“You always have my back, bud.”

How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World

The third movie in the animated trilogy (well, primary, full-length films). F. Murray Abraham (Salieri in Amadeus) joins the cast as Grimmel. Due to some legal issues (allegations and such) for TJ Miller, Tuffnut’s voice actor changed to Justin Ripple [there is a noticeable change in voice if you pay attention.] I think David Tennat voices one of the bad guys’ crewmembers, but of departure from voicing Spitelout.

There is a new opening for the title sequence and then into a new style opening for the film. In the last two films, we start at Berk. Now, we start on a raid. Hiccup still has his fire sword, and even newer and improved dragon armor. All of his team do, though they’re not the best coordinated or stealthy (where did their practice from Race to the Edge go?). It’s a bit funny how he has to explain he’s not a demon. And fairly certain that guard is voiced by David Tennant (who is usually Spitelout.) This is on top of the incredibly cool aspect of walking through fire. Snotlout kind of ruins that scene by getting lit on fire. (Well, some things never change.) Astrid remains Hiccup’s right-hand woman and they fight well together. Valka acts as their back-up.

Toothless smells something new on the ship, but then rescues Hiccup. He always has his best friend’s back. And they’re off to busy, busy Berk (where the Berk theme does come back into the soundtrack, even bigger and bolder). The village is even more colorful than a year previous. Berk is nearly overflowing with dragons. Hiccup considers it paradise, but Gobber points out it’s not everyone’s paradise, and the fact that it is overcrowded. The Great Hall is filled with dragons and Vikings, everyone tripping over the other. Toothless remains Alpha and will get the other dragons in line when need be.

Valka warns Hiccup that he and his friends rely too much on dragons during their missions, which is why they’re terrible at stealth and don’t work well as a unit. Meanwhile, Gobber urges Hiccup and Astrid to get married. Settle down and run the village as a proper chief. Berk is well known to many and that is becoming a problem. Trappers are getting closer and closer to Berk. “One day, you’re going to pick a fight you can’t win,” Gobber warns Hiccup.

Indeed, warlords have gathered to discuss the Hiccup issue. They’ve called on a famed trapper, Grimmel to help, with his creepy scorpion like dragons (Deathgrippers). Well, Grimmel hunts dragons, but not to sell or have them fight, but to kill. And he specializes in killing Night Furies. In fact, he thought he had eliminated all Night Furies, so he’s surprised to discover that the chief of the Berkians has one. However, the warlords managed to save the one dragon left from the raid, a female Fury-type dragon. The warlords will pay Grimmel to capture the Night Fury Alpha and bring the flock of dragons from Berk to them. The Light Fury is part of the deal. Grimmel mocks Hiccup upon hearing about him, calling him just a boy, not a leader.

To those who were confused when they saw that Gerard Butler was involved in this film, and hopeful that it meant that Stoick hadn’t really died in the previous film, he does make a return. In the form of flashbacks. We see Stoick telling an incredibly young Hiccup a tale; beyond the sunset there is the home of all dragons, at the edge of the world. There is a great waterfall that leads to this hidden world, larger than any nest. Stoick wants to seal this entrance so people and dragons will fight no more.

Back in the present, Hiccup continues to play with Toothless. Even though he chides that his leg is not a chew toy, he still removes it so Toothless can play with it. Astrid joins him and brings up Gobber’s conversation. She agrees they’re not ready for marriage, but maybe Gobber has a point about the whole world knowing about Berk. It makes them a bigger target. Which is when Hiccup brings up the myth his father told him about the hidden world, which is why he has his map out. He wants to move everyone from Berk, Viking and dragon, there so they can live out the reach of their enemies. Astrid’s a little skeptical of leaving Berk, where their people have dwelt for generations. Also, to leave land? There is some lovely teasing between the couple. They still love each other, just aren’t ready to get married yet.

Then Toothless hears something again and heads off to investigate. Hiccup of course follows him. They come upon the Light Fury, but she dislikes humans and won’t let Hiccup come near her, in the end flying off. Hiccup notices that she’s able to shoot a burst of fire, fly into it, and disappear. The next day, Toothless is distracted and slobbering and panting. Astrid points out that he’s in love. Hiccup warns his friend that “relationships are nothing but pain and misery.” Astrid hears and smacks her fiancé. Hiccup never imagined her to be the romantic type.

Of course, Hiccup decides he’ll still help his best friend, even though Tuffnut tries to awkwardly talk about marriage. Hiccup finds a dart in the woods, where he had been with Toothless the night before. He shows it to Eret, who recognizes it as Grimmel’s. He warns his new chief not to underestimate this opponent (which he did about Drago as well.) Hiccup decides they’ll lay a trap for Grimmel and wait for him to come back.

Grimmel indeed comes to Berk again and enters Hiccup’s hut, mocking him as so many have, “what would Stoick think of you?” Grimmel argues that he hunts Night Furies in search of a better world. Hiccup doesn’t agree and states he will never give up Toothless. Grimmel argues back that humans are superior and dragons will undo civilization, mocking Hiccup for his idea of dragons and humans together. Grimmel orders his dragons to attack the hut, setting it on fire. As he leaves, he calls back to Hiccup a last warning, that he will destroy everything Hiccup loves.

Hiccup calls the village together in the Great Hall. Grimmel is a new kind of enemy, one that Hiccup will not underestimate again. But Grimmel is just a sign of the times, that more enemies will come for Berk and their dragons. They’re more determined to destroy the happy Vikings. This makes Berk vulnerable. Hiccup says they can’t stay; it would risk war. They need a better plan; they need to disappear off the map. “We are dragon people;” they won’t give up their dragons. “Berk is more than this place,” he declares and tells them that they will go somewhere that people and dragons can live together…the hidden world of dragons. He gets some protests, but his friends stand behind him.

Grimmel expected this and tells the warlords that Hiccup has abandoned his only defensible position. And narrows down which direction they’re heading. Luckily, Valka volunteers to circle back and make sure they weren’t followed. Hiccup leads his people on dragon-back (the sheep even have dragon costumes [we find out in a short that this was done to keep dragons from eating the sheep]). The Light Fury finds them and Toothless is certainly still interested, but the Light Fury still dislikes humans, so she knocks Hiccup off of Toothless. The two dragons smile at each other for a minute, then Toothless has to go get Hiccup. They eventually come to a new island, large enough for everyone to land, high enough to keep most people out. Hiccup initially plans that it is simply a pit stop, but he’s convinced to make it a stopping point until he can properly locate the hidden world. When Valka left on reconnaissance, she warned Hiccup that she tried living with dragons herself, for twenty years. But greedy humans will find a way to destroy Hiccup’s dream.

Toothless and the Light Fury meet in a field as their first date (it is a wonderful score on the soundtrack) and Toothless attempts, awkwardly, to flirt with the other Fury. Note, he hasn’t been around other furies in years (no idea how many), so he mainly knows other dragons he’s observed and humans. [Note to filmmakers, when you don’t light a scene well, “cause it’s night,” it means that your audience can’t see what’s going on. Take a cue from Lord of the Rings and do something so we can see. It’s part of the suspension of disbelief.] In an echo of the first film, Toothless draws for the Light Fury, much better this time, even while Hiccup is hidden, trying to coach his friend. The pair do get along, but Toothless can’t follow her when she flies off. So, Hiccup unearths his plans for a new tail (from Gift of the Night Fury) and sets to making it. He figures that Toothless will bring the Light Fury back to their new, temporary settlement. (We even get New ‘New Tail’ in the soundtrack.)

Toothless very much enjoys his new tail and even tries the Light Fury’s disappearing trick. They’re near a thunderstorm and the lightning helps activate Toothless’ powers. They come to the waterfall and fly down.

Valka discovers trouble has followed Berk. Grimmel is with an armada. She returns and reports. Hiccup decides they need to capture Grimmel. Well, Grimmel would be very pleased for the nonsense of dragons living with Vikings to die with Hiccup. He has not bonded with his Deathgripper dragons; he keeps them drugged and controlled with their own venom [hint why Hiccup and some of us don’t quite trust the Light Fury]. The heroes manage to escape again, except Ruffnut is left behind. Ruffnut ends up constantly talking and annoying Grimmel that he lets her go.

When they’re back on land, Hiccup walks off, bemoaning that he led them right into Grimmel’s trap, again. Now he’s trying to figure out what to do. His first instinct is to get on Toothless. It’s pointed out that Toothless is off with the Light Fury. Astrid quietly adds that Hiccup gave Toothless his freedom, what did he expect to happen? Hiccup didn’t figure that Toothless would stay away for good! Toothless is Hiccup’s best friend and we have seen that Toothless will do most anything for Hiccup. Keeps him from danger, saves him from his stupid stunts. Of course Toothless would come back to Hiccup. Valka counsels Astrid; he thinks he has to lead alone because Stoick had to. He doesn’t realize the strength he would gain with Astrid. Astrid tells Valka she still believes in Hiccup. She just wishes Hiccup would believe in himself. But he thinks he’s nothing without Toothless.

So, Astrid gets Hiccup on Stormfly; they’ll go find Toothless and the Light Fury and bring them back. They come to the waterfall in the middle of the water (note, completely EPIC music at that point) and Stormfly takes them down. Turns out the Hidden World is luminescent, even Stormfly glows. They go deeper and deeper in and come across more dragons. They hang to the back and out comes the Light Fury and Toothless. It is clear that they are the royalty of the dragons; the other dragons bow to Toothless. Hiccup is glad to see Toothless, but then realizes that Toothless fits in here. Astrid even comments “now that’s a king.” Toothless is happy here. Perhaps this is where Toothless is meant to be. And not with Hiccup.

There’s another flashback to young Hiccup with his father, wondering if Stoick would remarry. Stoick tells his son that Valka was the only woman for him. And yes, the loss of her is sad. With love comes loss, but it is all worth it. There is no greater gift than love.

However, once other dragons realize that humans are in their midst, they want to attack. Toothless calls them off and follows his old friends out. They land on New Berk and Hiccup begins his farewell to his friend. Toothless belongs in the Hidden World, with the Light Fury. Maybe Hiccup can still figure a way they can see each other. Then the Light Fury reveals that she followed Toothless and Hiccup briefly hopes that perhaps he won’t have to say goodbye to his friend. But when Ruff arrives, that hope is dashed. Grimmel let her go. And she never checked to see if she was followed. The Light Fury is hit by one of his darts, and Hiccup runs after Toothless. But Toothless is still struck. Grimmel captures the furies and takes off with them. The armada has arrived.

He threatens to kill the Light Fury to keep Toothless in line. Toothless orders the rest of the dragons not to attack. Grimmel mocks Hiccup; “you are nothing without your dragon.” (Which is the fear Hiccup has had recently. [Some backwards character development, compared to Race to the Edge.]) Nevertheless, Hiccup tries to run after Toothless, but soon they’re away from the island. The Berkian dragons follow their Alpha and are soon locked up on the warlords’ boats; except for the two furies. Grimmel will keep them and intends to finish what he started and kill all the Night Furies. He points out that the warlords will have a hard time controlling the flock of dragons without an Alpha.

Hiccup knows the blame lies with him. He feels like the same screwup he was before he met Toothless. Astrid, frustratingly (to Hiccup) agrees with him that he is back to where he started. She reminds her fiancé that she was the first to believe in him and she has watched Hiccup doubt himself ever since. “I am the person I am today because of you…You are the bravest, most stubborn, most determined knucklehead I know.” Toothless didn’t give Hiccup that. He just made it easier, Hiccup agrees. So, what is Hiccup going to do now? “Probably something stupid” (an echo from the first movie). That’s the Hiccup Astrid knows.

Determined Hiccup is back. They’re going to get their dragons back. His friends all have their flight suits, so they glide down the armada. Now, they have perfect timing. Seeing Hiccup, Toothless calls to the other dragons to start escaping. (And we get the action theme back!) The Vikings start taking care of the crew, Toothless gets his mouth free so he can start firing at Grimmel. Some of the dragons return with Eret, Valka, and Gobber, who help finish off the warlords. Now most of the armada is on fire. Astrid and Hiccup work well together in a fight and there’s even a brief romantic look while they set something on fire behind them. Astrid calls Stormfly to take Hiccup up to Toothless. Grimmel gets on the Light Fury and tests Toothless on who he will follow. Hiccup apologizes as he hurries to free Toothless. They fly into a storm after Grimmel and the Light Fury.

Deathgrippers followed Toothless and soon gang up on him. He uses his new lightning powers to get free. They come up in front of Grimmel and Hiccup launches off to tackle the villain, but Grimmel gets a shot off at Toothless. The Night Fury drops in the sky. Hiccup frees the Light Fury and begs her to save Toothless. He then lets himself fall, with Grimmel clawing at his back, ripping the wings off his flight suit. (And for a second, we fear that they’re going to kill off Hiccup.) The Light Fury saves Toothless and Hiccup is at peace knowing his friend is safe. The Light Fury returns and Hiccup disconnects his prosthetic leg, where Grimmel is hanging on, letting the villain plummet into the water. She offers Hiccup a smile as she carries him back up to Toothless.

The dragons return, the village cheers. The triumphant theme plays. Hiccup scoots over to Toothless to wake him up, then lets the Light Fury see him. Astrid is there to support Hiccup. The two couples share a tender moment. But, Hiccup has realized that the dragons cannot stay at New Berk. He also can’t make Toothless choose between him and the Light Fury. And humans are certainly not meant to be in the Hidden World. Hiccup hops over to his friend. “It’s time. I was so busy fighting for a world I wanted, I didn’t think about what you needed. You’ve looked after us for long enough. Time to look after yourselves.” Astrid is the first to pull her saddle off Stormfly and say farewell to her dragon. The other follow.

“Lead them to the Hidden World. You’ll be safe there. Safer than you could ever be with me.” (And oh, it’s heartbreaking.) He assures his friend it’s okay. “I love you. And I want you to be free. Our world doesn’t deserve you. Yet.” Toothless rises up and gives Hiccup a hug (and if you haven’t started crying, you start now.) Tears streak down Hiccup’s cheek. In a reverse echo, Hiccup’s hand starts on Toothless’ nose and then he removes it. Toothless calls to the other dragons and they take off after the Light Fury. Toothless is the last to leave after one last look at Hiccup. Astrid and their other compatriots c=join him at cliff’s edge. And while there are tears on his face, Hiccup looks to be at peace.

The village of New Berk develops and winter sets in. They celebrate Hiccup and Astrid’s wedding (wonderful music) and they even end it with looking towards the Hidden World. (Lots of cool iconography behind them during the ceremony.) Ruffnut has also made the decision to choose Fishlegs over Snotlout. And note that Gobber stands with Valka as they watch Hiccup marry; the other couple presumably Astrid’s parents.

There’s a time jump and a bearded Hiccup narrates over the scene of Hiccup and Astrid with their young children, a son and a daughter on a boat: “There were dragons when I was a boy.” The opening line from the first book. Out of the fog they spot Toothless and three baby furies. Toothless lands on the boat to investigate and their children hide behind Astrid while Hiccup slowly approaches the Night Fury. Toothless gets close enough to recognize Hiccup’s scent and pounces on his friend, getting some slobbery licks in there too. Hiccup gestures his children closer to introduce them, putting their hands on Toothless’ nose. Stormfly joins the party and the family flies together. Toothless’ children join in, a mixture of white and black markings, sharing their mother’s ability to shoot and disappear. The flying theme reprises.

“Legend says that when the ground quakes or lava spews from the earth, it’s the dragons letting us know they’re still here. Waiting for us to figure out how to get along. Yes, the world believes the dragons are gone, if they ever existed at all. But we Berkians, we know otherwise. And we’ll guard this secret until the time comes when dragons can return in peace.”

A very happy ending and then some nostalgia during the credits when clips from the first two movies play.

Another holiday short film was released, Homecoming. It’s been ten years since the dragons left and New Berk has grown, another generation has been born. The adults still miss their dragons, but the kids no longer know who Stoick the Vast was, or why he’s important to the village. Worse yet, Hiccup and Astrid’s children, Zephyr and Nuffink are scared of dragons. Zephyr feels that the village needs to put up defenses against dragons, rather than leaving out snacks. She points out that dragons have fangs and claws and asks what happened to her father’s leg. Neither Astrid or Hiccup have a good answer, but they go to Gobber to revive a Snoggletog traditional play. One that showcases Stoick and how Berk befriended dragons. [Side note, where are Valka and Eret during this?]

Fishlegs does a remarkable Stoick impression, but Gobber takes on the roll himself, when he isn’t missing his friend. Hiccup offers to create a Toothless costume and man it. He wonders if Toothless ever misses him.

Indeed, Toothless is missing Hiccup. He manages to draw an image for his family, but they don’t quite understand. Though some of his children are now interested. During the evening, they sneak away and find New Berk. And sheep. The baby furies (Night Lights) are actually scared of the wooly creatures, but come upon the play and realize what it’s about. Of course, their parents realize they’re gone and come and find them, but stay for the play.

Of course, it’s Hiccup and Berk and the play has a few mishaps (duh duh duh, we’re doomed), including a fire and Hiccup’s contraption misbehaves. He falls off the stage and Toothless doesn’t hesitate to fly down and catch his old friend. The contraption won’t quite stand up so Toothless takes his place on stage and Zephyr watches in wonder. After the show, she goes to see her father and discovers that Toothless is really there. As the family walks home, the kids are now excited about dragons. Some of the other children now decorate Stoick’s statue. The Furies left a green light as a gift for Hiccup and his family and they spot the dragons flying away. “And then it hit me, that our loved ones are always near when we keep them in our hearts.” Astrid suggests they make their own visit. Which leads us into the epilogue scene from the third movie.

Technically, it’s a satisfying ending to the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy. The holiday movie is sweet and I like that it ties in with the third film. There’s even a Yule Log clip that can be run on your computer, maybe twenty minutes; it’s cute. I am very glad that they put Hiccup’s visit to Toothless in the end, because I don’t think I could handle Toothless and Hiccup never seeing each other again.

It seems odd that the production team had Astrid and Hiccup resisting getting married for most of this movie. Particularly when you take Race to the Edge into account. The couple have been engaged for at least two or three years now and are committed to each other and are aware they will get married. So, why are they resisting Gobber? Astrid isn’t looking at other male Vikings of her age range, nor is Hiccup. Hiccup is already chief.

Grimmel is my least favorite antagonist. Very creepy. His dragons are like scorpions, and also creepy. They went too far on the scale of “make it look cool,” and they barely look like dragons now. And in a way, Grimmel’s not any more dangerous than Viggo. Viggo wanted to conquer dragons and Vikings. Grimmel just wants to kill Night Furies, which yes, bad. Very bad. And yes, Hiccup should do what he can to protect his best friend. But Grimmel is primarily a threat to Toothless and an extent to Hiccup. Not the rest of Berk. He’s talked about being crafty and admittedly, he manages to bring a female Fury into play, but when the armada comes, it doesn’t attack New Berk. It’s just sitting there, looking intimidating.

I remember hearing, or reading somewhere that Drago was originally supposed to return in this film, and be redeemed; a bit like Darth Vader. It would be really interesting to know what story they happen written for that.

Characterization amongst the other teens falls by the wayside. Tuffnut obsesses about his beard, for some odd reason. Ruffnut apparently exists to be annoying. Fishlegs has a baby dragon and that’s about it. Before, he’s a walking, talking compendium of dragon knowledge. And Snotlout is oddly interested in Valka, under the delusion that Hiccup will fail as a chief and if Snotlout is hooked up with the former chief’s wife, he’ll become chief? (In the books, Snotlout and Hiccup are cousins, and most of the fandom has translated that into the animated universe as well, but it’s not stated on screen.)

There are elements of the soundtrack that I like, but it’s my least favorite of the three. (First is probably my favorite, and second is thus my second favorite.) I will get into more of that with my final post for How to Train Your Dragon.

My biggest argument about the story is that the story has spent several years showing us how great of friends Hiccup and Toothless are. That they will sacrifice for each other (which they do in this film as well). They are a great duo and we love them; they spend years making us love these characters, and then rip our hearts out. Technically, it makes sense as a story; if you love something, let it go. That even though they are a great duo, they can’t stay together forever. But why not? Why can’t we have Toothless watching over Hiccup’s and Astrid’s kids? Showing the next generation not to be scared of dragons? A generation that won’t know war? They make up for it with the epilogue scene and the tie-in with Homecoming. Still not happy. I still cry when Hiccup and Toothless part. Why do they have to lose their friendship? (If it’s so they can happily get married, or be with their partner, it’s kind of dumb.)

If I want to watch dragons, I will put on the first or second movie; of the three, the first may actually be the happiest. Race to the Edge is also very good, a balance between shenanigans and growing up. Admittedly, it will be interesting to see how the second and third films come out as live action.

Up Next: A wrap up of the fandom and a deep dive into the music of How to Train Your Dragon, as much as I’m able. I may go back and do some deep dives on other soundtracks down the road, primiarily Pirates of the Caribbean. After that, we’ll head into the Chronicles of Narnia (no promise on time frame, since I’m still working on my goal of finishing two stories before the end of the year.)

A Shadowhunter Random Fandom Update

It should surprise no one at this point that I get (easily) distracted by fanfiction. Partly because it is easy to read, since it’s on my phone and can just open it up for a few minutes at a time. I can switch between multiple stories and multiple fandoms at a moment’s notice. I can change what genre I’m reading depending on my mood. And it is super easy to re-read stories.

So, the reason that I am not more diligent on getting through my TBR pile is I am still reading Shadowhunter fanfiction. (It also helps keep ideas fresh for one of the stories I am working on.) So I thought I would share what has been playing in the background of my brain for months now (note: some of these may not be for everyone depending on their preference, and I am totally okay with that):

Takara_Phoenix has literally hundreds of stories for Shadowhunters. I’ve come to enjoy their triple pairing of Magnus/Alec/Jace. They will also pair Jace up with several other characters. Many of the stories are Alpha-Beta-Omega verse (which is why I now have standards when it comes to those kind of stories and why I didn’t like A Pack for Autumn.) Shapeshifting shows up a lot, as does the notion of soul animals (which I’ve come across in a few other fandoms).

I particularly love their The Lost Soulmarks story. Some of the descriptions of Jace just sit right. There is Finding William Marcus Herondale and The A and O of Love. Lust and Love is rather good, as is Demon on Your Shoulder. The Turned Double Agent is the mob-AU that I never knew I wanted to read, but I’ve returned to it several times; Gangster’s Paradise is similar. And They Were Roommates, Dancing with the Monsters in the Night, Stay for Breakfast, My Heart Down the Hall are all rather sweet. The Barista and the Fashionista is rather fluffy. There’s a pirate-AU that is fun and that theme is hit on in a few compilations as well. Do Not Touch is a similar theme to Lost Soulmarks. The Incubus and his Ace has some fluff and lots of happy endings. There’s a trilogy of Magnus and Jace getting together and a trilogy that of owl-inspired stories and a very smutty trilogy (not that there is not smut in just about all of these stories). Not All That Glitters is Gold takes a bit of a twist, as does The Morgenstern Heir. There are several stories that tie in to episodes of the show.

lawsofchaos is an excellent fanfiction author. They’ve really built a world around their stories, adding some characters and details about the Shadowhunter culture. That is most shown in their Consular High Warlock Magnus Bane series and Dona Nobis Pacem. I adore in somno veritas (in sleep lies the truth); Max makes an appearance! For Every Bird There is a Stone is a bit heart wrenching. Though if you want to shed a few tears, there is Greater Love Hath No Man. Stone Can Be Broken also evokes some tears.

Some of their stories tie in with Aria_Lerendeair, such as One Luminary Clock and Never Judge a Shadowhunter by Their Scent. And Dies Dolorem and A Nephilim, Made. I highly recommend their stories as well. Most especially The Golden Trio-A Trinity of Trouble. There are a couple lighthearted stories of what Magnus does with all his money, like paying taxes. Alec fixes some things in A Trueblood in More Than Name, and Magnus fixes things in Magnus Bane, the Great Destruction. Ten Not-Dates and Domesticity are rather cute and Love Him Like He Deserves is sweet, as is Could My Soulmate Please Take a Nap and The New York Shadow Market. Alec Lightwood is a Good Doctor is another mob-AU that I didn’t know I needed until I read it. (Which possibly gives me a short story idea; but I need to finish my proper stories first.) “At Least I Didn’t Sleep with Kant!” is hilarious. There’s also a president-AU series. I also adore the A Vampire, His Parabatai, and a Warlock Walk Into a Bar… series.

MoonlightBreeze has several lovely stories and I’m still exploring their work. Same with Nadja_Lee.

I don’t quite have all of the stories I’ve read listed out like other fandoms. But those first few authors are the ones I keep returning to. If you wish, I hope you enjoy them. If you’re not your cup of tea, go out and find out what is! And sometimes you surprise yourself! Enjoy the random fandom update. I will try to work on my other projects.

A Historical Random Fandom

Just a brief update. I have gotten back to the third season of Race to the Edge and will work on that post. As usual, life has its own ideas. I decided to start reading some historical fiction that I’ve had on my shelves for years, mainly dealing with Tudor England including a series by Laura Anderson that takes on “what if Anne Boleyn gave birth to a son who lived and eventually became king.” I’ve also started watching “Reign,” a CW show from 2013. Yes, I’m late to that party.

Honestly, I tried to watch it once before since it deals with Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, but I could barely make it past the first episode because the girls’ costumers are grossly historically inaccurate and it was distracting. Now that I know they are incredibly inaccurate, I try to ignore them and pay attention to the story line (that yes, plays fast and loose with history). One comment I read said that they should have just set it in a fantasy realm and it would be just as good, and that’s honestly correct.

I’m only one season in, but I’ve done some other reading and if you know history, there are some foregone conclusions. I like it, for the most part. The leads are believable (and yes, Torrance Coombs [he’s been in some Hallmark movies, The Tudors, and an episode of Supernatural] as Sebastian and Toby Regbo [grown up Jack Blackfriars in Discovery of Witches and young Dumbledore in Crimes of Grindelwald and Deathly Hallows] as Francis are cute) and I care about what happens to them. Megan Follows as Catherine is amazing; you don’t want to root for her character sometimes, but she pulls it off and has some of the best dialogue.

For those of you who have not watched the show, it follows Mary, Queen of Scots (played by Adelaide Kane, who voices a character in Race to the Edge and is in the final season of Once Upon a Time) in her life at French Court, engaged to the heir to the French throne (given the title dauphin), Francis. She has ladies in waiting (including one played by Anna Popplewell, who was Susan in Chronicles of Narnia) who get into their own drama. It’s a royal court, so there’s always intrigue and secret plans going on. But there is a wonderful love story between Mary and Francis, that has its own ups and downs.

It’s also given me some ideas for my series (another generation of characters that yes, exist, but didn’t need a story yet). I’m also continuing to work on other writing projects. But I promise I will be back to the Dragons blog. And yes, I still have mixed feelings about the upcoming live action movie.

“Diabolical combination of Lancelot and Superman”

A Random Fandom Update

I always manage to lose track of how many posts I’ve made and how long I’ve been blogging. I’m now over two hundred and twenty posts and coming up on my six-year anniversary and it remains incredible to me. I recently had to look back through my posts for something and was shocked at how much I’ve actually covered. When I started, I didn’t really think I would be blogging for this long. I’ve got some topics I want to do deeper dives on because I’m really passionate about them, so those will take more time. But this is also a thank you to everyone who has joined on this journey.

In between blog posts, I’ve been working, of course, but I’ve also been reading and watching other shows.

I’ve been reading some mystery series, mostly book-centric. There’s the Secret, Book and Scone Society series by Ellery Adams, though I’ve only gotten through two so far. And A Scottish Bookshop Mystery by Paige Shelton (not surprised I’m liking those). And I’m almost caught up with the Bibliophile Mystery Series by Kate Carlisle. I’ve read some memoirs as well, but I still have a lengthy list of to-be-read books as well.

I recently finished the All Souls’ Trilogy by Deborah Harkness, which contains A Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, and The Book of Life (gifted to be by a family member) and recommended by said family member and another friend (who got me started on the show). And I 10/10 would highly recommend these books [that is where this post’s title came from]! They are a wonderful tapestry of science, magic, and history. My cousin has lent me the next book about Marcus and the guide that Harkness has published; that will be fun to dive into. I’m sure I’ll get even more ideas and help for my series. I’m eager to get back to the show.

In the meantime, my thoughts on the most recent season of Bridgerton: SPOILERS for the book series!

Well, it’s certainly deviated from the book, which is the growing trend in Netflix’s adaptation. Colin and Penelope’s story is fourth in the series, but they’ve upstaged Benedict (also a consistency in the show). They increased the drama of the secret of Lady Whistledown’s identity. I’m obviously not opposed to the match between Colin and Penelope and I’m glad that someone appreciates Penelope for herself. I’m not opposed to her wardrobe this season, that was even part of the book. But the costumes became a bit much this season. Cressida is like a Regency Barbie. The shapes are shifting very far from Regency era (i.e. Kate’s dresses were not always flattering and yet she was stunning in what they put her in last season). I also don’t mind the arrangements of pop songs into string pieces.

As much as we find Lady Featherington annoying and blind to her youngest child, she did make points that were historically accurate. As harsh as the remark she made to Penelope that “ladies do not have dreams,” it’s not that outrageous for that period. A woman’s duty was to marry and care for her husband. Her husband has dreams and she supports them. We, as modern watchers, want Penelope to have her own dreams, and for her husband to care about them just as much and to support her. And I don’t mind that the family becomes more supportive and happier at the end. Lady Featherington admits she is proud of Penelope and Penelope even supports her sisters.

And sadly, Benedict keeps getting sidelined and they took away his art. I certainly hope his story is next (which we have to wait two years for). It was nice to visually see Francesca and John meet and I was looking forward to her tale with her second husband, but not sure how that will go with changing the gender (the sticking point is going to be, Francesca wanted children and John died young, so Michael was eventually able to give her children). Overall, I’m game for genderbending characters and the trio that Benedict ended up in worked. I’m a bit upset of how far the show is stepping away from the books. However, his talks with Eloise are adorable.

Dear Netflix, we like Jane Austen etc, so the formula works, why are you changing it?

For now, I am going to work on my fantasy series (hopefully aided by some ideas that have popped in my head recently), and then jump into How To Train Your Dragon (it’s hard for me to pick between this series and Lord of the Rings which series I love the best).

“You’re late.” “And you’re missing an eye.”

Thor: Ragnarök

The third solo Thor film; the title is part of actual Norse mythology, though Marvel has it occur a bit different than what tradition has passed down. There is a new villain in Hela (played by Cate Blanchett; Galadriel in Lord of the Rings and Hobbit, as well as the voice of Valka in the latter two How to Train Your Dragon movies. She’s the stepmother in Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella, involved in Ocean’s Eight, played Elizabeth I twice, and Marion in Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood). Jeff Goldblum is another antagonist in the Grandmaster, and Karl Urban is Skurge (Éomer in Lord of the Rings, Dr. McCoy in the alternate universe Star Trek movies, and apparently a stormtrooper in Rise of Skywalker.) [We’ll cover more on the fact that Marvel has chosen a lot of Middle Earth actors to be in their universe in the wrap-up post.]

This film starts a little differently, with Thor voicing over a summary, saying he’s saved Earth a couple times and is now a hero. And he’s been searching the cosmos for the Infinity Stones. And that is how he ended up in a cage, from which he drops and dangles and spins in front of Surtur, who is destined to destroy Asgard in Ragnarök. Thor has been concerned about Ragnarök, with the nature of his dreams lately; so if he takes the crown off Surtur’s head, it can never be put in the Eternal Flame and thus Ragnarök will be averted. But Surtur warns Thor that Ragnarök has already begun and Odin is not on Asgard. There is nothing Thor can do to stop it. He still holds his hand out for Mjölnir and smashes through the demons (cue Immigrant Song). He calls for Heimdall after he takes the crown off Surtur, but he doesn’t get a response, so he has to dodge a dragon (of some sort [could be a reference to the Midgard serpent of Norse legend]). Turns out, Heimdall is not at the Bifrost, there’s a new guy, Skurge, who is too busy showing off to ladies to hear Thor. He does eventually answer, after Thor slays the dragon. Heimdall is a fugitive, after being declared a traitor to the crown. Thor flies off to confront “Odin,” and Skurge runs behind him.

There’s a new statue of Loki and Thor discovers a play being performed about Loki’s sacrifice (with Luke Hemsworth [Chris’s older brother; a cousin of theirs is a college girl in the film] portraying Thor, Matt Damon portraying Loki, and Sam Neill portraying Odin). When Thor addresses “Odin,” he remarks “Oh shit,” then babbles that the Asgardians wanted to honor Loki. Thor then holds on to Odin, swinging Mjölnir, then threatens that nothing with stop the hammer from returning to his hand, “not even your face, brother.” “Odin” shouts he yields and transforms into Loki [we already knew Odin was Loki from the last scene of Dark World]. Skurge finally shows up, but Loki’s already annoyed; his new lackey had one job, and didn’t do it well.

Thor now demands to know where Odin is. Loki knows. He’s on Earth. At the Shady Acre Senior Home…that is currently being demolished when the brothers visit. Loki doesn’t know where Odin currently is, making a crack that he’s not a witch. Then Loki disappears and Thor finds a card, directing him to Bleeker St; where Thor meets Dr. Stephen Strange; “Earth has wizards now?” Strange keeps an eye on threats to Earth, including Loki, but all Thor and Loki want is to find Odin. Strange can help with that (and also show off his magic to Thor [there’s an interesting post on the different ways Loki and Strange utilize magic, being pro-Loki]), and opens a portal for Thor. He needs his “umbrella” first, which crashes into several things on its way to Thor, and Loki. Who has been “falling for thirty minutes!” Strange sends the brothers to Norway.

Odin is sitting calmly, waiting for his sons. It admittedly took time for his to shake off Loki’s magic, but now, Odin misses his wife. He knows his time draws near, and he has to warn Thor and Loki that they have a sister, whom he exiled for her violent appetite. She is the goddess of death, and Odin’s first born. She draws her power from Asgard and if she resides there, it will be limitless. He also counsels his sons to remember this place they all saw each other. Then he turns to gold dust and floats away.

A storm begins brewing and Thor and Loki are ready to fight again, until Hela emerges. Their clothes transform when they approach her. She first tells them to kneel. To which Loki demands, “I beg your pardon?” [How dare she steal his line.] Thor throws Mjölnir, which Hela crushes. The brothers try to make it to Asgard, but Hela attacks them while in transit and throws them out. When Hela arrives at the Bifrost, she instantly stabs Volstagg and Fandral for moving against her. Skurge just wants to survive, so she takes him with her.

Thor lands on Sakaar, in a rubbish heap. A crew try to take him prisoner, but another woman comes along and claims him instead, with a little shocking device (she’s also a little drunk). Thor meets the Grandmaster and hears about his contest of champions. If Thor wants his freedom, he has to defeat the Grandmaster’s contender. Loki is also in the background and the brothers bicker a little; Loki was thrown out first and landed before Thor, but managed to befriend the Grandmaster instead of be trapped. Loki later visits his brother in the prison, while Thor holds a quiet, private memorial for Odin, which Loki joins. Though it’s just an illusion; Thor can easily throw rocks through Loki lied to both of them. Yet, when Thor argues he wants to return to Asgard, Loki insists that Hela is stronger. They could wait a while, and make their own way off Sakaar and go anywhere. Thor finally reviews Loki’s actions; he faked his death, stripped Odin of his powers and stole the throne, left Odin on Earth, to die, which released the goddess of death. And that is only the past two days. Loki warns his brother that anyone who faces the Grandmaster’s contender perishes; and he’s bet heavily against Thor.

[Let’s stop and consider a few things for a moment, since Loki is one of my favorite characters: He joined in the memorial for Odin; he still considers Odin to be his father, as much as he sneeringly denies it at times. He is genuinely concerned for his brother going against Hela. He claims Hela as “our sister.” His voice rises when he tells Thor he doesn’t stand a chance. So, as much as Loki argues to the contrary; he’s still Thor’s brother, he’s still Odin’s son. And, as Hela pointed out, Loki picked up some of Odin’s mannerism, offering to come to a deal. And supposedly, the Asgardians didn’t notice a difference in Loki ruling as Odin.]

Meanwhile, in Asgard, Hela greets the guards and claims her right to rule as Odin’s firstborn. The guards attack and she has fun slaying them all; Hogun being the last one standing. While Hela and Skurge are busy outside the palace, Heimdall steals his sword from Bifrost (preventing Hela from rampaging the cosmos). Inside the palace, Hela reveals that Odin covered up the history he had with Hela; how they won the Nine Realms by spilling buckets of blood. But when Hela grew too ambitious, Odin locked her away. Below the palace, the dead guards are buried and she uses the Eternal Flame to revive them, along with the gigantic wolf, Fenris [who does play a part in the traditional Ragnarök myth].

Thor is sent to face the Grandmaster’s contender and Korg, his rock buddy in prison, points out that the woman who caught Thor is an Asgardian. Thor recognizes her as a Valkyrie, due to a tattoo, and tries to ask for her help. She dismisses him. Thor then has to face a haircut from Stan Lee, and enters the ring. Turns out, the champion is Hulk. Thor is ecstatic; “he’s a friend from work.” Loki is decidedly not. But Thor cannot reason with the Banner portion, he cannot use tricks to calm him down. So they pummel each other, Hulk even smashing Thor like he did Loki in New York, which Loki gleefully shouts “that’s how it feels!” [and the funniest part of the movie]. This triggers lightning to come out of Thor and the ante is upped. And just when Thor is ready to finish Hulk, the Grandmaster shocks Thor and he passes out.

But he wakes up in Hulk’s chambers (briefly shirtless, I think that’s a rule) and tries to pick up their friendship. He realizes that Hulk came to Sakaar in the Quinjet and that is a way off. But Hulk wants to stay. Thor manages to contact Heimdall and check on the situation in Asgard. The people hide from Hela. Heimdall suggests Thor go through the big doorway to get off the planet. Hulk is friends with Valkyrie and Thor attempts to recruit her, but Valkyrie wants nothing to do with Hela. She’s happy to drink and forget. Thor manages to get out and to the Quinjet, but the Hulk destroys it when he wants Thor to stay. Triggering a video from Black Widow brings Banner back, who is concerned he stayed as the Hulk for two years. If that happens again, Banner may not come back.

The Grandmaster sends Loki and Valkyrie to find Thor and Hulk, though after a brief fight, in which Loki also discovers who Valkyrie is, they team up with Thor and Banner to get off Sakaar, through the largest portal. Loki can help them get a ship. Thor and Loki fight together, and Loki suggests he goes separate ways from Thor. And Thor agrees; at one point, he thought the world of Loki, but Loki keeps betraying him, and their paths diverged long ago. He still suggests they do “get help.” Loki does not want to do “get help.” They do “get help” and Thor throws Loki at the guards. Loki attempts to betray Thor, but Thor is a step ahead this time, and slaps a shocker on Loki. Korg and his revolution eventually free Loki, who takes a larger transport to follow Thor. Thor steals one of the Grandmaster’s ships and Valkyrie helps clear their path off planet.

Hela and Skurge are threatening the people, who are trying to make it to the Bifrost with Heimdall, but an army is behind them and Fenris is in front of them. Thor sits on the throne to draw Hela to him. He even tries to bond with Hela, that Odin’s solutions to problem was to either cover it up, or cast it out. But Thor is wise enough to know he cannot trust Hela; he’d love for someone else to take the thrown, but she’s just the worst. In the ensuing fight, Hela slices out one of Thor’s eyes, so now he looks like Odin.

Meanwhile, Valkyrie starts to clear a path for the Asgardians. Bruce turns into the Hulk and takes on Fenris (after smooshing into the rainbow bridge as Bruce first). A transport ship arrives for the people, Loki proudly declaring “your savior is here!” Heimdall knew Loki would show up, and Loki joins him against the army.

Thor is losing the fight against Hela and she taunts him, “what were you the god of again?” Thor has a vision of Odin, who counsels him that Mjölnir was only a way for Thor to focus and control his power. And Asgard is the people, not a place. Thor fears he is not as strong as Odin; not, Odin tells him, Thor is stronger. This triggers lightning from Thor again and he blasts his sister (notice the pride on Loki’s face), and a repeat of the Immigrant Song. And a totally epic image of Thor smashing through the ranks with lightning. The heroes still struggle and Hela tries to stop the transport ship. Skurge jumps out from where he was hiding to take on the army, but Hela spears him.

Thor realizes the only way they can defeat Hela is to destroy Asgard; she’ll lose her power. They have to trigger Ragnarök. He sends Loki (whom he knew would show up) to the vault to put Surtur’s crown in the Eternal Flame. The devil-like creature is happy to smash, though Hulk tries to take him on and Thor has to call him back. Hela rallies for a moment, but Surtur still smashes her. Sadly, the planet is destroyed, but the people survive. And Loki is there to stand beside his brother (and we hope they did hug). Loki is not sure about returning to Earth, but Thor feels everything will work out fine. There is an ominously huge ship that appears in front of them.

I find this film funnier than several of the other Marvel movies. It’s an appropriate amount of humor; Love and Thunder just tried too hard. Thor is more off the cuff and even Loki is more relaxed. We continue to see more of a sibling relationship between Thor and Loki, like throwing things at each other, anticipating each other’s moves. And playing Led Zepplin’s Immigrant Song makes it badass; and the lyrics match well, as my father pointed out: “We come from the land of ice and snow/From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow/The hammer of the god/Will drive our ships to new lands/To fight the horde, sing and cry/Valhalla, I am coming.”

We also witness two kickass female characters…with absolutely no love interests! Hela reveals in being the goddess of death [Cate Blanchett is plain awesome]. Valkyrie doesn’t take crap from anyone.

I’ve recently started my research on Norse mythology, with a course from Wondrium, that covered the basics of their legends and clearly stated that Marvel got the legend wrong. It was fairly interesting, though I intend to follow up with some books I already own (including the tome by Neil Gaiman).

At the time of writing this blog, sadly Ray Stevenson, the actor who portrays Volstagg [among other roles, such as Porthos in the 2011 Three Musketeers] passed away on May 21^st.

I am incredibly busy for the next month, so Black Panther will be a while coming (but it will come). In the meantime, who are your favorite MCU characters?

The Legacy of Batman

Return of the Joker

Batman gets to work and interrupts a heist by the Jokerz; a new group we haven’t seen in the show. There’s a spot of gentlemanly behavior, when he hesitates to hit the pair of girls. There’s no such hesitation after they taser and kick him. Of course, Batman stands out from other heroes and saves one of the girls when they start to plummet to their death. Her twin sister rescues her. Destruction is caused, but one of the Jokerz gets away with a computer component. When they meet up with their mysterious boss later, it’s not enough. When one of the gang members speaks out on his frustration with their current jobs for the mysterious boss, the boss shoots him. Okay, this is something new…and made a bit worse by the revelation that the original Joker is back and he is ready to give Gotham a wedgie.

Back in the Batcave, Bruce can still throw a batarang with precision. And his company has dropped “Powers” from their name, returning to Wayne Enterprises. Bruce is taking more control of his company again. He keeps an eye on his protégé and questions Terry’s decision to go out that evening; he’s sore and tired, but Terry quips back, “the night is young and so am I.” That lasts all of a couple minutes once he hits the club with Dana; he falls asleep on her. Later, at a Wayne Enterprises party, the Joker’s laugh interrupts the festivities. Terry, as Bruce’s assistant, tries to head off some of the Jokerz gang. Once Bruce is fine for the moment (he takes out one member with a cane), he tells his assistant to “go to work.” A minute later, Batman swoops in to save the patrons. The Joker rises out of the floor and causes mayhem, but ultimately escapes. Terry grouses to Bruce later in the cave that he should have gone after the Joker, but Bruce reassures him he did the right thing by saving the people. However, he won’t talk about the Joker.

Terry switches tactics and goes to Barbara Gordon; “what do you know about clowns?” “In this town, they’re never funny.” And she refuses to talk. Terry comes back to the cave to see Bruce going over the Joker’s file. He is listed as deceased, yet when Bruce runs an analysis on the voices from the archive and from the previous night, they are a match. When Terry asks again, Bruce calls the man a psychopath and a monster; and he wants Terry to give back the suit. He has no right to force this life on the young man, or anyone. Terry disagrees; Bruce didn’t force the life on him, Terry stole the suit. And they come from two different worlds. For Terry, Batman is a way for him to make up for past sins (running with a gang, etc), this appeases his soul and is a chance for him to be a worthwhile human.

“It’s what I want, Bruce.”

“Stupid kid. You don’t know want you want, none of you did,” Bruce retorts as he walks away. Terry throws the suit as his feet and runs out.

With his new free time, Terry meets up with Dana at the club again. Bright side, more time for her. Bad side, less pocket money. Their evening is interrupted when the Jokerz gang shows up and goes after Dana. The two girls attempt to distract Terry while Dana is grabbed, but he fights them off. Dana is hurt and Terry puts Chelsea in charge while he finishes off the gang. He heads to Bruce, who has been working on Joker anti-toxin. The clown himself shows up in the cave and greets Bruce “hello Batman.” A gas fills the room. By the time Terry arrives in the cave, the clown is gone, but he left graffiti and a mess. Bruce is frozen on the floor, wheezing out a few words between a weird laugh. Terry administers the anti-toxin in time and calls Barbara for help. She finally opens up about what last transpired between Bruce and the Joker, still adamant that it’s not the real Joker, but Terry deserves answers.

Dick Grayson had already left; Tim Drake was Robin. He was abducted and she and Bruce spent three weeks searching for him before a clue was delivered. The Joker and Harley Quinn had taken Robin to Arkham Asylum. They decided they wanted a family of their own and decided to “borrow” one of the kids that Batman had lying around. The Joker molded Robin into “Joker Jr” and not pleasantly. He tortured the kid (and shows Batman a video) and now know who’s under the cowl. Barbara goes after Harley, who falls several stories, though they never found the body. Bruce goes after the Joker. The Joker gets a lucky cut on Bruce and holds Batman up for Robin to kill. Robin ends up shooting the Joker amidst laughing, then crying. Barbara tells Terry they buried the Joker and Tim was able to put the events behind him after extensive therapy, but Bruce forbade him from ever donning the Robin costume again. Tim eventually left as well.

Terry decides to pay Tim a visit while in the Bat suit. Tim is adamant that he knows nothing about the Joker’s reappearance and he as much as anyone wishes the clown gone. Besides, he was so sick of the crime-fighting that he never wanted to see his suit again. Terry goes searching for other clues, Barbara sitting in the chair in the cave this time. She does suggest that Terry look up Nightwing for more stories if he wants. Batman checks on a disgruntled Wayne Enterprises employee, thinking he’s behind it, but finds the Jokerz gang there, ready to waste him. Yes, the employee had been in on the one attack, but the man behind the scenes decided to tie up loose ends, sending a laser weapon after the man and Batman. Batman saves him, but is more than happy to turn him over to the commissioner.

Bruce is up and around a bit more now and apologizes to Terry; he never wanted the young man to go against the Joker. Terry notes that he is a completely different Batman, he never was a Robin. And it’s then that they notice the only costume the Joker completely shredded was Tim Drake’s old costume. And Terry puts together the parts he knows the Jokerz have stolen and they align with Tim’s expertise. Bruce tells him to suit up, and take Ace with him. The Joker is not pleased that Terry has figured it out shoots down the Batmobile.

Between Ace and Terry, they take out the Jokerz gang. Terry finds Tim face down, but then the man starts acting funny and feels unwell. Soon his body transforms and Tim Drake is not just in league with the Joker, he is the Joker. Or rather, as the Joker explains, the old Joker implanted young Tim with a chip coded with the Joker’s genetics. Tim doesn’t realize he is the Joker. His first order of business is to threaten to either go after Dana, Mary and Matt, or Bruce. Ace attacks and the fight begins. The Joker knows all of the tricks from Bruce’s peek and Terry is out of his league. Bruce suggests that Terry tries to drown out and power through the Joker’s talking. Terry has a different idea. He likes to talk too. He mocks the Joker; it was sad that he fixated on Batman in the past; the man wouldn’t know a joke if it bit him in the cape. Oh, and Terry fights dirty. Proof the Joker doesn’t know him. Terry laughs, the Joker is pathetic. “Not funny,” the Joker growls. “I thought you wanted to make Batman laugh!” Terry calls down from the rafters. “You’re not Batman!” The Joker gets a good hit and Terry’s on the ground, the Joker trying to choke him. Terry picked up a joy buzzer and burns out the chip on Tim’s neck with it. Terry manages to get himself, Tim, and Ace out of the hideout before the laser (that has been running through Gotham) hits.

Terry visits Tim in the hospital alongside Barbara. Tim thanks him and compliments that “Bruce couldn’t have chosen anyone better to put on the mask.” Bruce actually shows up to visit Tim. Before Terry leaves, Bruce corrects his earlier statement; “it’s not Batman who make you worthwhile, it’s the other way round.” (On a funny note, Dee Dee, the twin girls from the Jokerz gang, have their bail paid by their grandmother, Nana Harley [Quinn]). At the end, Terry stands over Gotham, in the suit, ready for work. He slips on the mask and swoops into action.

As already stated, Terry McGinnis as Batman makes a few more appearances in the DC Animated Universe. He shows up in an episode of Static Shock, where a young Static time-travels to the future, meeting old Bruce Wayne and the new Batman (and having to help break his future-self free from the Kobra gang). He also appears as part of the two-part episode Once and Future Thing in Justice League Unlimited. In the first half, Batman (Bruce Wayne), the Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman chase a thief named Chronos to the past, specifically, the Wild West. They then end up following him to the future in the second half and there meet the older Static, Warhawk (who happens to be the Green Lantern’s son), and younger Batman. Also featured are the new Jokerz gang that were introduced in Return of the Joker…with some upgrades. The heroes manage to escape, after taking a beating and Batman leads them to the new Justice League headquarters, the old Hamilton Hill High School. The Watchtower had been attacked and most of the members killed. Old Bruce enters at that moment to keep everyone from dwelling on the bad; they’ve got a mission to attend to. Bruce faces his younger counterpart and comments “surprised to see me?” “A little,” original Batman remarks, though he’s more surprised to see he lived that long. Terry quips “Batman, Bruce Wayne, Bruce Wayne, Batman…or, have you met?” They deliver “not now!” at the same time, so he gripes “what did they use to call it, stereo?”

The main issue is that the time line is becoming polluted, as original Batman notes, and Bruce responds that history is becoming fluid. This needs to be stopped. Batman writes a program to put an end to Chronos’s time travel belt; now they just have to find him. Terry tries to warn Batman he doesn’t know the new town. “Are criminals superstitious and cowardly [and we laugh because of the musical!]?” “Yup,” Bruce responds. They catch one of the gang and original Batman’s method of interrogation is to hang him over a building and tell him to talk before his arm gets tired. Bruce hauls the criminal away and growls he can’t believe he was ever that green…his cane is a bit menacing in his hand, but he succeeds. They can get to Chronos through his wife.

There is a final showdown between the League and the Jokerz while time itself unravels. Dee Dee pins Terry and electrocutes him. We hear his cries of pain, then Bruce at the school shouts “Terry!” Then silence. But Green Lantern and Batman follow Chronos who wants to see the beginning of time and put a stop to the madness. They end up back at the Watchtower from when everything started; the only ones to remember the events (and putting everything back in order).

Justice League Unlimited also brought us Epilogue. We’re even farther in the future; Terry has bulked up and sneaks into Amanda Waller’s residence for some answers. Apparently, Bruce needed a new kidney and Terry was found to be a perfect match. The odds of that are suspicious, so he does a DNA test and discovers his DNA matches that of Bruce, not Warren McGinnis. There is a scene where Terry confronts Bruce about it and also where he breaks things off with Dana, but these turn out to be just a dream. Terry is mad at Bruce, thinking he meddled, but Amanda admits it was her doing; Project Batman Beyond. She used project Cadmus (which, the Joker used on young Tim Drake in the flashback of Return of the Joker; Terry admits it was as low blow when he accused Bruce of it) and Batman’s DNA from crime scenes; then she overwrote Warren McGinnis’s reproductive DNA to that of Bruce and so when he and Mary had a son, Terry, he was in fact, Bruce’s son. (This was a way to explain how both Matt and Terry have dark hair while their parents have ginger hair; Warren and Mary were selected since they had similar psychological profiles to Bruce’s parents.) Amanda originally had planned that Warren and Mary would be killed while Terry was a child to mimic the tragedy Bruce underwent to become Batman, but the assassin backed out, arguing it was not what Batman would want. So life continued unassuming until Paxton Powers had Warren McGinnis murdered and Terry met Bruce as a sixteen-year-old. She urges Terry not to make the same mistakes as Bruce and points out that he is Bruce’s son, not his clone. He doesn’t have quite the brilliant mind that Bruce does, but his heart is just as big, if not bigger.

The episode ends up Terry contemplating an engagement ring for Dana, then helping Bruce out with his meds and vowing to continue to be Batman. Bruce urges the younger man to eat something before attending to League duties. Terry quips he’s stubborn, like his old man.

First, my thoughts on Return of the Joker; I think it’s a great continuation of the Batman Beyond story and a reasonable way to bring back Batman’s greatest enemy. Because who would have ever expected that the Joker was hiding in Robin? And the showdown between Terry as Batman and the Joker is great. Terry is a different Batman and he doesn’t have a history with the Joker. I wouldn’t say he’s not emotionally involved in the fight, because this man did harm his mentor (I’m sure running down to find Bruce gave Terry flashbacks to finding his father). Terry also shows that he’s not a brash teenager any longer; when Bruce doesn’t want to talk about something, he does back off, same with Barbara. But he is correct that he deserves answers. Also, Bruce doesn’t waste time telling Terry off for suspecting Tim; Bruce trusts Terry’s skills. And he tries to help during the showdown with the Joker, giving Terry advice. And I think it’s a bit sweet that Barbara fills in for Bruce after the Joker’s laughing gas attack.

And the irony of Mark Hamill aka Luke Skywalker voicing the Joker will never not be funny (and it will always be funnier that he voiced Fire Lord Ozai in Avatar: The Last Airbender)

As for the Justice League episodes; Epilogue at least gives us a proper ending to the series (as does Return of the Joker; Unmasked was pathetic and lame). And I agree that it gives us a reasonable explanation to the family non-resemblance Terry has with his parents. On the one hand, it’s sweet that Bruce has a biological son, though in the lore, he adopted Tim Drake (apparently Dick Grayson was a ward, which had some standing; I reiterate, Batman lore is not my strong suit, I just like this show). Terry will continue his legacy not just as Batman, but potentially as a Wayne (he’d have to find some way to explain that to the public pending circumstances). And as Amanda points out, Terry is Bruce’s son, not a clone. He is not Bruce Wayne, he’s still just Terry. His decisions were his own. On the other hand, there is a more compelling story of Terry being Batman with no blood connection to Bruce. I’m glad the episode ended well nevertheless.

As for Once and Future Thing, Terry is hilarious at times. I’m a bit sad to realize he was essentially killed at one point, though relieved that it was erased. It’s a satisfactory story, though I mainly watch it for the “Batman meet Bruce Wayne” bit.

This was one series I explored fanfiction early on. I have several recommendations that I repeatedly re-read:

Katfairy has “Beyond Knightfall” where Terry lands is a spot of trouble and his friends have to help him out (though I wish it would be completed), and “Divine Secrets of the YoYo Sisterhood.” It has a good mix of drama and humor.

“Virus” by ChampagneWishes could be another episode in the show.

Bumpkin has some good little scenes in “Welcome to My World,” “An ‘Inside Peek’ into Mary’s Mind,” and “Nelson’s Wake Up Call.”

Tomy’s “Reparation” is excellent and “Reclamation” is good as well.

Jadeling has a whole series of stories, most especially “Lover, Friends, and Family.”

And if you want a hilarious crossover joke, try “Ron Beyond” by speedster.

Next Time: Batman Forever and Batman and Robin with Chris O’Donnell.

One Hundred Strong

One hundred posts…wow. I had no idea when I started this exercise that I would carry it on this long (seriously; I originally figured less than a year, then I finally laid things out and understood what all was invovled). I am blown away by the reading response I have built up and the fact that I have over fifty followers – thank you all.

Yes, my posting schedule has lessened a bit, but I am also trying to work on some other writing projects. I’d love to write some short stories to enter in contests to get published. And I have a massive fantasy series that needs laid out…when my brain cooperates. Right now it likes to play around with fanfiction and in turn focus on like the fourth and fifth generation of characters rather than background and world building. And my books also beg my attention; they cry to be read.

With the…current situation, I do have some more free time, so we’ll see how everything best fits in. I do apologize for the breaks that have occurred and I cannot promise that they won’t happen again. When not watching movies for this blog, I’m keeping up with the current MacGyver series (some of the episodes this season have been excellent), the final season of Supernatural (which will end in tears, when it finally does end…my guess is that both boys will die) and also working my way through the original MacGyver series (there are times it is hilarious; though personally I prefer Lucas Till to Richard Dean Anderson, that may be based on my age). Also catching up on Outlander (I finally read the first book; along with the first book of Game of Thrones; both are good, but I kind of prefer the show so I can see the full scope. I prefer the earlier seasons of Outlander, when it is more based in eighteenth century Scotland [a time period I like to study].)

But, I still have a huge collection of movies (one of these days, in a few years hopefully, I will have a place of my own and space to display and organize all of them) and I am looking forward to the upcoming genres. Next are musicals, which I love. Then action/adventure films (another genre I am more fond of) which will phase into the superhero genre (yep, I will attempt to tackle a good portion of the MCU…that’s going to be practically a year on its own). And I will finally get to some of my favorite series, like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and nearest to my heart, Lord of the Rings and Hobbit, and How to Train Your Dragon. And once we get into some newer and more popular films, I can add in the various fanfiction stories that I have read (and keep re-reading…which is how I distract myself from reading proper books).

Let me know what you think and here’s to another hundred!

One Year In

It has been one year since I began posting blogs. I have over sixty posts (I’ve managed that despite taking a month off here and there due to often posting twice a week). That number staggers me at times, because I have barely scratched the surface of my eclectic love of movies. Yes, we’ve done Disney. But I love musicals as well. And action movies. And movie series. I’ve planned out the next couple of months, about until I may break for the holiday season. And I’ve only gotten two categories laid out and doing some rough math…oh boy, there’s still more coming! I originally thought this would be a project for a year. Nope, gonna be more like three. Wow!

After Eragon, we will continue with historic movies, then historic-set romances. Some more modern romances or rom coms (not a long category). Musicals (that’s gonna be a big group). Action/adventure, always fun. The superheroes, including the Marvel cinematic universe. And the pieces that I really want to discuss: Star Wars, Lord of the Rings/Hobbit, Chronicles of Narnia, How to Train Your Dragon, Harry Potter; those expansive series.

In the meantime, enjoy a quick update on some other movies I fit into my life.

Since I got into Game of Thrones and came to love the character Jon Snow the best, I decided to try some of Kit Harington’s other movies. So far, I’ve seen Testament of Youth and Pompeii. Both of which I want to own. I don’t want to give too much away and I know they may not be widely liked films, but I enjoyed them. Well, the second half of Testament of Youth not too much; it made me cry. But it takes place during the First World War, so you can guess why. But Kit’s character is a dashing, charming young man who likes literature and poetry and my heart melts. I’d love a happier tale, of a young lady falling in love with her brother’s friend; that doesn’t end in heartbreak. I should see if more exist. That part reminded me a bit of Jane Austen. And the lead female character is at Oxford. Me being the nerd that I am, was fairly drooling looking at the library. And realizing this takes place at the same time as Tolkien (brilliant movie, I want it as soon as it’s available. We’ll cover it once we get to the two trilogies).

I was surprised I liked Pompeii; as disaster movies are not my cup of tea. The storyline is not the most original, but it was well done. The action is stupendous and Kiefer Sutherland is surprisingly in it; they timed the opening credits well so his name comes up just as he turns around and you realize, oh, that’s him. This made me want to watch Gladiator. And I was disappointed. I dozed off half an hour into the movie and towards the end, I was fast forwarding, begging it to get to the point. What is a bit frustrating is that I like other Ridley Scott films. And I deeply enjoyed his film starring Russell Crowe again in Robin Hood.

If anyone has any suggestions or recommendations on movies or shows to watch, I will consider. I am in no way promising to watch, partly due to, as I’ve stated previously, I am into enough shows and movies and fandoms as it is. My bookshelves plead with me to return to my first love.

And a thank you to all the followers and all the people who have read this blog! I didn’t realize I would enjoy it the way that I do. It combines my love of movies (and talking about movies, because I find them fascinating) and writing. Happy movie watching and happy reading!

fun movies — Look what was waiting for me when I got home! (The first movie will be covered during the “historic” segment)

There’s Always a Twist

I wrote this originally directly after the episode aired, but held off posting due to spoilers. Read now at your own peril:

Because I need to work through my feelings on the finale of Season 14…

I’d say three words, but I shouldn’t swear online. Though now I’m debating, who was the bigger dick? Metatron or God/Chuck? We thought God was cute; we thought God was our friend. Nope. I mean, it sets up the last season well. My feeling is he’s unleashed a whole bunch of the monsters Sam and Dean got rid of (Bloody Mary, that freaking creepy clown). They’re surrounded by zombies or something, fighting, which is what they excel at.

Episode turned out completely different than I thought it would. Jack has never been my favorite character. I was sad when he died originally, but he just fits an awkward spot. The last half of the season has been Jack-centric and how many ways can we twist this around. But when it came time to get rid of him; him talking to Cas made me sympathetic. Yeah, when Dean was holding the gun, I was more concerned with “don’t hurt Dean.” ‘Cause he can’t die yet, but that means nothing. I literally sat up on the couch the scene before the commercial when Sam grabbed the gun. And now I want to punch God in the face.

So, I feel bad for Jack, though I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him. He looks to be in the Empty, with Billie. Not sure what that exactly means. God is a dick. And I worry about my boys. And as always with Hellatus…we have to wait like six months!!! (Gives me plenty of time to finish re-watching The Road So Far, and read a couple books)

Always willing for a Supernatural discussion

Spots, Spots, and More Spots

101 Dalmatians

The movie is based on a book, which I had forgotten, but that’s on par for most of Disney’s first movies. I am not a pet person in general and not a dog fan (I like the bunnies that visit my backyard; they’re cute, but I don’t have to take care of them), yet I like this movie. The dogs act so much like humans and are far kinder than half of the humans. As a child, I found it particularly amusing that the dogs often resembled their owners. It’s adorable that they refer to their human owners as “pets” and Pongo is incredibly self-aware to realize that the bachelor life is not all it’s cracked up to be. He’s smarter than most humans and manages to successfully pair his pet Roger up with Anita, and gaining her Dalmatian Perdita as his mate.

As dogs are prone to, Pongo and Perdita are due to have a litter of puppies an indeterminable amount of time later. Anita’s “devoted schoolmate” Cruella de Vil stops by demanding to see the puppies, for some reason. Once again proving that animals are smarter than humans (hmm, sounds like Snow White), Perdita is far more fearful of Cruella than her owners. Cruella stops by again once the puppies are born and offers to pay for them, but Roger smartly refuses, causing Cruella to vow to get even. (Again, not entirely sure why; obviously once one is familiar with the story, we understand, but it’s not explained within the timeline. Her true desire is hinted with her comment that she “lives for furs,” but that tends to go over children’s heads).

The next scene is a parent’s nightmare; men break into the house, distract Nanny, and kidnap all the puppies while the two couples are out for a walk. Pongo and Perdy take matters into their own…paws when the human avenues are getting nowhere. They send a message out through the dog chain in London, finally reaching a farm in the country where Captain (a horse), Sergeant Tibbs (a cat), and Colonel (a dog) reside. The trio had noticed activity at Hell Hall, the old De Vil place and decide to investigate. Sergeant infiltrates and discovers not only the fifteen missing London puppies, but an additional 84 Dalmatian puppies. They send word back to Pongo and Perdy who immediately head off to rescue their offspring.

Again, as a child, I didn’t fully grasp what skinning puppies meant, aside from bad. Most of the time, Cruella simply refers to it as “the job.” Sergeant Tibbs knows he must get the puppies out, the sooner, the better. Pongo and Perdy arrive just in time to turn the tide and they begin their trek back to London. (There’s a memorable scene where Captain kicks Horace and Jasper into the hay – I cheer). At one point, they take shelter in an old dairy barn where the maternal cows coo over the puppies. Their next stop the following day is a village where they hope to hop a ride back on a truck, but Cruella, Horace, and Jasper are hot on their trail. The puppies give them the idea to disguise themselves as black labs by rolling in the soot. It works, until melting snow reveals their true coloring. Cruella drives like a maniac, attempting to knock an innocent man off the road (I will agree in this case with the truck driver’s derision of female drivers); all for a fur coat. She eventually collides with Horace and Jasper and the Dalmatians safely return home. Roger’s big hit; the only song of the movie really, “Cruella de Vil” will allow them to move to a “Dalmatian plantation” so they can take care of all 101 Dalmatians.

The late nineties had a brief animated series based on the movie, that I don’t think I ever watched, and an animated sequel in 2003 (I will save my rant on Disney sequels for later; my bare memory of the movie is that it did not live up to the original). There was a live-action remake of the movie in 1996 with Glenn Close as Cruella de Vil. That version explained that Anita worked for Cruella as a fashion designer, clearing up Cruella’s interest early on in the puppies. Roger was a video game designer instead of a musician and I clearly recall Cruella caught by the police, covered in molasses. There was a follow-up to that movie, 102 Dalmatians, that included Ioan Gruffud (Mr. Fantasic, or Horatio Hornblower, depending on your taste) and her final result was being baked into a cake.

Overall, an enjoyable film; I’d watch it if it was on television and it’s a welcome break from fairy tales and princesses. It’s a good mix of action and adventure and family for kids. My heart races a little when Cruella is searching for the puppies and they’re loading onto the truck. This movie and Mary Poppins gave me my first taste of London (though I haven’t been yet). The remakes are…alright; I enjoy the hijinks.

Questions? Comments? Are you a dog person? Cat person? Bird person?

Next Time: The Sword in the Stone