This episode still makes me cry.
I've just got around to watching the finale, and as a practitioner of the ATRS, it is incumbent upon to register my disappointment in the production team and @RonDMoore for producing this racist shit for television.
There are any number of ways they could have portrayed the African Traditional Religions, however they chose Hollywood's white washed view of MY religious traditions, instead of anything like historical accuracy, or for that matter anything congruent with truth.
There are any number of practitioners that could have advised them, but they chose to prey upon the traditional view of Europeans towards African religions instead of treating it with respect. I am so disappointed in their handling of this portion of the story, it's my lowest rated episode of this show, ever.
And after three seasons, I find myself questioning this show's integrity. Just to be clear: the kind of hodgepodge shit that you portrayed on screen borrowed from several traditions and did not portray any of them fairly or accurately.
#disappointedasfuck in all of them. The ATRs are not some hodgepodge you can borrow from to colour your story without committing to accuracy. How could they get it so wrong in 2017?
Ah, gotta love those Donkey Balls.
While I am not precisely liking the dubious new addition to the ship's complement, because he feels treacherous, he sure does come up with some good ideas.
This episode had some beautiful moments.
While I am still not enjoying Chrisjen's wooden delivery of dialogue, I very much liked that we got to meet at least one of Holden's parents. It would have been a bit more interesting if we had seen the whole unit of them, but who knows why production felt just his body-mother was required. Frances Fisher does a great job, making a meal of a small role, and we get a great look at Holden's backstory. This late in the season though, I suspect we won't get anyone else's backstory until Season 2. I don't know about you, but I am chomping at the bit to find out Naomi's story.
Miller's sad and wistful goodbye to Octavia, as he heads off into the black chasing Julie Mao; the tense but funny process of getting into the lockbox to find the black ops codes to evade the blockade, these both give us more character depth. Miller is turning into a different kind of man, and the Rocinante crew's democratic, yet effective teamwork makes them a lot of fun to watch as they're grinding through trying to get to the bottom of Lionel Polanski, the Scopuli and the Anubis.
I'm also enjoying the little things in the show: The Belter's patois, although largely incomprehensible, is a nice touch that adds a lot of dimension to the Belter's as an insular, underdog group. That they evolved their own language, says much for the alienation they must have to the rest of the solar system. Jared Harris as Dawes, has the most beautiful sing song thing going on, and it makes his character a much more seductive and enchanting force in the story's play...
Regardless of the next few episodes, which i suspect will be relentless, Sy Fy has done a marvellous job of fueling this production. Despite a few obvious TV gaffs here and there, for the most part the show is really well put together, and the concepts, sets, action sequences and character development almost make you pause, because Sy Fy has gutted us more than once since Battlestar Galactica went off air. I say again, this is the best show I've seen on TV since BSG ended... and that Sy Fy is coming through for us, is something to celebrate.
This show is pure science fiction and it's commitment to creating a believable story, is tremendous.
The pace slows a bit in this episode, but again the highlight here is the characters in play.
Again I am struck by Chrisjen Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo), and not in a good way. Although her accent is beautiful, I don’t believe Aghdashloo’s portrayal at all. She doesn’t seem to penetrate the character’s motivations and what I am perceiving is her delivering her lines, not so much acting. Consequently, her role seems off and aloof rather than a woman of passion that Chrisjen clearly is, at least on paper.
Which is a pity. Her role is such a juicy one for a woman, that it is a shame she feels like bad casting, and the role could have gone to an actress with more chops. I can see Tilda Swinton playing this role with gelid-eyed ferocity.Hers is the only real problematic portrayal, everyone else is doing a great job.
All of that said, this episode continues to build the story relentlessly from the previous episode.
We have an interesting additional ‘backstory’, that of Diogo (Andrew Rotilio), who we saw in earlier episodes in scenes with Miller where he was warned to 'Stay away from the aqua!’, and his uncle Mateo (Alex Karzis). This sequence gives us an emotional and tense story line, giving you some of the grit and determination of the Belters to make a sacrifice for what’s right, even though it’s clear they’re mistreated and taken advantage of. Although it doesn’t appear as though this character is important, the fact that this dramatic little side story appears, leads me to believe that Diogo, who we last see floating on his own, will become an important secondary character later on.
Regardless of the vicious machinations going on way above their heads, the Belters clearly deserve some justice.
We also get further evidence of the growing close knitting of the crew of the Rocinante. The handle Fred Johnson and his demands deftly, and head into God knows what by the end of the episode. Holden continues to display wit, and his team loyalty.
The byplay between Miller (Thomas Jane) and Octavia (Athena Karkanis) is also looking like something we will watch play out later on in the story. The chemistry between them is there, and I like all the scenes between them. Jane plays his character’s bitterness perfectly with her, and she hits her character’s notes perfectly. Tough but vulnerable, willing to stretch, but not quite bend the rules. Her rescuing of Miller in this episode definitely deserves a brownie point or two.
It is clear that this is a series that requires you to pay attention. It’s easy to miss some details on the first watch, so you cannot ignore anything or anyone at this point.
Oh Maeve's so very clever!!! <3 her!!
Oh I am soooooo glad they kicked Acid Betty to the curb! Lawdamercy... couldn't stand her snarky, superior, arrogant self. Yay for Bob The Drag Queen!!
Luke... I am your father!! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Every damn week I feel like screaming at the beginning of the ED. My emotions be high, my feels be feeling...
MAPPA has paid some much loving attention to the back half of this season, it truly elevated the source material and does it justice.
Gosh... this second half captures the soul of Seasons one and two, in the way it evokes all the feelings, and the way it continues to up the ante with every frame.
I freaking love this show!
I screaaaaamed! This episode was SO SO SO FREAKING GOOD! The voice acting was incredible... and I’m warming up to MAPPA’s art. When it’s all done, I’ll need to rewatch for nuance, but I’m warming up to it. But seeing Eren’s growth as a character from the first episode to now, it’s chilling and thrilling to watch. I watched this episode with an aching heart... but damned if it didn’t start pounding when Grisha said only Eren gets what he wants now. SCREAAAAAMMMMED AT THE SCREEN when the credits started rolling!
So many emotions! I cried more than once... I love the character growth on this show, and the writing is getting better and better every season.
I freaking love how the Goblin Knights handled Abel’s crew. They really are a tightly woven deadly team, and Yukimaru wasn’t even there!!!
I adore Yukimaru and his red ears!
I want to cry! My sweet, pure, beautiful Sang Sang! Episode is almost over. I may be warming up to Dylan Wang a bit. He did so well in this episode. The entire episode all I keep thinking is, “I have one sword to protect Sang Sang so she sleeps well at night.”
This was the episode that melted me... I am now officially hooked.
This show is VERY entertaining. I am endlessly fascinated with anime’s ability to make a story out of anything. It makes for a more compelling contrast to typical Western fare, which rules out stories simply because they want to appeal to a mean audience.
Anime for me is like an anathema to this... The strangest and most outlandish stories are made into gripping drama, laughs, tears, emotional growth... and it could be a show about ANYTHING.
At any rate, this has been an entertaining six episodes. The writing is good to keep me very much keen to see what happens next. These little punk boys are one of the best stories I’ve seen this year.
I want to see Takemichi’s rage crumble in the next episode, and still manage to keep his immediate goal from falling apart. I also like how every episode manages to advance to overall plot just a little bit more. I’m also amazed how much damn story they manage to fit into 20 odd minutes.
On with the story!
Mikey (Manjirou) Sano of Tokyo Manji is a lil badass. That is all.
Oh my gosh!
“Have a seat over here.”
“Sure.”
“Close your eyes and count to sixty.”
“Huh? Is this a joke?”
“No it’s not. Close your eyes and don’t open them.”
“But what for?”
“Now! One...”
“Eyes are closed!”
“Twoooo... Threeeee...”
:heart:
This story is simple, but very cute. The art is wonderful... just exquisite in places. The story is simple but somehow satisfying, like comfort food. This episode was the best yet. The story is definitely warming up.
Oooooh! Love me some Levi Ackerman. This show is so badass... I’m rewatching for the second time in a month. I. Love. Me. Some. Levi. Ackerman. What I say? What I SAY?
Such pitched drama! I was almost in tears when Petal got lost!!
Golly... wild how the awful music this season has grown on me. Especially the closing theme.
So "His Dark Materials" is quite amazing.
It's not just the visuals, and aesthetic which are amazing, it's that as a staunch and stolid lover of the books, it is utterly glorious to see the story come to life and so faithfully.
The monstrosity that was the film version of this story, which although beautiful, was horribly truncated while being overpacked and veered so wildly from the source material in some crucial ways, I was glad they never made the remaining parts of the story as it would have been excruciating. Even with Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman, it was just not the story I had hoped to see.
For me, it was that the actress who played Lyra, was far too pretty, far too pretty even in her 'scrappy' running around Jordan College as a hoyden of chaos and ruin.
In all the major ways that the film failed, this single first episode of the HBO series succeeds and with the most thrilling reaction in me as a fan.
I know the story. I've read the trilogy at least once a year since 2004.
But this still makes me want to sink deep into this visual retelling. And oh, oh my, the visuals... Lyra's world is exceptionally realised, and we still are yet to see much beyond Jordan College.
I love the added scene of Lord Asriel delivering baby Lyra and Pantalaimon to the Master of Jordan College, during the Great Flood. This was a beautifully added detail, that in the books was only retold to Lyra in a second-hand fashion by Ma Costa. Here we're given a snippet of this, at the beginning, where we're well into the first story before we get anything real about the amazing Lyra Belacqua aka Lyra Silvertongue.
This episode, whets the appetite of even the most ardent and devoted fan of His Dark Materials (like myself). I and eagerly awaiting the second episode, and thoroughly enjoyed watching it with my thirteen year old son last night.
I must say that James MacAvoy is looking RATHER distinguished! Plus he manages to convey the ferocity and intensity of Lord Asriel in a way I never got from Daniel Craig who was merely cold.
This and Carnival Row, both exceeded my expectations! Do watch!
As a writer who has used my life, named names, and unapologetically written about my experiences with my friends and family, quite frankly, I appreciate and understand why Nova has done what she's done.
But damn... I also know the cost. I know exactly what it cost me to do it. I don't have even a fraction of the closeness with my family that these characters do, so I know this will lead to one of two things:
Catharsis or Cut and Burn.
I see ALL the drama for this season laid out for us.
https://www.thegoddessroom.com/blog/2019/08/10/queen-sugar-4x01-pleasure-is-black/
I've watched the entire series multiple times, regardless of my Trakt count, and this is always one of the most heartbreaking. Everyone's grief is so palpable, and Sybill's character such a softening middle ground... the aftermath so very nearly sundering.
Alas... the sweetest sprite is gone.
One of this show's best episodes in terms of performance.
Ive watched this episode (indeed all the episodes of BSG) and this remains one of the finest hours of this show. I will never, ever not be awed by Galactica dropping out of the atmosphere, or the demise of the Pegasaus.
When I do my Best of BSG, this is always the number one episode... shit, when I do my best of TV, this episode is always right up there.
NOOOOOO! NO Charley! Don't do it! Don't DO IT!!! AGGGGGGHHHH! Girl, you go cry. SEEEEEEE! Ya crying! Look at you! Look at you!!! DON'T DO IT! DON'T DO IT!!! *** phew *** That was too close a call, and I just don't know what you doing girl. I just don't know what you doing...
: sideeye :
NOVA BORDELONE!!! I see you girl! I SEE YA!
P.S. I loved Charley's nails in this episode. LOVED them.
Creepy fucking Whispers. The trap set over the last few episodes finally springs, and oh my goodness, no many how many times I see this episode (it numbers in the low teens now, never mind my Trakt count) it is still such a beautiful executed twisty bit of lush and balletic narrative. Lana just gets better. I can't believe they won't give her more money to make MORE CONTENT DAMNIT.
The gorgeous soundtrack and score, the wonderful build up and gloriousness of the last ten minutes or so. Wolfgang (my darling), and Kala's growing connection, the solidifying of Will and Riley's love that makes both Riley's sad tale, and Will's fucking unwavering determination just a wonderful watch. A tactile kind of visual storytelling and sharp editing makes this episode exceptional.
I love this show. It's right up there with BSG. My undoubted #2.
Sun is an undoubted bad ass... and you can tell she LOVES to cut men's asses.
The urgency continues to build with this episode, and I can feel big bad Whispers just a breath away.
In the build up to the final episode of the season, the story palpably and exquisitely begins to build.
The discovering sweetness of Will and RIley, the growing closeness between Wolfgang and Kala, the amazing editing and stunt coordination of Sun, Will, Nomi and Caupheus... this was a well done bridge episode. You can feel Whispers closing in, and you can feel the cluster... well 'clustering'.
This was one of the better episodes of Season 1.
So catty!!! Rajah throwing the purple wig on the floor was soooo petty. This group of queens are spicy as hell. I agree with another commenter that they are some of the shadiest groups of all eleven seasons. I'm deadheated between Yvie and Silky to win. Yvie because I think she's so beautifully weird, and Silky, because I want to see a big girl win for once.
This season was entertaining, but the infighting was... catty. Just so catty. And transparent in almost every case.