Slow Burn to a fitting Crescendo

 Spoilers Below

As we hit the midway point of season 4 of Game of Thrones episode 5 started nice a slow.  Viewers were treated with more revelations that go back as far as episode 1 season 1.  While also a healthy dose of action that brought the episode to a thrilling end.  As usual rather than going through the entire episode here are the 5 moments that stood out to me.

5. Arya's Water Dance- Each time the show focuses on Arya and The Hound it's entertaining.  Since the wolf girl has been reunited with her sword Needle, you could see her getting closer to where she wants to be.  The Hound to me has become more a life coach to Arya as opposed to a captor.  It was just cool to see her practicing her Water Dance that was taught to her during Season 1.  But in true Hound fashion he tried to teach Arya how the real world works, when she attempted to use Needle on him.  The time with the characters this week was short, but still sweet. Though I look forward to seeing Arya's reaction when she learns that she can cross Joffrey off her list.

4. Brienne & Pod- Another short time spent with these two characters, and like The Hound and Arya; Brienne and Pod are another odd couple on the road.  Brienne not used to be waited on the same way she's not used to being seen as a lady.  But Pod is set on keeping his oath and serving as her squire.  You can see how the two will benefit from each other, and it was funny watching Pod trying to ride a horse, or setting a rabbit on fire while trying to cook it.  It wasn't until Pod told her of how he saved Tyrion's life that she seemed to soften a bit and let the squire do his job.

3. Return to The Vale (and that creepy kid)- This episode brought us back the Vale ruled by Lysa Arryn, Catelyn Stark's sister.  Haven't seen this crazy creepster since season 1, but as soon as you saw her it all came flooding back.  Still crazy and still coddling her son Robin like he's a newborn.  You immediately see she's not working with a full deck, but it's clear she's nuts about Littlefinger, and already jealous of Sansa.  The best moments came when Lysa was revealing how far back Littlefinger and their relationship goes.  As well as Littlefinger's marital hesitation, though with the track record of grooms in Westeros you can't blame him.   The look on Sansa's face during Lysa's & Littlefinger's consummation of their wedding, hilarious.  I think every viewer could feel her pain.

2. Littlefinger is Keyser Soze- More of the onion layers are being peeled from the character that is Peter Baelish aka Littlefinger.  Along with the reunion with Lsya Arryn not only do we find out they've been involved for some time, but we learn just how deep his scheming goes.  When we learn it was Littlefinger who directed Lysa to kill her own husband Jon Arryn a mystery that went back to season 1.  Not only that but he was the one that advised Lysa to send the letter to Catelyn which first warned her about the Lannisters.  Like The Usual Suspects character Keyser Soze operating in the shadows, getting others to do his dirty work.  Littlefinger has emerged this season as that figure the Devil in hiding right under everyone's noses.  I can't wait to see how Sansa actually adapts to this new environment.

1. -Close calls at Craster's Keep- Of Game saves the best for last, as Jon Snow and the Night's Watch move on Craster's keep.  This had it all action packed from Bran taking over Hodor to stop Ramsey's Snow spy Locke.  To the Night's Watch's battle with the deserters and murderers of Lord Commander Mormont.  Jon Snow definitely had the kill of the season thus far, and who didn't cheer as they set Craster's Keep a blaze.  Even better the return of Jon's direwolf Ghost as he exacted revenge on one of his captors.  But the best yet bittersweet moment was Bran being so close to being reunited with his half brother Jon.  All he had to do was call out and two Starks would be together again.  It wasn't like the first time they crossed paths when Bran saved Jon from the wildings by taking over Summer last season.  Bran was right there, but to finish his quest to find the 3 eyed raven like leaving Osha and his little brother Rickon he had to let go.

Mentions- Again I mention Danerys out of obligation as she decides to stay in Mereen to be queen.  Like in the books I've come to not care about her story, it will be interesting to see if they dive into the last book A Dance With Dragons to give her something to do for the rest of the season.  Seeing how this was how her story came to an end in a Storm of Swords.  I've noticed how the show creators this season have really tried to soften Cersei this season with her rightful anguish of losing a child.  While I still loathe the character I'll say it was nice to see her actually acknowledge Joffrey's evil, and it was revealing to see that she actually was affected by his evil deeds.  This was the first time I actually didn't see her as out right evil like her son.  Still can't wait for her to get hers but it was a nice moment.

Why 12 will be better than 24!
by William Walker Jr

It's been 4 years since the clock stopped ticking for Fox's hit TV series 24.  After 192 hours of explosions, poisonous gas attacks, shootouts, fist fights, torture scenes, choke-outs, and various exclamations of the word dammit!  Jack is back!  Last we saw Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer was on the run a fugitive.  That was how the eighth and final season of the action packed series ended.  For most fans it was fitting especially figuring we'd see the further exploits of Jack Bauer on the big screen.  A 24 feature film had been talked about since season 5, but alas the dream never materialized.  But fans would have reason to rejoice after Fox announced the show's return though as a mini-series.  24: Live Another Day would be only 12 episodes instead of 24.  Now my initial reaction was like what, how, why?  Especially when they said the series would still cover a full day, I was like how could you capture the full awesome of 24 with only a mere 12 episodes.  It wasn't until after I re-watched seasons 5-8 in anticipation of it's return that I realized only 12 episodes as opposed to 24 wasn't such a bad idea.  In fact I think it's a great idea and here are the 4 reasons why.

4. Jack may actually sleep: Okay that's not super cause for excitement.  But what person who watched 24 didn't wonder.  Is Jack going to go to the bathroom, heck I understand you don't want to take a power nap when terrorist are threatening to blow up the White House.  But I mean come on these people have eat, go to the bathroom, or at least sleep once in a blue.  Now you can have them do that stuff and it's not a big deal because it'll take place on the off hours.  Seeing how with the new format it's still taking place in a day just that they'll only show the most important 12 hours of the day.  Take a nap Jack you'll need your strength for this torture scene.

3. Jack is Rogue: Let's face it this is how it should be.  Not C.T.U. no problem those morons simply get in Jack's way.  Jack was always at his best when he had to go off book.  Give him a couple of guns and ear-piece and Chloe in his ear, and you knew Jack was going to get it done.  With the new show it's 4 years after C.T.U. has been shutdown.  Not only is it outside of the USA but C.T.U. is gone now I'm sure they'll be some group in their to try and hinder Bauer. But let's face it the man is going rogue the way it should be.

2.No Politics Jack: Something that struck me from my marathon of 24 watching, was how utterly annoying and distracting were the office politics of C.T.U.  Fitting into the same reason of Jack being rogue, with no C.T.U. you have no damn C.T.U. office politics.  Now I know the writers had to do it, because they needed to fill those 24 hours with something.  But GEEZ if I saw one more ridiculously contrived scenario. Like my sister's a crackhead and I have to leave from this terrorist threat to deal with her drug problem.  Or I'm being chased by an abusive Dad into the mountains on no a Mountain Lion! Who could forget the inter-office love triangle?  GOOD LORD no more! Thankfully with only 12 hours to fill instead of 24 craptacular scenarios should be a thing of the past.  This brings me to my final point.


1. No time to waste Jack: Like I said the writers only had to fill 12 hours as opposed to 24.  So we should get an action-packed tighter story.  The model for great TV has changed when you have shows like Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, and Hannibal.  Telling insanely good and concise stories with only 10 plus episodes it makes for better TV.  That's the model we'll now be getting with 24.  We won't have to waste time watching a side character try and hide their gambling problem.  Or spend fifteen minutes watching Jack drive from one place to the next.  With the stipulation that only the most important 12 hours are being shown, we should get a faster paced more action packed story.  And that's reason alone to rejoice in 24's return.

Well there you have the 4 reasons why I think the shortened 12 episodes instead of 24 will make 24: Live Another Day even better than a full display of 24.  Let me know what you think in the comments below agree or disagree.

 

Game Rebounds with Oathkeeper

Game of Thrones returned to form with season 4 episode 4 Oathkeeper.  After two stellar episodes to start the season I think we can all be honest that episode 3 was a bit flat. From the slow progress of Danerys, to the aftermath of Joffrey's death this episode was just pretty much boring.  Don't get me started on the Jamie & Cersei scene, I guess the creators are working overtime on trying to draw up sympathy for Cersei.  While I still loathe the character that was a bit much, and I didn't think they could make the Jamie and Cersei relationship more gross.  They achieved it with rape next to their dead son.  But GoT came back strong with this episode similar to my write up of episode 1 here are my favorite moments.

5. Queen of Thorns partnered with Littlefinger: The one bright spot from episode 3 was the reveal that Littlefinger was behind Sansa's rescue.  This was even better with the reveal that the Queen of Thorns was in cahoots with Littlefinger to murder Joffrey.  As if you couldn't love her character anymore than you find out that she had her hands in taking out the most hated character to date.  Let the realm rejoice, as untrustworthy as Littlefinger is is how much you gotta love Olena Tyrell. Love live the Queen.

4. Locke at Castle Black?: I always wonder how the show runners are going to mix things up and change some things from the book.  The intro of Locke being at Castle Black definitely does that.  We know in the book that Jon simply just misses being reunited with his brother Bran.  But now it seems that the creators have put them on a possible collision course at Craster's Keep.  Not to mention just what exactly will Locke do once one of the Stark heirs is in his sights.  This is an interesting twist that improves on Martin's story.

3.  Bronn & Jamie: Again another change from the book since it wasn't Bronn that was training Jamie to use his left hand to fight with.  But it's a welcome one, Bronn is just as much a smart-ass as Jamie and with his right hand gone now Bronn's the better fighter.  Also who would've thought that Bronn would be the one to make Jamie realize how much his brother Tyrion needs him.  The interaction with them is money and it'd make me even want to watch a spin-off the Adventures of Jamie & Bronn.  It's amazing to me a character I hated so much during season 1 in Jamie has slowly won me over to actually root for him sort of, though they definitely didn't help his cause last week.

2. The Lannister Brothers: Jamie genuinely loves his brother Tyrion, and it's this scene this interaction between the two that made this episode so awesome.  Tyrion from the get go has always been one of my favorite characters.  But seeing him in such dire straights where the jokes have stopped, and he's seriously in fear for his life.  It was really nice to see two brothers talking one little brother pleading with his big brother to help him out.  Anyone that has brothers like I do can totally relate and understand how as a big brother you want to be there for your family.  As much as Jamie's scene with Cersei last week made you really shrink away in disgust, this scene made you start to like the Kingslayer again.  Not since last season's scene with Brienne where Jamie explained why he killed the Mad King have you actually started to feel for the guy.  He genuinely loves his family now it's easy to say in the case of his sister too much so, but this at least makes you appreciate him.

1. King of White Walkers?: Leave to Game of Thrones to make up for the dud of last week with another episode ending that made me leap out of my seat!  It's evident to me that George R. R. Martin is caught, and by next season I wouldn't be surprised if he was passed. Who knows when the Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spring will come out.  Guess what at this point I don't care!  I mean this scene was awesome we've always wondered what do the White Walkers want with these babies?  Every time we've seen one of these creatures it's been awesome, but not since the end of Season 2 with that army of the dead have I been more jazzed to know more.  From the way the scene was shot the perspective of this innocent baby, to the icy reveal of these frozen figures.  Than you see who's clearly their leader an ice crowned White Walker, "What's he going to do to that baby!?" I literally was shouting at the TV.  Than every so slowly you see what he's doing changing the baby it a White Walker!  YOOOOOOOOOO! Way to rebound Game of Thrones cannot wait for more!

Obligatory mention: If you've wondered why their was no mention of Danerys it's because I seriously don't care. I'm sorry I appreciate what the character is doing, I mean yes who doesn't love someone freeing slaves. However much like season 1 I'm just pretty bored with this character, and very similar to how I felt in the books like how I feel like Danerys chapters are a chore I just find myself not caring.

Just missed the cut: Jamie sending Brienne and Podrick on their quest.  I know the title of the episode was taken from the name of the sword Oathkeeper that Jamie gives to Brienne as he sets her on her quest to find Sansa.  But it just misses the cut..

Game of Thrones is Back!

This past Sunday Game of Thrones returned with the season 4 premiere Two Swords.  It was a decent appetizer to the main course to come.  I'm not going to go heavy on spoilers, but wanted to pick out the top 5 best moments in the episode. 

5. Joffrey's exchange with Jamie Lannister
Very brief but once again the actor Jack Gleeson puts on display why everyone loves to hate his character.  Condescending to the max as his Uncle/Dad Jamie tries to lay out the security plans for his wedding.  You can see Jamie trying to not argue with the twerp all the while he insults him by bring notice that Jamie hasn't accomplished anything.  This kid is screaming for a beat down.

4. Introduction of the Thenns
For those that may have been disappointed last season that Styr the Magnar of Thenn wasn't introduced.  It was made up in spades as viewers met the Thenns, and it's easy to see why Tormund Giantsbane doesn't like them.  Props to the make-up artists and casting of the actor Joseph Gatt.  I didn't think that guy could play a creepier character than his Albino from Cinemax's show Banshee.  Yet here you have it tall and creepy and no one you'd want to turn your back on.  His question to Tormund of why the meat down South of the wall is so well fed, then you see what he's actually roasting!  Pretty great intro to an insane character.

3. The Queen of Thorns
I'm not sure if Diana Rigg got nominated for any awards last year for her role as Olenna Redwyne better known as The Queen of Thorns.  But let's be honest she should have!  Every time she's on screen she slays it.  Whether it's picking out jewelry with her granddaughter Margaery Tyrell or meeting Brienne of Tarth for the first time.  She just makes you chuckle or smile with her way with words.  I just hope she's featured even more than season.  If she's not called for find something for her to do she's awesome.

2. The Hound & Omar
This came close to being number one.  I'm feeling the Lone Wolf & Cub thing that the Hound and Arrya Stark have going on.  But it was the intro to the scene that had me like okay now!  While Arrya was trying understand the Hounds honor system.  Where he's willing to kill a child on command, but won't rob someone?  He answers with "A man has to have a code" now anyone that's ever seen The Wire knew exactly who said that first.  Now I don't know if show creators David Beinoff and D.B. Weiss made a conscious effort to channel Baltimore's stick-up artist Omar. But it worked, and then to see He and Arrya tear through the Lannister scum for some roast chicken!  It was an awesome way to end the season 4 first episode.  Now they'll totally blow my mind if you have the citizens of Westoros exclaim "The Hound's coming".

1. The Red Viper
I try not to fall into that category of those that read the books, and let it taint my enjoyment of the show.  It's easy to fall into that trap, but I couldn't help but be utterly excited to see the character of Oberyn Martell the Red Viper.  When Pedro Pascal was cast I know plenty were probably like who?  But let's be real outside of Sean Bean who really knew any of the actors from Game of Thrones.  Point is they nailed it, and his intro gave you all you need to know about the character.  He's lustful, smooth, and totally bad ass.  While frequenting the local brothel The Red Viper and is paramour Ellaria Sand (the excellently cast Indira Varma) he happens to hear someone sing the Rains of Castamere.  In that moment with his confrontation with some Lannisters you know what he's all about!  It was early in the episode but still to me stood out as by far the best moment.  The intro was capped off with his exchange with Tyrion Lannister "Tell your Father I'm here, because the Lannister's aren't the only ones to pay their debts" BOOM.

There you have it there was plenty of good stuff Daenerys encounter with her dragons, Jon Snow at the Wall, Sansa in the God's Wood, Jamie and Brienne's exchange.  But I'm just super stoked for this season which the creators have exclaimed is the most action-packed.  It was a pleasing morsel looking forward for more to come.
 

The Black Experience
by William C Walker Jr.


In honor of Black History Month 2014 I figured I'd share the short video I made for my church's black history month program.  While I tried to do a good job to cover some historic and memorable moments in black history. There's truly no way to fully capture the entire black experience in a short video montage or even a whole month to be honest.  Our history is deep and rich, it's why we need to embrace it and celebrate throughout the year!  We can depend on others to take it seriously or even care it's up to us as people to be proud of where we've been and where we're going.  When I see things like the Michael David Dunn trial the man who shot and killed an unarmed black teen after a dispute over loud music, it's hard to feel like much has changed.  But we've come a very long way from slavery to now and when I think about all that we've been through as a people it's been remarkable.  I hope you enjoy the video as much as I enjoyed making it.

New Year New Changes

New Year New Changes
January 20, 2014
By William C Walker Jr.


So much has transpired since my self imposed hiatus from my blog I wasn't even sure what I would post about.  My quest for an even keel football season started well flew out the window by Week 6, and then pretty much ended where I began.  As it became apparently clear I was staring another season of mediocrity from the 3rd year in a row 8-8 Dallas Cowboys.  I saw some really bad movies and some pretty great movies as the year closed out, but I still didn't go nearly as much as I typically do.  I stayed fired up from a bunch of political stories, and couldn't fully grasp the sheer stupidity involved on both sides in regards to the healthcare website roll out.  So I figured I might as well just try and think out loud on what I'd like to actually achieve with my blog this year.

Last year the few people that have followed my post commented on the length, so I guess I'll start there.  I'll try to keep it short and sweet.  But I'm also realistic when it comes to who I am and what I like to do.  I love to write, and I'll admit I can go on quite a rant or ramble depending on the topic.  So no promises but I'll try to keep it concise.  To my friends and fellow commentators your observations have been noted, maybe not fully implemented but noted and that's a start.

My biggest issue from 2013 was maintaining consistency not just in terms of this blog but pretty much in multiple aspects of my life.  I've never been a firm believer in making a New Year's resolutions seeing how you'll be consistent for about a week and then you're back to eating junk or skipping the gym.  Or whatever thing you said you wouldn't do which you're currently doing now.  So instead of outright proclaiming I'M GOING TO WRITE A BLOG POST EVERYDAY IN 2014! I'll just say I'm going to try and simply be consistent in 2014.  Already I'm facing change and the prospect of the unknown before the month is out.  But rather than cave under the pressure or shrink from the winds of change, I'm going to embrace it trusting in God and knowing that greatness lies ahead.

Gravity!
By. William C. Walker Jr.

October 21, 2013

Gravity starts with this brief caption of what it's like in Space, and how it's impossible to live there.  Then you're hit with this extremely intense and bombastic score very similar to the way Inception started.  And like Inception this was a film that I absolutely love.

Rarely does a film that gets a ton of Oscar buzz and rave critical reviews live up to the hype.  That was apart of my mindset going into seeing the film Gravity this weekend.  I remember reading the premise, and thinking: Good grief that sounds boring.  Why in the world would I want to see that?  Yet then I saw the first trailer:

and I couldn't deny the tension it seemed to create.  Still I had my doubts.  How much enjoyment could I get from what clearly appeared to be Open Water in space?  So against my own instincts I went in, and I'm extremely glad I did.  I'm not going to get tread into Spoiler territory just give the basic plot line.  Sandra Bullock plays Dr. Ryan Stone an astronaut clearly on her first mission in Space.  While George Clooney plays Lieutenant Matt Kowalski a veteran astronaut on his last mission in Space.  While on a routine mission disaster strikes and these two astronauts find themselves in an impossible situation to try and survive. Bullock's and Clooney's characters are archetypes that are pretty straight-forward nor original, however Bullock and Clooney do a superb job in their performances.  

It's important because when you don't have many other characters to play off of it matters if I care about the two leads that are in the film. Both Bullock and Clooney do a great job in making me care about their characters.  When it hits the fan you find yourself cringing and gripping your seat as the beautiful carnage takes place around them.  I say beautiful because Alfonso Curaron does a masterful job and directing this film.  If he isn't nominated for an Oscar (let alone the favorite) it'd be a bigger crime than Affleck's snub from last year.  There are shots in this movie that are flat out gorgeous to be hold, but the favorite move he uses is this intense P.O.V. perspective he displays from Sandra Bullock's character.  It literally transports you into her shoes and this madness is happening around her.  But it's not in this dizzying Paul Greengrass kind of way that makes you motion sick and you question as to what's happening?  I could literally probably write pages on how much I loved this movie, but people say I write too long, so I'll keep it brief.  At one point Bullock's character remarks about a Hell of a Ride, and though you may not see from the previews that's indeed what you're in for when you see Gravity.  I don't know if it's because my expectations where tempered due to all the praise, but I'm happy that it was proven to be well deserved.