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We’ve been watching Buffy a bit. We got to the episode with the demon stuck n cyberspace, and it’s amazing that all of Giles’ “old fuddy duddy” concerns about the role of computers and the internet in our lives have turned out to be prescient. If anything, he underestimated the dangers.

Honestly, the deep lore of the games isn't anything particularly special. It was just presented in a really interesting way that combined with some of the best gameplay of its era really hit with players.

Beyond the first game its attempts to go deep lore kind of devolves into the same generic Humans vs Advanced Aliens vs Hivemind conflict most sci fi universes stall out on with a bit of ancient aliens mystery box bits of intrigue that hooked people until they were answered.

None of this is BAD mind you. It's just not particularly special outside of providing the framework for some really exceptional gameplay but its not all that unique of a setting overall.

The Beauty continues to impress.

Whilst it’s interesting from the get go, it takes its time really setting out what’s going on. Some might find that frustrating, and sometimes it can be. Here though we get pay offs for our patience and indulgence.

I’m particularly taken with Ashton Kutcher’s performance. He’s playing a Beautified Vincent D’Onofrio. And he does it really well. The menace and clipped tones of King Pin, the sense of tightly controlled anger. Even the facial expressions are there.

However. If American Horror Story isn’t your bag? You may struggle with this, as it’s the same team and pretty much the same vibe. And yes, I’m still expecting it to be revealed as taking place in the same shared universe.

 LunarSol wrote:
Honestly, the deep lore of the games isn't anything particularly special. It was just presented in a really interesting way that combined with some of the best gameplay of its era really hit with players.

Beyond the first game its attempts to go deep lore kind of devolves into the same generic Humans vs Advanced Aliens vs Hivemind conflict most sci fi universes stall out on with a bit of ancient aliens mystery box bits of intrigue that hooked people until they were answered.

None of this is BAD mind you. It's just not particularly special outside of providing the framework for some really exceptional gameplay but its not all that unique of a setting overall.

Except for the reasons why the Covenant exist is actually really cool.

Humans used to be a giant evil empire that subjugated everyone until the aliens put their differences together and literally bombed us back to the stone age.

Fast forward a very long time, the stories of Humans returning have gone from real events to legends to myth. And while we (humanity) is unaware of our past, the aliens have built a religion around the fact that the Great evil (us) may return some day.

 Lathe Biosas wrote:

 LunarSol wrote:
Honestly, the deep lore of the games isn't anything particularly special. It was just presented in a really interesting way that combined with some of the best gameplay of its era really hit with players.

Beyond the first game its attempts to go deep lore kind of devolves into the same generic Humans vs Advanced Aliens vs Hivemind conflict most sci fi universes stall out on with a bit of ancient aliens mystery box bits of intrigue that hooked people until they were answered.

None of this is BAD mind you. It's just not particularly special outside of providing the framework for some really exceptional gameplay but its not all that unique of a setting overall.

Except for the reasons why the Covenant exist is actually really cool.

Humans used to be a giant evil empire that subjugated everyone until the aliens put their differences together and literally bombed us back to the stone age.

Fast forward a very long time, the stories of Humans returning have gone from real events to legends to myth. And while we (humanity) is unaware of our past, the aliens have built a religion around the fact that the Great evil (us) may return some day.

The Forerunner stuff is cool, just VERY cliche for the era. It's one of the more interesting versions of it for sure, but didn't really land with me when it felt like every story was going the ancient aliens route.

Watching some old TV Burp on YouTube.

God I miss this show. Harry Hill in his absolute element.

Babylon 5 on DVD.

Missing the pilot episode . And the case is a disaster. This must be a much older DVD format. It's annoying and tedious. Unlike the SG1 DVD's you can't easily go back the the main menu, at least with VLC player. Other than that no complaints. The picture and sound quality are quite good. I am just starting disk 2. There are 4 episodes per disk thus far.

Gladiators

Season 3 has begun on BBC1, and I am of course watching on iPlayer.

Whilst a format which can wear out its welcome? It’s the formula that just needs a rest now and again. Because it ain’t broke. And never was.

It’s just good clean fun, isn’t it? Sure, whatever your preference the Gladiators themselves will give you a wee thrill just by existing. But the games are good fun, and way beyond my puny capabilities.

Not entirely sure Viper has properly stepped into Wolf’s shoes. But then I’m now a cynical middle aged git, and not some credulous kiddo just enjoying having someone to boo and hiss at.

I think to get an equivalent to Wolf, you really need to combine Viper and Legend...

Yeah that could work.

What I think the secret to the show is that the events are something most people could at least have a crack at. By no means with anything like the skill and endurance of the competitors and gladiators we see. But they’re not completely daft.

I mean, if you put my mates and I in the games? We’d enjoy ourselves, even if we’re knackered after each and every one.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Continuing my watch through of DS9.

Much as I enjoy Jake and Nog throughout the show? I still find their kid phase really endearing. But, Cirroc Lofton’s astounding growth spurt may have been for the best.

Between seasons, he went from Obvious Kid, to Young Adult. And it feels like the script writers had the sense to lean into that, giving him and Nog more mature themes to their camaraderie and mucking about.

They’re also a marked improvement on Wesley Crusher’s Precocious Genius, as they’re allowed to Just Be Kids.

I also appreciate the switcheroo further down the road, with Jake choosing to become a civilian journalist and writer, and Nog joining Starfleet. Again, credit to the writers for not making either feel especially forced. Okay, Nog’s wish is rather abrupt. But the in-universe reasoning is solid.

 Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote:
Yeah that could work.

What I think the secret to the show is that the events are something most people could at least have a crack at. By no means with anything like the skill and endurance of the competitors and gladiators we see. But they’re not completely daft.

I mean, if you put my mates and I in the games? We’d enjoy ourselves, even if we’re knackered after each and every one.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Continuing my watch through of DS9.

Much as I enjoy Jake and Nog throughout the show? I still find their kid phase really endearing. But, Cirroc Lofton’s astounding growth spurt may have been for the best.

Between seasons, he went from Obvious Kid, to Young Adult. And it feels like the script writers had the sense to lean into that, giving him and Nog more mature themes to their camaraderie and mucking about.

They’re also a marked improvement on Wesley Crusher’s Precocious Genius, as they’re allowed to Just Be Kids.

I also appreciate the switcheroo further down the road, with Jake choosing to become a civilian journalist and writer, and Nog joining Starfleet. Again, credit to the writers for not making either feel especially forced. Okay, Nog’s wish is rather abrupt. But the in-universe reasoning is solid.

In hindsight it's a bit sad for the actor that jake's by far best episode is the one where he's not played by Cirroc Lofton but by Tony Todd in an outstanding performance.
Personally I never minded Jake and especially the Light Ship episode is also a good one. In the later seasons the writers seem to forget about him (or Keiko, for that matter).