Category: fantasy

“Turn to page 394”

Prisoner of Azkaban

First, apologies that this is so late in coming; life got a little topsy turvy at the end of 2023; though hopefully it will settle into something manageable now – I have a regular schedule and have left retail behind.  So, let’s jump back into our journey with my favorite Harry Potter.  I adore the book, the film, even the soundtrack.  I also remember a birthday party my best friend threw that was Harry Potter themed, and she had a sweatshirt that looked like Hermione’s.  There’s a picture somewhere.  I think that party even including going to see the film in IMAX at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh.

Gary Oldman (he finally won an Oscar in 2018 for portraying Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, but he’s also been James Gordon in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight movies.  He was in Tinker Tailor Solider Spy [which I know by name only and all the commercials about it], he was also in Red Riding Hood, the voice of the villain Ruber in Quest for Camelot, starred as Dracula in Bram Stoker’s Dracula [I’ve seen scenes from, courtesy of my college roommate], but I will always first remember him as Ivan Korshunov in Air Force One) is brought in as Sirius Black.  David Thewlis (he’s been playing bad guys lately, but we love him as Lupin; he was Grail in Enola Holmes 2, Sir Patrick/Ares in Wonder Woman, though he was in Kingdom of Heaven) as Remus Lupin.

Emma Thompson (P.L. Travers [the author of Mary Poppins, in Saving Mr. Banks, the voice of Elinor, the mother in Brave, and she voiced Captain Amelia in Treasure Planet; she met back up with Emma Watson in the live action Beauty and the Beast as Mrs. Potts.  She’s the titular Nanny McPhee, and starred opposite Alan Rickman in Sense and Sensibility,and I find this hilarious; she’s Trunchbull in the film on Matilda the Musical…considering she was in this film with the one who was Trunchbull in the film) as Sybil Trelawney, and Michael Gambon (he is often mistaken for Ian McKellan [there was a running gag between the two, which I’ll get into when we go behind the scenes in Hobbit and Lord of the Rings], though he has also appeared in The Hollow Crown, a few episodes of Doctor Who, The King’s Speech, and Amazing Grace, and sadly passed away last September) takes over as Albus Dumbledore. 

We’ve seen Timothy Spall in Sweeney Todd (Alan Rickman is also in the film; which I’ve watched once and don’t intend to watch again), Nathaniel in Enchanted, and Simon in Last Samurai (we blame this on my high school boyfriend); here, he’s Peter Pettigrew.  Pam Ferris (she was in the Tolkien movie [which we will cover], and I will always remember as Trunchbull in the 1996 Matilda film with Danny DeVito and Mara Wilson) makes an appearance as Aunt Marge and Julie Christie is Madame Rosmerta.  There is also a new director, and this was the last Harry Potter film that John Willams composed [who just won his 26th Grammy for Best Score for the latest Indiana Jones film at the age of 92].

We start back in Privet Drive for summer holidays, which Harry is not enjoying.  He has to do his homework at night because Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon tried to lock his school supplies away, but Harry snuck some out and keeps them hidden in his bedroom.  Ron attempted a phone call, but that did not end well.  Harry does manage to hear about an escaped prisoner, Sirius Black, but doesn’t think much about it.  Vernon’s sister, Marge comes for a visit and she delights in hearing how Harry attends St. Brutus school for criminal boys.  Harry has to stay on his best behavior so Vernon will sign his permission slip to visit Hogsmeade village.  But she goes too far in insulting Harry’s parents and in his anger, Harry manages to blow Aunt Marge up like a balloon.  He grabs his stuff and makes a run for it, “anywhere is better than here.”  He does spot a dark dog in the shadows while he escapes, but is almost flattened by a purple triple-decker bus; the Knight Bus, which rescues stranded witches and wizards.  Harry has it take him to the Leaky Cauldron in London.  In the film, it’s a harrowing ride, zooming between traffic with a fast-paced soundtrack.  Onboard, Harry catches a glimpse of Sirus Black in the Daily Prophet and finds out he’s wanted in the wizarding world for being a supporter of Voldemort and murdering thirteen people with a single curse and is the only prisoner to have successfully escaped Azkaban prison.

Harry meets Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge at the Leaky Cauldron, who is just glad that Harry has arrived safely and waves away the matter with using magic on his aunt.  “We have a killer on the loose.”  Harry gets to explore Diagon Alley in the meantime and eventually meets up with the Weasleys and Hermione.  Scabbers, Ron’s pet rat, is looking off, and Ron is not pleased when Hermione buys a cat, Crookshanks.  Harry overhears Arthur and Molly Weasley talking about Sirius Black being after Harry.  He later convinces Mr. Weasley that he won’t go looking after Black; “why would I go looking for someone who wants to kill me?”

The kids return to Hogwarts and there is a man sleeping in the compartment our trio sits in, Professor R.J. Lupin according to his luggage.  They figure he is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.  The train makes an unplanned stop, becoming freezing cold as the Azkaban guards, dementors, enter, searching for Black [they do look a bit like the Nazgul from Lord of the Rings].  Harry hears screaming and passes out; the dementors are chased away by Lupin, who then feeds Harry chocolate to combat the after effects.  Harry notes that Snape seems to loathe Lupin upon sight, but the trio are happy for the new teacher and that Hagrid is the new Care of Magical Creatures professor; which also explains the Monster Book of Monsters that tries to bite your hand when you open it.  Harry feels home at last in his dormitory.  The track Double Trouble from the soundtrack, performed by a student choir, has lyrics based on the witches from Shakespeare’s MacBeth: “Double, double, toil and trouble/fire burn and cauldron bubble” etc. (which is why I wanted to read that section when we read it in AP English senior year of high school).

I think Michael Gambon gives an excellent start-of-year speech, balancing sternness one expects from a headmaster, and the quirkiness who know the character to has, ending with “you know, happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if only remembers, to turn on the light.”

The friends start their new classes, though Ron and Harry wonder how Hermione is attending all of hers.  In addition to Care of Magical Creatures, they’ve signed up for Divination, where Professor Trelawney is quick to determine that Harry’s teacup shows the Grim, a large black dog, an omen of death.  Hermione is not keen on the subject.  In the book, McGonagall is quick to inform her third years students “Sybill Trelawney has predicted the death of one student a year since she arrived at this school.  None of them has died yet.  Seeing death omens is her favorite way of greetings a new class (pg. 109).”  But they’re soon distracted by meeting hippogriffs in their first class with Hagrid.  Hagrid has Harry ride Buckbeak to show the other kids he’s not dangerous (accompanied by a brilliant Willams’ soundtrack).  Draco, trying to prove his bravery, insults the hippogriff and gets scratched, which puts a damper on everything. 

Defense Against the Dark Arts becomes an exciting class.  Lupin shows them how to defeat boggarts, which shows people their greatest fear.  But they are defeated by laughter and the spell Riddikulus; one must imagine how to turn their fear into something funny.  Lupin’s first student is Neville, who fears Professor Snape [we’ll get into why this is a mark against Snape down the road].  He imagines Snape in his grandmother’s clothing, and it is rather funny (and kudos to Alan Rickman for wearing that).  Lupin prevents Harry from facing the boggart.  Later, Harry asks him why (and I love this scene in the film; set on a bridge and accompanied by a bittersweet theme).  Lupin admits he figured that Voldemort would appear.  Harry first thought of Voldemort, but then remembered the dementors.  Lupin commends Harry; what Harry fears the most is fear; it’s very wise.  Harry admits he heard screaming and has figured out it was his mother screaming, the night she was killed.  Lupin explains that dementors force a person to relive their very worst memories; “our pain becomes their power.”  And Lupin knew Harry’s mother; she was a gifted witch, but also an uncommonly kind woman.  She could see the beauty in others, particularly when they couldn’t see it themselves.  Lupin also knew James and comments he had a talent for trouble, which rumor has it, Harry has inherited.  “You’re more like them than you know, Harry.”

The film uses the Whomping Willow to track the seasons, which is a beautiful imagery.  Halloween evening, the portrait of the Fat Lady is attacked by Sirius Black.  Dumbledore has the castle searched and the students sleep in the Great Hall.  When Snape expresses concern to the headmaster that Black may have inside help, Dumbledore responds “I do not believe a single person inside this castle would have helped Black enter it (pg. 166).”  Harry also overhears Snape ask Dumbledore if Harry should be warned.  The headmaster responds “perhaps, but for now, let him sleep.  For in dreams, we enter a world that is entirely our own.  Let them swim in the deepest ocean, or glide over the highest cloud.”  (Again, wonderfully written and wonderfully spoken.)  Sir Cadogan is the temporary portrait and delights in changing the password constantly.

One day, Snape has to fill in for Lupin in Defense Against the Dark Arts, which is a position he covets.  He elects to teach the class about werewolves, which they’re not supposed to be studying yet.  “Turn to page 394,” he directs (who knew that line would become iconic?)  Hermione attempts to answer Snape’s questions, but he ignores her and when she persists, he rounds on her, “are you incapable of restraining yourself or do you take pride in being an insufferable know-it-all?” [let’s point out this is another point against Snape as a good guy]

In Quidditch, the Gryffindor team is determined to win the Cup this year.  They play against Hufflepuff and their seeker, Cedric Diggory, in a torrential downpour.  However, when Harry is about to get the Snitch, a chill comes over him and he hears his mother’s screams.  He falls off his broom, slowed only by Dumbledore.  They lose the match and Harry’s broom had flown into the Whomping Willow, and is now in pieces.  Afterwards, Harry goes to Lupin for help; Lupin was able to make the dementors on the train leave and he wants to learn.  Lupin accepts, and stresses that Harry is not weak.  He has true horrors in his past.  But lessons will have to wait until he is feeling better.

Fred and George Weasley decide to help Harry get into Hogsmeade undetected, and pass along the Marauder’s Map, created by Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs.  It can be opened with the phrase “I solemnly swear I am up to no good” [just about the most iconic phrase of the entire series] and closed with “Mischief Managed.”  It shows where everyone is within Hogwarts, every minute of every day.  Allowing Harry to sneak around.  Harry’s able to visit the Three Broomsticks and order butterbeer, and Honeydukes, the sweet shop, and take a look at the Shrieking Shack, which is supposed to be the most haunted spot in Britain. 

While sitting with Ron and Hermione in the Three Broomsticks, they see Minister Fudge enter with Hagrid and McGonagall.  They hear the phrase “Sirius Black,” and Harry sneaks up to overhear their conversation.  He discovers that Sirius was best friends with his father, James, and to this day, remains Harry’s godfather.  The story is that Sirius was serving Voldemort and led him right to the Potters the night they were killed.  McGonagall remarks in the film, “Sirius Black may not have put his hands to the Potters, but he’s the reason they’re dead.”  Harry is upset and Ron and Hermione rush after him.  “He was their friend, and he betrayed them….I hope he finds me, because when he does, I’m going to be ready.  When he does, I’m going to kill him!”

In the book, Harry receives the new Firebolt broomstick for Christmas.  He’s thrilled, but Hermione reports it to McGonagall because she believes that it was sent by Sirius Black.  The broomstick is confiscated and Ron is furious with Hermione.  He’s already mad at her because Crookshanks keeps trying to get to Scabbers.  Later, when Scabbers goes missing and there’s blood on Ron’s sheets, he yells at Hermione.  “It looked like the end of Ron and Hermione’s friendship.  Each was so angry with the other that Harry couldn’t see how they’d ever make up (pg. 252).”  Part of this is dropped in the film.

Harry starts attending lessons with Lupin to learn the Patronus charm to repel dementors.  It creates a Patronus, which acts as a barrier.  But it’s conjured by thinking of a happy memory.  Harry has few of those.  He tries thinking of the first time he rode a broom, but it wasn’t strong enough.  They use a boggart for practice.  Now Harry has started to hear his father’s voice as well when the dementors come near.  In the film, he succeeds by recalling a distant memory of his parents talking.  And for some reason, I love the imagery of him playing with the flame of the candle.

The next Quidditch match is against Ravenclaw; their seeker is Cho Chang, whom Harry couldn’t help but notice is pretty.  Wood shouts at him “this is no time to be a gentleman!  Knock her off her broom if you have to (pg. 291)!”  Three dementors come on to the field and Harry executes a corporeal Patronus and chase them off.  Except, they weren’t real dementors, they were Draco Malfoy and some of his cronies.  McGonagall enjoys setting a punishment on the Slytherins.  This part is left out of the film.  Also left out is an attack on Ron in the Gryffindor dormitory by Sirius Black.  He had a list of the passwords, which had been lost by Neville.

The movie and book differ a little on one incident.  Harry does play a prank on Malfoy while in Hogsmeade, under the Invisibility Cloak.  In the book, the cloak slips and Draco sees Harry, then reports it to Snape.  When Snape demands Harry turn out his pockets, he finds the Marauder’s Map.  He demands it reveals it’s secrets.  Its answer is to insult Snape and tells him “to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people’s business.”  In the film, Harry is looking at the map at night and notices someone walking around by the name of Peter Pettigrew, another of James and Sirius’ friends, whom Sirius supposedly killed.  So how can he be on the map?  Harry goes to investigate and comes across Snape.  Both the book and film do include the line “my dad didn’t strut, and neither do I,” as Harry’s comeback to Snape.  Lupin happens upon them and the map and confiscates it.  To Harry, Lupin admits he knows it’s a map and is astounded that Harry didn’t turn it in.  In the wrong hands, it’s a map to Harry.  It’s a poor way to repay his parents’ sacrifice.  Lupin won’t cover for Harry again.  As he leaves, Harry points out that the Map may be wrong, because he saw someone’s name on it that he knows to be dead; Peter Pettrigrew.

At the same time, Hagrid is preparing for a trial about Buckbeak for attacking Draco.  Hermione has been helping, and Harry eventually takes over because she’s getting stressed by all the coursework (they still haven’t figured out how she’s making it to all her classes).  She has dropped Divination, after getting into a disagreement with Trelawney.  Ron finally apologizes to Hermione, who accepts.  But the trial does not go well (helped to that end by Lucius Malfoy) and Buckbeak is sentenced to death.

The final Quidditch match of the season is between Slytherin and Gryffindor and the student body is in on the rivalry.  In the book, Lee Jordan gets in some good quips about the teams, remarking that Slytherin goes for size, rather than skill, and Gryffindor’s team is one of the best Hogwarts has seen in many years.  Penalties go against both teams; it’s a dirty match, but Harry prevails against Malfoy and Gryffindor wins.  Then the students begin studying for their tests.  Fifth years take OWLS (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) and seventh years have to pass their NEWTS (Nearly Exhausting Wizarding Tests).  During Harry’s final with Divination end with Trelawney going into a weird state and declaring that the “servant will break free and set out to rejoin his master.  The Dark Lord will rise again with his servant’s aid, greater and more terrible than ever before (pg. 324).”

The trio head down to comfort Hagrid over the pending execution of Buckbeak.  On the way, they run into Malfoy and Hermione does the best thing in the entire movie, and punches the “foul, loathsome evil little cockroach” in the face.  We agree with Ron when he remarks after Hermione says “that felt good,” “not good, bloody brilliant.”  They also manage to find Scabbers, but then have to hide from Dumbledore, Fudge, and the executioner.  Scabbers makes a run for it and they encounter a large, black dog.  Ron’s leg is injured in the process and the dog drags him under the Whomping Willow.  Hermione and Harry follow.  At the other end, they wind up in the Shrieking Shack and face Sirius Black.  The dog is an Animagus – Black.  Harry attempts to attack Black, for betraying his parents.  Black doesn’t help his case, when he declares “there’ll be only one murder here tonight.”  Harry confronts him; “you killed my parents.”  “I don’t deny it.  But if you knew the whole story (pg. 342).”

Lupin enters the Shack, then embraces Black like a brother, quipping back and forth.  Hermione shouts that Lupin is a werewolf, he’s been helping Black.  She’s known since Professor Snape set the essay.  Lupin admits he is a werewolf and he knows how to use the Marauder’s Map because he’s one of the ones who wrote it: Moony.  James was Prongs, Sirius Padfoot, and Petter Pettigrew was Wormtail.  James, Sirius, and Peter became Animagus while in school to be with Remus during the full moon.  The Shrieking Shack and Whomping Willow were put in place for Remus to hide while he was as werewolf during school.  Lupin declares that Scabbers is actually an Animagus and is Peter Pettigrew.  He insists to Sirius that they have to explain and owe Harry the truth.  “I did my waiting…twelve years of it…in Azkaban!” Sirius shouts (Gary Oldman is excellent in this scene; fans have declared that Sirius was the dramatic one of the group, but we love him for it)

And then Snape enters.  But he won’t listen to anything Remus or Sirius have to say.  Snape and Black snipe back and forth at each other, not ones to let go of their school-born animosity; “brilliant Snape, once again you put your keen and penetrating mind to the task and as usual, come to the wrong conclusion.”  Harry stands in front of him.  All three students shout Expelliarmus and knock out Snape (in the film, it’s just Harry).  Sirius finally gets the chance to explain that he saw a picture of Scabbers on Ron’s shoulder from an article in the Daily Prophet the previous summer from their trip to Egypt.  And it had mentioned that the boys were attending Hogwarts, where Harry is.  So Sirius escaped as a dog and set out to hunt Peter down.  He admits to Harry he as good as killed his parents, because it was Sirius’s idea to switch to Peter as the Secret Keeper at the last minute.  It was Peter who betrayed the Potters.  The night they died, after Sirius saw, he went after Peter and confronted him.  Peter blew the street up as a distraction and changed back into a rat, cutting off a finger to prove his death; that’s why Scabbers is missing a toe.  Remus and Sirius force Peter to transform back into a man, and he cries and corroborates their story, but begs for his life.  Harry stops Sirius and Remus from killing him, because he figures James wouldn’t want his two best friends to become killers.  But the dementors can have Peter.  Peter proves to be the embodiments of sniveling coward, only interested in saving himself.  Sirius declares that any of the other friends would have died standing against Voldemort, protecting their friends.

That will free Sirius.  Sirius approaches Harry as they exit the Whomping Willow; as Harry’s godfather, would Harry want to live with him?  Harry eagerly accepts, and the tide turns when everyone realizes it’s a full moon.  Remus transforms and Sirius heads the wolf off as Padfoot.  Peter also manages to transform and scampers off.  Snape exits the Willow and first starts to yell at Harry, but turns and shields the trio from the werewolf [ok, to be fair, a point towards the he’s a decent guy column].  He’s pushed aside and Padfoot jumps back in.  Harry runs after Sirius and encounter dementors.  His thought of living with his godfather works for a minute; for half an hour, he believed he would live with his parents’ best friend and that would have been the next best thing to having his own father back.  But Harry collapses; the dementors are close to sucking out Sirius’s soul.  Someone else comes to their rescue.

He wakes to find that Snape has recovered and it’s his word against the teenagers and any minute, the dementors will perform their kiss and suck out Sirius’s soul.  Dumbledore tasks Hermione and Harry with saving two innocent lives and suggests three turns to Hermione.  She has a Time Turner, which is how she attends her lesson, by turning it back in time.  So she and Harry go back three hours, meaning they can free Buckbeak.  They watch her punch Draco and Harry comments, “good punch.”  Then Hermione figures out how to get the trio out of Hagrid’s hut.  Things are tense in the forest when Lupin transforms into a werewolf and comes after Harry and Hermione; Hermione had to make a wolf call to distract him from killing the other Harry, then Buckbeak swoops in to save them.  Harry also wants to see who rescued him from the dementors, thinking maybe it was his dad.  Actually, it was Harry, but his Patronus takes the form of a stag; Prongs, his father’s Animagus form. Then it’s time to fly up to Sirius and rescue him.  Sirius bids the children goodbye; Harry wants to go with his godfather, but Sirius tells Harry he’s meant to be at Hogwarts.  Besides, his life will be too unpredictable for now.  “It’s cruel, that I got to spend so much time with James and Lily, and you so little.  But know this, the ones who love us never really leave us.”  He climbs up on Buckbeak and flies away.  The two teens then race back to the hospital wing, confusing Ron. 

Snape is furious. In retaliation, he tells his students that Lupin is a werewolf, which means Lupin has to leave Hogwarts again.  Parents wouldn’t approve of a werewolf teaching their children.  Remus returns the Map to Harry, who is disappointed because their actions didn’t make a difference.  Remus points out that Harry helped uncover the truth of his parents’ betrayal, he saved an innocent man from a terrible fate.  Harry does reveal Trewlaney’s prediction to Dumbledore, who points out that Voldemort will now have a servant who is in Harry’s debt.

The school year ends and the trio return to their homes for the summer.  Hermione has dropped Muggle Studies, meaning she’ll have a normal year next year.  On the train ride home, Harry receives a letter from Sirius.  The tiny owl becomes Ron’s new pet, since he no longer has Scabbers.  Sirius admits he was the dog Harry glimpsed when he ran away; Sirius wanted to check in on him before he went north.  And it was Sirius who sent the Firebolt, consider it thirteen birthday presents from his godfather, and he also includes his signed permission for Harry to visit Hogsmeade.

The credits roll over the Marauder’s Map and if you’re watching closely, you can see pawprints shift into footprints at one point.  And again, the soundtrack is marvelous, blending all the themes from the film.  Again, this is my favorite book and film of the series.  I think the acting was superb in this film; yes we poke fun at Gambon in the next film, but this film showed him as a worthy successor to Richard Harris.  I like that there are no spiders or snakes in this film.  This is a personal story for Harry.  Yes, Voldemort is mentioned and he remains a threat, but he doesn’t actively show up (only time in the series).  We’re introduced to friends of Harry’s parents…we want more Marauders stories!  (Which is what fanfiction is for).  People who can connect Harry to these figures whom he desperately misses.  Sirius Black is one of my favorite characters and Gary Oldman plays him to perfection.  We wish alongside Harry for Sirius to take him away from the Durselys.  Each book reinforces that these people don’t want him, mistreat him; his only home is Hogwarts.  And here comes his father’s best friend; the man his parents chose to look after him, and if he’s freed, Harry is free, and we mourn alongside Harry when that’s not allowed to happen.  This also was one of the best twists I recall reading; Rowling having us think that Sirius Black is the mass murderer and then he turns out to be innocent and someone else is responsible, who was hiding all along.  And fans wish that Sirius was a little less impulsive that night and could have raised Harry.  And we’ll throw Remus in there as well.

Up Next: Goblet of Fire

“Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself.”

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry and his friends are back for another year at Hogwarts.  Our main cast is still young and are joined by Mark Williams (he’s Rory Willaims’ father in Doctor Who, made other appearances in BBC shows, as well as Billy in Stardust, Wabash in Shakespeare in Love, and Horace in the live action 101 Dalmatians) as Mr. Arthur Weasley, Jason Isaacs (he voiced the Inquisitor in Star Wars Rebels and Zhao in Avatar: The Last Airbender) as Mr. Lucius Malfoy, and the voice of Toby Jones (most recently he was Basil Shaw in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Arnim Zola in the MCU, and voiced Owl in Christopher Robin.  He was Culverton Smith in an episode of Sherlock, appeared in the Hunger Games movies, Doctor Who, Amazing Grace, and Snow White and the Huntsman, as well as the royal page in Ever After) as Dobby.  Kenneth Branagh (he is now Hercule Poirot in the recent Agatha Christie movies [which he also directed]: A Haunting in Venice, Death on the Nile, and Murder on the Orient Express.  He was Cherevin in Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit with Chris Pine [he also directed], and is very famous for his acting and directing work in productions of Shakespeare, notably Hamlet and Henry V.  We’ve also noted he’s directed the live action Cinderella film and the first Thor film of the MCU) is Gilderoy Lockhart and Miriam Margoyles (she was in an episode of Merlin, and was the voice of the Matchmaker in Disney’s animated Mulan, as well as the grandmother in Balto) is Professor Sprout.

A trend we will see throughout the series is that Harry starts each new adventure back at the Dursleys for summer break, missing Hogwarts.  This year, so far he has not heard from any of his friends; his school things are locked away.  The Dursleys are preparing for a dinner party and Harry is to “be in my bedroom, making no noise, pretending I’m not there (pg. 6).”  Except, he has an unexpected guest in his bedroom, a creature he finds out is a house-elf, named Dobby, who warns Harry not to return to Hogwarts, there is a “plat to make most terrible things happen (pg. 16).”  Harry insists he will return to the magic school.  It comes out that Dobby has been stopping his mail and he won’t return the letters until Harry promises he won’t go back.  The house-elf takes off running and floats dessert over the guests’ heads, getting Harry in trouble, both with the Ministry of Magic and the Dursleys; “Dobby must do it, for Harry Potter’s own good.”  Vernon takes great delight in putting bars on the window of Harry’s room, ranting he’ll never go back to school or see his friends again.  

Harry is luckily rescued by Ron, Fred, and George Weasley in their father’s flying car and we all get to witness our first magical home, where the dishes wash themselves and knitting needles turn out work by themselves.  Molly is furious with her son, “beds empty, no note, car gone!” but pleased to see Harry.  We meet Arthur Weasley when he returns home from work at the Ministry, the Office of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts; he only berates his sons when his wife glares at him.  He turns to Harry and eagerly asks “what is the function of a rubber duck?”  Dumbledore even sends Harry’s school list to the Burrow.  Harry accompanies the Weasley family to Diagon Alley for school supplies.  He’s introduced to Floo Powder as a method of travel; he ends up in Knockturn Alley and luckily Hagrid shows up to lead him where he wants to go.  He, the Weasleys, and Hermione run into Draco Malfoy and his father, Lucius, in the bookstore, where they also meet their new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart.  There’s a scuffle between Lucius and Arthur, then Harry spends the rest of the summer at the Burrow, referring to it as the happiest in his life.

They take Arthur’s car to the train station, but are running late, so Ron and Harry will be the last through.  Except, when they try to get on to the platform, the barrier is sealed.  They reason they’ll wait by the car, then Ron suggests they fly the car to Hogwarts.  There’s an Invisibility Booster, so they shouldn’t be seen, but it malfunctions.  The film shows a more exciting ride, though the big finish is landing on the Whomping Willow at the school and the car getting pummeled.  It ejects the two boys and their things, then drives off into the Forbidden Forest.  Snape gets ahold of them first and informs them they were seen, and put the whole Magical World at risk of being discovered.  If it was up to him, they’d both be on the train home that evening.  However, their fate lies with Professor McGonagall.  They won’t be expelled, yet, but their actions were very serious, so they will both serve detention.

Their first lesson as second years is Herbology, where they repot Mandrakes, which look like babies in the roots, and they scream very loudly.  Neville faints at the sound.  Harry also meets an eager first year, Colin Creevy, who is fascinated with Wizarding photographs and wants some of Harry.  Which leads to Lockhart finding out and attempting to give Harry advice about fame; Harry would rather run away.  Lockhart introduces his class: “be warned!  It is my job to arm you against the foulest creatures known to wizard kind!  You may find yourselves facing your worst fears in this room.  Know only that no harm can befall you whilst I am here.  All I ask is that you remain calm (pg. 101).”  Then he sets loose Cornish Pixies and is ineffective and capturing them again, leaving Harry, Ron, and Hermione to finish the job.

Harry runs into Draco again on the way to Quidditch practice and finds out that Draco is the new Seeker for Slytherin, and his father donated new brooms to the team.  Hermione remarks that all the players on Gryffindor got in on pure talent; no one had to buy their way onto the team.  Draco retorts the no one asked for the opinion of a filthy Mudblood.  Ron tries to stand up for Hermione and tells Draco to eat slugs, but his wand was damaged by the Willow and the spell backfires on Ron, causing him to belch up slugs.  Harry is informed what a Mudblood means (dirty blood, magical child of Muggle parentage), then has to spend his detention with Lockhart. 

As the hours wain on, he hears a strange voice.  But Lockhart doesn’t.  Harry hears it again as he heads to the common room and follows it to discover a pool of water and Mrs. Norris hanging on the wall with the ominous phrase “The Chamber of Secrets has been opened.  Enemies of the Heir, beware” on the wall.  (In the book, this is preceded by Nearly Headless Nick’s Deathday party, but that was omitted in the film).  Harry is discovered at the scene, and Filch wants to condemn him, but Snape actually points out that Harry might just be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  However, what brought him there?  Harry does not admit that he heard a strange voice (Snape instead tries to get Harry off the Quidditch team in the book, but McGonagall sees through that).

Hermione speaks up in class (Transfiguration with McGonagall in the film, History of Magic with Professor Binns in the book) to ask about the Chamber of Secrets.  The students learn a little more about the Founding of Hogwarts by Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, Salazar Slytherin, and Godric Gryffindor.  Slytherin wanted to be more selective on who was taught at school, keeping it to pureblood families.  The rest of the Founders disagreed and so legend states that Slytherin built a secret chamber and housed a monster that could rid the school of non-pureblood students.  (Mrs. Norris’ owner, Argus Filch, is shown to be a Squib, a non-magical child of magical parents).  The trio of course decide to investigate and reason that Malfoy is the Heir of Slytherin, with his family history in Slytherin and stance on purebloods.  Hermione figures the best way to question him would be to use Polyjuice Potion, so they could transform into other Slytherin students and find out.  The film doesn’t show that they have to get Most Potente Potions from the Restricted Section; they trick Lockhart into signing a permission form (Hermione is one of the students who is in awe of Lockhart).

Harry faces Draco on the Quidditch field first, Wood telling him “get to that Snitch before Malfoy, or die trying (pg. 167).”  Well, during the game, a Bludger goes rogue and only follows Harry.  Draco calls out “training for the ballet, Potter?” while Harry tries to dodge the heavy ball.  Then it’s a race between the two of them to catch the Snitch.  The Bludger finds it mark and breaks Harry’s arm, but he manages to catch the Snith.  Then Lockhart runs over to help Harry and instead of mending his broken bones, makes them disappear.  Harry ends up in the Hospital Wing to regrow his bones.  Dobby the house-elf appears again and Harry finds out it was the elf who stopped the barrier and set the Bludger to attack him.  We do manage to feel bad alongside Harry when we find out how Dobby is treated, but their conversation is cut short by teachers arriving with a frozen Colin Creevey.  Dumbledore is sure now that the Chamber is indeed open.  But the question is who, not how.  In the film, he admits to McGonagall that the students are in danger and Hogwarts is no longer safe.  [But he doesn’t send them home yet.]

So, the Headmaster allows Lockhart to start a Dueling Club for the school and Snape somehow becomes Lockhart opponent [how did that happen?  Did he volunteer?  Was he asked?  By whom?].  The opponents trade salutes like in a saber duel and Snape manages to teach the students a useful spell: Expelliarmus, and make a fool of Lockhart at the same time.  Lockhart nominates Harry as the next student and Snape brings up Draco Malfoy.  “Scared, Potter?”  “You wish.”  They attempt more than disarming and Draco fires a snake at Harry.  But before the professors can banish it, Harry speaks to it and orders it away from another student.  However, everyone is in shock and a little afraid (look at Snape’s expression in the movie; he was certainly not expecting that and probably brings up a whole host of questions).  Ron questions Harry about the ability and reveals that Harry can speak another language: Parsletongue.  It was an ability Slytherin himself prized.  So now everyone is going to think Harry is the Heir of Slytherin, and many students do.  The Weasley twins try to make a joke of it, but it wears on Harry.  And as Hermione points out, Harry doesn’t know that much about his family in order to dispute it.  Then, another student is attacked, through Nearly Headless Nick.  Dumbledore finally asks Harry if there is anything he’d like to share with the older wizard.  Harry keeps quiet, especially after questioning the Sorting Hat and finding out the Hat still thinks Slytherin would have been a good fit.  He also meets Dumbledore’s phoenix, Fawkes, in the Headmaster’s office.  [I notice a similarity between Fawkes’ theme and the love theme from Attack of the Clones, both written by John Williams and both films came out in 2002.  That is also why a lot of the themes from the first film were reused in this film.]

There are some deleted scenes from the film that show the other students; mainly Hufflepuff, discuss Harry as the Heir of Slytherin.  One surmises that maybe Voldemort went to kill Harry because he didn’t want another Dark Wizard competing against him.  There’s also a beautiful scenic shot of Harry and Hedwig, sitting away from the castle and looking back at it.  Harry asks his companion, “who am I, Hedwig?  What am I?”

The Polyjuice Potion is ready at Christmas; Ron and Harry manage to transform into Crabbe and Goyle, but Hermione can’t join them.  They find their way to Slytherin’s Common Room and talk to Draco.  Luckily, Crabbe and Goyle are already a little dim, so Draco readily tells them again, he doesn’t know who the Heir is; his father won’t tell him.  But the last time, someone died.  Ron and Harry report back to Hermione and find out that the hair she used was cat hair.  She goes to the Hospital Wing to get transformed back.  Harry also finds a book thrown through Myrtle; when he examines it, it’s blank, but it belonged to a T.M. Riddle.  Ron recognizes the name from an award he had to polish, from fifty years ago.  They had discovered the last Chamber of Secrets attacks were fifty years ago.  Harry examines the diary further and attempts writing in it: it writes back.  Tom shows Harry his memory of catching the culprit; Hagrid.  But Harry refuses to believe Hagrid is truly at fault.  Before he can get more information, his room is trashed and the diary is gone.

Harry hears the voices again on the way to a Quidditch match and Hermione heads to the library; “because that’s what Hermione does, when in doubt, go to the library (pg. 255).”  The match is canceled and McGonagall informs Ron and Harry that it was Hermione and another girl who were attacked, holding a mirror.  New rules are set in place and everyone is under a curfew.  Harry drags his dad’s Invisibility Cloak out again and he and Ron sneak down to Hagrid’s.  But they’re not the only ones to show up.  Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic show up to arrest Hagrid, even though Dumbledore vouches for him.  Then Lucius Malfoy shows up with a letter from the school governors to suspend Dumbledore.  Fudge even protests, but Dumbledore goes peacefully and says in parting “I will only truly have left this school when none here are loyal to me.  You will also find that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it (pg. 264).”  Hagrid drops the loud hint that answers lie with following the spiders.

Ron’s not keen on following the spiders into the Forbidden Forest.  And they run into a test of huge spiders [I refuse to watch the scenes in the movie; they creep me out].  But they find out, while this was the pet Hagrid kept in the school, it is not the monster from the Chamber.  Hagrid was innocent.  They still try to eat Harry and Ron, luckily, the old car comes to their rescue and drives them out of the forest.  The two boys also deduce, that if the girl who died was found in the bathroom, it may be Moaning Myrtle.  Their next clue comes from a piece of paper grasped in Hermione’s hand, a page detailing a basilisk; the King of Serpents “of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly (pg. 290).”  Spiders flee from it and the cry of a rooster is fatal, which is why Hagrid has been finding the roosters dead.  Hermione also wrote “pipes” on the page.  Harry figures it out; it’s a snake, so that’s why only he is hearing it.  It’s slithering through the pipes in the school and no one has died from its gaze because they only saw reflections. 

Before they can act on their knowledge, the school goes into lockdown.  They hide in the teachers’ lounge and discover that Ginny Weasley was taken into the Chamber.  The other professors dispense with Lockhart, claiming he can use his experience he’s written about to rescue the girl (of course, not believing anything of the sort).  Ron and Harry still go to him with their information and find him packing.  They force him to Myrtle’s bathroom, where Harry asks about how she died.  One of the sinks has a carved snake on the faucet and Harry uses Parsletongue to open the Chamber of Secrets.  The boys force Lockhart down.  The man faints at the sight of a snake skin, then tries to wipe their memories.  That’s his actual expertise; he wrote about what other people did and took the credit, but wiped their memories so they couldn’t blab, all so he could become famous.  And he’ll do the same again.  Except, he took Ron’s wand and the spell backfires and also causes a cave in.  Harry goes on alone.

He finds an unconscious Ginny and a very solid looking Tom Riddle, out of the diary.  He reveals that Ginny had been writing in the diary all year, pouring her soul out to an invisible stranger.  Which is exactly what he wanted; he has grown stronger while Ginny has grown weaker and soon, he’ll be alive again and Ginny will be dead.  He also very much wants to talk to Harry; “how is it that you – a skinny boy with no extraordinary magical talent – manage to defeat the greatest wizard of all time (pg. 313)?”  Harry wants to know why Tom is interested in Voldemort, he’s after his time.  Voldemort is Tom’s past, present, and future.  The letters in Tom Marvolo Riddle rearranged create I am Lord Voldemort.  Tom refused to keep the name of his filthy Muggle father, when the blood of Salazar Slytherin runs in his veins.  Dumbledore suspected him in school, so he locked his memories away in the dairy so someone later could finish his work.  Harry corrects Tom that Dumbledore is the greatest wizard of all time.  A strange tune comes to them and Fawkes appears, bringing the Sorting Hat.  Tom is prepared to kill Harry, though notes there are similarities between them; both half-blood, both orphans, both Parslemouths, and they even look a bit alike.  Still, Harry has to die.  He calls forth the basilisk.  Harry goes running, but Fawkes attacks the serpent, blinding it, which allows Harry to now see where the snake is.  He begs the Hat for help, and pulls out a sword.  When the basilisk strikes, Harry stabs it through it’s mouth, but he gets a fang in the arm.  Before Harry can succumb to the wound, Fawkes sheds a few tears.  Phoenix tears have healing properties.  Harry decides to stab the diary with the fang in order to stop Tom.  The memory disappears and Ginny wakes.  Harry gets everyone together and Fawkes flies them out to McGonagall’s office.

Arthur and Molly Weasley are waiting for Ginny.  Arthur tells her off; she should know better than to “trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain (pg. 329)” [and that is Arthur Weasley’s best line].  Dumbledore insists that Ginny will face no punishment; older and wiser wizards have been hoodwinked by Voldemort.  Ron is sent with a letter to get Hagrid back.  Dumbledore also explains that Tom Riddle disappeared after school and travelled far and wide.  He “sank so deeply into the Dark Arts, consorted with the very worst of our kind, that when he resurfaced as Lord Voldemort, he was barely recognizable.  Hardly anyone connected Lord Voldemort with the clever, handsome boy (pg. 329).”  Dumbledore thanks Harry for the loyalty he showed the Headmaster; that was why Fawkes came.  Harry brings up the similarities Tom pointed out between the two boys.  Dumbledore admits that there are similarities, but it is their choices that “show what we truly are, far more than abilities (pg. 333).”  Also, Voldemort managed to transfer some of his powers to Harry the night he attempted to kill him.  Though only a true Gryffindor could have pulled Godric Gryffindor’s sword from the Sorting Hat. 

Lucius Malfoy shows up, with Dobby in tow, demanding why Dumbledore returned.  The older wizard explains that the other governors wrote to him, asking him back, when they found out Arthur Weasley’s daughter was taken.  Seems Lucius threatened to curse their families if they didn’t dismiss Dumbledore in the first place.  Harry figures out that Lucius slipped Ginny the diary the day they ran into each other in Flourish and Blotts.  Harry can’t prove it and Lucius warns him he’ll meet the same sticky end as his parents.  “Let us hope Mr. Potter will always be around to save the day.”  “Don’t worry, I will be.”  He runs after Lucius to return the diary and when the man tosses the disgusting book to Dobby, he doesn’t realize it has one of Harry’s socks in it.  He’s presented Dobby with clothes; Dobby is free!  Lucius tries to attack Harry [possibly starting the Killing Curse], pulling his wand from his cane (like nobles used to with their swords…totally cool!) but Dobby protects Harry Potter.  Harry is grateful, but asks the elf to never try to save his life again.

Everyone who was Petrified is revived.  Hermione rushes to give Harry a hug, then awkwardly shakes hands with Ron.  School exams are cancelled as a treat.  And Hagrid returns to Hogwarts, stopping to thank the trio.  Harry stands and tells the man, “there’s no Hogwarts without you, Hagrid.”  [And I shed a tear watching this, remembering that Robbie Coltrane is no longer with us.]  He hugs the man and Dumbledore is the next to stand and begins clapping [and that actor is no longer with us, either; he passed away before the film premiered].  McGonagall is the next to join in and soon most of the Great Hall is applauding Hagrid (accompanied with the sweeping theme from the ending of the first film).

Next Time: Prisoner of Azkaban

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”

To open, let me just say that I am including Harry Potter in my blog series since it was a big part of my childhood and growing up.  This is all nostalgia for me.  But, taking into account the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling at the moment, please enjoy second-hand copies or borrowed copies if you have not read the books or watched the movies yet.

A bit of background; I think most people are aware of how J.K. Rowling came up with the story and how many publishers declined at first.  Then, it became a global phenomenon.  Personally, I didn’t get into Harry Potter until I received the first three books in hardback for my birthday from family members.  So I figured I should give them a try since they were a gift and hardback.  I got into the first chapter of the first book and fell in love.  I was the right age for the series; I was probably 11 when I received my gift and the books start with the main characters at 11.  By the time the fourth book came out in 2000, I was part of the group that would pre-order the book.  I read that one in a day and a half and I was good for nothing else.  I went to the movies with friends in high school and even into college.  I got in trouble for reading the fifth book while on vacation with a friend.  I re-read the first four books so often I broke the spine on the hardbacks and I’ve had to replace them (and specifically, when I replaced Sorcerer’s Stone, I found the anniversary edition, though I don’t think it really throws page numbers off).  Hence, I literally grew up with these characters, and it will always hold a place in my heart.

Anyway, on with: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

(In Britain, the first book and movie are the Philosopher’s Stone, but changed since American audiences would not be as familiar with Philosopher’s stone)

The bulk of the cast includes:

Daniel Radcliffe as the titular Harry Potter (he’s gone on to do some comedic roles, along with stage roles).

Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley

Emma Watson as Hermoine Granger (we saw her in the live action Beauty and the Beast and she was Meg March in 2019’s Little Women)

Richard Harris in Albus Dumbledore in the first two films, then he passed away in 2002 and was replaced by Michael Gambon (who very recently passed away).  Richard was King Arthur in the 1967 movie Camelot, then played Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator [though, I did fall asleep during that movie], and he had a brief appearance in Patriot Games.

The indomitable Maggie Smith is Professor Minerva McGonagall.  She’s now equally well known for her quips in Downton Abbey, but I also knew her as Mother Superior in Sister Act.  She was Lady Gresham in Becoming Jane.

The very talented and dearly missed Alan Rickman (he passed away in 2016 from pancreatic cancer) brings us Professor Severus Snape.  He was Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd, part of Galaxy Quest and Alice in Wonderland, shined as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, wooed us in Sense and Sensibility and was even alongside Liam Neeson in Michael Collins.  He was handpicked by J.K. Rowling and was the only one informed on some of Snape’s background.

Robbie Coltrane is Rubeus Hagrid (he also passed away in 2022) and occasionally helped Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond out in The World is Not Enough and GoldenEye.  He was also the voice of Lord Dingwall in Brave (how did I miss that?)

Fiona Shaw is Aunt Petunia Dursley (she was Miss Harrison in the first Enola Holmes movie)

Richard Griffiths was Uncle Vernon Dursley (he also passed away in 2013).  He appeared as the Duke of Burgundy in BBC’s Hollow Crown productions and King George in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

Harry Melling plays their son, Dudley Dursley.  He portrays Cadet Edgar Allan Poe (alongside Christian Bale) in The Pale Blue Eye [which was filmed about an hour down the road from me].  He also appeared in an episode of BBC’s The Musketeers and Merlin.

Warwick Davis portrays several of the goblins (mainly Griphook) and Professor Flitwick.  We should recognize him from Willow, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Wicket in the Star Wars universe (and other roles in that galaxy).  He’s been in Doctor Who, Merlin, and Prince Caspian.

John Hurt is Ollivander (he passed away in 2017) and is also the voice of Kilgarrah in Merlin, the War Doctor in Doctor Who, voices part of The Hollow Crown, Professor Oxley in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and appeared in Rob Roy.

Julie Walters is Mrs. Molly Weasley; we’ll see her later in both Mamma Mia movies; she also briefly appears in Mary Poppins Returns and BBC’s Hollow Crown.  She voices the witch in Brave (missed that one as well), but she’s the mother in Becoming Jane.

We’re introduced to Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley

As well as actual twins James and Oliver Phelps as Fred and George Weasley

Chris Rankin portrays older brother Percy (he’s worked as production coordinator on Discovery of Witches and Downton Abbey and is Mycroft Holmes in the Hillywood Sherlock Parody)

Tom Felton is Draco Malfoy.

Can’t forget John Cleese as the ghostly Nearly Headless Nick.  He’s part of the Monty Python group, has become a narrator for Winnie the Pooh, and was Q in several James Bond films (most of Pierce Brosnan’s).

Alfred Enoch, who plays Dean Thomas, is in an episode of Sherlock

David Bradley, who plays Argus Filch, pops up as Walder Frey in Game of Thrones and is briefly seen in Captain America: The First Avenger.

Filming took place at Christ Church, Oxford, Durham Cathedral, Gloucester Cathedral, and Alnwick Castle (that’s the main one we see)

The first and second films were directed by Chris Columbus.  And the brilliant John Williams scores the first three films, though his main theme, titled Hedwig’s Theme is used in the rest of the films and is iconically linked to the Harry Potter universe (and those whimsical chimes that start the piece are played on a celesta).

We open the film a little later than the book; where we’ve already been introduced to Vernon and Petunia Dursely; very normal people, and the “last people you’d expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn’t hold with such nonsense (pg.1).”  But their greatest secret was the Potters.  Which lands on their doorstep one evening, delivered by an old man in a robe and a lady who was at one point a cat reading the sign to Privet Drive.  These are Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall we find out, and they are delivering infant Harry to his only living relatives.  Something has occurred that his parents are dead and he now bears a lightning-shaped scar.

Harry is delivered by a large man, Rubeus Hagrid, on a flying motorcycle, lent to him by a young Sirius Black.  Harry dreams of this incident when he wakes to his cousin Dudley’s eleventh birthday, a very selfish boy who argues about how many presents he gets, regardless of size.  Harry goes to the zoo with his cousin, aunt, and uncle, though Vernon makes sure to warn Harry off of any funny business.  When they come to the reptile house, Dudley gets bored by a snake, and Harry strikes up a conversation with the snake and to his surprise, the snake responds.  Glass disappears and Dudley falls into the enclosure.  Harry can’t explain how it happened, but he gets punished for it anyway.

More strange things begin to happen, such as mail coming for Harry, addressed to the cupboard under the stairs, his bedroom.  Vernon won’t let Harry have his letter, nor the multitude that begin to arrive each day.  Even when they move bedrooms.  Harry knows that his aunt and uncle know something; he can hear Vernon telling Petunia “I’m not having one in the house, Petunia!  Didn’t we swear when we took him in we’d stamp out that dangerous nonsense (pg. 36)?”  Vernon is very pleased when Sunday comes, for “no post on Sunday.”  Then their house is flooded with letters, shooting out of the chimney.  Vernon forces them to leave, to a hut on a rock in the middle of nowhere.

But not far enough away that Hagrid can’t return and knock down the door right after Harry turns eleven on July 31st.  He informs the young lad, “yer a wizard, Harry.”  Harry is disbelieving, but Petunia finally speaks up and recounts that her sister, Lily was indeed a witch.  Well, Petunia calls her a freak, but it doesn’t negate the truth that Harry is a wizard.  And he was lied to about how his parents died.  Hagrid gives Dudley a pig’s tail and he and Harry leave.

Hagrid takes Harry to London to buy his school supplies for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  If one knows where to look, one can find the Leaky Cauldron, which leads to Diagon Alley, full of magical shops and Gringotts, the wizarding bank.  There, Harry finds a fortune left to him by his parents.  They also stop at vault 713 to retrieve an object for Dumbledore [magical symbolism runs rampant in the series, for both the numbers 7 and 13 have magical influence, some of which we discover later; and there are books devoted to pointing out all the magical influence Rowling wove in].  In the book, Harry meets a young blond boy also attending Hogwarts, but they don’t get on.  In the movie, they meet later at school.  Hagrid buys Harry an owl for school, snowy white, that he later names Hedwig.  Harry also purchases his own wand from Ollivander who spouts “the wand chooses the wizard.”  And it’s very curious that Harry’s wand, holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, the phoenix who gave his feather gave only one other.  And that feather was the core in the wand that gave Harry his scar.  For “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things, terrible, but great,” and they should expect great things from Harry as well.

Harry bemoans to Hagrid, “Everyone thinks I’m special…. How can they expect great things?  I’m famous and I can’t even remember what I’m famous for (pg. 86).”

Hagrid explains as best he can what happened to Lily and James and to Harry as a baby.  No one had been able to stand against Voldemort once he wanted them dead.  True, some fought him, including Harry’s parents, but he went after them and killed them anyway.  Until he reached Harry.  Something about the baby stumped him and when he went to kill the infant, the spell rebounded and possibly killed the man.  Hagrid reasons there wasn’t enough human left in the man to actually kill him, and he’s still lurking out there.  That’s why Harry’s famous; he’s the Boy Who Lived.

At King’s Cross Station, Harry has to catch the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9 ¾.  Except, Hagrid didn’t tell him how to access the platform.  Luckily, a family of red-heads arrive, talking about Muggles (non-magic folk) and Harry works up the courage to ask the mother, who explains to run at the barrier between platforms nine and ten.  One of the boys is Harry’s age and they ride the train together, and we’re introduced to Ron Weasley, his younger sister Ginny briefly, and his older brothers Fred, George, and Percy.  The boys share sweets Harry buys, then get introduced to Hermoine Granger, who is helping a boy named Neville find his toad.  In the book, Draco Malfoy returns to introduce himself and try to become friends with Harry.  But Harry sticks up for his new friend, and tells the other boy, “I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks (pg. 109).”

When the train reaches the station, the first years are led to boats by Hagrid and ride up to the castle (and can we ever forget the first time we saw the castle, lit up against a dark sky?)  McGonagall greets them and informs them about the Houses (Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Slytherin) and Sorting.  A hat is placed upon their head, which then shouts which House they will join (in the book, the hat sings a song).  When it comes to Harry’s turn, the hat ponders for several moments; there is plenty of courage in the young boy, not a bad mind, talent, but also “a thirst to prove yourself.”  Harry pleads, “not Slytherin.”  Really, the hat questions.  Slytherin can help Harry on the way to greatness.  Harry asks “anything by Slytherin.”  Very well, Gryffindor!  Ron, Hermione, and Neville join Harry in Gryffindor.  Draco is placed in Slytherin.

Harry spies an odd teacher up at the Head Table, speaking to Professor Quirrell, whom Harry already ran into in the Leaky Cauldron.  There’s a sharp pain in Harry’s scar when he spots the dark-haired man, Professor Severus Snape, who teaches Potions.  As Percy informs him, Snape is more interested in Quirrell’s job as Defense Against the Dark Arts.  Harry also finds out about Filch and his cat, Mrs. Norris.  Then it’s off to their dormitories (after another song in the book).  And soon classes begin, and Harry meets Snape again.  As Alan Rickman expertly delivers in the film:

There will be no foolish wand waving, nor silly incantations in this calls. As such, I don’t expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion-making. However, for those select few, who possess the predisposition…I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death.

He spots Harry and announces him “our new celebrity,” then proceeds to ask questions.  Harry doesn’t know the answer, but Hemione has memorized the textbooks, hoping to give herself a leg up, but Snape won’t call on her.  “Clearly, fame isn’t everything.”  [And it’s a little bittersweet to hear that voice and that dialogue after several years; I don’t think I have read the books or watched the movies since Alan Rickman passed away.  The eighth movie came out and I watched it, and then, got busy with other fandoms and ideas.]

Yes, Snape has a great dislike for Harry and Harry’s not too keen on Snape either.  He’s happier about flying lessons, even if it is with the Slytherins and Draco.  Neville gets into a mishap and Madam Hooch has to take him to the Hospital Wing.  She’s warned the students not to fly, but Draco finds Neville’s Rememberall and taunts Harry that he’ll put it on the roof.  Harry discovers he’s a natural flyer, “a rush of fierce joy he realized he’d found something he could do without being taught – this was easy, this was wonderful (pg. 148),” and goes off after Draco, successfully catching the small ball feet in the air.  And in front of McGonagall.  However, instead of getting expelled, he’s introduced to Oliver Wood, the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.  “I’ve found you a Seeker.”  He’s compared to Charlie Weasley (another of Ron’s older brothers) and McGonagall even comments that Harry’s father would be proud, he was an excellent Quidditch player.  This makes Harry the youngest House player in a century. 

In the book, Malfoy challenges Ron and Harry to a wizard’s duel, but it was just an effort to get them caught by sending Filch after them.  It’s at this point that Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville find the out-of-bounds third floor corridor and a humungous three-headed dog guarding something.  In the film, it’s a case of the stairs moving when the trio was not expecting and depositing them on that floor; but we do learn Alhoamora.  When the three return to Gryffindor tower, Hermione remarks “I’m going to bed before either one of you gets another clever idea to get us killed, or worse, expelled” [another iconic line from the film that I remember my friends and I trying to imitate].

Classes continue; the students learn the levitation spell in Charms class, Wingardium Leviosa, where Hermione excels and Ron struggles.  He makes a crack that she doesn’t have many friends, which sends her to the girls’ bathroom to cry (she’s eleven and he hurt her feelings).  The Halloween feast is interrupted by Quirrell running in, exclaiming there is a troll in the dungeon and passing out for good measure.  The teachers are to follow Dumbledore to the dungeons, prefects are to take the students to their dormitories.  Ron and Harry realize that Hermione is still in the bathroom and doesn’t know about the troll.  She knows soon enough when the troll lumbers into the bathroom.  Ron and Harry run to rescue her, Harry leaping on to the troll as distraction (as described in the book as “something both very brave and very stupid (pg. 176)”…and honestly, that is Harry’s style) and Ron getting the levitation spell correct in order to knock the troll out with its own club.  McGonagall, Snape, and Quirrell find the trio and McGonagall takes five points from Hermione, who lied and said she went looking for the troll, then awards ten points to Ron and Harry “for sheer dumb luck.”  The three become friends after the adventure. 

They’re so young here!

However, Harry notices that Snape’s leg is bloody and theorizes that he went to the three-headed dog instead of the dungeon.  Now a proper mystery is underway; he knows that there was an attempted robbery at Gringotts, but nothing was taken since the vault had been emptied the same day, the day he and Hagrid were there.  So, the massive dog is guarding whatever Hagrid grabbed for Dumbledore; Hagrid had even mentioned that Hogwarts is safer than Gringotts.

But Harry soon has his first Quidditch match to contend with.  He already received a new broomstick, courtesy of McGonagall.  The first match is against Slytherin and at first, all goes well.  But Harry’s broom begins to buck him off.  Hermione spots Snape eyeing the broom and muttering, and figures he is jinxing the broom.  In her haste to light his robes on fire, she bumps Quirrell and Harry manages to get back on the broom and even catch the Snitch…well, swallow it, but it still counts.

While spending time with Hagrid, the large man slips to the kids that Dumbledore’s friend Nicholas Flamel has something to do with what the dog (named Fluffy) is guarding.  So the kids begin researching and Ron and Harry promise to research while Hermione goes home for Christmas break.  Harry is very pleasantly surprised Christmas morning to receive presents, including a sweater from Mrs. Weasley to match her sons’, and a gift handed down from his father from a mysterious sender: an Invisibility Cloak, with the note “use it well.”  He decides to try the Restricted Section for information on Flamel, but a screaming book sends him off [and made me jump in my seat the first few times I watched the film].  While running from Filch and Snape, he discovers a room with a strange mirror in it.  When Harry stands in front of the mirror, he can see his parents.

He later returns with Ron to show him, but Ron sees himself as Head Boy and Quidditch Captain.  On his third visit, Harry discovers Dumbledore, who explains the secret of the Mirror of Erised; it will show someone’s desire.  But not truth, nor knowledge, and Dumbledore warns Harry against looking for the mirror again.

The kids eventually discover that Flamel was the one who made the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone, which can turn any metal into gold and produce the Elixir of Life, which grants immortality.  They eagerly pass along their findings to Hagrid and their theories that Snape is after it.  Nonsense, Snape helped protect the stone, he wouldn’t steal it, Hagrid argues.  And revealing that there is more guarding the stone.  “I should not have said that, I shouldn’t have said that.” 

In the book, they also have to contend with the dragon egg Hagrid won, which hatched into a Norwegian Ridgeback Hagrid names Norbert.  Harry comes up with the plan to send the dragon to Charlie Weasley, except he and Hermione are caught by McGonagall, along with Malfoy and Neville, who was trying to warn them (Ron had been bitten by Norbert, and so was in the hospital wing).  In the movie, Ron hasn’t been bitten, so he gets in trouble as well when they are discovered returning to the castle well after dark.  They lose a whole mess of points and have to serve detention, with Hagrid, in the Forbidden Forest.  He has them searching for an injured unicorn, which Harry and Malfoy come across, along with a cloaked figure.  Harry’s scar begins to pain him, but before the cloaked figure can come after the boy, a centaur rescues him.  In the book, they’re more concerned with what the stars are foretelling, but Firenze is helpful.  He explains that only those truly desperate will kill and unicorn and drink its blood; it will save one from death, but it will be a half life, a cursed life.  Until they can retrieve something in the castle that will grant immorality. 

Harry figures Voldemort has returned and is after the stone.  And he jumps to the conclusion that Snape is helping Voldemort and they both want to kill Harry.  But he’s not as concerned about that; he’s determined to protect the stone.  Ron and Hermione willingly join him.  Neville tries to stop them from leaving and getting in more trouble when they go to sneak out, but Hermione full-body binds him with apologies.

And three eleven-year-olds manage to get past Fluffy, falling into a Devil’s Snare.  Hermione pays attention in Herbology and remembers it hates sunlight and uses a spell.  Next, they get the correct flying key and unlock the door to a chess match.  Ron shows off his strategist brain and helps them play across, and then sacrifices his piece so Harry can checkmate the king.  Harry then tells Hermione he has to go on alone; she should take Ron and go get help.  Hermione remarks that Harry is a great wizard.  “Not as good as you,” he replies.  “Books, cleverness, there are more important things.  Friendship and bravery.”  In the book, there is another task that Hermione helps Harry with; the enchantment Snape set with Potions.  She figures out his riddle and sends Harry forward and herself back to Ron.  This is left out in the film.

Then Harry faces not Snape, but Quirrell, in front of the Mirror of Erised.  He is trying to get the stone out of the mirror.  When Harry is forced in front of it, he sees himself with the stone in his pocket and it appears there.  He tries to lie his way out, but a high voice catches him and orders Quirrell to reveal him.  Voldemort has been inhabiting Quirrell’s body and now appears on the back of his head (now we know why he wore a turban).  He tries to get Harry to join him, promising they can bring his parents back.  “There is no good nor evil, only power, and those too weak to seek it.”  But Harry resists.  Quirrell attempts to grab the boy, but his hands burn when he touches Harry.  Harry uses this to his advantage and grabs Quirrell.  He blacks out when helps arrive.

And awakens days later in the hospital to see Dumbledore.  He informs Harry that his efforts to hold off Quirrell almost killed him.  And the events are a secret, so naturally, the whole school knows, and sent their well-wishes.  He’s spoken to Flamel, and the stone will be destroyed.  Though after six hundred years, “death is but the next great adventure” [this is a similar sentiment we will come upon in Lord of the Rings from Gandalf].  Harry attempts to ask why Voldemort wants him dead, but Dumbledore is not ready to reveal that answer yet; when Harry is older.  He does explain that Quirrell couldn’t touch him because of his mother’s sacrifice, due to her love.  In the books, Ron brings up whether Dumbledore meant for the events to happen as they did, particularly by sending Harry the cloak.  Hermione pipes up that that is a terrible notion, but Harry sticks up for his mentor, that Dumbledore was giving them an opportunity and as kids, we want the chance to get into things and figure things out for ourselves.  [As adults, we realize this is terrible.]

At the end of year feast, Dumbledore passes out a few last-minute points to Ron, Hermoine, Harry, and then Neville, for having the courage to stand up to his friends, which causes Gryffindor to win the House Cup over Slytherin.  The students pack up and head to the station to return home.  Hagrid gives Harry another gift; a photo album with pictures of his parents.  He remarks to his friends “I’m not going home, not really.”  Throughout the series, Harry will constantly refer to Hogwarts as his real home, not the house on Privet Drive with his abusive relatives.

The first two movies stay fairly close to the books.  I will commend Rowling for her writing; hints are placed throughout the book that build to the end, and throughout the series.  For instance, she has McGonagall comment to Dumbledore on page 11 that “Everyone knows you’re the only one Voldemort was frightened of.”  “Voldemort has powers I will never have.”  “Only because you’re too noble to use them.”  This will get expounded upon later in the series.  But first chapter of the first book, and the groundwork is laid.  This is why I admired Rowling for years.  (Not so much now, due to things that have come out recently), but I will give credit where it is due, and state some differing opinions when they come up.  No, I do not think that Dumbledore is the paragon of wizards; that will come up later in the series.

Overall, it’s a good children’s book and a good movie for kids.  We’re introduced to a young boy who is a bit of an outsider, like many of us feel, and he finds out he is someone special.  He goes away to find out more about himself and makes friends and has adventures.  It’s everything I wanted in a book when I was that age.  We might delve more into how this is an excellent example of the typical hero’s path in a later blog, but comments have been made on that fact.

Also, let me gush about the music for a minute.  Again, I haven’t really listened to this music in close to a decade I’d say, but it brings back so much nostalgia.  Each track is a theme that gets used over and over again in later scenes and movies.

Up Next: Chamber of Secrets

And finally, an apology for how long this took to be posted; life has a habit of getting in the way (I also briefly worked on another fun writing project)

“Merriment can sometimes be a heavier burden than battle.” “Then you’re doing one of them incorrectly.”

Thor: The Dark World

The second of the Marvel movies to specifically focus on Thor and continues to deal with the fallout of the events of The Avengers.  Christopher Eccleston (the ninth Doctor in Doctor Who; the first of the revival run) is added to the cast as Malekith.  Zachary Levi (he now stars in the Shazam films, he also voiced Eugene/Flynn Rider in Tangled) takes over as Fandral [Josh Dallas was committed to Once Upon a Time by that point and oddly, Zachary was originally supposed to play Fandral, but had backed out due to his commitment to another show at the time].  Odin gives us a history lesson at the beginning, explaining the Dark Elves, led by Malekith, who wanted to harness the Aether; an ancient force of infinite destruction, to destroy the universe.  Odin’s father, King Bor, led the Asgardians in war against the Dark Elves.  The Dark Elves had warriors, known as Kursed (a bit like Beserkers), who used capsules to be taken over by darkness and attack.  A Convergence of the Nine Realms was the opportunity Malekith wanted to use the Aether, but Asgard used the Bifrost to take it from him.  He sacrificed his own ships and people to destroy more Asgardians, and allow himself to escape.  Asgard felt they had won.  Bor tells his guards to bury the Aether; they do not have the power to destroy, but bury it deep where it cannot be found.  [Bor was played, uncredited, by Tony Curran, who was Vincent van Gogh in two episodes of Doctor Who, as well as many other appearances in television shows.]

Back in the present, Loki appears before Odin in chains, though his mother pleads with him not to make the situation worse.  Loki does not enjoy these chats with Odin.  The Allfather passes judgment on Loki for his invasion of Earth; only because of Frigga will Loki be spared the axe, though he will never see her again as he is sentenced to life imprisonment in the dungeons of Asgard.  Everywhere Loki goes, Odin claims, there is war, ruin, and death.  Loki feels that humans are lesser than Asgardians, though Odin points out they themselves are not gods, for they too live and die.  Give or take five thousand years, Loki quips.  Besides, he was just attempting to claim the birthright that Odin fed him his childhood, that he was born to be a king; and his actions are not that different from what Odin has done [SPOILER; as we see in Ragnarök, there is truth to Loki’s statement].  Odin snaps back that Loki’s birthright was to die, on a frozen rock as a child.  “If I had not taken you in, you would not be here now to hate me.”  [Again, Anthony Hopkins is brilliant as a commanding ruler, first startling us by shouting, then keeping our attention by getting quiet.]  Loki argues against Thor taking the throne of Asgard, calling his brother a witless oaf.  Yes, Odin declares, once Thor is finished mopping up the mess Loki has started and bringing order back to the Nine Realms, Thor will take the throne as king of Asgard.

We find Thor doing precisely that.  There is a battle raging on Vanaheim, with Sif and the Warriors Three all involved.  Thor arrives via the Bifrost, though Sif argues they have everything under control.  “Is that why everything is on fire?” Thor quips as he throws Mjölnir.  The invaders let their largest warrior come forward, a rock-like creature.  A swing from Mjölnir reduces him to pebbles.  “Anyone else?”  Nope, they surrender.  Thor tells Hogun to stay with his people, and Thor and the other warriors return to Asgard (we hear part of the theme from the first movie as they return).  Thor speaks to Odin, who tells him that the Nine Realms are at peace due to Thor’s actions; the realms are reminded of Asgard’s strength and Thor has earned their respect, as well as Odin’s gratitude.  Yet, Odin does not agree with his son on his chosen love, even motioning to Sif as a worthy candidate.  Furthermore, it is time for Thor to take the throne.  He orders his son to revel and join his companions in their fun, or at least pretend to enjoy himself.  (We enjoy a brief scene of Thor bathing…) and Thor tries what his father says.

Meanwhile, Jane Foster is in London, on a date, that is interrupted by Darcy showing her readings on her equipment.  Her date encourages her to check the readings out.  They eagerly set off and we discover that Erik Selvig is rambling a bit and found naked, at Stonehenge.  (He later explains the Convergence to an audience in a psychiatric ward.)  Jane’s readings bring them to an abandoned warehouse area and a spot of odd gravity.  Jane continues to investigate and disappears, to another world, where a red glow (the Aether) jumps onto her.  She collapses and Malekith’s ship awakens.

Turns out, Thor has been looking in on Jane with Heimdall.  Heimdall informs his prince that Jane is tracking the Convergence, though she’s not aware of what it is.  Troublingly, Heimdall cannot see her at the moment.  Back on Earth, when Jane awakens, she finds out she’s been gone five hours and it’s now raining, except not on her.  Thor arrives and Jane rushes to see him.  She slaps him; first to make sure he’s real since it’s been a strange day, then, because he left.  She saw he was in New York.  His excuse of dealing with the chaos is not terrible.  The two get closer and almost kiss, getting a bit confused, before getting interrupted by Darcy.  The police try to arrest Jane, but when they go to touch her, something shoots them back.  Thor takes Jane on the Bifrost to Asgard in order to protect her.

He takes her to his healers and Jane marvels at their magic that mimics science (look at Thor smile at her).  Odin stops in, telling his son that mortal Jane does not belong on Asgard.  Again, when the guards go to touch Jane, they’re blasted back.  Odin is now concerned by the energy within Jane.  Odin explains to Thor and Jane that what is within Jane is a relic that predates the universe.  Before the dawn of the Nine Realms, the Dark Elves reigned absolute.  Most of the relics appear as stones, but the Aether is fluid, and ever-changing.  It changes matter to dark matter and Malekith wants to use it to turn the world back to darkness.  But Odin’s father, Bor, defeated the Dark Elves.  Thor points out that the Aether is returned, so maybe that story is not wholly true.  Odin insists that the Dark Elves are dead (we already know that is not true).

In the lower levels of Asgard, Loki is in a cell in the dungeon.  Frigga visits him and attempts to counsel him, but he eventually erupts that Odin is not his father.  She points out, am I not your mother?  He hesitates, then says no, and reveals that Frigga’s visit is only an illusion.  [There is a lovely deleted scene where Thor witnesses his mother coming back from her visit and speaks to her of her hope for Loki.  While Loki is not the boy she once knew, neither is Thor, and she loves them no less.  Thor asks his mother if she regrets sharing her magic with him and she replies no.  Thor and Odin cast large shadows and Frigga hoped that by sharing her gifts with Loki, he’d find some sun for himself.  Thor wishes he could share his mother’s optimism and compassion.]  Frigga later comes upon Thor and Jane speaking, and kissing.  Jane likes the way Thor explains things, and he vows that he will save her; his father does not know everything.

Malekith’s strongest warrior is brought into the dungeons in Asgard alongside other mercenaries.  He then goes berserk and breaks out.  He releases other inmates, but eyes Loki and does not release him.  So Loki suggests that he takes the stairs on the left.  An invisible ship approaches, that Heimdall does not spot until it is at the Bifrost.  He attempts to stop it, but it begins firing upon the city.  Heimdall enacts a shield around the palace, but it is brought down by Kurse.  One ship crashes into the palace and the Elves attack the guards; Malekith emerges.  He apparently can sense the Aether and finds Frigga and Jane.  He demands the return of the Aether, and Frigga fights him off with a dagger (another tool she passed along to Loki).  Kurse arrives and grabs Frigga while Malekith confronts Jane, but she’s only an illusion.  Kurse runs Frigga through, then Thor erupts into the room, scarring Malekith with lightning, but he and his loyal companion are able to escape.

Asgard mourns the loss of its queen.  A guard is sent to Loki; we do not hear what is said [somewhere I read that Odin was first going to say that the queen is dead, but changed his mind to tell Loki that his mother is dead]; we witness Loki use magic to slam his furniture.  Thor and Odin argue plans.  Thor wants to take Jane to the Dark World, Svartalfheim, lure Malekith there to get the Aether out of Jane, and then destroy them both.  Odin would rather wait for Malekith to return to Asgard “where he will fall upon ten thousand blades…. we will fight to the last Asgardian breath, the last drop of blood.”  Thor doesn’t want to risk their people and asks his father how does that make him different than Malekith [SPOLIER: again, in Ragnarök, we see that this is what Odin was like ages ago, more ruthless and bloodthirsty.]

Thor gathers his friends and continues with his plan.  He also goes to Loki, for he will need his help to get out of Asgard.  He sees through his brother’s calm illusion.  Loki reveals that he is a mess after Frigga’s death; his feet bloody and his room destroyed.  Thor offers Loki vengeance in return for helping Thor escape.  “You must be truly desperate to come to me for help,” Loki retorts.  Thor is clear that he doesn’t trust Loki, but their mother did.  And warns his brother that when they fought in the past, he held a glimmer of hope to retrieve the brother he knew, but now he knows he will not.  “You betray me and I will kill you.”  Loki grins, “when do we start?”  Loki disguises himself as he walks alongside Thor; first as a guard, then turns Thor into Sif, who cracks that it will hurt no less when he kills Loki in that form.  So Loki turns himself into one of Thor’s new friends, since he likes them so much; he chooses Captain America [and it is hilarious and keep in mind that Tom Hiddleston first recorded the scene and Chris Evans had to mimic his over-the-top performance] and wants to have a rousing discussion about truth and honor.  Thor shushes his brother and instead of giving him a dagger, puts cuffs on him.

Sif retrieves Jane, who slaps Loki upon seeing him for his actions in New York.  Loki simply smirks and says “I like her.”  Heimdall distracts Odin with a report of treason, his own.  Sif stays behind to give Loki, Thor, and Jane time to escape, though Sif stops Loki to inform him “betray [Thor] and I’ll kill you.”  Loki chuckles.  Volstagg is waiting to also defend Thor and also warns Loki that he’ll kill him if he betrays Thor.  “Evidently, there will be a line.”  Thor uses the Dark Elves’ ship to escape, but he doesn’t handle it well.  Loki is a backseat driver…and this is honestly my favorite part of the movie; their bickering is so typical of siblings: “now they’re following us, now they’re firing at us.”  “Thank you for the commentary Loki, it’s not at all distracting.”  And when Thor crashes into a statue of Bor, Loki snarks “you just decapitated your grandfather.”  The strain of the Aether is draining Jane and she passes out on the ship.  When Loki berates Thor for his plan, Thor pushes him out of the ship, then calmly jumps out after with Jane.  Fandral catches them in a skiff, then has to exit so the others can escape.  Loki steers them to his secret passage, seemingly straight into a cliff.  Thor’s a little worried.  “If it were easy, everyone would do it,” Loki says.  Thor asks his brother “are you mad?”  “Possibly.”  But the passage works and they land on Svartalfheim with a “ta da.”

The brothers fall into an argument, Loki first pointing out that even if the Aether doesn’t kill Jane today, even if it’s a hundred years, Thor will never be ready to lose her (let’s point out that Odin simply dismisses Thor’s feelings for Jane and directs to someone Odin deems worthy, while Loki is validating Thor’s feelings yet cautioning him about heartbreak).  Their argument turns to their love of their mother, Thor pointing out that while Loki had Frigga’s tricks, Thor had her trust.  Loki responds that Frigga’s last actions were a magical trick; something Loki would have done.  Thor argues back that Loki was in a cell when Frigga was killed, to which Loki demands “who put me there!”  “You know damn well who,” Thor pushes his brother, fist poised to punch.  But he holds back; “she wouldn’t want us to fight.”  “Well,” Loki drawls, “she wouldn’t exactly be shocked.”  Thor laments that he can’t trust Loki.  Loki assures him, “trust my rage.”

Before they appear before Malekith, Thor returns Loki’s daggers and uncuffs him.  Then Loki stabs Thor and claims he wants him dead, cutting off Thor’s hand before Mjölnir can return to him.  Loki then throws Jane before Malekith, asking to watch Asgard burn.  Kurse supports Loki’s claim, since he saw him in the dungeons.  Malekith draws the Aether out of Jane, after which Thor calls to Loki.  It was an illusion and Thor regains his hand and hammer, then lights up the Aether (Loki covering Jane), and for a minute, we think Thor’s plan worked.

It did not.  Malekith possesses the Aether and begins to leave.  Kurse throws a device that essentially creates a black hole.  Loki pushes Jane out of the way and starts to get sucked in, looking very much like he did before he fell into the void at the end of the first Thor movie.  Thor rescues his brother and they fight off the Dark Elves; Thor focusing on Kurse.  When Loki spots his brother in trouble, he stabs Kurse.  Kurse turns around and stabs Loki, but Loki vows to see him in Hel; he placed one of the black hole bombs on Kurse and he gets sucked away.  Thor holds Loki as his skin grows ashen.  Loki apologizes to Thor; Thor shushes him and says he will tell Odin what Loki did.  Loki didn’t do it for him.  His eyes close and Thor yells in grief.

Thor and Jane take cover in a cave and attempt to regroup.  Surprisingly, Jane’s cell phone rings.  It happens to be the guy she went on a date with, but with cell reception, she must be close to something from Midgard.  They find the gravity well and return to Earth.  Darcy, and her “intern” Ian retrieve Erik from the psychiatric ward.  They all meet up and Erik reveals that the ancient civilization had left clues to where the Convergence would appear…Greenwich.  [Except all his markers are based in Britain and there was more than one ancient civilization, so I’m not sure how Greenwich became the spot.]  Malekith’s ship arrives, becoming visible as it runs aground and the Convergence begins.  Thor takes on Malekith and the rest place Erik’s stabilizing spikes, which Jane uses to play with gravity.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, so the battle takes place throughout different realms, such as a missile from a jet lands in Vanaheim.  Mjölnir goes flying at times while Thor is elsewhere.  Malekith beings to prepare the Aether and Thor takes Jane’s last spikes and uses them to send Malekith’s body parts to different realms, breaking him up.  He may not be able to destroy the Aether, but he can destroy Malekith.  The last spike is rammed into Malekith, hammered by Mjölnir.  The resulting blast knocks Thor out and Jane runs to him, but Malekith’s ship starts to fall.  Erik uses the gravity well one last time to send it away, actually to Svartalfheim, where it falls on Malekith.

Thor reports back to Odin on Asgard.  Odin asks, “what can Asgard offer its new king?”  Thor wants his life.  He cannot be king, he feels, though he will protect the Nine Realms with all he has to offer.  Truthfully, Loki was better suited for the throne.  Thor declares “I would rather be a good man, than a great king.”  Odin despairs, he had one son who wanted the throne too much and now one who will not take it.  Thor vows to live with honor, like Loki died with honor; that is Odin’s legacy.  Thor offers Odin Mjölnir, but Odin tells him it belongs to him, so long as he is worthy.  Thor will strive to be.  Odin dismisses Thor; he cannot give his son his blessing, nor wish him good fortune; “If I were proud of the man my son has become, even that I could not say, it would speak only from my heart.”  After Thor leaves, Odin shimmers and becomes Loki (he had transformed into a guard earlier to report to Odin his own death…we’re not quite sure how Loki survived; if his death was real for a minute or two, or simply another illusion).  He grins and thanks the departing Thor.

We see Sif and Volstagg visit an odd place and meet someone called the “Collector.”  They hand over the Aether, since Asgard’s vault already holds the Tesseract and it would not be wise to keep two Infinity Stones so close together.  After they depart, the Collector says “one down, five to go.”  Yes, this is setting up Infinity War and shows that it has been a game plan since Iron Man and Captain America at the very least.  Jane does get a happy ending, with Thor returning via Bifrost and kissing her.  The end of the credits declare that Thor will return.

This film gets a lot of flak, some of which I get behind, but I like it better than some others in the MCU.  Malekith is not a well-defined villain, aside from general bad guy who wants to destroy the world.  There was a different storyline that fleshed him out, but it was abandoned due to other scenes.  It has been pointed out that Jane and Thor’s relationship is a bit flimsy; they spent only a few days together, but that is often how these stories go.  I’m glad we saw more of Frigga and gave her things to do and she battled.  Of course, I adore the expansion on Loki and show him a multi-faceted and the bickering between him and Thor is hilarious.  And I want to believe he was sincere in his farewell to his brother as he faded away.  And you have to admit, he plays a convincing Odin.  Yes, he sent Thor away, but it is what Thor wanted.  Does it also aid Loki’s schemes?  Yes.  But he wasn’t so out of character that Thor was suspicious [like Dean knew the demon was possessing John Winchester in season one of Supernatural because the demon said he was proud of Dean…which is a bit sad, but not the point of this blog.]

So what are your feelings?  Do you like Loki?  There is a featurette on the Blu-ray disc about the Brother’s Journey.  Thor’s is one of humility, while Loki’s is an attempt to get his life back after his fall from grace.  Loki has always desired to be Thor’s equal, and they point out that if Odin had trusted his children and not kept it a secret so long, he wouldn’t have this trouble now.  One brother rose to be a hero, while the other descended to become a villain.  And that is a fascinating aspect [which is why I want to write an essay of sorts examining brotherly dynamics in our favorite stories].  The producers also wanted to show Asgard as a mix of medieval and science fiction (and I love that, also for story purposes).  The brothers’ fight on the Dark World shows that they have the same goal (avenging their mother), but different ways to go about it.  And that fight exposes who they both are.  Thor made use of Loki’s illusions and let Loki play the villain, but also trusted Loki to keep his end of the bargain.  Loki saved Jane twice and Thor saved Loki as well.  Showing that despite their difference and the gulf between them, they are still brothers.  It’s hard to throw away centuries of teamwork.

We’ve still got plenty of MCU to go.  Up Next: Captain America: Winter Solider

“Do me a favor, and don’t be dead.”

Thor

The fourth movie of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and boy does it have a cast!  First, you have Kenneth Branagh, who in addition to acting (he’s appeared in three movies he’s directed, is well known amongst a certain generation as Gilderoy Lockhart in Chamber of Secrets, and has appeared in several performances of Shakespeare, including the titular Hamlet and Henry V), has directed both Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile, as well as the 2015 live action Disney Cinderella, and Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.  On top of that, Chris Hemsworth (before this, in 2009, he played George Kirk in Star Trek, and was the Huntsman in both Huntsman films with Kristen Stewart) stars as Thor, Natalie Portman (well-known for playing Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy [so you kind of have the joke that in this movie you have James Kirk’s dad and Luke Skywalker’s mom, who are now a couple], and Anne Boleyn in the movie adaptation of The Other Boleyn Girl) is Jane Foster, and Tom Hiddleston (has gone on to star in several films and even has a scene in Muppets Most Wanted, though I adore him in The Hollow Crown as Prince Hal/Henry V, and he appeared in War Horse alongside Benedict Cumberbatch [and a whole host of other British actors]) is Loki.  [Tom originally auditioned to play Thor, but was cast as Loki instead and these roles became star-making roles for both Hemsworth and Hiddleston…and I still need to watch that Loki show on Disney+.] 

Stellan Skarsgård (he was in both Mamma Mia films and two of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, along with being Cerdic in King Arthur in 2004 and the Grand Duke in the live-action Cinderella) is Erik Selvig, Anthony Hopkins (known for being Hannibal Lecter in several films, he was Don Diego de la Vega, the original Zorro in The Mask of Zorro; this actor has a list of credits that goes back to the 60s) is Odin, and Idris Elba (stars in the show Luther on television, was Krall in Star Trek Beyond, and dozens of other appearances [and there were brief rumors that he could be the next James Bond, but he has come out and said he will not]) is Heimdall.  Josh Dallas (I know him better as David Nolan/Prince Charming in Once Upon a Time) is Fandral, Ray Stevenson (he was Porthos in the 2011 Three Musketeers) is Volstagg, and Clark Gregg is back as Agent Coulson and has a bit more to do in this film.

The film opens in New Mexico (tying it in to comments made in the previous Iron Man 2), with a group of astrophysicists (well, Darcy is not one, but she was the only applicant for the assistant position) investigating atmospheric disturbances.  They drive towards weird lights in the sky, then something hits the earth.  As Jane insists they get closer, they run into…something.  They rush out of the truck and discover it’s a person.

Odin narrates a tale of yesteryear, how the Asgardians, led by Odin, beat back the Frost Giants when they tried to freeze the mortal realm, revealing that there are several realms and mortals believed at that time that these realms held some of their gods [this film gave me an interest in Norse mythology; I had already been interested in Vikings due to their ties to Britain, but I still have a lot of research left to do, hopefully to tie elements into my own fantasy book series].  They may now be relegated to man’s myths and legends, but it was Asgard that brought peace to the universe.  The scene pans to Asgard, a shining realm and Odin is telling this tale to his two sons.  One day, one of them will have to defend that peace.  Young Thor dreams of battle and Odin cautions him that “a wise king never seeks out war, but he must always be ready for it.”  Both boys are eager and Odin once again curbs their enthusiasm, stating only one may ascend the throne of Asgard, yet both were born to be kings (a bit of foreshadowing). 

It appears that years have passed and there is now a great celebration going on [I love the inclusion of knotwork in the design, especially on Thor’s hammer, Mjölnir…there is a historical link between the Norse and the Celts, considering that the Vikings harried the Scottish northern coast for centuries].  While Thor is egging on the crowd, Odin is serious; this is the coronation of his heir and firstborn, who wields the hammer, Mjölnir, whose power is no equal, “it is a weapon to destroy or as a tool to build.”  It is a fit companion for a king.  He asks Thor to swear to guard the Nine Realms, preserve the peace, and cast aside all selfish ambition and pledge himself to the good of the realm.  Before Odin can proclaim Thor king, he senses a security breach in the sacred vault; Frost Giants have broken in and attempt to steal back their glowing blue casket that is the source of their power.  But a silver guard, the Destroyer, stops them.  When Odin, Thor, and Loki investigate, Thor immediately wants to march into Jotunheim for answers, and to knock a few heads.  Odin snaps that Thor is not king yet, and thus the decision is not his to make.  Thor throws a tantrum in his chambers and Loki attempts to calm his brother, something that he has undoubtedly had to do in the past.  He’s not entirely helpful since he tells Thor he’s right and they should go ask questions, but that would mean defying father.  Thor thinks it is an excellent idea and drags his brother and his friends to visit Heimdall, who guards the Bifrost, the magical transport between realms.

Heimdall wants to know how these giants gained access because he sees all, except them.  So he allows Thor and his friends through.  Thor does not negotiate well with Laufey, who sees that this young prince only craves battle.  Thor does not know what his actions will unleash, Laufey warns, as well as declaring that the House of Odin is full of traitors.  Loki takes over negotiations and they are almost home free until Laufey insults Thor, who is ready to smash things with his hammer.  A fight ensues, and Volstagg [who reminds me of a Tolkien-esque dwarf…probably on purpose considering that Tolkien’s inspiration for the Dwarves were from the Norse sagas…more on that when we reach the Hobbit movies] warns his friends not to be touched by the Frost Giants; their touch burns.  Yet, when Loki is grabbed by one, his skin turns blue, then back to normal.  But no time to ponder that because Laufey has released a large beast that chases Thor’s friend while they attempt to retreat after Fandral has been wounded.  Thor continues to take out giants, then runs his hammer through the beast’s mouth, killing him.  But they’re still surrounded, until Odin arrives on an eight-legged horse [Sleipnir, according to legend.  And also according to legend, Loki’s son…not sure how that works out in the MCU].  Thor cheers, figuring his father is there to lead the battle.  Odin silences him and treats with Laufey; these were the actions of a boy (not a man, not a prince, not a would-be king), treat them as such.  And Laufey still fears Odin at this moment, so the Asgardians return home, under the threat of war.  Odin dismisses Thor’s friends and speaks to Thor.  Thor insists that the Jotun must learn to fear him, just as they feared Odin.  Odin retorts, “that is pride and vanity speaking, not leadership.”  Thor tries to argue back, that their status as fallen because of peace, Odin interrupts, “you are a vain, greedy, cruel boy!”  “And you are an old man and a fool!” Thor shouts back.  Odin takes a moment, yes, he was a fool, for thinking Thor was ready.  Loki attempts to intercede on Thor’s behalf, but Odin dismisses him with a growl [which actually startled Tom, since it was not in the script.  This is stunning acting on Anthony Hopkins’ part.]  Odin declares Thor unworthy, of the realms, of his title, and of the loved ones he has betrayed (and note how the camera turns to Loki at that moment).  Odin strips his son of his cloak, and of Mjölnir and his power.  He casts Thor out.  Then commands the hammer “whosoever hold this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor,” and sends it after his son.

These brings us back to Jane and her friends hitting Thor, who is very confused and yelling strange things at the sky, like hammer and Heimdall.  Darcy is freaked out and tases Thor (which is a bit hilarious).  Jane is distracted by the markings in the dirt, but Erik talks her in to taking the strange young man to the hospital.  (They don’t see the hammer crash down a little way away.)  When Thor initially wakes up, he tries to wreak havoc, until he’s tranquilized and strapped down.  Jane and her friends attempt to analyze the pictures of what they saw last night, mentioning an Einstein-Rosen bridge; essentially a wormhole.  She realizes she’s looking at another dimension and that the strange man is her best piece of evidence, so they have to find him.  He’s escaped the hospital, but not far, because she manages to back into him.  They clothe Thor [and we admire a shirtless Chris Hemsworth] and get him food; though his manners leave a bit to be desired.  At the same time, the hammer has created a crater that some townsmen have found and decided to see who can pull it out of the ground (a la the sword in the stone situation…hmmm…) (and our Stan Lee cameo).

Meanwhile, in Asgard, Thor’s friends and Loki discuss current events.  Loki reveals that he was the one who had ordered a guard to go to Odin, but obviously he was late, because the plan was to never arrive at Jotunheim.  And he never dreamed that Odin would banish Thor, and he loves his brother more dearly that the others.  Nevertheless, Thor is reckless and dangerous.  Loki storms out.  Sif comments that Loki speaks of love, but he’s always been jealous of Thor, and they begin thinking Loki may be responsible; he’s prone to mischief.  Loki finds the Jotun’s blue casket and it begins to turn him blue again.  Odin discovers him and Loki demands answers.  Is he cursed?  No.  What am I?  He is Odin’s son.  What more?  The casket was not the only thing Odin took from Jotunheim that day.  No; when Odin entered the temple, he found an abandoned baby, small for a giant’s offspring; and we see the babe change its appearance to mimic Odin’s.  Laufey’s son, incidentally.  Loki doesn’t believe that Odin brought him home simply because he was an innocent child, not when he’s the same monster that parents warn their children of; or was it to be held prisoner until Odin has use of him?  Yes, Odin had a purpose: he wanted a permanent alliance with Laufey and though Loki could be that bridge, but it doesn’t matter now, not after what Thor has started.  Loki resents that Odin never told him; too hurt to realize that Odin viewed him as a son, he simply remembers not being as good as Thor, feeling that Odin had always favored Thor and this must be the reason why [a superb performance by Tom…this is why we love him].  Odin protests that Loki is twisting Odin’s words, then collapses.  Loki calls for help.  Later, while Odin is sleeping, he questions his mother why he was never told.  She reiterates that they always viewed Loki as their son and simply wanted to love and protect him.  And there has always been a purpose to what Odin has done.  Loki is taking on the mantle of king and denies his friends’ plea to bring Thor back.  His first command cannot be to undo Odin’s last.  (We don’t believe that and neither do his friends.)

Back on Earth, the feds show up at the crater and lock it down.  Jane, Thor, Darcy, and Erik hear about it, after Thor demands more coffee by throwing down his mug.  Thor realizes that the crater holds his hammer and he must retrieve it.  Jane wants to follow, but Erik warns her off.  They shortly discover that S.H.I.E.L.D. is at their lab, confiscating her research.  So Jane finds Thor, who makes the deal that once he has his hammer, he will get Jane’s things back.  Thor enters the compound as a storm brews (he is the god of thunder, after all).  He easily takes on any guards that are sent his way, though he doesn’t kill him.  When the last one steps in front of him, he comments, “you’re big.  Fought bigger.”  Coulson calls from someone to get up high and keep on eye on their intruder.  A man, Barton, we hear, grabs a bow, then drawls to Coulson that he’s starting to root for their intruder as he takes out guards.  But Coulson holds on his call, wanting to see what Thor does when he finds the hammer.  Thor pulls on the handle and the hammer doesn’t budge.  He shouts to the raining sky and sinks to the mud.  He’s docile as he’s taken into custody and Jane quietly calls for Erik to pick her up.  She persuades Erik to go get Thor, arguing that while Thor may speak of magic, magic has been called a precursor to science.  Erik has heard of S.H.I.E.L.D. through a colleague and knows they’re not to be trifled with, but he will help Jane.  And get Thor to leave.

Coulson questions Thor, believing him to be a mercenary, but Thor doesn’t answer.  When Coulson steps away, Loki appears.  Then lies to his brother, saying that Odin is dead and their mother has forbidden Thor’s return.  Thor is broken-hearted and does not fight.  Loki makes his own attempt to lift the hammer and fails, though he maintains his illusion so no mortals spot him.  This is when Erik picks up Thor, then takes him drinking in hopes of getting Thor to leave.  Thor willingly drinks with the man, then has to carry him back to Jane’s place.  “He drank, he fought, he made his ancestors proud,” Thor proclaims, then spends a quiet evening with Jane.  He brought her notebook back and encourages her to continue her research; it’s right.  There are other realms out there.  Nine, according to Thor, who explains the Yggdrasill, the World’s Tree, that connects all of them.

Loki is still plotting in Asgard; he visits Jotunheim and promises Laufey that he will sneak him in and he will be able to slay Odin while he sleeps.  And yes, it was Loki who had snuck the few Frost Giants in to ruin Thor’s big day.  It was his way of protecting the realm from Thor’s rule.  Meanwhile, Thor’s friends decide to come get Thor and Heimdall helps, simply by not being the one to open the Bifrost.  He’s been keeping an eye on Thor.  Loki realizes what is going on and sends the Destroyer to keep Thor from returning.  Thor is thrilled to see his friends (Sif and the Warriors Three…which a SHIELD agent comments that they look like they came from a Renaissance Faire…he’s got a point [considering I have friends who have dressed up as various Avengers and attended faire as a group, “Thor” even threw his mug down and demanded another]), but argues he cannot come home.  Then he discovers Loki’s lies.  S.H.I.E.L.D. briefly wonders if the Destroyer is one of Stark’s until is blasts them.  Thor will stay with Jane to help evacuate the town; he does not have the power to help his friends, so they will be the distraction (which involves tossing the “dwarf”).  Sif runs the Destroyer through with a spear and all is well for a moment, until it turns its entire body and continues blasting.

Back in Asgard, Loki freezes Heimdall so he can get the Frost Giants in.  Heimdall realizes that Loki has found secret paths that Heimdall cannot see and that is how he has arranged his plot.  Thor, to stop the carnage, faces the Destroyer alone and speaks to his brother, apologizing for whatever wrong he has done.  He offers his life instead.  The Destroyer smacks Thor, sending him flying.  Jane rushes to him and believe our hero has died.  Until Odin’s words echo: whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.  The hammer flies to Thor and he regains his armor and power.  And yes, Jane, Oh. My. God, is correct.  The battle is short after that, Thor plowing the hammer through the Destroyer.  But he and his friends must rush back to Asgard to stop Loki, though he promises to return for Jane.  She pulls him in for a kiss before he goes, not settling for one of his kisses to her knuckles.  Thor also got Coulson to return Jane’s things; they are all on the same side and she’ll need it to continue her research.

Heimdall breaks the freeze so he can get Thor and his friends back and Thor flies to the palace.  Frigga, Odin’s wife, stands ready to defend her sleeping husband against the Frost Giants, though they knock her away after she takes out one.  Laufey is eager to kill Odin, saying “your death comes at the hand of Laufey.”  Loki blasts the king of the Frost Giants, and declares “and yours came by the son of Odin.”  Frigga is thrilled to see Thor when he enters, then he reveals Loki’s treachery.  They take their fight to the Bifrost, which Loki plans to use to destroy Jotunheim.  Thor’s view has changed and he wants to stop Loki.  He initially doesn’t wish to fight his brother, but Loki eggs him on until they begin exchanging blows.  Loki accuses Thor of becoming weak, thanks to human Jane.  He says he never wanted the throne, he just wanted to prove himself a worthy son to Odin, the equal of Thor.  Thor declares this madness.  “Is it?” Loki wonders (again, superb acting).  Thor throws Loki on to the bridge, then places his hammer on him while he figures out what to do.  Loki mocks, what can he do now with all his strength?  Well, there is something Thor can do.  He uses the hammer to smash the rainbow bridge to the Bifrost, destroying it, despite Loki’s protests that Thor will never be able to see Jane again.  But it will save the realms.  The blast knocks them both off the bridge; Thor grabs Loki and Odin grabs Thor.  Loki pleads with their father, “I could have done it, father.  For you.”  Odin sadly says “no,” (not sure why, or what he’s referring to), but Loki lets go of Thor, who cries after his brother.  Loki disappears into the swirling vortex.

Sif comments to Frigga later that Thor mourns his brother, and misses Jane.  Thor speaks to Odin, saying that one day, he may make his father proud, but he still has a lot to learn.  There has been no wiser king, nor better father than Odin, he says.  Odin returns that Thor has already made him proud.  Heimdall consoles his prince that Earth is not wholly lost to them, there is always hope.  We see Jane continuing her research, no doubt trying to bring Thor to her.

The after credits scene is Erik meeting Fury, who shows him a glowing blue cube that combines legend and history.  It is power and Fury wants Erik to study it.  In the background, there is Loki, who is intrigued by this cube as well.

My feelings on this movie?  If it’s not already apparent, I have a definite interest.  I have learned that Marvel played a little fast and loose with typical Norse mythology; not that anyone would be surprised, considering the water downed version of Greek mythology Disney gave us in Hercules.  Truly, the acting is superb, very emotional performances by the main cast.  Anthony Hopkins shows us his range, from angry father, to worried king.  His is a flawed character, to be expected from what little I’ve gleaned of mythology, evident when he tries to talk to Loki.  Thor started as a truly arrogant warrior prince.  Of course he can take on an army of Jotuns with just his four friends and younger brother.  Even if you just take into account this film, Odin clearly saw enough of war and realized that peace was best for the Nine Realms and he is in charge of that.  So for his oldest son to threaten that, to flounce the lessons he tried to instill.  And Thor did grow.  We can see that in how he treated Jane and her friends.  At first, they are simply mortal servants.  Then he helps make breakfast and will let his friends have the glorious battle while he gets innocent people to safety.  He argues Sif away from death in battle; live and tell those stories yourself, he encourages her.  He became worthy of his title and strength; a great message.  And we get some funny scenes of Thor not being so mighty, like getting tased.

And yes, I’ve grown to love Loki, partly because Tom Hiddleston is an adorable human being from what we’ve seen.  He comes across as a cool operator, showing one face while thinking or plotting something else, but in the presence of those he loves, he will breakdown.  He demands the truth from his father and then battles for what he feels is his rightful place that was denied him with his stronger older brother. He doesn’t truly begin to outright lie until later in the movie.  He may manipulate and as Fandral comments, he’s been one for mischief, but not treason.  As most villains go, he’s fine until he reaches a breaking point.  And that was discovering his ancestry.  Yet, he still wants to be a hero.  He wants to save his father and this is all about proving himself to Odin.  He delayed Thor’s coronation because he felt Thor is not right for the kingdom and if he shows their father Thor sneaking to Jotunheim, Thor will be demoted and Loki will ascend.  His final words before he falls is he was doing it all for Odin.  Odin may have said no because he feels that Loki did this all for Loki, but we do witness later that Loki and Thor were honest brothers.  There was no question as they were children.  There was love and happiness at one time.

Again, I applaud the performances.  As I saw commented somewhere, most likely Pintrest, Thor beautifully balanced magic in the real world.  They exist separately, but this one brings them together without jarring.  (Which is something I am striving for as I work on my fantasy series.)  The arcs are great in this movie, but we can tell that they are really starting to build to something else.

I can make the recommendation to read The Witch’s Heart by new author Genevieve Gornichec (a fairly local woman that I heard about through the faire grapevine), which involves Loki. I will hold off on fanfic recommendation until we’re further into the universe since they all start melding together.

Next Time: Captain America: The First Avenger

“These Aren’t the Droids You’re Looking For”

A New Hope

Originally released as simply Star Wars.  It ranks 13th in AFI’s Top 100 Movies, #1 for Film Scores, #8 in Movie Quotes, and #14 in Heroes and Villains.  This is the film that started the saga.  Expertly cast with Mark Hamill (would later voice the Joker in several Batman cartoons [we’ll catch one later] and Fire Lord Ozai in Avatar: The Last Airbender [we’ve already noted the irony of that casting and characterization]) as wet-behind-the-ears Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia Organa, and Harrison Ford (action star extraordinaire; Jack Ryan, Indiana Jones, Air Force One) completing the trio as Han Solo.  Alec Guinness is Obi-Wan Kenobi, Peter Cushing (he worked alongside Christopher Lee several times, mainly in horror films, but he portrayed Sherlock Holmes as well) is Grand Moff Tarkin.  Anthony Daniels brings C-3PO to life, like Kenny Baker does with R2-D2; Peter Mayhew dons the Chewbacca costume while David Prowse wears the Vader suit.  Of course, James Earl Jones (Mufasa, as well as appearing with Harrison Ford in the Jack Ryan movies) provides that deep voice (though not credited in this film).

And seriously, the original theme is also the best, since it doesn’t have to segue into any other theme.  It’s the most joyful and triumphant.  We also hear the Force theme for the first time, which also plays a huge part in the soundtracks of the rest of the saga.  I could try to go into how this film was pioneering, but I wouldn’t be the best choice since I was not alive to witness this film when it first came out and wasn’t a huge fan of it when I first saw it.  And now that the prequel trilogy is out especially, it’s a bit hard to separate what was all brand new in this film when first released with what we know now.

After the crawl, we see that iconic scene of the Star Destroyer chasing the Rebel Runner and are first introduced to R2-D2 and C-3PO; 3PO is the definition of a fusspot.  R2 is given a secret mission and they must escape from the imposing black-caped Darth Vader.  He is looking for the stolen Death Star plans (which we saw how those ended aboard this ship in Rogue One; which was kind of the whole point of that film) and captures Princess Leia.  R2 and 3PO end up on Tatooine and separated briefly until the Jawas (and their signature “oo-tee-dee!”) get their hands on them.

Enter teenager Luke Skywalker and his aunt and uncle Beru and Owen Lars.  They purchase R2 and 3PO.  But R2 is insistent on pursuing his mission and escapes to find Obi-Wan Kenobi, though Luke only knows an “Old Ben.”  Uncle Owen shuts down his questions, simply stating that Obi-Wan died alongside Luke’s father, and he shouldn’t worry about Ben.  Luke, tired of being stuck on a backwater planet, storms off.  Owen tells Beru he’s afraid that Luke has too much of his father in him [and we know why that would be dangerous].

When Luke goes looking for R2, he runs into Sand People.  Ben is around to scare them off and is surprised that a little R2 unit has come searching for him.  Luke asks Ben if he knows an Obi-Wan.  Of course he does, he’s Obi-Wan.  But he hasn’t gone by that name since Luke was born.  He takes Luke home with him and informs the teenager that his father was a Jedi Knight, as was Obi-Wan; they fought in the Clone Wars together.  They were guardians of the peace and justice in the Old Republic.  Luke inherited his piloting skills from his father and Obi-Wan gifts him with the blue lightsaber; “an elegant weapon for a more civilized time.”  Darth Vader was once a pupil of Obi-Wan’s, until he fell to the Dark Side of the Force and betrayed and murdered Luke’s father (uh, he’ll get to that later…shh, it’s a secret for now).  We finally see the whole message that Leia sent to Obi-Wan, asking for his help in the name of her father, Bail Organa [oh yes, you should totally read Wild Space by Karen Miller to find out how Bail and Obi-Wan ended up becoming friends].  She has stashed important plans inside the R2 unit that are vital to the Rebellion.  “Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you’re my only hope.”

Luke doesn’t want to go running off to Alderaan; he has responsibilities here that his uncle was outlining just the previous evening.  He comes across an attack on Jawas on his way home and Obi-Wan deduces it was stormtroopers trying to disguise there attack as Sand People,  They were looking for the droids.  Which would have led them home.  Luke races back only to discover the homestead to be smoldering and two burnt bodies at the door.  He has nothing now, so he’ll follow Obi-Wan.  “I want to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi, like my father.”

First, they must find transport and head to Mos Eisley; “you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.”  Obi-Wan gets them past the troopers using a Jedi mind trick [that he probably picked up from Qui-Gon] and they search for a pilot in the cantina (cue that iconic music).  Luke gets in a bit of trouble and Obi-Wan proves he still has some fight left in him, slicing off a criminal’s arm with his lightsaber.  They then meet Han Solo and Chewbacca who agree to take them to Alderaan, avoiding Imperial entanglement, and no questions asked for a pretty sum.  Han briefly deals with Greedo after the pair leave (and yes, he shoots first!).  Then he buys more time to pay back his debt to Jabba the Hutt.  Han also gets the idea that his passengers may be more than meets the eye when Imperials show up and start firing as the pair attempt to board the Millennium Falcon.  Chewie gets them out of Tatooine; “here’s where the fun begins.”  Luke is certainly an eager young kid, contrasting with Han who is more world-wise.

Meanwhile, Leia has been taken aboard the Death Star and Vader attempts to interrogate her on the location of the Rebel base, but she resists the mind probe.  Grand Moff Tarkin (he goes by Governor in the film) has another idea.  If Princess Leia does not reveal the base, he will fire the Empire’s ultimate weapon on Alderaan.  Leia finally gives them the planet Dantooine.  Tarkin destroys Alderaan anyway to prove a point.  Obi-Wan feels the incredible loss of life all the way on the Falcon.  But he insists that Luke continue with his training.  Han’s not one to believe in the Force while Obi-Wan comes back that there is no such thing as luck. 

When they come out of hyperspace, they discover what the Empire has done, though they don’t know how.  Until Obi-Wan realizes that the object in the distance is no moon.  It’s a space station.  And they are caught in its tractor beam.  Luke has a very bad feeling about this.  Obi-Wan has a better idea that fighting.  They hide away in the smuggling holds from the Imperial boarding parties, though Vader senses something. Obi-Wan also has an idea on how to deal with the tractor beam.  Han figured the old man would do something foolish.  “Who’s the more foolish; the fool, or the fool who follows him?”  [Still spouting wisdom.]

Han and Luke then discover that Leia is aboard the Death Star and Luke immediately wants to rescue her.  He persuades Han with the promise of reward.  They use Chewie as a prisoner to get to the cell.  The plan goes pretty well, until Han’s funny conversation and Leia notes that Luke is short to be a stormtrooper.  Proving he is an eager young lad, he announces himself to Leia “I’m Luke Skywalker, I’m here to rescue you.”  Oh, and I have your droid.  And Obi-Wan Kenobi.  As Han predicts, they end up with company and Leia takes charge: “into the garbage shoot, flyboy.”  Han either wants to kill the princess, or he’s beginning to like her.  “What an incredible smell you’ve discovered,” Han snarks once they’re out of the line of fire.  Leia contends that the situation could be worse.  Now Han has a bad feeling about this.  It gets worse when a slug creature grabs Luke.  It only lets go when the trash compactor starts up.  Luke calls for R2 and 3PO, but the droids are almost too late to save their humans.  R2 to the rescue in the nick of time!

And now they just have to get through a couple dozen troopers.  Han and Leia still snip at each other; Han is used to taking orders from just one person, himself.  Leia is used to being in charge and asks someone to get the walking carpet out of her way.  (Gotta admire a woman who takes charge and doesn’t wait to be rescued)  They split up; Han deciding it is great tactics to chase after one’s opponent shouting at the top of his lungs.  His luck holds out.  Luke and Leia have to swing across an opening [which Mythbusters proved was possible; and was performed by Mark and Carrie on set in one take (they didn’t have the money for stunt doubles).]  They all eventually meet up by the Falcon.

Obi-Wan sneaks about the battle station and Vader determines he must face his old master alone.  Tarkin dismisses Vader’s power (which we’ve already witnessed is a bad idea; he choked a subordinate when he found his lack of faith disturbing.)  When he confronts Obi-Wan, he claims he is now a master.  “Only a master of evil, Darth.”  Vader claims Obi-Wan’s powers are weak.  Obi-Wan also warns Vader “if you strike me down, I’ll become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.”  [Yes, this duel is much slower than their epic battle in Revenge of the Sith, but keep in mind that this was the first lightsaber duel ever conceived; and take into account Alec Guiness’s age.  And Vader is impeded by a black suit.  And heck, he probably hasn’t had to duel anyone in a while…yet the end of Rogue One proves he’s still got it.  George Lucas’ original concept was that there was a heft to lightsabers; he didn’t want them flung about.  Obviously, once we got back and see Jedi young and in their prime, the duels are more fantastic.  Nevertheless, the choreography is sound]  Obi-Wan senses his young charges are near and allows Vader to slice through him.  But his body disappears (surprising everyone).  His disembodied voice urges Luke to run and the Millennium Falcon escapes.  There’s a brief dogfight to ensure they get away [I remember reading in a novel somewhere that gravity is a bit off in the Falcon at that ladder] which Leia insists was an easy escape.  In fact, Vader has a homing beacon planted on the Falcon.

Our heroes make for the Rebel base on Yavin 4 with all haste to analyze the readouts on R2.  Han takes his reward and intends to leave.  He’s got debts to pay off and going against the Death Star is not his idea of courage.  The Rebellion is banking on snub fighters getting past the guns, flying through a trench, and hitting a small opening to start a chain reaction.  Luke figures it’s not much bigger than the womp rats he used to shoot on Tatooine.  He’s disappointed in Han, but the smuggler does tell the boy, “May the Force be with you,” in parting.  Luke cheers up a bit reuniting with his friend Biggs.  They’re part of Red Sqaudron, along with Wedge Antilles [played by Ewan McGregor’s uncle, Denis Lawson; and the character is most likely related to the Captain Antilles Bail Organa addresses at the end of Revenge of the Sith].

The Death Star is orbiting Yavin to get into position to fire on the base.  Tarkin refuses to leave, even after the techs figure out what the Rebels are aiming for.  The Grand Moff is certain this is the Empire’s moment of triumph.  Even Vader commented that this day saw the end of Kenobi and will see the end of the Rebellion, though he does take his TIE Interceptor out to shoot down Rebel ships.  [Lucas was influenced by the dog fighting of WWII, and I feel that the effects still hold up well forty years later; proves how well made it originally was]  Wedge is hit and has to break off his attack.  Biggs is killed protecting Luke.  Luke hears Obi-Wan urge him to trust the Force to aim his torpedo.  Vader and his friends are gaining on Luke in his X-Wing and R2 is a bit fried [Anakin!  You shot your droid!]  Han swoops in on the Falcon to save the day; knocking Vader away, and giving Luke his chance.  Bombs away just as the station powers up its giant laser.  Huge explosion!

Luke is greeted by cheers and a hug from Leia.  Han joins in.  Luke’s thrilled he returned; Han claims he couldn’t let Luke get all the credit.  [Note the height difference between Carrie and Mark and Harrison, particular Harrison.  It’s a bit funny]  The Rebels hold a ceremony (cue awesome music) to recognize Han, Chewie, and Luke for their actions. 3PO and R2 are all shined up and the Rebellion lives to fight another day.

The main word I can use to describe this film is “iconic.”  Even if you’ve never watched the film, you probably know a lot of key points and dialogue because it is seeped into pop culture so much.  There are several books and magazines articles that outline all the trouble George Lucas went through to get this film made; I highly encourage you to check them out!  This film, and really the whole saga, echo Joseph Campbell’s idea of the “monomyth.”  There is a path that most major hero stories follow [I’ve read the book twice and not even for a class!  And I totally agree with his hypothesis].  Luke receives his “call to adventure;” there is a “refusal of the call;” then there is “supernatural aid.”  This all happens on Tatooine with Obi-Wan.  Luke crosses his first threshold and is thrown into the “belly of the whale.”  That would be joining the Rebellion.  And he begins to undergo trials.

Up Next: The Empire Strikes Back

Ain’t We Just Big Damn Heroes

Firefly

Take my love, take my land

Take me where I cannot stand

I don’t care, I’m still free

You can’t take the sky from me.

Take me out to the black

Tell ’em I ain’t comin’ back

Burn the land and boil the sea

You can’t take the sky from me.

This has become a pop culture hit, Fox cancelled the series after only one season.  But it gained a following and Joss Whedon fought to bring it back as a feature film.  Now, I did not watch it when it originally aired; I came to it one evening at a friend’s apartment in college and saw the second season.  At the end, I asked about another season and found out there was only the one, but I did track down the movie.  It’s a mixture of Western and science-fiction; Whedon explains that humans left Earth, found another galaxy and terra-formed the planets to support life and America and China, being the two big superpowers, melded to form one culture.  So yes, you have space ships and laser pistols, but you also have horses and regular pistols.

The show follows the tales of the crew of the Firefly-class ship named Serenity.  Captained by Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds (played by Nathan Fillion, a self-proclaimed geek who later starred in ABC’s Castle drama [it’s excellent, check it out and he even brought back his Browncoat costume in a Halloween episode]), he brings aboard his former cohort Zoë (Gina Torres; she’s actually appeared in the Matrix movies and has gone on to the series Suits and other television series, including a few voice acting roles like in Star Wars: Rebels) to be his first mate.  Piloting the ship is Hoban “Wash” Washburne (the ever-hilarious Alan Tudyk from Knight’s Tale and recently voicing secondary characters in Rogue One and Moana), who has married Zoë.  Inara Serra (Morena Baccarin; she’s appeared in V on ABC and is in both Deadpool films) is a registered Companion on board who uses Serenity to provide services to far-off clients.  Jayne Cobb (Adam Baldwin, no, he’s not one of the big-name Baldwin brothers, but he did show up in two episodes of Castle and even an episode of JAG and NCIS) is their onboard mercenary, good with a pistol, not so good with manners.  Kaywinnit Lee “Kaylee” Frye (Jewel Staite,  a lot of guest appearances, even on Castle and part of Stargate: Atlantis) is the cheerful and brilliant mechanic who keeps the ship in the sky.  Shepherd Derrial Book (Ron Glass; he sadly passed away in 2016, he has a filmography back to the seventies) joins as a passenger and occasionally disagrees with Captain Reynolds in regards to religion.  And Dr. Simon Tam (Sean Maher; he’s voiced Nightwing/Dick Grayson in several recent shows and movies) and his younger sister, River (Summer Glau, well known for Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles  [which I don’t intend to watch], she made an appearance on Castle as well, Hawaii Five-0 and Big Band Theory, and she was even in an Hallmark Christmas movie, Help for the Holidays [it’s adorable]) round out the crew.

Now, apparently, the show was aired out of order due to Fox executive meddling, but the DVD released them in the correct order.  We start the show off with a two-part opener: Serenity.  There was a civil war in this galaxy [Whedon was influenced by Jeff Shaara’s Killer Angels novel, also the basis for the film Gettysburg], between the Alliance and the Independents, or Browncoats.  Mal and Zoe fought for the Independents and it came to a head at the Battle of Serenity Valley.  The Independents are desperate for air support, but it never comes.  Orders come in for them to lay down arms.  It killed Mal’s sense of faith and nearly killed his spirit.  But six years later, he’s doing odd jobs to keep flying and keep out of the Alliance’s way, so sticking to the Rim worlds.  We catch up to the crew pulling an illegal salvage job; and Wash plays with dinosaurs: “We shall call it, this land.”  “I think we should call it your gave!”  “Ah, curse your sudden, but inevitable betrayal!”  “Now die!”  But he gets it in gear to put out a distraction to save his cohorts.  They make their way to Persephone to finish the deal, the captain remarking “there is no power in the ‘verse to keep Kaylee from being cheerful” [and why my friends remark I am most like Kaylee].  They meet with local “businessman” (use that term loosely) Badger (played by Mark Sheppard, who has been in several geeky shows, including Supernatural as Crowley, Doctor Who as Canton Everett Delaware III [he plays a Brit in an American show and an American in a British show], as well as X-Files, Battlestar Galactica, NCIS, Star Trek: Voyager, Charmed and many others) to complete the deal, but he weasels himself out.  The goods they stole are marked and that makes it difficult to unload.  So, they’ll try Patience on another planet, and hope she doesn’t shoot the captain again.  But, they need legitimate business as well and take on passengers, including Sheppard Book, Dr. Tam, and Dobson.

Makes things a bit interesting for the crew and Mal informs Zoe “if anyone gets nosy, just shoot them…politely.”  Shooting happens, but only after Mal has figured out one of their passengers hailed the Alliance.  He thinks it is Simon, but it’s actually Dobson, who shoots Kaylee when she surprises him.  Simon won’t treat Kaylee unless the ship runs; he does not want the Alliance onboard either.  Mal helps Simon, then opens his special box in the hold and discovers a young woman curled up inside.  This is River, Simon’s younger sister that he broke out of an Alliance facility because they were hurting her for her intelligence.  Captain has to continue with the job and isn’t dumb enough to not realize that Patience will set up an ambush.  There’s a shoot out, but he gets his money.  That’s how things are supposed to work; “I do the job and then I get paid.”  He comes back to the ship to discover Dobson is free and threatening River. Mal shoots the federal agent and tosses him off his ship.  They also have to run from Reavers, dangerous people on the verge of being creatures that has the whole universe terrified.  Wash pulls a Crazy Ivan [remember that term from Hunt for Red October?], turning quickly and blowing the engines into their pursuers (Kaylee is fixed up enough to help out).  Mal offers Simon and his sister a place on his ship; they’ll be safer on the run and the ship could use a doctor.  And assures Simon he’s not the kind of man to kill another in his sleep.  If he aims to kill you, you’ll be awake and armed.  At the end of the day, Serenity is still flying.  It’s not much, but it’s enough.

After a little trouble at a small bar, Mal and the rest of the crew are on their way to a new job.  Inara holds Kaylee enthralled in her shuttle, brushing her hair and having some girl time, which Mal has to interrupt.  While it is manly and impulsive, Inara’s request is that the captain does not march into her quarters.  But he needs his mechanic, Mal requests, the engine room looks like terrifying  space monkeys have been at it.  Niska has a certain reputation [and seems to be the quintessential Russian-type villain] and wants the crew to pull a train heist.  Easy enough it sounds.  Until they discover there is a squadron of Alliance guards onboard.  Just makes it more fun, Mal quips to Zoe.  They complete their end of the job and unload the goods, only to discover once an investigation begins that it was medicine they stole, sorely needed in the backwoods town.  Inara uses her respectability to get Mal and Zoe out of custody, but Mal now needs to plan how to return the medicine.  Deep down, Malcolm Reynolds is a good and honorable man.  Slight problem; Niska’s men have shown up.  Jayne gets a lucky shot and Mal explains that they’ll return the money to Niska to square things away, but they won’t be delivering the stolen medicine.  The first henchman disagrees and gets thrown through the engine.  The second man hastily agrees and Mal and the crew get to be heroes for a second, giving the medicine to the sheriff under the cover of night.

Serenity comes upon a drifting ship in Bushwacked and receive more trouble than they intended.  It looks deserted, which is a bit odd in the middle of space.  Until they discover one man.  Mal has him locked in the infirmary, surmising that the ship had been hit by Reavers.  Then they run into an Alliance ship, hide Simon and River, and are detained and questioned (Wash’s interview is funny).  The survivor begins to attack the Alliance crew and Mal finally gets the Alliance officer to help, even saving his life.

Shindig is one of my favorite episodes.  Inara plans to meet with a regular client, Atherton Wing (played by Edward Atterton.  He was much nicer as King Arthur in Mists of Avalon and then plays Mordaunt in Charmed and has a possible connection to Arthur.  He also appeared in Man in the Iron Mask as a relative good guy).  Mal meets up with Badger, who has another job for him; the sleaseball figures that Mal can cozy up to a potential client at a local party.  It does give the captain a chance to apologize for accidentally insulting Kaylee earlier; she gets to wear the poufy dress she saw in a shop earlier and accompany him to the party.  They run into Inara and while Kaylee gets surrounded by men to talk engines, Captain “Tightpants” dances with Inara, then gets in an argument with Atherton.  Atherton challenges Malcolm to a duel, with swords.  The client is impressed by Malcolm, but the captain has to survive first.  Inara, as a trained Companion, has some knowledge with swords and helps her friend out, despite some disagreements.  Mal has the bad habit of calling Inara a whore to her face, but took exception to Atherton’s mere implication.  Well, Atherton was insulting Inara as a person, Mal explains.  Atherton appears to have the upper hand, but Mal comes back after breaking his sword to beat Atherton; and Inara providing a distraction by appearing to take Atherton’s offer to exclusivity.  Mal leaves Atherton breathing, which will bring the man shame.  “Mercy is the mark of a great man,” and he stabs his opponent.  “Guess I’m just a good man,” another stab.  “Well, I’m alright.”  Atherton tries to threaten Inara, but she points out guild law; Atherton is the one who will be blacklisted.

Now, the crew intended to mount a daring rescue, but Badger sits onboard to keep an eye on them.  There is a humorous interaction between the man and River, who copies his accent.  Then she sweeps by her brother, remarking “call me if anyone interesting shows up.”  That would have worked as a distraction, but they missed their opportunity.  Inara and Mal show up before the second plan can go into effect.  And the cargo that the client wishes to offload?  Cattle.

We get some flashbacks to the Tam siblings (young Simon is played by a young Zac Efron) when they were younger in Safe.  The crew is unloading the cattle, after the captain warns Simon to keep his sister under control.  Kaylee continues to be interested in Simon, who is a bit oblivious and demeaning.  River wanders off and finds a wedding dance.  She shows a bit of the girl that remains under the weird dreams and sayings.  Then Simon is kidnapped.  Unfortunately, things do not go smooth with the cattle transfer and Sheppard Book is shot in the ensuing confrontation.  Serenity has to leave the Tams behind in order to save Book.  They’re desperate enough to go to the Alliance for help, but it’s not until the officers see Book’s ID card that they agree to help, which is a bit suspicious.  Back on the planet, Simon and River are taken to a hill village where Simon is to be the local doctor.  River understands what Simon has given up to rescue her; a promising career, safety, wealth; all to save her.  Simon unfortunately remembers their father essentially disinheriting him for attempting to rescue River.  Their parents never suspected anything was wrong with the government school and their father was more concerned with their image, than helping either of his children.  He bailed Simon out of trouble once, he vowed not to help again.  Then a local woman declares River a witch for knowing what people were thinking.  The town gets riled up and prepares to burn River at the stake.  Simon climbs up with her, the ever-protecting big brother.  Serenity appears in the sky and Mal and Zoe walk into town in the nick of time.  What does that make them?  Big damn heroes.  River is their witch, so cut her down, he instructs the leader.  He insists that they are part of the crew; it doesn’t matter if he necessarily likes them.

Mal dresses up as a woman to complete their next job in Our Mrs. Reynolds, telling their opponent, “I swear by my pretty floral bonnet, I will end you.”  A celebration is thrown by the locals for their help and Jayne and Mal get pretty drunk.  So the next morning when Mal discovers a young woman onboard, he’s a bit confused as to how she got there.  And even more confused when she tells him they’re married.  Book looks up the customs, and yes, they are technically married.  He later warns Mal that if he takes advantage of Saffron, he will burn in the “special Hell, reserved for child molesters and those who talk at the theatre.”  Jayne even offers Mal his prized gun, Vera, in exchange for Saffron.  Mal firmly declines and shows himself to be a bit of a gentleman.  He is certain he will be a bad husband and will not take advantage of Saffron and even advises her to toughen up.  Turns out she didn’t need to toughen up; this was all a con to get the ship.  She attempts to seduce Wash, who is loyal to Zoe, so she has to knock him out after she’s knocked out Mal.  She gains control of the ship and steers it to salvagers before escaping.  She almost has Inara fooled, but the Companion recognizes the training and goes after Mal.  She passes out after kissing Mal’s lips.  Luckily, Jayne and Vera manage to shoot out the net intended to hold them and Mal eventually tracks Saffron down to knock her out.

Jaynestown turns out to be a place where the people worship Jayne as a Robin Hood-type hero.  He had pulled a job years back that resulted in him dumping the magistrate’s money into the town square.  The locals are poor and dirty and suppressed, but the actions they viewed as heroic gave them the courage to stand up for themselves.  Why, there’s even a ballad about “the hero of Canton/ the man they call Jayne!”  [Captain Stout will sing the ballad, complete with the hat, at faire for Tyme Travellers weekend.]  It does provide an excellent cover for the crew to steal what they need.  And meanwhile, onboard Serenity, Book and River differ over the Bible and then River hides from Book once she sees his hair unbound…it really is hilarious.  “Too much hair,” she moans to Zoe and almost doesn’t want to come out because “it’ll still be there, waiting.”  And the magistrate in question had hired Inara to make his son into a man.  Well, it worked.  He stood up to his father and made sure Serenity could escape.

Odd as it may sound, I like Out of Gas.  We get some back story on how the crew members ended up on Serenity.  Mal bought her, on purpose, though Zoe wonders.  Wash was brought on as a pilot and Zoe initially wonders at his mustache and they pinch Jayne from another gig, promising him better pay and his own rom.  Kaylee wasn’t the first mechanic brought aboard, but she fixed the other mechanic’s problem despite having sex with the guy.  But the main problem at present is an explosion in the engine.  Zoe knocks Kaylee out of the way, but she’s hurt.  And life support got knocked out.  Despite some disagreements, Mal gets Wash to send out a distress beacon, then orders the rest of the passengers to split into the two shuttles.  Mal will stay aboard incase their miracle comes.  Inara tries to convince Mal that this isn’t the ancient sea, the captain doesn’t have to go down with the ship.  And some stranger does come to the rescue, but they shoot Mal, obviously intending to take the ship as their own.  Mal won’t let that happen; he orders them off his ship, but leave the part they need.  He bleeds across the ship, putting the engine back to rights, then passing out right in front of the button Wash wired to bring the shuttles back.  He wakes up to discover his crew disobeyed his orders and returned for him; very lucky for him.  It’s just so sweet how they are all one big family.

Events almost come to a head on Ariel, a Central planet.  River is getting worse, but Simon doesn’t have all the tools he needs in order to treat her.  He comes to the crew with a job; sneak him and River into diagnostic room in the hospital.  In exchange, he’ll tell them what drugs to take that will bring the most on the black market.  And being a Central hospital, it will be re-stocked in a matter of hours, meaning no one should die from their theft.  Wash and Kaylee get an ambulance up and running; Jayne, Mal, and Zoe will be the crew.  They’ll take Simon and River in as corpses, then wake them up.  Jayne is in charge of the siblings while Mal and Zoe do the thieving.  Except, Jayne got stupid.  He alerted the feds and changed the plan.  They don’t show up for the pick-up.  Instead, Jayne gets taken with the siblings and River has to get them away before worse men come.  The “two by two, hands of blue,” men show up with blue gloves and sticks that resonate at a high frequency, causing blood to pour out of their victims.  Mal figures out what Jayne tried to pull and has a discussion with him through the back door as they’re lifting off.  Simon and River are part of Mal’s crew, so any betrayal against them is a betrayal against Mal.  Jayne is a bit repentant and Mal doesn’t end up killing him.  His final warning to Jayne is “if you want to stab me in the back, do it to my face.”

Niska returns in War Stories.  Wash is getting concerned that there is more to the relationship between his wife and the captain than simple Army buddies.  Wash and Zoe argue the fact while River and Kaylee chase each other like children in the cargo hold.  “Ah, the pitter patter of tiny feet in huge combat boots,” Mal remarks.  “Shut up!  One of you is gonna fall and die and I’m not cleanin’ it up!”  Wash claims that he can handle himself and decides to go on the drop with Mal instead of Zoe.  Well, things don’t go smooth again and their contacts are killed and Mal and Wash are captured.  Zoe, Jayne, and Book go to investigate when they’re late and Book proves he’s a strange Sheppard; he knows an awful lot about the Alliance and guns for a preacher.  Meanwhile, Wash discusses the issue of his wife with Mal; he figures they’ve never slept together which is causing sexual tension.  Mal points out one time that Zoe didn’t obey him; by marrying Wash.  All the while, Niska is electrocuting the pair.  Mal keeps Wash talking to keep him alert.  Zoe plans to offer Niska a deal, all the money the crew can put together in exchange for their captain and pilot.  Niska takes the money, but it’s only enough for one.  Zoe immediately chooses her husband.  Well, maybe more than one…Niska cuts off Mal’s ear.  One of the few times you hear Mal scream.  Wash insists they go back to rescue Mal.  Zoe agrees and the two arm themselves.  Jayne eventually agrees to come and even Book, Simon, and Kaylee gear up to save Mal.  Book will stick to shooting kneecaps, the Bible is fuzzy on that subject.

Too bad Niska’s killed him; this is not the age for heroic men.  He brings Mal back so he can prolong the torture.  The three most experience enter the compound first.  But Book and Simon have to soon follow them.  Kaylee can’t; she’s scared.  But men come towards the ship.  River picks up the dropped gun, takes one look, then turns away and shoots each man once.  “No power in the ‘verse can stop me.”  Kaylee had used that line earlier, playing with River.  Mal goes after Niska in all the commotion, but his henchman takes over.  Niska escapes and Mal continues fighting, but he won’t say no to some help.  Simon borrows a tool from Inara’s female counselor client in order to re-attach Mal’s ear.

Saffron pops back up in Trash, portraying the wife of an old friend’s of Mal.  Mal is wise to her antics, but is still tempted by a high paying gig she has lined up.  They’ll sneak in and steal the first laser pistol from a wealthy officer who certainly deserves to have the piece taken.  Not everyone is keen on following “Yosaffbrig’s” plan, particularly Inara.  But the crew gets the drop on Saffron.  Inara was their back-up for when Saffron double-crossed them.  She locks Saffron in the garbage bin for the feds to pick up.  And River also knows what Jayne tried to do on Ariel, so when Simon has to patch up the mercenary, he promises that the man will always be safe from Simon; they’re on the same crew, so they gotta trust each other.  Oh, and Saffron made Mal take off his clothes before leaving him stranded, so he gets to walk back on his ship proudly butt-naked.

The Message reunites Mal and Zoe with an old friend from their squadron, Tracey.  Except Tracey is dead and shipped himself to Mal and Zoe.  And Kaylee’s not speaking to Simon because he managed to put his foot in his mouth…again.  But Tracey’s dead body brings a whole mess of trouble to Serenity’s crew.  They need to know how the boy died.  Except when Simon goes to do an autopsy, Tracey wakes up.  He managed to fall in with the wrong crowd and tried to make big bucks carrying organs.  Then he tried to double-cross those people, who are now after him.  He just wants to make it home now, but he doesn’t trust the rest of the crew.  Mal has a plan, but before he can enact it, Tracey gets trigger-happy and Zoe puts a bullet in Tracey.  He manages to take Kaylee hostage, who has gotten sweet on him, but Jayne (who has gained a ‘cunning’ knitted cap from his mother) shoots him in a standoff.  If the boy had waited a minute, Mal could have explained that Book realized the feds chasing them were far out of their jurisdiction, meaning this whole deal was off the records.  But they do right by Tracey and take him to his parents for burial.

“Wash, tell me I’m pretty.” “If I were unwed, I would take you in a manly fashion.” “‘Cause I’m pretty?” “‘Cause you’re pretty.”

Inara’s friend, Nandi is in trouble in Heart of Gold. [And the above is my favorite quote.]  The local leader, Rance Burgess (played by Fredric Lehne, the father-in-law in Greatest Showman, appeared in an episode of Castle as well, and big bad Azazel of the early seasons of Supernatural and many other guest appearances) is trying to claim an unborn child from one of Nandi’s girls…she does run a legitimate whorehouse.  But Rance is cruel and could make a real difference in the town, but decides he likes to retain all the power. Mal agrees to meet the man, with Inara deigning to be on his arm, once he washes it.  And he does not like what he sees; Rance is determined he is right and will use any justification.  So Mal’s first plan is for everyone to run.  But Nandi refuses.  So, they’ll board up and fight.  At this point, Zoe brings up to Wash that she wants a baby.  Wash argues that it is a dangerous world to bring a helpless child into, but Zoe is adamant.  That evening, the pregnant girl goes into labor and Nandi spends time with Mal.  She finally kisses him and takes him to bed.  Inara discovers it the next morning and is seemingly fine with it.  With no puritanical view on sex, she doesn’t mind when her friends engage in it.  But we see her crying later.  And Nandi realizes what we all have been seeing for a while; Mal and Inara have feelings for each other, only they don’t recognize it. There’s no time to make up to each other; Rance and his men attack.  Thanks to a traitor in the girls’ midst, Rance is able to get to the newborn baby.  Inara holds a knife to his throat so he’ll give up the child, but he pushes her away, then shoots Nandi.  Mal goes after Rance and punches him.  The pregnant girl comes out with the baby and briefly introduces the boy to his father, then shoots Rance.  The crew stays for the funeral and afterwards, Inara talks to Mal.  Mal feels like he failed Nandi, but Inara comforts him.  We think they will finally admit the truth, but instead, Inara announces she’s leaving.

Objects in Space rounds out the series.  River walks about the ship and can’t help but hear everyone’s thoughts and be a bit disturbed by them.  Then she thinks she’s found a stick, but it’s really a gun.  Everyone freaks out, but Mal gets the gun off her.  Kaylee finally admits what River did when they rescued Mal from Niska.  Mal has his own theory; River is a Reader, a psychic.  Everyone eventually goes to be a bit disgruntled.  Then bounty hunter Jubal Early sneaks aboard Serenity.  He knocks out Mal and locks the crews’ quarters.  But Kaylee is in the engine room.  She at least picks up a wrench for defense when she hears something, but he threatens to rape her if she makes a sound.  (Oh yeah, he’s a creep and everyone pretty much hates him for making Kaylee cry).  She has to tell him where Simon and River are.  Jubal finds Book first and knocks him out, then finds Simon (shirtless), but no River.  The creep tries to be philosophical and even mistakes Simon’s question on the Alliance for asking if Jubal is a lion.  Simon puts up a bit of a fight, but Jubal threatens Kaylee again and forces Simon to help him look for River.  He hits Inara when she tries to talk him out of his search.

Then we hear River over the speakers.  She has become Serenity, because no one else wanted her.  Jubal questions Simon, who quips “I can’t keep track of her when she not incorporeally possessing a ship…we had a complicated childhood.”  Meanwhile, River comforts Kaylee and tells her she needs to be brave; then hatches a plan with Mal.  River starts to get to Jubal, telling him he’s a liar and despite his supposed code, he likes causing people pain.  Jubal finally figures out River is on his ship.  But River agrees to go with Jubal, to save everyone else.  Well, Simon’s not going to let his sister walk into danger, and tackles Jubal.  He gets shot in the leg for his trouble, but still goes after the bounty hunter.  Kaylee has managed to secretly unlock the dorms and Mal sneaks out.  He’s waiting for Jubal when he leaves Serenity and punches him into space.  Mal catches River on her way back and comments on her brother messing up their plan.  It all ends happy with River and Kaylee hanging out.

The Big Damn Movie, Serenity gives a bit more of the back story of how everyone came to be in space, but it’s actually a memory’s of River.  Well, not really; someone is watching a playback of how Simon broke River out.  The Operative will be hunting them down and is not afraid to get messy, speaking of how some ancient cultures threw themselves on their swords when they failed.  Serenity is still flying, though they may have an interesting landing, as in “oh god, oh god, we’re all gonna die.”  Mal insists that he takes River on a robbery job; she may warn them of trouble.  Simon is not pleased, but Mal is captain.  River indeed senses trouble: Reavers.  Our favorite crew escapes, but we also see that Mal has become a bit harsher in the time between the series and the film.  Simon punches Mal for endangering his sister and declares they will be getting off at the next port.  Kaylee is unhappy they’re leaving, but Mal has business to attend to.  River wanders into the bar and a commercial on the television makes her attack everyone.  She pulls a gun on Mal just as he pulls his pistol.  A phrase from Simon knocks her out and it’s Mal who carries her back to the ship, to handcuff her.  Simon finally reveals that he was warned this may happen and was given the safe phrase.  But Mal suggests there is something going on, something to do with the Alliance.  River had murmured “Miranda” before she went wild.  (Unfortunately, the Operative has seen the same footage).

Wash suggests they go to Mr. Universe (David Krumholtz, Bernard from the first two Santa Clause movies) for information.  The crew gets a little break, visiting Sheppard Book on Haven, then Mal has to go rescue Inara.  He knows he’s walking into a trap, but he does it anyway.  And the way he knows it’s a trap; he didn’t get into an argument with Inara.  Inara is pretty handy when Mal attempts to take on the Operative and her incense is actually an explosion, allowing her and Mal and escape.  Onboard Serenity, Jayne has let River out and she attacks him, then hits Simon.  But she has discovered that “Miranda” is a planet.  Unfortunately, Reaver territory lies between Haven and Miranda.  When they hit planetside again, the colony is in flames.  Mal gets one last conversation with Book before he dies.  All of their friends have been hit; the Operative admits he is a monster, but it’s not his place to question why the Alliance has sent him after River.  And now Mal’s mind is made up.  They’ll disguise his ship in order to sneak through Reaver territory. 

They make it through and discover the secret that River has been holding in her mind.  The Alliance had added an element to the air on Miranda to make it peaceful, to stamp out aggression.  A team investigated on why everyone had died.  Well, all aggression and fight was gone from them; they just laid down and died.  Barring one tenth of a percent of the population; it strengthened their aggression…turning them into Reavers.  Well, Mal and the crew need to get this information out; someone has to speak for these people.  Because one day, the powers that be will decide they can make people better.  “So no more runnin’; I aim to misbehave.”  They’ll go back to Mr. Universe.  Sadly, the Operative has beat them there and there is an Alliance blockade between Serenity and their goal.  Well, they’re ready for that and bring a whole Reaver contingent behind them.  So the Alliance has to fight them instead of our heroes.  Wash manages some fancy flying, “I’m a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar.”  And he lands, destroying bits of Serenity in the process.  Before we can cheer, he’s run through with a spear [Whedon is cruel!]. 

The rest of the crew will make their last stand to buy Mal time to get to the backup equipment.  Kaylee even picks up a gun because now she’s got something to live for; Simon regrets never being with her.  But Kaylee is injured, as is Zoe.  They retreat a bit and then Simon is shot.  River declares that he has always taken care of her, now it’s her turn.  She sprints into the other room, tosses his medical bag in, but the door closes before she can make it back through.  She’s now locked in a room full of Reavers.

The Operative has caught up to Mal and shot him, then tries to paralyze him so he can dispatch him with his sword.  But Mal had taken shrapnel there during the more and that nerve cluster was moved, so he disables the Operative instead and slides his sword down so he can’t move.  He inputs the message and sets it to broadcast.  Mal finds his crew and the doors finally open to reveal that River has dispatched all the Reavers.  The Alliance breaks in and asks for orders.  The Operative finally tells them to stand  down; “we’re finished.”  The Operative lets the crew go, after everyone pitches in to repair Serenity.  There is a memorial service for Mr. Universe, Book, and Wash.  Kaylee and Simon ever get their time together (with River watching).  The Operative cannot guarantee that the Alliance won’t eventually come after the crew; the regime may be weakened, but not gone, nor are they forgiving.  He will disappear.

Happy news, Inara decides she won’t leave.  Mal becomes the pilot and takes River as his copilot, nicknaming her “albatross.”  The first rule of flying?  Love.

I like Firefly; maybe not as much as some other series and movies, but it was fun to re-watch the series.  I adore the family dynamics; Mal is certainly the father of the group, keeping an eye on everyone, protecting them.  Zoe and Wash are adorable together; and Zoe is totally badass!  Kaylee is fun, as is River, when her mind is kind to her.  Summer Glau has a background as a ballerina, so she is naturally graceful, which is cool to watch in fight scenes and that’s how she’s able to do some interesting stunts.  And it’s heartwarming how much Simon cares about his sister.

Honestly, not as fond of the movie.  It’s filmed darker and doesn’t have the warmth visually in the shots that the series had.  It is a logical progression from the show, but totally wish Whedon hadn’t killed Wash!  I have heard there are comics that continue the story, but I have not read them. The encyclopedia is fairly interesting.  And I absolutely love the bloopers!  I will watch them over and over just for the laughs.  The sarcastic quips are another great element of the show.

Of course, I have discovered some fanfiction stories related to Firefly:

The first was actually a huge crossover with the anime Zoids (the only anime I ever watched, I think it was on Cartoon Network when I was in high school).  But totally check out Ancient Legacies by Dragon-Raptor.

And A.Windsor’s Pirate Children series can be a fun read (depends on the story, but warnings accompany the write-ups)

Up Next: We continue a little with the space theme and cover the new Star Trek movies.

“Maybe we could get back to saving the day”

Season Four

The Library and its Librarians has survived the ultimate battle against Apep.  Now, they’re past the point of prophecy; anything could happen.  Like odd priests (led by John Noble, best known as Denethor) uncovering large stones in Dark Secret.  These turn out to be the original cornerstones of the Library of Alexandria.  Flynn and Eve are practicing a bonding ceremony, led by Jenkins; they will tether the Library to this world and also gain immortality.  An alarm warns them of the cornerstones and Jenkins leads them to a cell beneath the Library, holding Nicole Noone; Flynn’s Guardian from  Quest of the Spear.  Turns out, they she got thrown back in time during that mission at the end of the film and at some point along the way, gained immortality herself.  Jenkins [rightly] does not trust her, but Flynn wants to speak to her alone.  She tries to get Flynn to doubt the Library; it’s keeping him prisoner.

In the meantime, the other Librarians track down the cornerstones before the Heretic Church of Shadows can plunge the world into another Dark Age.  Stone is excited to visit the Paris Opera House and a brief shout out to Phantom of the Opera.  But, they lose the stone and the Shadows try to bring the Library back to this world in order to destroy it.  Nicole ends up helping out and Flynn has to save her.  But she disappears at the end.

In Steal of Fortune, one of Jake’s friends gets a bad string of luck at a horse track.  Actually, a lot of people have been experiencing bad luck.  The Librarians figure out it is the statue of “Lady Luck” come to life.  They manage to rig the casino and she begins to lose her powers and revert back to a statue.  We meet Ezekiel Jones’ family in Christmas Thief.  They had no clue he was a world-class thief.  He accidentally shows his mother the Annex and the Magic Door globe, which she uses to rob the Bank of Thieves.  Ezekiel gets found out and they’re about to be terminated; for it is run by the patron saint of thieves, who happens to be Santa’s brother.  Yes, Santa has entrusted the three Librarians to guard his sleigh, which of course, they take out for a spin. Christmas is almost ruined, but Jenkins saves the day.  And Ezekiel reveals that he would steal things so he could donate the profits; roads, schools, and hospitals got built.  It is far better to give, than to receive.

Silver Screen is rather fun; Flynn and Eve go on a date to see one of her favorite black-and-white detective films.  And end up sucked in.  They have to play out the rest of the story in order to leave; and it’s a bit hilarious at times, and they enjoy themselves.  But the film does not end the way Eve remembers.  Jenkins tracks down the solution; the writer’s secretary had written the story in order to reveal her own daughter, but it got covered up (mother and daughter are reunited in the end).  And the other three Librarians travel through other films (Stone gets to sing, and then they end up in space).

A town turns old in Bleeding Crown and a former Librarian jumps through time to help.  Flynn fanboys for a bit over Darrington Dare, which is rather sweet.  But Darrington warns Flynn that the Library can only have one Librarian; more than one and the in-fighting will destroy the Library.  And say hello to Porthos again (Howard Charles); he plays the villainous wizard .  Their relationship apparently inspired Holmes and Moriaty; they are nemesis, and the only people in each others’ lives.  The wizard is attempting to create clones, but they age really quick, so he plans to steal the souls of others to stabilize his creations.  Darrington is willing to let the other Librarians die, but Flynn will not.  They are his friends and just as important as the Library.  And his talk to Darrington actually influenced Darrington’s life; he was fated to die the day he returned to the past, but they discover that he changed his ways and lived a longer, fuller life.  But he still warns Flynn there can only be one Librarian.

Eve meets up with Nicole in Graves of Time; she wants to help a fellow Guardian.  Nicole has been using her graves (she faked her death every twenty years to avoid suspicion) to hide an artifact.  Flynn and Jenkins follow them; Jenkins still does not trust Nicole.  Eve and Jenkins get captured by the old man [if he looks familiar, he’s played by Christopher Heyerdahl {Thor Heyerdahl was his father’s cousin; blame my brother for me recognizing the surname} and he’s appeared in Scorpion, MacGyver, Castle.  He’s Marcus in Twilight and oh yeah, Alastair in Supernatural] following Nicole, who claims that Nicole was a follower of Rasputin and caused the downfall of the Romanov family.  Actually, he was Rasputin and immortal.  He stabs Nicole, but Flynn feeds Rasputin radiation in order to kill him.  Jenkins believes that Nicole was protecting the Library, so he siphons off his immortality to save her.  Sadly, the episode ends with Flynn gone and his tethering ring left behind.  Jenkins feels Flynn has resigned and now the fate of the Library is in question.

The team finds a mystery in Disenchanted Forest; people have been disappearing.  The neighboring team-building camp plans to expand and this forest is connected to all other forests.  It finds its mouthpiece through Jacob.  DOSA even agrees to help protect the land, granting it “Area 51 Status.”  Jacob had also befriended a reporter who got fired for writing about magic and the Library.  So she doesn’t feel like a complete lunatic, Jacob shows her the Library, but she cannot reveal the secret and Jacob cannot be with her.  In Hidden Sanctuary, Cassandra leaves the Library for the safest town in America; she froze during a recent mission and it’s been haunting her.  So now, she wants a safe life without people depending on her.  And she enjoys her life, but she also uncovers a mystery.  The town councilman had once made a wish after saving a fairy that no one would have accidents again.  Cassandra’s arrival through the Magic Door weakened the spell containing the fairy, but she talks the fairy down, with some help, from wreaking vengeance upon the town.  Cassandra luckily returns to the Library.

Town Called Feud hosts a Civil War reenactment, focused on brothers who served on both sides, then ended up killing each other.  During this year’s event, a ghost appears and says “the brothers are rising.”  Cassandra stays back with Jenkins, to have high tea and some research (it’s rather adorable), so Eve takes Jake and Ezekiel to investigate.  A locket played into the legend, supposedly broken and will now be attached.  Jake and Ezekiel start arguing, like brothers do; there’s also the underlying tension that one of the three remaining Librarians will need to tether to Eve to protect the Library.  The two brothers’ ghosts indeed rise, as do their armies, and take over the town.  Jack and Ezekiel aim guns at each other, but miss.  As do the armies.  Turns out, the brothers had reconciled on the battlefield, to protect their families.  “The world needs brothers being brothers.”

Jenkins faces his own trials with Some Dude Named Jeff.  Jeff bought a grimoire online and used a spell to trade places with Jenkins.  He and his friends play a D&D campaign as the Librarians and Jeff wanted to have a cool life.  So Jenkins must get out of Jeff’s body and back into the Library.  He reluctantly recruits Jeff’s friends to get him in the back door.  The other Librarians eventually figure out that Jeff is not Jenkins, but before they could do anything, the grimoire released Asmodeus [yep, character appeared in Supernatural as well, a prince of Hell].  Jeff and Jenkins battle side-by-side and trap the prince again.  And Jenkins has gained some new friends, who are very interested in his tales of Arthur’s Court.  As long as he gets to be the dungeon master do they do it right.  A fairly light-hearted episode.  Which is good because…

Events begin to come to a head in Trial of the One.  The Library is reverting to protecting only its artifacts, since Eve has not chosen a Librarian to tether with.  It takes over Jenkins and has the three Librarians fight to the death to decide who will tether.  Eve fights back and brings the Librarians together again, but Jenkins is mortally wounded.  The three Librarians all resign over Jenkins’ death.  Stone no longer trusts the Library; for Ezekiel, the Library crossed a line; and Cassandra hates the Library now.  Nicole pops in and circles a grieving Eve.  This was all Nicole’s plan (we knew Jenkins was right not to trust her) to destroy the Library.  She feels the Library betrayed her.  The Library fades around Eve.  She arrives in a black and white world in Echoes of Memory.  She uses the memory palace technique to focus on specific aspects of the Library to keep it in tact; the Spear of Destiny, the Ark of the Covenant, and the lion statues.  Flynn’s tethering ring gives her a clue and she stumbles across a recorded message from Flynn.  He did not leave the Library of his own violation; Nicole kidnapped him.  Flynn loves Eve and was ready to tether.  But now Eve has to find Flynn; and the other Librarians.

This world is run by “the Company” [and reminds me a lot of 1984; I hated that book] and everything is blah.  No one seeks knowledge.  Eve finds Jake selling beige cars, but sparks his memory of the Library.  They find Cassandra next, still working complex math problems.  Ezekiel runs the only show in town, but still likes to pick locks.  Eve is captured by Nicole and put in a mental hospital, where everyone else who questions things is put.  Eve finds Flynn who has held on to his own memories, despite several attempts by Nicole to wipe his mind.  She’s trying to hang on to the man she had fallen in love with and had hoped for centuries would rescue her.  Eve finds Flynn and they share a kiss.  Eve remembers the Library now and Flynn vows to never leave her or the Library ever again.  And she still loves this nice, cute, and completely crazy man.

The other three begin to remember their gifts and mount a rescue for Eve and Flynn.  They’re soon trapped however, but Eve encourages them to manifest the Library where they stand.  It’s full of art, science, and magic and it values each Librarian.  It lives in each of them and Flynn is the heart and soul of the Library.  Nicole can only watch as the Library returns and her plan fails.  While our heroes are back in the Library, Jenkins is still dead.  But Flynn won’t give up; he has a crazy idea to rewrite history just enough.  He jumps through a portal to the moment when Nicole will take the immortality potion and he begs her to help the Library.  He cannot rescue her, but she is still the Library’s Guardian.  She agrees and Flynn wakes up back at the tethering ceremony rehearsal, from the beginning of the season.  He re-wrote everything that happened.  Eve remembers, but the other three don’t.  The couple asks Jenkins (who is alive, huzzah!) to perform the ceremony now, don’t wait for the solstice.

I’m glad things worked out alright, but I’m not fond of the Nicole plot.  I wasn’t terribly fond of her in Spear of Destiny because she was often dismissive of Flynn.  This season was a bit of a letdown after the previous season.  I know there was no big bad to defeat, but there are plenty more stories and artifacts to explore.  This felt a bit like a cop-out.

There have been a few tie-in novels published: The Lost Lamp, The Mother Goose Case, and The Pot of Gold.  I recommend them all!

And of course, there is some rather good fanfiction stories out there.

Check out Hedgehog-O-Brien on AO3 for some trio Librarian fluff.

And icarus_chained weaves in some mythology and introspection on Jenkins.

Up Next: Air Force One

“How many Librarians does it take to get Jenkins out of the box?”

Season Three

The Librarians don’t get to sit back after defeating Prospero.  Rise of Chaos releases the Egyptian god, Apep, who plans to release Pure Evil back into the world.  Cassandra also starts arguing that the Librarians should use the magic housed in the Library; they’ll certainly use it for good.  The episode also brings in the black ops government agency: DOSA (Department of Statistical Anomalies) and they don’t plan on playing well with the Librarians.  While Flynn declares that the Librarians are family, Jenkins warns him that the battle Judson told Flynn was coming, between good and evil; it is here.  So Flynn starts his search for Charlene in Fangs of Death; she’ll know how to defeat Apep.  He and Eve manage to find Charlene, who was using some well-deserved time off.  But before they can fully formulate a plan, Charlene disappears again, leaving behind only her pendant (which Flynn gave to her at the end of Judas Chalice).  Flynn rewires Jenkins’ back door machine to find Charlene again and the Librarians investigate a supercollider accident.  Flynn fears Charlene is dead, but they have to deal with Anubis, who Apep has released to turn everyone into werewolves.  The Librarians manage to send Anubis back through the portal and discover that Charlene is not dead.  But Flynn will undertake the search alone; he won’t risk the others.

Jacob and Cassandra team up to recover a crystal in Reunion of Evil.  Caught in a snowstorm, after Cassandra used magic and the crystal dove inside her, they take refuge in a magical inn, filled with a reunion.  Of Frost Giants, it turns out (and if Olaffson looks familiar to anyone, he’s played by Eric Allan Kramer, who was the father on Good Luck Charlie and appears on other television shows).  Jacob almost gets them out, thanks to his knowledge of history and Norse mythology, but they’re still caught.  He also admits that sometimes magic is helpful, but cautions Cassandra when they’re safe that they need to be careful with it.  Back in the Annex, Eve encourages Ezekiel to become a leader and so tasks him with babysitting Nessie’s egg (it is rather adroable).  Eve and the team struggle through Self Fulfilling Prophecy.  Eve is shown as image of her death and tries to outwit it, only to be trapped in a prophecy cube with the Oracle of Delphi.  They do manage to escape, thanks to Jenkins.  And the Library.  While the Guardian guards the Librarians, the Library guards the Guardian.

Hello to old friends

There are several familiar faces in Tears of a Clown (and I feel like Sam Winchester by the end of it; clowns are creepy).  Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee in Lord of the Rings) is the Amazing Mysterium, running a carnival in order to please Charlotte (played by Felicia Day; Charlie in Supernatural).  Elisha Henig (he was in an episode of MacGyver, two episodes of Lab Rats: Elite Force, and other spot appearances) pops in as kid Vern.  But at Mysterium’s carnival, if you stand in his way, bad things happen to you.  Eve gets turned into the two-headed woman, Ezekiel is a snake charmer, Stone is the strong man, and Cassandra is a mermaid for a bit, until Jenkins rescue them.  They triumph over Mysterium before he can harm anyone else.

I rather like Trial of the Triangle; Flynn is back, searching for the Eye of Ra in order to defeat Apep.  But the other Librarians and Eve stage an intervention; Flynn needs to work as a team with them.  They stand a better chance of defeating evil that way.  A case pops up, leading them all to the Bermuda Triangle, which Jacob has worked out is somehow based on Lewis Carroll’s The Walrus and the Carpenter poem.  Eve and Flynn stage an argument as a distraction to get their team through security and is strays into an actual argument, sounding an awful lot like two parents fighting, but ends with Flynn declaring his love for Eve and dramatically kissing her. 

“I love you more than anyone I’ve ever known. I love you more than anything I’ve ever learned. I love you more than learning itself.”

Eve urges Flynn to be the hero she knows him to be and find a third option when the plane begins to crash.  They manage to evacuate the passengers and most of the team, but Flynn remains behind to investigate the Triangle.  A former Librarian’s ship had gone down in the Triangle and a test lays before Flynn before he can recover the Eye of Ra.  His friends become characters in a Wonderland-like chess match and Flynn has to honestly admit his faults.  The Librarian, Teddy Chislington (played by William Morgan Sheppard, guest appearances in several TV shows such as Charmed and NCIS, as well as General Isaac Trimble in Gods and Generals and Gettysburg and Dr. Zito in the original MacGyver) praises him for having a pure heart.  But the Eye of Ra comes with a price in order to lock Apep away; it requires a human sacrifice.  The hardest duty of a Librarian, to knowingly take a life.  Flynn figures the only life he is willing to lay down is his own.  Jenkins is aware of his intention.

I believe they call this a “Big Damn Kiss”

Curse of Cindy is relatively light-hearted; a young woman who was humiliated on a reality show is contacted by a witch to make a love potion.  Well, more like an obsession potion, which when overloaded causes people to fight.  Another plot by Apep, but foiled by Ezekiel.  Though it is rather humorous when Jenkins accidentally makes Flynn and Jacob fall in love with each other.  The Eternal Question leads the three younger Librarians to a holistic spa that is actually run by kind vampires.  Moissanite minerals in the soil and water create a fertile area that protects the vampires from the sun.  But the son decided to try to bottle it and turn some of the guests.  A showdown happens with his sister, aided by Cassandra. And Jenkins helps the guys out with the other vampires, proving he is still one of the greatest swordsmen.  Cassandra bonded with Estreya, partly brought on by Cassandra’s impending tumor; Estreya offers to turn Cassandra so she would be immortal.  Jenkins rushes her to the hospital and surgery just in time to save her life.  And there appears to be a budding romance between Cassandra and Jenkins, on Cassandra’s end.  But Jenkins pledged his heart to a woman long ago, who chose another, but a knight never breaks his vow.  Cassandra survives and her gift remains; she had turned down the surgery earlier, fearing it would take her gift and thus she wouldn’t be a Librarian anymore.

Jacob has been training with the Monkey King in Shangri La in Fatal Separation, just in time for it to be attacked by a black market artifact dealer.  Jacob rallies everyone to save Shangri La and he and Flynn even manage to rescue Charlene.  They restore goodness to Shangri La, but when they return to the Library, Charlene has Jenkins perform a severing ceremony as a way to protect her from Apep.  She has parting words to all, though we don’t hear what she whispers to Eve.  It is Charlene that Jenkins love, but Charlene loved her Librarian, Jenkins.  To Flynn (and we cry along with him), Charlene tells him that he is the finest Librarian she has ever known and while she will miss him, she promises to see him again.

Eve meets again with the DOSA director at the beginning of Wrath of Chaos, whom we found out in the last episode was Eve’s mentor, agreeing to hand the Library over to DOSA, though she insists the Librarians be spared.  Flynn and Eve send Cassandra, Jacob, and Ezekiel on a case to Mount Rushmore, that Jacob figures out is a diversion.  They rush back to find Eve letting DOSA into the Library.  Jenkins tries to stand against them, but they turn him to stone with Medusa’s head, and Flynn rushes about, gathering artifacts.  There’s a rather tender moment where he ponders his portrait from Quest for the Spear and sees Charlene again (Judson pops in once Flynn walks away).  His next mission for the three younger Librarians is to rescue Jenkins.  DOSA’s headquarters are a technological version of the Library and after a few tries to unlock Jenkins’ box, they determine they have to answer the questions incorrectly.  The director is possessed by Apep and brings a bomb into the Library, knocking Eve out.  When the other four return, she admits that it was all part of a plan between her and Flynn to defeat Apep.  Except, Flynn never told her about the sacrifice the Eye of Ra requires.  Flynn plans to face Apep alone.  Eve begs Flynn to stop, then begs the other Librarians to figure out a third option.  Jacob bestows the gift of inner soul he received from the Monkey King.  Cassandra transports thought to Apep’s ghost form, and Ezekiel gives him a heart with the love potion.  Apep now has a human form, which means Flynn can use the Eye of Ra on him, sucking evil back out of the world and Flynn survives.  Eve reveals that the three younger Librarians were the fail safe, the backup in case her plan with Flynn failed; she even manages to get the artifacts returned to the Library from DOSA.  This escapade has also taught the younger Librarians to use magic as a last resort.  They’re soon on their way again with another case from the Clippings Book.

Time to save the Librarian

I love the family notion of this season; it’s heartwarming because all of the Librarians were misfits and didn’t have people who understood them, but now they have colleagues and pseudo siblings who annoy and love them.  Flynn and Eve are totally the parents in this scenario and Jenkins…just tries to keep everyone sane. And it was great to see Charlene again and she did more than worry about receipts.

Next Time: The fourth and final season.

Time Travel Gives You a Headache

Season Two

Drowned Book starts with a flashback to the beginning of season one, when magic surges back through the ley lines.  An older man summons a character from Sherlock Holmes; “I have need of your genius, sir.”  Fast forward to present day, everyone ends up invited to the same New York museum, but on different cases.  Eve suggests working together, but they’ve all gotten used to doing their own thing.  A strange storm blows in and Eve and Flynn meet James Worth (played by the dashing David S. Lee; he’s been in episodes of Castle, NCIS and NCIS:LA), head of antiquities from Oxford.  James charms Eve and can match Flynn for deducting.  The three younger Librarians end up teaming up again to solve their problems and Flynn realizes that Worth is a fictional.  His first guess is Sherlock Holmes (and he’s ever so excited), but Worth is actually Moriarty.  But he’s not the true mastermind connecting all the artifacts.  That would be Prospero, Shakespeare’s wizard from The Tempest.  Prospero is a Fictional so powerful, he rose from his own tale.  But he wants to control his own story, not be bound by what Shakespeare wrote.  He and Moriarty manage to disappear, but the Librarians have to deal with the storm that is spiraling out of control.  They end up using a sun from the Library to burn off the cold air and save New York.  Flynn sulks that he liked being able to do things his way, but Eve points out that pooling information works just as well.

In Broken Staff, Flynn and Eve follow up clues to keep Prospero from regaining more of his power, while Prospero and Moriarty manage to make it into the Library.  They hold Jenkins hostage for a bit, asking about the Heart of the Library, the Tree of Knowledge.  Again, it takes all of the Librarians, including Flynn and Eve to defeat the traps Prospero has laid.  Flynn burns a Tree to thwart Prospero (not actually the Tree of Knowledge, he hopes it wasn’t important).  But the Library has also been re-arranging itself and sixteen artifacts are missing.  Eve again suggests that Flynn carry on searching for the artifacts alone while she helps the other three Librarians settle the Library.

The three younger Librarians head to Jacob’s home state to solve a rift in the Earth in What Lies Beneath the Stone.  Jacob’s not thrilled about returning home; he kept his academic life very secret at home and he’s been saying “family ain’t easy” for a while.  He has strong disagreements with his father, but the Librarian job is more important.  They pass Ezekiel off as the expert since Stone’s father is dismissive of him and eventually work out that it’s a Native American trickster who has been set free and causing chaos; feeding off lies.  It looks like Jacob reconciles with his father for a moment, but it was the shapeshifter.  Jacob fights him off and locks him away again.  He still does not tell his father the truth, because he has realized that he doesn’t need his father’s approval.  So he signs his own name to the academic paper he is writing.  The team heads to Wexler University in Cost of Education, where people are strangely disappearing.  Cassandra meets another girl who is tracking magic and linking it with science.  A tentacle monster from another dimension is stealing people who are full of ego.  Cassandra follows her new friend into the wormhole to rescue her, but is stopped for a brief moment by the ladies of the Lake Foundation, interested in combining science and math.  Cassandra is content with being a Librarian, but the invitation stands.  She disagrees with Jenkins on whether magic should be studied or not.  Ezekiel sadly loses his new gargoyle friend, Stumpy.

In Hollow Men, Flynn pops back in to find the Eye of Zarathustra, which “is the key to the door of Lost Knowledge, the Staff summoned by Sun and Rue.”  But he’s quickly separated from the rest of the Librarians, held by a strange man who somehow knows Flynn, but not really.  Prospero is also after the staff and Moriarty still flirts with Eve.  She ends up having to team up with the antagonist in order to find Flynn.  And it turns out, Flynn is traveling with the intelligence of the Library.  Meanwhile, the other three work with Jenkins to keep the Library from completely dying.  Ray regains his memories, though Moriarty has to take the staff to save him. The Library is wholly restored.  Baird visits an old friend in Infernal Contract; Sam Denning (Michael Trucco, he’s appeared in several TV shows, including Castle as a similarly named Detective Tom Demming that was interested in Kate) is running for mayor in a small town.  But turns out that his opponent’s family has had a long running deal with a devil (played by John de Lancie, a few episodes of Charmed and Stargate SG-1, and Q in Star Trek); a bit like crossroad demons in Supernatural.  Eve, Jenkins, and the Librarians manage to trick the devil and rescue Sam and the town.  Jenkins sweetly takes care of the three ill Librarians at the end and points out that Eve’s job as Guardian is to save the Librarians’ souls.

The team gets to go clubbing in London in Image of Image, trying to figure out how people are mysteriously dying from something they weren’t doing.  They’re all connected to Club Effigy, where pictures mark them as the next victim.  There’s a charming Englishman who turns out to be Dorian Gray.  Any of his vices are passed onto his victims, keeping him young and beautiful.  Until Ezekiel and Cassandra turn the tables on him.  Jenkins once again counsels Eve on the upcoming battle between good and evil.  Jenkins goes to a Fae for information on Prospero at the beginning of Point of Salvation.  The rest of the team gets stuck in a video game scenario at a DARPA lab.  Ezekiel is the only one who remembers each pass and gets tired of seeing his friends die.  He forces them to believe him and follow him, even sacrificing himself at the end.  Jacob and Cassandra figure out a way to bring him back and now he doesn’t remember his heroic deeds [or does he?].  Prospero attacks in the final moments.  He created a spell that wiped the memory of Eve, Cassandra, Ezekiel, and Jacob from Jenkins’ mind in Happily Ever After.  Flynn heads off to find them and discovers they’re leading new, but similar lives together on a small island.  Eve is the sheriff, dating Moriarty.  Cassandra has been to the moon, Jacob teaches eleven different classes at the university, and Ezekiel is an FBI agent, but their home base seems to resemble a library.  Flynn teams up with the sprite, Ariel [she is adorable] to bring his family’s memories back.  Eve has to do the same for Flynn at the end because his perfect life is one puzzle after another that he solves by himself.  But they’ve been under the spell for three weeks, Jenkins reports.  The ley lines have been supercharged by Prospero; it means the end of the world.

A giant forest begins to cover the earth in Final Curtain.  Due to a wet hand, Flynn and Eve finally realize the strange note they found in John Dee’s estate in Drowned Book was written by Flynn in his left hand.  They use time travel to go back to when Shakespeare wrote The Tempest, but it breaks upon their departure.  Now Jenkins and the other three Librarians have to follow the rest of the clues to stop Prospero in the present.  Prospero has one final task for Moriarty and sends him back in time as well.  But Moriarty wants vengeance on his taskmaster for holding him prisoner and decides the best way to do that is to try to kill Shakespeare.  Obviously, that does not work out, but Flynn and Eve discover that Prospero is Shakespeare transformed.  His quill is magical, part of the Tree of Knowledge gifted to him by John Dee.  With it, Shakespeare transforms into the wizard so he can escape a failure in his career.  Moriarty is swiftly dealt with by Prospero, and he almost drowns Eve.  She rises out of the water, like the Lady of the Lake (aided by the ladies of the Lake), throwing Excalibur to Flynn to defeat Prospero.  So it follows that old adage of King Arthur, that he who wields Excalibur will do so once more and save England.  The other three turn Prospero back into Shakespeare in the present, using some of Shakespeare’s’ work to define themselves.  A portal opens that can send Shakespeare back to his time, but Flynn and Eve cannot come forward.  However, they figure out how to do time travel the long way round, leaving the notes they need for themselves and asking Shakespeare to use his magic quill one last time to make them into a statue that is delivered to the Library for safekeeping.  The other three free them from their very long kiss and heck, even Cal is back.

It’s adorable how much this team continues to become a family.  Since I am not fully versed in Shakespeare, I probably miss some of the nuisances of Prospero being the villain, but Moriarty is excellent; almost sympathetic at times.  I’m glad that Flynn takes Eve with him to defeat Prospero, rather than leaving her behind and handling the mission on his own; and I’m even happier that they don’t stay stuck in Elizabethan England forever.

Next Time: Season Three