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Well, I can see this is going to be a controversial season of Doctor Who. I mean, I'm enjoying it and this is the most interested I've been in years (like midway through Capaldi was the last time) but ah...it'll be interesting to see where this goes

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Well, I can see this is going to be a controversial season of Doctor Who. I mean, I'm enjoying it and this is the most interested I've been in years (like midway through Capaldi was the last time) but ah...it'll be interesting to see where this goes

#doctor who

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Iran Sentences Rapper Toomaj Salehi to Death for “Anti-Hijab” Protest

#toomaj salehi

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"Don't use Libby because it costs libraries too much, pirate instead" is such a weird, anti-patron, anti-author take that somehow manages to also be anti-library, in my professional librarian-ass opinion.

It's well documented that pirating books negatively affects authors directly* in a way that pirating movies or TV shows doesn't affect actors or writers, so I will likely always be anti-book piracy unless there's absolutely, positively no other option (i.e. the book simply doesn't exist outside of online archives at all, or in a particular language).

Also, yeah, Libby and Hoopla licenses are really expensive, but libraries buy them SO THAT PATRONS CAN USE THEM. If you're gonna be pissed at anybody about this shitty state of affairs, be pissed at publishing companies and continue to use Libby or Hoopla at your library so we can continue to justify having it to our funding bodies.

One of the best ways to support your library having services you like is to USE THOSE SERVICES. Yes, even if they are expensive.

*Yes, this is a blog post, but it's a blog post filled with links to news articles. If you can click one link, you can click another.

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This is what an evil boop looks like.

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Reblog to keep the boops going!

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Oh, they're report that Chance Perdomo has been killed in a motorcycle accident. Truly heartbreaking. I haven't had a chance to watch Gen V yet, but his portrayal of Ambrose in Sabrina made Ambrose my favorite character on the show. Such a talent.

#Riverdale #chilling adventures of sabrina #Gen V

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The Archies

I guess you can make a decent Archie musical.

Decided to watch The Archies movie because I was curious how it would be adapted. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. So, this is a movie that is based in India. The characters were much closer to their comic counterparts then in Riverdale. The plot is simple enough, the gang is trying to prevent the local park from being destroyed by Hiram Lodge. The Betty/Archie/Veronica triangle is here, but it's much more realistic then what is in the comics.

But what fascinated me was...well, when I first heard of the project, I wondered why Archie and why the '60s? I'm not going to go into to much detail, but it's kind of used as a way to teach a little about the history of India. Specifically, about those whose were of both Indian and English heritage. I mean, it's not a deep dive here, but enough to make me want to learn more.

Now, I will say that the movie is 2 and a half hours long and I did not watch it all at once. Kind of here and there throughout the day. And it's not something that I will ever watch again, but it actually was enjoyable.

#The archies #Riverdale

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Quiet on the Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV

This isn't a review or, really, a recap of the program, just some thoughts I had watching it.

Like many, I grew up watching Nick. That being said, the time Dan Schneider started was around the time i really stopped watching. I've heard of all these shows, but beyond a few episodes of "All That," I really haven't watched them. The funny thing is, this documentary is the first time I realized that Schneider was one of the kids from "Head of the Class." (although, in fairness, I never really watched that show either).

One thing I think this documentary did well is how they were able to show these sketches weren't innocent. Look, there's no denying that there are people who look for things to be offended about. But when you hear the behind the scenes stories, especially how Schneider treated the women writers and the women in the costume department, there's no question that these sketches weren't innocent. I'm not saying that kids shows can't have some jokes aimed for adults. But there is a line. And having young kids act out something that is a reference to a sexual act, that is way past that line.

As for Drake Bell's story, that is just horrific. I know that Bell feels like Schneider supported him (and possibly he did in his own way), but the fact that Schneider was able to figure out that Bell was the accuser as soon as Peck was arrested, tells me that Schneider had to have realized something was off about how much attention Bell was receiving. And he chose to do nothing.

As for those letters of support...I understand that the actor's weren't told the whole truth. But I don't think that's an excuse. I mean, they might not have known who the accuser was until they were in court, but they would have known that he was a minor. And actors like Alan Thicke and Joanna Kerns, who would have been in their 40s or 50s at the time...yeah, there's just no way I could hear someone I knew was convicted of a crime like that and not have a thousand questions. And there's no way in hell I'm going to write a letter saying a 40 year old man was tempted by a minor.

As for Nick, and their lack of support for Bell, Bell does mention that he didn't know if Nick knew he was the child in that case. I'm sure that's true. I'm sure Schneider didn't say anything as it could cost him his job. But let's be clear, Nick didn't know because Nick didn't want to know. They had to have known Peck worked on their shows, they could have done an investigation. Hell, sending someone down to the courthouse the day Peck was convicted would have given them the truth. So, again, no excuse.

And, to wrap it up, how do we protect children on tv shows? Well, there are a lot of laws to protect them. But who enforces them? A lot of it seems to be left to the idea that the parents of the kids will do it. After excluding the parents who just see their kids as a cash cow and don't really care about their well being, you still have a bunch of parents who are in no way shape or form ready to take on these big studios. That's not to say there weren't times in this documentary where I didn't question why the parent didn't step in, even if it did end their kids career. But the only way to make sure the laws are being followed and that kids are physically and mentally safe, is to have someone onset who is versed in child psychology as well as the rules that dictate how child actors are used. And it would have to be an independent party, not someone who works for the studio. I doubt that's something that will happen any time soon.

#quiet on the set

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The Righteous Gemstones, Ep.3x09 - Wonders That Cannot Be Fathomed, Miracles That Cannot Be Counted

...What the fuck?

I mean, points to the fact that everything somehow tied into each other, no matter how contrived and quickly resolved. Well, except for never showing that one Conversation we needed to see. But c'mon...

So, Baby Billy knows Dusty and figures he can get Dusty back in the church if the Gemstones will compete for him with the other Church family on Billy's tv show. The siblings agree. Why Billy didn't bring this up till now...

Peter and Chuck are trying to get the truck to the church. And I'm confused as to where they are because it seemed like it shouldn't take them more then a day to get there. Or did they all drive that far away? Peter goes inside a store and Chuck decides to blow the truck up. In a parking lot. But don't worry, he waited until people weren't close. Uh, there's no way in hell no one got injured.

Chuck makes his way back to the Gemstone house and, long story short, agrees to go on the gameshow with his Karl and the siblings. Peter, thinking Chuck is dead, and doesn't know where to go, asks God for a sign. At that moment, Keefe happens to pull up with one of the church vans and goes inside the gas station. Peter steals the van.

They day of the game show arrives and Eli, May-May, and Gideon are driving there together. They see Peter in the van and follow him to the church, where the gameshow is taking place. Peter reveals that he has a new bomb and that he's wired it up to his Fitbit. Basically, if he goes they go. At this point May-May tells him that Chuck is still alive. Feeling that his whole family has betrayed him, he doesn't know what Jesus would want him to do.

Also, the gameshow isn't going well.

It's at this point a...I can't believe this...a swarm of locus hits the Gemstone church. And there is chaos. People die. Vance knocks over Dusty, but Jesse saves him. And this convinces Dusty to come back to the church (he will die not long after in his sleep and will leave everything to them). Then, Jesse goes to save Eli. And, in the end of this, with people dead and injured, May-May says this was a sign from God. I guess to bring the family together? And then a locus knocks the Fitbit off of Peter's wrist, arming it.

I'm starting to think that the powers that be might want the Gemstones dead.

Anyway, Peter decides to drive the truck away from the church, sacrificing himself. Except he doesn't...he just looses a leg.

At the end of the episode, we find that Jesse is sending the middle child to military school. Jesse realizes, and never Eli did, is that a child can't be handed everything in life, they need to learn to do things on their own. Judy and BJ are promoting Amber's relationship program and Judy kind of warms up to Amber. Kelvin and Keefe, who now are in a relationship, decide that maybe going after sex shops aren't a good idea and that maybe they don't judge what people do in the privacy of their own home. Gideon asks Eli to teach him how to be a preacher.

And, at the end of the episode, the whole family gathers together as Amiee-Leigh looks on.

Yeah, I just didn't enjoy this season as much. I didn't hate it, it's just that it feels like some of it is getting a little old. I know that there's a forth season in the works and I kind of feel like this is the time where the Gemstone siblings come more into their own, or their spouses take over the church, something to finish up the series.

#the righteous gemstones #eli gemstone #jesse gemstone #judy gemstone #kelvin gemstone #gideon gemstone #baby billy #keefe #peter montgomery #may-may montgomery #chuck montgomery #karl montgomery

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The Righteous Gemstones, Ep.3x08 - I Will Take You by the Hand and Keep You

I just can't get into this season. I think part of it is because...I think the writing isn't as tight as the previous two seasons.

For instance, the whole Jesse not liking how successful Amber was. It was something briefly brought up twice and then resolved in this episode, with Jesse admitting he was jealous of her success. There was really nothing to this and really nothing that added to the story, except giving Amber more scenes.

As well as the whole racer/other church thing. I get that this shows that they are loosing important members and it also shows how the siblings are still divided. But, at the same time, it took away from the main storyline. Like the whole thing with Dusty could have been him saying he's going to this other church as he liked how the sibling's where united. We didn't need to be introduced to those siblings at all. Or the whole Cape and Pistol, did we really need another example of how Jesse isn't his father? We get that.

Anyway, brief recap. And I do mean brief. The kidnapping helps reconnect BJ and Judy. Jesse realizes he's been unfair to Amber. And, at the end of the episode, Kelvin decides to act on his feelings and kiss Keefe. All of the siblings are angry at Eli for not paying the ransom (Which, fair). But that anger has connected the siblings in a way that no other thing has, so Eli is content. Judy and Kelvin decide to rejoin the church and it looks like the three siblings might be ready to...at least share the stage with each other (look, I'm not expecting a miracle here). Also, they forgiven Karl as he helped them escape.

As for Peter, well, the Militia no longer has faith in him. They've decided they would rather protest those who protest statues. Peter and Chuck leave with the truck that has the explosives. But then Peter calls and informs the ATF where the Militia is. Chuck ask Peter where they're going with the truck and Peter says to church.

#the righteous gemstones #eli gemstone #judy gemstone #jesse gemstone #kelvin gemstone #keefe #bj gemstone #amber gemstone #peter montgomery #chuck montgomery

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The Righteous Gemstones, Ep.7x07 - Burn for Burn, Wound for Wound, Stripe for Stripe

At couple of posts ago, I mentioned I was concerned about how one part of this season was being played out. At this point, unless there's some twist or flashback, there's something that should have been shown in this season that wasn't and it's a problem. Also, I can't lie, I'm not enjoying this season as much.

So, this is an extremely quick recap. We start with Judy getting supplies at the Drug store so she can help BJ. As she's driving home, rather as she's at a stoplight, she's kidnapped by the Millita. Not long after, her siblings are captured as well. It seems like the two cousins have been working with Peter for quite some time (which I will get back to in a second). It's also clear that Karl is less then happy with this whole plan. Peter let's Eli know that he has his kids and will only gives them back for 15 million. Eli, angry, goes to May-May and tells her what her sons have done. She doesn't believe it at first. Eli calls the police.

Kind of skipping ahead, Eli decides not to pay the 15 million. Both he and May-May don't actually think Peter will do anything to the siblings, that he'll do the right thing. And they might have been right if it were just Peter and the cousins. However, Peter has followers who are a lot more blood thirsty then him. And they believe Peter should kill one of the siblings. And if Peter can't do it himself, they'll do it for him. So, Peter makes the decision to kill one of the three after church services.

Of course, this leads to the siblings having their heart to heart moment of the season.

Also, and I'm mentioning this as I think this will be important later, we have a scene with BJ, Amber, and Gideon discussing about how they're part of the family, yet have no ability to make decisions.

Anyway, Gideon catches May-May taking a phone call and driving away. He followers her in Eli's car. They end up at the Milltia camp. It turns out Karl has called May-May to come and rescue the cousins. They all try to escape, but are stopped by Pater and Chuck. May-May ignores Peter, knowing he won't shoot her. Peter tells Chuck to shoot his mother, but it's clear Chuck doesn't want to. At this point Gideon, who's found the Monster Truck, saves the family. Gideon proceeds to wreck the camp and they all escape.

Here's the problem I'm having with this season. In episode two, we saw Peter threatening the two boys and them running away. We saw the two boys choosing to stay with the Gemstones when Peter came by the restaurant. When, exactly, did Peter get the boys on his side? Did he talk to them after the restaurant and we just weren't shown? Were they always on his side and the whole thing in episode two was fake (something that really doesn't make sense)? There's clearly an important conversation that happened at some point that we haven't been shown. Now, there are still two episodes left and so this could be something that is shown in a flashback. But if it's not, well, this is something that should always have been shown. It's too important to the plot to leave it as a "assume this happened" kind of thing. It's the basic show, don't tell. And, quite frankly, I would rather have had that scene then another scene of the Gemstones bickering.

#the righteous gemstones #jesse gemstone #amber gemstone #judy gemstone #bj gemstone #eli gemstone #keefe #kelvin gemstone #may-may montgomery #peter montgomery