tv echo

With all that time Barbie had on the outside, why didn't he write "DON'T JUMP" on a piece of paper and take that with him to the Dome, then hold it up for Julia to read? He must've known that he would have a short period of time to stand at the Dome before he was caught. And I'm still not clear on why he's keeping secret how he got out of the Dome. Even if he didn't trust the military and his father's corporation, there's still the media or even Internet bloggers. There are villains you love to hate - and then there's Big Jim. Someone, please, put him out of his Bad Gollum-Good Gollum misery. Wow, they're not even trying to hide the Microsoft product placement any more, are they? I'm glad thuganomics85 mentioned Sleepy Hollow. That show is proof that you can have a ridiculous premise but still have a good and quite entertaining show if it's well cast, well written, and well executed. One of my surprise favorite new shows of last season.

A fairly recent issue of Entertainment Weekly (Iron Man and Captain America on cover) contained an article with information about Avengers: Age of Ultron. Some of that info can be read at the following link: http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/07/16/this-weeks-cover-avengers-age-of-ultron/ If you can't find this issue on sale, there's probably a copy at the local library (where I read it).

Falling Skies Episode: "Space Oddity" Season 4, Episode 11 Episode Synopsis: Part 1 of 2. A mission to destroy the Espheni power core turns complicated when Lexi returns. Elsewhere, Lexi takes drastic measures when an airship malfunctions, and the 2nd Mass fears an Espheni attack. Original Air Date: Aug 31, 2014 Guest Cast Treva Etienne http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/falling-skies-2014/episode-11-season-4/space-oddity/309031 Falling Skies Episode: "Shoot the Moon" Season 4, Episode 12 Episode Synopsis: In the conclusion of the two-part Season 4 finale, Tom and Lexi must triumph over Tom's mortal enemy as they desperately try to destroy the all-powerful Espheni power core. Elsewhere, the 2nd Mass faces a terrifying new Espheni bomb. Original Air Date: Aug 31, 2014 Guest Cast Mira Sorvino Treva Etienne http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/falling-skies-2014/episode-12-season-4/shoot-the-moon/309031

Regarding J.R. Ramirez becoming a regular on another show, I guess that means Ted/Wildcat is going to be either a one-shot character or a recurring character on Arrow this season. If a one-shot character, then he can't be Laurel's love interest and trainer this season - so who's her love interest then? The only other new male character we've heard of (who's not Ray Palmer and not in flashbacks) is Ra's al Ghul. If Ted is going to be a recurring character, then he can be Laurel's love interest and trainer for season 3 only - if he dies near the end of the season and his killer escapes justice on a legal technicality, then that could be her impetus to move forward on her vigilante 'hero' journey (though it would be difficult to reconcile with her legal and ethical obligations as a DA). Having another lover die would also be consistent with Laurel's self-pitying "everyone leaves me" attitude.

Sean Bean is a fantastic actor and I've been waiting for him to get a movie, tv or mini-series role that was worthy of him... unfortunately, based on the pilot episode, this isn't it. But I'll keep watching and hope the show improves.

The best part of this episode was the absence of Lexi, although . This episode is all about Convenient Coincidences. First, Tom wants to fly an alien ship, the underground beamer (anything else think BMW every time someone said "beamer"? - also noted by Dowel Jones), to the Espheni moon base where they'll upload a computer virus and infect the mother ship, thereby downing all baby ships on earth - oh, wait, that's Independence Day - no, Tom wants to shut down the lunar power source on the moon, thereby shutting down all Espheni tech on earth. But how to get the beamer above ground? Luckily, Cochise is conveniently there to explain that there just happens to be a Volm supply cache nearby which will have exactly the sound-wave technology tool they need. It would've been nice if he had told Tom about these caches at the beginning - even if they couldn't get to them before, it still would've been nice to know about them. Tom, Anne, Weaver and Matt(!) go to the cache. Second, Tom brings Matt along because Matt is now 13 years old (apparently in post-apocalyptic TV worlds, 13-year-old boys become men who fight, while 13-year-old girls remain defenseless and turn into zombies, literally or figuratively). Luckily, Matt did come because he carried convenient gas masks in his duffel and also because they run into his little camp girlfriend Mira - of all people - at the cache. The adults recognize her as a convenient plant, but let Matt go check on Mira. Of course, she manipulates Matt's feelings for her and suckers him into untying her hands, whereupon she blows her whistle to summon a beamer and their old camp team leaders who were apparently hovering nearby (so who's running the camp?). Why Mira didn't blow that whistle as soon as she saw them, or why Tom didn't take the whistle away from her, is beyond me. Tom, Anne and Weaver somehow don't hear that whistle blowing. They escape without the tool they came for. But, luckily, Tom managed to bring along the whistle that calls beamers, which Shaq is able to configure in order to raise the underground beamer. (Now, I guess, that's closure on the youth camp story line and Tom won't need to go back and rescue the other camp kids like he promised.) On the soap opera front, Maggie is ambivalent about her new spikes, but after Ben shows her how to leap off tall buildings in a single bound, she's hooked. She and Ben go running about camp like super twins - or Edward and vampire Bella. With Ben's encouragement, she flips and shoots guns like Black Widow, even though she's wasting valuable ammunition (as Dowel Jones noted) and making enough noise to alert any nearby Espheni that there are human survivors of the explosion. Apparently, the magical spikes not only give them super powers and try to control them, but also amplify their emotions - which seems inconsistent with the harnessed kids who walked around like emotionless zombies (as mythoughtis pointed out). Maggie kisses Ben - but she has an excuse for cheating on Hal - "it wasn't me, it was the spikes". Hal conveniently sees them kissing. Instead of confronting Maggie, he confronts Ben and tells Ben to stay away from Maggie (because, you know, it's the guys in a love triangle that control the woman's actions). I'm all for some badass female, so if they want to go with Super Maggie, then have her lose interest in both brothers. On the other soap opera front, Pope and Sara have a Misunderstanding. He jumps to conclusions, she calls him on it, and runs off by herself to a nearby farm (perhaps Herschel's old farm...) where she'll probably put herself in danger and be rescued by Pope or die dramatically in Pope's arms - I'm hoping for the latter. Side note: Dingaan and Shaq playing around inside the underground beamer was reminiscent of Starbuck trying to figure out how to fly the living alien ship in BSG. Oh - and Tom & Anne got married (Shaq couldn't wait 2 minutes, but had to interrupt?). So going to the moon... jumping the shark or logical progression?

Legendary Flash writer Mark Waid on why the CW's series impressed him http://www.blastr.com/2014-8-15/legendary-flash-writer-mark-waid-why-cws-series-impressed-him

I think I mentioned in another post once that I saw Stephen Amell in a Hallmark Channel tv movie starring Maggie Grace (you can see him in brief scenes throughout this video).... When Calls the Heart Movie - Maggie Grace He looked and acted completely different. Here's some still images of SA from this movie: https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1192&bih=579&q=when+calls+the+heart+stephen+amell&oq=when+calls+the+heart+stephen+amell&gs_l=img.3..0.752.5291.0.5493.34.10.0.24.24.0.179.1060.5j4.9.0....0...1ac.1.51.img..1.33.1136.97Pqo6n7g20#hl=en&q=when+calls+the+heart+stephen+amell&tbm=isch&imgdii=_

When Marvel Tried To Make An Inhumans Movie 14 Years Ago Posted on August 14, 2014 by Rich Johnston http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/08/14/when-marvel-tried-to-make-an-inhumans-movie-14-years-ago/ Rumor: ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ Plot Details Posted by: Brent Hankins 1 day ago http://nerdrepository.com/rumor-batman-superman-dawn-justice-plot-details/

I think fans of the show should be free to post their opinions - positive or negative - in this forum (as long as they don't violate the forum rules). Anyone coming here knows the risks of being disagreed with or having what you post criticized. By going on a TV reality show, Angela - like every other designer on Project Runway - has voluntarily exposed herself to public criticism. That being said, I feel compelled to point out that Angela (if that is indeed her posting messages here) is the only one who is posting here with her real identity revealed. Everyone else is posting here anonymously. So I think she deserves credit for that.

I really don't understand the judges' choice of winners this season. Amanda's look was not high fashion at all. Kini's look should have won. However, I am glad that Hernan was eliminated. He was whiny, bullying and egotistical. Also, Amanda had an awful lot of camera confessionals - it seemed like every other confessional was hers, while some designers had no confessionals. She is getting to be really annoying.

More on on Marvel's The Inhumans ... The REAL reason why Marvel might make that Inhumans movie http://www.blastr.com/2013-9-19/real-reason-why-marvel-might-make-inhumans-movie And Warner Bros. is working feverishly to catch up to Marvel... 'Aquaman' Movie Hooks Two Writers (Exclusive) http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/aquaman-movie-hooks-two-writers-724966

In an article linked by dancingnancy in the Green Arrow In Comics thread, there was mention of the bios for Felicity and Diggle that were released on CW Arrow’s facebook timed with Season 2. I had forgotten about them. It's interesting to read Felicity's profile at that time, now that we know what happened in Season 2:

Thanks for the link - that's a really interesting article. The new comics' images of Felicity and Diggle look nothing like their depictions on the CW Arrow Facebook page (shown in the article). Pic of Roy from the digital comics... ‘Arrow’ EP shares sneak peek at Roy Harper in digital tie-in comics http://cwtvsource.com/2014/08/12/arrow-ep-shares-sneak-peek-at-roy-harper-in-digital-tie-in-comics/

Spoilers for upcoming Episodes 9 and 10 (so starts Team Haggie v. Team Baggie, looks like even Matt could get a girlfriend).. Falling Skies Episode: "Till Death Do Us Part" Season 4, Episode 9 Episode Synopsis: Tom and a team track the Volm in an attempt to find equipment to work on a crippled airship. Meanwhile, Maggie and Ben inch closer together at camp while Pope and Sara clash. Original Air Date: Aug 17, 2014 Guest Cast Treva Etienne Mira Sorvino: Sara http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/falling-skies-2014/episode-9-season-4/till-death-do-us-part/309031 Falling Skies Season 4 Episode 9 "Til Death Do Us Part" Photos http://www.spoilersguide.com/falling-skies/season-4-episode-9-til-death-do-us-part-photos/ Falling Skies Episode: "Drawing Straws" Season 4, Episode 10 Episode Synopsis: Tom and the 2nd Mass learn to pilot an airship as part of a perilous mission to destroy the Espheni power core. Meanwhile, long-standing issues impact the group as the threat of death hangs over them. Original Air Date: Aug 24, 2014 Guest Cast Treva Etienne http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/falling-skies-2014/episode-10-season-4/drawing-straws/309031 Falling Skies Season 4 Spoilers: Hal, Ben, and Maggie Love Triangle; Finale Air Date and Time http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/817761-falling-skies-season-4-spoilers-hal-ben-and-maggie-love-triangle-finale-air-date-and-time/

Some Marvel news... James Gunn confirms MAJOR change they're making to Guardians of the Galaxy backstory http://www.blastr.com/2014-8-12/james-gunn-confirms-major-change-theyre-making-guardians-galaxy-backstory Report: The next major Marvel movie franchise could be Inhumans http://www.blastr.com/2014-8-12/report-next-major-marvel-movie-franchise-could-be-inhumans Here's an interesting poll (note what they call Sara's superhero persona in this poll)... POLL : What CW spin-off would you like to happen? http://www.spoilertv.com/2014/08/usd-poll-what-cw-spin-off-would-you.html

Watch Wil Wheaton's steampunk date with John Barrowman in this extended clip from The Wil Wheaton Project http://www.blastr.com/2014-8-12/watch-wil-wheatons-steampunk-date-john-barrown-extended-clip-wil-wheaton-project

For you Joss Whedon fans, articles about his recently released biography by Amy Pascale.. Whedon biography offers hilarious reason why he named his show Firefly http://www.blastr.com/2014-8-1/whedon-biography-offers-hilarious-reason-why-he-named-his-show-firefly Read Nathan Fillion's touching (and hilarious) foreword for Joss Whedon's biography http://www.blastr.com/2014-8-4/read-nathan-fillions-touching-and-hilarious-foreword-joss-whedons-biography Another Hollywood legend has passed away - Lauren Bacall. In tribute: 15 Memorable Lauren Bacall Quotes: 'Stardom Isn't a Profession; It's an Accident' http://parade.condenast.com/327160/linzlowe/15-memorable-lauren-bacall-quotes-stardom-isnt-a-profession-its-an-accident/

I remember watching this episode the first time and when Slade showed up at Laurel's apartment at the end, I thought he was there to kill her - I thought, wow, they're really going to go there - after threatening Thea's life all episode, he lets her go and then kills Laurel - what a great shocking ending! Then, of course, they didn't.

I came across this review at TVOvermind that also noted the Lost ripoffs - er, similarities: Under the Dome 2.07 Review: “Going Home” http://www.tvovermind.com/reviews/dome-2-07-review-going-home-238104

For allTerminator fans... ‘Terminator: Genisys’ is Official Title of the Next Terminator Film http://nerdrepository.com/terminator-genisys-official-title-film/ I loved the first Terminator movie. I loved Sarah Connor (played by Linda Hamilton) and Kyle Reese (played by Michael Biehn). Arnold Schwarzennegger was perfectly cast for his part as well because he just had to act like a robot and not talk much. I liked the second film mostly because of the awesome Linda Hamilton and was okay with AS' beefed up role in his interactions with John. I hated the third Terminator movie. I was okay with Terminator:Salvation because I like Christian Bale. But now I really don't see how AS can still play a Terminator - he's way too old. Despite the fact that I can't stand AS because he seems to have an ego the size of the universe (and there's that whole housekeeper love child thing), I will probably see this new film because it also stars Emilia Clarke and Matt Smith(!).

Of course, Ben, as a Mason, can easily come and go from an Espheni location. He had to first find Lexi so that she could conveniently tell him about the Espheni plans and then he had to return to the 2nd Mass just in time so that he could conveniently contribute his spikes and later participate in the love triangle with Hal and Maggie. The Espheni ship sounds like it may be a partially living ship (shades of Battlestar Galactica and Farscape). The highlight of the buried-under-rubble scene was the terrific acting by the guy who portrayed Dingaan. I'm sure no one seriously believed that Tom was ever in danger of dying. I think part of my problem with Tom is Noah Wyle's acting. All of the characters I've ever seen him play on TV (from ER to the Librarian movies to Falling Skies) have that same kinda obnoxious know-it-all characteristic. I remember first watching Falling Skies in season 1 and having such hopes for the show and for the Tom Mason character - a history professor who would use lessons from past wars to fight the alien invasion. Now it just seems such a hot mess. Regarding the episode title, I believe it may be referencing a poem by Emily Dickinson: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/171619 So maybe the theme of this episode was Hope. But I could be wrong.

I just don't buy this big love affair between Julia and Barbie. Her crying, yelling and wringing her hands over Barbie's "death" was cringe-inducing. Barbie's willing to risk death to get back to Julia in the Dome was not believable. It's not like they've been married for 20 years and can't live without each other. Maybe it's the lack of chemistry between the two actors, but it never seemed like more like a casual hook-up to me. When Barbie fell down the hole and landed in the city, I first thought he fell into Lost's Purgatory world. But no - when it turned out to be the real world, I thought, great, the show's over. Just send a message to the Dome people and have them all jump into the hole and get out of the Dome. But, with the hand tremors (as someone else mentioned above), it's probably not going to be that simple. Maybe the Dome let these three guys out for a specific purpose and once they do what they're supposed to do (provide information to the viewers?), the Dome will magically suck them back in.

I remember Veronica Mars. The problem with Duncan, in my opinion, is that he didn't seem sharp enough for Veronica - like he couldn't keep up with her. I don't mean book-smart necessarily, but Veronica was very witty and quick-thinking. Logan seemed better able to keep up with her (as BkWurm1 said). Their chemistry was a surprise because Jason Dohring isn't good-looking in that usual TV way. I don't know anything about behind-the-scenes conflicts but when the cast reunited for that Kickstarter movie, they seemed happy to see each other - at least it appeared that way from the interviews and video clips that I saw. There's a difference between bland and quiet. There are good actors who can play reserved characters of few words and still have a lot of on-screen presence. There are bad actors who can play loud, colorful characters and still be forgettable. And sometimes you need the right project for the actor to shine. I remember seeing Stephen Amell in some Hallmark movie a few years back and he was bland and forgettable. Yet, on Arrow, he's like a completely different actor - giving Oliver a lot of layers and depth and emotion. Sorry to hear about Robin Williams - a genuine talent.

Some interesting behind-the-scenes, background info about Arrow (warning: the introductory paragraph mentions the )... 15 Things You Didn’t Know about Arrow By Tim Gerstenberger on Aug 11, 2014 http://www.tvovermind.com/arrow/15-things-didnt-know-arrow-237702