The Force Awakens!

We have a title! Today marked the last day of filming and the start of post-production. Episode VII will be known as Star Wars: The Force Awakens. There will not be the VII numeral in the title.

I like that. I grew up during the OT times so for me the films were simply Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, an Return of the Jedi. The episodic numbering didn't take center stage until the prequel era. I just hope they will keep the episode number in the opening crawl. 

What about the title itself? Like every Star Wars title since ROTJ, it has taken me some time to get used to it. But I like this one. It is short and simple and not corny.

The implications of the title are very tantalizing. Why is it awakening 30 years after ROTJ? Both the Sith and the Jedi use the Force, so which side is emerging? Or is it both? The Jedi were wiped out in the purge and you only had two Sith. So does VII mark a repopulation of Force wielders? 

But the Rebels animated show clearly indicates that Force sensitive people still exist. Vader tells the Inquisitor to hunt down the "Children of the Force" to convert them or kill them. So perhaps Jedi and Sith are not really relevant. I wonder if the people of the Star Wars galaxy view both Jedi and Sith as bad. The wars between the two of them have resulted in so much death and destruction. Perhaps the past 30 years has seen the suppression of anyone showing Force ability. A simple blood test for midi chlorians can help them with that. 

Hmm. Lots to think about!

Finding the Doctor - Series 5

It can be overwhealming trying to figure out where to start watching a show like Doctor Who. It has been around for fifty years with so many different actors, plus all the mythology involved with things like a TARDIS, Daleks, and Sonic Screwdrivers. Where does one start?

Well we started with Series 5 of the modern Doctor Who, which is the first season of Matt Smith playing the Doctor (the 11th Doctor). We were hooked! Below are my ratings and brief reviews of this particular series.

Note that you should watch the episodes in order. It is hard enough trying to keep the time-jumping story lines straight in your head. Watching them out of order would make it impossible!

BEST OF THE SERIES

Vincent and the Doctor (210)
Incredible heart. I am mid-way through Series 6 and this is still my all time favorite episode.

FAVORITES

The Eleventh Hour (203)
This is the premiere episode of Matt Smith and Series 5. This story got us wanting to watch the next one immediately!

The Lodger (211)
This is another episode with great heart. A love story between two people and the Doctor showing his compassion for others (albiet in his own goofy way).

Amy's Choice (208)
I always enjoy a good reality-bending story. Which one is real and which one is a dream?

The Big Bang (212)
The conclusion to Series 5. It ends with a bang and had me practically jumping out of my seat cheering for more!

ENTERTAINING

The Beast Below (204)
This one has really stayed with me. If you can get past the premise of the Star Whale, it does raise some interesting ethical questions.

Time of the Angels (206) and Flesh & Stone (206)
The Weeping Angels are fantastic monsters. This is very much like the movie Aliens.

Cold Blooded (209)
This second part to the story arc started with The Hungry Earth was much better than the first part.

The Pandorica Opens (210)
It took me a little while to get into this one. For long time Who fans, I am sure the appearance of all these villains was a lot of fun. Still, it was entertaining and a great set-up for the finale, which I loved.

A Christmas Carol (213)
A Doctor Who take on the classic Charles Dickens story.

NO THANKS

Victory of the Daleks (205)
I liked the concept, but the show suffered by poor casting for Winston Churchill and it pushed a little too far into the goofy realm with propeller aircraft flying through space attacking a Dalek ship.

The Hungry Earth (209)
The is the first of a two-episode arc that introduces us to the Silurians.

STINKER

The Vampires of Venice (207)
This was my least favorite episode. I just couldn't get into it at all. I am just tired of the vampire thing as well.

Five Reasons Why You Will Hate Star Wars Rebels

1. It is on the Disney Channel.

There is rampant speculation that Rebels will be made for kids. Sure, you were a kid once and the films appealed to you. But Star Wars should be created just for your age group. The show must be something that appeals first and foremost to you 30- and 40-year olds. Kids these days just don't have the special appreciation for the Star Wars galaxy that you do. You must be catered to.

2. It is the first episodes of the first season.

You expect a new show to be fully developed with a cast that is already full of chemistry and completely integrated with the technical and story writing teams. Also, all the animation models for every character, ship, and world are fully designed with no need for a single enhancement. You believe the first episode of the first season should have the exact same level of quality as an episode at the end of the third season.

3. It is not the Clone Wars.

You believe Star Wars: The Clone Wars was the highest form of animated entertainment and that anyone who did not watch the show regularly are not "real fans" or are Prequel-bashers. You like dark stories with little humor and a serious approach to the content. You expect that since Dave Filoni is heading the team that the same style of stories will be told. You don't want anything new or different. Lastly, for you, if the animation is not rendered in detailed high-definition then it is not good animation.

4. It will sell toys and merchandise.

How could a company possibly consider selling merchandise when spending millions of dollars making a television series? Nevermind the fact that it was because George Lucas retained merchandising rights back in 1977 that Lucasfilm could even come into existence. You also overlook the hours of fun you had playing with those 3.75 inch figures in your backyard, or looking at your Empire Strikes Back lunchbox on the bus on the way to school. Now it is all just greedy, soulless capitalism to your enlightened (cynical) mind.

5. The 1983 George Lucas is not involved.

It is not Star Wars unless George Lucas is involved - but it must be your version of George Lucas. The one from 1983 who made the original trilogy, or the one from 1980 if you hated the Ewoks. Certainly not the one from 2005 who made the prequels - or maybe the one from 2013 who made those Clone Wars episodes that reflected classic movie style because those didn't "feel like Star Wars" to you. You know you have the right version of George Lucas.

6. Is this not you?

Congratulations! You have a healthy level of interest in the Star Wars universe. You know not everything will be perfect. You understand that the people at the helm will make creative choices that you may not agree with or will take time for you to get into. You know that mistakes will be made and learned from. But, no matter what, you are excited that new Star Wars stories are being told and that the joy you felt as a kid will be passing onto future generations that you can share your fandom with.