Game of Thrones Recap: Season 6 Episode 1

Achtung! Spoilers lie ahead, matey.

Game of Thrones Season 6 premiered last night after a great deal of anticipation. Everyone and their grandma has been anticipating it since the interwebs started questioning whether Jon Snow really died. The promotional material seemed to imply that we’d get some answers this week. And all we got was a big bag of disappointment, along with a mild rip-off of fellow disappointment The Witch.

The season opens with a shot of Jon Snow’s dead body lying in the snow. It lingers on Snows body, on the blood, the eyes, somebody poking inside his wound for good measure just so we really know he’s supposed to be dead. His death has left a power vacuum for the Night’s Watch.  Ser Alliser Thorne, the murderer himself, has his own following, and he has Davos and some other Jon Snow loyalists trapped in a room with Jon Snow’s body and his direwolf. There’s no resurrecting, but no burying or burning either. Davos is trying to buy time to formulate a plan.

Meanwhile, Theon Greyjoy and Sansa Stark are on the run from the hounds of the Boltons, after they escaped the clutches of Ramsay. They must cross a freezing river to increase their chances of success, but it isn’t long before they’re overtaken and the situation looks grim. That’s when Captain Phasma Brienne of Tarth steps in and take care of business. Brienne then pledges her loyalty and protection to Sansa in exchange for Sansa’s own promises of a place to live, food, somebody to protect, etc., etc.

In King’s Landing, Jaime Lannister returns from Dorne with nothing to show for it. He meets with Cersei, who’s grieving for their lost daughter Myrcella, and also fretting over years-old prophecies that predicted she’d lose all her children. Jaime does his best to try to convince her that they can change what has been prophesied, but Cersei at this point is in a helpless state of mourning. Here’s what Jaime most notably had to say:

“Fuck prophecy, fuck fate, fuck everyone who isn’t us. We’re the only ones who matter, the only ones in this world. And everything they’ve taken from us we’re going to take back and more. We’re going to take everything there is.”

Cersei clearly isn’t having any of it. Except for accepting a hug from Jaime.

In Dorne itself, Ellaria Sand’s Sand Snakes (sounds like a carnival sideshow) kill Doran and Trystane Martell. I’ve never completely understood what exactly is going on in Dorne, or why, other than that there’s some stuff that goes down and the women are badass. I’m not sure George R.R. Martin has any idea either. Okay, then. Moving on…

Tyrion is in Meereen with Varys, and they spend a few minutes chatting. Tyrion gets in a joke about Varys no longer being a boy because he lacks the genitalia. As they conclude their conversation, Meereen starts being destroyed, ostensibly due to the fire breath of Daenerys’s rogue dragon, Drogon. Tyrion and Varys are shockingly calm about the situation, walking toward the destruction from which everyone else is running away.

As for Daenerys, she’s being held captive by the Dothraki, who openly talk about raping her as she’s marched toward a big camp. For some reason, it takes her all the way until she’s in a Khal’s tent to reveal that she can hear everything and she’s Khal Drogo’s widow. While the Khal cuts the rope binding her hands and she thinks she’s about to be free, the Khal says the true place for a Khal’s widow is to spend the rest of her days at the temple. Lovely.

The biggest event of the evening involved Melisandre, and it had nothing to do with resurrecting Jon Snow. She had seen him fighting at Winterfell in a prophecy. Now, with him lying cold and lifeless with Davos, she’s all of a sudden questioning her abilities. The shocking reveal is that when she removes her clothing and the choker from her neck, the glamour spell she’s cast fades away, revealing that she’s an old hag of a witch; one who has no discernible age; she is potentially ancient. She goes to sleep in this state, and it’s a somewhat haunting end scene.

I found the episode to be both uninspiring and disappointing. The show is in uncharted waters now, as the story is progressing beyond the latest published book in the series, A Dance With Dragons. Even as someone who has read the books, I no longer have any idea what’s coming, which is fine. But the problem with the show right now is the same thing that frustrates me about A Feast for Crows and A Dance With Dragons: the story feels aimless and spread thin. Everyone is flung to the far reaches of the realms, with little interaction between the main characters. There’s not even a breadcrumb leaving a trail for the show to get truly interesting again.

Beyond that, the dialog is flimsy. Quips that are clearly supposed to be funny come off as mailed in fan faction. And that old witch scene really does seem like something the producers saw in The Witch and decided to replicate.

That’s not to say the episode is bad per se. It’s just a tad on the boring side, and the fact that the show is dragging out Jon Snow’s ultimate fate is mildly infuriating. Everyone on the planet knows that there are any number of ways that Jon Snow could be brought back in some capacity, and that he was seen in Dublin when HBO was shooting this season. Either make it clear that there’s no chance of him ever coming back again or not. Just pick a story and get on with it. I don’t care either way. But the way it’s being handled right now is not funny or coy. It’s lame.

Moving forward, I really hope that Dany finds a way to break free and reunite with her dragon(s). I really want the story tightened and more cohesive, while still maintaining the feel of a big stage. In the game of thrones, you win or you die. That goes for would-be kings, and also the beloved HBO TV series.

New Doctor Who Companion Announced

The Doctor has a new companion. With the departure of Clara, played by Jenna Louise Coleman, it was time for a new companion for Peter Capaldi’s 12th Doctor. Now he has one: Bill, played by actress Pearl Mackie. The announcement was made by the BBC Saturday night (American time).

While Mackie has a little acting experience, none of it is nearly on as big a stage as the BBC’s long-running TV series Doctor Who. The BBC released a short clip of Bill and The Doctor, but it’s still too early to tell much of anything.

For someone who’s used to having a crush on the companion du jour, my extremely superficial reaction is “meh”. But that doesn’t matter, and my opinion on the matter isn’t worth anything. What I can tell from the clip is that Mackie will prove to be very good at acting. What I can’t tell is whether she and the Doctor will have chemistry, and that may take some time to develop. Congratulations are in order for Ms. Mackie! Now if we can actually watch some new episodes on TV! The tenth season of Doctor Who is scheduled to air in 2017.

Steven Moffat Leaving Doctor Who

Break out the tea and crumpets – it’s official. According to the Doctor Who Official Twitter account, Executive Producer and Head Writer Steven Moffat will be stepping down from Doctor Who at the conclusion of Season 10.

Steven Moffat will step down as Head Writer & Exec Producer after S10… Chris Chibnall to take over! pic.twitter.com/iMhNoEAegy

— Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) January 22, 2016

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As it happens, Season 10 does not air until Spring of 2017. The Olympics were reportedly cited as the main reason there will only be a Doctor Who Christmas special in 2016. Still, this will be welcome news for many. While Doctor Who’s popularity is still undeniable, there are many who have had quite enough of his style for a long time. While I love his work with Sherlock, I have felt the need for some Doctor Who fresh meat for quite a while.

I know nothing about his work, but Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall will take over running the show for Doctor Who. Doctor who what? Oh, never mind.

There is no word as to how long the 12 Doctor, Peter Capaldi, will stay on, and that will be one big thing to watch. His contract currently only runs through Season 10.

Natalie Dormer Starts the Hype for Game of Thrones Season 6

Season six is coming. On Jimmy Kimmel Live last night, Natalie Dormer – that saucy minx – talked a little bit about filming the sixth season of Game of Thrones, and she revealed (among other things) that Game of Thrones season six is done filming.

As for her character Margaery Tyrell, Dormer says that she spent a good deal of time filming in Spain. When Kimmel asked if that means she’s out of jail, she pointed out that “There are dungeons in Spain”.

On the topic of the TV series moving faster than the books, as George R.R. Martin has yet to finish writing the latest novel, Winds of Winter, Dormer was confident that while the books and the TV series may explore different tangents, they should end up at the same major points. It has indeed been well documented that Martin has consulted with the showrunners to convey his ideas.

When it comes to Jon Snow, she seemed pretty adamant that someone who was stabbed that many times has to be dead. But she also admitted that she doesn’t know everything happening in the series, as she makes a point of avoiding other characters so that she can watch the show as a fan and still have it be fresh, stating: “I only read the scripts relevant to Margaery and Highgarden and King’s landing. So when the show airs I am sitting on the couch watching it like you.”

All in all, there was nothing particularly spoilery. Though one does get the sense that there’s more that she knows, yet isn’t revealing. See below for a clip of one of Game of Thrones’ leading ladies.

A New Star Trek TV Series Will Air in 2017

Star Date 11.2.2015.

These are the new voyages of a yet to be names star ship. A transmission was received from CBS Television Studios today, communicating that CBS intends to air a new Star Trek television series in January 2017 on their new digital streaming service, CBS All-Access. The streaming service will reportedly cost $5.99 per month.

Adam Kurtzman, who co-wrote and produced the 2 most recent Star Trek films, will be the executive producer, along with Heather Kadin. According to the CBS press release,

“The brand-new Star Trek will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966.”

The release also notes that the new series will not be related to Star Trek Beyond, the movie slated to come out in the summer of 2016.

The news that the new Star Trek will be behind a paid streaming wall is dismaying. But the prospect of a more Star Trek on TV is potentially exciting. The proof will be in the pudding, as it will depend on the show’s quality. Still, hope in this situation is a very good thing.

Supergirl Shows Promise

The long-anticipated Supergirl TV show premiered on CBS Monday night. And one thing we can all agree on is that the cast is really, really ridiculously good looking. And if Jeb Bush is to be believed, Melissa Benoist is smoking hot as Supergirl. The ratings also had some steam coming off them, as the 14 million viewers set a record for a new fall series.

Reactions to the pilot seem generally positive. Of course, to truly evaluate Supergirl as a TV series will require more than a viewing of the pilot episode. It will be interesting to see how long the show maintains its hot start, and whether it can improve some of its weaknesses to gain the reputation of other DC television hit series The Flash and Arrow. Supergirl has a chance to do so.

Supergirl, played by Melissa Benoist, was 13 years old when her mother launched her toward Earth to protect Superman, who was a baby at the time. On the way to the little blue marble, her ship got stuck in the phantom zone for a while. When it eventually escaped, the zone also released a ship of Kryptonian criminals. Once on Earth, Supergirl was adopted into the Danvers family, played by Dean Cain (Smallville) as Jeremiah Danvers, Helen Slater (Supergirl the film) as Eliza Danvers, and Chyler Leigh (Grey’s Anatomy) as sister Alex Danvers.

As alias Kara Danvers, Supergirl works for a fashion magazine. Like Clark Kent, Kara is goofy, but even more so. Calista Flockhart is Kara’s boss, who has fun in the role that seems to spoof The Devil Wears Prada.

Supergirl initially plans on just blending in with normal society, but a threat to her sister’s life forces her to use her powers. The rest of the episode is spent picking out a costume and learning how to get used to using her powers. Oh, and her sister just happens to be part of an anti-alien government entity that’s struggling to figure out how much they can trust Supergirl.

The bad guy is forgettable – just a generically lizardy, bald-headed jamoke who predictably eats it in the end. Unfortunately, Supergirl also doesn’t have a kick-ass moment in the first episode, as she spends much of the fight time being pummeled before blowing the bad guy up when she detonates his alien nuclear ax with her laser vision. I will take her first fights with a grain of salt though, as she’s still getting used to her powers.

There’s nothing spectacular about the first episode. There’s not a lot to overly gripe about either. It’s sometimes so light-hearted and goofy that it’s cheesy. The constant reference to “her cousin” or “your cousin”, without the chance of Superman ever showing up, gets old really quickly. And the story is thin in some spots, while introducing too much too quickly in other spots. All of these things seem fixable over the course of the first season.

Where Supergirl excels is in its display of a positive role model and its appeal to young women and girls; not because she is a girl, but because of the pointed emphasis on girl power and female relationships. It’s also light-hearted, positive, and a little bit goofy.  Melissa Benoist herself is excited about these aspects of the role she plays. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Benoist had this to say:

“It doesn’t matter that she’s a girl…That’s not what you’re going to remember her for. She’s so brave, and inspiring, and hopeful and that’s what is most important. I think the positive influence that this role has is sort of beyond my comprehension right now. Every time I’m around [girls], especially a little girl, it just warms my heart.”

The lighthearted nature of Supergirl also kills the asinine narrative that DC Comics insists on making every depiction of their stories as “grimdark” and gritty as possible. That’s a win for DC and a win for the audience.

Overall, the Supergirl pilot was decent. It’s an introduction. My hope is that the writers can strengthen the story and iron out some of the weaknesses. The core of something very good and theoretically amazing is there. Here’s to hoping the show comes into its own in the same way that Supergirl learns to grow into her full capabilities.

Won’t The Real Stephen Colbert Please Stand Up?

Sad about the departure of Stephen Colbert’s character from The Colbert Report? Wondering how boring he’ll be as himself on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert? Don’t. Because Stephen Colbert has taken off his Stephen Colbert mask to reveal that the distinction between his on-air and off-air personalities was a lie all along! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

The ultimate American patriot dispensed some truthiness at the TCA Summer Press Tour this week about his new gig and about expectations. According to Deadline, Colbert went deep on the distinction between his real personality and the caricature he played for so long, saying:

“’I don’t think anybody would have watched that old show if they didn’t know who I was,’ he said. ‘Because that guy was a tool…If you want to see somebody’s real face, give them a mask.’”

He went on to add the following:

“‘I had the excuse that I didn’t mean it, but I’m here to tell you I meant a lot of it. … I even agreed with my character sometimes. My hope is when people see me on the new show they will say ‘Oh wow, a lot of it was him the whole time!’’”

Also according to Deadline, the “[r]eal Stephen won’t be as ‘actively ignorant’ as was Colbert Report Stephen, and he is looking forward to interviewing guests ‘without having to translate it through an idiot’s mouth.’”

So while Colbert did obviously (to most people) get into character for episodes of The Colbert Report, it’s somewhat comforting to know that when his new show debuts this fall, it won’t be a stranger on the TV. If anything, Colbert’s commentary should be more insightful and intelligent. But the videos he’s been releasing this summer indicate he hasn’t given up his comedic delivery.

It should be interesting. Let’s hope for Stephen’s sake and ours that Donald Trump stays in the Presidential race indefinitely. The Late Show With Stephen Colbert debuts September 8, 2015.

 

 

Transparent Season 2 Is Coming December 4th

Interwebs, rejoice! Transparent, the critically acclaimed hit show on Amazon Prime TV, is coming back for a second season on December 4, 2015.

Transparent debuted in February, 2014 and went on to earn 11 Emmy nominations. The first season focused on the gender transition of Jeffrey Tambor’s character from Mort to Maura, the things she learns about life after the transition, and her dysfunctional family of Pfeffermans that includes an ex-wife and three spoiled adult children who are anything but well adjusted.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the focus will be a bit different this season, now that Maura has made the transition”

“‘Maura is not the central figure [in season 2], but the gateway now from so many stories evolving from this decision to be authentic,’ Tambor said at the Television Critics Association summer press tour on Monday. “ ‘Will you still love me if I change’ — that’s where we’re throwing down in a wonderful way. It’s becoming more than just a story about transitioning, about people seeking their freedom, all of us.’”

I found Transparent’s first season to be engrossing. I couldn’t stop watching it. If the second season is as well made as the first, then I can’t wait. It better be, because Amazon has also already ordered Season 3. If you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend Transparent. Check it out so you’re caught up by the debut of the second season.

Psst…I’ve Got Supergirl Behind The Scenes Footage

I like Supergirl. Therefore, you like Supergirl. And even if you don’t yet, how can you resist the effervescent Melissa Benoist shown in this brief glimpse of her behind the scenes on the set of Supergirl? The answer is that you can’t. And that quick preview of the opening theme song? Totally reminiscent of the classic Superman theme. Supergirl premieres October 26th.

You’re welcome.