Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 431
February 11, 2014
February 11, 2014: Perusing my spam folder! Our April Book of the Month Club winner! The Stargate: Atlantis rewatch continues!
Every so often, I check out my spam folder for erroneously misdirected reader comments. Last night, amid the 535 quarantined messages, I came across the following:
“Brazil shemales”
“Star ladyboys”
“Big ass shemales”
“Trilby hat sales”
- I find this offensive, embarrassing and downright disturbing. How dare they presume I’d wear a trilby hat!
Hey, the results are in for April’s Book of the Month Club. And the winner is…
Winner!
We’ll be kicking off our discussion of Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation on Monday, April 7th – which should give you all plenty of time to read it.
In the meantime, our March Book of the Month Club reconvenes on Monday, March 3rd with a discussion of Terms of Enlistment by Mark Kloos.
Ladies and gentlemen, start your reading engines!
Our Stargate: Atlantis rewatch continues with…Underground!
Hmmm. It would appear Akemi is fast losing interest in this show. I keep thinking that if we can just make it to the mid-season two-parter, The Storm/The Eye, we should be okay. Those two episodes, in my estimation the high point of SGA’s first season, should revitalize her interest in the series and keep her focused through to the season one finale. Apparently, Carson Beckett’s charming eyes will only get the series so far.
Alas, Underground didn’t rate that highly for her because she had a hard time following what was going on. But once the episode moved past people the various people-sitting-at-tables-talking scenes (about two-thirds of the way through), her interested picked up. Still…
On the story: “Chotto difficult to understand this episode. A little bit complicated. Seems very odd from the beginning.”
On Teyla: “Too much make-up this episode.”
On Teyla informing the Genii that team Atlantis had awakened the wraith: “She is stupid!”
On McKay: “I like arrogant guy!”
And overall: “Surprisingly not so much episodes of the actual Atlantis. I’m looking for more inside of Atlantis.” Crap! She’s beginning to sound like YOU guys!
Meanwhile, I offered my thoughts on the episode back here: June 10, 2012: Misery! Comic Con! Days of Stargate Past – Atlantis! Poisoning the Well and Underground!
So, what’d you all think on second (or more) viewing?
Tagged: Annihilation, Atlantis, Atlantis rewatch, Book of the Month Club, Jeff Vandermeer, scifi television, SF, SF television, SGA, SGA Rewatch, Stargate, Stargate Atlantis Rewatch, Stargate Rewatch, Stargate: Atlantis, Underground
February 10, 2014
February 10, 2014: Au revoir Montreal!
This morning, it fell on me to dispatch the lobster. Mom was all for simply dropping them in the pot and boiling them alive but I suggested the more humane method: a quick knife thrust through the head. She said okay – and then left me to do deal with it. And when my sister arrived, she was no help either, retreating to the living room while I “handled it”. So I did. And, twenty minutes later, we had lobster and garlic butter for lunch.
And while we’re on the subject of eating, here are some of the culinary highlights of my whirlwind Montreal tour…
Pork ribs and popcorn shrimp – Kitchenette
Cracker Jack sundae – Kitchenette
Various maki – Sushi Shop
Prime rib – The Keg
Lobster – mom’s
And then, at trip’s end, there’s always the emotional goodbye. Not so much with family – after all, they know I’ll be back – but with the dogs who, no doubt, are already missing me terrible…
Ralphie – always stylin’
Fernando – blind, but you wouldn’t know it
Felix – mom’s favorite
Not pictured: Roxy and Caramel who were out in the back yard when I left. Clearly, saying good-bye was just too painful.
Okay! I’m off! See you in Vancouver! Don’t forget to watch Underground tonight as our Stargate: Atlantis rewatch continues!
Oh, and please vote for our April Book of the Month Club!
Take Our Poll
February 9, 2014
February 9, 2014: Cleaning out a garage full of memories! Vote for our April Book of the Month Club pick!
Today, my mother had me clean out some of the old boxes in the garage – boxes packed full of crap from my early days. Well, mostly crap. But a few gems as well…
Don’t suppose mom also has an equally obsolete computer to read these?
A bag o’ dice! And not just your standard issue run-of-the-mill six sided dice either.
Happy memories of my days on the Enterprise.
A suitcase full of my old writing including the Irwin Allen-esque disaster novel, Hurricane, written when I was twelve. Enjoy the excerpt.
Drawing was never my forte – but clearly not for lack of imagination.
My sexy grade 7 scrapbook. Loni Anderson, of course.
Sexy grade 7 scrapbook, next page. I clearly had a thing for lustrous hair. And…is that Charo?
Elaborate Dungeons & Dragons map. Try finding your way out of this one, adventurers!
My first professional rejection. I didn’t take it too hard. I was only twelve.
Some of my old favorites.
Hey! It’s a copy of the Twin Peaks Gazette!
D&D modules! THESE take me back.
While other second graders were drawing animals and space ships, I was drawing cigars, pipes, and ashtrays. WTF?
Now this is a little more impressive. It’s a spaceship, right? Right?
Ooooh. Lava!
What does the secret SHADOW folder hold? Why, a file codenamed Project Nostradamus. I can’t say more. Very top secret.
Terrible? Come on, he wasn’t that bad!
Signed by the Dark Lord of Sith himself.
Creeped out by clowns? You have good reason!
Proof that time travel is possible? A little something my present self apparently obviously left my past self.
Obviously, I was a big fan of the horror genre.
Not mine, but I include it because it so damn fascinating. The six-banana Friday is a veritable feast!
Homeward bound tomorrow – and we resume our Stargate: Atlantis rewatch with…Underground!
Hey, have you cast your vote yet for our April Book of the Month Club?
February 8, 2014
February 8, 2014: Surprise!!!
My mother is celebrating her 80th birthday this weekend and I’m in Montreal for the special occasion. She had no idea I’d be coming and, to ensure word didn’t get out, I kept my travel plans under my hat, not even breathing a word about it on this blog (I mean, face it. A couple of you – I won’t name names – ARE a little blabby). I flew out yesterday morning, spent last night at my sister’s house, and then today I made my surprise appearance.
In the lead up to my visit, my sister and I discussed the best way to spring my surprise appearance. Mom was scheduled to have dim sum with friends and co-workers (Yes! She still goes into the office!) and I figured I would just get there early and be seated at the table when she arrived (Surprise!), but transportation issues quashed that idea. So my sister and I brainstormed alternate scenarios. Here were some of our inspired ideas:
1. I hide in the back seat of my sister’s car while my she picks up my mother for lunch. Once mom gets in the car, I spring up from the backseat: “Surprise!”
2. My sister drives us to mom’s place. She heads inside while I sneak around to the back. At some point, after mom let’s the dogs out, my sis notes: “Hey, who’s that walking off with your dog?” Mom hurries outside to check and: “Surprise!”
3. My sister takes my mother shopping. I sneak into the house. When they return, my sister reports hearing strange noises coming from the garage. My opens the garage door to investigate: “Surprise!”
4. My sister takes my mother shopping. I sneak into the house. Later, my mother comes downstairs to finish the laundry. She opens the dryer – where I’ve been lying in wait. I reach out and clap my hand around her ankle: “Surprise!”
5. My sister takes mom out for a late dinner. I sneak into the house. Sis drops mom off and mom retires to her room – but the light doesn’t work (because I’ve unplugged it!). She prepares to lie down for a good night’s sleep – and discovers someone already lying there! ”Surprise!”
6. [Compliments of Kathode] My sister takes mom out shopping. I sneak into the house. When mom comes home and opens the refrigerator to get a snack, I jump out – Surprise!
All terrific ideas but, in the end, we went with none of the above. Instead, my sister picked up a bunch of birthday flowers and drove to mom’s house. While she headed inside, I phoned – presumably from Vancouver – and wished mom a happy birthday. Then, flowers in hand, I rang the bell. My sister peeked out the window and informed my mother it was a special delivery. And when my mother answered the door…
Good, but I think we should have gone with the dryer gag.
After that, it was off to a special 80th birthday lunch with mom, sis, and about twenty co-workers at Le Cristal Chinois. It was just me and the ladies! And lots of great food!
Crispy pork
Chicken and mushroom dumplings.
Shrimp dumplings
Siu mai
Scallop dumplings
Garlic-fried lobster
Peking duck
Barbecued pork
Spicy taro
Egg tarts
Birthday cake
The gang!
February 9, 2014: Surprise!!!
My mother is celebrating her 80th birthday this weekend and I’m in Montreal for the special occasion. She had no idea I’d be coming and, to ensure word didn’t get out, I kept my travel plans under my hat, not even breathing a word about it on this blog (I mean, face it. A couple of you – I won’t name names – ARE a little blabby). I flew out yesterday morning, spent last night at my sister’s house, and then today I made my surprise appearance.
In the lead up to my visit, my sister and I discussed the best way to spring my surprise appearance. Mom was scheduled to have dim sum with friends and co-workers (Yes! She still goes into the office!) and I figured I would just get there early and be seated at the table when she arrived (Surprise!), but transportation issues quashed that idea. So my sister and I brainstormed alternate scenarios. Here were some of our inspired ideas:
1. I hide in the back seat of my sister’s car while my she picks up my mother for lunch. Once mom gets in the car, I spring up from the backseat: “Surprise!”
2. My sister drives us to mom’s place. She heads inside while I sneak around to the back. At some point, after mom let’s the dogs out, my sis notes: “Hey, who’s that walking off with your dog?” Mom hurries outside to check and: “Surprise!”
3. My sister takes my mother shopping. I sneak into the house. When they return, my sister reports hearing strange noises coming from the garage. My opens the garage door to investigate: “Surprise!”
4. My sister takes my mother shopping. I sneak into the house. Later, my mother comes downstairs to finish the laundry. She opens the dryer – where I’ve been lying in wait. I reach out and clap my hand around her ankle: “Surprise!”
5. My sister takes mom out for a late dinner. I sneak into the house. Sis drops mom off and mom retires to her room – but the light doesn’t work (because I’ve unplugged it!). She prepares to lie down for a good night’s sleep – and discovers someone already lying there! ”Surprise!”
6. [Compliments of Kathode] My sister takes mom out shopping. I sneak into the house. When mom comes home and opens the refrigerator to get a snack, I jump out – Surprise!
All terrific ideas but, in the end, we went with none of the above. Instead, my sister picked up a bunch of birthday flowers and drove to mom’s house. While she headed inside, I phoned – presumably from Vancouver – and wished mom a happy birthday. Then, flowers in hand, I rang the bell. My sister peeked out the window and informed my mother it was a special delivery. And when my mother answered the door…
Good, but I think we should have gone with the dryer gag.
After that, it was off to a special 80th birthday lunch with mom, sis, and about twenty co-workers at Le Cristal Chinois. It was just me and the ladies! And lots of great food!
Crispy pork
Chicken and mushroom dumplings.
Shrimp dumplings
Siu mai
Scallop dumplings
Garlic-fried lobster
Peking duck
Barbecued pork
Spicy taro
Egg tarts
Birthday cake
The gang!
February 7, 2014
February 7, 2014: Planning ahead and picking our April Book of the Month Club pick! Our Stargate Atlantis rewatch continues with…Poisoning the Well!
Yes, our Book of the Month Club is back and we’re kicking things off with a March 3rd discussion of Matthew Kloos’s Terms of Enlistment, the book YOU selected in our January poll. Aint democracy grand? With February upon is, it’s time for another round of voting as we choose our April Book of the Month Club pick. Like last month, I made use of SF Signal’s handy monthly rundown of genre book releases complete with covers and links to synopses:
I refined the process, selecting only those books available in paperback so that everyone can participate. As a result, some of my hardcover nominees failed to make the cut (The Martian, The Winter People, Influx, Strange Bodies, and The Waking Engine) but, for those of you nevertheless intrigued, I’ll be reading and reviewing them as part of my new “Monthly Reads and Capsule Reviews” which will also include all of the nominated titles in our monthly poll – so that I can inform you whether you made the right choice or not.
Anyway, here are the nominees for our April Book of the Month Club discussion…
SKYLIGHT (Kevin R. Hopkins) Paperback, 400 pages.
One October night, millions died when the air suddenly became unbreathable. Miraculously left alive, Martin Fall journeys home to Los Angeles and watches as society collapses all around him, leaving him to pick up the pieces. But when he’s recruited for a dangerous mission, he must confront his tragic past to rescue a technology that could save the earth from destroying itself.
[Suitably crypic.]
NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (Davis Grubb) Paperback, 198 pages
Inspired by serial killer Harry Powers, “The Bluebeard of Quiet Dell,” who was hung in 1932 for his murders of two widows and three children. This best-selling novel, first published in 1953 to wide acclaim by author Grubb, (who like Powers lived in Clarksburg, West Virginia), served as the basis for Charles Laughton’s noir classic . Renamed “Harry Powell,” the lead character in this book, with LOVE and HATE tattooed on his fingers, is remembered as one of the creepiest men in book and cinema history.
[This one is, obviously, a re-release of the original book. But I've heard mixed reviews of the new edition so feel free to grab any copy if this one wins out].
ANNIHILATION (Jeff Vandermeer) Paperback, 208 pages.
Area X has been cut off from the rest of the continent for decades. Nature has reclaimed the last vestiges of human civilization. The first expedition returned with reports of a pristine, Edenic landscape; all the members of the second expedition committed suicide; the third expedition died in a hail of gunfire as its members turned on one another; the members of the eleventh expedition returned as shadows of their former selves, and within months of their return, all had died of aggressive cancer.
This is the twelfth expedition.
Their group is made up of four women: an anthropologist; a surveyor; a psychologist, the de facto leader; and our narrator, a biologist. Their mission is to map the terrain and collect specimens; to record all their observations, scientific and otherwise, of their surroundings and of one another; and, above all, to avoid being contaminated by Area X itself.
They arrive expecting the unexpected, and Area X delivers—they discover a massive topographic anomaly and life forms that surpass understanding—but it’s the surprises that came across the border with them, and the secrets the expedition members are keeping from one another, that change everything.
[Jeff is a past Book of the Month Club participant who was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to answer our questions - included here because I enjoy his work:
January 29, 2009: Author Jeff Vandermeer Sweeps In – Like A Mini-Hurricane!]
THE SUN WARRIORS (Robert Mills) Paperback, 288 pages.
This captivating combination of science fiction and political satire draws the reader into an alternative present, where the threat of alien life destroying our beloved planet is all too real. It’s raining salt-water in the Sahara desert. In Thailand it’s snowing. All over the world, strange phenomena are beginning to occur and the young Thai climatologist, Dr. Thongchai Pakpoom, concludes that there is only one possible explanation: intervention by extraterrestrial beings. He is soon to be proved correct. Fugitives from the unstable Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy have decided to settle on Mars. In order to make it suitable for their needs, they decide to fire missiles carrying warheads into the sun, which proves to be effective for them but disastrous for Earth. Meanwhile, Thongchai is one of four humans who are ‘collected’ by alien scientists as part of their research. As the national leaders of Earth are unable to reach an agreement with their new neighbours, it’s up to the captives to persuade their abductors to change their policy before it’s too late.
[Political satire. Hmmm. It's all in the execution.]
HER HUSBAND’S HANDS AND OTHER STORIES (Adam-Troy Castro) Paperback, 336 pages
A utopia where the most privileged get to do whatever they want to do with their lives, indulging their slightest whims via the bodies whose wombs they occupy; a soldier’s wife tries to love a husband who is little more than backup memory; a society in which the citizens all make merry for nine remarkable days, and on the tenth get a taste of hell; the last ragged survivors of an expedition to a savage backwater world hunt down an infamous war criminal; a divorcing couple confront their myriad troubles to gain resolution, reason, respect – but not without sacrifice.
[Another familiar name - Adam is also a past Book of the Month club author who took the time to answer our questions. Also included because I enjoyed his past work:
November 15, 2009: Author Adam-Troy Castro Answers Your Questions!]
THE 400lb. GORILLA (DC Farmer) Paperback, 232 pages.
Matt Danmor thinks he’s lucky. Not many people survive a near death accident with nothing more than a bout of amnesia, a touch of clumsiness and the conviction that the technician who did the MRI had grey skin and hooves. Still, it takes time to recover from trauma like that, especially when the girl who was in the accident with you disappears into thin air. Especially when the shrinks keep telling you she’s just a figment of your imagination. So when the girl turns up months later looking ravishing, and wanting to carry on where they left off, Matt’s troubled life starts looking up. But he hasn’t bargained for the baggage that comes with Silvy, like the fact she isn’t really an English language student, or even a girl. Underneath her traffic stopping exterior is something else altogether, something involving raving fanatics bent on human sacrifice, dimensionally challenged baked bean tins, a vulture with a penchant for profanity, and a security agent for the Dept of Fimmigration (that’s Fae immigration for those of you not in the know) called Kylah with the most amazing gold-flecked eyes.
[Sounds crazy. Crazy-good or just crazy? That's for you to decide!]
Start voting! Polls close on Tuesday!
Continuing our Stargate: Atlantis rewatch with…Poisoning the Well!
I offered some insight into this episode a couple of years ago. In the blog entry, I discuss Steve, pro-wraithers, and perhaps the unwieldiest line in Stargate history:
So, what did Akemi think?
Well, right off the bat with the opening scene: “So many humans on these planets. I don’t believe it.” And: “And everyone speak English! And no Asian!”
On Beckett: “He’s so handsome.”
She was impressed with wraith-Steve’s patience in approaching his offered meal: “He was waiting for feeding time politely even though he is super hungry.”
Still, she couldn’t help but notice a certain wistfulness on the part of Sheppard on Steve’s demise: “Maybe Sheppard a little attached to him.”
But then, when he doubled-over and fell to the ground in obvious pain: “Caca?” Probably.
On the bittersweet ending: “Too bad for Scottish guy. Not happy ending. He has such beautiful eyes, don’t you think?”
Overall, a solid episode: “I liked the idea of the underground city. I found pretty smart.”
Our Stargate: Atlantis rewatch takes the long weekend off and resumes on Monday when we watch…Underground!
Mailbag:
Randomness writes: “Do you think team Atlantis ever returned to the planet to check on how things were going there? It seems like a whole new chapter unfolding on that planet what with the suicide pact not being needed, do you think they will progress a bit as a society now?”
Answer: Actually, we did revisit the planet – albeit off-screen – in a later episode. Remember? The one where Zelenka returns to Atlantis covered in warpaint? Come on you, SGA-xperts. Which episode was it?
gforce writes: “Also why, after getting an arrow in the chest, did Keras then have his arm in a sling in the scene after?”
Answer: “Er, strained tendon?”
cantdecidewhichchocoalte writes: “They didnt skip number 36-40 on the map! http://www.cityfood.com/media/WalkingMap_LetterSize.pdf“
Answer: Yes, it turns out #36-40 are being offered by Chocolaterie de la Nouvelle France.
Mike A. writes: “What do you want, some sort of medal for trying all those hot chocolates?”
Answer: Are you offering? If so, I gratefully accept.
Tagged: Atlantis, Book of the Month Club, science fiction, scifi television, SF, SGA, SGA Rewatch, Stargate Atlantis Rewatch, Stargate Rewatch, Stargate: Atlantis 
February 6, 2014
February 6, 2014: My Weirdest Meal of 2014! Our Stargate Atlantis rewatch continues with…Childhood’s end! And an inside joke revealed!
Yes, I know we’re not even halfway through February, but this meal was so all-fired bizarre that I cannot imagine anything even coming close in the next eleven months. And thus, I declare my dinner at Secret Location = My Weirdest Meal of 2014!
But what, you may ask, made it so weird? Well, allow me to break it down for you. All ten courses:
Fossilized tomato with manchego crumbs
Fossilized? Let me look that up. Oh, thanks dictionary.com:
fos·sil·ize
[fos-uh-lahyz] Show IPA
verb (used with object), fos·sil·ized, fos·sil·iz·ing.
1. Geology . to convert into a fossil; replace organic with mineral substances in the remains of anorganism.
2. to change as if into mere lifeless remains or traces of the past.
3. to make rigidly antiquated: Time has fossilized such methods.
Let’s go with…3?
Texturally odd but nevertheless tasty. I wish we’d been given a spoon we could have used to scoop up the cheese crumbs.
Ostrich floss with mostarda
Well, okay, I’ll take your word for it. For all I knew it could have been bison, chipmunk, or a leather instep, dehydrated and stripped. Again, texturally interesting but there wasn’t much distinctiveness outside of the sweet mostarda.
Ostrich dumplings
I believe the waitress said this was ostrich neck (which, I’m guessing, comprises approximately 60% of an ostrich). It lay nestled within a deep-fried and starchy vegetable (potato?) and crusted with I’m not sure what. This one, less texturally interesting with muted flavors.
Abalone salad and buddha’s hand
Ah, now we’re on to something. Small but tasty, this marked the first (and quite possibly last) time I’ve ever eaten Buddha’s hand, a fragrant fruit that I suspect is about as popular a salad component as it is a Halloween ornament.
Yo! Pass me the cthulu!
White asparagus with egg yolk textures
Those egg yolk textures being creamy fruit roll-up like. Good but the egg yolk elements felt more like a distraction. The white asparagus were very good though.
Brown rice crusted sweet breads with vanilla jus
Hells yes! One of my fellow diners called this Kentucky Fried Sweetbreads with good reason. Probably not the kitchen’s intent, but it was spectacular nevertheless. The accompanying rapini offered a nice bitter element to contrast the (odd) vanilla jus. The plate of the night!
Tea infused squab with tobacco chocolate jus
Qu’est ce que c’est ce “squab”? Well, remember the opening scene in Blade Runner. The one in which Leon is being interviewed? It goes something like this:
Holden: You look down and see a squab, Leon. It’s sitting in front of you.
Leon: Squab? What’s that?
Holden: You know what a pigeon is?
Leon: Of course!
Holden: Same thing.
More or less. So, yes, one of them “eatin’ pigeons”. And, yes, they’re supposed to be served medium-rare.
All in all, a very good dish – but the Kentucky Fried Sweetbreads are a tough act to follow.
Cardamon and tangerine
Palate cleanser. This would have been better served following the final course.
Secret tea party: guava hibiscus tea ganache,
tea meringue, lychee gel, and rose sorbet
Everyone else at the table loved this dish and Akemi declared it her favorite of the night. A very inspired plate that, despite my general disdain for a: light desserts, b: fruit-based desserts, and c: deconstructed desserts, I was able to appreciate nevertheless. My only quibble was the rose sorbet that proved rock-hard and near impossible to cut. One of my fellow diner’s attempt to split his in half resulted in his sorbet firing off his place to land at my feet. Careful. You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!
Eggplant wizard: compressed spiced eggplant, puff pastry flakes,
liquid rice pudding, and croissant ice cream
If I could, I’d like to make another addition to my disdained dessert list: d) vegetables, in any form, incorporated into a dessert. Seriously. I half-expected the kitchen staff to be secretly watching us, giggling amongst themselves: “Look. Look! He’s actually going to eat it! Damn! I knew we should’ve pushed the apricot pit sorbet.” The eggplant was off-puttingly firm, as if it had been served raw and tossed in sweet syrup. The “liquid rice pudding”, by the way, was actually cauliflower. Worse than I expected.
Continuing our Stargate: Atlantis rewatch with…Childhood’s End!
With the exception of those annoyingly precocious kids (with their – ugh – chocolate-smeared faces), I enjoyed this one on rewatch. And Akemi seemed fairly caught up in the story although, in hindsight, I wonder if it was less a case of her enjoying the episode as it was her trying to figure out what the heck was going on.
Surprisingly, she had little to say about Childhood’s End. On the one hand, she didn’t like Aries who struck her as exceptionally angry (and wore a “stupid hat”); on the other hand, she did like the fact the kids enjoyed chocolate (kindred spirits?). And her appreciation for McKay continues to grow: “McKay was funny. I like him more.”
Overall, she thought it okay although: “Hard to understand the concept thought.”
You can refer to my thoughts on this episode – in which I discuss Martin Gero, wall, and Death Bird Fall From Sky – here:
One other thing I noticed after all this time is that the actor who plays Aries, Dominic Zaprogna, was originally cast as Dr. Boone in Stargate: Universe, appearing in a couple of episodes (Light, Life) before landing the role of Dante Falconeri on General Hospital. Boone disappeared and was replaced by the character of Dr. Caine, played by Tygh Runyan. We ended up slipping a little inside joke into the episode Visitation when, after being greeted by Caine’s voice from the mysteriously-reappearing shuttle, our crew have the following exchange:
ELI: OK, trust me: these aliens built a planet from scratch and can just throw a shuttle between galaxies. I’m pretty sure they could impersonate Caine if they wanted to!
VOLKER: Boone used to do a pretty good Caine.
BRODY: I thought it was the other way around.
Now you know!
Tonight, we watch Poisoning the Well and then we take a break until Monday night when we’ll resume our rewatch with…Underground.
Mailbag:
arctic goddess writes: “This was your and Paul’s first script for Atlantis. Can you walk us through the concept for this episode and how you pitched it to the other writers? Or did you chose it from a group of show ideas?”
Answer: Actually, the idea for the episode (Suspicion) came from freelancer Kerry Glover. Her name appears in the opening where she receives a “Story by” credit. Paul and I took over at the outline stage and ended up writing the script for which we received a “Teleplay by” credit.
Randomness writes: “Do you think had the situation been a lot less desperate that the attitude from some of the officers towards the Athosians may of been different? And maybe they would have been less suspicious?”
Answer: I don’t think desperation had much to do with it. Bates and co. were suspicious because the wraith seemed to know where they were whenever the team went off-world, suggesting they’d somehow been tipped off. In this scenario, the logical assumption would be that someone inside Atlantis was feeding them information about Sheppard’s team.
February 5, 2014
February 5, 2014: The Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival tour continues! Rounds #14 and #15! The Ampamakia vs. The Banana Split! Our Stargate Atlantis rewatch continues with…Suspicion!
Never let it be said I don’t make sacrifices for you blog readers. For the past several weeks, I’ve made the ultimate sacrifice – sampling and reporting on the various (60+) flavors being offered as part of this year’s Vancouver Hot Chocolate festival…so that you can sip and experience vicariously through me. You’re welcome! Today, it’s a David and Goliath battle pitting two new flavors from two previously visited location: Thierry, which served up one of my early festival favorites (The Chocolate Trio), and Bel Cafe that definitely did not (Peppermint Patty). So, how did the two new offerings fair in our head to head taste-off?
The Ampamakia: The base of this hot chocolate is Ampamakia 68% chocolate – a premium chocolate from a special plantation of Valrhona and only available at Thierry. Served with a marshmallow dipped in 80% chocolate.
Available at: Thierry Chocolaterie Patisserie Cafe, 1059 Alberni Street
http://www.thierrychocolates.com/
I have marshmallow-averse (Also allergic to feathers apparently) so the chocolate-covered sweet sponges didn’t sway me – although Akemi is a fan and loved them. It was all about the hot chocolate and, once again, Thierry delivers a wonderful cup. Very good – but not as good as their Trio of Chocolate.
Banana Split: Made from 36% Valrhona Caramelia chocolate and topped with walnut marshmallows. Served with banana pound cake.
Available at: Bel Cafe, 801 West Georgia Street @ Howe (at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia)
I loved the Banana Split as passionately as I disliked the Peppermint Patty. The banana bread was good (although I prefer the Bella Gelateria/Erin Ireland version) and the marshmallow was as fine as a marshmallow could be, but the hot chocolate itself was spectacular. Sweet, silky, and substantial.
Verdict: Close, but the underdog pulls the upset here.
Winner: Banana Split (Bel Cafe).
Continuing our Stargate: Atlantis rewatch with…Suspicion!
Almost every series starts off a little rough before, eventually (hopefully), finding its way. Sure, there are strong elements in those first few episodes, moments that keep you coming back with the promise of bigger and better, but it’s usually further down the broadcast line when THE episode airs, the REALLY GOOD ONE if not the GREAT ONE, the one that makes you shout “I love this show!” and start recommending it to friends. And episode #4, Suspicion…
It aint it. But like the preceding episodes, it has its moments. And Akemi liked it well enough, again because of the humor (McKay rubbing his numb foot received special praise) and those establishing shots of Atlantis on the water. In fact, if we followed this episode up with an episode entirely made up of lingering establishers, I suspect it would prove her reigning favorite.
So, what else did our Japanese Stargate newbie think of Suspicion? Well…
On Bates’ attitude throughout the episode but during the Teyla interview in particular: “Why he so rude? So unprofessional!”
On Weir’s civilian outfit during said interview: “Why she not wearing uniform? Casual Friday?”
On angry Halling: “Jinto is crazy because his father is crazy.”
And when the Athosians decide to leave the city: “Hurray!” Evidently, not a fan.
On the black-clad wraith’s first appearance: “Beautiful hair!”
All in all, not a bad episode in her eyes. In her estimation, better than 38 Minutes but not as good as Hide and Seek. Still, after SGU, she’s having a difficult time adjusting to the shift in tone: “Maybe because of old and dynamic of the shooting scenes but feels like watching a kid’s show. Chotto sad. Anyway, good!”
My past write-up on the episode here offers a little insight into the episode, my writing partner’s failed attempt to come up with lyrics for the theme song, and a rare recorded duet of the SG-1 theme song with lyrics: June 9, 2012: Dark Matter! Comic Con! Days of Stargate Past – Stargate: Atlantis! Suspicion and Childhood’s End!
[Kathode informs me that link to us singing the theme to Stargate: SG-1 no longer works. Try this one instead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owgOxV1V6Cc]
Mailbag:
Jenny Horn writes: “Jinto should have been about 8 years old. It would have made his antics more believable, and it would made one line from his father far less creepy. It’s the line about nothing being as big as my love for you. Cute when said to an 8 year old. Kinda creepy when said to a kid who looks about 12. My Nephew is 12, so….yeah….”
Answer: YES! When we watched the episode the other night, I remember thinking: “AWKWARD!”.
Majorsal writes: “joe/Answer: As I said, if I sat her down to watch SG-1′s first season, she’d probably excuse herself and then secretly hop on the first plane back to Japan. That was a rocky first season with some very rough visual effects.
what about just showing her a few episodes from each season?”
Answer: No. Again, it has everything to do with the look of the show – and, the visual effects in particular. I think I need to slowly acclimatize her, like a lobster in a pot. I started with SGU and follow with SGA, then SG-1 seasons 9 and 10 and the movies, then SG-1 season 4-8, and finally SG-1 seasons 1-3.
Deborah Rose writes: “Good scripting. But things like the McKay/Sheppard horse playing and many of the other points could have easily crashed, had the actors not pulled it off.”
Answer: Ah, true enough, but the writer scripts the moment imagining the best-case version of what he has written, having full confidence in the actor’s ability to pull it off. And, in this case, it was confidence well placed.
gforce writes: “Update – Brio (the budgie) seems to be doing much better today. I guess he just didn’t want to eat while I was away?”
Answer: Well, great to hear. Separation anxiety maybe?
DP writes: “http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/fremantlemedia-to-adapt-fantasy-novel-american-gods-as-drama-series/ Ha! I’d heard Gaiman was working on a script for this. Just because he’s never written a pilot script only makes it MORE likely he’d do it.”
Answer: Don’t know if he’s ever written a pilot script, but Gaiman certainly has scriptwriting experience. In addition to episodes of Dr. Who, his screenwriting credits include Stardust, Beowulf, and Neverwhere.
arctic goddess writes: “As a Stargate writer/producer, were you ever surprised at how popular it was with female viewers?”
Answer: When I first joined the production at the start of SG-1′s fourth season, I was surprised. After all, SF is traditionally seen as a young man’s preferred genre. But it quickly became apparent to me that viewers may initially tune in for the bells and whistles – the action, adventure, dazzling visual effects, the star – but they’ll only come back for one thing: the characters. And, at the end of the day, the show’s characters and relationships seemed to resonate more with female viewers…which is not all that surprising.
skua writes: “Have you seen? Shingeki no Kyojin: Ilse no Techou; Attack on Titan: Ilse’s Journal. OVA”
Answer: Not yet. Is it available on Crunchyroll?
Tagged: Atlantis, Chocolate, Hot Chocolate, Hot Chocolate Festival, SGA, Stargate, Stargate Atlantis Rewatch, Stargate Rewatch, Stargate: Atlantis, Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
February 5, 2014: The Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival tour continues! Rounds #14 and #15! The Ampamakia vs. The Banana Split!
Never let it be said I don’t make sacrifices for you blog readers. For the past several weeks, I’ve made the ultimate sacrifice – sampling and reporting on the various (60+) flavors being offered as part of this year’s Vancouver Hot Chocolate festival…so that you can sip and experience vicariously through me. You’re welcome! Today, it’s a David and Goliath battle pitting two new flavors from two previously visited location: Thierry, which served up one of my early festival favorites (The Chocolate Trio), and Bel Cafe that definitely did not (Peppermint Patty). So, how did the two new offerings fair in our head to head taste-off?
The Ampamakia: The base of this hot chocolate is Ampamakia 68% chocolate – a premium chocolate from a special plantation of Valrhona and only available at Thierry. Served with a marshmallow dipped in 80% chocolate.
Available at: Thierry Chocolaterie Patisserie Cafe, 1059 Alberni Street
http://www.thierrychocolates.com/
I have marshmallow-averse (Also allergic to feathers apparently) so the chocolate-covered sweet sponges didn’t sway me – although Akemi is a fan and loved them. It was all about the hot chocolate and, once again, Thierry delivers a wonderful cup. Very good – but not as good as their Trio of Chocolate.
Banana Split: Made from 36% Valrhona Caramelia chocolate and topped with walnut marshmallows. Served with banana pound cake.
Available at: Bel Cafe, 801 West Georgia Street @ Howe (at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia)
I loved the Banana Split as passionately as I disliked the Peppermint Patty. The banana bread was good (although I prefer the Bella Gelateria/Erin Ireland version) and the marshmallow was as fine as a marshmallow could be, but the hot chocolate itself was spectacular. Sweet, silky, and substantial.
Verdict: Close, but the underdog pulls the upset here.
Winner: Banana Split (Bel Cafe).
Continuing our Stargate: Atlantis rewatch with…Suspicion!
Almost every series starts off a little rough before, eventually (hopefully), finding its way. Sure, there are strong elements in those first few episodes, moments that keep you coming back with the promise of bigger and better, but it’s usually further down the broadcast line when THE episode airs, the REALLY GOOD ONE if not the GREAT ONE, the one that makes you shout “I love this show!” and start recommending it to friends. And episode #4, Suspicion…
It aint it. But like the preceding episodes, it has its moments. And Akemi liked it well enough, again because of the humor (McKay rubbing his numb foot received special praise) and those establishing shots of Atlantis on the water. In fact, if we followed this episode up with an episode entirely made up of lingering establishers, I suspect it would prove her reigning favorite.
So, what else did our Japanese Stargate newbie think of Suspicion? Well…
On Bates’ attitude throughout the episode but during the Teyla interview in particular: “Why he so rude? So unprofessional!”
On Weir’s civilian outfit during said interview: “Why she not wearing uniform? Casual Friday?”
On angry Halling: “Jinto is crazy because his father is crazy.”
And when the Athosians decide to leave the city: “Hurray!” Evidently, not a fan.
On the black-clad wraith’s first appearance: “Beautiful hair!”
All in all, not a bad episode in her eyes. In her estimation, better than 38 Minutes but not as good as Hide and Seek. Still, after SGU, she’s having a difficult time adjusting to the shift in tone: “Maybe because of old and dynamic of the shooting scenes but feels like watching a kid’s show. Chotto sad. Anyway, good!”
My past write-up on the episode here offers a little insight into the episode, my writing partner’s failed attempt to come up with lyrics for the theme song, and a rare recorded duet of the SG-1 theme song with lyrics: June 9, 2012: Dark Matter! Comic Con! Days of Stargate Past – Stargate: Atlantis! Suspicion and Childhood’s End!
[Kathode informs me that link to us singing the theme to Stargate: SG-1 no longer works. Try this one instead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owgOxV1V6Cc]
Mailbag:
Jenny Horn writes: “Jinto should have been about 8 years old. It would have made his antics more believable, and it would made one line from his father far less creepy. It’s the line about nothing being as big as my love for you. Cute when said to an 8 year old. Kinda creepy when said to a kid who looks about 12. My Nephew is 12, so….yeah….”
Answer: YES! When we watched the episode the other night, I remember thinking: “AWKWARD!”.
Majorsal writes: “joe/Answer: As I said, if I sat her down to watch SG-1′s first season, she’d probably excuse herself and then secretly hop on the first plane back to Japan. That was a rocky first season with some very rough visual effects.
what about just showing her a few episodes from each season?”
Answer: No. Again, it has everything to do with the look of the show – and, the visual effects in particular. I think I need to slowly acclimatize her, like a lobster in a pot. I started with SGU and follow with SGA, then SG-1 seasons 9 and 10 and the movies, then SG-1 season 4-8, and finally SG-1 seasons 1-3.
Deborah Rose writes: “Good scripting. But things like the McKay/Sheppard horse playing and many of the other points could have easily crashed, had the actors not pulled it off.”
Answer: Ah, true enough, but the writer scripts the moment imagining the best-case version of what he has written, having full confidence in the actor’s ability to pull it off. And, in this case, it was confidence well placed.
gforce writes: “Update – Brio (the budgie) seems to be doing much better today. I guess he just didn’t want to eat while I was away?”
Answer: Well, great to hear. Separation anxiety maybe?
DP writes: “http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/fremantlemedia-to-adapt-fantasy-novel-american-gods-as-drama-series/ Ha! I’d heard Gaiman was working on a script for this. Just because he’s never written a pilot script only makes it MORE likely he’d do it.”
Answer: Don’t know if he’s ever written a pilot script, but Gaiman certainly has scriptwriting experience. In addition to episodes of Dr. Who, his screenwriting credits include Stardust, Beowulf, and Neverwhere.
arctic goddess writes: “As a Stargate writer/producer, were you ever surprised at how popular it was with female viewers?”
Answer: When I first joined the production at the start of SG-1′s fourth season, I was surprised. After all, SF is traditionally seen as a young man’s preferred genre. But it quickly became apparent to me that viewers may initially tune in for the bells and whistles – the action, adventure, dazzling visual effects, the star – but they’ll only come back for one thing: the characters. And, at the end of the day, the show’s characters and relationships seemed to resonate more with female viewers…which is not all that surprising.
skua writes: “Have you seen? Shingeki no Kyojin: Ilse no Techou; Attack on Titan: Ilse’s Journal. OVA”
Answer: Not yet. Is it available on Crunchyroll?
Tagged: Atlantis, Chocolate, Hot Chocolate, Hot Chocolate Festival, SGA, Stargate, Stargate Atlantis Rewatch, Stargate Rewatch, Stargate: Atlantis, Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival
February 4, 2014
February 4, 2014: Does McDonalds really want you to know what’s in their McNuggets? Really? Dog matters! The Stargate Atlantis rewatch continues with 38 Minutes!
So one of the ads that did air here during the Superbowl was a commercial for McDonalds Canada that seemed to invite questions about the ingredients in their McNuggets:
For some reason, they chose “pink goop” as an ingredient to publicly refute. Which is fine except the question would really be more applicable to their “beef” products. I didn’t see the answer to that one.
But the commercial did provoke some thought. What DOES go into a chicken McNugget? I wanted to know. So I hopped online to find out:
So What Really Is In A McDonald’s Chicken McNugget? – Rense
“But perhaps the most alarming ingredient in a Chicken McNugget is tertiary butylhydroquinone, or TBHQ, an antioxidant derived from petroleum that is either sprayed directly on the nugget or the inside of the box it comes in to “help preserve freshness.” According to A Consumer’s Dictionary of Food Additives, TBHQ is a form of butane (i.e. lighter fluid) the FDA allows processors to use sparingly in our food…”
25 Ingredients in McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets | Care2 Healthy …
“Dimethylpolysiloxane– used as an anti-foaming agent, this industrial chemical is typically used in caulking and sealants and comes with a list of safety concerns. It’s best reserved for industrial sealants than for food.”
Er, okay McDonalds Canada. Thanks for prompting me to do my own research – and convincing me NOT to eat at McDonalds.
Hey, the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce has invited Michael Vick as a guest speaker for some event called the “Evening of Champions”. Kind of odd given that Michael Vick hasn’t won any championships over the course of his football career. Most recently, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles who backed their way into a division title – on the strength of back-up quarterback Nick Foles’ performance.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/03/michael-vick-evening-of-champions_n_4717230.html
Anyway, I can’t wait to see who they’ve lined up as their next speaker. Might I suggest a reformed serial killer or that Kony guy.
So far, the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Facebook page has racked up over 1050 comments. And they aint exactly positive: RaleighChamber
Meanwhile, file this one under “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Dog surrendered to high kill animal control because owners are going on vacationexaminer.comUpdate via Pets Connect Us (Facebook): Oso was reclaimed by his owners. The reasons that pets are surrendered to animal control facilities are many…moving, ba Would love to offer this owner a few words.
Last week, I posted a story about Pennie Jekot, the director of The Humane Alliance of Rutherford County, who, it’s been alleged, swiped some poor, elderly couple’s chihuahua. Perhaps this all some innocent misunderstanding on the part of Ms. Jekot? Well, if so, she’s in no hurry to return the dog. Unfortunately for her, a lot of people are pissed off. And getting organized. If you’d like to help the Bring Buddy Back Home cause, check out their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bringbuddybackhome/
Continuing our Stargate Atlantis rewatch with…Thirty-Eight Minutes!
Ouch. Many of the early episodes actually improve with a nostalgic reviewing. This one…not so much. Nevertheless, I kept my mouth shut during the screening so as not to unfairly sway Akemi. As it turned out, it wouldn’t have mattered if I had. She wasn’t a fan. In fact, she was downright bewildered.
Surprisingly, she didn’t bump on the plastic bug latched to Sheppard’s neck for most of the episodes, but she did have a problem with those two filler scenes. The first, the one in which Halling and the Athosians approach Weir regarding some Athosian pre-death ceremony; the second, Kavanaugh’s extended complaint scene with Weir: “Why? What the purpose? It’s like they just want excuse to show she is good commander.” Hmmm.
She also took exception to Sheppard’s poor marksmanship: “He’s not good at shooting. Jamil [SGU's Ronald Greer] is better.”
Again, the episode highlights for her were humorous, both intentional (“I like the cranky guy. Chotto funny. McKay need sugar.”) and unintentional (“When the bug saw him with bug and left him. Adios.”). In fact, her most impassioned response came in the episode tag when the rest of the team visit Sheppard in the infirmary and Teyla walks in wearing a rainbow top. ”WTF is that?!” And then, noticing Weir’s bizarre all-brown (leather? suede? mohair?) ensemble: “WTF IS THAT?!!”.
Overall: “I preferred last night’s episode.” And leave it at that.
For my part, in reviewing the show, one thing stands out for me above all others: the Athosians. Damn, they’re annoying.
Also, Kavanaugh has a point. I mean, consider this: He and a bunch of scientists are in the midst of spinning various scenarios for rescue when he posits the possibility that McKay’s access of the puddle jumper’s systems could initiate an explosion, an explosion that could transfer through the gate. He doesn’t say it’s a certainty, but a possibility. Hell, the scientist he is arguing with doesn’t deny the possibility although he she considers it unlikely. It’s still a possibility. Weir’s response is to dress Kavanaugh down for having the audacity to bring up the potential danger, even going so far as to suggest he did so out of concern for his life over the lives of those trapped in the puddle jumper. Uh, what? If Kavanaugh’s worst case scenario does unfold, he’s going to be one of MANY Atlantis personnel injured or killed by the blast. Also, he wasn’t suggesting they give up on rescue (as Weir intimates), only that they reconsider allowing McKay to poke around at random.
Needless to say, I await tonight’s screening of Suspicion (Paul and my first Atlantis episode – and a heavy Athosian one no less!) like a street fight bracing himself for a baseball bat blow to the head.
Mailbag:
Line Noise writes: “The most memorable scene of Hide and Seek was when Sheppard pushed McKay off the balcony in front of Weir. Weir’s horror and the boyish gleam in Sheppard’s and McKay’s eyes is priceless.”
Answer: Agreed. That was my favorite moment in the episode.
Line Noise also writes: “I think Jinto just needs a mother. What happened to Jinto’s mum?”
Answer: Sadly, she ran off with a traveling hand-held fire-starter salesman.
Line Noise also writes: “What, for that matter, happened to Jinto’s dad’s leg that required him to hop around on crutches? Was that originally in the script or did Christopher Heyerdahl hurt himself and it had to be written into the story?”
Answer: Chris, the actor, suffered an injury prior to filming so Robert Cooper simply wrote it into the script – much like the Daniel appendicitis of SG-1 season 3′s Nemesis.
Deborah Rose writes: “this episode rose above the material. The energy monster was meh, though the way the heroes resolved it was sensible. Loved that Teyla saw what the others took a long time to grasp. Loved the comedy in the episode, especially Sheppard’s evil delight in having shot at McKay. Loved McKay’s growth, in stepping out to be the hero, even knowing the high probability of death. Handled less adroitly, this whole episode would have reeked. But cast and production managed to put together something that was worth watching, and even rewatching.”
Answer: Uh, you appear to be contradicting yourself here. You start off by stating the episode rose above the material (the implication here is “the script) and compliment the cast and production, but everything you lauded (“Loved that Teyla saw what the others took a long time to grasp. Loved the comedy in the episode, especially Sheppard’s evil delight in having shot at McKay. Loved McKay’s growth, in stepping out to be the hero, even knowing the high probability of death.”) was actually scripted.
majorsal writes: “Answer: True. If she enjoys Atlantis and wants to check out SG-1, I’ll probably start with season 9.
you’ve got to be kidding. to me, that’s the *worst* season of the entire sg1 run! come on, joe, let her see the golden and BEST of this series!”
Answer: As I said, if I sat her down to watch SG-1′s first season, she’d probably excuse herself and then secretly hop on the first plane back to Japan. That was a rocky first season with some very rough visual effects.
kabra writes: “We’re commenting on Hide and Seek, correct?? I am a little puzzled by the “force field” that McKay wears. He can pick up,physically wrap his hands around the the coffee mug, but he can not drink from it. How is that?”
Answer: Yes, a very unique force field that doesn’t allow foreign matter to enter the body (i.e. food and drink) with the exception of air. I’ve always wondered about the reverse.
arctic goddess writes: “I also loved McKay’s general hypochondria with fears that he was dying from all sorts of innocuous issues. Who came up with these very interesting personality quirks? Do writers add that to the script, then it is approved or not approved by the producer?”
Answer: On Stargate, the writers WERE the producers, so the steps to approval were very short. McKay’s personality quirks were scripted and developed by Robert Cooper and Brad Wright who based these quirks on certain individuals they worked with in the past.
Randomness writes: “Realistically do you think the Athosians could have settled on Atlantis over the long term? Naturally as the expedition was relatively new to the city, do you think there was some concern that they may press something/do something that may cause trouble(Even accidently), that could have made the team think that perhaps while they get to grips with the city and its functions that the Athosians would be better off elsewhere?”
Answer: Sure, I think that the Athosians could have proven themselves capable enough. But I suspect they would have been no less annoying.
Today’s entry is dedicated to blog regular 2cats. Happy belated birthday!!!
Tagged: Atlantis, Dogs, science fiction, scifi television, SGA, SGA Rewatch, Stargate, Stargate Atlantis Rewatch, Stargate Rewatch, Stargate: Atlantis
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