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vbsvartalf · 1 year

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Audio Drama Sunday, 12/4/22

Yesterday was a long, big, busy Sunday, filled with some amazing audio dramas that I must share with all of you.

Dead Air, by Realm Media (created by Gwenda Bond) - If you like the true crime genre of podcasts, then a fictional version might just be up your alley. It's suspenseful, emotional, and filled with dark, dry humor. I've been devouring it recently, stopping just short of binging the entire thing in a single setting. I'm not a true crime fan, but I'm still hooked. If you liked Arden, I think you'll like this show.

Greater Boston, by Alexander Danner and Jeff Van Dreason - Humor, surrealism, quiet drama are all at the heart of Greater Boston. I know it's been around for a while and has a huge fandom but I'm excited that I get to experience this show for the first time six years after it started. Once I finish, I have a feeling I'll start the series over again without missing a beat.

A Ninth World Journal, by David S. Dear - The ultimate actual play turned audio drama, A Ninth World Journal episodes might be short but they are packed to the gills with content and keep you guessing as to what is going to happen next. David S. Dear is a fantastic narrator I've heard on several other shows at this point and it's wonderful to see him shine as the star.

Exoplanetary, by C. Christopher Heart - Managing to weave half a dozen sci-fi stories together in a nonlinear fashion without getting things too confusing is no easy task, but Exoplanetary as not only done just that, but thrived at it and keeps me coming back for new stories and new angles. It's filled with heart and emotion that stay with you long after the episodes is finished. From robotic love to colonialism to time travel, this show has it all.

Among the Stars and Bones, by Ungodly Hour Productions - Technically this will be my third listen but each time I get something more out of it, I feel more for the characters and understand their motivations. Telling a story from 8 or 9 limited viewpoints is a great way to employ the unreliable narrator, or as it happens, 8 or 9 unreliable narrators. I've seen recently that they are casting for season 2 and I cannot contain my excitement!

Old Gods of Appalachia, by DeepNerd Media - Folk horror, when done right, is better than any subgenre of any genre of literature, bar none. I will live and die on this hill. Old Gods does folk horror the right way. There's mood and atmosphere, a sense of place and a sense of dread. The show will have you jumping at shadows and creepy noises down by the creek at the witching hour.

The Town Whispers, by Cole Weavers - While similar to Old Gods of Appalachia, The Town Whispers takes cosmic horror and turns it up to 11 alongside all the folk horror that creeps around the edges of the Fort. The story telling is sharp and a sense of doom and dread purvey every word Mr. Weavers speaks. It's beautiful and chilling and leaves me needing more.

Malevolent, by Harlan Guthrie - It's a simple premise, guy wakes up unable to see with a creepy voice in his head that is not his own. Oh also there's a dead body, also there are monsters running around, oh also lots of creepy books, oh also it's set in the heart of Lovecraft Country. What could go wrong? I'm late to the party on the fandom for this show but as I work through the episodes I see why the fandom has exploded Hannibal style all over Tumblr.

Hi Nay, by Motzi Dapul - What if the Magnus Archives were less focused on Eurocentric monsters and fears and entities? What if there was a less organized group of people going after them? What if all of it was recorded lo-fi and given a health dose of Filipino folklore? Well, you'd have Hi Nay and you'd sweep the internets with a new, obsession worthy podcast that teaches as much as it entertains. Also they are working on getting 1000 subs on Youtube so get on that people!

The Kingmaker Histories, by Meg Molloy Tuten - Made by the same geniuses that brought us Less is Morgue, this audio drama gives us a glimpse at a steampunk world filled with magic. I enjoyed the first episode immensely. The acting, the script, the sound design are all top notch. Have to say I love this Ariadne character, she seems nice.

Moonbase Theta, Out, by D.J. Sylvis - Dystopian futures, corrupt governments, sinister warnings about the moon. Sounds like a typical day in 2022, right? Moonbase Theta, Out was and is ahead of its time in terms of storytelling, narratives, and characters. It's really a who's who in the world of audio drama with "famous" voices popping in and out to voice characters that will make you do the Leo pointing meme at least twice and episode.

WOE.BEGONE, by Dylan Griggs - Part surrealist sci-fi, part existential horror, WOE.BEGONE is a show that makes me want to run away screaming whilst at the same time binging more and more episodes. How deep does this creepy, deadly game go? What is the point of it all? Will Mike just be able to relax and have a nice time? I need to know!!!

And 195, by Guendalina Cilli - I just found out about this audio drama yesterday and I'm already a fan. I'm a runner with a bad sense of direction myself so the basis of the show is very, very familiar to me (aside from getting lost in other dimensions, that's not familiar but you never know in these days).

We Fix Space Junk, by Battle Bird Productions - Dystopian space dramas are a trope for a reason, but We Fix Space Junk manages to avoid the pitfalls and enjoy all the benefits of said trope. It's fresh, fun, and exciting. I've decided it was time for a re-listen to see what things I missed out on in the beginning that are integral parts of the show by the end. I'm already having a blast!

Care & Feeding of Werewolves, by Brenna Anderson-Dowd - What if True Blood were a sitcom, but far better than the sum of those two parts? What if it were funny and informative, silly and meaningful? You'd have Care & Feeding of Werewolves and you'd enjoy every single episode of this weird little show, and I do mean that endearingly. If it weren't weird, it wouldn't be nearly as fun.

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origami-butterfly · 7 months

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#malevolent #polls #aromantic #asexual #trans

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iamalivenow · 1 year

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malevolent must be a great joy for all king in yellow fans. you get so many free king in yellows and you don’t even have to listen to the show. the amount of king in yellows ive seen since the show gained popularity is astronomically higher than premalevolent king in yellow sightings.

#malevolent podcast #king in yellow #hope all of you like your free hasturs

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rockislandadultreads · 2 years

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Magical Forests: A reading list

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

In the lands of Bethel, where the Prophet’s word is law, Immanuelle Moore’s very existence is blasphemy. Her mother’s union with an outsider of a different race cast her once-proud family into disgrace, so Immanuelle does her best to worship the Father, follow Holy Protocol, and lead a life of submission, devotion, and absolute conformity, like all the other women in the settlement. But a mishap lures her into the forbidden Darkwood surrounding Bethel, where the first prophet once chased and killed four powerful witches. Their spirits are still lurking there, and they bestow a gift on Immanuelle: the journal of her dead mother, who Immanuelle is shocked to learn once sought sanctuary in the wood. Fascinated by the secrets in the diary, Immanuelle finds herself struggling to understand how her mother could have consorted with the witches. But when she begins to learn grim truths about the Church and its history, she realizes the true threat to Bethel is its own darkness. And she starts to understand that if Bethel is to change, it must begin with her.

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life. Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood. The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows—everyone knows—that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn’t, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her. But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose.

Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh

There is a Wild Man who lives in the deep quiet of Greenhollow, and he listens to the wood. Tobias, tethered to the forest, does not dwell on his past life, but he lives a perfectly unremarkable existence with his cottage, his cat, and his dryads. When Greenhollow Hall acquires a handsome, intensely curious new owner in Henry Silver, everything changes. Old secrets better left buried are dug up, and Tobias is forced to reckon with his troubled past—both the green magic of the woods, and the dark things that rest in its heart.

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice’s grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: her mother is stolen away-by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.” Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother’s cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began―and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong.

#Fantasy #YA #Magic #Ya books for adults #adult fiction #to read #tbr #booklr #booktok #themed reading #reading list #book list #Book Recommendations #reading recommendations #library books #book tumblr #to be read #book recs

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croik · 2 years

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Besides Malevolent, what other podcasts/audio works do you enjoy? Not limited to the horror genre. Malevolent is my first and I'm struggling to find others with the same level of quality right at the outset. Thanks for your response!

Not going to lie, you're going to have a hard time finding another fiction podcast at Malevolent's quality! No offense to everyone else, but the acting especially is just stellar for the medium. BUT, here are some others that I've really enjoyed. Most of my audio enjoyment is focused on horror fiction and Actualplays:

The Magnus Archives - If you're new to podcasts, this is really a must. It starts as an anthology as the narrator reads various statements from people who have encountered strange or supernatural things, and an overarching plot gets woven in over time. YMMV on the ending, I personally stopped after season 4, which to me was the perfect end.

Archive 81 - LOVED this one. The podcast, not the Netflix show. It is so weird, and so unique, it's hard to describe. It starts as another archive show similar to Magnus, but it branches into other dimensions, magical rituals, and the characters/acting are INCREDIBLE. Just so strange and wonderful, I was delighted at every turn. Season 1 is the roughest, so if you find yourself bouncing off, I recommend skipping straight to Season 3 and its followup. S3 + Left of the Dial are mostly self contained and don't need prior knowledge, and SO worth it. Someone come ship Michael/Aleister with me.

SAYER - Another Must Listen if only because there is an unusual amount of crossover between Malevolent and Sayer fans, lol. It's about an intelligent AI that handles personnel on a space station in the far, ultra capitalistic dystopian future. To be honest, I originally bounced after season 1, but recently I was encouraged to give it another try, and I'm EXTREMELY glad I did. It doesn't fully come into its own until around Season 3 imo but Season 4 is just SO good it makes everything worth it. Beware though that it's not finished and we don't know when the rest of the final season is coming ;_;

The Hyacinth Disaster - More of a thriller than horror, I haven't seen a lot of talk about it, but I enjoyed this one a LOT. It's about a bunch of space miners (like the crew of the original Alien) who are racing to mine valuable minerals from an asteroid, because they need the money to pay off a ransom. Which is a wild premise to begin with, and the quality is great.

If you are interested in Actual Plays that aren't the usual D&D (or even if you like that too) I recommend Dumb Dumbs and Dice, which has campaigns in several different systems, and The Neon Streets, which is Cyberpunk. Both casts are super talented, their stories are fast-paced with good use of the systems that don't get bogged down in dice, and they have a good mix of humor and drama. If you haven't done an actual play before, you might also want to try The Dark Dice, because it's edited so heavily that it feels like a regular drama most of the time. I would stop after season 1 though.

Omg I'm turning into a podcast slut XD. If anyone else has recs please put them in the replies!

#podcasts #malevolent podcast #sayer #archive 81 #the hyacinth disaster #dumb dumbs and dice #the neon streets #dark dice #podcast recs

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iamjessemccartney · 2 years

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malevolent part 22 is public!

those who are caught up, absolutely listen as Soon as you can, there's so much lovely detail in this part and it's Fantastic. what lies in the town arthur's found himself in? can the entity he's bound to now be trusted? what information can arthur uncover to help him on their journey? take some time to play detective, and listen💖

for those of you not caught up- i wish you luck on your journey and i'm SO excited for you.

for those of you who haven't started- malevolent is a lovecraftian-inspired audio drama set in arkham, massachussets in the year 1934, and follows private investigator arthur lester once he wakes up after a freak accident, bound to an unknown entity who now controls his eyes. together, they must work together to navigate the world around them and learn to rely on one another in order to survive the trials they're faced with. the show features original music by the amazing Harlan Guthrie, who also writes, edits, and does Even More for malevolent. every part of the show is so beautifully detailed and acts as an incredible stepping stone down the fantastically well-crafted path of the narrative, and i So highly recommend it for those of you who are fans of cosmic horror and classic noir💖

#rusty quill network #i love this show so much lol #i cannot say enough good things about it honestly #malevolent podcast

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musicarenagh · 1 year

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Nobody's Wolf Child Impresses With "Nobody's" Nobody's Wolf Child, an artist known for her unique blend of earthy, primal energy and cinematic grandeur, has just released her latest single, "Nobody's." This dark pop anthem is a mesmerizing ode to solitude and separateness, encouraging listeners to find freedom through anonymity and detachment from society's constructs. [embed]https://open.spotify.com/track/31k5zKyqOAJMoJiTBtiwku?si=98389ed369614bb9[/embed] From the first note, "Nobody's" captivates with its haunting melody, the instrumentation is both grand and intimate, creating a perfect balance between the anthemic and the relaxing. Listeners are immediately drawn into the world of Nobody's Wolf Child, as her ethereal female vocals weave a story of isolation and autonomy. The lyrics of "Nobody's" act as a call to action for others to recognize the growing malevolence of a system that thrives on compliance and conformity. It's impossible not to feel a sense of empowerment and rebellion as the chorus rises, echoing the sentiment of breaking free from societal expectations. The song's dark pop sound is reminiscent of artists like Florence + the Machine and Halsey, yet Nobody's Wolf Child has carved out her distinct musical niche with her signature blend of earthy and cinematic elements. What sets "Nobody's" apart from other dark pop offerings is the seamless fusion of primal energy and grand, sweeping soundscapes. The production is expertly crafted, allowing the listener to feel both the raw emotion and the epic scale of the journey the song takes them on. The music and voices are nicely balanced, resulting in a rich and evocative atmosphere that is both fascinating and immersive. As a music reviewer, it's always a treat to stumble across a song that can elicit such strong emotions while conveying a vital message. "Nobody's" by Nobody's Wolf Child does just that. "Nobody's" is a dark pop anthem that combines the best of primal energy and cinematic grandeur. With its anthemic sound and empowering message, it is a must-listen for fans of female-fronted dark pop and those seeking solace in solitude. Nobody's Wolf Child has undoubtedly created a mesmerizing and memorable musical experience with this release, and I eagerly await her future endeavors. Follow Nobody's Wolf Child on Website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

#Music #christheblogger #NobodysbyNobodysWolfChild #NobodysfromNobodysWolfChild #NobodysNobodysWolfChild #NobodysWolfChildImpressesWithNobodys #NobodysWolfChildNobodys #NobodysWolfChildoutwithNobodys #NobodysWolfChildwithNobodys #NOBODYSWOLFCHILD

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forabetterlifethanthis · 1 year

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Life Entropy

Pain, pain, pain. Never the same, always the same. Physical pain, mental pain; it’s all pain. We all feel pain, and we all seek an escape from our pain. I want to hear about your pain. I want to know what pain is to you. I’m not saying this nonchalantly, I would love if you told me how your pain manifests itself. Because everyone has pain. I want to be able to put mine in some perspective. So, if you are willing to indulge me in this coy extrospective, send me a message of your three most significant pains in your life. They can be whatever nature; physical or mental, temporary or permanent, banal or complex. If you really want to help the human equivalent of a sheep that has fallen on its back and has no one to help turn it the right way up, then also tell me what you do to overcome your pain.

What/where am I? I’m doing fine. That’s a lie. I’m doing absolutely terribly, I am saddened to tell you. My life seems to be curdling to a state of irreversible entropy. My eyesight has worsened, the flashing remains stubbornly vexatious, and the pain has blossomed into a red ball of malevolence intent on bursting open my head. My joints feel like they’re being oven-cooked from the inside, with no fan setting. Worst of all is that I have lost all desire to do anything. I was able to pass the endless hours before writing songs, exercising, listening to books. I did things that would promote my personal growth, like practicing singing, playing guitar or walking my dog (although that was perhaps more for his personal development). Now, aside from this blog, which I must dolefully tell you that I very much now force myself to do, just so as to keep myself sane, I spend my entire day in/on bed. Just waiting for the next hospital appointment in the vane hope that they will find a panacea to all my woes. I actually do not mind going to hospitals, because at least it engenders a feeling of purposefulness within me; like I am doing something about it. Stuck at home, unable to do so many of the things that I could five months ago just leaves me feeling apathetic and denude of all prospects of joy, lamenting for the life I will never have.

I know there is still hope. I am yet to have my surgery and cannot give up before then. I am also yet to see the pain management specialist. There is also the very realistic outcome that nothing will change and this is it. But that is a decision for a different day. That’s the point of this: to commit myself to at least giving myself that time to find a charm for me. Just right now, I can’t see it.

So, while the wax of the little candle that represents my little life may have all but melted, hope still flickers.

#painting #chronicpain #chronicillness #dignitas #sightloss #surgery #hospitals #depression #anxiety #life #death #ME #EDS #BPD #Idontknow

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alexsfictionaddiction · 1 year

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Review: Such A Pretty Smile by Kristi DeMeester

I’ve been a horror fan since I was a teenager and I’m always looking for something fresh within the genre. Sadly, this tends to be pretty rare and I’m afraid that while this book was unique, it didn’t really work for me.

Lila is full of secrets that she can’t talk to anyone about. This only increases when she starts sensing a malevolent presence within herself while young girls are being killed in the area. Her mother Caroline is an artist, well-known for her macabre sculptures. 15 years ago, Caroline began hearing angry dogs everywhere and it was dismissed as nothing but mental delusions but Caroline knows that it’s something that the men could never comprehend.

Caroline is an oddball within the community and her mother’s infamy seems to follow Lila around. She is aware that the other mothers avoid Caroline and are perhaps even afraid of her. However, I don’t think this is the reason that Lila also appears to be afraid of her mother. After all, Caroline is a pretty terrible parent disguised as a ‘highly caring, concerned mother’.

Lila has severe anxiety and at first, I thought her hauntings could be a manifestation of her fragile mind. She is so secretive but it’s through no fault of her own. I think Lila is a really well-written, accurate portrayal of a girl who has never felt like her own feelings matter. She knows how her parents would react if she ever talked to them about what was going on, which causes her to spiral deeper into her pretty dangerous condition.

Lila’s ‘best friend’ Macie is the stereotypical ‘cool best friend’ for an awkward 13-year-old girl. Lila has a crush on her that she doesn’t dare reveal to anyone but she does also clearly want to be like Macie -pretty, popular and reckless. Their ‘friendship’ was another very authentic aspect of the book, as intensely frustrating as it was.

The saddest part of the book is that in Caroline’s flashback chapters, we see her as a girl who hasn’t ever been listened to and whose anxiety has just been allowed to build as a result. She vows to never stifle her future children, which is exactly what she does to Lila, perhaps without even realising. However, I’m not sure I could believe that the strict rules that she imparts on Lila could have been done unintentionally. She MUST have realised what she was doing. The generational curse trope works on two levels in this story, which gave it a bit of depth but I just wish the supernatural aspect hadn’t been as abstract as it was.

My main gripe was that I couldn’t really understand what was actually happening. Were they both actually werewolves? Or were they actually just women who hallucinated and a string of violent murders happened to be occurring at the same time? I don’t know if this was ever clarified or whether it was and my attention span had just ebbed away by that point.

Such A Pretty Smile had promise but the characters often felt flat and the story got extremely convoluted at the end. It’s a shame because it had all the elements of a great horror but it lost me during the second half. However, I’d be interested in reading another book by the author as she clearly has some pretty cool, fresh ideas for a genre that desperately needs them.

#such a pretty smile #kristi demeester #horror #book review #review #books #bookworm

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recentanimenews · 2 years

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Yomawari 3 Brings Its Frights to the West as Yomawari: Lost in the Dark

If you're looking for the right mix of cute designs and atmospheric creepiness, the Yomawari series is right up your haunted alley. NIS America confirmed plans to bring the third entry to the west as Yomawari: Lost in the Dark, with a fall 2022 release lined up for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PC.

RELATED: Yomawari 3 Game Trailer Shows Off Spooky Nighttime Exploration

Check out the announcement trailer for a peek:

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Yomawari: Lost in the Dark will be available physically on PS4 and Switch in both deluxe and limited edition versions. Pictured below, the LE packs the game in a collector's box with a soundtrack, pin set and art card collection.

Synopsis:

A young girl awakens in a dark, unfamiliar forest with no recollection of how she got there. As she searches for the way out, she crosses paths with a mysterious individual who reveals to her that she’s been cursed. In order to break the curse, she needs to explore the streets of her town at night to seek out her lost memories. However, malevolent ghosts lurk within the shadows, and the girl must avoid them by running, hiding, and shutting her eyes if she hopes to survive long enough to break her curse.

Features:

The Night Continues: Another chapter of the atmospheric horror series has emerged from the shadows! With a new story set in a frighteningly familiar world, new and returning fans alike can dive right in.

Home Sweet Haunt: Eerie sound design and shadowy environments set the stage for gruesome and terrifying ghosts never seen before in the series.

New Fear, New Me: For the first time in Yomawari, you can customize your character’s appearance by changing her hairstyle, hair color, clothes, and accessories.

See No Evil: Do whatever it takes to survive the terrors of the night. Unveil secrets and specters alike using your flashlight. Find clues while listening to the sound of your heartbeat to detect nearby ghosts, and utilize a new mechanic, closing your eyes, to avoid the gaze of the evil spirits watching you.

Source: Press release

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Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine and the Editor-in-Chief of Sci Fi Magazine. You can read his comics at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter @Moldilox.

By: Joseph Luster

#Anime #News #Latest in Anime News by Crunchyroll!

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fly-pow-bye · 3 years

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What’s Airing On Cartoon Network? (June 2021)

DC Super Hero Girls returns, a Craig of the Creek week-long storyline, and a television premiere of a show that was formerly exclusive to HBO Max! Also, a Gumball clip show, and the Teen Titans are going to watch Space Jam. Details after the break.

The Amazing World of Gumball

Another month, another Gumball clip show. This is essentially the filler after a Teen Titans Go special, seen later here.

June 20th:

The Gumball Chronicles: Elmore's Most Wanted - Gumball's dad has been revealed as "Elmore's Most Wanted" - but when the Chief of Police tries to investigate, things do not go according to plan. Featuring hilarious clips from the first six seasons of 'The Amazing World of Gumball'. (7:45 PM)

Craig of the Creek

Craig of the Creek returns with a week long span of episodes and a special week long event.

June 7th:

Body Swap - Fed up with their home experiences, Craig, Kelsey and JP agree to switch bodies! (10:00 AM)

June 8th:

Copycat Carter - Craig and his friends stumble upon Carter, the cardboard genius turned cyborg, and Craig decides to help Carter become a kid again, just like him! (10:00 AM)

June 9th:

Brother Builder - As Craig races against time to build a super important invention, we learn how Craig became such a clever inventor! (10:00 AM)

June 10th:

Jessica the Intern - Entranced with the Trading Tree and Kit's business acumen, Jessica joins Kit as her intern! (10:00 AM)

June 28th:

Capture the Flag Part 1: The Candy - When mysterious circumstances cause issues at the Trading Tree, Craig tries to save the day! (10:00 AM)

June 29th:

Capture the Flag Part 2: The King - The Creek gets help from an unlikely friend. (10:00 AM)

June 30th:

Capture the Flag Part 3: The Legend - Craig goes in search of answers, and finds a legend. (10:00 AM)

July 1st:

Capture the Flag Part 4: The Plan - Craig puts a plan into motion to save the Creek. (10:00 AM)

July 2nd:

Capture the Flag Part 5: The Game - It all comes down to this, the fate of the Creek is at stake! (10:00 AM)

DC Super Hero Girls

June 6th:

#AmBatgirl - Batgirl finally has the chance to live out her life's dream and be the sidekick to her hero and inspiration - the Batman! (8:00 AM, half hour!)

June 13th:

#DoubleDanvers - When Kara realizes that she needs to be in two places on the same night, a dinner with an important investor in her parents' startup and a concert for her favorite band, the Malevolent Maniaxe at the Lazarus Pit, she calls for reinforcements in the form of Bizarro Kara! (8:00 AM)

#AccordingToGarth - Garth meets a friend who shares his obsession with a particular fandom. But when that friend takes his obsession too far, Garth must learn the difference between being a fan and being a fanatic, or risk driving his friends away. (8:15 AM)

June 27th:

#SuperWonderBatBeeZeeLanterMobile - The Super Hero Girls decide to go in together to buy their first car, but quickly learn that splitting an automobile six ways may prove to be their deadliest foe yet! (8:00 AM)

#SirensConch - Diana is asked to sing in a talent show, but when she uses a magical artifact to hide how bad she is at singing, she unleashes mayhem onto Metropolis. (8:15 AM)

The Fungies

For the first time, an HBO Max original is going to air on Cartoon Network.

June 4th:

Let It Snowball - Seth wants to bring snow home so it'll earn him a coveted spot on his mom's prized shelf of "stuff her kids gave her." When he repeatedly tries and fails to bring the snow back before it melts, he uses science to figure out a way to get it home intact. (8:00 AM)

Sick Day - Seth, desperately wanting his classmates to pay attention to the presentations he's excited to share with them, pushes himself too hard and gets sick! It takes a face-to-face encounter with his rival to show Seth that it doesn't matter what his classmates think, as long as he likes what he's doing. (8:15 AM)

June 11th:

Truffalo - On the verge of a scientific discovery, Seth and the other Fancies are forced inside when the town is invaded by cow-like Truffalo! But when Seth traps the Truffalo in order to resume his science, he causes an environmental chain reaction that threatens to destroy Fancytown. (8:00 AM)

Green Eggs and Pam - While exploring, Seth finds an egg and really wants to know what's inside it! But when Pam's egg-hatching instincts kick into gear, Seth will have to learn to trust her, and nature. (8:15 AM)

June 18th:

A Man and His Mustache - When Seth borrows Pascal's mustache for a day at the beach, the Triloknights think he's an adult! While Seth loves the respect and attention, is he really ready for adulthood? And marriage? (8:00 AM)

Take Your Seth to Work Day - Seth's desire to help Nancy with her job at the hospital results in chaos when he, without Nancy's knowledge, plays doctor on sick Fancies. Seth has to admit his wrongdoing and listen to his mom in order to set things right. (8:15 AM)

June 25th:

Voyage to the Rushroom - Seth and Claudette are given a weekend project as punishment for disrupting class. But when Seth finds himself marooned on a boat in the middle of the ocean with Claudette, will he finally learn to listen? Or will the huge storm sink their ship? (8:00 AM)

The Twins Bug Seth - Seth neglects his babysitting duties to do his own thing and winds up losing the twins to an army of ants! On his undercover mission to get back the Twins, Seth learns to appreciate his siblings even if they're a little annoying at times. (8:15 AM)

Teen Titans Go!

Following the footsteps of the Powerpuff Girls when they hosted a sing-a-long showing of The Wizard of Oz on TCM, Teen Titans Go is doing their own movie night with the original Space Jam.

June 20th:

Teen Titans Go See Space Jam - the Teen Titans are visited by the Nerdlucks, the iconic Space Jam villains who tried to capture Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes. Astonished to discover his fellow Titans have never seen Space Jam, Cyborg organizes an exclusive watch party. (6:00 PM to 7:45 PM)

#fpb news #teen titans go #the fungies #dc super hero girls #craig of the creek #the amazing world of gumball #cartoon network

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kickingitwithkirk · 3 years

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Deuxième Omega: Part II

Summary: Jensen is not dealing well with his unexpected divorce and before the ink is even dry, he is pushed into another union with a complete stranger.

Pairing: Alpha!Jensen Ackles x Omega!OFC

Word Count: 2859

Warnings: A/B/O, angst, angry Jensen, cursing, illness, arranged marriage, divorces, talk of Alpha dominance over Omega, suspected eating disorder, past abuses, vehicle drama

A/N: Sorry this took so long to get this part out, my antique laptop decided to eat over 2,000 words and have had to piece back together from memory so hopefully it makes sense.

A/N II: There is no intentional hate or malevolence intended towards any of the Ackles family. This is a purely fictional piece containing real and created persons/names/events set in the fictional A/B/O verse.

Part I

*Supernatural doesn’t end in season 15 and some dates/events have been altered to fit the story.

*no beta, all mistakes are mine

The Next Day

Jensen waves his hand around again at that buzzing insect driving him crazy. He’s finally conscious enough to recognize the sound, it wasn’t a bug but his phone vibrating incessantly. Picking his head up and instantly regretting it starts patting around the bed for his phone.

“lo...”

“Are you still drunk?” A deep, honey-whiskey and way too damn loud for the morning voice barked at him.

“Jared?”

“No, fucking Misha.”

“Too early for your shit Jay...”

“Dude, it’s three-thirty in the afternoon.”

“WHAT!” Jensen yells sitting up too fast, the pain ricocheting throughout his head sends him flying off the bed, barely making it to the toilet before regurgitating everything he ingested last night. The toilet automatically flushes as he sits back against the bathtub groaning like a dying water buffalo.

“Really wish you'd hung up before sharing that,” Jared quips in a queasy voice, “I’m gonna regret this but Face Time me.”

Jensen cracked his eyes open enough to locate the button and tapping it Jared appears dressed in his running gear with a bandana holding his hair back. “No offense but you look like hammered shit. I was gonna call earlier but Gen threatened to have my left nut if I did.”

Jensen grunts and closes his eyes against the bright outdoor light emanating from the phone.

“Are you…” Jensen tunes him out for a minute then,“ ‘cause there’s something you need to know about, it’s really bad.”

He opens his eyes and it’s worse than he could have imagined going by the expression on Jared’s face.

“One of your clan sold you out, got it all on cellphone video, social media’s blowing up. Hell, even Fox News Channel picked it up.”

Jensen listens to the description of his expressions at the surprise traditional ceremony, his drunken stumbling around the reception with his new wife submissively following, his scoffing at the speeches during the reception and ignoring his silent, veil wife sitting next to him.

“My favorite bit was Alan and Josh carrying you out of the can.”

Jared's expression turned serious, “People are talking, we can't cover for you anymore. I got a text from higher ups cause no one could get hold of you for obvious reasons. PR’s gotta get ahead of this.”

“I’m a fuckup.”

“Yeah but we still love you. So, what's her name?”

Jensen licked his lips, biting the bottom one.

“Please tell me you know her name.”

“I..I don't even know what she looks like Jay.”

Jared ran his hand over his mouth, “The first thing you do is get up, take a shower and brush your goddamn teeth. Then you apologize, fucking supplicate yourself, to your new wife..unless you’ve already decided to put her aside.”

Jensen's head snapped up unbelieving that his friend, the man who was his brother in every way except blood, could think that of him.

“You really believe I could do that?”

Jared smiled, “No, you're too good of a man, an Alpha, to do that. I want you to remember one thing, in all this, she’s not the one who screwed you over.”

***

Jensen stepped out the shower forgoing shaving since the show was on a short break. He wiped the steam from the mirror and stared at this haggard expression and developing beer gut. I’ve got to get back on my exercise routine. Makeup and wardrobe could only mask so much.

Reaching for his bath kit he knocked a hand towel off the counter. Bending over to retrieve it he noticed a shoe with netting in the wastebasket. Pulling it out he saw a brown smear inside one of the heels, remembering how much trouble she had with them last night and made a mental note to inquire about her feet.

Washing his hands and searching through his kit realizing he’d forgotten his toothbrush. Opening on the cabinets he located the complementary ones. As he’s brushing Jensen sees another brush sitting in a glass by the other sink with a neatly folded hand towel and hanging washcloth.

Huh, she must have forgotten hers too.

Tossing his kit bag in the suitcase he dressed in a pair of well worn jeans and a T-shirt. Quietly entering the common area the curtains set open just enough for him to see her curled up on the couch, still in her wedding dress, asleep. He walked over to check on her when a knock at the door made her bolt upright.

“It's room service, I asked them to text so not to wake you.” He answered the door and had a brief word with the waiter who apologized, the ticket didn’t say not to knock. They deposited a coffee decanter, several covered dishes, bottles of water and left taking the cart with them.

Jensen sat down and before he could ask how she took her coffee, his wife scrambled off the couch and was kneeling at his feet, head bowed and hands folded in her lap.

“What are you doing?” He asked incredulously, having never seen anyone do this before.

“Awaiting you instructions Alpha.”

“Instruc...get up!” He gripped her upper arm, shocked at how far his fingers wrapped around it and helped her to the other chair. Sitting back down Jensen got his first look at his new wife.

Sleep tousled, dark blonde hair frame cheekbones overly prominent for the shape of her face, wide set eyes a blue-grey color with amber rings around the pupils. Her lips were full, the bottom lip slightly off center. She was not the Hollywood standard of beauty he was used to, and if compared to them, she’d only be considered moderately pretty.

“I was only doing what is expected…”

“Kneeling at my feet like an obedient dog!” He barked as she said, “..of the Omega.”

“What’s expected?”

“In the book..”

“Please look at me when speaking.” She raises her eyes but doesn’t meet his, “..it states that the Omega is subservient and the act of humbling ourselves shows respect for the Alpha, as is their due.’

Jensen sat back shocked, running both of his hands through his still damp hair, making it stand up to resemble a hedgehog. He was in over his head and, for one of the few times in his life, didn’t know what to do and the first person he would have turned to for advice had banned all communication.

He took a deep breath to refocus and leaned forward, resting his arms on his legs to look her in the eye, “I need you to forget what I said last night. I..I’m angry, feels like I..we..were ambushed by this situation. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you, I’m sincerely sorry.”

“I don’t understand, are you apologizing to me?”

“It’s what people do when they’ve done something wrong and what I did was unforgivable. I want to make it up to you if you’ll let me and hopefully we can make a go of this.”

She looked at him dubiously but nodded once.

***

Jensen finished the last dregs of his coffee while packing, having decided to head back to Austin tonight. Clif had texted him he was ready whenever they were.

Sitting down on the bed he listened to the running shower and reaching his phone picked it up to start recording a video message.

He apologized for his atrocious behavior the last two years, asking the fans not to take it out on the show, this was all on him. To his coworkers for having to cover for him, they should have never been put in that position and if he had better character they wouldn’t have had too.

He next apologized to his family for his inexcusable behavior last night, which should have stayed private within their clan, and fully accepted his banishment by the clan leader, his father, for however long he deemed fit.

He lastly apologized to his new wife, they were irrecoverably tied together and he’d do whatever she demanded from him to make up for the horrendous treatment he’d shown her and hoped she’d give him a chance to make a go of their marriage.

He uploaded the video to his few online accounts and turned the phone off, wearily running a hand over his face. Getting up to take one last look he found his jacket from the wedding hanging in the closet.

Folding it he hears a crinkling noise and reaches into the inner pocket finding the marriage certificate. Tossing the jacket on the bed he unrolls the certificate reading his wife’s name Iseult.

“It’s pronounced Ee-sult Alpha.”

Jensen's head jerked up in surprise, “Hey, um, we're heading out as soon as you're ready.”

“Oh, okay, I’ll need you to button my dress Alpha.” She said repacking his bath kit she'd borrowed.

Jensen furrowed his brow, “Wouldn’t you be more comfortable in something else, I mean, I’m telling you what to wear but it’s a three hour drive to my..our home.”

Iseult looked down playing with one of the pearlescent buttons, “When I married my hus..ex husband, our prenup stated that I only got what I had in my possession at the time. Apparently, he disposed of my things at some point,” she fanned out the shirt, “this dress, shoes and veil, your mother purchased them otherwise the media would have had a lot more to exploit at my..our expense Alpha.”

“Let me give you something of mine.”

“Anything of yours will swallow me, you're much more solid. There is a Walmart on..” she abruptly stopped at Jensen's raised eyebrow, “I’m sorry Alpha, I overstepped my place.” She bowed her head and hunched her shoulders, exuding the scent of fear as if she is expecting punishment from him.

What had happened to this woman to make her believe she should cower and gravel? Jensen manages to keep his anger in check, not wanting her to be more scared of him than she was, thinking who the hell is her ex-husband and what had he done to make her like this?

Jensen slowly walked behind her and gripping the fabric was once again dismayed at how prominent her shoulder blades were, his gut telling him her slenderness wasn't something natural.

As he fastened the buttons he spoke in the gentle voice he used when Jared's daughter Odette was upset, “If you can survive till tomorrow I’ll take you to get whatever you need.” She nodded once.

“Can I make one request Alpha?”

“You don’t have to request anything, just ask.”

“I have a prescription I need refilled, there’s a pharmacy on Wilmont, it’s on the way.”

He plucked the jacket off the bed and held it open, “Please, it's getting chilly.” She slid her arms into the sleeves and Jensen saw she was right about being swallowed. He put on his ball cap and headed out.

When they got off the elevators Jensen went deeper into the hotel. He stopped at an employees only entrance off the kitchen and knocked twice. A double knock answered and he pushed it open to reveal a waiting SUV. He introduced Clif and handed him the bag, taking it to the vehicle's rear and loaded it before getting back in.

The wind had started picking up ahead of the late autumn thunderstorm. Iseult grabbed her whipping hair in one hand and her skirt in the other as Jensen opened the back door.

“Iseult?”

“I was waiting for you Alpha, its proper etiquette.”

“I was raised it’s proper for a lady to enter first, please,” he held his hand out to her.

Iseult released her hair and hesitantly took his hand. Jensen felt a skittering sensation go up his spin as Iseult quivered, staring into his eyes as a whirling wind intermingled their scents, enthralling them.

Clif politely coughed, “We need to go before the bottom falls out.”

A tremendous thunderclap sent them scrambling into the car as the heavens let loose.

***

The trip to Austin was darker than usual, the weather slowing the drive back and with the incident at the pharmacy, Jensen still couldn’t believe it, refusing the prescription now that she was married to an Alpha, needing his verbal consent.

Clif interceded before he went off about the subjugation of Omegas in modern society, reminding him they were in predominantly conservative Texas, where this thinking was considered normal, not California.

Jensen glanced over to see Iseult staring out the window when his phone vibrated. Picking it up from the cup holder he saw a text from Josh.

>Jenny, know I’m not supposed to be in touch but call me!!! Need to know the shit going down here.<

Josh picked up on the first ring, “Man, all hell breaking loose. Your wife's ex didn't notify his clan that he was divorcing or remarrying her and they’ve filed an appeal with the Pack council to get her back.”

“We were married in the Traditional...”

“The fuck Jenny, did living in La La land make you forget everything? Your the second son of a clan leader, you know Pack law supersedes all federal, state and religious laws. They’ve dug up some obscure sub-clause that states a clan has first right to remarry an Omega within the clan and if they don’t whoever takes them must pay settlements.”

“What are settlements?”

“Has your brain fallen out of your ass? The bride price.”

“Josh, that's insane, it's 2020....”

“No shit Sherlock, but this is Texas. Fuck, dads back already. I’m gonna leave my phone on, keep your goddamn mouth shut or it's gonna be my ass too!”

Jensen can’t make out anything then his mother clearly says, “..they are asking what for her?”

“Ten million.”

“Your shitting me!”

“Joshua, language young man.”

“Five of it’s compensation for damages done to the Omega.”

“What damages? Jenny’s got a temper, what Alpha doesn’t, but he wouldn’t hurt anyone unless he was forced to.”

Alan cleared his throat in the manner Jensen had come to know that something’s making him uncomfortable. “It seems the Omega was..unsullied when she married her ex-husband.”

“Holy shit! You mean she’s never been with an Alpha before Jensen?”

“Joshua, I will not tolerate that language and we will absolutely not discuss your brothers new wife’s...virtue.”

Jensen hears the tinkling of glass, “Donna, did you know about any of this?”

“Well..no, of course not.” Her answer wasn’t very convincing.

“Donna, what are you not saying?” Alan’s Alpha voice resonated, he only used it when his mate was being evasive about something she’d done.

“When Danneel wasn’t willing to reproduce for Jensen I put out some feelers about finding him an Omega…”

“Jesus Fucking Christ! Even if it is acceptable for Jensen to have a second wife with Danneel being a Beta, he would never agree to it.”

“I’m not telling you again about your language. I might have, at one of my appointments, casually indicated to Brent that I wanted an Omega like his.”

Who the hell is this Brent?

“Wait, Brent Worthington?!”

Jensen dropped his phone. It smacked against his other hand turning on the speaker allowing everyone in the car to hear.

“Donna, have you any idea what you’ve done?”

“I never thought he'd actually offer her, they always seemed so happy together.”

“He took your casual indication as an actual offer for his wife. You do understand that while we have to deal with each other they are still our rivals.”

The Ackles and Worthingtons were two of the original founding clans of the Dallas Pack, and rivals for centuries. Iseult had been married to the only Beta son of Abraham, the Clans Alpha, like Alan.

Josh’s voice shook as he spoke, “Mom, if the council decides to return her do you have any idea what they’ll do if Jensen’s already mated and claimed her?”

There’s a ringing phone and Alan answered, his voice loud then faint, apparently pacing around the room.

In the SUV dim interior Jensen could see Iseult shaking, awaiting the decision.

“The council sided with the Worthington's stating the law…”

Jensen’s inner Alpha raged, loosening a wrawl causing Clif to jerk the wheel, swerving across the wet lanes, throwing Jensen against the seat in front of him, landing on the floorboard before the vehicle was under control and stopped on the shoulder. Twisting around he sees Clif opening the back door checking on Iseult while Alan’s voice filled the otherwise silent SUV.

“...but taking into consideration today’s social climate they came back with the final decision since she remarried another clan leader's son her status is unchanged, so if we send her back there’s no penalty for damages. If we choose to keep her, it’s five million due to the Omegas age.”

“What did you tell them dad?”

“I told them we were keeping her, I won’t be the cause of anymore upheaval in my son's life. However,” Alan’s voice turned hard, “the council has ordered additional financial penalties set against both clan leaders for the transgressions committed by their families.”

“How much?”

“I paid twenty-five million for a Deuxième Omega.”

tbc

SPN: @donnaintx

Dean/Jensen: @flamencodiva

#alpha!jensen ackles x omega!ofc #alpha!jensen ackles #omega!ofc #alpha!jared padalecki #jensen ackles #jared padalecki #angst #alpha!jensen x omega

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autolenaphilia · 3 years

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Granada Holmes (series review)

The 1984-1994 Granada series of Sherlock Holmes adaptations, starring Jeremy Brett as Holmes are regarded by fans as a milestone among the many adaptations of Sherlock Holmes that were made. Brett is said to be “the definitive Holmes”. And I would largely agree with that, despite it not being my favourite version, and it having some flaws and weak episodes, especially as the series went on.

The first thing that set this show apart is that it went back to the original stories and adapted those. Now, it isn’t the first version to do so, as some people (including Brett, apparently) claim. The 1920s silent film series with Eille Norwood was fairly canon accurate, and the 1960s BBC tv series with Douglas Wilmer and Peter Cushing also followed the canon. There is also the 1979-1986 Soviet Russian series with Vasily Livanov. And on radio you have more canonical dramatizations, such as the British John Gielgud 1950s series and the BBC Carleton Hobbs series from the 50s and 60s. People have an unfortunate tendency to ignore radio in favour of screen adaptations.

Still, it must be granted that Granada at its best is probably the supreme screen adaptation of the canon. The production values and acting are far superior to what the 60s BBC tv series had.

Jeremy Brett was a revolution in Holmes performances. The previous era defining Holmes, Basil Rathbone, as great as he was, made Holmes into too much of a straightforward hero. Brett brought back the eccentricities (including the drug use), the nervous energy and the character’s general moodiness and emotionality that was there in the text.

Holmes in the Granada series was ultimately on the side of good and a benevolent figure (if occasionally rude), but fictional justice perhaps had never an odder champion. He did everything from sitting weirdly, jumping over couches to taking drugs. Holmes felt neurodiverse, and indeed Brett used his own experiences with bipolar disorder in the performance. And it was true to canon, in a way we seldom had seen on screen before.

Jeremy Brett’s performance as Holmes is extremely influential and often imitated by later screen adaptations, but has never been surpassed. The portrayal of Holmes in BBC Sherlock and the movies with Robert Downey Jr. is clearly inspired by Brett’s nervy eccentric genius Holmes, but ends up a bad parody. Holmes in the Granada series can like his canon counterpart occasionally be rude or careless towards other, but it was lapses, not a general trend. They seemed to be caused by an eccentric brain on another wavelength from the people around him, rather than any malevolence. Holmes in BBC Sherlock is a male nerd wish-fulfilment fantasy, where the character’s eccentric genius are allowed to excuse any crimes.

At its height, Brett’s Holmes is an awe-inspiring performance, with the actor pouring everything of his skill and energy into it. You could criticize it as melodramatic over-acting, but it makes for great viewing and fits the man who said “I never can resist a touch of the dramatic”.

The Granada series gets much credit for rehabilitating the role of Watson. Both of the actors playing him depicted as very much intelligent and capable. It is somewhat overstated of course, the turning away from the comedic figure Nigel Bruce portrayed started already with Andre Morell’s Watson in the 1959 Hammer Hound of the Baskervilles. Still, the Watson depicted by the Granada series is still one of the show’s chief draws.

The series had a switch in the actors playing Watson, with David Burke portraying him in the first two seasons of 13 episodes and The Empty House featuring Holmes return to a Watson portrayed by Edward Hardwicke. And honestly it is hard to choose between them, because they are both great and there is a consistency in the writing that makes them feel like the same basic character.

Burke’s Watson comes across as younger and more energetic of the two actors and has perhaps the better comedic dynamic with Holmes. He is perhaps my pick, as despite his actual age while playing the part, he feels closer to the young Watson of the canon.

But that is no serious slight against Hardwicke’s performance, which is still first-rate. Hardwicke’s Watson feels older, despite the difference in age between the actors being but a few years. The performance is also defined by an effortless charm and warmth, giving Watson an avuncular aura. But Watson is not at all infirm and is still an intelligent medical man and an experienced soldier, ever ready with his revolver.

An interesting change from the Canonical stories is that Watson never gets married and moves out of Baker Street. The Sign of the Four features Mary Morstan, but at the end she walks out of the story without any romance between her and Doctor Watson. The reason this was done, is that it simplifies the set-up of the stories. With Watson in 221B, he is always on hand to join Holmes. No need for a scene at the beginning of Holmes taking Watson away from wife and practice. Also it saves them keeping track of when Watson was married or not, something that Conan Doyle himself got into a serious continuity tangle about.

As producer Michael Cox (quoted in David Stuart Davies’s book Starring Sherlock Holmes) noted, Conan Doyle himself probably regretted marrying off Watson, considering The Empty House has Watson suffering from a “sad bereavement” and then moving back in with Holmes. So it is a very much acceptable deviation from canon.

It also frees the writers to focus on the most important relationship in the canon: the friendship between Holmes and Watson. The canon has been called “a textbook of friendship” by Christopher Morley, and the chemistry and relationship between Holmes and Watson is vitally important to any adaptation. And that aspect of the stories is wonderfully conveyed here, with both actors playing Watson working together with Brett as Holmes well to convey the odd but close friendship between the two men.

Rosalie Williams plays Mrs. Hudson, and she is excellent in the role. The Granada series has a lot of little scenes of Mrs. Hudson added into the canonical cases, and they work excellently, giving her more of a presence. Many of them are comedic, making jokes about how a difficult and eccentric lodger Holmes is, but there is a clear undercurrent of affection throughout their interactions.

The recurring cast members include Charles Gray as Mycroft Holmes and Colin Jeavons as Inspector Lestrade.

Gray as Mycroft is close to ideal, fitting the character of the overweight, lazy and intelligent canon character perfectly. He was such a good fit for the role that he had actually earlier played the part in the film adaptation of The Seven-Per-Cent Solution.

Jeavons fit the part of Lestrade and his acting is superb, capable of showing the full extent of Lestrade’s character, having both smug over-confidence at times, yet also having genuine respect and affection for Holmes.

The acting skills of the actors playing characters who only appear in one episode is also generally very high. And that is part of the general high quality of execution the show had for most of its run. The period sets and the directing was of a similar high standard. The music by Patrick Gowers is excellent, and I suggest any fan take a listen to this Youtube playlist of his soundtrack.

The scripts are quite excellent, for the most part sticking close to the Conan Doyle stories. Of course there are always infidelities here and there, and sometimes the episode would go on non-canonical tangents.

Usually it was to make the story work better on screen. For example, the villains in The Greek Interpreter escape from Holmes and Watson, ending up being killed “off-screen” as it were. So the Granada version of the same tale has a non-canonical ending of Holmes, Watson and Mycroft confronting the villains on a train, something that works rather well. Another example is The Musgrave Ritual which entirely ditches the original story’s framing device of Holmes telling Watson the story of an early case of his. In the Granada version Watson is with Holmes on this case, and it works better that way.

And with all of these elements working together, for most of its run, the Granada series is perhaps the definitive screen adaptation of Sherlock Holmes. The first four seasons of 50 minute episodes, which were broadcast under the titles of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and The Return of Sherlock Holmes from 1984-1988 plus the feature length adaptation of The Sign of Four are pretty much all great. It went from strength to strength, consistently making very well-made adaptations of the canon.

The Sign of Four is probably a good pick for Granada’s peak, due to its epic nature. And it is definitely the best of the five feature-length films they did. Outside of leaving out any romance between John and Mary, the film is faithful to the book, although it goes too far in that direction in keeping in the racism of the story. But it also has all of the book’s virtues as a story too, and fine acting from Brett, Hardwicke, and John Thaw as Jonathan Small make for an enjoyable viewing experience.

There was however a decline in the series later years. The lynchpin of the series was Jeremy Brett, and his health began to seriously fail him by 1987, leading to his death in 199 (my source of information on Brett’s health decline and general behind the scenes things is mostly Davies’s book Starring Sherlock Holmes) Once lean and looking remarkably like the Sidney Paget illustrations of Holmes, his conflicting medications for his heart problems and bipolar disorder caused him to retain water and bloat, causing him to no longer look like the lean figure he once was. His looks wasn’t really the problem, what was however was that his health problems drained him of the energy that he once was able to put it into his performance, creating through no fault of his own a more lethargic and weaker Holmes.

There was also a growing lack of care shown towards the series by Granada itself. The budgets began to shrink by 1988, and while the series looked good for the most part, it did impact the show.

Probably the first disappointing episode is the double-length adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles from 1988. You would expect the Granada series, with their excellent leads and excellent track record up to this point, to create the definitive version of this often-filmed story, but it just isn’t. It isn’t bad, but it is ultimately mediocre in a way that is hard to pinpoint. My guess is that the direction and cinematography doesn’t manage to create the suspense the story needs, resulting in a slow-paced and slightly boring experience.

It also ends up show-casing the problems the show would now begin to have, with the production crew not having the money to do location shooting on Dartmoor and Brett obviously showing the signs of his failing health.

The Hound film was followed by a season of six 50-minute length episodes, called The Case-book of Sherlock Holmes. And these were mostly fine, considering the circumstances. The budget had been reduced compared to earlier seasons and you could tell the writers sometimes lacked a first-rate canonical story to adapt.

There were one or two weaker episodes, but those were due to the original story being weak. For example, the season ended with a faithful adaptation of The Creeping Man and it is as good and well-made a tv adaptation you could ever hope to make with such a bizarre plot. The result is of course pure camp, but so is the original story. When the show had a good Conan Doyle story to adapt, like The Boscombe Valley Mystery, The Problem of Thor Bridge or The Illustrious Client, the results are indeed up to the standards of its past.

The real nadir of the series came later, however, when in 1992-93 the series decided to do three double-length episodes. Granada wanted the Holmes series to copy the success of Inspector Morse and its 100 minute tv film format. The problem was the show would still adapt Conan Doyle’s short stories into a format that was far too long for them. So the scriptwriters had to pad the stories out with their own inventions.

This sort of worked for the first film of these three films, The Master Blackmailer. It was based on Charles Augustus Milverton, which is one of the shortest stories in the canon, but one of the most rich in dramatic potential. Writer Jeremy Paul’s script decided to show in detail what is merely mentioned in the story, such as Milverton blackmailing people and Holmes courting Milverton’s maid in order to gain access to his home. The end result works, it is somewhat slow-paced but is ultimately coherent and at its best feels like you are watching the backstory to the canonical events.

The same can’t be said for the second and third of these films, The Last Vampyre and The Eligible Bachelor. The Last Vampyre is an almost completely incoherent non-adaptation of The Sussex Vampire, where elements from the canonical story probably make up less than 5% of the resulting film. There is an attempt to create intrigue and suspense around the original character Stockton, but the film is so vague about what he is and what threat he poses that the resulting film makes no sense.

The Eligible Bachelor is a similar adaptation of The Noble Bachelor, where the canonical story elements that remain is entirely subsided by a new bizarre plot where Lord St. Simon is now a ruthless Bluebeard-like villain. It is slightly better than The Last Vampyre, simply because the villain here poses an identifiable and somewhat coherent threat. Still, the film has to pad things out with bizarre subplots, like Holmes having prophetic dreams, which ultimately doesn’t lead anywhere.

Wisely, the series returned to the 50 minute format for the last season of six episodes, which aired in 1994, under the name of “he Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. It was with this season Jeremy Brett’s health problems and the lower budgets really began to seriously affect the show. Brett was in a bad state at this point, and the description of the production in Davies’s book makes for sad reading.

During the filming of one episode in this season, The Three Gables, he had to use a wheelchair between takes and supplementary oxygen to ease his breathing. His performance is naturally lacking in the energy he once had, but the fact it is a performance at all is testament to his commitment. The Three Gables is actually one of the better episodes of this season, as it actually manages to improve on one of the weakest stories in the canon.

Edward Hardwicke was unavailable to film The Golden Pince-nez, and they couldn’t re-schedule the shooting dates (which I suspect was a budget issue). So the writer wrote out Watson and replaced him in the role of Sherlock’s assistant with Mycroft, since Charles Gray was available. The result is well-made otherwise, with guest stars Frank Finlay and Anna Carteret giving great performances, but the lack of Watson is sorely felt. It is fun to see Charles Gray’s Mycroft again, but it feels contrary to his character to accompany his brother like this.

And before he could film The Mazarin Stone, Brett’s health gave out on him and he was hospitalized. Again Charles Gray was called in by the producer to play Mycroft as a substitute. It is nice to see Mycroft for a fourth time, but Mycroft doing this doesn’t feel true to his character. And this episode is one of the weakest in the series, due to the script. Not that I blame the scriptwriter too much, The Mazarin Stone is one of the worst stories in the canon. The efforts to improve on the story by combining it with another weak story The Three Garridebs don’t at all manage to rescue it.

However, there are still some rather good episodes in this season . The Red Circle is good and The last ever episode of the series, The Cardboard box manages to close out the series on a good if dark note.

Jeremy Brett died in 1995 due to heart failure, ending all hope of any future series.

I might have delved too much on the series failures in this essay. Because all of that is outweighed by the consistent high quality the series managed to achieve in the first four seasons, and with a few failures, still managed to sometimes achieve again in the later ones. Those adaptations are perhaps the peak of Holmes on screen.

It is not my favourite adaptation, that is the BBC radio drama versions made starring Clive Merrison as Holmes from 1989 to 2010. Those were just as consistently good, with Merrison and Williams/Sachs as Holmes and Watson being on the same general level as Brett and Burke/Hardwicke as performances. In fact, the BBC version is more consistent, never going off the rails as the Granada version sometimes, and it actually managed to achieve the goal Brett had hoped for: adapting every canonical story.

Still that doesn’t take away from Granada’s great achievement in adapting the Holmes stories with such quality. It is an achievement that later movie and tv adaptations haven’t been able to surpass.

#granada holmes #review #sherlock holmes

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kmalexander · 3 years

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The 2020 Cosmic Horror Holiday Gift Guide

The phrase “Black Friday” has a more menacing tone in 2020—especially here in the United States. Hopefully, you’re following the advice of the experts, staying home, laying low, wearing masks, and washing your hands. But a pandemic shouldn’t stop gift giving! So, once again, I took some time and assembled my List of Lists for 2020. In it, you’ll find a plethora of paraphernalia for the weird-fiction fanatic, cosmic-horror connoisseur, or mythos maniac in your life. As with previous years, I’ve worked to assemble a list of exceptional items for all ages and budgets.

There’s a few changes this year. First, I’m now linking to IndieBound for all books. Please do what you can to support your local bookshops and small businesses. Odds are they can get you anything Amazon can, and it’ll help out your community. Secondly, where possible, I’m also linking to the author’s personal webpages. Check them out. Follow them. It’s a nice way to stay current with what’s happening in the world of weird fiction. Please remember, while I’ve ordered these by price, the prices and availability are subject to change. I don’t have any control over that. Happy shopping!

QUICK LINKS

• Books • Music • Apparel • Games • • Housewares • Miskatonic •

Books

Mother Hydra’s Mythos Rhymes by Jarred W. Wallace $9.95 + Shipping (Paperback)

This mock children’s book features twenty-one sinister nursery rhymes twisted with a Cthulhu Mythos bent and illustrated by the incredible Heather Hudson. Also included is a complete Edward Gorey-style alphabet. Every budding cultist should learn their ABCs after all.

The Worm And His Kings by Hailey Piper $13.00 + Shipping (Paperback) $6.99 (eBook)

This arrived only a few weeks ago, and I can’t wait to dive in. Set in New York City in 1990, the story follows Monique as she hunts for her missing girlfriend. But the trail goes much deeper than she realizes, sending Monique into a subterranean world of enigmatic cultists and shadowy creatures.

The Stars Were Right by K. M. Alexander $14.00 + Shipping (Paperback) $2.99 (eBook)

I’m nearly finished with Book Four’s edits. So, if you haven’t, now is the perfect time to start reading my Bell Forging Cycle. Follow Waldo Bell as he is sent careening through the multi-level megalopolis of Lovat, fighting to clear his name as a bloodthirsty killer stalks him. It’s mystery and monsters, chases and cults, and an ancient evil in a world that is similar but not quite like our own.

RADIO by J. Rushing $15.99 + Shipping (Paperback) $3.99 (eBook)

A jazz-infused, opium-soaked, historical fantasy with a transgressive edge that explodes from the opening chapter and never relents until its final pages—a welcome addition to modern fantasy literature and weird enough that it earned a place on this list.

Murder Ballads And Other Horrific Tales by John Hornor Jacobs $16.95 + Shipping (Paperback) $7.95 (eBook)

Seems like it’s becoming a tradition to see a new book from John Hornor Jacobs on this list every year, and it’s no surprise. He’s arguably one of the best mythos writers working today. This collection of recent horror and crime short stories takes you through tales involving old gods to malevolent artiﬁcial intelligences, plus it includes the sequel to his 2011 novel, Southern Gods.

The Cipher by Kathe Koja $17.95 + Shipping (Paperback) $3.99 (eBook)

Part haunted house story, part body horror, part descent-into-madness tale all told in the style of Transgressive Literature. The Cipher is one of those stories I was shocked I hadn’t read until this year. Koja writes stunningly physical characters and knotted complex relationships that feel eerily familiar to anyone who’s spent time in artist circles. Enjoy the Fun Hole. (One of my 2020 Three Great Horror Reads for Halloween.)

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones $26.99 + Shipping (Hardcover) $9.99 (eBook)

At its heart, this is a horror novel about growing up poor and native in western Montana. But The Only Good Indians also a novel about revenge, mistakes, and their extended consequences. I blew through it. I grew up not too far from where this novel is set, and I have yet to find a recent author that captures the behavior and actions of the people in that area quite as well as Jones. You’ll never look at elk the same way again. (One of my 2020 Three Great Horror Reads for Halloween.)

The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin $28.00 + Shipping (Hardcover) $14.99 (eBook)

The first of the Great Cities series focuses on a roiling, ancient evil that stirs beneath the streets of New York City and threatens to destroy the city. New York must go on, and it will take five protectors scattered across the boroughs coming together to stop it. An allegorical response to Lovecraft’s work and a love letter to the city.

The Dark Brotherhood and Other Pieces by H.P. Lovecraft $650.00 + Shipping (One Copy Available—Sold via AbeBooks)

This rare late-60s first edition copy from Arkham House is in fine condition with a fine dustwrapper. It also comes with an inscription by the publisher and editor of this work: “for Herb Arnold from the compiler – August Derleth.” An extremely unique find and a unique piece of weird fiction history.

No book catches your interest? Check out the books featured in one of the previous guides. • 2014 Books • 2015 Books • 2016 Books • 2017 Books • 2018 Books • 2019 Books •

Music & Audio

Tribute To H.P. Lovecraft by Epsilon Eridani Free (Digital Download)

This atmospheric and somber dark ambient album is the third project from Mexican electronic artist Juan Pablo Valle. Blending instrumental tracks, spoken words performances, and recitations of parts of Lovecraft’s stories, this tribute serves as an excellent horror soundtrack.

The Yellow Sign $6.99 (Digital Download)

While Lovecraftian music often skews towards dark ambient or metal performances, The Yellow Sign goes takes a more orchestral approach. Composer Graham Plowman has created a fantastic classical soundtrack putting this album on par with any feature film—brooding, menacing, and wonderfully enjoyable.

Beyond Madness by Aklo $9.00 (Digital Download)

Erich Zann would be jealous. Aklo, like its madness-inducing namesake, is hard to pin down. But this album captures “the beyond” in ways not often heard in modern music. Part noise, part experimental, Beyond Madness is an excellent addition to any Lovecraft fan’s collection.

Live from Stockholm by Ogham Waite $12.00 (Digital Download)

Ogham Waite, one of Innsmouth’s Deep One inhabitants, and the Amphibian Jazz Band are the mythos’ answer to the lounge stylings of early Tom Waits. Bluesy and moody, this seductively smokey album drips with saltwater. Waite’s performance and delivery are melodious as they are melodic, a great addition to mythos music.

Ambrose Bierce’s The Boarded Window $20.00 + Shipping (Vinyl)

This limited vinyl pressing of Bierce’s unsettling perspective-shifting tale is read by Anthony D. P. Mann and scored by Chris Bozzone. Cadabra Records always goes the extra mile with their products, and it’s clear from the hand-poured red and white splattered vinyl to the incredible art by Jeremy Hush.

Deities by Tortuga €22.50 ($26.68) + Shipping (Vinyl) €5.00 ($5.93) (Digital Download)

This one showed up randomly on a playlist, and I found myself intrigued. Once I listened to it, I became a fan. Tortuga is a Polish doom metal band whose work is loaded down with intricate and heavy driving riffs inspired by Lovecraft’s writings. It’s good stuff.

Not finding any music or audio that interests you? Check out one of the previous guides. • 2014 Music • 2015 Music • 2016 Music • 2017 Music • 2018 Music • 2019 Music •

Apparel

Tiki Cthulhu Embroidered Patch $9.00 + Shipping

I see many patches as I search for new cosmic horror gear throughout the year, and occasionally I find one that rises to the top. This sew-on tiki-styled Ctuhulu is 3″ x 2.5″ and was created for the 2018 H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival. If you want a mythos inspired adornment for your bag or jacket that’s a bit outside the norm, look no further.

Cthulhu Socks $18.00 + Shipping

It’s winter in the northern hemisphere, that means you need to keep your appendages warm. Also, socks-for-Christmas is a right of passage. Why not consider getting these Cthulhu Socks from PutYourSocksOn featuring tentacles up the side and an illustration of the dead and dreaming Cthulhu on the ankle.

Sourpuss Tropicthulhu Rosie Dress $29.00 + Shipping

When you are associated with the ocean, you generally get associated with the tropics regardless of where your sunken city dwells. This 40’s style Rosie Dress allows you to show your appreciation of R’lyeh’s favorite son in a subtle but delightful manner.

Amulet of Azathoth £23.95 ($34.42) + Shipping

It’s the grandpappy of the mythos deities in amulet form! Well, kinda. A representation of the nuclear chaos beyond angled space himself. This antique amulet is a little over an inch and a half long and is cold cast in a mixture of resin and brass—a stunning little pendant.

Mother & Father Statuary Set $85.00 + Free Shipping

These handmade and hand-painted resin figures of Dagon and Hydra would work perfectly as bookends or garden statues. Aged in a way to evoke feelings of lost treasure salvaged from the seafloor or perhaps a dank and forgotten chamber somewhere beneath Innsmouth. Kinda cute to boot.

Cara Mater Silvae Shub-Niggurath Woodcut Print $187.50 + Free Shipping (Limited Edition)

Liv Rainey-Smith’s fantastic woodcut work has long been a fixture in the weird lit community. This limited-edition print is done in the style of a sacred icon and features a great rendition of Shub-Niggurath, The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young, or as my readers will know her, “Cybill.”

Keeper of the Nightmare Mask $331.53 + Free Shipping (Made to Order)

Plague doctors always cut a fearsome figure in humanity’s historical memory, but what lies beneath that leather mask and shielded eyes? This custom made-to-order mask twists tentacles to form that familiar (and terrifying) plague-doctor shape adding an extra level of menace to an already menacing form.

Not finding apparel you like? Check out the apparel on one of the previous guides. • 2014 Apparel • 2015 Apparel • 2016 Apparel • 2017 Apparel • 2018 Apparel • 2019 Apparel •

Games

No Players Online Name Your Own Price (Windows/Linux)

What starts as a simple old demo of a capture-the-flag 3D shooter found on a discarded tape eventually twists and turns becoming something else entirely. I’m a sucker for the 80s glitch aesthetic, and it’s used here in masterfully unsettling ways—multiple endings, interesting game world, very much worth your time.

Kadath $5.99 (Digital Download, Early Access)

This first chapter of a first-person cosmic-horror adventure has you following the case of a World War II Nazi train that vanished only to reappear in a cave in the Himalayas 75 years later. Dripping with atmosphere and filled with brilliant puzzles, this first chapter left me excited for Kadath and wanting more.

Fate of Cthulhu $20.00 (Downloadable PDF) $35.00 + Shipping (Book + PDF)

In this tabletop roleplaying game from Fred Hicks and Evil Hat Productions, you and your friends will find yourself sent into the past on a mission to prevent the future. It’s a race against time as you try to stop the stars from being right and prevent Cthulhu’s foretold return, all before you and yours are transformed into something monstrous.

Elder Sign Dice – Blue Aether $24.99 + Shipping

Infinite Black has been making some wonderful cosmic-horror-themed gaming products for a few years. They’ve finally gotten easy enough to nab for holiday gifts. These Blue Aether Elder Sign Dice stood out to me, but they have a robust catalog making it easy to find the right gift for the dicing Lovecraft fan in your life. (Or yourself.)

Fate of the Elder Gods $63.99 + Shipping

Cults battle cults in this race to summon your ancient order’s elder god of choice! But it’s not just the other conniving worshippers and cult leaders you need to worry about, crafty investigators are on the prowl, and they’re working to subvert everyone’s goals as well. Hasten the earth’s doom in this competitive area-control game for two to four players.

Hastur $274.99 + Shipping (Two Shipments)

I’m a big fan of the Mysterious Package Company, the quality of their products always impresses. This latest journey into the realm of Hastur is no exception. Taking place over several mailings, Hastur invites the recipient into the world of the King in Yellow, the play with the same name, and the utter madness that dwells within those words.

Not finding a game you’d enjoy? Check out the games on one of the previous guides. • 2014 Games • 2015 Games • 2016 Games • 2017 Games • 2018 Games • 2019 Games •

Housewares & Collectables

Cedric’s Eatery 11oz. Mug $16.00 + Shipping

It’s cold out, and you need a new mug. Why not pick one up from Lovat’s own Cedric’s Eatery located in the entresol between Levels Three and Four. An in-between place for in-between folks. Waldo Bell’s latest hangout. Fill your mug with 11 oz. of bad coffee, your favorite tea, or something stronger. [From the pages of the Bell Forging Cycle.]

Cthulhu Clay Idol & Letter $29.80 + Free Shipping

Alternative takes on the Cthulhu idol are rare. More often than not, we see the same shape repeated over and over. Because of that, this rawer, more original piece stood out to me. It feels more realistic in many ways, reminding me of the sort of thing one would find on an archeological dig. Plus, with the attached letter, you get a little mini-experience here.

Sea Monster Shower Curtain $32.00 + Shipping

There be dragons. And there. And there. And… well, all over the place! If you love weird old sea monsters and old maps, then this curtain will be perfect for you. Decorate your shower with this fantastic curtain featuring beasts that look lifted from early Renaissance maps. 70″ x 72″. Liner recommended.

Cthulhu Lovecraft Blanket $59.99 + Shipping

As cooler air moves into the northern hemisphere, we can all celebrate the arrival of the cozy season. To stay warm, why not cuddle up beneath this cotton and acrylic Jacquard Knit blanket featuring the squatting visage of The Great Dreamer himself? He might be cold but you don’t have to be.

Anxious Blob Original Sculpture $325.00 + Shipping (Supplies are limited.)

This weird little one-off sculpture of a nervous little entity is made with polymer clay and hand-painted. The eye sits beneath a glass dome giving this piece a unique character. Who among us hasn’t wanted an anxious blob with hundreds of teeth and a single staring eye decorating our walls?

Not finding a houseware item you like? Check out the housewares from one of the previous guides. • 2016 Housewares • 2017 Housewares • 2018 Housewares • 2019 Housewares •

Miskatonic University

Miskatonic University Pennant $15.99 + Shipping

I love seeing all the different takes for Miskatonic University collegiate gear. Here you can show your support for “Ole Misk” with a felt pennant from H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society and cheer on the “mighty Miskatonic Myrmidons” to another victory. Wave that banner proudly!

Miskatonic University Real Leather Notebook $41.40 + Shipping

Journaler? Artist? Writer? Mathematician? Norwegian sea captain? Random idea generator? If you’re one of these, odds are you need a notebook. This 8″x6″ Miskatonic-themed journal features 100 sheets of thick handmade Khadda paper and is durable enough for the dig site while still being elegant enough for the classroom.

Miskatonic University Wax Seal $48.07 + Shipping

Secure your correspondence with old friends from bygones eras who seek answers using this classic and exquisite seal. It might not stop prying eyes, but at least your old colleagues will know if someone’s been tampering with their mail. (Wax sold separately.)

Miskatonic University Hockey Sweater $109.00 + Shipping (Supplies are limited.)

Every sports fan needs a jersey. Miskatonic students are no different. It’s why when I came across this Hockey Sweater from Geeky Jerseys I knew it’d be perfect for the cosmic horror student in your life. (While this one is great, I’m hoping the superior Miskatonic 2.0 sweater becomes available once again.)

Not finding any Miskatonic University gear you like? Check out the Miskatonic University items from one of the previous guides. • 2014 Miskatonic • 2015 Miskatonic • 2016 Miskatonic • 2017 Miskatonic • • 2018 Miskatonic • 2019 Miskatonic •

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

So that wraps up the seventh annual List of Lists. Let’s all keep wearing our masks, socially distancing, and washing our hands so we can all do this again next year. Big thank you to everyone who has suggested items in the past to help me pad out this list. Y’all rule. If I didn’t get to your submission, fret not. There are many more holidays ahead. I appreciate the help.

Do you have a book, game, album, or other weird fiction-related items I should feature in 2021’s Cosmic Horror Holiday Gift Guide? Leave a comment below with links to your favorite goodies for others to see, or send me an email as a potential submission for next year!

Want to stay in touch with me? Sign up for Dead Drop, my rare and elusive newsletter. Subscribers get news, previews, and notices on my books before anyone else delivered directly to their inbox. I work hard to make sure it’s not spammy and full of interesting and relevant information. Sign Up Today→

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tomeandflickcorner · 3 years

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Episode Review- The Real Ghostbusters: Devil in the Deep

As far as Peter centric episodes go, I’d say this was acceptable. At the very least, it gave him the chance to save the day.

This particular episode is particularly unique because we get to see the episode’s Big Bad from the starting gate. After an establishing shot of the East River, we go beneath the water, where a large, green entity that almost looks like a cross between a frog and a dragon is lurking around. After essentially mugging the camera, the creature, whose name will eventually be revealed as Necksa, blows air out from his blowhole, releasing a group of smaller entities.

It then cuts to elsewhere in the city, where an unnamed man is taking a bath while listening to the radio. The radio announcer states that the city was currently on Day 12 of the nastiest heat wave New York had ever seen, and that the temperature was currently a blistering 101°. The radio announcer then reminded listeners that there was also a water shortage and people weren’t supposed to be wasting water. Meaning absolutely no baths- only quick showers. Upon hearing this, the bathing man simply gives his radio a dirty look before going back to his book. (The book appears to be written by Herman Melville, but the title seems to be Lovely (words) Songs, which isn’t listed among Melville’s works. I’m guessing the people who animated this scene were trying to make a reference to Melville’s famous novel, Moby Dick, considering the episode contains an aquatic monster, but I can’t find any reason why they would make up that particular title.) At that moment, as if karma was coming for the bathing man, an octopus/lobster-like creature emerged from the bathwater, scaring the bathing man.

Over at the Firehouse, Peter is regaling the story of how they defeated Gozer to Alice Johnson, a journalist from Celebrity Magazine, while Egon, Ray and Winston stood by. Although, it’s quickly established that Alice is less than impressed with Peter. She reminds him that she came down there to interview all of the Ghostbusters, but so far, Peter’s been the only one who was talking. For two hours, 22 minutes and 16 seconds, to be precise. Peter, not batting an eye, promptly begins to introduce Ray. Although, even then, he doesn’t seem to be letting Ray talk for himself. Instead, he’s pretty much telling Alice Ray’s life story for him. At that moment, the phone rings. (Though Ray reacts to the phone ringing before it actually rings, so there was probably some sort of error in syncing up the audio or something.) When Janine answers it, it’s immediately obvious something is different about her attire. Janine spends the duration of her time in this episode wearing a leopard-print bikini. It’s never explained why, though. Offhand, I’d guess it was because it was previously established that it was unbearably hot in the city. But if that was their reasoning for this costuming choice, you’d think they would have reflected that with the Ghostbusters and Alice Johnson. But they don’t do that. The Ghostbusters are all still wearing their jumpsuits. And Alice is wearing long sleeves and slacks. So, why exactly would they put Janine in a skimpy bikini while nobody else was dressed for hot weather? Was this supposed to be an odd attempt at fan service?

Bizarre costuming decisions aside, the phone call is coming from Mayor Lenny, who states he only wants to talk to Egon. When Egon accepts the phone and listens to Mayor Lenny’s request, he passes on the news to the other Ghostbusters over how the city’s water supply appears to be haunted, as reports from all five boroughs were coming in. However, in one of the episode’s strangest moments, the Ghostbusters simply stand there until Janine hits the alarm button. Do the Ghostbusters just love the sound of the alarm ringing so much, they can’t head out until after they hear it?

So the Ghostbusters head off, though Alice is tagging along for some reason. I guess she really wants to do a thorough job in her article for Celebrity Magazine. At least the episode addresses this, with Egon warning her that they might be going into a dangerous situation and Alice telling him that she’s hoping for an exciting story to tell when she submits her report. She then makes it abundantly clear that she does not think much of Peter when she gives Egon and Ray permission to call her Alice but coldly states Peter is only allowed to call her Miss Johnson. When the Ghostbusters make it to the designated location, they find a crowd of people running in fright from a fire hydrant that is spurting out water. A large group of entities are also emerging from the hydrant. Ray is able to identify the entities as Undines, which are a group of water spirits. Egon voices his skepticism, as Undines were thought to be benevolent spirits while these entities were displaying malevolent traits. But before more could be said, Winston alerts the others to how the Undines were coming right for them. Dodging their attack, the Ghostbusters all drop to the ground, with Peter pulling Alice out of harm’s way. This briefly seems to get Peter on Alice’s good side, as she now gives him permission to call her by her first name. But the offer is revoked in the next second because Peter chooses this moment to duck down in order to pick up a quarter. And in that brief moment of Peter being distracted, one of the Undines flies headlong into Alice, resulting in her getting drenched.

The Ghostbusters begin firing their Proton Packs at the Undines. But then they realize that they forgot to bring any Ghost Traps, which triggers a brief argument between Ray and Peter over whose turn it had been to bring the Ghost Traps. Winston questions what they’re supposed to do without a trap, as they can hardly stand there and hold the Undines indefinably. Before they can come up with something, they feel something fighting against the Proton Streams. Moments later, the Undines seem to be dissolving, but Egon realizes they’re actually returning to their original primal state. (So, they’re de-evolving? Is that possible?) As the Undines retreat, they begin chanting the name ‘Necksa.’ In a matter of moments, the Undines all retreat back into the fire hydrant, with the water stream being pulled back as well. When things appear back to normal, Alice announces how this will make a wonderful story for Celebrity Magazine, adding that she’ll be sure to include the part where Peter forgot to bring the Ghost Traps. Peter is particularly humiliated by this, as his mother reads Celebrity Magazine. (Odd, I’d gotten the impression from previous episodes that Peter’s mother had died years ago.) Alice then asks Egon about the name the Undines had been chanting. Upon consulting his copy of Tobin’s Spirit Guide, Egon determines that Necksa was the lord of the Undines and master of all water elementals. He was also one of the most powerful of the primal gods. They realize that it must have been Necksa who called the Undines back. Winston instantly displays some natural intelligence, deducing that if the water supply was haunted, and all the water is coming from the East River, then it stands to reason that Necksa must be located somewhere in the East River. So the Ghostbusters immediately head off to investigate this new lead.

They rent a speedboat and steer it out into the East River. Though this time, they leave Alice waiting on the dock to ensure she won’t be put in danger. As they go along, Winston takes the time to poke some fun at Peter over how Alice clearly doesn’t like Peter and pretty much has it out for him. Their conversation is cut off when Egon alerts them to the fact that the PKE Meter is going haywire, and they’re surrounded by an army of Undines chanting Necksa’s name. Seconds later, Necksa himself surfaces from beneath the water, destroying their speedboat in the process. Necksa immediately scolds the Ghostbusters for hurting his children. And Peter makes the situation worse when he calls the Undines ugly. Egon quickly steps in before Peter could further aggravate Necksa, telling the primal god that the Undines were causing harm to the city. But this seems to anger Necksa even more, as he states he doesn’t care for such things. Necksa then informs the Ghostbusters that he had slumbered beneath the sea for thousands of years, with the undersea currents carrying him around as he slept. But his slumber was disturbed when workmen from the city had begun laying out new pipelines, which not only resulted in the East River being polluted, but it also significantly drained the water. When Necksa was abruptly woken up by this, he discovered a world far different than the one he remembered. Now, Necksa feels it’s time for ‘the change.’ (And right after he announces this, we get a super-close up of his eyes for some reason.) When Winston questions him on what he plans to do, Necksa announces his intention to torment the land-dwelling population of New York for a time. And when he’s done with that, he plans on sinking the island of Manhattan and claiming it as his own.

And this is when we get a rather big head-scratching moment. As the Ghostbusters try to come up with a way to stop this, Ray asks for confirmation that the Proton Guns went down with the speedboat. Even though they’re clearly still wearing the Proton Packs. (Aren’t the Proton Guns attached to the Proton Packs?) Egon tells Ray, that, even if they hadn’t lost the Proton Guns, they’d probably be ineffective anyway. Necksa is so massive, the Proton Streams would have bounced right off him. But then Ray suddenly announces he found his Proton Gun and he opens fire at Necksa. Even though Egon had literally just told him that wouldn’t work. Seriously, what was going on here? They don’t have the Proton Guns but then Ray suddenly is able to produce his out of thin air? And then Ray impulsively fires it off despite him just being told it wouldn’t do any good? Yeah, there’s a giant question mark hovering over my head here. In any event, as Egon predicted, this doesn’t accomplish anything, other than making Necksa even angrier. And Necksa responds by swallowing the Ghostbusters Jonah and the Whale style. However, he does end up spitting Peter back out through his blowhole.

Peter ends up getting blown all the way back to the docks. Upon climbing out of the water, he is immediately greeted by Alice, who doesn’t hesitate to pour salt in his wounds by stating she’d seen the whole thing unfold from the dock, telling him that he really blew it this time and that she plans on calling her article ‘The Ghostbusters’ Last Case.’ With that, she walks off, leaving Peter sitting there. But then, Peter seems to get an idea. He returns to the Firehouse and promptly begins gathering up various objects such as a generator and a lamp from Janine’s desk. As he loads the items into the Ecto-1, Janinie (who is still in the bikini), is going nuts over the fact that the city is overrun with Undines and Egon, Ray and Winston have been swallowed up by Necksa. Peter, however, tells her to calm down and instructs her to pass a message on to Alice that she should meet him at the docks around 10 PM, and that she should make sure she brought her camera along.

After nightfall, Peter heads out to confront Necksa again in another speedboat. (Though I feel I should point out he’s taking a great risk by taking a boat out onto the water in the middle of a thunderstorm. Being out in the water is one of the worst places to be when there’s lightning.) Upon reaching the middle of the East River, Peter manages to get Necksa to appear by directly insulting him. Necksa didn’t take the insult well, and he begins to chase after Peter. However, Peter clearly planned for this, as he manages to lure Necksa right into a fishing net tent he’d rigged up. With Necksa trapped in the fishing nets, Peter begins to fire off the modified Proton Thrower he’d put together with the items he’d collected from the Firehouse. As he fires the modified Proton Thrower, Peter announces this new invention of his fires off microwave particles that are capable of sucking up all of the moisture in Necksa’s body. Necksa cries out in pain, beseeching Peter to release him. Peter agreed to do so, on the condition that Necksa spit out his friends and then leave the city with the Undines in order to settle in a place where there aren’t any humans. Although, Peter suggests Necksa relocate to Antartica. While it is true there aren’t any permanent human settlements down there (at least, none that I know of), I’m pretty sure a lot of glaciologists and other scientists from various fields frequently conduct research down there. So I doubt Necksa will be completely able to avoid humans down there. Of course, this is a kids’ show, so I probably shouldn’t expect them to be that accurate.

Necksa agrees to Peter’s terms and subsequently spits out Egon, Ray and Winston. As Peter reunites with his friends on the docks. Egon voices his amazement that Peter had been able to construct something as complex as the Microwave Proton Thrower. Peter states that it was easy. But then, when he tries to activate it again, it immediately blows up. (Good thing Neskca agreed to leave when he did.) At that moment, Alice reappears on the scene. She tells Peter she’d got his message and had once again arrived in time to see what he did. She apologizes for misjudging him and asks for his forgiveness. Peter accepts her apology, and Alice proceeds to get a picture of all the Ghostbusters together for the cover page of the next issue of Celebrity Magazine.

This episode is probably a must-see for Peter fans, as it does give him a chance to shine. While Peter is definitely full of hot air and can be a screw up at times, the fact remains that he is still a college graduate with a Ph.D. So he’s not unintelligent. The fact that he was able to throw together that Microwave Proton Thrower with random objects he found lying around is proof of that. He even managed to impress Egon! I think we can all agree that’s no small feat. On the other hand, the fact that the Microwave Proton Thrower broke after just one use also indicates that he’s still not at the same level of genius as Ray and Egon. But there’s nothing wrong with that. It just further illustrates that the Ghostbusters are a team, with each member contributing what they can, and that they’re at their strongest when they’re together. As for the episode’s big bad, Necksa, points for creativity. Although, considering the fact that they stated that Necksa was woken up by the pollution in the East River, I was half expecting them to incorporate an environmental message into this episode. But they clearly didn’t. Can’t decide if that was a good thing or not. Although, you probably could make a decent argument how the solution to the problem was just to send the problem elsewhere. Which isn’t really solving anything. It’s just making it somebody else’s problem. Because I’m sure Necksa will have some encounters with human researchers in Antarctica now. Then again, maybe the waters down there are too cold for Necksa and he’ll go into a state of torpor. I suppose that’s possible.

(Click here for more Ghostbusters reviews)

#the real ghostbusters #rgb episode review #ghostbusters franchise

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