The shameful truth is that I've been a bit lazy so far with the Man-Booker challenge. I'm about 75% of the way through Joshua Ferris's To Rise Again at a Decent Hour (which isn't great after a week and a half). Without spoiling the review I plan to give later, I can at least say that … Continue reading Update on The Man-Booker Challenge 2014 and Some Delightful Links
Steven Moffat
Doctor Who’s Season 8: A Lesson in Being Careful What You Wish For
This time last year, I complained that death in the world of Moffat's Doctor Who didn't seem to stick and that there were no consequences. So what do we get for pretty much all of Season 8? Death and consequences. No female Doctor? Have a female Master. Afraid that the female companion is just going … Continue reading Doctor Who’s Season 8: A Lesson in Being Careful What You Wish For
Doctor Who: Is the Missy Reveal Progressive or Patronizing?
This is your friendly spoiler warning. If you haven't seen the first episode in Doctor Who's season 8 two-parter, Dark Water, don't click any further. And trust me, you really don't want to be spoiled. I'll be honest -- I really wasn't expecting Moffat to surprise me in this episode. Instead, there was not one … Continue reading Doctor Who: Is the Missy Reveal Progressive or Patronizing?
Doctor Who’s Deep Breath: Pros and Cons
Given that just the other day I argued that we needed to wait and see before passing any real judgment on Capaldi's brand-new Doctor, I'm going to dig deep and try to find nice things to say about yesterday's premiere episode instead of just ranting on ad nauseam.And the only real way I can think to … Continue reading Doctor Who’s Deep Breath: Pros and Cons
Can Peter Capaldi Save Doctor Who?
Surely a new Doctor's first episode is always met with a strange mixture of hope, resentment and apprehension because part of what's kept Doctor Who on the air for so long (apart from that little decade-and-a-half-long break) is the fact that a new actor always brings a new set of possibilities to the role. And as … Continue reading Can Peter Capaldi Save Doctor Who?
His Last Vow: Moffat Does Everything I Normally Hate and Yet I Loved It
This should go without saying, but I so loved the surprise ending of this episode that I'm going to say it anyway just in case: there are major spoilers for the third season finale of Sherlock in here. If you haven't seen His Last Vow yet, I beg you not to read further. Now that … Continue reading His Last Vow: Moffat Does Everything I Normally Hate and Yet I Loved It
Why is Sherlock’s Third Season Treading So Much Water?
I sat on this review for a few days, hoping that I could stir up more thoughtful commentary. Instead, I'm left with a late review filled entirely with the thoughts I had as soon as the credits rolled on Sunday night: that The Sign of Three was a hilarious, adorable and completely endearing waste of … Continue reading Why is Sherlock’s Third Season Treading So Much Water?
The Empty Hearse: Equal Parts Love Letter and Restraining Order
When Sherlock busted through a glass window on Wednesday night, said window might as well have been laser etched with the words "THE FOURTH WALL!" written in comic sans. Because folks: that was some bullshit. Let me put all of my cards on the table here before I really get into it: I hate on-screen, … Continue reading The Empty Hearse: Equal Parts Love Letter and Restraining Order
Time of the Doctor Proves Moffat Can’t Write Death to Save His Life
Well, goodbye, Matt Smith. You were wonderful, but sadly I can't say that it's been a pleasure. Not only was last night's Doctor Who episode, Time of the Doctor, a Christmas special, it was also a farewell to Doctor 11 (or 13, apparently). Unlike Steven Moffat and his horrendous script, I won't meander around aimlessly … Continue reading Time of the Doctor Proves Moffat Can’t Write Death to Save His Life
What Steven Moffat Doesn’t Understand About Grief, And Why It’s Killing Doctor Who
There's a popular joke I've seen floating around on Tumblr for a while now. It goes like this: "Joss Whedon, Steven Moffat and George R.R. Martin walk into a bar and everyone you've ever loved dies." Here's the problem, though: George R. R. Martin and Joss Whedon are, of course, infamous for killing off the … Continue reading What Steven Moffat Doesn’t Understand About Grief, And Why It’s Killing Doctor Who
Tea Leaves and Dog Ears 