Falling Skies Season 4 Ep 1 Review

Okie dokie. As I mentioned a few posts back, I really love Falling Skies. And while I love the show, I do believe Season 4 will be the end of the series. Most sci-fi shows don't survive plus 4 seasons. And I wouldn't be surprised if the 12 episode season will signal the end.

I really like the new poster. Adds a whole LOTR/WWII/Star Wars feel

According to the websites and even their own claims TNT is releasing the first episode tomorrow, the 22nd. Problem is that if you have the show through Google Play or Amazon Prime or some of the other video streaming services, they already had the episode last Tuesday.

And as I am subscribing for the show through Google Play (which I also do for the Walking Dead) I have already seen the episode. But, for those who haven't seen it yet, avert your eyes.

The War Has Changed

With the Volm taking over the main military operations on Earth against the Espheni (better known as Skitters) the Humans are left to their own devices, heading back for good old Charleston. But, Alexis Glass-Mason, upon seeing the city mentions something about "Not everyone has to die here". Thus begins a battle in which the Espheni divide and scatter the Humans, capturing many of them and fencing them in a ghetto city which was Charleston, the old capitol of the Mason led USA.

Despite the advantage they had of surprise, they didn't wipe out everyone. Killed a few, yes. But mostly they took all the ones they could and settled them there. What is it that has changed? Why are the Espheni capturing humans and not murdering them (especially the adults). Leaders are put in solitary confinement, but why aren't they executed as examples for the rest of the people?

The Volm also picked up and left within weeks of the renewed Espheni offensive, leaving behind just a few patrols. They claim that the Espheni found the hiding place for their noncombatants and so are endangered to extinction. But...didn't the Volm just barely arrive, claiming they were making great strides in their war against the Skitters?

Youth Camps

We then see Matt Mason, the youngest of the Mason sons, in a Nazi like reeducation camp. We see propaganda videos being played, portraying the adults as the reason for the war. They portray themselves as helpers, going out to help the worlds they conquer liberate become giants in the interstellar communities. 

You even have a boy that looks just like the kid in this poster.

But just as we fear that young Matt has turned, comes to find out he's secretly building a small resistance in the school. We also learn later that entire conveys of children are being rounded up for these camps.

Why? Why have they changed from harnessing the children? Why are they working so hard at indoctrinating him? That can be broken much easier than a simple removal of harnesses.

Utopia

Alexis has grown, and become a leader of some sort of peace cult. Ben had been severally wounded during the ambush, and while he seems the only one to see anything wrong, everyone else is taken with him. Nothing enters the China Town, where war hasn't touched them. 

Theories

Why have the Espheni changed their tactics? Notice that after Anna Glass and her daughter were returned, and Karyn killed, that was only about maybe thirty days prior. Is it possible that the Espheni are somehow being influenced by Anna and her daughter in how they conduct the war? We don't know what they did with Anna, but it is quiet clear that Alexis is some sort of freaky alien-human baby. Heck, she's bent moonlight back!

Is it possible that the aliens don't want to accidentally kill them, so they are only going kidding gloves until they are back in the fold? Very possible.

At any rate, I like what I've seen so far. And this has a promising start.

Thank Goodness for the Day Off!

Top 5 Fantasy Series

I really love the fantasy genre. Between writing dozens of fantasy based stories, drawing my own pictures from scenes from books I like, to watching the newest fantasy epic, I love the fantasy genre. My first fantasy book was the Hobbit. My sister read me the first chapter, but I was so bored with it, I actually walked away. But imagine the irony when it became part of my favorite series.

So, I will list the top five series in my opinion. Feel free to disregard or keep any suggestions for your own lists, and perhaps you will discover a new series to read if you haven't.

1. The Lord of the Rings:

One cannot truly revel in fantasy without bowing to Tolkien.

The greatest series in my mind is the Lord of the Rings. Written by Oxford Professor J.R.R. Tolkien, a veteran of World War I, it became as the author put it "England's very own mythology".

The trilogy surrounds the quest of the halfling Frodo Baggins, who upon learning that his inherited golden ring is in fact the Ring of Power, must travel with a few faithful companions to the land it was made, and cast it back into the fire from whence it was made. Along the way, great battles are fought, dreadful servants pursue his every step, and even faithful companions betray him in a quest for power, and the Ring which can provide them with this power. And all the while, he fights with his own desires for power and the temptation which will surely be his downfall.

If there is one series that "rules them all" it is Lord of the Rings. Since it's first publication back in the fifties, to this day, it has shaped in it's own way every single fantasy novel to come after it. And all fantasy novels are held to the bar established by this mighty trilogy.

While the author detested analogies and parables, it runs in twine with many of the Christian stories and values. Resurrection, forgiveness, temptation, mercy are all themes that can be found. The story has become such a pillar to the fantasy community, that entire volumes have been written about the meanings of the book and what each character and item symbolizes.

The film adaptation is an abomination, which had it stuck more true to the books could have been (besides a much smaller trilogy) would have been able to go more into the epic themes of the books, many lost in the money grubbing of Peter Jackson. It has also stolen England's rightful claim as land of "Lord of the Rings" and bestowed it upon New Zealand, which while it might play the role of Middle Earth, is NOT the homeland of the epic works.

I am currently in my 16th time of reading the series.

2. Harry Potter

A true story that becomes truer by the day

One of the best selling series of all time, J.K. Rowlings' Harry Potter is an international phenomena that still drives a devoted love that has few rivals.

Revolving around the only survivor of a killing curse by the most powerful and evil wizard of his time, teenage boy Harry Potter goes to the magical school of Hogwarts. There, under the guidance of teachers and support of friends, he grows in his abilities and becomes a man every step along the way. However, he is continually threatened by the still powerful wizard who meant to kill him, and it is a continual battle for survival for the young man. But, try as he might, the two wizards are forever linked, heading for a showdown for the very survival of the wizarding community.

Part of the appeal of Harry Potter was always how the writing matured at the same pace that the namesake character matured. It went from light stuff from the innocent views of an 11 year old boy until it was the darker, more adult themes faced by seventeen year old preparing to enter the real world. And with frivolity aplenty, good humor and interesting spins, it was always a series I hungrily digested as soon as the book came off the press and into the public.

I will say that I dislike the movie adaptions of this series. Daniel Radcliff in particular was just a so-so actor, and I couldn't help but feel one was obligated to see the movie because they saw the book. Especially after the original actor for Dumbledore died, there was a decline in the willingness of the movies to stay true to the books.

I've read the series seven times.

3. Redwall

A story to the blind adopted by the seeing

Originally written for the blind by Brian Jacques, the Redwall series is among the most beloved children fantasy stories and for over a decade held a place in the hearts of people that was only overshadowed by Harry Potter.

Redwall surrounds the lives of animals set in a mythical land. These animals take on the roles of characters akin of King Arthur, Roland Le Paladin and other warriors and priests from ancient times. And they fight evil animals who are bent on taking away the freedom of others.

Jacques had a way with words that created a visceral landscape where all the characters felt real, and the idea of talking animals was not ridiculous at all. Some of the greatest books in children literature, and do I dare say, the last twenty years of literature in general come from this series. Redwall and Salamandestron are epic works, with everything one could wish for. And another thing that was of good taste was the fact that while the author tried to keep it family friendly, was not at all deterred from writing of darker themes. Like murder and poisoning.

The cartoon adaption they created for this was wonderful, and the segment they made to introduce you to the real animals the characters were was very informative.

I've read this series three times.

4. Inheritance Cycle

The story that could have been epic

Chritsopher Paolini brought us a delightful story with elements of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings in such a unique way, we didn't realize just how willing he was to lift from those stories until the last book. Especially the fans, who were willing to overlook his youthful errors as just coming of age work.

Originally set to be a trilogy, the Inheritance Cycle follows young Eragon, a farm boy who discovers a dragon age. His discovery will have surprising consequences as he discovers he is the best hope of overthrowing the evil Empire and it's wicked dragon-riding king. Thus begins a tale of dragons, demon possessed warriors and a war for liberty from tyranny.

This series had the opportunity to become of the greatest adventures to come out in the past two decades. The author's way of words was nice in drawing out rich lands and great scenes. Like book three, which was a colossal work, that was the set up for what could have been an epic conclusion to a cycle that was simply superb. But, sadly, it all comes down to "might have beens" and "could haves". Paolini stumbled at the end, falling back so heavily to Star Wars and Lord of the Rings to inspire him, that he ended up using them to create the last act of his otherwise well done work.

The movie adaption for this was so terrible, I am afraid to admit that I have watched it. The movie is so unlike the book, the should do a remake so it!

I have read this series twice.

5. Codex Alera

A very fun work to read

Jim Butcher, author of the Dresden Files, gave us the six part Codex Alera. Sadly, while not as well known as the other four on this list, I would say it actually would and could beat Inheritance Cycle by a long shot.

Codex Alera follows Tavi, a unique boy that unlike evryone else, has no mastery over the elements. It follows his trials to be accepted and respected by those around him, and his fight to overcome his own limitations. The results are surprising.

Jim Butcher gives us a great story about basically Rome supplanted in a magical land where the barbarians are either crazy people or great talking beasts. I found this a very enjoyable series, that unfortunately I've only managed a single reading of. But unlike some other books on this list, it doesn't rely at all upon LOTR, Star Wars or any other big name series to give it a breath of fresh air and to keep the story going.

I wish that they'd make a movie for this series. But....I'm sure they'd muck it up.

With that said, there are many series out there that are worthy to read. So go out there and read them!

Thank Goodness for the Day Off!

The Problems of Fantasy Realms

As an author, I spend a ton of time coming up with story ideas in my head. From my LOTR Parody to my Alternative History of the Civil War (which both are on sale on Lulu.com), there are hundreds of ideas that swim through my brains and dozens of stories that litter my laptop, desktop and PC tablets. Most of my published works, which I've done through the self-publish website Lulu.com, are of a historical nature as I stated in the second sentence of this post.

Too bad my name isn't a bit easier to read on the cover.

Only a tad easier to see on this cover. Oh well. Perhaps next time.

My main focus of my writing has sadly shifted to fanfiction. Don't get me wrong, I love it to death. Exploring my own ideas of how series should have gone or what would have happened in my mind after the movies were over. All one has to do is read my eight-book Babylon 5 Alternative Universe series on Fanfiction.net to see that.

But the true measure of an author is the ability to create their own worlds. And when it comes down to it, I rise to the occasion in the realm of fantasy. I also fall hardest in it.

A Series Like Another

In the fifteen years I have been a writer, I have explored a diverse amount of fantasy worlds. Fantastic Earth which became Masse Aaddee is perhaps the greatest one I explored. Too bad though it was nothing more that Middle Earth. I wrote a whole parody series of Lord of the Rings, one which received mostly bad criticism but got some good reviews, especially by my co-students in high school.

I even followed up the original series by creating a sequel that took place seven hundred years in the future. But it became a parody of the Inheritance Cycle, which was in itself a parody of Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. Heck, he even makes a Doctor Who reference in the third book!

Don't believe me? Reread the last book. Then tell me I'm wrong.

I even once attempted to take the best (actually original) ideas of the two stories and make a more original story. I eneded up having a story about a halfling who is taken from his family, after his uncle returns with a magical diamond that is full of evil and the dark lord of the land pursues it, to reclaim it. Yeah, in summary, still a Lord of the Rings knockoff.

To Travel to Distant Lands

While I was serving a mission for my church, I first came across Avatar: The Last Airbender cartoon series. Children would watch it when we'd show up, and elements of the story transformed themselves into an original fantasy story idea. I forget the name of the story now, but the story took place on an island continent. Three kingdoms divided the island in peace. The story followed a single family, the Imperial family of the human-run Empire, and after the mother is killed in an accident within the Imperial Palace, the father goes mad and declares war against the "assassins" of the peace-loving Elvish kingdom. The son decided to join the rebels against his father and eventually defeats him and his sister to restore peace to all the lands.

While this story was good, I lost the original three chapters. But not to worry. Other stories awaited me.

There came the world of Adnar. Adnar was the home of five kingdoms, coming out of a long thirteen year war. And it followed four people of two of the kingdoms. The good King of the Kingdom of Poroma. His faithful Chief Captain of his armies. A sell-sword of the rival nation. And a boy from the southern edge of the rival kingdom, who on his wedding day loses his beloved wife to Imperial inquisitors. This story not only got published on Lulu, but I also started working on the second book. But then....it's been roughly two years since I really worked on the story.

Pity too. It had a really strong beginning few chapters.

My latest venture into the realms of fantasy is based in the Kingdom of Vonderhelm. It's one of three kingdoms. It's actually based on two dreams I had. One as a teenager of a fall of a nation to demons and a followup dream when I was 24 of the oldest princess being banished from the realm by the conquering witch. That also has stalled, but not from lack of enthusiasm.

The Difficulties of Fantasy Writing

Part of the problem I find with writing fantasy is just how much stuff is required into building the worlds that these fantasy realms are made of. It's too big a task to do just out of your butt type of thing. Real efforts have to be made, even more so than even sci-fi stories.

Part of Tolkien's majesty when it comes to LOTR is just how much attention he paid to the details. I have read Christopher Tolkiens' History of Middle Earth, which is a massive series which goes into the various stages of the story that became the Lord of the Rings. There would have been no way for the series to be made without efforts being taken to reign in everything.

Let's face it. To create a fantasy realm, you need to create a whole world. These worlds need continents, and whole nations. In these nations there has to be towns, and landmarks. The towns must be filled with people, all with a rich history. And you need to make sure they stay true to what you establish for them.

And that's not even starting on creating languages for the people. Or what type of clothes they wear. Are they magical? Are they religious? Are they not? What types of laws are there? Do they have laws at all?

It's too big a task to do off the fly.

Like the Greek God Atlas, you really have a whole world that is on your shoulders.

Easing the Load

Here are a few things I've learned in my various stories (both history, fantasy and sci-fi). These will help as you go about your writings.

1. Have an encyclopedia. Christopher Paolini has perhaps one of the largest series in recent fantasy history, with thousands of characters. In an interview, he admitted he got so bogged down with names and details, that he forgot what the color of a certain characters eyes were and actually oopsed on it. To fix this, he compiled a list of names and basic information for each name.

Having an encyclopedia goes a LONG ways to keeping you on your toes. I have done two different types of encyclopedias. One is an alphabetical encyclopedia I did for a Star Trek fan fiction series I've been writing for three years. I still add more entries as I go throughout my series, which I am currently in season 3.

Another was a categorical one. I created it in three different categories. Legends, geographical and national. If there is a legend that's spoken, I add it to legends. If my characters approach a river in a certain land, I add that to geographical. If a character talks to a man in a certain kingdom, I add the man to the appropriate nation.

2. Maps. Maps are perhaps the easiest things to do. I have dozens of maps, and I make them in such a way I can add new information to them as time goes by. Especially if you story covers a whole continent, you want a map to keep you oriented to distances.

Don't feel like drawing them? There are several map generators online.

3. Drawings. If you can, draw the items you most certainly want to have an idea of what they look like. Like your swords. Crowns. Castles. Having a visual image can go a long to to not only keeping you from making mistakes, but will also help you describe them. Can't draw? Don't worry. Use images from the internet. They can help form the ideas you need in your head.

The Last Words

Writing fantasy is both rewarding but also challenging. But believe me, it's worth the effort. So go out there and put your mental powers to it.

Thank Goodness for the Day Off!

Aliens, Confederates and Zombies...oh my.

So technically yesterday was my day off, but I ended up being busy with gaming. Got a new PS3 so I spent roughly half an hour playing Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Then I ended up playing State of Decay and Rome II: Total War.

I also have been watching the sitcom Fraiser. It's a sort of funny show. I've seen funnier, but I don't mind it all that much. Now, with that being said...the only reason I decided to watch it was because all my TV shows are currently in the summer break between seasons.

Here's my list of TV shows I'm watching. And looking forward to the next season.

Falling Skies

Pretty girls and weird alien stuff. Sounds like my love life.

Falling Skies is about a post-invasion Earth. Earth has been invaded and very quickly the military and major population centers were destroyed. As the alien invaders tighten their search patterns, killing the adults and stealing the children and subjugating them into a slave force, history professor Tom Mason and grisly Army veteran Colonel Daniel Weaver led a small band of resistance fighters and fugitives as they try to stay one step ahead of the enemy.

It's been a pretty intense show, with interesting human relationships. Such as, how far will you go for your family and friends. The plot has also had nice plot twists. Season 2's cliff-hanger was especially poignant and the third season was riddled with intriguing plotlines that would make other plot heavy stories green with envy.

I do have a few gripes with it. In the 1st Season, it is stated that the easiest way to defeat the enemy's personal armored drones is to use bullets made from their own armor. But after their first battle, they abandon the idea, never speaking of it again. There are other small plot devices that are lost, which make no sense. Also there is much to gripe about when it comes to the CGI. It didn't even start becoming really good until third season. Much of the time prior to that, it was almost B5 in appearance.

Also, I don't understand why it is taking them a year to get to the next season. It ended early last summer, and it's not being released until the 26th of this month. Aggravating to say the least.

The Walking Dead

BRAIIINS!

The Walking Dead is perhaps the ultimate show at the moment. Sheriff Rick Grimes is hit by fire during a roadblock, goes into a coma and awakes months later, to find the world is gone, replaced by zombie hordes as the dominant force on the planet. He joins up with a small group of survivors and must fight both the dead and the living as they struggle to survive.

Part of what drives the show is the unique human story. A character driven show, it is also perhaps the most realistic show when it comes to survivability. No one is safe, and main characters we expected to live for a long while end up being among the first to fall. By now, out of the original group of survivors, there is perhaps four. Four out of a dozen. At the rate they lose main characters, the show will probably end by default in season 6.

Never a horror fan, the show's true suspense comes from the expected. The zombies don't jump out to grab you. But you are scared that something will happen. Some of the greatest villains of literature were the ones that never appeared, because you ended up having such a dramatic image of them.

My main problem with the show is just how short the seasons are. Their height right now is sixteen. This leads to mid-season breaks, which while I can understand, I really hate. Another thing I dislike is how no one calls them "zombies". They are walkers, biters, skin eaters. But never zombies. Last time I checked, the word "zombie" wasn't copyrighted.

Hell on Wheels

Post-Civil War Rebel Syndrome

Hell on Wheels is a western set right after America's Civil War. Cullen Bohanon is a Confederate veteran who is on a path of revenge, killing the murderers and rapers of his dead wife and son. And to do that, he is forced to go west to work on the Union Pacific Railroad, where the last of the killers is hiding.

The main thing I like about the show is how involved we become with the characters. You really begin to feel for them, and unlike some of the sunnier Westerners, isn't afraid to show us the political correctness of the time. The disregard shown the recently freed negro race. The utter contempt between white and indian. It's a show meant to be watched with your Book of Political Correctness checked at the door. And it's because of that fact, that these are shown as real people and not as some sequin lapdogs that is compelling.

But that's where it ends. There is little research done on the subject of a post-Civil War west. Cullen Bohanon is shown as man with no moral scruples. As a Southerner and a gentlemen (which he is portrayed is being, even if not of the aristocracy) he evolves from a simply farmer for revenge to being a man with wealthy Railroad connections. He keeps on becoming something larger and larger, while everyone else seems to regress.

The show also seemed to have lost it's steam during Season 3, having jumped the tracks. The Mormon Antagonist story-line was made simply because they couldn't think of anything else. It really feels that way. The season 3 ending was more of a meh than the bell-ringer they tried to make.

If anything, I'm watching it for hopes season 4 gets back on track.

Arrow

Basically the Green Arrow without the name Green.

Last but not least Arrow. Oliver Queen, after being on an island for 5 years returns to his city. But this time, instead of just being a playboy, he's turned into a vigilante, out to save his city from the corrupt rich and the vile every day villain.

Perhaps what is best of this show is how most the cast have a natural chemistry with each other. Many shows it's obvious that everything is acted out and the cast don't mesh well. But that's not the case with Arrow. It also premiers my current favorite actress, the recently uncovered Emily Brett Rickard. She's a wonderful actress, and is a real delight to see as she has improved her acting, this being her first major role.

For the most part, the action is well paced and we won't lament for lost story opportunities, because they try to get as many possibilities and run with them.

My main beef with the show is how disorganized season 2 was. Between weird scheduling of episodes (even after the Olympics we might see two episodes per month) and a storyline that seemed all over the place, in many places it seemed to be a messy affair. But, I really hope that the conclusion of the Deathstroke storyline will return things to a normal pace and get the show back in the groove that made it such a force season 1.

There you have it. My watch list. The last two did really have rough times, but I am hoping the next seasons of them will change things around. There are very few shows I get interested in that are newer. Many of which are all about blood and mayhem, plot and storytelling wise (I'm looking at you Revolution). But when you can find a good show, it's a nice thing to kick back and watch.

Thank Goodness for the Days Off.