Abigail Clancy

As noted by the color change, we are entering a blue period. Here is a photo of Abigail Clancy in a bikini to soften the blow.

At Year's End

I usually run through a list of predictions for the preceding year and make a new one for the following year. I will do neither this year, but you may check the link and score me on last year's predictions if you so desire. The year has ended on a profoundly sour note due to health issues, so I am not interested in looking back.

Here is to whatever 2013 brings. Let it be a surprise, pleasant or not.

Top 5 0f 1202 #1--Kaley Cuoco

The Big Bang Beauty remains the top celebrity draw at The Eye for the third year running.

Top 5 of 2012 #2--Karen Gillan

Now that Amy Pond has left the TARDIS, Karen Gillan has slipped in popularity at The Eye, but during the first half of Doctor Who's seventh series, she was a main attraction.

Red Dwarf--"The Beginning"

“The Beginning” ends the rather uneven tenth series of Red Dwarf on a high note. The plot revisit’s the old standard of Rimmer never being able to please his overbearing father no matter what he does with the twist of finally letting him come out on top for once.

A strange cyborg arrives on Red Dwarf seeking revenge on Lister for the death of his brother. The cyborg agrees to a cook off instead of murder with the prize being a map he stole from Simulants. Right on cue, the Simulants attack, forcing the crew to retreat and Rimmer to face past humiliation inflicted on him by his father in orer to save the Dwarfers.

There are many good scenes in “The Beginning:” the cyborg plugging a hull breach with his butt, the Dwarfers arguing over who will have the best death, and Cat playing with string while psychoanalyzing Rimmer among them. The climactic action sequence with all its CGI is incredibly well done. Cat finally has something important to do as he serves as the kick in the pants Rimmer nees to get himself together. The result is a welcome change for Rimmer.

As I sai above, the uneven series ten on a high note. I am uncertain there will be a series eleven, but I would like to see more Red Dwarf, particularly if Rimmer’s newfound confidence remains. We shall see.

Rating: *** (out of 5)

Top 5 of 2012 #3--Sarah Shahi

New episodes of Fairly Legal bring many Sarah Shahi fans to The Eye.

Top 5 of 2012 #4--Hope Solo

America's Sweetheart brought a lot of attention to The Eye during the Summer Olympics.

Red Dwarf--"Dear Dave"

You may recall writin a review for the previous Red Dwarf episode was the last thing I did before being overwhelmed with pain an nausea and headed to the hospital for emergency surgery. That was eight weeks an a day ago. Now, we are back to a rather depressing installment of the show. Yeesh. Like I need that right now.

While Lister is in the midst of a deep depression over the loss of the human race, he receives a letter from his girlfriend three million years too late claiming he may be the father of her child. Lister’s memories of the girl and the possibility he may have had a child grow up with him are hanle in a highly bittersweet manner for Red Dwarf Meanwhile, Rimmer receives word he is to be demoted for missing three million years of work and schemes for a medical excuse, which he gets when he sees Lister apparently making love to a vending machine. I kideth thee not.

The laughs are few nd far between with “Dear Dave.” The episode suffers from a recurring problem this series--joke sequences stretch on too long. In this case, it is a game a charades acted out by Cat. Danny John-Jules hams it up the best he can, but its stretching. He has been terribly underutilized this series. Really, has Cat told any jokes that could not have been said by another character? For the most patt, he shows up, tells a joke, and leaves. Very disappointing.

Disappointin is a good word to describe “dear Dave” in general. There are some funny bits, but not enough to overcome the unexpected melancholy. There are two few episodes in a six episode series to hide such a dud.

Rating: ** (out of 5)

Top 5 of 2012 #5--Olivia Wilde

House reruns and a budding movie career brought in a steady stream of Olivia Wilde fans throughout the year. She is not my cup of tea, but whatever floats your boat is all right with me.

Doctor Who--"The Snowmen"

We are a day late, but not a poun short with the review for this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special, “The Snowmen.” I actually watch the episode last night, but lacked the juice to writer a review. Good thing, too. It afforded me a second viewing today and a slight change of opinion.

“The Snowmen” feels much like a reboot. Not only is there a new TARDIS design and companion, but the doctor himself has changed. He is livin in 1892 London mostly alone. He treats his sontarian and silerian allies more as servants than friends. Some time has passed since he lost Amy, rory, and, if the series six DVD extras are canon, River. He spends much of the episode avoiding Clara Oswin Oswald, who he does not recognize by appearance from the first time they met, but thery grow closer together until she is mortally wounded by The Snowmen.

What I have just summarized is the heart of “The Snowmen.” The villain, Dr. Simeon and his great Intelligence and telepathic Snowmen are standard fare for this show. Some of the CGI work is impressive, but the villains are ultimately forgettable. The problem, methinks, is steven Moffat wanted a Lovecraft homage, but could not quite pull it off. As a Lovecraft, I may be hypercritical here. Your mileage may vary.

While I may be down on the action, I am not down on ’The Snowmen” as a whole. While the pacing drags at times, I liked the building relationship between clara and the Doctor, particularly his joy at the en when he realizes she could not possibility have died twice and goes searching or her. It has often bugged me how quickly the Doctor will hook up with certain companions while leaving scores of other people behind. Clara is something refreshingly different.

The new TARDIS interior is smooth. I am not big on the technical aspects of these things. You may be more excited over it.

“The Snowmen” is good, but not great. The BBC does period pieces beautifully. And Victorian London is wonderfully recreated. Clara and and the doctor steal the show. Jenna-Louise Coleman is going to make a great companion. The self-titled villains are the weakest link, but they are not detrimental enough to drag down the while episode.

Rating: *** (out of 5)