HYGOTS No. 73
March 5th, 2010
I had a most curious awakening recently. I know how common it is to stick with pretty rigid opinions in the sci-fi/fantasy community (the “genre” of both Lower Decks’ and HYGOTS’ focus), but I also know that in my own life, I seem capable of pretty radically changing my own, sometimes at the drop of a dime. When their album ‘All That You Can’t Leave Behind’ was released a decade ago, my only opinion of the video for “Beautiful Day” was how thoroughly preening and irritating U2 lead singer Bono was, just in his dancing. I couldn’t stand the band, even though I’d flirted with being a fan five years earlier when, of all things, they’d done a song for the ‘Batman Forever’ soundtrack (“How Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me”). I was twenty years old, U2 was twenty, and beyond Batman, my closest connection was “Staring at the Sun,” another song I liked, but at the very peak of general discontent for what they’d become, synthesized, forgettable pop. Anyway, not so long after writing U2 off forever, I suddenly became one of their biggest fans, and for the last decade, I’ve remained in their camp. How is any of this relevant? Have you heard of a show called ‘Babylon 5’? Yeah, well, for me, today ‘B5’ is a little like U2.
Smallville 9×15 – “Conspiracy”
February 28th, 2010
For a while, I thought this episode was going to be a waste of time. It all seemed so generic – random bad guy goes insane and kidnaps the love interest. Random character is injured but Clark saves the day. And while the villain was mildly interesting and the B-story was intriguing, that’s what it looked like we were going to get. Then the final act came, and the episode completely redeemed itself. And while Smallville goes into a one-month hibernation, we have a lot to chew on.
HYGOTS No. 72
February 27th, 2010
Would you believe it? I’m about to do a column about something I like that’s actually popular, that I don’t have to defend at all. Unbelievable! What’s the world coming to?!? Oh, and that topic’s Green Lantern.
Haunted finally coming to DVD
February 27th, 2010
‘Haunted,’ the 2002 TV show that was Matthew Fox’s last high profile gig before getting ‘Lost’ in 2004, is finally being released on DVD, on April 13. The set includes 11 full episodes, four of which never aired.
LOST – 6×5 – “The Lighthouse”
February 26th, 2010
Jack Shephard was one of my favorite characters from the first couple seasons of LOST. And what wasn’t to like? He was the reluctant leader who took charge because no one else would. He did a lot of things for the good of the group, and despite his feelings, he respectfully stepped out of the way when it seemed Kate had made her Jack/Sawyer decision. But since the shocking end to the third season, Jack has seemed off. He is less focused, less of a leader, and less enjoyable to watch, and I can honestly say that I don’t like Jack as much as I used to. But, in classic LOST fashion, “The Lighthouse” sheds new light on Jack, and all of the sudden, Jack is back at the forefront of everything.
HYGOTS No. 71
February 20th, 2010
When it comes to superheroes, there may be any number who can claim to be the most popular at any given moment, but none are more famous than Superman. Without the Man of Steel, there would inarguably be no comic books today. Yet you’d be hard-pressed to find a fictional character get less respect for what he’s due. This is prime HYGOTS material…
Smallville 9×14 – “Persuasion”
February 20th, 2010
Once again, we have a Smallville gimmick episode. Clark gets (insert random power) that makes everyone on the cast act funny for an episode. This time, Clark gets the power of persuasion from a fairy with kryptonite dust – and that’s actually the plot. It makes Chloe over-protective and Lois over-domestic. There’s actually some good stuff in there, but you have to wade through a lot to get to it.
LOST 6×4 – “The Substitute”
February 18th, 2010
Going back to his first episode in season one, Locke-centric episodes have always made me sad. From his problems with his father to his issues with Helen (not to mention his injury), Locke’s story always had a way of making me feel sorry for the old man. But the addition of the “flash-sideways” gives a glimpse into the life of a John Locke who doesn’t seem as unhappy. And with a couple changes, he actually has a bit of hope.
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