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Suicide Squad Trailer Reaction

So, our review/reaction to the official Suicide Squad trailer is up, do you agree with us, do you have any theories?



Have any of you guys have a favourite villain, and does ANYBODY have any idea who the Big Bad is..?

Doctor Who Review "The Girl Who Died"

It's episode 5 already and I have to say it's the one I've been waiting for ever since the teaser trailer, well, teased!

HERE BE SPOILERS

We meet the Doctor and Clara at the climax of another adventure, she's floating around in space, her brain about to be sucked out by something. The Doctor is pushing a lot of buttons and pulling some levers, and lo and behold, the day is saved. Only for the two to emerge from the Tardis and be captured by historically inaccurate Vikings.

As they enter the Viking village the Doctor recognises Ashildir, the amazing Maisie Williams, he knows that they haven't met before, but something feels familiar... Suddenly, a vision of Odin, cough cough, appears in they sky, and a group of armoured aliens appear to take the strongest of the village to "Valhalla", not only do they seize the warrior men, but Clara and Ashildir as well. One thing leads to another, Clara, in a way that echoes the reckless Eleventh Doctor, attempts to convince the Mire to leave, only to be interrupted by Ashildir, who declares war on the deadliest army in the galaxy in a fit of rage. 

The Doctor doesn't even have a whiff of a plan, he has one day-ish, to turn a bunch of farmers and fisherman into an army. The training sequences are funny, until they're not. The fumbling fools are played for laughs, of course, right up until the reality of the situation sets in. There are moments that could have easily been mockable, The Doctor's ability to speak baby, for example. However, this is played in a different light, and instead we are given something so raw and gut-wrenching, that I tip my hat to the writer, Jamie Mathieson, and to Capaldi's performance. 

Only in the dark of night, pacing and pondering, does the Doctor finally come up with a plan, a plan requiring a blacksmith, a story teller and something "rubbish." The plan succeeds, but at the cost of Ashildir's life. The Timelord decides to reprogram a Mire medical chip and use that to "repair" Ashildir, a consequence of which is, that it will continue to repair her, and she may be functionally immortal. At this point we are left with an unconventional cliffhanger, knowing only that they shall cross paths again, very soon....

Fan Theory

I'm not going to lie, I was disappointed that Maisie didn't turn out to be Susan, I really really want Susan to return, come on Moffat! It may be too soon to tell, but maybe, just maybe, Ashildir is in fact, the Minister for War!

Answer Me These Questions Three

1. What will the Doctor do now that his Sonic sunglasses are broken?
2. Who else have the Mire been harvesting?
3. When will Susan return, WHEN?

Final Thoughts

Mathieson managed to layer each of the secondary characters in this episode. Nearly every villager, has a spectrum of emotions, usually these types of characters as of late, are just given an emotion and they run with it, grumpy smurf is grumpy, idiot smurf is an idiot, etc, etc. Here though, each character has such depth, that you will them to survive. Clara, always self assure and headstrong, is even more so in this episode, but I can't help but feel the wedge growing between the Doctor and his companion, as she increasingly adopts more of his ways. Capaldi though, he has moved on from playing the Doctor, to being the Doctor in this episode, he plays the comic moments perfectly, and then subtly breaks your heart. This has been my favourite episode of the series so far and I am extremely excited for the next one! 

Katie Charlwood

The Problem of Girls & Geeks

Listen, I need you to inhale calmly, and take a few steps back. Are you sure this is the article that you think it is? Really? Take a deep breath, calm your mind to the ways of the force, and look at the title again. Go on, it's okay, I'm allowing you...

The problem is the title, well, the problem is your perception of the title. You see girls, and you see geeks. However, you naturally assume that the roles are mutually exclusive. Listen to me Deary, that is certainly not the case. Over 50% of the gaming population is female, SURPRISE! It shouldn't really be a surprise, I mean, you're just as likely to see a woman, as a man, in the middle row of an Avengers movie.

 You never want to sit in the front row, because then you have to crick your neck and you'll be in pain for 72 hours, and of course the back row is full of hormone fuelled 12 year olds, who think we don't know what they're doing back there.

Oh, and for the record, we're checking out Captain America's perfect pecs just as much as you're eyeing up Black Widow's boobs and booty. Granted, some ladies will be giving Miss Romanoff the down there stare, because of course a) Not every woman wants a chunk of man meat, b) Some even enjoy both a fish pie and a sausage supper, and c) Scarlett Johanssen is an aesthetically pleasing human being.

The fact that women are automatically excluded from geek culture is ridiculous! Without a woman, there would be no Star Trek, the Final Frontier would have failed, immensely. The first computer programmer was female, and even the author of the first sci-fi novel was a member of the vagina crew. For the record, the women in question are Lucille Ball, Ada Lovelace and of course Mary Shelley, respectively.

With that in mind, it is baffling that the two are perceived as mutually exclusive! There are exceptions to the rule, however, only in extenuating circumstances; in order to be accepted into the guild of girly geekdom, you have to be the best, not good, not great, the greatest. You have to surpass all others in knowledge and skill, because of course, enjoying something isn't enough, no, one must master all difficulties and earn every, single, achievement.

Then of course, there are the quizzes. The bane of every geeky girl's existence, where we are treated to an onslaught of questions about obscure characters/locations/storylines, in order to prove that we are worthy of the mantle of Geek. Which isn't too bad if you're the buck-toothed,frizzy haired bookworm of the group, but the situation is worsened if you happen to be attractive. A few years ago, according to, I don't know... someone, that attractive women at conventions (especially cosplayers) were not true geeks, oh no, they were fake geek girls, and as a result of this, a barrage of abuse came hurtling towards the so called "fake" geek girls.

I still find it bloody hilarious that the basic premise was, women folk were pretending to like video games and comics, in order to attract men. That's it. That is the reason why women who spoke out against this have received hate mail, rape threats, etc.

The thing is, it doesn't make any sense. So what if someone isn't into comics, or sci-fi, I once told a guy that I was a Radiohead  fan because he liked them. Granted, he did tell me that he was a huge Bowie fan, but I soon found out that that wasn't the case. Do you know what we did about it? We got over it, like people do. In the end it turns out that we both liked Orange Juice, yes, both the band and the refreshing beverage.

At the end of the day, we need to stop segregating the two. Geeky girls are a great thing, that's what most people seem to forget. If a bunch of women love the thing you love, that means there is a greater audience for the thing that you love. A greater audience means that the people who make the thing you love, will spend their hard earned cash to purchase the goods/service that you provide. The more that we love something, the more that we talk about it, share it, use it. You can only gain by giving half your audience the same rights as the other. The world is changing, it's evolving and if geek culture (and games developers cough cough) don't change with it, they will suffer the same fate as the Sega Dreamcast.

Doctor Who Review "Before the Flood"

So we're at episode 4 of the series... Was that anti-climatic for everyone, or was it just me...?

HERE BE SPOILERS

We are greeted with a very different type of opening this week, with the doctor, seemingly alone in the Tardis, looking directly into the camera and telling us, the viewers, of a quaint tale of Beethoven, a time traveller, and the Bootstrap paradox. Which he bluntly tells us to google. This in itself, gives us the gist of what's going to happen next...

The Doctor, O'Donnell and Bennett arrive in the Military Town, in 1980, and we discover that the town had a rather Soviet feel before it became the aquarium decoration at the bottom of a lake. The sexy black spaceship from the previous episode, well, turns out that was a hearse, carrying the 'corpse' of the Fisher King, a creepy bony mantis-type alien who deserved far more screen time if you ask me. It was also piloted by Prentis, the most irritating of aliens ever to grace the screen, and I am including Jar Jar in this. Granted this Tivolian's purpose is to be so unbelievably grating that we are applauding when he finally meets his end.

So Clara, along with Lunn and Cass, await the Doctor's rescue, while dealing with the elephant outside the room, which is of course the ghost Doctor. The scenes in the Drum gave Clara some breathing room as a character, showing her in a take charge role, instead of jumping through the Timelord's hoops constantly. Miss Oswald solves the very simple mystery of why Lunn is the only one not being attacked by the beacon ghosts, which she decides is a perfectly good reason to test her theory (mirroring the Doctor, in more ways than one) by throwing him into harm's way. When Cass calls her on her actions, it reminded me of the moment Donna met Martha and Mickey, when she asks/accuses the Doctor, does he turn all of his companions into soldiers?

Back in 1980 there's a time loop, and then a time loop within that time loop, but you know, never mind because of wibbly wobbly timey wimey supercalifradgilisticexpiallidocious... Anyway, O'Donnell, a character who I very much would have loved to see more of, because I love the fangirls. I loved Osgood, I loved O'Donnell, and they were both stolen from me. Yes, me personally, I feel betrayed. That being said, it gives Bennett, the opportunity to be the human aspect of the situation and call the Doctor out on his actions. 

Bennett gets sent back to the future to give romantic advice because, of course any man and woman who are in close proximity must end up in a relationship in Steven I don't know the meaning of the word platonic Moffat's world.  Naturally, the Doctor monologues the Fisher King to death, almost, causing the destruction of the dam and sealing himself in the stasis pod only to pop out at the opportune moment. A point that was glaringly obvious from about ten minutes in.

Unsurprisingly, the Doctor saves the day, somebody proclaims their love as everyone else looks at their shoes and tries to avoid the PDA in front of them. Oh and Clara, well, Clara just sort of continues. 

Fan Theory

The overt theme of war has been woven into the very fabric of the series so far. The Doctor meets little baby Davros during the war, the Daleks are warmongering cyborgs, the military are based in the Drum, and finally, a Scottish town dressed up like a soviet ghost town, during the Cold War. Me thinks there is a battle coming, a big one. We know Jenna Coleman is leaving, so Clara is on her way out, but with the way she's going at the moment I can see that way out in a box. That's right, death, actual death, not a fake death, not another, oh look paradox, she's fine now death, a straight laced, gut wrenching, no coming back from it death. Or you know, she becomes the minister for war and the Doctor has to *cough* remove her....

Answer Me These Questions Three

1. Who is this Minister for War, and is he/she/they important or just another off the cuff remark, created to make the internet whisper?
2. What did you think of the guitar fuelled theme?
3. O'Donnell could have easily known his companions, but how did she get them in the right order?

Final Thoughts

As much as I loved the attempt at making an episode (or two) in the same vein as classic Who, it just didn't quite hit the mark. As much as I love smacking my head against a wall can we please stop using paradoxes as a get out of jail free card whenever we feel like it. The best scene was hands down, between Cass and the axe wielding ghost, ooft, talk about tension and setting the scene! The sonic glasses are okay I suppose, but please, bring back the screwdriver.

 Katie Charlwood

8 of Best Geeky Girl PJ's!

I love pyjamas, I do, I really do. In fact, I have always loved pyjamas, they are the epitome of comfort, nothing in this world feels as lovely as a new pair of pyjamas. Even as a child, after enduring 8 hours in starched collars and polycotton pinafores at school, to running about in "durable" play clothes, all I wanted to do was have my mermaid Matey bubble bath, complete with bubble beard, and climb into my pink and white striped flannel pjs. I looked like Bagpuss, it was adorable. I would have happily spent all day in my pyjamas, I still would. Thankfully, in recent years it has become more socially acceptable to loll about in pjs with the concept of loungewear, which, let's face it, is a word we made up to make us feel better about not wearing real people clothes for three days.

I can't deny it though, nothing hits me right in the nostalgia quite like a Disney nightdress! The Snow White nightshirt from Topshop is simply beautiful. The framed silhouettes, almost retelling the story, the birds flying towards Snow White, the bitten apple, and let's not forget the dwarves! I love it so much, I really do. The retro/worn style of New Look's Little Mermaid nightshirt reminds me so much of 6 year old me singing Part of Your World in the bathtub. Mucho love for these designs!

    Snow White Nightdress +Topshop                  The Little Mermaid Nightdress +New Look 

I love me some Harry Potter, I love it more that Hagrid loves horrifically dangerous creatures. When one can't read Harry Potter, one should wear Harry Potter. These are awesome,  not only are these Hogwarts pyjamas, but each one is specific to your house quidditch colours! So far these are my favourite HP pj sets on all of etsy!

Quidditch Loungewear by AlisonWunderlandAcc on Etsy

As much as I enjoy Minnie Mouse, nothing beats the original lovable rodent. Time for some retro Mickey, or is it Vintage, wait... is Mickey Mouse an Antique? Anyway, I digress, these beauties are from H&M. I wasn't too keen on the bottoms that were part of the set in the first picture, but I did find the Mickey print, fleecy bottoms that were so much cooler anyway! You know, I would actually wear that top, in real life, as outside clothes. Oh but do you know what I need to see? Some Steamboat Willie, or Sorcerer's Apprentice pjs kicking about!

Mickey Mouse Loungewear & Mickey Print Bottoms by +H&M 

Now, I don't want to sound biased, but, I think Penneys might have the best nerdy/nostalgic pyjama section. Oh, in case you didn't know Penneys in Ireland=Primark in the UK. It took me an unusually long amount to time to whittle down my favourite sleepy-time  selection. I love the Cookie Monster fluffys, they are so fuzzy and cosy, and they really make it feel more authentic when I stomp through the kitchen yelling "COOKIEEEEEEEEEES!!" Just look at the Little Miss loungewear, I mean really, there's even a Little Miss conga line down the leg, now that's dedication! I can't lie, I literally made a high pitched squealing noise when I clapped my eyes on the Care Bear pyjamas! The Care Bears were my childhood, and HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THAT FLUFFY ADORABLE FACE YOU MONSTERS!?!? 

Cookie Monster, Little Miss & Care Bear Pyjama Sets +Primark 

I need all of the money, so that I can acquire these pyjamas, every, last one. The only way that pjs could get any better, is if they start making Xena nightwear. You know it's true, you do, deep down in the very pit of your soul! Although, I do have to say, that I'm extremely happy that companies have discovered that women also enjoy geeky nightwear, and that I am no longer required to purchase all of my bedclothes from the men's section! 

I used to have nightwear emblazoned with Animal from the Muppets, it was my favourite pair of pyjamas, which I inevitably destroyed while chasing a kitten that I found under a sink. (Long story) Oh and I'm pretty sure that I lived in a My Little Pony nightdress until  it crawled off of my body and died in the corner, when I was eight. Ha, and my big brother had to be wrestled out of his Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles pjs every morning. Did you have a favourite pair of pyjamas growing up? Do you have a favourite pair now? I have a Batman onesie, and I must say it's pretty awesome.

Katie

Doctor Who Review "Under the Lake"

So we have reached episode 3 of season 9, and I have to say, there was definitely less lake than anticipated. This week's episode was certainly a slow burn, but certainly more in keeping with tradition Who. Although, I can't help it.... Sigh. I miss Missy.

HERE BE SPOILERS

This episode begins in the year 2119, in The Drum, an underwater mining facility, in Scotland. The base crew have salvaged a gleaming black ship, and all but one of the crew are investigating the mysterious vessel. Suddenly, a hollow eyed, creepy Victorian, ghostly figure skulks across the screen, and by what appears to be a freak accident, to the crew anyway, their leader Moran is flame grilled by one of the vessel's engines. Danger Will Robinson Danger! Oh and would you look at that, Moran is now also, a hollow eyed, creepy ghostly figure.

The Doctor tenderly caresses the Tardis, which is upset, as Clara bounces out, demanding an adventure, seemingly uninterested, it seems we have an adventure junkie, looking for her next hit. They explore the base, discovering that the crew had left in a hurry. Greeted by the ghosts, they follow the apparitions to the vessel, only for them to silently chant, and of course try to murder them. Surprise!

Luckily the  Timelord and his companion are rescued by the crew, O'Donnell, who to my delight, completely fangirls over the Doctor, Cass, a deaf crewmember who is first in command, after Moran got barbecued, Lunn, Cass' sign interpretor, Bennett, a scientist and Alien nut, and last but not least, the smarmy Pritchard, who is the smarmy representative for Vector Petroleum, who owns the facility. Oh and the Doctor completely denounces the concept of ghosts/life after death.

The ghostly things only come out at night, so naturally they turn the facility onto night mode in order to murder the smarmy Pritchard, who totally deserves it, the capitalist pig! We know he's dead because we have the joy of seeing his ghostly form inside, and his lifeless body floating outside the Drum, Definitely dead, yes definitely dead. Lunn, surprisingly is left alive, yet he is the only member, not to step inside the mysterious vessel and read its markings.

After lot's of running, and a little bit of lip reading, we discover that the spectres are sending out a signal, Dark, Sword, Forsaken Temple. Which leads to a church within the "freaky flooded village" under the lake, in which they discover a stasis pod. A deadlocked stasis pod, that wants to be found. 

The Doctor does a U-Turn, and very excitedly spouts on about the sudden reality of ghosts, the afterlife, oblivious to the pain of losing a colleague could be affecting the group. Luckily nudged by Clara to use his empathy cards, he, well, he tries to be consoling.

The spectres cause the facility to flood, with the attempt to kill more people for their spirit distress call. Everyone runs back to the Tardis but unsurprisingly they are separated.  Clara in the Drum, the Doctor in the Tardis, travelling back to before the flood to uncover the mystery and save them all. As Clara waits for his return, she nonchalantly states that the Doctor will be back to save them, because that's just what he does. However she spots something in the water, she realises that something has changed in the past, a spirit appears in the water, the spirit of the Doctor!

Fan Theory

Well, for starters, I think that Vector Petroleum will show up again somewhere in the series. The Tardis wouldn't translate the message, but also removed sign language, hmm, something's afoot. If the Doctor has died, then there is life after death, which means, we might be able to find Danny again! The Doctor told Clara, not to "go native", methinks that Clara, has replaced her grief for Danny with a roller coaster of excitement on death-defying feats. That being said, Clara was always a bit of an adventure junkie, a fact noticed by her former love. I think this is going to be a sticking point for the Doctor, and either the adventure is going to kill her, or the Doctor is going to let her go.

Answer Me These Questions Three

1. Is there something fishy going on with the TARDIS language library?
2. What the frack is in that pod?
3. What cards are missing from the Doctor's selection?

Final Thoughts

This was a very so-so episode, the claustrophobic theme combine with the ominous score, set the atmosphere perfectly. however some of the supporting characters felt like cardboard cut outs and clichés. The supporting cast's talents just feel wasted here. When any episode is a two parter, you really have to ensure that the first part doesn't drag. With this season consisting of two episode long stories, I hope that the others realise that setting the scene for the finale, should not be a detriment to the previous episode. That being said, I am looking forward to next week's show.