That is the number of reviews I now have credited on TV.Com. Wowsers. Here's to 600 more, yes.

Not much has been going on since my last blog. And this weather is freezing big time. Typical November.

Just found out the third season of Brothers And Sisters isn't being released on DVD over here until January. Blast.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer - 8x30: Retreat Part 5

Interesting conclusion to things. Usual spoilers apply.

- Riley was on Buffy's side all along. Makes sense I guess.

- Twilight and Amy making Warren feel excluded was funny. Am I cruel for thinking that?

- The gang were grabbed by Twilight's folk while the goddesses were destroying everything.

- Buffy's got everyone's power now. Hope it doesn't go to her head.

Review for this episode is here ... http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-review-of-buffy-vampire-slayers-8x30.html . Willow comes out on December 23rd.

Dollhouse - 2x03/2x04: Belle Chose/Belonging

No beating around the bush. These episodes were good. Too bad the show has now been cancelled.

- Echo/Victor both playing Kiki/Terry made the third episode move more effortlessly.

- Paul's uncomfortable around Echo's engagements, especially the romantic ones.

- Priya had one hell of an amazing backstory. Glad Nolan got his.

- Nice to see Topher actually trying to help someone. Too bad it went wrong.

Reviews for both episodes are up here and Blogspot. The Public Eye/The Left Hand air on FOX from December 4th and Sci-Fi UK from January 2010.

Merlin - 2x06/2x07: Beauty And The Beast Part 2/The Witchfinder

The season is bettering at this point.

- Again hats off to Sarah Parish. She made the role of Lady Catrina into something enjoyable to watch.

- Arthur certainly got to make Uther squirm at the end.

- Witchfinder guy was a wonderfully nasty piece of work poor Gaius but very stupid of Merlin messing with magic so publicly as well.

- Surely we're going to get more on Morgana now, yes.

The Sins Of The Father air Saturday, 6.05pm on BBC1.

The Sarah Jane Adventures - 3x05-3x08: The Wedding Of Sarah Jane Smith/The Eternity Trap

The best and weakest stories are here.

- David Tennant and Elisabeth Sladen were just wonderful. I'm so glad that this won't be the last time The Doctor and Sarah Jane see each other. Liked Peter as well.

- The Gate is relevant to the next specials of Doctor Who.

- No Luke for the first time. Still Toby worked and I liked Callum Blue as Lord Marchwood.

- Erasmus Darkening's origins were never properly explained, were they?

Reviews for these episodes are up here and Blogspot. Mona Lisa's Revenge airs Thursday/Friday at 4.35pm on BBC1.

True Blood - 2x01: Nothing But The Blood

Excellent premiere episode. Love, love, love this show.

- Sookie and Bill's sex scenes was one of the weirdest but hottest things on this show. Loved Jessica's general reaction to Sookie as well.

- Tara's friendship with Maryann is trouble. So's her relationship with Eggs.

- Liked that we saw what exactly went on between Sam and Maryann as well.

- Jason's stupid for joining up with the Fellowship and Lafayette's a prisoner of Eric's? Uh-oh.

Review for this episode is here and on Blogspot. Keep This Party Going is coming soon. Season 2 premieres on FXUK in January 2010.

V - 1x01: Pilot

TV3 (Irish station) in a rare doing something right moment are airing this. Good opening episode.

- Elizabeth Mitchell is great as Erica. Like her, Ryan and even Father Jack a lot in this one.

- Didn't see Erica's partner as being one of the Visitors. Should have though.

- Tyler is annoying. No wonder Lisa was easy to manipulate him.

- Chad and Anna, I can see exactly where this is going.

There Is No Normal Anymore airs tonight 10pm on TV3. The series debuts on Sci-Fi UK in 2010.

The Week In Who (Some Spoilers)

- David Tennant, Catherine Tate and Bernard Cribbins are all hosting Never Mind The Buzzcocks in December. The first two are also in the audience for Alan Carr's Chatty Man as well. David also appeared on Graham Norton this week and will be on Paul O'Grady today at 5pm.

- Preview clip from Hamlet ...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6cCaYoDz-Y

- The 2009 Specials will be getting their DVD release on January 11th. A cover will appear soon.

- More Season 5 set reports. It's rumoured a certain monster is returning. And Amy's skirts are getting shorter ... http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/11/another-returning-monster-doctor-who.html

- The title for 4.17 will be six words and scenes four and five from the episode will be aired during Children In Need on November 20th, between 8pm and 8.30pm.

Series Previews

Doctor Who - The Waters Of Mars & Dreamland

Starring: David Tennant, Lindsay Duncan, Peter O'Brien, Gemma Chan/Georgia Moffett, Lisa Bowerman, David Warner.

Start Dates: Sunday, 7pm on BBC1 from November 15th (The Waters Of Mars) and Saturday, 10am on BBC1 (Dreamland) from December 5th.

Synopsises: On a base on Mars in 2059, the Doctor and Adelaide find the latter's base under attack by water creatures known as the Flood. In Roswell, the Doctor and Cassie Rice encounter all kinds of happenings with the famous Dreamland project.

Yay/Nay: For The Waters Of Mars, it's an overwhelming yay. It looks like a suitably dark story, Lindsay Duncan is wonderful casting as Adelaide and it's going to lead into the final two episodes of David Tennant's tenure. Dreamland by comparison seems a little too lightweight and the animation isn't doing it for me. But it could surprise me though.

Trailer (The Waters Of Mars): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQZ97hcTFdo

Trailer (Dreamland): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWL0L8IttFs

Song Of The Blog

Snow Patrol

Not a single but a good version of the song for their greatest hits album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZrZJfcDyXs

Last blog I discussed that I was having computer problems. Well now they got to the point where I've had to shell out for a new computer (an Acer), so apologies in regards to delays in reviews/fanfiction/blogs etc. I will get things back on track as soon as possible.

Still I've managed to borrow my sister's laptop once or twice during emergencies and thank goodness for internet cafes, that's what I have to say. The next few months I do plan to review as much as I can. There's some exciting stuff coming up.

When it comes to Nip/Tuck, however I'm going to put it on hold. Maybe as a summer project or wait for FXUK to air the sixth season (that'll be a long one, then). And Roma Maffia is appearing in an upcoming episode of Dexter. The Angel comics however I'm done with. I just don't care anymore, so I'm sorry for anyone who did enjoy reading those reviews. I will do a review for Angels In America and Hamlet though.

Review wise, there's the one for Dead As A Doornail that I wrote here … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-review-of-dead-as-doornail.html

I'm really getting into these Sookie Stackhouse books. Expect more gay characters in the third season of True Blood. According to Alan Ball, we'll be meeting Russell Edgington and Talbot and Lafayette may be getting a love interest. He also hinted something about Pam as well.

In terms of spoilers, I've been slightly lax. Things pretty much look bad for Dollhouse. What on Earth are FOX thinking wanting to air the remaining nine episodes back to back in December?

Brothers And Sisters wise, I hear Roxy Olin is back as Michelle in the same episode that sees an appearance from Balthazar Getty as well. I'm going to keep an open mind on the Kevin/Scotty parenting plot until I actually see the episodes themselves.

I've watched episodes of Hung, Eastbound And Down, NCIS: Los Angeles and Modern Family, all of which were fun enough. Not addictive but not bad either.

Other than that, not much has been going on with me. I need to get out a little more but right now, I don't really feel like it. Is that bad?

SyFy have ordered 13 episodes for their own version of Being Human. Hope they known what they're doing.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer – 8x29: Retreat Part 4



The weakest issue out of the bunch. Not terrible but hardly memorable either.

- When Twilight doesn't actually feature in the issue, it's silly to have him on the cover. I'm just saying.
- Buffy surely isn't happy with Xander and Dawn as a couple. Andrew even tried to get her to open up about it.
- Summoning three goddesses is going to have big consequences.
- The pro Buffy/Satsu letter in this issue was more interesting than this issue.

Review for this issue is up here …. http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-review-of-buffy-vampire-slayers-8x29.html

Retreat Part 5 comes out November 4th.

Dollhouse – 2x01/2x02: Vows/Instinct



Typical. This show progresses and FOX look set to do away with it.

- Amy Acker stole the premiere for me. Poor Whiskey. Thankfully we will be seeing her once again.
- Mellie's return was a surprise in some ways. I did like her scenes with Adelle though.
- Daniel Perrin is trouble but in a good way. If he wants to take down the Dollhouse, we can't exactly hold that against him, can we?
- Echo's assignments were interesting – undercover bride/overprotective mum. Both had serious ramifications as well as a newfound closeness to Paul.

Reviews for both episodes are up now. Belle Chose is repeated tonight at 11pm on Sci-Fi UK.

Merlin – 2x05: Beauty And The Beast Part 1



Our first two parter. Not too bad.

- Sarah Parish seemed to have fun as the troll Lady Catrina. I liked her manservant as well.
- Uther will remain an idiot but he is not going to be pleased when he discovers what his new wife is.
- Merlin actually had a half decent battle on his hands and he still didn't win. Catrina might want to get rid of him better for her plan to work.
- Very little with Arthur, Morgana or Gwen in this one.

Beauty And The Beast Part 2 airs on Saturday at 6.15pm on BBC1.

The Sarah Jane Adventures – 3x01-3x04: Prisoner Of The Judoon/The Mad Woman In The Attic



Bias aside but these opening episodes were stunning.

- Judoon in force were a lot of fun. Nice to see the reactions of Haresh and Gita as well to them.
- Androvax possessing Sarah Jane made for some interesting moments as well.
- Rani, you should know better than to see your future, though Eve was certainly more original as an alien of the week.
- The caretaker in the latter story was played by Elisabeth Sladen's real life husband, Brian Miller.
- I loved the flashbacks to the Third and Fourth Doctors. Brilliant way to set up a certain story, don't you think?

Review for both episodes are up now. The Wedding Of Sarah Jane Smith airs Thursday/Friday at 4.35pm on BBC1.

Series Preview

V – Season 1



Staring: Elizabeth Mitchell, Joel Gretsch, Morena Baccharin, Scott Wolf. Will also air on Sci-Fi as well.
Start Date: Tuesdays 10pm on ABC from November 4th.
Synopsis: The Visitors have arrived on Earth, eager to spread the word of their existence and help mankind. That and the fact that they're also secretly planning on invasion.
Yay/Nay: Remakes, updates are all popular nowadays. For every Battlestar Galactica, you get a Knight Rider and given that not many new sci-fi shows this season seem that inspire, this one looks great. Actually kind of amazing. I hope it lives up to the hype it's been generating.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnNjRaBj3zs

The Week In Who (Spoilers)



- More Season 5 spoiler photos/videos (currently episodes 8 and 9 are being filmed) can be seen here … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-ships-getting-revamp-doctor-who.html
- Catherine Tate will be doing her own version of A Christmas Carol for Christmas. Nan as Scrooge has to be seen to be believed.
- David Tennant's Hamlet will air on Christmas Day and will be released on DVD in January. He's also doing another audio novel called The Last Voyage.
- Dreamland is set to debut within the next few days. I'll be reviewing in it full.
- The 2009 specials, along with Season 3 of The Sarah Jane Adventures are rumoured for a January 2010 release.
- Project 3 is back on and according to Russell T. Davies, it is not connected to Children In Need. Though it might wreak havoc with continuity.
- Children In Need this year will air the pre-title credits to the first Christmas special on November 20th. The Waters Of Mars airs Sunday, November 15th at 7pm.

- US cinemas are currently showing Amelia, which features Christopher Eccleston.
- Gareth David-Lloyd will be guest starring on The Bill and can currently be seen on James Moran's Girl Number 9 with Tracy Ann Oberman. Check here … http://twitter.com/Girlnumber9
- David Tennant and Elisabeth Sladen recently won Best Doctor/Companion in a poll by Doctor Who Magazine.

Songs Of The Blog

Black Eyed Peas – Meet Me Halfway



One of the slower but better ones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK1CGsUi6w4

And

Calvin Harris - Flashback



Recent one from him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1y_wo_4fuQ

As blogs go, I am trying to do my best to be recent but when your computer decides to go on the fritz, it sure don't help matters.

Nine days without my computer and after three attempts, the guy at my local repair shop finally managed to fix it without seriously denting my bank account. No, seriously, kudos to the guy because I was certainly at my wits end. Now I'm catching up with reviews so if you see an influx of stuff on here and Blogspot, you'll know why.

I've been reading in the papers about the deaths of Kevin McGee and Stephen Gately and like many people, I was surprised upon reading them. Both were very young men (in their early thirties) and it's always a shock. Condolences to their respective families.

No matter how much I try, I can't sit through either The X Factor or Strictly Come Dancing. It's not that either of them are bad or that I have a million other things to do on a Saturday, I just can't be bothered to watch either of them. And with the amount of coverage they get in the papers anyway, do I need to bother?

Race row edit: Anton DeBeke. Anton DeBerke more like. Laila Rouss has handled that far better than I think she had to. My little soapbox on the matter. As for Dannii outing Danyl, I thought everyone knew about him being bisexual. Didn't he hint it at large at the beginning? Still stupid of Dannii though.

Stargate Universe and Life On Mars US – I wanted to like both of them but neither grabbed me. I couldn't sit still during the first one and I kept despairing over the noteworthy changes in the latter. I'll probably do something on Live Journal about the latter show though. There's also Modern Family, Hung and NCIS: Los Angeles to look into as well in the next week or two.

Not that I'm criticising but how did Primeval manage to get a further two seasons when months before, ITV were ready to wipe their hands clean off it? Talk about miracles happening.

Also a week for UK viewers until the second season of Dollhouse pops up on Sci-Fi and unless FOX are generous, don't hold out for a third season. The ratings have not improved.

Book recommendation – seriously read How To Break Bad News by Jarlath Regan. It's absolutely funny (albeit a little politically incorrect). The guy devised greeting cards for every situation imaginable. One little gem includes …

My love for you goes on and on and on and on and on … a bit like one of your stories.

He has a website here … http://www.jigser.com/

Merlin – 2x02-2x04: The Once And Future Queen/The Nightmare Begins/Lancelot And Guinevere

Three episodes that I can get into. Well, two I really got into.

- The jousting one with Arthur felt decidedly filler to me. Not in a good way.
- Merlin came close to outing himself to Morgana. Probably best that he stayed quiet.
- Lancelot backed down when he realised that Arthur had feelings for Gwen. Damn, I wanted him to stay.
- Uther is still the least interesting or developed character on this show and he usually gets the same amount of camera time as Gaius.

Beauty And The Beast airs on Saturday at 6.10pm on BBC1 from October 24th.

True Blood – 1x11/1x12: To Love Is To Bury/You'll Be The Death Of Me

Two excellent final episodes worthy of repeat viewing.

- Sookie and Sam actually made for a fun team, though no romance between them pleased.
- Tara finally has a supernatural story with Maryann. I wonder what she's gonna do with Sam.
- Jessica is a hoot and a half. Bratty, yes but definitely a lot of fun.
- Rene as the killer was fine. I liked that his fate was more grisly compared to what happened to him in the book.
- The Fellowship Of The Sun are obviously going to be a big problem next year. Don't let Lafayette be dead.

Review for both episodes are up now. Season 1 currently airs Wednesdays at 10pm on Channel 4 and is available on DVD from October 26th. Review for Dead To The World can be read here … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-review-of-dead-to-world.html

SIDE BAR/SPOILERS

- I'm planning Season 2 reviews within the next week so I'll be blogging about each episode I see/review.
- Stephen Moyer recently said he'd like to do a gay storyline with Bill and Eric and approved of the triangle with them and Sookie.
- Alan Ball has said that a character we won't miss will be killed in the third season. The character of Alcide is also supposed to be showing up as well.

Series Preview

The Sarah Jane Adventures – Season 3

Starring: Elisabeth Sladen, Thomas Knight, Daniel Anthony, and Anjli Mohindra.
Start Date: Thursdays/Fridays at 4.35pm on BBC1 from October 15th.
Synopsis: In her latest season, alien fighter Sarah Jane finds that her life on Bannerman Road does continue to be adventure. Not only is she encountering the Judoon and a prisoner of theirs but there's also The Doctor and the Trickster on her wedding and the return of the Slitheen with their cousins, the Blathereen to contend with.
Yay/Nay: I know I'm biased but I'm so going with the yay response here. The series has continued to go from strength to strength and this third season sounds excellent. Having The Doctor and the Trickster finally face off is one thing, but there's also going to be some insight into Rani as well and Mona Lisa of things. These are going to be a very fun filled six weeks.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eSacpuw7sk

The Week In Who (Spoilers)

- Above is the logo planned for the show's fifth season. You can watch the trailer and see some Season 5 spoiler photos here … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/search/label/Doctor%20Who
- Reviews for the second season of The Sarah Jane Adventures are here … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Sarah%20Jane%20Adventures
- David Tennant and Simon Pegg are both starring in Hare And Burke, a movie about two serial killers.
- Billie Piper will be appearing in A Passionate Woman for BBC1 about a housewife who embarks on an affair with her Polish neighbour.
- Karen Gillan can be seen in The Well, right here … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdrxf2RQ67E
- Barry Letts also passed away at the age of 84.

Songs Of The Blog

Sugababes – About A Girl

First single with Jade McEwan and its fairly good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEEToN3oi8Q

And

Snow Patrol – Just Say Yes

I guess this means a new album on the way, then. Great song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDpp8sIiAhM

I like to think I'm a fairly open minded person but even the most open minded of people admit to having limits and not out of fear or prejudice but in cases, common sense.

Has anyone ever heard of Freganism? If not, thank your lucky stars because this week I came across the weird concept when watching Baz's Culture Clash and some girl talking about it a few hours prior to it on Irish TV. It's basically living off leftovers, road kill and growing your own food. The latter is fine, the first too in some circumstances but the middle one is downright revolting.

The weird thing in the program was that for most people, this was completely voluntarily. I know the recession has made people most conscious of what they spend but the idea of living like that when it's not a situation you're in (i.e. homelessness) is just ridiculous. I can safely say that is one seriously messed up way of living.

In media news, apparently death won't stop Michael Jackson from invading the charts. His record label will be releasing a new single and album, just in time for the Christmas market. I'm sad to see Michael pass away as much as anyone but isn't this just a bit much?

Also the Sugababes have given Keisha Buchanan the old heave ho and replaced her with Jade McEwan. While I can't exactly see Keisha succeeding where Mutya and Siobhan have essentially failed solo career-wise, I also don't see the Sugababes lasting much longer either. Plus the photos they released look kind of bad really. Hope Jade knows what she's got herself in for.

I have to also give a hearty congratulation to Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr, who had a baby girl named Charlotte Grace. Isn't it nice when famous people actually give their children regular names? Freddie can be seen in the eighth season of 24 and Gellar is also going to be in HBO series, The Wonderful Maladys as well.

ABC also have some promotional fever about them as well. Except for the fact that the trailer for Desperate Housewives flat out sucks. What happened to the usual themed trailers? This year we get a crappy mash up of past trailers, unrelated clips from previous episodes and less than 30 seconds of new stuff. Look here … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-fcj2U1GGQ

Similarly Brothers And Sisters despite the series of intriguing preview shots have yet to give us a decent cast shot for our efforts. However given the spoilers that are flying about, I am really optimistic about the fourth season.

UK fans however can also enjoy the third season again because it's coming out on DVD from October 19th. Attitude magazine gave it a 4/5 rating. True Blood got the 5/5 one.

Emmys come once a year and there were some pretty good winners in my opinion. More importantly, Neil Patrick Harris was a blast as a presenter and if you've missed it, then you have to watch this Dr Horrible video right now … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgJxGKBad3M

Please let that be released on DVD over here. The web series, I mean. I don't want the Emmys on DVD. Also more fighting between Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall on the new Sex And The City movie, which honestly sounds more exciting than the spoilers I've read for it (http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-much-hankering-for-80s-can-you-get.html ). Sort it out, already.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer – The Movie

Guess what I watched at an ungodly hour last Saturday night on Channel 4?

- Can I just say that I actually enjoyed Kristy Swanson a lot as Buffy? She was very good in the role.
- Merrick and Pike were great characters (watcher/love interest); the dreams were fun and the dialogue pretty good in places.
- I got a blast from seeing Hilary Swank, David Arquette and Ben Affleck in this movie.
- Lothos and Amilyn could've been better developed but they made for decent enough adversaries.

Review for this can be read here … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-review-of-buffy-vampire-slayers.html

Merlin – 2x01: The Curse Of Cornelius Sigan

Not quite as magical for an opening episode but definitely worth watching.

- Good performance for Mackenzie Crook as Cedric and then as Sigan. I think this was his best work, especially after his lacklustre performances on Demons and Skins this year.
- The writers will have to work around the Merlin/Arthur dynamic. There are only so many times Merlin can be made an idiot out of.
- Morgana's dreams are thankfully becoming bigger and Merlin is so going to regret that deal with the Dragon.
- Not enough Gwen or Gaius in this one. Uther's still neither here nor there with me. The preview for upcoming episodes looks fantastic though.

The Once And Future Queen airs on Saturday at 6.40pm on BBC1.

True Blood – 1x10: I Don't Wanna Know

Typical near the finale happenings. I probably should be more objective with this series.

- I hated him in Heroes but Zelcko Ivanec was genius casting for the Magister. Back your s*** down indeed.
- Bill turning poor Jessica is going to have some interesting repercussions. I've heard great things about Jessica.
- Amy killing Eddie was so predictable. Will Jason get a clue now?
- Sookie nearly got killed again but her attitude with Sam actually irritated me. Loved seeing more of his backstory.
- Really felt for Tara in this episode but she should've gone to the police in regards to Miss Jeanette and what a way to debut Maryann. Michelle Forbes is quite the cult actor.

Review for this episode is up now. To Love Is To Bury airs tonight 10pm on FXUK. Review for Club Dead can be read here … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-review-of-club-dead.html

Series Preview

Dollhouse – Season 2

Starring: Eliza Dushku, Tahmoh Penikett, Olivia Williams, Harry Lennix, Dichen Lachman, Enver Gjokaj and Fran Kranz
Start Date: Fridays 9pm on FOX from September 25th/Tuesdays 10pm on Sci-Fi UK from October 20th.
Synopsis: As Paul takes over as Echo's handler, the Dollhouse faces exposure from a senator named Daniel Perrin. Claire struggles with learning about her true self and a face from Adelle's past resurfaces as Echo continues to composite.
Yay/Nay: Dollhouse is literally a miracle show. Any other series that debuted with ratings that low would've died easily but this show achieved the impossible and got a second year. If lucky, perhaps a third. On a serious note, this show has gotten better from the underwhelming start it had and the spoilers for the new season (as well as guest appearances from Alexis Denisof, Jamie Bamber, Ray Wise and Keith Carradine) show that the ante is being upped a little.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak2Iu0sqPCY

The Week In Who (Spoilers)

- Richard Curtis's Season 5 episode will begin filming in November. It will be a historical episode as well.
- Georgia Moffett will be popping up in the latter half of Merlin's second season. Her role is unknown at this point.
- SFX Magazine have given away a free CD with various excerpts and interviews from Tom Baker and his audio contributions. The actor has also recently set up his own website here … http://www.tom-baker.co.uk/
- Simon Callow will be doing some voice work for the season finale of The Sarah Jane Adventures. The Blathereen are literally just an orange version of the Slitheen. Preview pictures have been released.

Songs Of The Blog

Muse – Uprising

It's been getting a lot of airplay recently. I like it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOWMu0GqTRQ

And

Basement Jaxx - Raindrops

Great song. One of their best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-INyhSHEeKk

Last blog I said I'd do something on some of the new offerings for the 2009-2010 TV season but the more I looked at trailers, read up about various shows on different websites and the like, the less inspired I've become. To be honest the majority of the shows I'm looking forward are returning series, rather than new ones. However a few I might look into when they receive UK transmission are the following ...

V

Another year, another remake but it's been the only new series that looks genuinely exciting and with any luck, its success and quality will be more Battlestar Galactica rather than Flash Gordon. Aliens coming out of the sky, yay.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnNjRaBj3zs

Glee

By far, the most hyped new show to hit the airwaves. Having seen many of the trailers, I get the fuss. Plus, it does look like good guilty pleasure television and I do like Jane Lynch so count me in.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzWrnsASi3c

Stargate Universe

This one is strange because I'm not actually a Stargate fan. I've tried to get into both SG1 and Atlantis over the years and really took to neither. This however looks a bit grittier than its predecessors and the fact that you've got Robert Carlyle in it is worth looking at alone. Sky One start this on October 6th.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HyD3aKFTkA

Reviews: October – December 2009

By now I've bleated on about how much I love True Blood so I think the next logical thing for me to do is to review Season 2 and I will soon after Season 1 finishes up on FXUK. I'm not waiting until July 2010 to see that one. Nip/Tuck's sixth and final season is also coming up as is Dollhouse's second season, so they're definite, depending on time as well. Doctor Who has three specials (The Waters Of Mars, Nightmare's Reign and The End Of Time) as well as animated series Dreamland, The Sarah Jane Adventures third season and hopefully in between all that both Angels In America and David Tennant's Hamlet when BBC2 air it during the festive period and a DVD review of Season 5 of Lost. As well as the Buffy comics. I'll review the Drusilla arc on Angel but after that, I'm more than likely going to drop them.

Movie Stuff

Above in what the women from Sex And The City looked like in the 1980's. Interesting, huh? The link below is what spoilers/rumours have surfaced about the second movie. I'm not sure about some of those rumours. I'll discuss them more in depth with snarky commentary on my Blogspot during the weekend.

Spoilers: http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-spoiler-alert-sex-and-the-city-2-plotlines-revealed/

Here's also a trailer for New Moon that got released during the VMA's this week. I almost hate to admit it but it actually looks kind of good. Still don't like Edward though … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q58iQSHhZGg

TV Stuff

RTE2 aired the first episode of Edie Falco drama/comedy, Nurse Jackie and I have to say, I'm impressed. On one hand it feels like a female House, only with a sceptical nurse (Jackie Peyton, Falco's character) popping pills because a nurse with a bad back is unemployable but it was certainly an enjoyable thirty minutes and Falco definitely proves there's more to her than Carmela Soprano. Plus I love this quote and I'm paraphrasing here …

Make me good God but not yet!

Other TV highlights included being amazed at the inventive ways that people on Harper's Island are getting bumped off (burned to death, chopped in half, tied to the bottom of a boat, etc) as well as Derren Brown's infamous Lottery stunt. The new series of Katy Brand's show started up as well but I didn't find it quite as funny as last year. Perhaps it'll pick up later on. Trinity starts on ITV2 on Sunday, so I might give that a look at even if the Gossip Girl comparisons do nothing for me.

Also while I'm not a fan of Taylor Swift's music, Kanye West really was a prat for that on stage outburst. Seriously, grow up, pal.

Oh and R.I.P. to Patrick Swayze, who died of pancreatic cancer this week.

Plus TV spoilers back next blog.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer – 8x28: Retreat Part 3

Another thoroughly enjoyable issue, though it raises some questions. Big spoilers.

- Willow's striving for something normal in her life. Does she really want to be a parent? I loved her scenes with Oz.
- Andrew knew there was a mole but it only turned out to be Amy disguised as a cat. Oh well, Twilight's coming.
- Dawn and Xander kissed, much to Buffy's horror. Thank God as a reader I was prepared for this. It's been hinted in several issues beforehand.
- I liked the scene with Buffy and Faith where they discussed giving up their strength. It's just nice to see them so civil with each other.

Review for this issue can be read here … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-review-of-buffy-vampire-slayers-8x28.html Retreat Part 4 is released on October 7th.

True Blood – 1x09: Plaisir D'Amour

Naked men, psycho girlfriends, vampires in cleavage. I love this show.

- Thank you writers for revealing that Sam is a shape shifter. Even without reading the first book, I had guessed already.
- Pam really does shine in this show. I love her scenes here, especially with Sookie. Eric I still don't know.
- Bill was always going to pay for Long Shadow's death. Sookie also had her poor cat killed and yelled at Andy.
- If Amy wasn't such a lunatic, she'd be the best girlfriend for Jason. Man, do I feel sorry for poor Eddie. At least Jason has some compassion towards him.
- Tara's gonna get an exorcism. I still believe she's being scammed by Miss Jeanette.

Review for this episode is up here and on Blogspot. I Don't Wanna Know airs Friday 10pm on FXUK. Review for Living Dead In Dallas can be read here … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-review-of-living-dead-in-dallas.html

Series Preview

Merlin – Season 2

Starring: Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby, Anthony Stewart Head and Richard Wilson
Start Date: Saturdays 6.40pm from September 19th on BBC1.
Synopsis: It's the second season and the suppression of magic is still rife in Camelot. As Merlin has to watch his increasing magic, there's more than one foe waiting in the wings while Arthur continues on his own quest to be king of Camelot.
Yay/Nay: Last year, this series surpassed expectation and to be honest, I will be surprised if this year doesn't fare as well if not better. Returning faces aside (Mordred, Lancelot), this season does seem to be aimed at developing the main characters all the more and there's also a selection of interesting guest stars in the likes of Sarah Parish, Charles Dance, Mackenzie Crook and Adrian Lester to name but a few year. Here's to thirteen weeks of being spellbound all over again.
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4H8LSitfnM

The Week In Who (Spoilers)

- Terrence Hardiman is another cast member you can expect to see in the series fifth season.
- Today's Issue of DWM 413 have Doctors 4, 5, 9 and 10 on the covers. Can you guess which story won best out of the 200 that have aired?
- The Sarah Jane Adventures returns on October 15th, airing Thursdays and Fridays during a six week period. Series Preview coming soon.
- David Tennant will be doing a radio performance of Of Mice And Men.
- John Barrowman's second book, I Am What I Am is out next month as well.

Songs Of The Blog

Florence And The Machine – Drumming Song

One of their stronger songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpLXQorSQe8&feature=channel_page

And

Depeche Mode - Corrupt

Used to promote the recent finale of True Blood. Super appropriate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5hXBbEbvPg&feature=PlayList&p=0811FA616E7F621F&index=30

Can you tell what this blog will be about?

Yes, it's yet another rave about how wonderful True Blood is as a series, because apart from Torchwood's superb Children Of Earth, there really haven't been that many shows given that most of the ones I review ended at the start of the summer and now we're heading into Autumn/Winter TV time.

I'm going to do a blog on some of the shows I'm looking forward to and then cross post and link it here next blog. Most of them will be a mixture of UK and US shows and primarily ones I review but others that I deeply enjoy watching.

As for the vampire stuff, True Blood has become gripping television. Immensely so. This and Being Human may not have original premises but they've certainly given the supernatural/vampire genre a much needed and longed for bite. And I'm so looking forward to the second seasons of both shows.

However I have now started reading the Sookie Stackhouse book series and first book, Dead Until Dark is recommended reading material. Review is a bit down on this blog.

However I'm dreading the upcoming The Vampire Diaries series. Not only does it look like the CW pandering to the Twilight fans but it also looks like it's taking several steps backwards. The premise doesn't inspire much and the trailers have left me rather cold. Still I will at least try to watch a few episodes before completely cutting it off.

Speaking of vampire shows, has anyone ever heard of The Lair? Thanks to After Elton, I decided to do some research on it and it's basically a series about a vampire sex club with a human falling for a vampire. Yeah, cute reporter Thom (David Moretti) and vampire Damien (Peter Stickles) are in some ways like the Sookie/Bill (with the whole vampire owning a human dynamic) of the show but the acting is incredibly dodgy at best, even if the lashings of guy on guy action are appealing to me. No station over here airs it but some of the episodes can be found online and here! (popular LGBT themed station) in the US are currently airing the third season.

I also plan to catch up with the Buffy and Angel comics, hopefully by the next blog as well. You should also read this article here about two certain shows … http://www.afterelton.com/blog/dennis/ten-things-buffy-true-blood

Unrelated to vampires but Harper's Island is recommended viewing as well. I admit that it does start off a bit slow but it's worth sticking with, especially in the second half and it's one of BBC3's better offerings as well. Merlin preview next blog.

Doctor Who Greatest Moments: The Companions/The Enemies

Needed more stuff on all Ten Doctors but still watchable.

- Some of the interviews were blatantly lifted from past Confidentials, especially the ones with Billie Piper and Catherine Tate.
- Shame we didn't get any with John Simm and Julian Bleach to cover The Master and Davros.
- John Barrowman provided the funny with his love for Davros. What, I thought it was sweet?
- Jo Whiley really threw out one hell of a spoiler about a certain someone coming back for The End Of Time. Subtlety clearly isn't her forte.

Review for both of these episodes can be read here ... http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/search/label/Doctor%20Who Dreamland will air pretty soon, with the date to be confirmed. The Waters Of Mars will air in November.

True Blood – 1x07/1x08: Burning House Of Love/The Fourth Man In The Fire

If you're not watching this show right now, can I ask why? Seriously, you're missing out.

- Why is it that when Jason meets an interesting woman she turns out to be a nutter? Amy, I had high hopes for you. Poor Eddie the vampire.
- Longshadow is an idiot. Anyone else would've run out of Fangtasia instead of lunging for Sookie when their game was up.
- I don't buy Lettie Mae's 'exorcism' plot. I'm sorry but I think her and Miss Jeanette are scamming Tara.
- Sam, you moron. If you're going to lie, then don't tell poor Terry one thing and Andy the other. Oh and less honesty post sex with Tara please
- Graveyard sex scene with Sookie/Bill was certainly different. Eric also had a nice penchant for making Bill uncomfortable.

Reviews for both episodes are up on here and Blogspot. Plaisir d'Amour airs on Friday 10pm on FXUK. Review for Dead Until Dark can be read here … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-review-of-dead-until-dark.html

TV SPOILERS

- Summer Glau is the latest sign on for Dollhouse. Her character Bennett will appear in the fifth episode of the second season and will have a past with Echo.
- BBC3 are to give viewers a lesbian themed series called Lip Service. I know what I'll be watching then.
- There might be some life left in The L Word yet. I'm hearing rumours of reality version of the series with Ilene Chaiken spearheading the thing. Emphasis on rumours mind.
- Digital Spy have posted Season 6 cast photos of Desperate Housewives which you can see here ... http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/a176208/in-pictures-housewives-season-six-cast.html
- Great news – V will now air on ABC in November. No word on a UK broadcaster just yet though.
- Channel 4 will air the first season of True Blood in October. The DVD comes out on October 26th.
- Scrap the Kitty pregnant plot in Brothers And Sisters. If the trailers are anything to go by, it looks like she might be ill instead. RTE2 are airing Season 3, Tuesdays 9pm from September 15th.
- Heroes fourth season is now scheduled to air on BBC2/3 from November, according to Digital Spy.
- Both Brandon Routh and Kristen Kreuk have been cast as love interests/other spies for Sarah and Chuck in the third season of Chuck.
- Along with the devil, it looks the Winchesters will also be meeting God in Supernatural as well.
- Gossip Girl will give viewers some guy on guy action for its third season with Ed Westwick's character, Chuck and no, he's not switching teams.
- It seems that RTE2 have snagged the rights to Showtime series, Nurse Jackie, which they plan to air Tuesdays at 9.55pm from September 15th.

The Week In Who (Spoilers)

- Georgia Moffett might be appearing in Casualty this month but you can also check her out in an upcoming episode of Miss Marple as well.
- Both David Tennant and Freema Agyeman have had nominations for Doctor Who and Law And Order: UK and for themselves at this year's National Television Awards.
- Here are some good websites for both Matt Smith (http://whoismattsmith.com/ ) and Karen Gillan (http://www.whoiskarengillan.com/ ). Enjoy!
- Some very interesting Season 5 spoilers can be found at my blog. They're back … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/09/theyre-back-doctor-who-season-5.html And Richard Curtis is now rumoured to be penning an episode.
- Billie Piper fans will now have to wait until 2010 to see the third season of Secret Diary Of A Call Girl on ITV2.
- Code Of The Krillitane, presumably the last Quick Read book to feature Doctor Ten will be released on March 10th 2010.
- Season 3 of The Sarah Jane Adventures also looks set for October.
- You should check out this fan site with film, Fire And Ice here … http://www.doctorwho2009.com/

Songs Of The Blog

Bat For Lashes – Sleep Alone

Bit slower compared to her last two singles but worth listening to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1vtr9fXdg8&feature=PlayList&p=284C11929698E38F&index=79

And

Calvin Harris – Ready For The Weekend

I know this blog is early week but I meant to highlight this song last time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq8ByKxj5nA

Note to self: Need to update more often. A few things.

Inspired Repeat Viewing

Thanks to True Blood's incredibly excellent episode, Cold Ground, I have been inspired to go back and watch both Buffy's The Body and Six Feet Under's All Alone.

Because of my own real life experiences in the last year, I had a harder time than usual watching the episode of True Blood. I found myself relating to Sookie's 'numbness' over the horrific death of her grandmother and equally I found myself disgusted by the locals secretly blaming her for Adelle's death and Jason actually slapping her. If I didn't dislike the character before, this episode certainly made me do so.

It also reminded for the billionth time that a lot of fantasy programmes are often far better at examining the human condition, especially in how the death of a loved one can either bring people closer together or tear them apart, compared to regular dramas or soaps from time to time.

Like Sookie, I was lucky to have amazing friends like Tara and Lafayette but unlike Sookie, I also had my family too. It's been a while since I've watched something that's had a genuine emotional impact on me. If you haven't seen this episode, I'd recommend watching it but it would help if you watch the previous one, Sparks Fly Out as well.

Editorships And Sarah Jane

Continuing in my trend of acquiring editorships from a certain TV franchise, the former editor asecooper has given me Freema Agyeman, which is brilliant but on a crappy note, it also means they have left TV Tome. I've also caught up with reviewing the first season of The Sarah Jane Adventures, which you can read here and on Blogspot in the next day or two. Will make an effort to get Season 2 done before Season 3 starts up soon.

Fanfiction Dos and Don'ts

Not that I can dictate what people either read or write but there are some things about Fanfiction that bother me.

- Fanfiction about real life people. I'm not a prude but isn't that line crossing in a big way? Fanfiction.net thankfully prohibits people from doing that.

- Excess sex/violence. I'm not opposed to either usually but I've read some bad fiction that overtly relies on both of these without any plot to back it up. From the former perspective, I'm pretty sure there's a big difference between erotica and Fanfiction.

- Unrealistic male/female, male/male, female/female pairings. I don't care if you're the next JK Rowling because there's no way in hell you're going to convince me that Xander secretly fancies either Angel or Spike. Even if Joss Whedon wrote it, I'd still have a hard time buying it. Oh and incest fiction, massive yuck!

- Overt domestics. Especially with Doctor Who fiction with our hero settling down/having kids/all that boring mundane stuff. The Doctor should never, ever be that domesticated. Ever. It's enough to make you want to organise a thousand Dalek invasions all at once.

I guess that's my rant over. Hope I haven't offended anyone.

Promotional Photos And Geekery 101

You can tell the 2009-2010 TV season is coming because for the last few days I've been cataloguing a lot of the promotional shots on my Blogspot for shows I watch and review mainly. You can see some HQ ones of certain series here … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/

Still looking at the new season, there's a dearth of decent stuff. V isn't until mid-season but Glee looks somewhat promising. The rest are too meh for my liking. Perhaps I'll change my mind in later weeks.

Oh and you have got to see Felicia's Day hilarious, "Do You Want To Date My Avatar?" right here … http://markgreig.blogspot.com/2009/08/do-you-wanna-date-felicia-days-avatar.html

Doctor Who Greatest Moments: The Doctor

A new Confidential series. Should keep us entertained until The Waters Of Mars.

- Largely, this first instalment focused on the Tenth Doctor. Might have been better if they had talked about all Ten Doctors and previewed/speculated on Eleven.

- Jo Whiley was a decent enough narrator but I miss Anthony Stewart Head.

- Nice guests with David Morrissey, Georgia Moffett and Tracy Ann Oberman to name three.

- Nothing remotely spoilery surrounding the last three specials or Season 5.

Review for this episode can be read here ...http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/08/doctor-who-greatest-moments-doctor.html Doctor Who Greatest Moments: The Companions will air tonight, 8pm on BBC3.

Dollhouse – 1x13: Epitaph One

Memo to FOX – air this episode. No seriously, just do.

- As bleak as everything was in 2019, I would've found it implausible if the Dollhouse actually benefited anyone in the long run.

- Amy Acker was superb in this episode as Whiskey, though her demise was very sad.

- Good guest stars in Felicia Day and Zach Ward and the track 'Remains' was done by writers Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen.

- Is the real Caroline out there? I wouldn't rule out another possibility.

Reviews for the episode are up here and on Blogspot. Season 2 will premiere on FOX, Fridays at 9pm from September 25th and Tuesdays 10pm on Sci-Fi UK from October 20th. Yes, people we're getting it early, isn't that brilliant?

True Blood – 1x05/1x06: Sparks Fly Out/Cold Ground

This show is getting more and more astounding. The latter episode struck a personal chord for me.

- Bill's series of flashbacks were brilliant but I can't believe it took me ages to click that Lorena would be his maker.

- Sam, a character I adore needs to back away from Sookie. Not too sure if him and Tara are a great idea either.

- I really felt for Sookie in the latter episode. Some people are just vile and Jason slapping her was nasty. She was far more gracious than I think a lot of other people would've been in her situation.

- Adelle Stackhouse, you will be missed big time. Lafayette bringing his wrath on those homophobic tools was applause worthy.

- Sookie was quite Wuthering Heights when she went to lose her virginity to Bill, huh?

Review for both episodes are up on here and Blogspot. Burning House Of Love airs on Friday 10pm on FXUK.

TV SPOILERS

- Keith Carradine will not only be gracing his presence on Dexter but he'll also be appearing in Dollhouse with connections to Adelle and Sierra as well. Alexis Denisof's character may also be a good guy too.

- Channel 4 are to end Big Brother after 11 seasons in 2010 and with any luck, no-one else will commission it. Come on, this show has more than had it's day.

- Speaking of Dexter, history has repeated itself. The opening episode of Season 4 has leaked online and let's just say that Maria's new paramour may surprise you.

- Marc Cherry has alluded to Desperate Housewives' mystery this season as a bit of a "Who Shot JR?" scenario.

- Aidan Turner has promised fans that Being Human's second season will have some darker moments. Expect Nina to also play a bigger role in the new season.

- John Hawkes has joined Lost as the mysterious Lennon and Hiroyuki Sanada has also been tapped in for a recurring role in the final season. Ian Somerhalder is also coming back for an episode or two.

- Jayma Mayes will be reprising her role as Charlie in the fourth season of Heroes.

- Kevin and Scotty might not be the only ones parenting in Brothers And Sisters again this season. Kitty and Robert are also rumoured to be having another child, plus Joe Morton and Amy Aquino will be popping up in the new season.

- Nip/Tuck's last season will debut on FXUS from October 14th. A preview will surface on this blog closer to transmission date.

- MTV are doing a US version of Skins, which will be set in Baltimore. Think a racier version of The Hills then. Not looking forward to this one.

- FXUK will air the US version of Life On Mars, Fridays 10pm from October 9th.

The Week In Who (Spoilers)

- Above is a first preview picture of the upcoming Dreamland with David Tennant, Georgia Moffett and Lisa Bowerman. Full details, including a trailer with Russell T. Davies can be read here … http://tennantnews.blogspot.com/2009/08/dreamland-press-release.html

- Lovely interview with David Tennant and Russell T.Davies can also be seen here … http://tennantnews.blogspot.com/2009/08/david-tennant-russell-t-davies-exit.html

- Karen Gillan can soon be seen in BBC Switch series, The Well during the Autumn period. Eve Myles appears in Framed 8.30pm on August 31st on BBC1 and Burn Gorman in Wuthering Heights, 9pm on ITV1 on August 30th.

- Titles for The Sarah Jane Adventures Season 3 stories are, Prisoner Of The Judoon, The Mad Woman In The Attic, The Wedding Of Sarah Jane Smith, The Eternity Trap, Mona Lisa's Revenge and The Gift. Season 1 is also repeated on CBBC on August 31st and there's a Red Button Quiz you can do that day as well.

- Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss version of Sherlock Holmes will air as three 90 minutes episodes on BBC1 in 2010.

- John Barrowman, Gareth David-Lloyd, James Marsters and Paul Cornell are among the guests appearing at SFX Weekender in Pontin's Holiday Park Camber Sands from February 5th and 6th 2010.

Songs Of The Blog

MSTRKRFT Feat John Legend – Heartbreaker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv0Z_Q9CLEM&feature=channel_page

This one has been out for a while but it's only recently that I've caught. Very catchy.

And

Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence

Cos a little 80's music is good for you. And it's been on the ads for Gia on FXUK as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAN9sKlOZxE

It's been nearly three weeks since my last blog but between tv.com see-sawing around with the blogs and my own lack of inspiration, I haven't had much to really say, I guess.

TV wise, we're stuck in that lull of endless repeats and I've noticed that I'm only reviewing two regular shows (soon to be one) while playing catch up and doing comics with others.

You Have Been Watching, Mock The Week and The Kevin Bishop Show have all been decent enough telly I guess but very little else has been on that's really starting out. Still I did laugh during The X-Factor spoof for the last show. Karen Gillan did pull off Cheryl Cole quite well. You can see that one here … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac86lUQmoL4&feature=channel_page

Of course next month will be a different story. There'll be Secret Diary Of A Call Girl, Merlin, The Sarah Jane Adventures to name three must see shows for me, though inevitably there'll be a lot more than that in the next four months, including the last three Doctor Who specials. Legend Of The Seeker is also starting this week so I might give that a go as well, though it does look a bit cheesy. Lead guy is cute though.

Speaking of Merlin, with the second season approaching, I decided to go and do a review for the first season, which can be read here … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/08/merlin-season-1-review.html

Battle Of The Idiots

Apparently Mariah Carey and Enimem are attempting to outdo each other with various songs about their 'alleged' fling. Like anyone really gives a crap.

Mariah's ditty is Obsessed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hpiwPXkbVc), a track that only proves to solidify her ever growing narcissism (yeah, I'm not a Mariah fan, please don't sue me). At least it's not an overwrought ballad but its still crap.

Enimem on the other hand continues to prove his overt misogyny and homophobia with Warning (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaA_wpjtUgE). Geez, Marshall and you wonder why some women find you repulsive. Oh and that's crap too.

I suppose it's moderately more entertaining than Jordon and Pete, but err, not by much though.

Review Recommendations

This is for Buffy's eighth season comics of course. I've probably done this before in some context but again, these are the best ones I can find. If anyone knows of any others, please let me know.

Billie Doux

The woman I've recommended various times but she does do brilliant reviews and she's caught up with the more recent issues.

http://billiedoux.blogspot.com/

Stormwreath

When he doesn't do Fanfiction, he writes excellent reviews. Seriously worth reading.

http://stormwreath.livejournal.com/

Buffyverse Comics

I recently found this one and it's pretty good. It also does the Angel Season Six comics as well.

http://buffyversecomics.blogspot.com/

Buffy The Vampire Slayer – 8x27: Retreat Part 2

The issues get more solid. I think this story arc is going to be a gem.

- Oz has a partner/wife called Bay and a son called Kelden. Willow's 'jealousy' was interesting.

- Nice to see Twilight/Riley/Amy/Warren finally working together.

- Buffy apparently knows Twilight. Who the frak is he then?

- Very little Andrew/Faith, no Kennedy/Satsu and Xander and Dawn seem really close with each other here too.

Review for this issue can be read here ...http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-review-of-buffy-vampire-slayers-8x27.html Retreat Part 3 will be released on September 2nd.

Dollhouse – 1x11/1x12: Briar Rose/Omega

I sort of preferred one over the other to be honest.

- That fight between Paul and Boyd. Loved when Echo helped Boyd

- Claire revealed as Whiskey was brilliant. Her flashbacks with Alpha and Echo were interesting.

- Kind of wished Alpha had more about him than being fixated on Echo.

- Paul joining the Dollhouse can't be good.

Reviews for both these episodes are up here and on Blogspot. Epitaph One is repeated tonight 10pm on Sci-Fi UK.

True Blood – 1x03/1x04: Mine/Escape From Dragon House

I'm not getting addicted, I'm not getting addicted, I'm getting addicted.

- Vampires claming you as their own, Hep D and Fangtasia, the vampire equivalent to a 1950's gay club – interesting.

- Tara shouldn't have lied for Jason but I did like their flashback and Jason's V problem did generate some inappropriate comedy.

- Eric and Pam made their debut but I'm not sure on the former, even if he's clearly intrigued with Sookie's abilities.

- Barking in his sleep, sniffing Dawn's bed sheets. I don't think Sam's a killer but I do think something else of him.

- Congrats to Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer on their engagement.

Review for this episode is up on here and Blogspot. Sparks Fly Out airs on Friday 10pm on FXUK.

TV SPOILERS

- Paris Hilton will be appearing in the fifth season of Supernatural. Why? The woman can't act.

- Shawn Pyfrom has quit Desperate Housewives but Jesse Metcalfe will be reappearing as John. Sad to see Andrew go but hardly unexpected. The first two episodes of Season 6 are called Which Wedding, Which Way and Rock On.

- Expect to see Sookie and Jason's cousin, Hadley, played by Lindsay Haun in True Blood as the second season draws to a close. I have still all of the first season to get through. Also expect some action between her and Evan Rachel Wood's lesbian vampire.

- A new trailer for Heroes fourth season has leaked, it's fairly good (Robert Knepper is also being made a regular). Check here … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwzKGJlJTtM

- Marion Ross will be reprising her role as Ida in the opening episode of Brothers And Sisters fourth season. I'm also hearing rumours that we'll be meeting Holly's mother this season. More Holly, that's what we (don't) need.

- Jamie Bamber, Michael Hogan and Alexis Denisof will all be appearing in Dollhouse's second season. The latter is there for four episodes. Yay!

- Being Human's first season is to air this Thursday at 11.35pm on BBC1. Finally!

The Week In Who (Spoilers)

- John Barrowman recently revealed he may be appearing in Desperate Housewives. Let's emphasise the 'may' part.

- David Tennant's Hamlet will be seen by American viewers in 2010. We should see it on BBC2 before or during the Christmas period, if not earlier.

- Georgia Moffett is one of four new signings for the latest series of Casualty. She'll debut on the show in September.

- Freema Agyeman has been spotted with a film crew in Ghana. It seems she's going to be on the next series of Who Do You Think You Are? That's brilliant news.

- Three new Torchwood books are due for October called Risk Assessment, Consequences and The Undertaker's Gift.

- Expect Seasons 1-4 box set of Doctor Who and Seasons 1-3 box set of Torchwood during October/November time.

- Christopher Eccleston can also be seen in the new GI Joe movie, which was released last week. A sequel for that movie is also planned.

- The Sarah Jane Adventures will no longer air on SyFy (though Season 2 will be released on DVD from November 9th) while the fifth season of Doctor Who will air in the second quarter of 2010 on BBC America.

- Doctor Who Greatest Moments: The Doctor will air on BBC3 on August 20th at 8pm with interviews from various cast members. Expect ones based on companions and enemies to also follow.

- Doctor Who At The BBC: A Legend Reborn, audio CD with various cast members will be released on November 5th.

- Expect an updated version of The Writer's Tale to be in the shops in early 2010. It'll be over 300 pages long and will cover the specials.

- Rumours are still going that the last two specials are called Nightmare's Reign and The End Of Time. The last episode is also going to be 75 minutes long. Now that makes sense. Alexandria Moen is also back as Lucy Saxon. Yay!

- I have a review for Attack Of The Cybermen up on my Blogspot and here.

Songs Of The Blog

Bloc Party – One More Chance

Bit of a summery feel this one. Love it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOm5z2KIDJg

And

Sugababes – Get Sexy

It's not their best, it's not their worst but it is a good track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW3IoKvWQcY

Well, it's the Mecca of the science fiction and fantasy world and it played host to virtually every single type of movie and show worth knowing about in San Diego for the last few days. And if you continue reading this blog, I give a very shallow reason as to why I wish I had been there. One of these days though.

Michael C. Hall talked about Dexter's upcoming fourth season and given the trailer, it looks like we're in some amazing stuff. You can watch it here …. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-rs5hQ6gpM

Alice In Wonderland also looks like something that could be potentially a lot of fun. Johnny Depp looks especially in character if you get my drift.

Some more exclusive clips came from New Moon and I'm still not convinced. I'll watch it but I'm not expecting to be bowled over in it's brilliance.

You should check the website out here …. http://www.comic-con.org/cci/

Top 20 Gay Characters

I got bored and wanted to do a list and I thought rounding up on twenty gay/bisexual/lesbian characters I adored would be a good thing to do. You can read here …

http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/07/top-20-gay-characters-2009-1-to-10.html

And here ….

http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/07/top-20-gay-characters-2009-11-to-20.html

Let me know what you think. Was there some I should've included on the list?

Oh and Buffy/Torchwood fans should read this too ...http://www.afterelton.com/TV/2009/7/buffy-versus-torchwood

True Blood – 1x02: The First Taste

A very exciting, tense second episode. I'm hooked.

- Sookie and Bill's scenes were overly sexual without any actual sex. We learned a lot about both of them.
- There's a dog popping up all the time and Sam has a picture of it as well. That obviously means something.
- Two episodes in and Jason just gets on my nerves. I have nothing against the actor but the character is annoying.
- I loved how Tara reacted to the man trying his case with her. She should take Lafayette's advice and get away from her mother though.

Review for this episode is up on here and Blogspot. Mine airs on Friday 10pm on FXUK.

Dollhouse – 1x10: Haunted

Solve your own murder. Maybe the first (sort of) practical use for the Dollhouse.

- Margaret got one hell of a shock when she realised exactly what her family thought of her. Nicholas being the killer made sense.
- Topher and Sierra's geek bonding was okay but if Topher has to imprint a friend then that is sad.
- Paul really can't hack the pace with Mellie. That relationship is going to implode in a big way.
- Not enough Boyd for my liking and no Claire either.

Review for this episode is up here and on Blogspot. Briar Rose airs Tuesday at 9pm on Sci-Fi.

TV SPOILERS

- Amy Acker will be back for three episodes of Dollhouse's second season. The opening episode will be called Vows while unaired pilot, Echo will feature on the first season DVD.
- A one shot comic for Willow is due in November (so Retreat Part 5 will be December bound).
- Expect a 16 year boffin on Brothers And Sisters this season tutoring Justin and Gilles Marini is playing Sarah's love interest.
- Joely Richardson has been cast as Catherine Parr for the fourth and final season of The Tudors.
- Drea DeMatteo's character on Desperate Housewives has been called Angie Vitale and comes set with a son and husband. Also expect both Julie and John to return and photos have leaked with both Susan and Katherine in the wedding dresses.
- Living TV have scored the rights to air the fifth season of Supernatural.
- Jamie Lyn Sigler has joined the Ugly Betty cast in a recurring role.

The Week In Who (Comic-Con Special, Plus Spoilers)

- You can watch Russell T. Davies, David Tennant and John Barrowman talk here (as well as see that kiss) …http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfq5UAk1Bxc
- A write up of the panel event itself with spoilers … http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a167392/live-doctor-who-panel-at-comic-con.html
- Billie Doux provides some excellent reviews of all five days of Children Of Earth …http://billiedoux.blogspot.com/
- A trailer featuring clips of The Waters Of Mars and the last two specials can be seen here … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wA5J-RkVn0
- David Tennant will be voicing The Day Of The Troll audio novel while Richard Franklin will be reprising his role as Mike Yates with Tom Baker for the upcoming Hornet's Nest series for Big Finish.
- I'm also hearing rumours that Torchwood will get a fourth season.
- John Simm can be seen as Detective Leon Zat in Speaking In Tongues at the Duke Of York's theatre from September 18th.
- Karen Gillan will be on The Kevin Bishop Show on Friday on Channel 4 at 10pm. Mary Tamm will be guest starring in EastEnders in October.
- Burn Gorman's Wuthering Heights is coming soon to ITV1 and he's appearing the Ricky Gervais movie, Cemetery Junction.
- Both Callum Blue and Suranne Jones will be guest starring in The Sarah Jane Adventures third season. Both appear in different stories.
- More Season 5 filming pictures with Matt Smith and Karen Gillan can be viewed here … http://blogtorwho.blogspot.com/

So that trailer. I was having reservations about The Waters Of Mars but now I'm ecstatic for it. The Doctor's impending death has been hinted for a while now and the moment in the trailer where he defiantly told Adelaide that he wasn't going to die because he didn't hear knocking, well it rang a little similar to Donna's 'I don't die' speech to Rose in Turn Left. Adelaide even gave The Doctor an 'I'm sorry' look before the four times a knocking a came. The Doctor looked very, very scared

By the way, the BBC have definitely confirmed the return of John Simm as The Master (both blond and in a hoodie) and there was another trailer at Comic Con that had various images of him, The Doctor, Donna, Wilfred, Sylvia, Joshua Naismith, Ood Sigma and some snake faced creature as well, while this trailer is voiced by Timothy Dalton to boot who also mentioned people on Earth having bad dreams (RTD did mention something about nightmare sequences in the finale). Some people are saying that 4.18 is being called The End Of Time but I'd rather an official announcement before taking the title as serious.

Here's the trailer for the finale (apologies for quality) ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMEY43MlcRs

I know there so many things on TV but these last three specials are like the most exciting of the bunch for me as a viewer. I really can't wait to see how Tenth Doctor is going to exit the series. I expect massive tears.

Song Of The Blog

Britney Spears - Radar



Fine for the summer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-miljmyig0

Not necessarily five things but hopefully still of interest.

1: Because Some People Really Are That Stupid

Every now and then I will have the misfortune of encountering people so mind numbingly stupid, it's a wonder that they are allowed out of their homes without adult supervision.

A friend of mine and I were walking the other day, minding our own business and then, these two total idiots drove past yelling homophobic abuse at us. The guy who wasn't driving hid his stupid face with a hat, probably thinking he was clever but ultimately proving the opposite as dimwits like them usually do.

The worst part is that when I got home, I then received a text from my friend who told me that the idiots hurled a rock at him for no reason, grazing the back of his neck and smashing someone else's window. Add violence to stupidity then.

As my friend pointed out, who the hell carries a rock in their car? More importantly, what on Earth gives anyone the right to not only hurl abuse at complete strangers in the street but also to assault them (and yes, hurling a rock at someone is assault in my book)?

My friend was lucky that it only grazed but if you can't even walk to your own home without having to worry about something like that happening, then what the hell is the world coming to?

I really don't understand some people. If you don't like someone it's very simple – don't interact with them, especially when you don't have to. You do not have the right to antagonise them in the streets for no reason but sadly, while there's a lot of decent people in my home town, there are also some out and out scumbags as well who I hope suffer a lot of indignities.

Sorry if I sound angry but I am angry and this happened five days ago. I guess I really can hold a grudge.

2: Connections

It seems that tv.com now have a connect with Facebook thing on the site. Well, now I have used it, so that should explain why there's a picture of me doing a gay ninja pose as my avatar. I've also managed to figure out to how to connect my Blogspot with Twitter and of course, Twitter with Facebook. I even signed for a Last FM account, though it might take me a while to get used to that particular setting just yet. It's pretty cool though.

3: Fanfiction

It seems that I'm getting some recognition on various places for it. On the LJ groups for certain fictions, I've had some positive responses and there was one person who actually wants to do a pod cast of my Buffy piece, Just Between Us Girls (which I finally completed, 5 chapters long and Darla centred). I agreed so I'll be very interested to see how my words translate to pod cast and I'll link it to either this blog or the next one as well.

Doctor Who wise, a lot of my fiction on Fanfiction.net has generated comments (including a fair critique on one story), being favoured by other members and I'm currently writing a Season 2 based story called Temple Of The Daleks. In terms of pimping though, I would love if anyone could read either Exiles or The Lone Cybermen to see if I've got a good feel on the First and Second Doctors.

Links to my Fanfiction sites can be found on my Blogspot page or Live Journal profile.

4: Video Recommendations

A link to all the videos for the current NO H8 campaign can be found here. They are mostly behind the scenes on the photo shoots. http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=no+h8&search_type=&aq=f

Also for Dollhouse fans, I found an excellent video on Dr Claire Saunders. Unless you've seen all of the first season, do not watch this because there's pretty big spoilers to be had.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytblQCvGNHY&feature=PlayList&p=D882E7599DC72BF4&index=3

Dollhouse – 1x07: Echoes

Very interesting and informative mid-season episode.

- Caroline's last name was Farrell, she was an animal rights activist and her boyfriend Leo got killed. Adelle also pursued her for two years.
- Everyone infected by the vial had their moments but I think Dominic nearly stole the show. Soft like a kitty?
- The Dolls glitched when they were affected by the drug. Mellie was also revealed as November. I want to be Uniform.
- Was anyone surprised when Adelle hired Sam in the end?

Reviews for both these episodes are up here and on Blogspot. Needs airs Tuesday at 9pm on Sci-Fi.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Always Darkest

Surely three pages can't merit a review? When they're this show, they bloody well can.

- Buffy dreamed again, she's been having bad ones.
- Angel/Spike slashiness, Caleb being annoying, marrying Warren, Tara as a bridesmaid. I thought my dreams were weird.
- Jo Chen did the artwork for the three pages while Joss Whedon wrote the story.
- Surely this little comic is hinting at some things for the eighth season?

Review for this issue can be read here … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-review-of-buffy-vampire-slayers.html (link to the comic itself is in the review) Retreat Part 1 will be highlighted in the next blog.

Angel – 6x23: Become What You Are

Wow, this was actually a very good read.

- Gunn and Illyria's conflicting feelings played out believably within in the comic.
- There's such a thing as a rehab centre for the supernatural, which does make a lot of sense.
- Angel only briefly cameos in this issue as does Gwen and Lorne.
- Fred (or Spike/Wesley's memories of her) are influencing Illyria to the point where she's embracing humanity.

Review for this issue is up here …. http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-review-of-angels-6x23-become-what.html Drusilla Part 1 is out on July 15th.

Dexter – 3x10/3x11: Go Your Own Way/I Had A Dream

Two earth shatteringly excellent episodes. So why are some people disgruntled with this season?

- Deb and Anton's relationship has certainly blown hot and cold. I hope she gives him a chance.
- Dexter asking Deb to be his best man after telling Harry about his CI was sweet.
- Miguel's death made an impact but will the Skinner's? He's been such an impersonal threat to Dexter.
- Maria has grown leaps and bounds since the first season, hasn't she?

Review for both episodes are up here and on Blogspot. Do You Take Dexter Morgan? airs tonight at 10pm on FXUK.

Robin Hood – 3x13: Something Worth Fighting For Part 2

And today, I'll have a quadruple side order of death. Seriously.

- Robin, Guy, Isabella and the Sheriff all met their makers in this one.
- Alan's death was barely touched on. I guess that's what happens when you die in the penultimate episode.
- Marion appearing as an Angel was neat.
- Too bad we'll never get to see Archer develop as a character.

SIDE BAR: In news that will surprise no-one, the show has been cancelled by the BBC but given that all the main characters were effectively killed off, why should we be surprised? Sometimes cancellations really are in the best interest for a show, this one especially.

TV SPOILERS

- Drea DeMatteo has been cast as a regular for the sixth season of Desperate Housewives, playing the role of Sara. Maybe she'll usurp Katherine then.
- Nip/Tuck's sixth season will begin airing on FXUS from October. Well, the first 10 episodes anyway.
- Lost's sixth season will now have 18 episodes instead of 17. Yay for us.
- Mark Pellegrino has been cast as Lucifer in the fifth season of Supernatural.
- There'll be gay characters in upcoming seasons of both Stargate: Universe and 90210. The latter has cast Rumer Willis in a lesbian role.
- Daniel Eric Gold has been promoted to regular status for fourth season of Ugly Betty.
- Medium will be moving to CBS for its sixth season to be paired with Ghost Whisperer (which is doing that five years in the future thing that's become popular).
- Sci-Fi will air Dollhouse's unaired episode, Epitaph One on August 11th. They've also snagged the rights to Legend Of The Seeker, which looks a little silly but potentially fun.
- In news that might not surprise a lot of people but I'll be reviewing True Blood.
- Channel 4 have begun airing the third season of Skins, Wednesdays at 11pm. Sorry for not mentioning it in my last blog.

The Week In Who (Contains Spoilers)

- Torchwood starts tonight for five nights, so I thought I'd remind people. US viewers will get in from July 20th-24th.
- John Barrowman, Eve Myles, Gareth David-Lloyd and Kai Owen featured on the cover of Radio Times to promote the new season.
- Hilarious deleted scene of Matt Smith in In Bruges can be viewed here … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCKhi8o79Uw
- I've seen some of the old Kevin Bishop Show episodes with Karen Gillan in it. Making fun of The OC is kinda fun I guess.
- Rumour has it that a Doctor Who movie will be announced at this year's Comic Con. Emphasis on rumour.
- Watch will finally air the third season of Doctor Who, Saturdays at 8pm from July 11th.

Song Of The Blog

Gossip – Heavy Cross

Good comeback single from the popular LGBT group.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLLxdcrk0-s