Star Trek is by and large, occasional episodes of whimsy aside, very serious science fiction. Predicated on the laudably idealistic premise that humanity, some centuries hence, has finally got its collective sh*t together and ventured into the stars where it has associated with likeminded alien species in a bravely enduring Continue Reading
TV
A tiny ton of tantalising streaming trailers: Carnival Row (S2), The Mandalorian (S3), Hello Tomorrow!, Shrinking and The Reluctant Traveler
It was but a week ago that I remarked once again in how we are all drowning in a seas of wondrously good content. It’s definitely a first world problem and one that is luxuriously good to have but such is the vast sum of streaming shows on their way Continue Reading
When you’re lost in the darkness … Thoughts on The Last of Us episode 1
One of the most jarring impacts of the last three years of the COVID pandemic has been the shaking to the core of the once cosy sense we all shared that civilisation with all the trimmings is inviolable, unbreakable and that it can withstand and endure anything. Granted, the world Continue Reading
It’s not as far as a long time ago but it’s a way back even so: Andor re-imagined as a ’70s TV movie promo
SNAPSHOTAnd now, we bring you tonight’s TV movie premiere. Get ready to travel to a far away galaxy that existed a long, long time ago. It’s the science fiction spectacular…ANDOR. Every Thursday night, only on ABC. (via Laughing Squid (c) Auralnauts) Let’s be clear from the start – Andor is Continue Reading
A ton of tantalising streaming trailers: Foundation (S2), That ’90s Show, The Ark, Poker Face, Night Court and The Last of Us
Another year, another slew of TV/streaming options to dazzle, entertain and yes, overwhelm. That’s both the blessing and the cursing of the current digital tsunami of content – a lot of it is very good and you want to watch it all but finding the time is a huge challenge. Continue Reading
All the action and intrigue a realpolitik-loving heart could want: Thoughts on Jack Ryan (S3)
When it comes to escapist entertainment, political action thrillers are in a gloriously batshit crazy class all of their very own. Employing only the loosest of adherence to the real world, although ostensibly a stalwart reflection of it, these gripping stories of life behind the veneer of political and diplomatic Continue Reading
Weekday streaming poster art: Meet the cast of The Last of Us via their character posters
SNAPSHOTThe Last of Us is an upcoming American post-apocalyptic drama television series created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann for HBO. Based on the 2013 video game of the same name developed by Naughty Dog, the series will follow Joel (Pedro Pascal), a smuggler tasked with escorting the teenage Ellie (Bella Ramsey) across a post-apocalyptic United States. It will feature Gabriel Luna as Joel’s younger brother Tommy, Merle Dandridge as resistance Continue Reading
Small screen, big stories, much bingeing: My 25 favourite TV shows of 2022
Good lord but there were a lot of TV shows produced this year. Somewhere 500 to 600 scripted shows hit broadcast TV and streaming, and while the initial reaction is exultation at so much choice, it’s quickly tempered by the factor that (a) a good deal of those shows are Continue Reading
Not a protagonist was stirring, not even an anthropomorphic mouse … Merry Christmas to all and to all a good pop culture night!
It’s been a crazy, busy, pandemic-y year once again but even amongst all the stress and strain and plague, my hope, as it is every year, is that this Christmas … You will not find snowy monsters with big teeth pursuing you … but if you do, you’ll have good Continue Reading
On 12th day of Christmas … I watched The Claus Family 2
As the years progress, writers are becoming ever more creative about who Santa is, what he does and yes, importantly how he does it, and what happens when he decides that he’s had enough of the toy giving game and it’s time to hand over to someone younger, more agile Continue Reading