Lantern7

Well. That's one way to get Oliver off the hook. I'm a bit upset that the only option for the series was Chance Ex Machina . . . where they bring in the one guy who disguises himself to take Oliver's place in an assassination attempt. That was two seasons ago. If we didn't have Felicity putting the crumpled Oliver mask over her face and growling, "You have failed this city," I might have forgotten about the Human Target. That said . . . .impersonating the judge? So funny. Well, except foe the judge. With all the bullshit that happens in Star City (including Laurel-2), Ol' Mumblegrowl could have at least tried to give the guy the benefit of the doubt and merely torture the poor bastard, as opposed to killing him. I mean, guy was on the take, but that's a sucky way to go out. Looks like Team Arrow is slowly coalscing back together. Good timing, since Diaz has basically decided to stop fucking around. Seriously, subtlety and bought cops didn't seem like his usual method. Maybe he had been playing from Cayden's playbook. He's still not compelling as a Big Bad. Antoly would've been better, as the spurned lover compatriot of Oliver. Maybe next season? Still not hating the supporting characters. I mean, I get the hate, but I never got the haaaaaaaaaaate. Of course Diaz would use Rene's kid against him. If it makes anybody feel better, Diaz will be rampaging in the final two episodes, so some of the more hated players might bite it. I'm pulling for Laurel-2, though they'd replace her with Laurel-X from last week's Flash. BTW, Cliff DeVoe/The Thinker revealed his master plan this week: use satiates and tech to make humanity more simple. Theory: maybe he's done experiments in Star City. It would explain the unsatisfying direction this season has taken.

In 2019: Avengers Forever. It’s perfect . . . the title comes from a miniseries from the Nineties, just like Infinity War. In both cases, the comic and movie would be different. Also, “four” would be implied. Maybe all the talk on AoS about universes and parallel timelines means that there’s a divergence from the MCU. ETA: Rocket Raspberry?

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. Link?

I know, which why I’m surprised it’s not aimed for NBC. I guess Geoff will be ready by next year. Interesting that the two guys that conquered Midoriyama are coming back, especially since there hasn’t been anyone filling the vacuum, at least in my eyes.

A time skip could make sense, especially if the reset button is pushed. Once again, characters dying in the run-up getting resurrected isn’t off the table. Also: Grey Hulk. Not Joe Fixit, but something smarter and more cagey.

Yeah, I dig the fancier animation. It’s like Adam Reed was going through his couch and found about $500K. “Wow! I- . . . shit, I had something for this. Aaaaaaaand now it’s gone.”

Archer is immortal. In his dreams, maybe. Nice to hear Chris Parnell still voicing buttmonkeys. Savor it now, because who knows when Rick and Morty will return. All of the gang is in gear. I like the idea of Archer being competent with maps. Same deal with the "real" Archer and spycraft, only with the massive ego. And Krieger-as-Krackers works so well right now.

This still isn't "watch live" for me. Basically, it's a scaled-down version of the "real" thing, albeit with the same amount of relative drama. Didn't know who Hennessy was, don't really care. She had to go. Had she stayed, somebody would've gotten hurt. Well, maybe less so if Devin wasn't there. Yet another in a long line of dudes that will keep running their mouths until they get a whupping. Sooooooo . . . if CT hadn't been a bad boy from adolescence through Duel II, he could have been a successful as Wes? Huh. I know, lots of BMP folks have degrees, but I figured CT would have a Magna Cum Laude from the University of Hard Knocks-Massachusetts. And yeah, if he was a little more articulate, he'd be a good option to replace Mike or TJ. Johnny is an annoying fucker that needs a beating (see above), but at least he can come off as witty and charming . . . at least to those who don't tire of his shtick. Oh, and BMP? I credit CT with two wins, not three. "Champs" seasons do not count. Maybe in our hearts, but that's it. ETA: Shane is never gonna make it to a finale or win an endgame. And it would be painful if he wasn't being a little snot. I mean, we can't make Oompa Loompa cracks about him, but he's hard to watch. And, again, it tickles me that Sarah won a Challenge and he hasn't. Sarah. ETA2: And Shane did beat Tony in IOTC. My point on finales still stands. Apparently, you can cash in enough participation trophes to be considered a "Champ."

"Wake me up . . . when this season ends . . . " I had to play catch-up because I was clearing space on the DVR. Seriously, how can Probst sell how awesome this season was at the Reunion? I think he'd wind up getting the Botox injection an hour before, and slam his face into a comically huge pile of cocaine right before the cameras start. Because this season is a friggin' dud. Honestly, I get that Survivor is still a dependable ratings-grabber for CBS, but it's a far cry from the water cooler days. I like the idea of random draws and two Tribal Councils. Personally, I would've given numbers 1-10 randomly to the players, then tell them to pick a side in numerical order. I don't care about this season, but I can see how it can be a bit unfair. Basically, it's like when they bring in "mercenaries" on The Challenge, and a woman voted into the endgame would have a 50/50 shot of meeting Laurel. She's the one I've been calling "Killbot" for, like, ever. David's fake idol from S33? Awesome. Totally forgot how stupid Jay was in falling for that. Too bad it didn't "gain power" to become a real idol.

Didn't keep notes on the latest episode. *deep breath* They were nine episodes, each one with a winning team advancing to the next round. The series broke out a wild card round. The obvious participants were the nine runner-up teams. For a Round of 16, there would be seven open slots. That means five teams that lost their opening heats got invites. Basically, the wild card stage means seven head-to-head matches, with the winners advancing. There were three this week, so I'm guessing the last four air next week. All matches are first heat-based . . . last obstacle is the Warped Wall. Checking the ANWN website . . . teams advancing were Lizard Kings (four runs vs. Midwest Muscle), Frostbite (four vs. All-American Ninjas)(seriously? Those guys??) and NorCal Ninjas (coming back from 2-0 to beat Dark Horse). ETA: I'm assuming we'll have five more episodes after next week; four to determine the final teams, followed by the finle.

Funy115: Ruffling Feathers? Rustling Feathers? Basically, it's Tyson being a dick.

Kids version being developed for Universal Kids. What, no NBC? Don't they have two kid-themed shows already?

Honest Trailers does an installment on the Straw Hats. No real spoilers in regard to anybody who stopped watching when Toonami cut the series loose.

I read a TPB of old-school Thanos stories. Drax and Gamora spent years in the Soul Stone . . . so her being alive in some form isn’t out of the question. Last week, I asked a Facebook friend when Tony and Stephen met in comics. His answer: There was no official first team up. I would think Marvel would jump on that, given the similarities I listed in my question.

JoJo Escape Room coming to the States.

In case you didn’t see this last week . . . Penny Arcade speculated on an Infinity Stone location, and figured a way to bring in Hawkeye.

Anybody else watching? I know that it's old hat at this point to go to a rally of like-minded people and really make them look like idiots. But you would think a few of them would've been tipped off about this show and the two gay (gayish?) guys asking all sorts of questions. Stuff like, "Hey, do a comedy routine about the people you're supposed to hate!!" Also liked the bit last week where one of the "citizen journalists" cut off Jordan breaking out his gaslight, electing to talk softly and stir tea.

Okay...so DeVoe is basically a dude that wants to enlighten humanity . . . by making it dumber, or least more simple. Question: Is it possible that he's been testing his theory out on a smaller scale? Like, maybe in another city? To another city? Yes, I'm blaming him for the current season of Arrow, where most everybody's IQ has dropped, and the dude with the mumblegrowl and so little charisma has taken over Star City. Marlize may as well be wearing red shirts at this point. Also, I think that she probably didn't come to the conclusion that her loving husband has been doping her to forget stuff. Seriously, she's gonna join Team Flash, and she's going to die. Also, I think that Mystery Girl's story will unfold next season, and that Ralph comes back to join Cliff in reenacting the climax between Buddy Love and Prof. Klump in The Nutty Professor. Now, granted, I thought that . . . that guy . . .the British guy . . . Malfoy guy . . . was toast last season, and I was wrong. It just feels that the possible of a clever swerve is dimming. If Arrow is basically doing a cover version of Captain America: Civil War, Flash would be Avengers: Infinity War, in the sense that the foe is so overpowered (super-intelligence AND twelve sets of powers!!), it's ridiculous. Well, at least DeVoe isn't purple with the weird chin folds. ETA: Shit, just realized that Ralph can turn his skin black, which means DeVoe might be able to turn it purple. Knowing him, he'd shift into a Thanos form, float on his secondary chair (Thanos has one of those!), and spoil Infinity War, because he's become that big of a prick. How long before Cisco tries to find Lisa Snart? "Hey, girl! Look, just wonder where you are so we can hook up and do stuff, maybe let me fix your gold gun. What? Where has your brother been? Well . . . " I do hope Gypsy comes back in a crisis situation, though I'm thinking her dad is more fun to watch. Hey, Cecile still exists! And now she's Harry's thought catcher! Seriously, the season is wacky enough, and then you remember that Joe is going to be a father some two decades after he knowingly had a child. Oh, and Wally sent Cecile a bassinet once owned by Moses. Of course. Granted, it might not be from when he was a baby. Seriously, I love that even when off the air, Legends of Tomorrow reminds the series that gives zero fucks.

I'm sorry . . . who got faded at the end? I lost track. I'm still thinking that some of those who bought it could come back. I'm thinking Idris Elba had enough . . . probably didn't think he'd play an all-seeing Viking god in four movies. We might have something along the lines of one of Thor's relaunches, where he resurrects his friends, and Loki eventually came back as a kid. I think his maturation into a more amoral god came because the movie version was that big of a scene-stealer. Fandral would stay dead, though. Zachary Levi made his choice going to Shazam. He is a traitor to the MCU. If Vision lives and stays with Wanda, they could have kids like in the comics. I don't think that would happen, because Wanda's abilities seem more technical than mystical, so having twins with a synthezoid in the MCU probably wouldn't be in the cards. I'd be open for Quicksilver getting resurrected for the sole purpose of busting Wanda's chops about her relationship. "Guys, guess what? I'm dating a Cuisinart!! I am like my sister!!"

Didn’t know the Nobel “push” was prompted by talks between the Koreas. Has anyone considered they’re doing that to shut him up? Nice “takedown” on Michelle Wolf by Trevor. She deserved to be fired after leaving. I’m sure she’ll swing by to promote her series. Didn’t know she worked on Seth Meyers’ show until I saw a clip of him giving her love.

I don’t think that each civilization was halved. Just the general population of the universe. I’m Marvel needed to be belligerently ballsy, they could have flipped a coin to determine the fates of those outside the “original” Avengers. Bright note: Just saw the second AMTW trailer, and I’m guessing the promo people are trying to steer away from the down note that AIW ended on. Still pessimistic about that, in the sense that we’d end up with a “Rapture” at the end.

On my schedule, Ballmastrz 9009 runs in that block this week, with the latest two episodes airing on Thursday and Friday.

Thinking about the CW and Arrowverse . . . I figured that if Supergirl had to be boiled down to one word, it would be "empowerment." Lately, maybe it should be "family," which I usually attribute to The Flash. Seriously, where these are not the merry misfits of the Waverider, they do manage to really care for each other. Watching J'onn and James break down over -- respectively -- Alex and Winn, I thought, "Man, it's a shame that they don't love each other when people aren't almost dying." Then I remembered the last two episodes kicked off with karaoke and charades. Many last names, one happy family. This week? Meh. I get Imra, but she's was a bit much. Sam is still sad . . . sucks when you slowly realize that you're basically a cover story for a marauding alien. Looks like the makeup department ran out of stuff to slap onto Brainiac 5. I'm also okay with Mon for the most part. Now I want Mon to say that line in the open, and Winn to quip, "Wait, I thought you built the Legion on rock and roll." Minimum, J'onn would snort. Hey, beats inadvertently interrupting a DEO meeting while playing "Back in Black." ETA: Lena is still great. I'm thinking she could be like Lex in Smallville, with the flexible morals and everybody writing fanfic about her and the lead character. Big difference is that we know Lex has to be a villain. Lena is more or less new, so the writers can hold off on making her evil and/or shaving her head. ETA2: From AVClub's review, at the very end: "I love that the Worldkillers’ powers include manifesting goth leather costumes out of thin air."

Two things: 1. The episode is scheduled to run from 11:05-12:15. Bitching about wrestling aside, that means ten extra minutes. 2. There are format changes in the wild card round. I don't really understand, but I guess it'll be easy to watch.

In case you missed "D'Arby The Gambler": Joseph: Okay, men! We got a fix on where DIO is hiding out! We get to him, kick his ass, and comfort Holly within the week! Now . . . let's drink tea in a dramatic and synchronized manner and shake down people for information! D'Arby: I may be able to help you . . . [record scratch . . . the screen freezes] Narrator: Hello! I am your humble narrator! If you just started watching the series, you should know what the seasoned otaku already know: Our Heroes suffer from a brain ailment found in so many shonen protagonists. They are wary of encountering Stand users. They feel ready to face down those minions of DIO. But when one of those foes just ambles up to them . . . well . . . [action resumes] D'Arby: That's it. You win the bet, I give you gentlemen the information you need. If I win, I get your soul. Polnareff: I feel really good about my chances! [record scratch/freeze] Narrator: Polanreff doesn't have this ailment. He's just that stupid. Lets fast-forward the next two minutes . . . [resumes] Polnareff: MON DIEU!!!!! WHY DID THE CAT GO FOR THE SMALLER PIECE?!? [Osiris kneads Polnareff's soul into a poker chip] Joseph: HOLY OH MY GOD SHIT!!!! Jotaro & Avdol: [facepalming] Such a dumbass. Narrator: I know, right?!? D'Arby: Full disclosure? I'm a gambler, I have a Stand, I set up situations, and then I take people's souls when they lose! Joseph: Ahhhhh! But what if I set up the game?!? Avdol: Mr. Joestar, I advise strongly against this course of action! Joseph: Avdol, I know what I'm doing. The way I'll set this game up, I can't help but win. And you do know why? Jotaro: Because you'll cheat your ass off? Joseph: Each of us Joestars have a thing. My grandfather was the noble one. You're the stoic badass. I'm the guy that does whatever it takes to win! Just watch!! Narrator: They never learn, do they? Moving the action forward . . . Joseph:SON OF AN OH MY SHIT !!!! (loses his soul) Avdol: You monster!!! You cheated!!!!! D'Arby: Let me get this right . . . Mr. Joestar rigs a game, he's the good guy. I figure out a way to win, I'm still the bad guy. And you're supposed to be the noble one. Jotaro: Enough bullshit. My turn! Avdol: We've lost two men already! Jotaro: Look, if I lose, you play him. You lose, grab Iggy and use him as a shield. Osiris gets his soul, you get one more shot. Avdol: Didn't we have another member of our party? A mild-mannered redhead that attended your school? Jotaro: Good grief. A Japanese guy can't have red hair. That's impossible, Avdol. Now . . . I'm going to play poker to get our friends’ souls back from this asshole. You know . . . normal stuff.