com today about how Grissom is leaving CSI. Part of me thinks that, well, it’s a natural progression and should be good. What I think is klugey and bad is bringing Fish in to take over (in a way) I think its actually time to let the show go CBS.

The other two shows kinda suck and really Grissom was the heart of this show. I would really hate to see this show devolve any more ala CSI Miami. What a suckfest that is…

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/01/13/ew.petersen/index.html