“I know that having a good vocabulary doesn’t guarantee that I’m a good person,” the boy said. “But it does mean I’ve read a great deal. And in my experience, well-read people are less likely to be evil.”
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Slippery Slope – Lemony Snicket
Ezri Dax: When do we leave?
Benjamin Sisko: Today.
Ezri Dax: Great. It’ll be just like old times. Except, different.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Season 7: Episode 2 – “Shadows and Symbols”
“Why’m I with you?” grunted the Harry near the back door.
“Because you’re the one that needs watching,” growled Moody, and sure enough, his magical eye did not waver from Mundungus as he continued, “Arthur and Fred —”
“I’m George,” said the twin at whom Moody was pointing. “Can’t you even tell us apart when we’re Harry?”
“Sorry, George —”
“I’m only yanking your wand, I’m Fred really —”
“Enough messing around!” snarled Moody. “The other one — George or Fred or whoever you are — you’re with Remus.”
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – J.K. Rowling
Agents of SHIELD took a week off and returned with an exciting episode that took a big step forward for some of the big story arcs of the season. The last episode moved some of the key pieces around but this week gave us some big forward momentum along with a healthy dose of revelations, with presumably more to come. We learned some new information about the Guest House, the alien, and TAHITI, not to mention a solution to the alien writing puzzle. Ward got to stretch his wings, setting out on a plan that kept me guessing throughout the whole episode. In all, it was a fast-paced episode that set the ball rolling for the second half of the first half of season two (the second quarter?) going into the winter. So let’s jump into “The Writing on the Wall,” written by Craig Titley and directed by Vincent Misiano.
Devon: Let me guess: not your type? What does a girl have to do to impress you?
Oz: Well, it involves a feathered boa and the theme to ‘A Summer Place’. I can’t discuss it here.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 2: Episode 4 – “Inca Mummy Girl”
*Update: My full recap of “The Writing on the Wall” is now live. Read it here!
After a week off, Agents of SHIELD is back! Last week gave us an episode that helped to position the pieces for bigger things going forward, and tonight we took our first step down the path that episode laid out. Tonight saw the biggest movement yet this season on the Coulson/alien writing mystery, along with a big chunk of information about the Guest House/T.A.H.I.T.I. project, along with a parallel plot about what Ward is up to following his escape. There were surprises, revelations, and even a few jokes. Here are my quick reactions and thoughts about tonight’s episode, “The Writing on the Wall,” look for my full recap sometime tomorrow.
It is always tedious when someone says that if you don’t stop crying, they will give you something to cry about, because if you are crying than you already have something to cry about, and so there is no reason for them to give you anything additional to cry about, thank you very much.
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Slippery Slope – Lemony Snicket
The year is 1984. Miners in the UK, angered by the government’s plans to close more than 70 coal mines (the coal industry had been nationalized following World War II), went on a strike that would last almost a year. The miners manned the picket lines every day, while back in town their wives strove to keep the community together, making the most of what donations of food and clothing they could find, hoping to keep the government from starving them out. If that sound like a familiar setting for a film, perhaps you’re thinking of Billy Elliot, but instead of merely using a place and time to tell a story, Pride actually tells the story of that place and time, particularly of the unorthodox union of two groups who just might be able to help each other out.
Benjamin Sisko: Dax! I can’t believe it!
Ezri Dax: I can hardly believe it myself. But… I’m Dax. I mean, I’m not Jadzia Dax; I’m Ezri Dax. But I have all of Jadzia’s memories – not to mention Lela’s, Tobin’s, Emony’s, Audrid’s, Joran’s, Curzon’s – am I forgetting anyone?
Benjamin Sisko: Torias.
Ezri Dax: Right. You’re probably asking yourself, “Who is this person? How did she get the symbiont? Do I even want another Dax in my life? Does she always talk this much?” These are all very good questions; and I wish I had good answers for you.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Season 7: Episode 2 – “Shadows and Symbols”
The Love Pirate 