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esonetwork · 3 years

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Timestamp #TW36: The Categories of Life

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Timestamp #TW36: The Categories of Life

Torchwood: The Categories of Life (1 episode, s04e05, 2011)

Miracles breed atrocities.

In Washington, D.C., Vera Juarez is told that the medical panels have ended. A report has been submitted to Congress and the new categories of life have been enacted. People in Categories 1 and 2 are sent to the new overflow camps. Vera is upset about these three categories and the government’s control, so she calls Rex and declares that she is part of his investigation efforts.

Gwen returns to the United Kingdom under the alias of Yvonne Pallister. She reunites with her family and finds her mother tracking her father’s whereabouts. He’s located at the Cowbridge Camp in an abandoned army barracks, and Gwen travels with Rhys and Andy Davidson to the site. The area is flooded with people demanding the release of their loved ones. Gwen is directed to the admin building where she gets roadblocked by military officer in charge. The site is under lockdown while all of the occupants are sorted into categories. Gwen storms out, intent on breaking her father out that night.

Back in Venice Beach, Esther confides her feelings of inadequacy to Jack. Their discussion is interrupted by a text from Rex summoning them back. They meet Vera and get her settled. Soon after, the team converges in the makeshift “hub” to review their data. Jack officially welcomes Vera to Torchwood and then introduces the categories.

Category 1 consists of people who should have died before the Miracle. Category 3 is all of the perfectly healthy people. Category 2 the wide swath of people in the middle. The world governments now have the ability to determine who is alive or “dead”, and PhiCorp is behind it. Esther reveals her research into the PhiCorp camps and the possibility that PhiCorp is doing something horrific to the Category 1s.

Gwen goes undercover at Cowbridge as a nurse. Vera and Esther join the staff at San Pedro and Rex volunteers to be taken away as a patient. The “fragile mortal man” Jack is left behind, so he decides to attend the Oswald Danes rally in Los Angeles.

At the San Pedro camp, Rex is designated as Category 2. Vera and Esther settle into their undercover positions, including a hefty dose of overt sexism from camp supervisor Colin Maloney. As Vera begins her inspection, Esther reclassifies Rex as Category 1 and smuggles a camera to him. Rex is moved to the appropriate module where he discovers it to be a dark and cold space with patients stacked on metal racks. He finds some clothes and leaves the module.

Vera breaks away from the normal tour route to find a building full of patients without insurance. They are living in filth and squalor, and one of the patients has been wrongly categorized. Vera threatens to prosecute Maloney. He retaliates by stealing his military escort’s sidearm and shooting Vera twice. The two men take Vera to a Category 1 module and leave her barely conscious on the floor.

At the Cowbridge camp, Rhys and Gwen begin their quest to find Gwen’s father. Gwen finds her father and tries to extract him, but he collapses just before reaching the truck. When Gwen calls for help, her father ends up being reclassified as Category 1 because he fell unconscious.

At the Miracle Rally, Jack lures Oswald away. When Oswald can’t find Jack, he returns to the staging area before the rally begins. Jilly meets a mysterious stranger who tells her that she’s doing well and getting noticed by important people. Jack eventually confronts Oswald, tempting him to become the hero of the story instead of a PhiCorp mascot. Jack presents Oswald with a new speech that will expose the truth. In exchange, Jack offers Oswald an end to the Miracle and a pathway to death.

Oswald takes the stage and follows his heart instead of the scripts. He declares that those who have survived the Miracle are the first angels on Earth. His revelation, an endorsement of PhiCorp, is greeted by an arena of cheering fans.

Rex notes that the Category 1 area is only three small modules, and therefore is unable to house all of the appropriate patients. While Rex watches, Vera wakes up and Maloney starts a process that seals the building. Each module is a crematorium. Rex watches as Vera is burned alive, reduced to ashes.

Rhys and Gwen make a similar discovery in Wales. Gwen can only look on in horror.

In a brutal upswing from the previous episode, this entry was tense and thrilling. It leveraged each character’s strengths and circumstances to drive further into the heart of the plot. It also uncovered barbaric horrors and was unflinching in its portrayal.

It was disturbing but engaging.

What is particularly interesting is the apparent recycling of circumstances from the previous season. Vera’s fate parallels that of Owen Harper, another medical professional. Both were locked into a state between life and death, though Owen was undead while Vera was undying. Both were suffering from gunshot wounds and both were disintegrated while trying to save innocent people. Both of them also had love interests — Rex and Tosh — each with mortal chest wounds who witnessed their deaths through the lens of electronic devices.

The major differences were that Rex survived the encounter and Tosh wasn’t physically present at Owen’s death.

This recycling aside, which I found to be more fascinating than distracting, this hour of television was good.

Rating: 4/5 – “Would you care for a jelly baby?”

UP NEXT – Torchwood: The Middle Men

The Timestamps Project is an adventure through the televised universe of Doctor Who, story by story, from the beginning of the franchise. For more reviews like this one, please visit the project’s page at Creative Criticality.

#Timestamps Project #Torchwood #Torchwood: Miracle Day

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ducktracy · 4 years

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98. i haven’t got a hat (1935)

release date: march 2nd, 1935

series: merrie melodies

director: friz freleng

starring: joe dougherty (porky), billy bletcher (beans, ex), bernice hansen (kitty, ham), martha wentworth (miss cud)

the fated day at last, the day the world was shook to its core... kind of. i haven’t got a hat marks the introduction of our favorite porky pig, along with a few others: beans, ham and ex, little kitty, and oliver owl. buddy’s lack of success was obvious. he couldn’t adequately fill the gap that bosko had left. thus, this cartoon serves as a “free for all”, introducing a number of new characters to see who would work out the best. beans was looking to be the star of the new franchise, but his stuttering sidekick was much more endearing to audiences. to put it this way, beans starred in 11 cartoons. porky starred in 153. buddy would continue to have a few cartoons afterwards, bidding his last “that’s all, folks” with buddy the gee-man. 1936 would see a rise in porky cartoons, thanks to jack king, tex avery, and frank tashlin. 1937 is when stuff gets REALLY good. but for now, we’ll focus on this cartoon. various school children put on a musical and recital, but trouble arises when beans’ jealousy causes the show to run amuck.

right off the bat, we’re introduced to our selection of characters. miss cud, “school teacher”—a clarabelle cow facsimile who rings her school bell cheekily. beans, a mischievous cat introduced by eating jam by the fistfuls. an offscreen voice yells “HEY!”, to which beans responds by sticking out his tongue after wiping the offending jam off his face. very amusing to note how different in personality he is here, a rambunctious, mischievous kid. i haven’t seen too many beans cartoons, only gold diggers of ‘49, alpine antics, and westward whoa, and in those he seems to be following the good natured, likable yet flat personality that buddy (and bosko) had exuded. this whole introduction scene is great—forcing some personality out of these characters. porky and oliver owl are next, porky giving a happy salute and oliver owl pretentiously tipping his hat. ham and ex, two troublemaking twins, spot the camera and eagerly whisper to each other. they’d be featured in a few beans cartoons, usually causing trouble that beans has to remedy.

an underscore of “i haven’t got a hat” plays jauntily as we’re introduced to the scenario: a flyer posted on the side of the schoolhouse reading “MUSICAL and RECITAL — sponsored by the children of this school for the benefit of teachers and parents — ALL CHILDREN ARE ELIGIBLE!” sure enough, happy parents stream inside with their kids. a mother cat and her child, a mother dog and her two pups, a mother pig and her three little pigs, and a mother hen with her long line of chicks that zigzag inside, a straggler catching up.

once all the parents and children are settled, miss cud rings her cowbell to introduce the show, stating “we will now open our exercises with a recitation by our little friend, porky pig.” porky misses the cue, too engrossed with the book “custer’s last stand”. beans glares at porky, tapping on his book and signaling for him to go up.

porky meanders his way to the front of the schoolhouse and recites “the midnight ride of paul revere”. as always, his stuttering gets in the way of his presentation.

here’s the thing about joe dougherty—i’ve really come to appreciate him. there certainly is that “poor guy” feeling when you listen to him characterize porky because of his actual uncontrollable stutter, but i don’t think it’s THAT painful to listen to. maybe because i’ve seen all of the dougherty porkys. honestly, i think his most “painful” performance is here and in gold diggers of ‘49, which were his first two cartoons. it’s not even the stuttering, but then figuring out how to perfect his character. his voice is especially high, aluminum sounding in this one, and in gold diggers it isn’t sped up at all, and sounds rather jarring to hear joe dougherty’s natural voice, which is VERY deep. joe dougherty would use his regular speaking voice for porky’s father, in cartoons such as porky the rain maker and milk and money. i think the stuttering is the most “out of control” here—i really don’t find his performances that bad at all. i think it really fits him, especially when he was so chubby. it’s really odd to hear mel do porky in his chubby design in porky’s double trouble.

(my) blabbering aside, porky recites the poem, exerting so much effort that he begins to sweat—wonderful animation done by bob mckimson. once he finishes the first stanza, he imitates a horse, complete with slapping his butt like a whip. he gives another stanza, whipping out an american flag and marching to “the girl i left behind me”. he recites some more, (even confusing poems and reciting a snippet of “the charge of the light brigade”), declaring “cannon to the right of them!” i love the little inkling of personality as he deliberately points to the left (which actually WOULD be his right), recognizing his mistake and pointing the other direction. a turtle drums on its stomach with some mallets.

“cannon to the left of them!” another wrong direction: this scene is especially amusing because of his determined expression, so confident in his delivery. what a ham. a dog tilts a basket of lightbulbs, breaking them one by one to imitate the sound of gunshots.

porky struggles to finish his poem, and the entire classmates whistle at him to get it over with—a reoccurring gag in the dougherty era. the whistle plays out like a dog whistle, an army of dogs playfully licking and hopping on porky, who walks backwards out of the scene as the children applaud. quite an introduction!

miss cud introduces “little kitty”, who’d serve as beans’ love interest in the beans cartoons. she’s obviously reluctant to go on, panicking and struggling against her parent’s arms. the parent gives her a final push as she stumbles on stage. she pauses before reciting “mary had a little... a little... uh...” she seeks miss cud for help, who mouths “lamb!” and provides a picture. kitty beams and continues “lamb! it’s fleece was white as... white as...”

once more, miss cud displays thinly veiled frustration as she tosses cornflakes above her head to imitate snow. bernice hansen’s delivery is great as kitty says “cornflakes!” with such utter confidence. she corrects herself bashfully, and what continues is a very nervous, possibly the most annoying yet entertaining recitation of mary had a little lamb. it’s amusing to watch her pace around and grimace, wringing her dress. her voice gets pitched up higher and higher, speeding up so her open is borderline incomprehensible. it’s certainly annoying and technology rather primitive, but amusing because of that. the best part is when she runs out of the school building and heads for home, her voice fading away as she’s still frantically reciting it.

next is ham and ex, who sing the criminally catchy “i haven’t got a hat”. bernice hansen’s squeaky voice singing the lyrics matched with billy bletcher’s deep bass voice of “bom bom bom bom” makes the perfect contrast, especially as ex sings the bass line and squats with each “bom”.

elsewhere, bob clampett animated a scene of beans and oliver, who are both bored by the performance—beans especially. oliver snacks on some candy canes, to which beans eagerly extends his arms towards. oliver tricks him into giving him a piece, stuffing it in his mouth and sticking his tongue out at the last minute. man, what a jerk! i’d be pissed too! especially amusing to watch beans silently mutter obscenities are oliver as the song continues on.

once the song ends, miss cud introduces oliver. if the introduction where he haughtily tips his hat or when he denies beans food isn’t enough of an indicator for his snobby personality, miss cud introduces him as “master oliver owl” as a very confident musician. a great scene as oliver grins at beans, but remembers his rivalry. he stalks off with his nose (beak?) in the air, his peppermint ripe for the picking. beans reaches over for it eagerly... until oliver runs back into the scene and snatches it away, scowling.

oliver plays a standard “school kid playing piano for the class” tune. beans isn’t impressed... until an idea hatches. he sneaks out of the classroom, where he spots a sleeping cat on a ladder right outside the window. perfect! he opens the lid of the piano and drops the cat in, his sabotage unfolding as he spots a dog and drops it inside, too. what a little bastard! i wish they kept him that way.

at once, the keys start playing for themselves, a thunderous rendition of “poet and peasant overture”. oliver ogles in astonishment as the keys (great animation) wiggle on their own, the piano jumping up and down as the dog and cat duke it out inside. friz’s musical timing is excellent, and oliver’s reactions are priceless as he doesn’t even know what to do with himself. everyone claps thunderously as he stares at the audience in astonishment.

not one to question his unseen methods, oliver recognizes he is receiving glory and eats it up. unfortunately, he stops in his tracks once the piano continues to play. the dog and the cat leap out of the piano and chase each other around, oliver’s head spinning as he attempts to keep track of the chase. he grins nervously and sweats, his performance exposed.

all the kids boo and hiss, except for beans, who’s laughing outside the window. oliver spots him and squirts green ink on him in retaliation. beans falls off the ladder and lands on a bench, which throws both beans AND a can of red paint into the window. the paint can lands right on oliver’s head, beans toppling next to him. they exchange bewildered looks, and their rivalry is transformed into camaraderie as they shake hands. iris out.

obviously, i’m pretty biased since porky is one of my favorite characters, just barely shy of daffy. however, i truly think this is a really good cartoon, and probably one of the best we’ve seen. the attempt to really get some personality out of these characters is absolutely there. facial acting, body language, acting in GENERAL, it’s all there. the characters are all endearing, even oliver. some beautiful animation, especially the porky scenes by bob mckimson and the piano scene with the dog and cat. nothing feels too drawn out—of course, porky’s recitation is VERY long, but that’s also the point. it’ll be interesting to see how joe dougherty improves—maybe i just feel bad for the guy, but i think he needs some more credit. anyway, VERY good cartoon. the song is dreadfully catchy! if anything, it’s certainly worth watching for its historical significance. even then, it’s just an entertaining, light-hearted, fun cartoon.

link!

#lt #i haven’t got a hat #reviews #long post

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beneaththetangles · 5 years

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“Disciple” is a Verb

We’re excited to bring you a guest post today by Casey Covel, a former writer on the blog who has gone on to do great things as a writer and editor. This post is especially dear to me, though, as it’s taken from a collection she edited and to which I contributed. Thy Geekdom Come: 42-Fandom Inspired Devotionals delves into the worlds of anime, superheroes, science fiction, fantasy, and video games, relating these tales to an almighty, loving God who is ever present in our beloved franchises. It comes out for sale tomorrow and I encourage you to pick up a copy!

I have never met any person as incredible as you, Master Saitama. Even if the public doesn’t appreciate you, I will still follow you. —Genos, One Punch Man

Read: Matthew 28

Reflect: The quote above, said by Genos from One Punch Man, might be words of the Apostle Peter himself, who said to Jesus, “. . . Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you” (Matthew 26:33). If Peter were a cyborg named Genos, equipped with sonic speed and incineration cannons, that is. And the similarities don’t stop there (nor with their mutual love of fish).

Swearing revenge on the supervillain who wiped his family off the map, Genos recklessly faces every foe as if they were his mortal enemy. He modifies his formerly human body until it has the power to effortlessly tear off antagonists’ appendages and light up entire cities with firepower. Yet one thing Genos lacks is the strength to win, no matter the odds.

Enter: Saitama. With a single, anticlimactic punch, he stops a supervillain in her tracks, right before Genos’s cybernetic eyes.

Determined to obtain Saitama’s godlike power for his revenge, Genos insists on becoming the one-hit hero’s disciple. However, the “training” Genos receives only leaves him more baffled than before.

Contrary to Genos’s very reasonable theories, Saitama has not scientifically modified his body, but rather became strong through physical training and mental fortitude alone. Unlike many other superheroes in the field, Saitama does not fight for fortune, fame, or the brutal eradication of evil, but fights merely because he wants to—a stance that results in jealous ridicule from his peers.

By the time superheroes and civilians alike have begun to turn against Saitama due to the spread of false rumours, Genos determines to stay by his master’s side, even if he is the only one willing to do so.

Why? Because there’s something different about Saitama. He doesn’t just hold the coveted key to omnipotence that hundreds of heroes undergo bodily modifications in vain to obtain; Saitama holds the key to true strength—a heroic spirit nearly extinct in a selfish society.

No longer satisfied with replicating his master’s mere physical power, Genos desires to become like Saitama on all fronts—down to his supermarket shopping skills. Genos completely loses himself in Saitama’s philosophies, and, in the process, unintentionally lets go of revenge in order to embrace the rewarding (but often thankless) life of a hero as Saitama lives it.

No doubt the Apostle Peter would choose Genos as his favourite anime character—and probably be a little jealous of Genos’s unwavering dedication. Peter also begins discipleship under his master, Jesus, with fearless fervour (we’re talking cutting off an enemy’s ear and diving into seas so stormy that even experienced sailors were afraid of them). A crude and cocky seaman, Peter often lets his temper lead him to reckless abandon—even profanely denying Christ after he declares he would never do such a thing.

Yet, like Genos, Peter also finds himself transformed through discipleship. By the time he is martyred, the Apostle Peter is a man so humble that, according to Christian tradition, he requests to be crucified upside down so as not to be made equal with Jesus.

A disciple is not just a student who passively listens to an instructor. Unlike the noun student, the word disciple is both a noun (a pupil) and a verb (to teach and train). It implies ongoing, cyclical action—opening your heart to the teachings of the master, and then instilling those teachings into others (Matthew 28:19).

Discipleship is Genos keeping a notebook on hand to scribble down every word Saitama mumbles. Discipleship is Peter tossing cultural taboo out the window by bridging the gap between the “chosen” Jewish race and the “unclean” Gentiles. Disciples are never “off duty.” They live and breathe their master’s teachings, so much so that personal agendas naturally fall into second place.

When we’re not distracted by the wind and waves, when our focus isn’t blurred by revenge against rampaging supervillains, when we’re not consumed by fear or our dreams, we’re granted supernatural vision by our master. Our purpose—that thing most of us plan to spend our lifetimes searching for—comes into focus with perfect clarity. Then, gradually, our personal ambitions either fall in line with that ultimate purpose, or transform in the most fulfilling manner to match it.

At the end of One Punch Man’s first season, Genos watches another superhero ruthlessly dispatch a group of captive minions. Rather than be antagonized into retaliation by the perpetrator’s cruel actions and taunting words, Genos finds himself filled with pity: “He reminds me of how I was before I met Master. A man on the edge, too eager to eliminate evil.”

Genos’s transformation through discipleship is so liberating to him that he cannot help but want to extend the experience to others.

And that is one of the proofs of real discipleship under a worthy master—it doesn’t merely reinforce what we already believe about ourselves and the world around us. (This sort of “discipleship” is actually “self-worship” by a more pious name.) On the contrary, real discipleship changes us in ways we could never personally conceive of; it challenges what we believe about ourselves and the world around us.

As disciples of Christ, we become bolder (taking the gospel where no one has gone before) and more visionary. Like a league of Christ-clones, we attempt to be replicas so similar to the real deal it’s as though Christ is acting and speaking through us—no cybernetic enhancements required.

Key Scripture

“Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’” —John 8:31–32

Reflection Questions

What first drew you to Jesus? What made you stay at his side?

What specific changes has discipleship evoked in you? How have these changes brought clarity to your identity, dreams, purpose, or perspective?

Why do you think Christ chose disciples to carry on his work, rather than spreading the gospel through supernatural power?

About Thy Geekdom Come

Reprinted with permission, this devotional is from Thy Geekdom Come: 42-Fandom Inspired Devotionals (published by Mythos & Ink, 2019). Delving into the worlds of anime, superheroes, science fiction, fantasy, and video games, Thy Geekdom Come—written by a group of authors and pastors from a variety of Christian backgrounds—relates these tales to an almighty, loving God who is ever present in our beloved franchises.

Casey L. Covel is an INTJ and self-proclaimed connoisseur of chocolate, tea and sushi. She spends her free time cosplaying at Florida conventions, writing for clients around the world, gaming in the realms of Tellius and Hyrule, philosophizing about psychology and religion, collecting over 700 figurines, squinting at strange words, and watching corgi videos on YouTube.

Featured illustration by silvertea (reprinted w/permission).

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#Anime #Christianity #One Punch Man #Devotional #Thy Geekdom Come #Genos #Saitama #Discipleship #Thy Geekdom Come: 42-Fandom Inspired Devotionals #Guest Post #Author: Casey L. Covel #Articles

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flamboyantly-incompetent · 6 years

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Neuron, Ch.8

Bucky x Named (Mutant) Reader

Warnings: awkwardness, mutual pining, angst

Masterlist

Word count: 3,378

Note: Gifs aren’t mine, they will never be mine, I’m not that talented. This chapter was rough for a number of reasons, so, sorry that there was such a big gap between the last and this. Band camp and college started, and I’m so very bad at writing awkward things because I have to take cringe breaks... it’s... yeah.

Also - I changed my url, mostly because my roommate said something really funny about a gif and I just had to. But it does encompass my personality quite well, so, enjoy!

Bucky didn’t know what to do. He could think of several things he wanted to do.

Run. Hide. Jump out a window. Stare dramatically into your eyes until he turned to stone. Kiss you back, at least.

You’d kissed him, desperately, and you hadn’t hesitated a bit. Your hand in his hair, your fingertips on his skin, how gently your body had collided with his, it had all knocked the wind right out of him. It always came as a surprise how disarming your presence was, and when you appeared that morning you were the literal light at the end of a very unpleasant tunnel.

But he never imagined that you could have feelings for him.

Yeah, he wasn’t the Winter Soldier anymore. Yeah, feeling had returned to parts of his mind again. But he still had those nightmares. He still had to repress the instinct to kill first, assess later.

And, frankly, the threat alone that his mind could still be tapped terrified him.

He was still scared. He was still broken.

And how was he supposed to tell you that?

His good friend Shuri loved movies, all kinds. When she wasn’t inventing the world’s next coolest thing or being generally lovely, she was watching a movie. While Bucky was adjusting in Wakanda out of the deep-freeze, she had a habit of arriving now and then to declare that it was movie night and drag him up to T’Challa’s theater. She made him watch everything from Sabrina to Remember the Titans to the entire Lord of the Rings franchise.

Honestly, Bucky loved movies too. For a long time, it was much safer for him to feel things fully when he was feeling them vicariously, when they weren’t his and he could leave them on the coffee table when he went back to his goats.

He didn’t fight so tooth-and-nail against emotion, not anymore, but he’d seen enough chick flicks to know that if he tried to explain to you that he was simply too broken, that you were simply too good, you’d end up telling him some bullshit about how he was good too. Which, frankly, he didn’t have the energy for.

That’s why, instead of following through with any of the things he wanted to, Bucky followed you to Strucker’s office silently.

You didn’t know what to do either. Were you supposed to pretend that didn’t just happen? Were you supposed to tell... someone? As you passed the occasional recently liberated mutant, you pretended the floor was captivatingly interesting, hoping no one would notice the odd energy cast around you.

Bucky’s presence was loud in your brain, and you couldn’t say to save your life what he was thinking. He had been so close to you, waking every sense to high alert. It had seemed for a moment that he wasn’t completely disgusted by your sudden show of romantic interest, but his current silence suggested otherwise.

A whir and click were followed by a choked growl. You shot a glance back to him; he was glaring at his prosthetic and pointedly ignoring you.

He had every right to be mad. And, if you were honest, your timing was shit.

You just hoped you could go back to being friends after this.

When you arrived in Strucker’s office, Steve waved you over to the desk without looking up, frowning in rapt attention by a stack of files he sifted through.

“What’cha got there, Cap?” you asked, doing your best to sound casual.

Steve said nothing, but handed you the top file.

It was yours.

Heart beating quicker by the second, you scanned over the photos and notes of your life through years of surveillance.

“How long were they watching me?” you asked in an almost-whisper. Bucky gently pulled the file from your shaking hands.

“Since you worked with us in 2014. There’s a computer too, but I wouldn’t know where to begin for a password,” said Steve.

Bucky finally spoke, sending goosebumps along your neck, “Why did they wait so long to make a move?” He started rooting through the drawers until he found what he was looking for - a deep navy tee shirt that he promptly slid over his head. Well that solved one of your problems.

Steve handed you another file. On the top was a page that had a date and a single word.

“’June 14 - Nymph’?” Bucky read over your shoulder. His breath graced your neck. Jesus, could he not? “Does that mean anything to you?”

Still staring at the page, you shook your head.

Tony, Peter following at his heels, pushed Strucker through the door. “Relax, tin man, I’m going,” she grumbled. You locked eyes for a moment and she smirked, calling a number of unpleasant emotions from your toes. It took a great deal of concentration for you not to move between her and Bucky.

Steve ignored her completely and addressed Tony, “Civilians?”

“They’re out. Vision’s contacting local law enforcement now.”

Steve nodded, “Good, then the clock starts now,” he turned to you to explain, “We don’t technically have jurisdiction... anywhere, so we’ll want to be out of their airspace.”

Strucker spoke up, “Are you going to hand me over to the police, then?”

“No,” Steve said, rigid, “You’re going to unlock this computer.”

She shrugged and wriggled out of Tony’s grasp. Well that was easy. She clacked on the keyboard, agitated, when you noticed a glimmer of a smirk on her mouth. Oh, come on.

“Wait,” you said, grabbing her hand. She hit the enter key with the other.

A staticky voice sounded from the computer over a low beeping, “Unauthorized parties detected in restricted areas A, B, C, and F. Self destruct systems armed in 3... 2... 1.”

“Well that’s not good,” you remarked quietly.

Steve looked infinitely exasperated as he barked into his comm, “The building’s about to blow, everybody out.”

You turned to Strucker, who looked altogether too pleased with herself, “How do we disarm the system?”

She scoffed, “So you can compromise our operation? I thought you were supposed to be a smart freak.” Tony raised his eyebrows.

Agitated, you knew you shouldn’t respond, but you did anyway, “Smart enough to kick your ass, anyway.”

“Oh, please. Without your mutation, you’re useless. Admit it, as much as you want to deny it, you love the power it gives you.”

“Not everyone wants to rule the world.”

“You and I both know that what you want has nothing to do with your destiny. Tyrant.”

Peter cut in, “Um. Can you guys do this later?”

You said, “Shush,” at the same time Strucker said, “Shut up.” You stared at each other, absolutely seething for a moment. She was daring you to do something, to retaliate. It was tempting.

A low whine preceded a higher, faster beep. Shit.

Tony hoisted a protesting Strucker over his shoulder and yelled, “Let’s move!’ Bucky looked around, wheels turning.

He punched through the window with his metal hand, and the rest of the group seemed to get the idea. Peter flung himself out first, followed by Tony.

The beeping stopped. Shit. A deep boom echoed from further in and shook the floor.

You froze. This building was exploding. Exploding.

Bucky grabbed you round the waist and pulled you through the window. You barely noticed when the shock blast hit you mid-air. You barely noticed a lick of flame stopped by the suit. You barely noticed when you both hit the ground.

He coughed, “I’m getting the strangest feeling of deja vu.”

You wanted to laugh. You did. Instead, you sat up and buried your face in your hands.

“See? A useless freak,” Strucker spat.

“Could you get her outta here?” Bucky said, offering you a hand up.

Jaw clenched, you took it and said quietly, “Thank you.”

Steve beckoned with a nod of his head, “To the jet.”

Police lights flashed around, the building burned, people were wrapped in security blankets. You managed to conjure a smile with the image of Sharkbait explaining where his had been and why he would not be using it.

A man with a microphone flanked by another man with a camera barreled up to you. He said, “This is Ken Walter with channel seven news, we’re standing with some of America’s ‘Avengers’ at what appears to be a former Hydra base where several prisoners of Hydra have just been released.” The camera panned along your faces, resting on yours. Ken Walter continued, “We also appear to be standing with the star of the latest viral video. I’m sure you all remember the internet sensation dubbed Lady Neuron.” He put the microphone in front of your face. When he said nothing, he continued, “What are you?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” you asked, exhausted, “I’m a freak.”

“O-kay,” Steve grumbled, pulling you towards the jet.

You nestled yourself into a corner, as far away from Strucker, and Bucky, as you could get for the ride and turned on your cell phone.

You had some twenty unread messages, all from either your mother or your friend Raina. You opened your friend’s first.

“Hey, have you seen this?” “Den?” “Deeeeeennaaaaaa”. “Dude, are you okay?” “DENNA. THE INTERNET HAS GIVEN YOU A NICKNAME.” “Seriously, I just heard about the break in at Labyrinth. Call me.” “I’m getting really worried, Den.” “Your mom doesn’t know where you are either.” “Call her.” “Call SOMEBODY”

You groaned and waited for cell service.

At around 7:30 AM New York time, a new message popped up, “Why are you on the Italian news? With a bunch of superheroes? At least I know you’re alive...”

You began to tap out a response, when she called you. Ah, the joys of iMessage.

“Hey, Ra,” you said softly.

“DENNA MY BEST FRIEND REESE,” she screeched, “What the absolute hell? What’s going on? Are you okay? Who are you with? Have they been feeding you? Because you look... rough.”

You laughed in spite of yourself, “Take a breath, man. I’m okay-is. This is a hella long story, and I’m about to land in New York and still need to call my mother. Can I call you back?”

“Oh. Yeah. Sure, that’s cool. Listen, it’s really good to hear from you, I was worried.”

“I know, I’m sorry, I’ll explain everything as soon as I can.”

You both said your goodbyes, and you geared yourself up for talking to your mom.

At the Avengers tower, with Strucker and General Marino confined to their respective interrogation rooms, Steve pulled you aside.

“We need to talk.” Natasha gave you a side eye before fleeing the scene. You turned to face Steve, remembering your indignation from hours prior. “That was reckless.”

“Yep.”

“Then why did you do it? You didn’t just put yourself in danger, you put everyone else in danger, too.”

“We were already in danger. We didn’t have a better plan. We weren’t going to come up with a better plan and I was not about to waste time trying while maniacs were torturing people.”

“You still went off on your own, and that can get people killed, like yourself.”

“I’m not a soldier, Steve. I don’t do exploding buildings, I don’t do hiding in safe houses, I don’t do nothing when I can because someone said so and doesn’t bother to explain why.” When he didn’t respond, you continued, “I’m sorry that I have been putting your friends in danger. I’m sorry that I am not perfectly level headed. They’re my friends now, too. I’m not sorry that I did and will continue to do all I can to keep them out of danger.”

“That was quite the speech.” You sighed, exasperated. He clapped you on the shoulder, “We can agree to disagree for now.”

“What will you do now?” Natasha asked you.

You glanced around a bit before replying, “I need to go home; I doubt they’ll come after me after being on the news. Think you guys can handle it from here?” You pretended not to notice Bucky’s expression.

Peter grinned at you, “Hell yeah, we’re Earth’s mightiest heroes!”

“Kid, watch it,” Tony scolded, then he turned to you to shake your hand, “You did pretty okay, Champ, for a civilian.”

You laughed, “You know, Mr. Stark, I’m gonna take that as a compliment.”

You shook Steve’s hand next, then Wanda’s, and continued down the line. Bucky was last. He looked tired.

“Mr. Barnes,” you said as you offered him a hand that he took gently, “take care of yourself.”

“Denna,” he started.

You cut him off, wanting to avoid shedding tears by any means, “Don’t go falling off anymore trains?” He nodded, a melancholy smile playing across his lips.

As soon as he released you, you thanked everyone and said goodbye one more time, then got the hell out of there. You may or may not have cried on the way to the airport.

Before you reached it though, you pulled your phone out of your pocket and composed yourself enough to call Raina.

Her voice was agitated, not in a wholly angry way, just, Ra, as she answered with, “Okay friend, it’s time to talk. All of the internet knows about your mutation now; are you okay? Why are you with the Avengers? You got to meet Falcon and didn’t tell me?!”

Grinning through a creek of tears, the sound of her voice came as a relief, “I’m sorry I’ve been AWOL. I’m on my way home, think you can meet me at my place in a few hours?”

“Ooh, is it a pizza or fro-yo kind of conversation?”

You sniffed, “Dumplings. Definitely dumplings.”

“Oh boy, this is serious.”

The flight to Pittsburgh was marginally uneventful, but you did catch more than a few passers-by staring at you.

There were reporters waiting for you at your apartment, forcing you to fight and wiggle your way through them to your door.

Finally making it, you couldn’t contain any longer and shouted, “You all are a burden to the economy!” before slamming the door in their faces.

Ra, who had a key to your apartment and was already sat on your couch eating an egg roll, said, “They’ve been here since noon. I couldn’t get them to leave.”

You shrugged, kicked off your shoes, threw yourself onto the floor and tore into your share of the dumplings.

“So,” Ra continued, “Tell me about your day.”

You filled her in on everything from the moment Steve popped up at your job to the awkward goodbye you’d just had with a certain cyborg. At the end of your tale, you shoved your face into a throw pillow, and she started laughing.

“Den. Oh, Den. Why- I’m sorry, why?”

“I’m going to need you to be more specific.”

“You met a hot old guy. You realized you’d caught feelings. Then you saved him from Nazi’s. Then you kissed him. And then... Nothing?”

“What was I supposed to do? Hash out the details of my feelings in the middle of enemy territory? With Steve freaking Rogers, who is mad at me, by the way, literally right there?”

“I mean, no, but you couldn’t have found a better moment?”

You lifted your head just long enough to give her a look then plunked it back down. “He, I mean. When was I going to have a better moment? I just kept thinking about how important he became to me, and how he’d been away for a day and I couldn’t deal, and then how that nightmare was almost over, but that meant,” you waved your hands around, “I’d be leaving. And, yeah, I’m an idiot. But I didn’t want to leave having not kissed him once.”

When she didn’t respond, you looked up to see her grinning with annoying enthusiasm.

“What?”

“You like him.”

“I thought we’d established that.”

“No, I mean, you actually like him. Like more than yeah cool let’s get drinks, or I also love board games let’s play Life.”

“Dude, we played so much Life holed up in that house.” She hit you with a pillow. “Don’t get too excited, I probably won’t see him again. Maybe ever.”

“And this makes you feel...?”

“Sad. Relieved. Conflicted. What else is new?”

She sighed and scooted closer to you on the couch, linking your arms together. “Well, at least you can still play Life with me.”

Bucky had been in a sour mood since you left, and it had been a few days. It had been a few days of thinking about everything his mind could get a handle on, and it was getting to be more than he could wrestle with. At the heart of it all, he missed how easily you addressed heavy things, missed you. And, sure, he knew it was partially his doing, but it still felt wrong somehow. It didn’t help that his thoughts kept flickering back to wondering what you were doing.

In his and Steve’s apartment, he starfished on the living room floor and stared up at the popcorn ceiling. Why would anyone make a ceiling popcorned on purpose?

He didn’t even say goodbye properly. The whole team was there when you left; there was no good way to say what he’d wanted to. And with Strucker and General Marino in custody, it was unlikely that he’d see you again.

The front door opened and shut. Shit, he was supposed to be doing the dishes.

“Have you moved at all since I left?” asked Steve, a vein of humor in his voice as set an arm-load of groceries on the counter.

“I fell asleep,” Bucky lied. He jumped to his feet with a huff. “Sorry.”

Steve only nodded.

Bucky avoided his gaze and busied himself with the dishes he was supposed to do two hours ago. If only you’d left him alone with his feelings, he may have been able to stifle them. But you just had to go kissing him. He could still feel you, he could still smell you. And, while it wasn’t exactly fresh like a spring meadow, because apparently prisoners of Hydra don’t get to brush their teeth before an interrogation, it was wholly you. And then you stopped. And he was going to kiss you again; he hadn’t thought about it, he decided. But then Steve had given him a moment to think about it, and he remembered why love was something he’d probably never be able to have. After, though, when he didn’t and you had to say goodbye, he could feel how heartbroken your pulse was; he could sense it. Bucky cursed his super soldier senses, accidentally shattering the plate he scrubbed in his hands.

“Hey! I liked those,” Steve chided. He paused at Bucky’s frustrated expression. “Y’okay?”

Bucky worked his jaw a moment, “Yeah. I’m good. Just... I’m good.”

Not believing it for a second, as the locker room had surveillance cameras Steve happened to find at a very opportune moment, Steve played along and then sighed dramatically, “Shoot, Tony gave me the repo thing for Denna’s project,” he fished the thumb drive out of his pocket, “I forgot to give it to her. Maybe I can mail it, I think I still have her address.”

Bucky snatched it out of his hand with a little more force than necessary, “I-I’ll get it to her.” Maybe if he had a reason to see you he’d have the nerve to apologize.

“Buck, that’s like a six hour drive.”

“This is classified, you can’t mail it. It’ll help me clear my head, anyway. I’ll be back.” As soon as Bucky made it out the door, Steve let a knowing smirk conquer his face. Ladies and gentlemen, Bucky Barnes was smitten.

The takeout box of pad Thai you were working on was almost gone when there was a soft knocking on your front door. You groaned, throwing your head back to look at the microwave clock. It was nearly eight in the evening; there shouldn’t be any reporters lurking about anymore.

You thanked heaven you were still wearing a bra before squinting through the peephole.

James Buchanan Barnes stood outside your door, looking windswept and a bit guilty.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” you said to no one in particular.

#MCU #marvel #bucky #bucky barns x reader #james bucky barnes #goodness this is a weird chapter #I'm sorry this is so awkward #and that it took so long #and it's unsatisfying #oh my #what have i gotten myself into

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filmfuel · 6 years

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Star Trek Discovery

I have yet to finish Star Trek Discovery (currently at episode 5!) but Bryan Fuller has once again gifted us with his unique vision. A darker tone than what we are familiar with, it even feels like it has given Star Trek a new lease of life m. Discovery is an exciting addition to the Star Trek Universe. With the way it is masterfully handled, it might even be potentially important to future tv series revivals and adaptations to come. Discovery starts off by tackling one of Star Trek’s most discussed theme: Are Starfleet officers (and by extension Starfleet) peace keeping space explorers or are they in fact, Space Military run by the United Federation of Planets? In a realistic world, what does a self proclaimed peacekeeping armada do when the war is eminent? When they are no longer on a disguised defense but on the open offense?

Yes we have seen how this was brought to light in Star Trek Into Darkness through Admiral Marcus’ Section 31, and Discovery takes us further into the world of Starfleet’s secret endeavors. We step into a darker, more sinister and aggressive side of Starfleet as they deal with the aftermath of a war declared between them and the Klingon Empire. More interestingly, Discovery introduces us to more morally ambiguous characters who are on route to this military mission.

For all the past Star Trek TV Series and the movies, they were always focused on saving life forms, civilizations, life changing battles, the promise of adventure and new beginnings with lots of fun along the way. The past adaptations have always been positive, bright and idealistic, almost sitcom like. Audiences are brought on a roller-coaster ride of emotions with endearing, funny and charming characters. We root for them and when distress happens to the crew or the ship, we worry but we know that at the end of the day that all will be well. Discovery, on the other hand, does not as it name might suggests, bring about the euphoric, starry eyed, soundtrack-appropriate adventures one might be expecting. For the first 2 episodes, It might seem like it is on the usual Star Trek adaptions path. But from episode 3 onwards, Discovery reveals a darker more sinister tone, reminding you at times, eerily of the Alien Franchise. That is, the dangers and stress of space and the unknown.

But what Fuller masterfully steers and dynamise as he offers us a new take on the Star Trek universe, he never forgets Roddenberry’s Star Trek message on racial harmony, gender equality, unity and meritocracy. (We even got a bonus scene of the main character retaliating on the difference between culture and race!)

When I started Discovery, I was both surprised and unsurprised because with Bryan Fuller at the helm, the unexpected always turns out to be a pleasant storytelling experience. Despite its shift in its focus, in tone and what thought to be Star Trek’s default structure, at the very core of Discovery, there is still that one thing that ties all the Star Trek adaptations together and something that makes fans continue to love all that is Star Trek: the glimmer of Hope. When Michael connects deeply with her humane side, uses that to guide her instead of impede her, her care for Ripper, a feeling we feel blossomed in our chests as we hope Michael finds a way to free Ripper, or when we managed to see difference between Captain Lorca and Admiral Marcus (or do we?). The underlying power of Hope will never truly stray from Star Trek despite all the different universes and adaptations it has. For Space is the final frontier and we can trust Star Trek to hold on to their belief that “there’s no such thing as the unknown- only things temporarily hidden, temporarily not understood.” And therefore the path of discovery awaits.

#star trek discovery

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mastcomm · 4 years

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Iran, Grammy Awards, Carlos Beltran: Your Friday Briefing

(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the sign-up.)

Good morning.

We’re covering a rare address from Iran’s supreme leader, the removal of the executive in charge of the Grammy Awards, and the latest repercussions in Major League Baseball’s cheating scandal.

Impeachment trial could unfold in private

Wall-to-wall news coverage is expected when President Trump’s impeachment trial begins in earnest next week, but the public’s only view of the Senate floor comes via a C-Span camera, which lawmakers are allowed to turn off for private discussions.

Leak investigation may focus on James Comey

Federal prosecutors appear to be questioning whether the former F.B.I. director illegally provided details to reporters as part of an investigation into a years-old leak of classified information, according to people familiar with the inquiry.

It’s the second time the Justice Department has investigated leaks potentially involving Mr. Comey, a frequent target of President Trump. The timing of the case is unusual; such investigations usually occur around the time classified information appears in the news media, not years later.

The details: At least two news articles about the F.B.I. and Mr. Comey, published in The Times and The Washington Post in 2017, mentioned a Russian government document that hackers had provided to the F.B.I. The highly classified document played a major role in Mr. Comey’s announcement in July 2016 that the F.B.I. wouldn’t recommend charges for Hillary Clinton in her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state.

Response: A lawyer for Mr. Comey declined to comment, as did a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington.

Iran’s supreme leader rebukes U.S.

In a rare public sermon today, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told tens of thousands of worshipers that God’s backing had allowed Iran to “slap the face” of the U.S. during the countries’ recent tensions.

It was Mr. Khamenei’s first such address since 2012.

Related: Eleven American troops were treated for concussions last week after Iranian missiles struck two Iraqi bases where they were stationed, the U.S. military said on Thursday. The attack was in retaliation for a U.S. drone strike that killed a top Iranian general.

If you have 8 minutes, this is worth it

A bounty hunter who now hunts alone

Duane Chapman, a.k.a. Dog the Bounty Hunter, started a reality TV revolution in 2004 with a show in which he led his bickering family in pursuit of those who had broken the terms of their bail agreements.

His wife, Beth, died of cancer last year. Now without a TV contract, Dog, 66, spoke to The Times about trying to move on.

Here’s what else is happening

Grammys leader is removed: Deborah Dugan, the chief executive of the Recording Academy, was placed on administrative leave after an allegation of misconduct. This year’s music awards ceremony is in nine days’ time.

Neo-Nazi suspects arrested: The F.B.I. arrested three men who had obtained guns and discussed heading to Virginia, where a rally next week is expected to draw white supremacists and other extremists. Gov. Ralph Northam has declared a state of emergency.

Numerical milestone for Google: When the company reorganized under a parent entity called Alphabet in 2015, it announced it would buy back shares worth $5,099,019,513.59, a figure derived from the square root of 26 — the number of letters in the alphabet. On Thursday it celebrated another significant figure, reaching $1 trillion in value.

Snapshot: Above, rainfall in New South Wales, Australia. For the first time in months, thunderstorms hit parts of the country that have been ravaged by wildfires, and more rain is expected through the weekend.

In memoriam: Christopher Tolkien, the son and literary executor of J.R.R. Tolkien, worked for decades to promote the world of “The Lord of the Rings” that his father created. He died on Wednesday at 95.

Widening baseball scandal: Carlos Beltran stepped down as manager of the New York Mets after being implicated in the Houston Astros’ cheating scheme.

News quiz: Did you follow the headlines this week? Test yourself.

Modern Love: In this week’s column, a woman who lost her sight struggles to be seen.

Late-night comedy: Jimmy Kimmel explained one condition for the impeachment trial: “They will have to stand when they cast votes, which is a big deal because, well, for a lot of these senators, this will be the first time they’ve ever stood for anything.”

What we’re listening to: This podcast episode from “Song Exploder,” about the ’90s song “Closing Time” by Semisonic. “You may have listened to this at the end of a night out as the bar lights started to flicker,” writes Remy Tumin of the briefings team, “but the back story will make you hear it in a whole new way.”

Now, a break from the news

Cook: Spend some time this weekend making classic lasagna.

Watch: With “Star Trek: Picard,” a spinoff following Patrick Stewart’s Starfleet officer, the franchise is trying to rediscover its place in a universe that it effectively invented.

Read: “Why We Can’t Sleep,” about the midlife anxieties of Gen X women, is among 11 books we recommend this week.

Smarter Living: Here are tips for finding a new home in a faraway place.

And now for the Back Story on …

Sinkholes

At least six passengers on a bus in Xining, China, died this week when the pavement collapsed under it.

Sinkholes, both natural and human-caused, are rare and rarely deadly. But they fascinate us because they seem to appear out of nowhere, and often in unusual places.

A sinkhole opened up in 2013 under a home in Florida — where much of the ground base is limestone, a soluble rock — killing a man in his bedroom. Another in 2014 swallowed eight cars at the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky. A sinkhole also engulfed an entire building complex in Shenzhen, China, in 2013.

Natural sinkholes occur when underground water has insufficient drainage and begins to corrode the rock under the top layer of soil. Human causes include leaking or crumbling water pipes.

The damage gradually takes place under the surface, but when the layer at the top can no longer support itself, it can suddenly and violently give way.

That’s it for this briefing. See you next time.

— Chris

Thank you Mark Josephson and Eleanor Stanford provided the break from the news. Victoria Shannon, of the briefings team, wrote today’s Back Story. You can reach us at [email protected].

P.S. • We’re listening to “The Daily.” Today’s episode is about Bernie Sanders’s campaign strategy. • Here’s today’s Mini Crossword, and a clue: Past the baseline, in tennis (four letters). You can find all our puzzles here. • The Times’s editorial board will endorse a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination on Sunday. One of our Opinion editors explained the process.

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#Event

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thesnootyushers · 7 years

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Welcome back Ranger fans, we have reached one of the most polarising entries into this mighty franchise. This series split fans down the middle and the debate of its quality is still argued vehemently in spitting tones around the world. We have left the warm comfort of space and are back down to earth, welcome to volume 8, welcome to Lightspeed Rescue.

The series takes place in the fictitious city of Mariner Bay, California which was built on an ancient demon burial ground. When the demons were accidentally released from their tomb, they threaten to destroy Mariner Bay. A government organization called Lightspeed Rescue, headed by Captain William Mitchell recruits four civilians as well as his own daughter to defend the city. We meet the new Rangers; Carter Grayson (Red Lightspeed Ranger), a fire fighter, Chad Lee (Blue Lightspeed Ranger), alifeguard and marine animal trainer, Joel Rawlings (Green Lightspeed Ranger), a stunt pilot, Kelsey Winslow )Yellow Lightspeed Ranger) an extreme sports athlete and Dana Mitchell, the Captain’s daughter, who becomes the Pink Lightspeed Ranger is a nurse.

The five Power Rangers were aided by a team of scientists and engineers led by Miss Angela Fairweather, and operated out of the Lightspeed Aquabase, an underwater military compound, which is useful as it deters the hydrophobic demons from directly attacking them. They pilot the Rescue Zords that comes together to make the Lightspeed Megazord and the train Zords that make the Super Train Megazord.

Captain Mitchell has 2 children Dana and Ryan. When Ryan was young, he was involved in a car accident along with his father and his sister. All three were suspended over a cliff. Captain Mitchell had a secure grasp of Dana, but Ryan was hanging on by his father’s shoe. The spirit of Diabolico appeared and offered a deal: Diabolico would save the child, but in payment he would raise the child himself, and Captain Mitchell would not see him again until his 20th birthday. Captain Mitchell at first refused, but relented when Ryan began to fall, Diabolico’s spirit saved him.

Ryan was raised by Diabolico, who poisoned his mind telling him that his father had rejected him, favoring Dana. Diabolico instructed Ryan to steal the prototype Titanium Morpher from the Aqua Base and destroy the other Power Rangers. To this end, he becomes The Titanium Ranger, but Ms. Fairweather brought the newly-developed V-Lancers, which overpowered Ryan. After some recall of his memories, Ryan rejected Diabolico and joined the Lightspeed Rangers. In response, Diabolico placed a cobra tattoo on his back, which would move up if he morphed and would kill him when it reached Ryan’s neck. Eventually, Ryan manages to find the original cobra and destroy the curse, allowing him to transform freely. Ryan pilots the Lifeforce Megazord

Queen Bansheera is always in the background, mentioned numerous times by Diabolico, Vypra and Loki. Their role was to raise Queen Bansheeras Son Impus until she returned. When she finally made her return at the Skull Cavern, she appeared in her spiritual form and not in her body. She was disappointed by the fact that her domain, her “ Magnificent Palace” as she and her minions described it, is non-existent because the human race had throughout time, build a city that would eventually be called Mariner Bay. She was even more angered to learn that the city is under the protection of the latest generation of Power Rangers and their Lightspeed Aquabase (water being the one element that demons are vulnerable to as it drains their power). This explains why her minions haven’t rebuilt her palace for her return to power. Queen Bansheera quickly took matters into her own hands

As the planets of the Solar System were on the verge of aligning, Queen Bansheera was granted the opportunity to regain her body through a ceremonial ritual performed by a monster called Spellbinder. After Spellbinder was defeated by The Rangers and the ceremony was ruined and Queen Bansheera had gained a deformed and incomplete body.

Queen Bansheera did regain much of her energy in the process of restoring her body. When she needed energy she took it from her minions. To complete her transformation, she summoned Vypra before her. Bansheera declared that she will take Vypra’s life energy, citing the act as punishment for Vypra’s many failures in the past. Queen Bansheera had consumed Vypra and her energy and at long last gained her bodily form and by doing so, was driven to further insanity by her obsession to destroy the Lightspeed Rangers and rebuild her Palace. In error Bansheera began to use her minions and even her own son as expendable. In her final act of madness to defeat the rangers.

Queen Bansheera begins a ceremony which will release all of the demons from the shadow world to Earth. Her forces take control of the Omega Megazord and the Lifeforce Megazord. The Rangers escape a raid on The Aquabase, which is destroyed along with both Megazords. The Rangers, with help from Ryan storm The Skull Cavern and stop her from carrying out her evil plan.

She is eventually knocked back into the tomb from which the demons originated. Queen Bansheera met her demise when the spirit of Diabolico and other demons assisted The Rangers by forcing Queen Bansheera into the Shadow World in retaliation for her cruelty and betrayal. While The Rangers sealed off the tomb to the Shadow World, saving Mariner Bay and in turn the world.

This is a really unusual series. It is the first to be totally self contained. What was more interesting is that they really took some interesting directions with it. Going back to a simpler story. I need to tell you that this series has haunting echoes of the first MMPR series. There are a lot of filler episodes that hold no weight on the story but just seek to show the Rangers rescuing people. It was a less knitted narrative than the previous two incantations.

It also had many narrative elements that of MMPR series one. Such as an evil Sixth Ranger who later joins the team, a close friendship between the Yellow and Blue Rangers, a significant relationship between the Pink and Sixth Rangers(in MMPR they are a couple, in Lightspeed they are siblings.)

There are other similarities to the MMPR. The characters, like series one they are more bland templates. Don’t get me wrong they aren’t as stocky as the original five rangers, there is more of a sense of individuality there, but like the other rangers they don’t really develop. The best development comes in the form of the Yellow and Green Ranger and even then its one episode and a little moment here or there.

Joel (The Green Ranger) is a playful guy and is trying to date Dr Fairweather, he almost succeeds in the finale but leaves to help his team. Kelsey (the Yellow Ranger) is very much a free spirit, who loves extreme sports. She’s very agile and good at making quick decisions, however Kelsey is rather impulsive, hotheaded and often will attack without thinking out the consequences. This is shown when, after failing to correctly complete a mission, she was nearly killed and had to be hospitalized.

It was The Titanium Ranger who had the most growth over the series, he was the most interesting and when he left things got a little boring. I think they were trying to recapture what they had with Tommy, with the idea of being bad but turning good. Towards the end of the series it’s Ryan, who decides they need to stop just being reactive and start being pro-active and sets out to find how to defeat Bansheera. It’s a very good path and really shows Ryan as a thoughtful and able Ranger. He actually reminded me a little of T.J

What’s funny is The Titanium Ranger isn’t in the Sentai on which this series was based from. He is an American made character, this is why he has periods where he is missing as they had to film their own footgae. As you have heard me harp on, this was very expensive and another argument to support my ‘Ryan being a nostalgic homage to Tommy’ theory.

I understand why, Tommy Oliver was/is the most popular Power Ranger of all time so to try and reproduce a character that can be marketed as such makes a lot of financial sense. It does irritate me however, that after creating a variety of marvelous, deep and diverse characters in the two previous seasons you throw it all away to bring basically another watered down Team USA.

Even the villains are weaker, I mean, that from a character development sense, not power levels. The majority of the villains were boring, couldn’t act for toffee, Vypra was abysmal, I know this show isn’t exactly the actors studio but my god this women gives Hayden Christensen a run for his money. The villains were bumbling and their backstory was vague and their motives basic…I am demon…I am evil…destroy world…mwahahahaha.

baby Impus

Remember Ecliptor?, Astronema?, Trakeena?, Villamax?, Treacheron? and Darkonda?….those were heroes in their own right. They had substance, backstory, development, tragedy, insnaity, loyalty and meglomanacy (just made that word up I think). They were fantastic villains and true match for their respective Ranger teams. As the old saying goes a hero is only as good as his villains, just look at the previous 2 seasons.

This bunch though, not so much. I think what I also realized as a child but couldn’t quite get a handle on it until I was a bit older. I preferred villains where you can see the actors faces or they look somewhat humanoid. I don’t like big bulky puppets or huge costumes. It’s why I didn’t like the Machine Empire. I find they look silly and less fearsome. I will talk about this more next series and also when it comes to Mystic Force

We were also treated to some smaller in-universe differences that really made this show stand apart from previous seasons. This was the first time we would see Rangers who had their powers originate from man made sources as oppose to mystical or extra terrestrial (who the hell knows where the Turbo Powers originated)

This was the first Power Ranger series where all the individual Rangers had professions before becoming Rangers, it would be the first time they were strangers. Most importantly, this was the first series where their identities were known. The Rangers would just morph out in public. It might seem small to you as a reader but to the zealots, this was a HUGE change in lore. It broke rule number 3 of Power Rangers, a rule that had been enforced for seven and a bit years. It blew. My. Mind.

On reflection, it actually makes sense. This Ranger team carries out civic duties, they are like one of the emergency services. The word rescue is actually in their name plus with funding from the government, tt makes sense that they would have open identities. It would make the people feel safe and secure. You could avoid things like Civil War between heroes and the agencies that employ them.

The new costumes were fine, I didn’t like the pattern on the torso. I did really like how they all had blasters and used them often. The helmets were a vast improvement from Lost Galaxy, having just the visor. It seemed to be built for purpose and not style. No emblazoned animals or dinosaurs on the helmets. To me, they were a public service and the costumes (uniforms) were developed in the Aquabase, so were obviously made to be more practical.

Now, as I mentioned, this series split the fans, some liked the fact they had stepped back and made Lightspeed Rescue feel similar to MMPR, while others hated it and thought they should push forward with the strong flowing stories that we had come to love. There were those out there who thought the rescue service idea was ridiculous and had major problems with the fact that the military and its scientist were responsible for The Rangers powers. This was like the derision that came in Turbo when they had cars instead of animals.

I think its biggest problem for me came with the story, as I have said, and will go on to say a lot is forgiven or can be forgiven with an individual Power Rangers series as long as your story is good. In Space was spectacular and a giant change in genre and narrative style. Lost Galaxy had a nice narrative running through it, maybe a bit unclear, but they also had a whole new cast who they developed well over the series.

Lightspeed Rescue did change the whole genre, but the story was weak and the villains lacked depth and The Rangers were just vanilla. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great either. So then when fans switch off from the story and you lose engagement. They start picking up on niggly things and pulling them apart until suddenly everything is torn to shreds.

It isn’t the worst series, not by far and there is lots to like. The idea of The Rangers being a rescue service, the team all seemed to be untapped potential for stories and relationships to foster. The MegazZords were awesome when assembled. They should have focused on the rescue aspect more as it was this series unique selling point, have that as the main story, with a villain that fits with the genre. It should have been an evil criminal or a warlord or something. The fact a group akin to firefighters, police officers and mountain rescue fought demonic spirits and spellcasters? It just felt a little out of place to me.

So as the series came to a close, we were all left a little underwhelmed, but as I said during the In Space article. The beauty was we would get a whole new series and could forget this entry. What we got next was, well………you will just have to tune in next time.

Until then? Peace and Love Ranger fans.

The Power Rangers Legacy Volume 8: Lightspeed Rescue Welcome back Ranger fans, we have reached one of the most polarising entries into this mighty franchise.

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