Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 335

September 12, 2016: Tokyo Day #1!

September 11th back west but the 12th here.  This blog entry comes to you from the future!

So, the fallout from Friday night’s Dark Matter double-header continues to resonate.  I’ll hold off talking about it until our international fans have had a chance to catch up but, suffice it to say, if you found the ending of episode 212 shocking, you’ll be downright devastated by our season finale.

Meanwhile, I’m in Japan.  After a typical sleepless pre-flight night and a relatively sleepless eight hour flight, I arrived in Tokyo at 4:00 p.m. local time, about midnight my time.  Once Akemi and I had caught caught the shuttle bus from Narita, checked into our hotel, enjoyed a late night of yakitori –

Thigh, breast, meatball and, of course, chicken butt!

I forced myself to stay up until 9:30 p.m. (5:30 a.m. Vancouver time).  By 10 p.m. I was OUT.  Then, following a deep sleep, I roused awake in a panic, assuming I had slept in and wasted much of the afternoon.  I scrambled to check the time on my iPhone.  What was it?  8 a.m.?  9?!  10?!!!  Try 1:30 a.m.  I’d been asleep for all of three and a half hours.

I slept fitfully until 6 am when I woke up – much to Akemi’s relief as she had been up since 4 a.m. – then we got dressed and headed over to the Tsukiji Fish Market for our traditional Japanese breakfast –

Nikki-dofu (left) and “guts bowl” (right)

We walked around Ginza.  We walked around Omotesando.  I humored Akemi by agreeing to a vegetarian lunch where I enjoyed was served about a dozen dish small dishes.  The overarching theme of the lunch was bitter-goopy.

My review: Bleeergh!

Then, it was off to La Maison de Chocolat for second-lunch.

Iced chocolate, two chocolate macaroons, a chocolate eclair, a couple of chocolate almonds, and a chocolate square. And an iced tea for Akemi.

Well, my Snow Monkeys are off to a horrendous start in fantasy football league play, putting up an abysmal 64.14 points.  It’s going to be a looong season!

Akemi is thrilled to be here.

Ah, Japanese toilets – how I’ve missed you!

Check out the window cleaner waaaay up on top.

A surprisingly uncrowded Ginza dori – at 7 a.m.

Rule #1 of traveling with Akemi: Stop to take a picture with every street corner mascot.

Welcome to Tsukiji

Imagine the size of the plate!

Two types of sea urchin in charcoal bun.

7:00 a.m. lineup for sushi breakfast.

Akemi – super bummed the Sanrio shop was closed.

Who needs menus? Just pick and point.

Okay, okay. Akemi has been talking about this for years. I promise to try it before I head back home.

According to Akemi, it’s a specially designed spoon attuned to the vibrations of your hand that makes the ice cream melt faster. Hmmm.

Despondent robot.

A Jean-Paul Hevin chocolate macaron.

Akemi misses the dogs so badly, she’s taken to bonding with the animatronic ones.

Uh oh. Sad rabbit. The memory card in Akemi’s camera conks out.

Sushi tonight, then we’re off to a chocolate-making class tomorrow before catching the bullet train to Osaka.  Akemi had me call the shop last month to find out if the class was offered in English.  Sadly, the answer was no – but, undeterred, Akemi signed us up anyway.  “It’s only one class,”she said.  Right.  Only one FOUR HOUR class!

Tagged: #Joepan, Japan, Tokyo

September 10, 2016: Tokyo Travel Day! Enjoy the Dogs!

So, what did you all think of last night’s Dark Matter double-header?

Thrilling?

Touching?

Shocking?

All of the above?

Do tell!  Leave your feedback in the comments section.  I’ll peruse your thoughts once I land in Japan!

In the meantime, enjoy some dog pics.  Bubba, Lulu, and special guest star Petunia!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter, Dogs, french bulldog, french bulldogs, pug, pugs

September 9, 2016: Tonight’s Dark Matter Double-Header!

Tonight’s the night for a double dose of Dark Matter!  Things kick off at 7 pm PDT/10 pm EDT with –

“Wish I’d Spaced You When I Had the Chance”

And then, immediately following, at 8 pm PDT/11 pm EDT, it’s –

“Sometimes in Life You Don’t Get to Choose”

It’s going to be crazy!

The Nerd Elements sits down with Dark Matter’s THREE, Anthony Lemke:

Dark Matter

September 8, 2016: Two back to back episodes! Two phenomenal directors!

Tomorrow night, it’s a Dark Matter double-header!

First up, starting at 7 pm PDT/10 pm EDT it’s “Wish I’d Spaced You When I Had the Chance” –

The crew races against time to track down and locate a missing Three and Five before the Galactic Authority gets to them first.

This episode was directed by Mairzee Almas (Lucifer, The Last Ship, iZombie, The 100, Smallville – to name but a few).  It was my first time working with Mairzee.  She was an absolute joy to work with and she delivers an episode chock full of suspense, humor and, most importantly, heart.  Lots and lots of HEART!  I’m confident some of you will shed a few tears during this one.

Immediately following, at 8 pm PDT/11 pm EDT, it’ll be “Sometimes in Life You Don’t Get to Choose”

Four’s loyalty is put to the test when he attempts to reclaim the throne of Ishida.

This episode was directed by Will Waring (Continuum, Stargate: SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis, Stargate: Universe).  This was NOT my first time working with Will. Some of my best memories of my time on Stargate of are the days I spent on set with Will.  And, this time out, it was just old times.  Love this guy – and his episode which promises twists, turns, surprises and an ending I’ve been planning for years!

Thank you to Marizee and Will for delivering two of the most impactful episodes of the season!

For a sneak peek at what these diabolical geniuses have in store for you, click on the link below and check out Akemi’s favorite scene from tomorrow night’s double-header:

The Misadventures of THREE and FIVE

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

September 7, 2016: Well, that was fast!

Honestly, it feels like mere months ago we’d received the call from Prodigy Pictures Jay Firestone informing us that Dark Matter was a go.  And now, suddenly, here we are gearing up for the season 3.  Our game plan is simple: outdo what we did the year before.  I know, I know.  Right now, some of you are thinking: “Unlikely!”  After this Friday’s Dark Matter double-header, eve more of you will think: “Impossible!”.  But here’s something I know that you don’t…

The stories, the character reveals, the narrative ramp-up, and the emblematic Dark Matter twists, turns, shocks, and surprises awaiting you next year.  But FIRST –

We save the galaxy!

Well, that’s the plan anyway.

Speaking of plans, I have two more days on the home front, scrambling to finish up my pass on this script, before Akemi and I are Japan-bound for two glorious weeks of eating.  And whatever else we manage to find time for.  Maybe visiting her family in Osaka.  Then, October 24th, we are back in town and I have roughly a week to ten days to get my shit together before we head to Toronto for the beginning of prep.  Rumour has us starting production in late November – which should allow us to shoot our first three episodes before the holiday break.

I never thought I’d say this but I am actually looking forward to going back to Toronto.

But first things first.  Friday night!  7 pm PDT/10 EDT.  TWO back to back episodes!

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

September 6, 2016: This week’s double episode of Dark Matter!

“Wish I’d Spaced You When I Had the Chance”

The crew races against time to track down and locate a missing Three and Five before the Galactic Authority gets to them first. 

“Sometimes in Life You Don’t Get to Choose”

Four’s loyalty is put to the test when he attempts to reclaim the throne of Ishida. 

They air back to back, this Friday night starting at 7 pm PDT/10 pm EDT on Syfy and Space!

Check out a Sneak Peek at a scene from our Dark Matter double-header

Oh, that ending…

DARK MATTER — “Sometimes In Life You Don’t Get to Choose” Episode 212 — Pictured: Ellen Wong as Misaki Han-Shireikan — (Photo by: Russ Martin/Prodigy Pictures/Syfy)

DARK MATTER — “Sometimes In Life You Don’t Get to Choose” Episode 212 — Pictured: Alex Mallari Jr. as Four — (Photo by: Russ Martin/Prodigy Pictures/Syfy)

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

September 5, 2016: Mission! Daredevil: “Born Again”!

It’s hard to believe we’ll be heading back to Toronto in about a month.  And just when I was settling back into the swing of things here in Vancouver, revisiting my favorite book shops and discovering amazing new restaurants.  At the top of the latter list is Mission on West 4th.  I discovered this place while Anthony Lemke was in town, checking it out on the spur of the moment and being completely wowed by the creativity in the kitchen and the depth of the flavor profiles.  It’s the type of restaurant that would thrive in more culinary-forward cities like New York or Los Angeles but here in Vancouver, where diners are more interested in bang for your buck fill-your-piehole joints, it’s going to be more of a challenge.  Still, Mission is not without its ardent supporters and has been nominated as one of Vancouver’s Best New Restaurants by enRoute Magazine.  And no surprise there. It’s farm-to-table Pacific Northwest cuisine at its finest.

The man behind the restaurant is Chef Curtis Luk, a former Top Chef Canada finalist and – gotta love this! – big SF fan.  Yes, Stargate fans, he’s one of us! And, on our last brunch visit, I enthused about the food and he complimented me on Dark Matter (which he recently binged on Netflix).

Duck confit scrambled eggs, zucchini, black pepper

One of the things that really stands out for me are – believe it or not – the vegetarian dishes.  I know, I know.  It sounds crazy coming from me, but it’s true. I could go to Mission, bypass the many wonderful meat-themed plates on the menu, and still leave delightfully, deliciously satisfied.

If you’re in town, check it out.  Then head on over and help a fellow geek out by Voting Mission Best New Vancouver Restaurant of 2016.

Hey!  Interested in joining our Comic Book Reading Club?  We kicked things off this week with our first pick, Dardevil: “Born Again”.

Swing on by and join the discussion!

Comic Book Reading Club: Daredevil "Born Again" (#226-233) Let’s Discuss! from comicbooks

Tagged: Mission, Mission Kits, Mission restaurant

September 4, 2016: Dark Matter “Take The Shot” Recaps, Reviews, and Reactions!

My conversation with Akemi today:

Me: X has a ten year old son.

Akemi: What?!  Really?  Since when?!

Me: Uh, since about ten years ago.

Dark Matter “Episode 23: Take The Shot” was written by series co-creator Paul Mullie, and directed by Dark Matter editor Paul Day.

So, what’d you all think?

“Dark Matter takes a methodical yet introspective look into the mindset of its primary crew.” by Sashurai at Blade of the Sashurai

“We’ve stressed all season how the creators are crafting exceptional and superb SF every week and this week’s episode is another that ranks among those for us.” by Christopher Hart at The Nerd Recites

“Dark Matter flawlessly merged intensely rich drama with a high-stakes situation to create one of its strongest episodes to date.” by Aimee Hicks at Spoiler TV

“There were some very profound philosophical questions at play here regarding the nature of what makes a person a person. Is The Android actually a distinct, feeling being, or is she merely a very complex facsimile?” by Kathleen Wiedel at TV Fanatic

It’s All In Your Head… by Tom Gardiner at SciFi Singularity

“The Android’s anomalous behavior has always been one of the more intriguing storylines in Dark Matter, and for it to be at the center of this week’s episode without actually being the cause of the conflict was a nice bit of storytelling.” by Michael Ahr at Den of Geek

“Ooooooooo are we at the infamous betrayal yet, Dark Matter? I can smell it coming. I don’t think the Android’s actions in this week’s episode, “Take the Shot,” constitute a betrayal, but I definitely think we’ve been setting up for one for a long time coming.” by Jen Stayrook at The Workprint

“Dark Matter “Take the Shot” again is another standout episode for tying up a loose end that is Android’s flaws. They make her awkward, they make her funny, entertaining, and most of all personable around the rest of the crew.” by Jideobi Odunze at Geeked Out Nation

“Dark Matter this week had a splendid bit of misdirection that kept everyone guessing right till the end.” by Michael Knox-Smith at Mike’s Film Talk

“Take the Shot was the episode I’d been waiting for, in which Android’s touching assumption that the crew of the Raza are her friends, gets challenged.” by Veronica Scott at Happily Ever After

“It was the tale of two Androids on the latest episode of Dark Matter on Syfy last night.” by Rueben at TV Equals

Josh of Geeksiders flies solo on this week’s review:

Meanwhile, SciFi and TV Talk’s Steve Eramo interviews Dark Matter Supervising Producer Ivon Bartok: Catching Up With Dark Matter’s Ivon Bartok

September 3, 2016: Dark Matter Season 2! The Final Stretch!

It’s funny.  About a month ago it was the agony of “Oh, no!  Will we get picked up?!”.  Now, it’s the agony of “Oh, no!  We got picked up!”  Scripts to write.  Stories to break.  Plans to make.  And what seemed so faraway back in May as we were wrapping up production on Dark Matter’s second season now seems alarmingly near as we gear up to begin prep in October for a mid-November start date!  We got some crazy plans for the show’s third season, some truly audacious stories, and progressively bigger twists, turns and surprises in store.  It will all build off the events of our final three episodes this season and, boy oh boy, things get pretty wild in Episodes 211-213 –

“Wish I’d Spaced You When I Had the Chance” (my buddy picture, an unlikely pairing I’ve been wanting to write since last hiatus).

“Sometimes In Life You Don’t Get To Choose” (which provoked the following email response from my writing partner Paul: “Phew, that’s some ending. I feel like maybe you’re working out some issues here. You might want to talk to someone about that.”).

“But First, We Save The Galaxy” (in which many of the elements we story elements we set up in season 2, and “Stuff To Steal, People To Kill” in particular, dovetail in spectacular fashion).

It’s been a whirlwind season and we’re going to finish strong.  First, with a double episode shot (211 and 212) next Friday September 9th and then, on Friday September 16th, it’ll be the finale.  Alas, I’ll be in Japan for the latter but I’m sure I’ll be hearing your screams all the way across the Pacific.

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter

September 2, 2016: Tonight, it’s an all-new episode of Dark Matter! Take The Shot!

Who’s taking the shot?  And who’s doing the shooting?

Find out tonight at 7 pm PDT/10 pm EDT on Syfy and Space Channel!

And, to whet your appetites, check out a little sneak peek preview here:

TWO is in Serious Trouble

I’m flying out of L.A. shortly and should be home in time for dinner and then…Dark Matter!

I hear next week (September 9th) is going to be a double episode and then, the following week (September 16th), it’ll be our BIG season finale.  I will, alas, be in Japan for that one, but I’m recording it so no spoilers, please, until I get back.

You know, I was reluctant to make this trip to L.A. but, now that it’s complete, I have to admit it was great.  I met a number of very interesting people in addition to getting together with friends like Martin Gero, Carl Binder, Bob Picardo, Ellen Wong, Melanie Liburd, and Jason Priestley.  And, for the first time ever, I thought: “Hey, I could actually live here!”.  Of course, I didn’t do any driving, relying on Uber to get me around, and the few times I did walk to meetings I ended up getting lost all three times.  If Uber were to offer a pick-up and carry service where a guy would physically pick you up and carry you to your nearby destination, I’d be totally on board.

It’s going to be a crazy month.  Tomorrow night, our League of Accommodation kicks off the fantasy football season with our league draft.  My Snow Monkeys will attempt to dethrone reigning 2015 champs The Running Dead coached by Ivon Bartok.  Then, I’ve got a week to do a pass on the script before jetting off to Tokyo and Osaka for two full weeks of seeing just how tight I can make my suit.  Then back for another two weeks of packing and prep, a pass on another script and then – back to T.O. with Akemi and the dogs (who will, presumably, be down to their fighting weights by then).

Thanks to everyone who congratulated Team Dark Matter on our third season pick-up!  If you thought season 2 was crazy…

 

Tagged: #DarkMatter, Dark Matter