Esprit de L'Escalier

Thoughts on Primeval

BBC America has a new show for their Sci-Fi Saturday line-up called Primeval. I watched the three first episodes this past weekend, on demand on cable and on air, and was really impressed. The premise sounds a little silly, especially as it involves dinosaurs, but it seems to work.

Eight years ago, evolutionary zoologist Nick Cutter’s wife Helen, also a scientist, went missing without a trace. Now Cutter (Douglas Henshall) and colleague Stephen Hart (James Murray) find that there are anomalies in space and time allowing for prehistoric creatures to come through into our time. And it turns out, Helen might not be dead as believed, but hanging out in different prehistoric times. Cutter and his crew must work each episode to manage new anomalies, and any creatures that may come through them. It’s a little bit like if Buffy’s Hellmouth was mobile and opened onto the Land of the Lost instead of hell.

Sounds a bit silly, right? But it works. I think it’s the tone that makes it work. It plays straight, almost like a standard British police procedural. It doesn’t wink at us at its silliness, like Torchwood does, but gives the anomalies a weight in terms of science. As Cutter says, as he’s trying to explain the magnitude and impact of what is happening to a room full of bureaucrats, they are, “doorways in time – conclusive proof that the past exists.” For anyone who was ever a kid who wondered about dinosaurs, it’s an exciting proposition.

It doesn’t hurt that there is believable chemistry and triangulated interest between several of the characters. The fact that Cutter’s wife may have been avoiding him in prehistory while he pined, twists his interest in the anomalies. The cast is strong and there seems to be set-up for some interesting character arcs. Plus the monsters are awesome. (So far there have been dinosaurs, giant spider/scorpion beasts, ancient crocodiles, and this week's preview promises dodos.)

If you’re interested in Sci-Fi, or are interested in a different type of show before your favorites come back from summer holiday, check out Primeval on BBC America at 9 pm. 

(This is cross-posted at newcritics.)

Some links and upcoming fun

Jennifer and I have been trying to decide if we would live-blog Project Runway, as we did last season.  We missed the first episode, because we are both ridiculously knee-deep in life and various goings on (as well as her new computer being not quite right yet), but we kind of miss the fun.  So we're going to do it, tomorrow night, newcritics, 9pm.  Tune in, and get your snark on.

I have received some fun and interesting links this week.  My friend Nan sent me this link. Scroll down to "It's 10 pm. Do you know where your cat is?"  She thinks I should invest in a GPS backpack for Frank, so I can track his every move.  I wish I could embed something in him to track him with, because I am curious to where he goes on his little jaunts.

My friend Sharon sent me this link about a study on boy-girl twins and how testosterone may affect the female twin in utero.  It sounds like the testosterone affects mice more than humans, but I guess I do like to travel far from home.  (AG, I'd love to hear your opinion.)

This link I found last week and sent to my Jim Henson-loving friend.  I may have to visit DC soon so I can see the Henson exhibit.  It will be a couple of years before it makes it to Chicago.

The final link is to a small bit on Morning Edition from today.  I almost spit out my yogurt and berries when I heard it, because I knew the pastor involved must have been related to my friend Amanda.  I talked to her today and I was right.

Join us tomorrow night for Project Runway!

UPDATE:  The post is now up!  Join us tonight at 9/8pm!

I do not feel a scream coming on

Today started foggy - I was exhausted.  I was pretty focused in the afternoon and somehow got a lot of research done for a paper I'm writing on shrinking cities.  My studious behavior made me late to a reception my department was having, and (much to my surprise) I found out I won an honorable mention in a poster competition!  I really thought the person who told me confused me with someone else or was kidding.  I'm fairly tickled about it.

This weekend I went to a reunion for a place that was really important to me, and I will post about it tomorrow.  I planned on posting on it tonight, but I got a little distracted.  The Self-Styled Siren inspired me to watch The Shop on the Corner.  My mother hates Jimmy Stewart, but there are things that I love him in.  Particularly this scene (from a different movie, but so good).

Did anyone else catch the lame-o finale to Gossip Girl?  I'm assuming the floppiness of the last couple of episodes can be blamed on the strike, right?  How else to explain what was building to be a juicy arch fall flat, right?  In my head I had written a much more salacious ending.

I also watched the Reaper finale and was pleasantly surprised.  That show has been a pleasant surprise its entire season.  It's not going to change your world,and it's weekly storyline can be a little repetitive, but it's consistently entertaining, and actually liked the twist at the end this season (unlike GG).  I also think Ken Marino and Michael Ian Black have been perfect as demons plotting against the Devil.

Two things to look forward to

It's Friday night, nearing 11, and I've been sick all day (all week really). My sinuses are clogged, I'm clammy and headache-y, but I've cat snuggled up at my side and I have two things to look forward to. One of them is that Battlestar Galactica is back next week. (Yes, I'm watching the two mini specials on SciFi right now. I knew Joss Whedon loved it, but how great that Jesse L. Martin and S. Epatha Merkerson of Law and Order love it?) I'm sad I won't have a buddy to watch it with me this season. Nonetheless, I can't wait to see what happens.

The other thing I'm looking forward to is a trip to New York at the end of April to see Josh Ritter play on my birthday. I'm going with Miss Natasha and we're going to visit our friend Allison and celebrate our birthdays. I'm really, really excited. (Plus, I get to meet Kathleen of Diary of a Heretic!)

I hope everyone has wonderful weekends - full of good health.

PR finale tonight

People, I am very excited. Tonight is the Project Runway finale. The always vaguely alien Posh Spice will be guest judging. Jennifer and I will be in the comments over at New Critics. Hope to see you there. Any early votes for winners? Let me know. And join us! 10/9 pm tonight.

Project Runway tonight!

We're almost to the Final Three! Tonight's ep of Project Runway includes Tim's home visit to the contestants - always one of my favorite parts. Join us at New Critics at 10/9pm!

Project Runway nears the end!

Project Runway is almost done with its season! The promos say two are getting auf'ed tonight. Join us for the fun in the comments at New Critics at 10/9pm!

Frivilous

I hate sandwiching this on top of my post from yesterday, but duty calls and tonight I'm cruise directing Jennifer and my blogging of Project Runway. Tonight: prom dresses.

My questions to my readers, should you choose to answer: What was your/your date's prom dress like? What sort of tackiness would you like to see our designers put through? I'm hoping for sequins.

See you tonight at 10/9pm at New Critics! Join in the fun.

Also, if you missed it, please read the post below. Thanks.

Freedom and some snow

As of about 1:18 this afternoon I was a free woman. Free of classes, stress-induced paranoia and long commutes. Until January that is. And I'm not entirely free, as I'll be working four days a week, but I'm looking forward to my break.

I was not so excited to have to make the trek into town today, what with snow steadily falling and none of the roads or highways properly plowed. But I went in and took that exam and now I continue to hope that the class is curved and that it will positively affect me. At this very moment I've got a cat curled up beside me, begging for attention, a roaring fire and an inclination to fix myself a drink. See below for photos of Frank's first snow.

I'm cruise directing tonight's bloggage of Project Runway. Join us at New Critics for some fun in the comments section, starting around 10pm (eastern).

Project Runway - the blogging continues

Happy Thanksgiving Eve, all! In case you need a dose of fashion before you tuck into the turkey tomorrow, please join us over at New Critics tonight for some fashion, drama and snark! (Drinks not included, but highly encouraged.)

I've got a post up now, that will serve as our template for comments about show as it happens. I'm hoping that I will have both internet and cable where I'll be sleeping tonight, but signs point to no. Either way, Jennifer will be there in the comments section, ready to go.

Join us tonight! 10/9pm, depending on your location! Auf wiedersehen til then!