game of who?

If you, like me, know what it's like to face the agonising wait before your favourite show comes back to screens, you, like me, know how exciting it is when it does return. Months of sadness, emptiness, anticipation and excitement all lead up to that moment when you hear that beloved theme tune once again and fall back into that familiar world.  Finally, this Easter weekend saw the long-awaited return of two of my favourite shows: Game of Thrones and Doctor Who, and so here is my little review of the episodes.

Doctor Who
7x06 The Bells of Saint John

Returning for part B of series 7, this episode focused mostly around Clara Oswald (Jenna Louise Coleman), the Doctor's new companion with a lot of mystery behind her. (I love her a lot, by the way. She's in the running to become my second favourite companion.) We've met her twice before, and both times she's died - what is up with that? This was the beginning of Clara the Companion, where she's curious and learning and becoming stronger as she goes, and we'll definitely be finding out more about her throughout the rest of her time in the TARDIS. The idea that the villains were using the world's wi-fi to trap souls made the crazy idea all the more realistic, because there's a real possibility that wi-fi has the potential to be used as a weapon in this day and age. A lot of tidbits of continuity thrown in made me and other Who fans quite excited, such as the detail of the book being written by Amelia Williams, the Doctor's last companion who had been sent back in time by the Weeping Angels, and of course the phrase that the Doctor and we the audience have come to recognise as Clara's in all her forms  - run, you clever boy, and remember. I'm excited to see where we'll go on this adventure from here.

Game of Thrones

3x01 Valar Dohaeris

Returning for its third season with record ratings, Game of Thrones has once again started strong, and looks to only get stronger. I felt like this episode was more of a recap/where are they now of most of the characters after the epic events of the end of season 2, and sort of set up how events will run for the rest of the season. 'Otp: You know nothing, Jon Snow' was at it again, while Sansa in Kings Landing was standing strong, with hope for the future and for her family. Margaery Tyrell was gorgeous, as ever, and even Joffrey seemed a little won over by her - although I could be wrong, I can't tell if he was actually being kind of nice or just a sarcastic ass - but Cersei was having none of that, possibly feeling she was losing some control over her son. Meanwhile, two other Lannisters were having words, and the scene where Tywin disowns Tyrion and you could see the hurt on his face was very emotional, for Tyrion and for me - that was way harsh, Ty. We saw Daenerys across the sea in search of an army, men getting their nipples cut off and NOT EVEN FLINCHING (srs wtf) and scary scorpion-like creatures, White Walkers, and everything in between. I've not read the books, so the big uncloaking at the end didn't really mean much to me, but all will be revealed in the episodes to come. Looks set to be an epic, exciting and emotional season. Let the games begin!

sher-crazy

Sherlock Holmes. It's a name that keeps popping up these days, and every new adaptation offers a different way of enjoying the crime-solving antics of the famed detective and his sidekick Dr. Watson. That's why I've put together a little guide of today's Sherlocks, so you can choose the right one for you depending on what you're into.

sherlock (2010)

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are the new detective-and-doctor duo residing at 221B Baker St, in this modern revamping of Sherlock Holmes. Although it is set in current-day London, many elements of the classic story are maintained, including most of the supporting characters and that wonderful line "Come if convenient... If inconvenient, come anyway". Every Sherlock is different, and Benedict Cumberbatch has to be one of the most intelligent and observant, yet the most arrogant and self-assured Holmes that has ever been. And yet, though he might appear cold and unaffected, mess with Dr. Watson or his landlady Mrs. Hudson and Sherlock will TAKE YOU DOWN. 

we like you

If you're an Australian, part of gen Y and have ever watched free to air TV, you'll probably either a) know of or b) be in love with the baby faced 25 year old comedian and voice of our people, (well, on Talkin' Bout Your Generation, anyway) Josh Thomas.

Having a successful stand-up career, appearances on Good News Week, making a podcast whenever he feels like it and fearlessly team captaining Gen Y to defeat almost every week on Your Gen wasn't enough for him though. His newest venture, scripted comedy slash drama slash biopic Please Like Me started on ABC2 last week, and although only 3 out of six episodes have aired so far, it's fresh, funny, and just a little bit awkward. A perfect mix. A lot of the show is fictional, but there are many elements that are taken from Josh's actual life and experiences, like his well known love for cardigans.

The show opened with Josh's girlfriend, Claire (Caitlin Stasey, who you might remember from Tomorrow When The War Began) breaking up with him over a $19 sundae, reasoning that, "Josh, you're probably gay." This does turn out to be true, and the storyline sees a developing relationship with Geoffrey (Wade Briggs), a very pretty boy who works with Josh's best friend Tom (played by Josh's actual best friend Tom). There are glimpses into the lives of Josh's parents, his friends' relationships (although they all seem to be at Josh's house like, all the time) and features a few cameo appearances of John, Josh's actual dog and $haniqua, Tom's actual rabbit.

Beyond the humour in the show, however, there is the underlying theme of discovering one's identity, in Josh's case coming to terms with the fact that he is gay. I can't imagine how he would feel, but he's not fussed discussing it with his family, until his Aunt Peg finds out by accident and Geoffrey outs him to his father. Surprise! Although he feared "putting something in his bum", his biggest challenge yet has been sitting through a church sermon on how homosexuality is a sin. In an act of true inspiration, though, his religious Aunt Peg stood up and defended him in front of everyone, her speech coming word for word from when Josh's grandma Mona did the same thing in real life.

Nothing like this show has every really been done on Australian TV before, and it's a big step forward for Josh himself and also young LGBT people of Australia especially (even if it has been speculated the show was shunted to ABC2 because it was "too gay" for the regular ABC) and their portrayal in media.

Now, if you're a Josh fan, I don't know why I'm about to tell you this because you're probably already watching, but you might recognise a few of the jokes from previous stand-up shows and TV appearances, but really, they're still good every time.

Please Like Me is still a youngling, but it's been great so far and I think it will only get better, and who doesn't want to watch a show about people more awkward than you that features a rabbit called $haniqua?

the end of an era

Its happened to us all. You find a new tv show and sparks fly; you get pulled in by the story, emotionally invested in the characters, you start watching every week religiously, then when you can’t wait a whole week for the next episode, you get your fix online with trailers and cast interviews and behind the scenes looks. And then, all too soon, your new love is CRUELY RIPPED AWAY FROM YOU BY SOME BIG-SHOT EXECUTIVES WHO THINK THEY KNOW WHAT PEOPLE WANT. Most often it’s the shows that haven’t seen many seasons, ones that haven’t had the chance to drag on too long or gradually become unfunny or repetitive – these ones are still new, still exciting, you’re still floating in the bliss of the honeymoon period before the bubble bursts. Suddenly, it’s like a part of you has been stolen away and for a while it’s like nothing can fill the void.

I’ve had my fair share of these shows and their axing has all come in different forms. First, there was Pushing Daisies, which lasted a mere two seasons and tried to wrap up the whole complex story (boy meets girl, girl dies, boy discovers he has life giving powers, boy makes girl alive but can never touch her again or she'll die once more) in five minutes at the end of the last episode. Not enough.
Then there was Kyle XY, which hung around for three seasons before getting the chop on a total cliffhanger (literally “I’m your brother” were the last words ever uttered on the show). Are you kidding me?!
My most recent loss has come from a wonderful little Australian show called Spirited, a classic human-and-ghost love story that blossomed over two seasons before the plug got pulled. There was something different about this axing – this time it was personal. Facebook alliances were formed, petitions were signed, angry letters were sent; people rallied to save this show and for a while we thought it would work. Then, the fateful announcement came and it was over. Gone. Just like that.    

I’m sure many of you have experienced something similar and if not, I envy you, for you are one of the Lucky Ones. But, if you ever do find yourself in the foetal position, weeping on a Wednesday night because they’ve replaced your favourite show with Law and Order reruns, here’s my advice on how to proceed without falling to pieces.

step 1: fight for it
Hope isn’t lost yet and although it might feel worse if you don’t succeed, there’s always a reason to fight for your show. You’re guaranteed to find a community of equally distraught and outraged viewers on the internet, and there’s influence in numbers. Band together and strike up a storm with petitions and complaints – the more publicity, the better – and you never know what might happen. Look at what happened with Community – there’s always a chance.

step 2: allow for a mourning period
If the show has been axed for good, allow yourself to feel sad. It’s okay if you want to crawl up in your bed covers and cry into a four-litre tub of chocolate icecream for a little while, it’s perfectly normal (well, maybe not, but everyone does it anyway). Don’t keep fighting if it’s a lost cause – it’ll be way too draining – but you don’t have to accept it right away. Give yourself some time.

step 3: get some distance
Once you’ve gone through your grieving process, set it out of your mind for some time. The best thing to do is put your feelers out and find another show to put all that emotion into. It might take a while, but you’ll find something you’ll love eventually. Maybe not quite as much, but it will distract you and help you heal.

step 4: revisit on the rainy days

Once the scars have healed, you can come back to the show and reminisce. Buy the DVDs, have a few marathons, pull it out on rainy days or when you’re feeling blue. Now something that has caused you all this heartache will become like a comforting hug, there whenever you need. Memories, like the corners of my mind…        

carrie on

I am obsessed with The Carrie Diaries. There. I’ve said it. I just-okay.

Seeing as it’s only shown on Fox 8 here in Australia and I don’t have that channel, I’d heard about this show from a few friends who’d seen the ads and either loved them or hated them. I decided I’d watch the pilot, give it a go, because I didn’t really have any other TV shows to watch that were currently airing and it sounded fun, which I always like. So I did. I watched it.

And I loved it. It was fun, colourful, teenager-y, and, worth a mention, it had (has) a really attractive cast. There was love, family, friendship, mystery (not really…but sort of). There was sparkle, shoulder pads, and neon. There was clothes, clothes and more clothes. It was fantastic.

And it still is. Four episodes in now, I’m loving it more and more, becoming attached to the characters and their storylines, particularly Walt’s (Brendan Dooling) confusedness over his sexuality and his relationship with Maggie (Katie Findlay), who has been less than faithful to him, and then everything involving Sebastian (Austin Butler – swoon) because perfect.  After every episode I feel the need to look up cast galleries for hours and stare at their beautiful faces and/or marathon the rest of the series which hasn’t come out yet in one night, which I am always disappointed to remember is not possible.

Now, The Carrie Diaries is a prequel of sorts to Sex in the City, which I have never seen an episode of in my life. I think going into the show unbiased has been good for me, because I’ve been able to start afresh with the characters, not having a preconceived notion of who Carrie is or who she should be according to the character made famous by Sarah Jessica Parker. This also allows AnnaSophia’s portrayal of her to develop and change, taking new angles, while still essentially staying true to the character, or, how the character would have been at 16. Sort of like how each Bond or each Doctor brings a new spin on the same man, so The Carrie Diaries has done for Carrie.

The quality of the show is really starting to shine now. After a rough start to a budding relationship at the end of the previous episode, 1x04’s Halloween theme documents Carrie’s first “grown up” party in New York City, where she realises that costume parties don’t really mean dressing up as Princess Diana on her wedding day, and her first experiences with drugs, alcohol and too much of both as she has to look after Larissa (Freema Agyeman), the trendy fashionista who has taken Carrie under her wing. I felt AnnaSophia’s acting in this episode was more natural and fluent – not that she’s been bad in the past, it just seemed better than usual, and I hope it continues like this throughout the rest of the show.

The episode also dealt with Walt’s confusion over his sexuality, a kiss with a very male Bennett forcing him to come to terms with his feelings which in turn led to him shutting them off and running back into Mags’ arms, finally having sex with her after two years in an attempt to prove to himself that he isn’t gay, which will prove to be an interesting and heart wrenching storyline in the future. Everything is coming along just great!

So yes, it’s set to be a great first season. I’ll definitely be watching – will you?