The Satan Pit - repost

Originally Posted: August 20, 2011

First thing's first, I slept maybe four hours last night. During that time, I had a very, very odd dream. I was in my house, except that the attic door was in the wrong place and there were two levels to the attic. There were three other people in this dream, one of which was my friend Olivia -- who I have not seen in years -- the other two... I don't know or remember who they were. Apparently, I was storing some murdered people in my split-level attic... I don't know who they were, either. But in this dream, we were moving another dead girl into the attic. Needless to say, I woke up at four this morning, completely freaked out.

The Satan Pit

I really, really enjoyed this episode of Doctor Who. There aren't really any one-liners in it, but what is there is awesome. The Doctor is predictably brilliant, although the way he has to talk through where the monster's mind went was tedious this time through. Did I mention I've watched this episode very many times? I'd feel sorrier for Jefferson if I hadn't seen the episode so many times. Also, considering Rose did not know that the front window of the rocket would be replaced by something, I admire her decision to basically commit suicide in order to stop Satan from escaping. My last note is about the Ood. I love the Ood and am quite sad that they were all killed in this episode. Oh, and if Basic 100 is brain death, then wouldn't Basic 0 be... I dunno... something other than that?

The Book Part

My little sister came home from her trip to Niagra Falls and Washington D.C. yesterday. She brought with her a gift from her boyfriend's mom: The Science of Doctor Who by Paul Parsons. I've read the first two chapters so far and I'm enjoying it. I have to say, though, that the TARDIS doesn't exactly teleport from planet to planet. It travels through the time vortex and from there goes to the planet/time or whatever. Also, TARDIS is an acronym and so all the letters should be capitalized. It's either TARDIS or T.A.R.D.I.S. not Tardis. But that's me being a pedantic nerd, so there you go.

Love ya, Jessie.

The Idiot's Lantern & Impossible Planet - repost

Originally Posted:  August 17, 2011

So... today I rewatched the mid-second-season Doctor Who episodes: The Idiot's Lantern and Impossible Planet.

The Idiot's Lantern: I've watched this episode as little as possible because it's not even close to being my favorite Doctor Who episodes. I think I liked it a bit when I saw it for the first time, but honestly, that feeling has faded. I did, however, grin when everyone told off the father-guy. Magpie was quite annoying, the Wire even worse.

The Impossible Planet: As this is the... tenth? time I've seen this episode and the second part, I spent most of the time trying to remember when the split was. Toby was still creepy, and I was slightly sad when Scootie died. I'd also forgotten that the Ood have fairly expressive faces, for masks. I don't know why I'd forgotten it, but I was pleasantly surprised by that. Oh, and I noticed Rose was not as posited by... I think one of Radio Free Skaro's host's girlfriend... wearing a pink hoodie. It was a pink shirt-y, jacket-y thing. But that's just me pedanting something that honestly doesn't matter. I love this particular two parter, and I think everyone needs to watch it.

On another note, I fell asleep last night listening to Doctor Who Commentaries by the guys at Blogtor Who. I woke up after the last two episodes I had on my iPod had ended and replayed the last one. I never actually heard what was said, but woke up again when it was over. I pulled the headphones from my ears and dropped the iPod to the floor... and promtly went back to sleep. Just a silly little thing I did for no apparent reason...

Love ya, Jessie.

28 Weeks Later: Miracle Day - repost

Originally posted on my other blog: August 15, 2011

The TV Section!

The sixth installment of Torchwood: Miracle Day was... WOW. First, you've got Ester finally stepping up and doing something other than computer stuff. Second, Gwen blowing the Cardiff Module place sky high -- while telegraphed -- was AWESOME. Third, I spent a good portion of the episode yelling at Rex for being an idiot and baiting the insane person. Fourth, I did not see what happened at the end of the episode coming, but, in hindsight, I should have. Altogether, the episode was great.

The Movie Section!

I watched 28 Weeks Later, again, with my family. My lasting impression is that the military, or any country, like to freak out and go overboard. I mean, seriously? Let's open fire on everyone because we can't tell who's Infected and who's not. Also, can the Infected drive cars? NO! Let's just kill this person because he's in our way and we have orders. Yes, that's a wonderful plan...

The Book Section!

I have finished Season of the Witch by Natasha Mostert. Gotta say, I stayed up entirely too late reading the end of that book. Also, Gabriel, the main character, is somewhat thick. I never, for one second, thought that M--------- was the villian. I'm sorry, but who the villian was, was so obvious. The way things went, though, that was interesting. The book was awesome. It was intelligent, engaging, and was amusing in some places. I loved it.

And that is the end. Love ya, Jessie.

In Which Several Things Happen - repost

Originally posted on my other blog: August 13, 2011

So today... or yesterday seeing as it's just about 1 AM... I had my last professionally taught driving lesson. Which is good. I learned how to parallel park. And learned my perception is off. Isn't that fun?

I also watched 28 Days Later with the family. My dad tried to sell it to me as a scary movie, which, if you consider the actual implications, it is. However, I didn't really find it that scary. Post-Apocalyptica isn't exactly a new concept and that's basically what this was. I was, however, surprised to see Christopher Eccleston suddenly show up. O.O I mainly know him from Doctor Who and Elizabeth in which he played The Doctor and Duke Norfolk, respectively.

And last, but definitely not least, I think I'm going insane. I've decided to beef up my playlist of podcasts because the ones I've been listening to just don't cut it anymore. So in addition to listening to: Mugglecast, Imprint, DWO: Whocast, DWO: Torchcast, Torchcast, Podshock, Radio Free Skaro, The Uncanny X-Cast, The Onion Radio News, The Doctor Who Podcast, and possibly a few others I can't remember off the top of my head... I've added: Big Damn Heroes, Crossover Adventures Podcast, Doctor Who Commentaries, The Ood Cast, Tardis Tavern, The Happiness Patrol, The Watchercast, Upsidedown and Halfway to Happyland, and Two Minute Time Lord. I'm a complete nerd, can ya tell? So far, I've weeded out Podshock -- because I'm tired of listening to Louis talk in general -- and Big Damn Heroes -- because Preston is incredibly negative about pretty much every Buffy episode they've reviewed... and he LIKES THE SHOW.

So... that was my day. I'm going to bed now, see you sometime tomorrow, hopefully.

Love ya, Jessie

The Problems With Commitments and Hiatuses

So...I said a really long time ago (last year at some point, I think) that I needed to review both Not Myself and 500 Miles before I went to to review Adrift in a Room of Mirrors by Princess Alexandria. Well... life happened, I fell off the blogging bandwagon, and I'm honestly not in any sort of mood to finish my reviews *cough* summaries *cough* of 500 Miles. I'm not even in the mood to finish re-reading it just for me... But anyway, I still highly recommend you go and read the rest of it. It's awesome. I enjoyed it. I just have to be in the right mindset to read it.

That said, I am going to go ahead and review some, not all, of Adrift in a Room of Mirrors. I'm going to start with the prologue and jump around with the rest. Jumping just a tad off-topic, Adrift in a Room of Mirrors is really better enjoyed if you know a few things about the various universes Christy (yup, there's a connection to the other two fics and she's it) travels to. That said, I'm going to be completely leaving out of my reviews the True Blood and Star Trek: Voyager sections. I've never had any interest in these series *cough* Lies *cough* and so I don't feel I can properly speak about the fanfictions pertaining to them. I have been reading and for the most part enjoying these sections, but... my reviews of them essentially end there.

Henceforth, I will be writing a simple acronym (ARM) for Adrift in a Room of Mirrors because the stories contained within have their own titles and I'm sure I'll get tired of typing it out... Just a heads-up for later.

Adrift in a Room of Mirrors: Prologue - Princess Alexandria

     This essentially lays out the how and why of the story. Ms. Christy Taylor, not the same as in Not Myself and 500 Miles but a very similar version, has gotten herself into some trouble with the X-Men. Instead of stay in that universe and cause more trouble for herself and her loved ones, Christy has decided to jump ship and start new elsewhere. With the aid of Annie (see Not Myself) and Doug Ramsey, Christy is able to hop through Scythe (see 500 Miles) with some degree of, well, good luck.
     As I told Princess Alexandria in my initial review: I can't wait to see what happens next. Doug having a new and slightly more interesting power and that Christy could end up somewhere fairly nice for her was awesome. Her mostly blind jumping in 500 Miles got tedious after a while. Anyway, this chapter was a great first chapter and gives a nice introduction/re-introduction to Christy.

ARM: Not so Black and White (Once Upon a Time) - Princess Alexandria

     This chapter appeared in my inbox yesterday and I'd for some reason forgotten I was even reading Adrift in a Room of Mirrors. Imagine my surprise when I ended up there instead of in a chapter of Against the Moon. I quickly realized my mistake and settled in to giggle at Christy... which I do often.

     Another mistake I made was mistaking Henry for his grandfather... That was embarrassing. Henry is not Prince Charming and his castle is definitely NOT in story-book land. Christy lands in front of Henry, at his castle, in the Once Upon a Time Universe. Their little exchange amused me greatly and I'm wondering how Christy is going to cope so out of her element...

     But anyway... I really enjoyed the start to this story. If the earlier chapters and previous fanfictions are any indication, Christy's time in Storybrooke will be awesome. Christy did remind me a bit of Emma (not Emma Frost) but that's okay considering how similar they are in temperament once you think about it.

Housekeeping

As usual, the links to the fanfictions reviewed are in the headings of their respective review. Although Adrift in a Room of Mirrors is posted all as one story, I've linked to the beginning of the story-lines reviewed. Also, Alexandria's fanfiction.net page is linked in three places, for your convenience.

Love ya, Jessie.

Quill - A Grimm Review

Today, I went to the mall with one of my little sisters, got lots of candy, and soda. I'm a tad hyped up. Also, today my Sunnydale High School Shirt from ThinkGeek came today. Cue bouncing and giant grins and apparently glowing (according to my dad).

But anyway, here's some Grimm review-type stuff for you.

Quill - Review

     First and foremost: That STUPID voice over is gone! I love the opening now. It's all multi-colored and I swear I saw Juliette firing a gun at the shooting range...

     But anyway, the episode needs to be discussed. I was really grossed out by the diseased Wesen. I was covering my face with my notebook when they were on screen. Seriously, disease is gross, especially in close-ups. Poor Wu got it the most close up. No wonder he was shaky and babbling.

     I quite liked how Hank was dealing with the Wesen thing more realistically than last week. Although his apparent bits of prejudice were kind of unnerving. I was clear they bothered Nick. Monroe's reaction to Hank being informed about Wesen was the most hilarious bit. Yup, just another super-awkward house visit with Nick and "Let's just have a coming out party."

     And speaking of Monroe, he and Rosalee were just so cute together! The mesh well and understand each other. The bit at the end would have been absolutely wonderful if it wasn't for creepy guy peering in the skylight.

     And speaking of creepy guy... he's just so obviously creepy. I don't like him. His Wesen form seemes to be a hyena or something... hmmm...

     Overall, I thought the episode was kind of middling. Like it wasn't really that funny and it wasn't really that cool. And the disease grossed me out so... yeah. Middling.

Quill - Initial Reactions

I thought I'd put this part after the reviews from now on so I don't give myself away and you don't have to skip past them if you don't want to read them.

• That truck is the ugliest color green.
• First infected zombie guy....
• This episode is gonna gross me out.
• Must. Make. Basket. Perfect.
• Why are the computer screens all wonky?
• No words on the opening! Good! Ah dude, was that Juliette with a gun?
• Oh good, Hank's being freaked out still...
• Lol, Monroe.
• Yup... grossing me out.
• Daww, they're so cute!
• Juliette is thinking Nick's a mob boss or something.
• Oh noes! Infected guy in the ugly truck!
• Ah, Bud... spilling the beans.
• No crap she's gone.
• Even sick and angry, Rosalee's Wesen form is still cute.
• Daww, they're SO CUTE!
• Why ya gotta move to Fridays? Grrrrrrr.

Anyways, that's pretty much it from me. Love ya, Jessie.

Doctor Who: Asylum of the Daleks - Review

Let me just start out saying that I'm posting this early because my evening is going to be filled with Alphas, Warehouse 13, and Grimm. I also should have posted this yesterday, but I was spending time with my family. Also, my mom is awesome. We were eating out on Saturday and it was 8:45 PM as we were driving down our street. This meant I was gonna miss Asylum of the Daleks. Without me asking, she found BBC America's repeat at 11PM and let me watch it (she's queen of the TV in our house so she usually just watches what she wants). Anyway... from this point on there will be SPOILERS for Asylum of the Daleks. You've been warned.

As I Was Watching Reactions

• Why do the Daleks have prison camps?
• Dalek/human robots? WTF? Daleks is sneaky.
• Amy has Karen's job... and is divorced, or getting that way... interesting
• Only 11 out of 10 in trouble? Not so much, then.
• Daleks have a Parliament? Daleks? Seriously?
• Don't like the new time tunnel...
• Ah, Rory... what color indeed?
• I hate commercials. Except that one with Chris Hardwick. That can stay.
• Companions need to stop touching Daleks.
• These human/Dalek hybrids are not cool.
• Seriously, stop touching Daleks!
• Rory is a badass, even when sliding under doors.
• Oh... snap. The Doctor is all trapped + scared.
• She's a Dalek... snap. That's very Cyberman of the Daleks.
• Marriage -- fixed!

Actual Review

     I thought the episode was good, really thought-provoking. However, I didn't really feel the whole "mini-movie" vibe everyone's been talking about. Might possibly have been commercials breaking up the pacing but... Meh. Also, Daleks. I hate Daleks. Not in a "I'm The Doctor and I hate Daleks" kind of way, but in a "I wish Daleks hed never been created and would just go away" kind of a way. Needless to say, I wasn't really as excited for Asylum of the Daleks as I could have been.

     I quite liked Amy in this episode. Glad she has a respectable job now. Not quite sold on the reason she "let Rory go." But Rory was a badass all the same. He didn't freak out like he usually does, not even once. Although seriously, what is it with Companions and being unable to resist touching Daleks or things Daleks have? Rose, Mickey, and now Rory have all touched Daleks/Dalek stuff and almost died over it. Stop touching stuff! God!

     Also, Daleks make crap chains. Which brings me to... *drum-roll* Oswin! Oswin is an incredibly interesting character. When I first saw her and her dream-world, I thought it was a commercial. Her environment was so starkly different from the rest. As the episode went on, I realized she couldn't possibly be normal (and not just because of the souffles). No one goes through a crash and comes out on the other side looking that good. I did not, even for a second, think she might be a Dalek. And for a Dalek, she was pretty awesome. Rest in peace, Oswin Owswald.

     That being said, if I never see another Dalek/Human hybrid it will be too soon. They seriously creeped me out. I wonder if Amy and Rory being infected with Dalek nanobots is going to matter or if it's gonna be a dangling plot thread... Speaking of dangling plot threads, what're Amy and Rory gonna do, just throw away the divorce papers? I guess that's not dangling, but... ya know... a little weird to me.

     Last random thought to wrap up: I enjoy how Amy can read The Doctor like a book. It's interesting.

Housekeeping

So... I think I'm just gonna go ahead and take Saturdays off instead of the entire weekend. This is for two reasons: I need a day off from blogging, at least one. And I'm flying to Iowa on the 15th of this month, which is a Saturday, so I don't think I'll be in much of a mood to blog that day. So, you can expect future Doctor Who reviews and reactions to come on Sunday.

That's it from me for now. See you tomorrow.

Love ya, Jessie.

PS: The egg-person is in no way related to Asylum of the Daleks.