Andy Hines | Geekscape

Serializing the Classics: Can Iconic Films Make It On The Small Screen?

by Andy HinesApril 19, 2013

As you likely know, the Psycho and Hannibal Lecter series of films have now been given the contemporary prequel treatment on the small screen. In the last 40 days, Bates Motel debuted on A&E, while Hannibal premiered on NBC during the WonderCon weekend. These two films are among the most iconic in movie history. The question is, if we already know where the series’ must end, how liberal can the television series’ that fill in the gaps really be?

The newer of the two series’, Hannibal so far seems most likely to succeed. Despite being on a network long-known for letting good shows die rather quickly (typically by canceling early), Hannibal seems to be well produced and scripted. The series stars Mads Mikkelsen (CASINO ROYALE) as the titular Dr. Hannibal Lecter, Laurence Fishburne (THE MATRIX TRILOGY) as Jack Crawford and Hugh Dancy (ADAM) as a slightly tweaked version of FBI profiler Will Graham. Fans have seen glimpses of who Will Graham was before Dr. Lecter infected his life, but now we’ll see a different side as it is stated that he likely has Asperger’s Syndrome (a much milder form of Autism). This helps explain the wild imagination and almost total empathy, while shedding light on why he insists on limited social interaction and almost no eye contact. It also fits with the “all business” personality of the character that we saw from Edward Norton in Red Dragon. What we really need to see is how the “good” doctor progresses throughout the series. At the moment, he’s played rather well by Mikkelsen, though not nearly as creepily as by Hopkins. Not yet anyway. That may occur as we get farther down the line. Most of the menace from the character is what we, as fans, infer upon it. Since we know the endgame, we read more into it than may even be there, but I get the feeling that it’s exactly what the show runners are banking on at this point. NBC isn’t skimping on the creepy/shock factor for the crimes that the team investigates, that’s for sure. There are 13 episodes ordered for the first season, and so far they’re rather good, but fans deserve and desire more, and we’re hoping the content keeps improving.

Bates Motel is the prequel series to Alfred Hitchcock’s most (in)famous film, Psycho. Although we never saw her alive in the film or its sequels, the first certainly gave us a brief insight into Norma Bates. The first few episodes have been very rich and filled with decent characters, but Norman doesn’t yet feel like the Bates we’ve all come to know and be scared of. There’s a creepy factor coming off of Freddie Highmore (CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY) that works for a young Norman Bates, but what I didn’t expect was for him to be a much less socially awkward version of the Norman Bates we all know and hate. Then there’s the real psychopath, his mother Norma, played wonderfully by Vera Farmiga (THE DEPARTED). While she may seem to be little more than a devoted mother, there’s clearly an underlying evil that I was surprised to see in just the first episode. From there, every awkward moment I’ve seen appears to have the classic Psycho music in the background. Halfway throughout the ten episode first season, it’s already been a very promising start, worthy of the beloved series of horror films.

We should expect a second season, at least for Bates Motel, as it has already been ordered. We’ll be waiting awhile for NBC to come to their senses and order a second season of Hannibal. As for whether they’ll do justice to the old stuff, we’ll have to take a look back after the end of these first seasons, but at present they’re working their way to becoming rather impressive. Now, I’d love to tell you it feels exactly the same, but as these characters are younger than their established selves, the fandom will have to decide.

The Coming War: What The Return of Pandora Could Mean For the New 52

by Andy HinesApril 8, 2013

It’s been a few years since we’ve seen a real tried and true DC event that really touches everyone. That tradition of big events is coming sooner than anyone may have expected, in the form of July’s upcoming Trinity War. Even before Flashpoint, the big events were cataclysmic in scale and had much more of an impact on a very different DC Trinity, the varied Justice Leagues. With the new Justice League of America, there are now three leagues in total, including the well-known Justice League and the lesser-known and magically inclined Justice League Dark. The new DCU won’t be the same after this, because it’s as much about the three leagues as it is the Trinity of Sin.

For those unaware of this “Trinity of Sin”, let’s take a look back at the New 52 FCBD Special Edition from 2012. We see the Phantom Stranger, Pandora and the new Question. These three are guilty of crimes against Man by the Circle of Eternity, a cable of wizards whose most notable member was Shazam. That’s right. The old wizard that turned Billy Batson into The World’s Mightiest Mortal was one of those that cursed the Trinity of Sin. The ways in which they did so were fairly ironic. The Phantom Stranger will forever remain a mystery to others and must betray people who rely on him. Pandora must wander the Earth alone and be told how she and her curiosity are evil. The Question was once a mighty warlord, until the Circle of Eternity caused him to forget his own name and desperately search for answers he’d never find.To say that Pandora is dangerous is to make a severe understatement. She is, after all, the woman who singlehandedly caused the DCU as we knew it to become what it is today, or so the pages of Flashpoint would have us believe. She’ll get her own series a month before the Trinity War begins, so we’ll really have an opportunity to learn about her then, and then the Question as the Trinity War unfolds.

Trinity of Sin: Pandora, Phantom Stranger and The Question

The thing to think about is that both the Trinity and the three leagues will duke it out. Furthermore, the fact that a character has to die in order for the event to take off shows just how big it may be. It seems as though the lines between the good and bad guys will be blurred on this one, similarly to Crisis on Infinite Earths and Zero Hour. It feels like it’ll be a “how hard can I hit before you break” sort of book. I’m really looking forward to a good story, but at this point, who really knows what we’ll get from it. It may very well undo the New 52, or it could be the final catalyst that forces the WildC.A.T.s into being in the current continuity.

For now, what we know is that there will be plenty of characters thrown at each other that either haven’t met or just plain hate each other. The Martian Manhunter and Shazam are two of those sorts of characters: J’onn, the Martian Manhunter, is the one with no real allegiances and a rough meeting with the original Justice League, contrary to the old model of the DCU, while Shazam has not yet been part of any team, and it’s unclear as to whether he even wishes to be. The inclusion of these and other sorts of “minor” characters could potentially give them solo series. The thing to really remember is how events like Crisis on Infinite Earths revitalized DC Comics during their publication.

Showing all of the extra characters in an event like this could potentially work very well for the New 52. All I can tell you about the finale at this point is what Geoff Johns told USA Today earlier:

“It’s not going to end wrapped up in a bow,” he says. “Something really, really major happens that kicks off some pretty crazy stuff at the end of August.”

What I feel in my gut (and it’s never wrong… except for when it is) is that things will be quite different after this event, in the same way that things changed for Marvel after AvX last year. Sides will be chosen, relationships forever changed, and trust broken beyond repair. Some things are going to go down and people are going to say and do things that they can’t take back. That’s just life as a superhero (or John Constantine) for you. Things have a way of happening, and somebody usually ends up paying for it. It’ll certainly make the DCU more interesting than it’s been for the past few months, but the question is, “at what price?” We’ll figure out soon, so until then, just keep on checking the news feeds and your old pals at Geekscape. Trust me, I’ve got you covered. When I know, so will you.

The Other Clone Saga: A Look at ‘Orphan Black’

by Andy HinesApril 8, 2013

As geeks, we know a little something about clones, either being really cool or whole thing going horribly wrong. Cases in point; Star Wars (both the concept of Jango Fett clones and the Clone Wars animated series) and the Spider-Man Clone Saga (not that great). When we hear things about a BBC series based on the concept of clones, consider our interest piqued for better or worse. Now, when you add a beautiful actress as the main protagonist (and playing several different parts), your fishing trip is over. We’re basically in the boat at this point. This is essentially what BBC America has given us all with their new sci-fi series, Orphan Black.

Tatiana Maslany, as the main protagonist, Sarah.

As I explained to my editor when “pitching” the story, “it’s basically the Clone Saga with a beautiful woman and no powers, or in other words…interesting.” That’s possibly the best part of this series, the fact that it puts the “science” back into modern science fiction. There are no powers, no aliens, and no space ships. It’s a show about science run amok, albeit with the sciencey bits happening largely off-screen. While it is about cloning (and we haven’t even gotten into the ethical issues yet in the series), it’s a very human story about a woman learning these things about herself and at the same time, making a better life and trying to make things right for her and her daughter. The discovery that she’s been cloned and the struggle to reunite with her daughter, Kiera, makes this a wonderful story to be serialized in a television series. Especially when the BBC are the ones producing it.

Tatiana Maslany and Dylan Bruce in Orphan Black

With any luck, the show will move beyond just the first series, which I’m sort of obligated to call it since it’s a BBC production. The fact that one of the main characters, played by Kevin Hanchard, is a cop, and one of the clones’ partners should make for a very compelling show. It’s science-y at points, but the real magic hits in the very real interaction with the various characters, a third of whom are played by Maslany. This is thanks in no small part to co-creators Graeme Manson and John Fawcett who pull double duty (shut up) as writer and director, respectively. None of it feels forced or phoned-in, which certainly helps, as there will be at least 10 confirmed episodes for the first series. I know it’s normally called a season here, but it’s a British thing and we’re discussing a BBC show, now hush and drink your Earl Grey.

Emerald Legacy: Geoff Johns And The Green Lantern Corps Part Ways

by Andy HinesApril 7, 2013

If you’ve read DC comics in the last few years or so, there’s no reason not to know the name Geoff Johns. If anyone has a had a significant role in shaping the Green Lantern Corps, it’s him. By bringing back Hal Jordan in Green Lantern: Rebirth, Johns began his career of changing the Green Lantern Corps’ corner of the DC Universe. No longer were the Green Lanterns the only corps in existence, there became a multitude of Lantern Corps’ with various colors and emotional connections. Fans even got a look at how Hal and his post-Parallax successor Kyle Rayner would interact, and their feelings regarding the other’s legacy.

From here, he introduced us to much more than just Will. We saw that Willpower and and the blue energy of Hope made man and alien alike the best they could be and accomplish many heroic deeds. Unfortunately, we were also shown the wondrous horrible things that Rage and Fear were capable of. The most unlikely and often underrated characters became champions of Compassion and Love. Then we got to know Larfleeze and the orange Avarice energies. After that, things went to hell in the pages of the Blackest Night saga as an army of the dead rose up from their graves, being lead by Nekron and Black Hand, who we hadn’t seen since Rebirth. It was during this time, 2010, that Johns was promoted to Chief Creative Officer of DC. After this, we got Brightest Day and then, for some reason, Flashpoint. I really have no words for Flashpoint. None at all.

Poster Children for The Various Lantern Corps' — Poster Children for The Various Lantern Corps’

He has brought some interesting things into the Green Lantern mythos, such as Sinestro somehow getting hold of a Green Lantern ring. Over a year and a half later, I’m still trying to wrap my brain around that. Then there was the fact that Sinestro gave Hal a duplicate ring, which is also hard to believe. Then there’s Baz, the new GL of Earth, bringing the total number of Corps affiliated GLs to five in the New 52. The thing is, after issue 12 or so, the quality of the GL stories has been in a gradual decline. While it hurts to say that, it did have to be mentioned. I’m looking forward to Johns wrapping up Wrath of the First Lantern and to see good things in the GL book again.

The Lanterns and Volthoom, The First Lantern

After issue 20, Johns will be leaving Green Lantern in order to keep up with his CCO duties and writing such titles as Justice League, Aquaman (which he single-handedly made awesome again) and Justice League of America. The first two have been consistently good and many are hoping for good things from JLA. Due to his early and well-earned status as one of the best writers of the New 52, I wish him luck in his current and future projects. May the New Gods watch over your career, Mr. Johns.

Deconstructing The “Douchebag Bond”: A Look At ‘Archer’

by Andy HinesApril 3, 2013

Let’s just get right to it. The main protagonist, Sterling Archer (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin), is essentially the American douchebag version of James Bond. There. I said it. Everything about him screams “selfish, though oddly charming, asshole.” The writers have taken tropes from every spy movie, television show, comic book or whatever piece of media you can think of and jacked it up to 11. Archer is basically the embodiment of Hollywood machismo, though slightly more refined. With an iron liver, combat and trade craft training, and an unhealthy obsession with Burt Reynolds, he is the everyman of espionage. The more American part of the show is that their agency ISIS is a completely private agency and perpetually on the verge of bankruptcy. I mean, can we get more American than that these days?

Archer is arguably the most successful show currently on FX, and in its fourth season, with a fifth confirmed. We’re really here to figure out just why it’s so popular. I mean, it was created by Adam Reed, the creator of the cult favorites Sealab 2021 and Frisky Dingo. Though it’s animated, in no way is it a kid’s show. It may be the single most non-PC program on television, primetime or otherwise. I can certainly see that being a part of its allure, as is the almost constant innuendo (not that I’m complaining, of course.) His self-centeredness is epic in scope, as is his nearly complete lack of compassion for others. His “skills” are a mix of James Bond and Frank Drebin (look it up, kids) and really half skill/half dumb luck. He really is awesome and ludicrous at the same time. The thing is, he’s not the only thing people keep coming back for. There are plenty of other characters and factors to draw viewers.

As I said, there’s not just Sterling Archer to pin the success of the show on, but also the supporting cast. I would say the runner-up is Archer’s ex, Lana Kane. She is ironically very sensitive to non-PC language and innuendo, especially when it comes from either Sterling or Malory Archer. The interactions between these three are one of the reasons fans love the character (voiced by Aisha Tyler), as is the history between them, known or otherwise. The two butt heads more often than Carol (or was it Cheryl?) changes her name or “Dr.” Krieger develops a mad-sciencey experiment. Then there’s Archer’s mother, Malory, who really needs her own separate article. There’s just so much wrong with that relationship and even just her. So let’s move down to Cyril. Honestly, just the fact that we’re not even sure what his and Lana’s relationship is anymore is probably a big part of why I keep watching. The froggy little accountant for ISIS somehow always manages to find money out of thin air. Speaking of frogs, the farm-raised (and it certainly shows) head of Human Resources, Pam, is easily one of the funnier ISIS employees. Aside from Lana, the openly gay Ray Gillette is the only really qualified and dependable field agent at ISIS. Like everyone else, he is incredibly non-PC, though generally asks that others be so.

(clockwise from top) Krieger, Carol, Pam, Archer, Ray and Cyril

With all of that considered, the best part may be just how outlandish the characters and scripts really are on a given season. It’s ridiculous to the point of being like nothing else on television, and as close to NSFW you can get in a cartoon this side of Ren and Stimpy. With all of the classic spy tropes, innuendo, crude humor and near nudity, it’s perfect for college kids and their only slightly more mature parents. All of this adds to the insane beauty of Archer, which is a strange mash up of stuff that, on paper, should not work, but somehow does with a screwed up perfection. While many of the episodes are very standalone, there are plenty that work within the larger narrative, but I feel like that’ll take a while to really get to a true finishing point. Until then, let’s all sit back, relax and enjoy the best/weirdest/funniest damn animated series since the heyday of The Simpsons.

Doctor Who: Comparing The Companions

by Andy HinesApril 2, 2013

After viewing the new episode of Doctor Who, “The Bells of Saint John”, I was struck with the overwhelming feeling that this might finally be the companion that really sticks with the Doctor for the long haul. In the last seven series (or seasons, as we would call them here in the US), the companions have been some of the most memorable in the entire run of the show. That is, aside from Sarah Jane Smith, who was the companion for the majority of the Tom Baker years. Now, let’s take a look at the previous companions before we jump into the breakdown of who Clara is.

Title card from last week's series premiere. — Title card from last week’s series premiere.

Rose was certainly the novice, but did have some street smarts. Martha was the more scientific mind, as she began her journey as a post-grad doctoral candidate, and came back into the series as an actual doctor. Both fell in love with him. Captain Jack was the seasoned adventurer, who rebranded Torchwood in his honor. Donna was the daft one with the great destiny, who finally realized he always needed someone to keep him in check. Amy made him her whole world until her marriage to Rory, and both were finally what he would have to consider family, as well as friends. Of course, that was mostly because of Melody Pond, aka River Song.

You can say what you’d like about writer and executive producer, Steven Moffat, but he certainly knows how to make people real and relatable. The dialogue is perfect in every character and even in the three episodes she’s already appeared in, that has never seemed more clear than for the newest companion, Clara “Oswin” Oswald.

Jenna-Louise Coleman and Matt Smith in "The Bells of Saint John" — Jenna-Louise Coleman and Matt Smith in “The Bells of Saint John”

Now, we have this impossible girl who he may never figure out. Through all of her incarnations (yes, even through being an insane Dalek), she’s been flirty, even kissing him once. They’re both trying to figure the other out. The Girl Who Died Twice, the Impossible Girl is a paradox. She really shouldn’t exist. Her place is here with the Doctor, as possibly the only companion to really give him a run for his money and be in many ways, an equal. Saying this may get me into some hot water with the fans, but I’m starting to really believe it, even after this small bit of time I’ve gotten to know her through the episodes. “Soufflé Girl” may be something of an anomaly, but she seems as relatable to most as Rose Tyler or the Ponds. She also seems to be taking it much better than any of the previous companions.

With all of that said, I’m really looking forward to what Moffat and the rest do with this new companion, and I’m definitely hoping that she stays around for a good long while.