What with Christmas, The Expanse, and Wonder Woman 1984, we didn’t get to Discovery with spore-drive speed. However, this week’s episode, which brings us the possible origin of the Burn, some strong performances by the leads, and a confrontation with the Chain, ends with a cliffhanger. I’ll review both next week. Meanwhile, here’s a place to discuss “Su’Kal” and, as a bonus….
Author Archives: JD DeLuzio
Movie Review: Wonder Woman 1984
After numerous, pandemic-related delays, Wonder Woman returns.
The Expanse Review: “Mother” and “Gaugamela”
The developments in these episodes pervade all aspects of the show, such that a spoiler-free review that discusses anything becomes more-or-less impossible.
The following review therefore assumes you have either watched the episodes or, alternatively, that you don’t care if you know about major, earth-shattering plot developments.
The Great Conjunction: Happy Solstice!
As most of you likely know already, Jupiter and Saturn will align tonight, providing a spectacle in the sky for those with a view unimpaired by cloudy weather. While these planets appear to pass in close proximity (relative to our view from Earth) every twenty years, it has been four centuries since they appeared this close and eight since they were this close at night.
As a bonus, this conjunction coincides with the winter solstice.
Star Trek Discovery Review: “Terra Firma, Parts One and Two”
A portal on a remote planet will decide the fate of Philippa Georgiou.
Bonuses: the return of a character from an acclaimed TOS episode.
Jet eats black licorice.
Newspace: The Moon
Lunar exploration has been in the news lately, with China’s Chang’e-5 capsule returning with rock samples, and ambitious American plans to send Artemis II around our moon (with the first ever Canadian on the mission) in 2023. If successful, it will represent the first time since the final Apollo mission that humans will fly so far from home. Artemis III is even more ambitious: humanity will return to the lunar surface.
The Expanse Review: “Exodus” and “Churn”
JAMES HOLDEN: There was a button. I pushed it.
FRED JOHNSON: That’s really how you go through life?
The best SF space series currently running returns for season five, and the promise of at least one more season that will follow after a hiatus.
We’re reviewing the first two episodes today. Reviews will follow at intervals, typically of two-three episodes, as they drop. The show’s story-arc based nature problematizes individual episode reviews.
Star Trek Discovery Discussion: “Terra Firma, Part One”
This week delivers a solid dramatic episode, even if the science is pure comic book. Yeoh gets to demonstrate her abilities, David Cronenberg returns, and yes, apparently Remans still exist.
However, as it is Part One of a two-parter, I’m going to post a discussion. We’ll have a full review next week.
The Fantastic Four enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Jon Watts, no stranger to superhero films, will be directing the long-awaited entry of The Fantastic Four into the MCU.
The heroes of the World’s Greatest Comic Magazine have experienced their share of dubious adaptations. Will the MCU magic work again? Will Reed be one of those students funded by Tony Stark a few movies ago?
And who would you cast?
Star Trek Discovery Review: “The Sanctuary”
Fans of pop SF know there is no sanctuary. That reference notwithstanding, Discovery must address the twin threats of a swarm of sea-locusts and an Emerald Chain Big Bad.
Meanwhile, Stamets and Adira bond while uncovering the source of the Burn, Book confronts his brother, Detmer gets to be an action hero, the medical team examine Georgiou, and Linus is a-peeling.1