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