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REVIEW: Doctor Who – The Vampires of Venice

Posted by under *dislike, Television | Leave a Comment |

I knew from the opening of the episode that I just wasn’t going to like this one. It’s a perfectly fine episode, but after the excitement of the last two weeks I couldn’t help but be disappointed. Spoilers ahead.

Crashing Rory’s bachelor party was intentionally awkward, but it really only led to a few sight gags like a custom made “Amy + Rory” t-shirt showing up in the 16th century Venice. The whole concept of the trip as a date for the young couple just didn’t really thrill me.

The Sisters of the Water from planet Saturnyne were not very compelling enemies. I know there’s a vampire craze going on, but I was a little disappointed to see it reach Doctor Who. At least the show had it’s own take on the creatures, so I suppose it’s better than introducing actual vampires. Either way, it still felt like there was a creepiness that was absent from the episode.

Some interesting parallels were drawn between The Doctor and the Sisters’ leader, Rosanna, as the last hope of their kind. The connection extends to her people and the Timelords, and it seems like lasting damage may have been done from The Doctor witnessing the extinction of another species.

The highlight of the episode comes when we hear the silence that’s threatening the universe for the first time. It’s interesting that it happened just after Amy stepped into the TARDIS away from her “boys.” The mystery surrounding her deepens here, but this episode sets the low point for the season this far.


More on Doctor Who 2010:
Flesh and Stone / Amy’s Choice

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Phillies “at” Toronto

Posted by under *like, Sports | Join The Discussion |

The Phillies were scheduled for an inter-league series with the Toronto Blue Jays at Toronto’s Rogers Centre over the last weekend in June. The dates coincide with the G20 summit also hosted in Toronto, and after a lot of back and forth MLB has acquiesced to the City of Toronto’s request to move the game. So now, the Phillies will be playing an away inter-league game in Philadelphia under American League rules.

What does this mean? The Phillies will bat in the top of the inning, and we’ll see a Designated Hitter in the game for the first time ever at Citizen’s Bank Park. This may even be the first time this has ever happened at any National League Field. It’s like everything will be turned upside down! No word yet on whether the Phillies will wear their road uniforms or use the visiting dugout.

Is it the biggest deal in the world? No, although Jeff Francoeur and the Mets may think it is since it gives the Phillies three extra “home” games. No NL East team is within three games of the Phillies record at the moment, and we’ll see if the Mets or any other team is at the end of the season. Regardless, this is one of those bizarre things that I just have to see for myself. Tickets are on sale now.

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Happy Birthday Pac-Man!

Posted by under *like, Technology, Video Games | Leave a Comment |

Today marks Pac-Man’s 30th birthday and I was just pointed to Google’s acknowledgment of this special day.

And yes, it’s playable…

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Hubble Gotchu!

Posted by under *like, Miscellany, Technology, Television | Leave a Comment |

I don’t know why I find this so amusing, but when I saw astrophysicist Sandra M. Faber receive an Honorary Degree at the University of Pennsylvania’s Commencement for her critical work in refocusing the Hubble Space Telescope I knew for sure…

Hubble Gotchu!

Milky J pictured with hatching EGGs from the Eagle nebula (M16) courtesy of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST)

2005
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REVIEW: X-Men Second Coming ø8

Posted by under *like, Comics | Join The Discussion |

Another great issue in the X-Men: Second Coming crossover was released this week as we reach Chapter ø8 and officially pass the half-way mark. I’m sure I’ll spoil some things going forward.

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