Eric, Bill, Sookie, Alcide, Pam, Jason, Sam, Tara and company are still months away, but there’s something sweet much closer on the horizon. Matt Smith returns as the eleventh incarnation of the last of the Time Lords in Doctor Who on April 23rd. Thank you, TV gods!
The latest trailer:
The new season promises a delicious list of guest stars including Michael Sheen (Underworld), Hugh Bonneville (Downtown Abbey) and Mark Sheppard (Supernatural, Firefly and a billion other Sci Fi shows).
There are no vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, witches, angels, demons or fairies. The main characters are not teenagers, nor do they hang around with teenagers. The female lead, Gemma Tiller, is not a damsel in distress who is torn between two tortured men. In fact, the female lead could stake Eric Northman, Damon Salvatore and Edward Cullen, then beat the shit out of Sam and Dean Winchester, all in the time it takes for Katy Segal to get her nails done. Seriously, I would never cross that woman. In other words, Sons of Anarchy is not for the screaming hordes of 13 year-old girls and their mothers that love Justin Bieber and think that Taylor Swift is an amazing songwriter. Blech!
Shit! I’ve only seen three episodes of the show and I am seriously wondering what the fuck have I been doing these three years since it premiered on FX. Seriously, WTF? Also, um, Charlie Hunnam is so very very very very pretty even with his blond locks grown out and some questionable facial hair. I first noticed him in 2002’s Nicholas Nickelby going up against a very gruff Christopher Plummer. However, just like I did with Matt Damon, I completely forgot how hot he was until I saw him again on Sons of Anarchy. I have only Air Canada’s inflight entertainment on a 7-hour trans-Atlantic flight to thank for my re-acquaintance with his fine ass. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Seriously, it’s not just about the pretty. It’s the underlying Shakespearean themes, the complete and utter badass that is Ron Perlman’s Clay, the ruthlessness of Katy Segal’s Gemma and the volatility of Charlie Hunnam’s Jax that makes me want more. I actually (heart) Half-sack. I can’t wait till this weekend so I can marathon my way through the first season. I am prepared for my butt to become numb.
John Mitchell: friend, lover, tortured soul, sexy beast, blood-thirsty killer. All true. All fair. After the Box Tunnel 20 massacre, does the anti-hero of Being Human (the original series), played by the delicious Aidan Turner, deserve to be staked? It’s a surprisingly tough call.
So what do you think? How do you solve a problem like Mitchell?
(especially for those who have not read the books on which the series is based)
It’s taken me over a week to recover from the finale of Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. Gods of the Arena is the prequel to my beloved Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Responding to the sudden illness of star Andy Whitfield, the producers of Blood and Sand decided to give their lead actor more time to recover before filming the second season. Knowing that we fans are a fickle lot, they decided to do a prequel in order to wet our appetites. Unfortunately, Mr. Whitfield is still battling his illness and it was with sadness that they had to recast the role of Spartacus. On the heels of this sad news, Gods of the Arena premiered giving us the origins story for my sweet butterball turkey Crixus, as well as an early look at Quintus Batiatus, his wife Lucretia, Solonius, Oenomeus (the future Doctore), Barca and the devious little shit named Ashur while introducing us to another set of gladiators and people who manipulate and use them in order to gain their own ends.
I was quite taken with all the new additions to the Spartacus universe.
Dustin Clare as Gannicus
Gannicus
I was pleasantly surprised to find myself liking Gannicus, the Crixus before Crixus. I should have known that my initial dislike of him would not last. At first introduction, I found him egotistical and immature. Once the character became three dimensional, I found myself enamored. Gannicus always knew that he was nothing more than toy for his master’s amusement and so he had what little fun and enjoyment he could have. The thing he cherished most was his friendship with Oenomeus and his wife, Melitta. Normally, I don’t go for the pretty (Skarsgard, is an exception), but Gannicus is so very pretty. His story arc, while not the most interesting, really touched me, especially when he got the fairy-tale ending. His story helps to explain Crixus’s attitude at the beginning of Blood and Sand, and adds more tragedy to Barca’s fate. They both wanted what they had witnessed with Gannicus. Barca never got his freedom and it seems Crixus will have to fight even more for his. They have left open the possibility for a reunion between Crixus, Gannicus and Oenameus. I really hope it happens.
Tullius
Batiatus’s main rival may not have had a mustache to twirl but he sure was wickedly evil and a very worthy adversary. We knew that eventually Batty would prevail, but Tullius didn’t make it easy. In fact, until the last brick was in the wall, I wasn’t sure Tullius’s story was over. The way he viciously dispatched Gaia let you know that there were no limits to his cruelty. I wonder if he and Solonius go to the same hair salon. They both seem to spend an inordinate amount of Ancient Roman gel or whatever, keeping every strand in place.
Gaia
Let me just make this clear. I have never liked Jaime Murray as an actress. I never understood her appeal. I never understood why any man would find her attractive. Yet, there are legions of them out there, so clearly I am the one who needs clarity. That being said, I absolutely enjoyed her Gaia and was deeply saddened by her character’s fate. You could see how her death transformed Lucretia. It hardened her resolve to take any means to justify her ends. Before Gaia’s influence, Lucretia would never have turned to Crixus for his magic Gaul seed.
Melitta
If the show had a Mary-Sue character it was Melitta. I knew the minute that Melitta decided to commit adultery, that she would die as happens to all Mary-Sue characters when they stray from the goody-goody path. Still, I loved the character and her relationship with both Oenomeus and Gannicus. I also loved her maternal advice for Naevia and Diona. Oh, poor Diona. Let’s not even go there.
I can’t wait for the second season of Blood and Sand, even though Andy Whitfield will not be a part of it. I’m willing to give the new Sparty a chance.
singlarity.wordpress.com 
Recent Comments