Stargate SG-1 (2001) – Absolute Power, and The Light

SG-1 is called to Abydos by Kasuf (Erik Aviari). There they witness the returns of the harcesis, known a young boy calling himself Shifu (Lane Gates). Absolute Power was written by Robert C. Cooper and first debuted on 19 January, 2001. Unfortunately, something begins to happen to Daniel (Michael Shanks), caused by some effect of…

Stargate SG-1 (1999) – Learning Curve, and Point of View

SG-1 is conducting overtures and studies with a peaceful planet whose children are highly intelligent. Legacy was written by Heather E. Ash this episode first debuted on 22 July, 1999. Teal’c (Christopher Judge) is paired with a young boy, Tomin (Lachlan Murdoch) to teach the society about the Goa’uld, while young Merrin (Britt Irvin) returns…

Stargate SG-1 (1999) – The Fifth Race, and A Matter of Time

Poor Jack (Richard Dean Anderson). O’Neill becomes infected with an alien database when they travel to one of the possible ally worlds of the five races allied against the goa’uld system lords. Written by Robert C. Cooper, The Fifth Race first debuted on 22 January, 1999. He begins to speak in an alien tongue, and…

Stargate SG-1 (1997) – Fire and Water, and Hathor

SG-1 returns to the SGC with sad news, it seems Jackson (Michael Shanks) is dead. Or at least that is the way O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson), Carter (Amanda Tapping) and Teal’c (Christopher Judge) remember it. Fire and Water was written by Kathryn Powers from a story she developed with Brad Wright, one of the showrunners….

Stargate SG-1 (1997) – The Torment of Tantalus, and Bloodlines

How do we know we’re in the SGC in the 40s with the opening of this episode? The bluesy version of the Stargate theme, honestly it’s a solid episode that helps the series continue to build its backstory, and its worldbuilding. Jackson (Michael Shanks) is watching old footage of the Stargate project and both her…

The Name of the Rose (1986) – Jean-Jacques Annaud

Jean-Jacques Annaud’s adaptation of Umberto Eco’s novel, The Name of the Rose, is an engaging tour-de-force with a fantastic cast, an intriguing mystery, and a fantastic setting. Amazingly, Sean Connery’s career was in a bit of a lull when he lobbied for the part, one which, it seems, much like Bond, and Indy’s father, he…

The Blackthorn Key (2015) – Kevin Sands

Simon & Schuster takes me back to 17th century London this week with The Blackthorn Key written by Kevin Sands. The first book in a young adult collection that spans six novels, the first book is a fast-paced tale filled with mystery and puzzles that delivers an engaging read. Christopher Rowe is the apprentice of…

Star Trek: The Joy Machine (1996) – James E. Gunn

James E. Gunn takes the original story treatment for The Joy Machine by Theodore Sturgeon, who gave us the TOS episodes Shore Leave and Amok Time, and turns it into a novel that feels very much like an Original Series episode. When a couple of Federation investigators disappear on a planet, one that Captain James…

Hanna (2011) – Joe Wright

Saorise Ronan headlines this coming of age action film from director Joe Wright. Not your typical action film, the story may feel familiar, but with Ronan and Wright, the film becomes something more. Joining Ronan are Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett, and with a strong cast like that, you know this is going to be…