The Handmaid’s Tale takes us on an exhilarating chase into territory not covered by the original novel. We learn about the escape attempt, Luke’s survival, and the source of last week’s note.
Author Archives: JD DeLuzio
Doctor Who Review: “The Lie of the Land”
“The plot this week feels like they were making it up as they were going along.”
“If they did, they were browsing TV tropes at the time.”
–conversation, my house, last night
12 Monkeys: “Guardians”
Although this season was released in a short period, we continue our episode-by-week reviews with “Guardians.”
Spider-man, Spider-man, one more time in TV-land
With Spidey now in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Spider-man: Homecoming soon to be released, we’re about to see yet another cartoon depicting his early days as a superhero.
The Handmaid’s Tale: “A Woman’s Place”
Once again, The Handmaid’s Tale dedicates an episode to events absent from the novel. It’s good television, but it’s not as strong as the previous installments.
Doctor Who Discussion: “The Pyramid at the End of the World”
The invasion heralded last week begins with weaker writing than we’ve seen this season, but a review will wait until we’ve learned where it’s going to go. In the meantime, here’s the place to discuss “The Pyramid at the End of the World,” the monks, deals with the devil, and a certain curiously understaffed laboratory.
12 Monkeys: “Mother”
In case you missed it, 12 Monkeys returned last weekend, still crazy after all these years.
They released the entire season this time around; my busy schedule means I’ll be watching and reviewing it in weekly installments, sometimes combining episodes of the arc-heavy series.
CW DCU Discussion: Season Finales for Supergirl, The Flash, and Arrow
Supergirl, “Nevertheless, She Persisted:” Through alien invasion, a temporarily mind-controlled super-cousin, an anti-alien weapons, the departure of her gratuitous super-boyfriend, and a teaser for next year’s big bad.
The Flash, “Finish Line:” Much drama ensues, Iris steps up, and Barry uses a technique against Savitar that he literally could have tried several episodes ago. Then we get a depressing teaser for next season, because CW still thinks we want a dark, mopey Flash.
Arrow, “Lian Yu:” Barry comes full circle, and past characters return.
Discussion below.
Handmaid’s Tale Discussion: “Faithful”
“One of my rules was that I would not put any events into the book that had not already happened in what James Joyce called the ‘nightmare of history,’ nor any technology not already available. No imaginary gizmos, no imaginary laws, no imaginary atrocities. God is in the details, they say. So is the Devil.”
–Margaret Atwood
This week’s episode features a blend of events from the novel with original material. Offred re-encounters the former “Ofglen,” recalls her courtship with Luke, and takes desperate measures to become pregnant.
Reviews will return with next week’s episode.
Doctor Who: “Extremis”
“Doctor, here’s a tip: When I’m on a date, when that rare and special thing happens in my real life, do not, do not under any circumstances put the pope in my bedroom!”
The episode begins as Doctor Who meets Umberto Eco/Dan Brown and H.P. Lovecraft/Robert W. Chambers, and for all the talk of mass suicides and death, it’s surprisingly hilarious.
The second half takes a dark turn based on some familiar SF tropes.
We also learn who is in the vault and why the Doctor took his vow.