Mod Post: Off-Topic Tuesday

[icon_uk]

In the comments to these weekly posts (and only these posts), it's your chance to go as off topic as you like. Talk about non-comics stuff, thread derail, and just generally chat among yourselves.

The intent of these posts is to chat and have some fun and, sure, vent a little as required. Reasoned debate is fine, as always, but if you have to ask if something is going over the line, think carefully before posting please.

Normal board rules about conduct and behaviour still apply, of course.

This week not feeling 100% so I promise a rambling one of these WILL be forthcoming at some point, but not today. Party on!

Comments

[tripodeca113]

The Next Generation season five part two

Power Play: Troi and O'Brien have finally had enough, and try to seize control of the ship.

Ethics: Worf is crippled when an improperly secured, empty plastic barrel falls on him.
This is actually a pretty decent episode, it's a shame the cause is that. I guess it was hard coming up with something that didn't cost a lot of money and could fit into a four-minute teaser.

The Outcast: Worf engages in casual bigotry and misogyny.
Ah this one. Star Trek's first foray into homosexuality.
You know oddly, this works far better as a message about transgender people. For being gay though it comes across a pretty cowardly.

The First Duty: Our first look at Wesley in a post-Rodenberry world.
Man, Wesley got way more interesting once he left the main cast.
One of Wesley's friends is punished by having by having an obvious knock-off of him star in Voyager.....

Cost of Living: Troi's mother takes Alexander onto the holodeck to see some creepy rejected kid's show hosts and what is clearly an erotic dancer.


I, Borg: Is it moral to wipe out the Borg? Yes.
Oh, but it turns out individual members, if removed can develop independence and come to accept other lifeforms as deserving to exist. Well, that does complicate it a bit, but it doesn't seem like something that could be easily do, so....But they found a good compromise by having Hugh return to the Borg to spread independence among the rest of them.

The Next Phase: Riker plays his trombone during a memorial, upsetting Ro who tries to shoot him in the head.
One thing that stuck with me here, was an intangible Romulan who gets knocked through the ship's walls. I have no idea if that killed him or not. The science of being intangible is kind of vague, so he could be stuck adrift in space, as he dies of dehydration.

The Inner Lights; What a good episode. Still, it could have been stronger if they cut down on the scenes on the bridge. It could have added more mystery, as well as giving them more time to show Picard's life.
Also I'll admit the whole probe thing is pretty immoral, but it was done
by a desperate race who wanted to preserve a least a part of themselves.

Times Arrow: Data goes back in time and cheats at cards. Sadly, not nearly as fun as it should be.
It takes to long for Data to get sent back in time, and he doesn't get into enough zany hijinks. Also, the villain's plot isn't all that interesting. Oh, their going to suck the life out of some past people. That's the best they can do with time travel?

Recently I've been feeling a dirty urge to watch Game of Thrones. I think I want to write a about it afterwards, but it's still worrying.

Oh, look Matt Lanter isn't going to be in the Ahsoka show, their getting the other guy instead. Hmm I don't think they respect animation as a medium.

Recently I think I've realised that I need to improve myself.

[scorntx]

Empty plastic barrels - the real killer!

-One of Wesley's friends is punished by having an obvious knock-off of him star in Voyager-
The writers / producers / ect have gone back and forth forever on whether it was because they felt Locarno was irredeemable, or simply because of writer accreditation.
... given the nature of Hollywood, not wanting to pay the writer for use of the character sounds much more plausible.

-It turns out individual members, if removed can develop independence and come to accept other lifeforms as deserving to exist. Well, that does complicate it a bit, but it doesn't seem like something that could be easy to do-

Oh, if only there were some way in which multiple Borg's self-awareness could be restored en masse.
... actually, nah, that'd just be stupid.

[scelestus]

I've always railed against the ending of "I, Borg." PIcard had a chance to end the Borg threat by introducing a virus, and instead did... nothing, apart from allowing Hugh to return on the outside chance that he might spread independant thought into the Collective. And as far as I know, all that ended with Lore running around and leading a bunch of broken Borg.

Far as I'm concerned, any Borg related death from that point in the timeline onward rests squarely on Picard's shoulders. If you have a chance to eliminate a sprawling genocidal machine race, you take it!

[leahandillyana]

Get better soon!
Prime minister of Poland gave an extremely cringy interview to Financial Times in which he accused the European Union of wanting to start a third world war. It can be read here: https://www.ft.com/content/ac57409d-20c9-4d65-9a5d-6661277cd9af I feel ashamed of being a Pole. This stink will never clear. On Thursday Polish parliament will vote over a law forbidding pride marches and other public pro-queer events in Poland. It will probably pass, as even opposition parties in Poland mostly dislike queer people REALLY HARDCORE. To add insult to the injury of everything that’s happening in Poland, my laptop took its last breaths so now I have to use my father’s laptop. I cannot afford a new one. Dunno why computers and computer parts got so expensive, but cursed be those who made it so.
I’m watching Yuuki Yuuna: Great Mankai Chapter and Muv Luv Alternative. Both are anime series that have their first episode be very non indicative of their nature. First episode of Yuuki Yuuna s3 is about a group of girls chilling. The actual anime is about a space mission in prayer-fueled ships and contains themes as adorable as human sacrifice. The whole series is 3d animated, and honestly it’s the best use of 3d animation I’ve ever seen. The soundtrack is also pretty unique. I highly recommend it even without prior knowledge of Yuuki Yuuna series (it’s its third season), especially since the season recaps earlier events in a later episode.
On the other hand, while first episode of Muv Luv Alternative is about the Japanese army’s futile attempt at preventing an alien invasion, the actual series is about a boy from mundane world who somehow gets transported to said alien invasion nightmare, witnesses the end of human civilisation, and THEN returns a few months back in time to said dystopia with limited future knowledge, determined to help humanity survive this time. The anime is based on one of my all time favourite games, but unfortunately it adapts it VERY poorly. The animation is so low budget that the series could pass for a 2001 anime, the soundtrack takes itself so seriously with orchestral piece upon orchestral piece that it instead makes scenes unintentionally funny, the pacing is too fast for new audience members to really get to know any of the supporting cast (who were honestly at least 50% of the game’s appeal), and I weep about all this because I love this story and want more people to love it with me ;_; Basically the anime assumes you at least are familiar with the first two parts of the game, the mundane world part and the original dystopic part, as otherwise you will not know important details, like who is Sumika. It frustrates me so much. I am especially frustrated because manga adaptations of the first two storylines were released in Poland but the publishing house went under soon after publishing the first volume of Alternative.

[onsokumaru]

I was lost at the seconde episode of Muv Luv. I know nothing about it, but the first episode, while not having a very original story, hooked me up. I would have rather followed the story of that female pilote as a lead character.

[tinygaylaura]

I hope you feel better soon Icon!

I've been enjoying the new Creepshow series on Shudder this week. Lots of fun and spooky tales to be watching which is perfect for the Halloween season

Also went to see Halloween Kills which was quite good. Not my favorite in the franchise but still a good Halloween treat

Have been enjoying some fun new shows on Amazon and Netflix. The new I know what you did last Summer series on Amazon has been good so far and I have been enjoying Inside Job, a new animated comedy series by one of the creators who worked on the wonderful Gravity Falls

Anyone got any fun plans for Halloween this year?

[iamrman]

Halloween has never really been a big deal around my way. As a matter of fact, strangers knocking at the door uninvited gives me anxiety.

[iamrman]

At the moment I am re-reading Death of Superman. I didn't have access to a comic book shop growing up, so I was limited to what trades they had in my local library. Death of Superman was one of those trades. As a result, I have a soft spot for that story line as well as Batman: Knightfall and Revenge of the Sinister Six.

As for Marvel, I have just finished the CapWolf arc of CaptainAmerica. What amused me most was, during the Infinity War toe-in, the Cap doppelganger appeared out of nowhere and was immediately dispatched with its own shield and everybody returned to trying to find a way to return Vap to normal. It's almost as if Mark Gruenwald didn't want to have anything to do with the latest round of Infinity Bullshit.

In non-comics news, I have been ninging on What We Do In The Shadows. I am presently at episode 9 of season 2.

I loved the movie, so of course I enjoy the series that followed, even if the otiginal cast only ever appear in cameo roles.

[onsokumaru]

>Mark Gruenwald
DIdn't Jim Starlin hate Quasar, who was a Gruenwald creation? I remember him being a bit pathetic in the Infinity stories.

[scorntx]

Last week, Hasbro announced the next Transformers toyline, which, from the sound of it, is a sort of Crisis on Infinite Earths-style storyline, featuring characters from... Transformers: Prime.
(So guess we've had our Beast Wars for the next ten years. Or maybe Rise of the Beasts means Hasbro doesn't want to be redundant?)

So far we've got Arcee and Bulkhead. Who's been redesigned for that G1 aesthetic, but looks like Movie Hound. Confusing.
... given two of the first revealed toys are also Kickback and Drag Strip, I'm a'wondering if this means there's an Airachnid and Breakdown in the works.
A good Airchanid toy. Do we dare to dream?


Doctor Who starts at the weekend. Tentatively excited.
What does Chibnall have up his sleeves? Will Yaz actually get do... anything this time?


Reading up on the new series of Young Justice.
... at some point, there will be stuff not about Mars, right?


Netflix added the rest of Dino Fury. That was pretty quick.

[tinygaylaura]

I hope she'll get to do the Doctor

The Airachnid toy from the Prime toyline was pretty fun I think

I like my one

Yes they will be leaving Mars at some point in Young Justice I promise

[malurette]

Finally got to see Venom: Let There Be Carnage, yay!!

[cyberghostface]

I finished Squid Game. It's a great show.

[lordy_co]

I watched the first episode and it seemed very nice. Looking forward to watch the rest.

[onsokumaru]

Mangaka Sanpei Shirato and Tetsuji Okamoto passed away
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-10-26/manga-creator-brothers-sanpei-shirato-tetsuji-okamoto-pass-away-of-pneumonia-4-days-apart/.178839
Sanpei Shirato debuted in the 50s and is basically the creator of ninja manga with titles like Sasuke or Kamui-den.

At long last The Office is available on Netflix and I'm enjoying the hell out of it.
I'm also currently reading Radiant by Tony Valente. It's a classic shonen mangastory, but vry nicely done with bautiful art. And it's absolutely hilarous.

Also got to watch Dune. Well, it was as good as people said. Although I was underwhelmed by the "box" scene, probably because it impressed me a lot when I tried and failed to read the books decades ago.

[janegray]

Hope you feel better soon, Icon!

I continue being greatly frustrated by international shipping. I saw the cutest Starscream keychain on Etsy, 'xcept the keychain costs 10 euro but shipping from USA to Italy costs 14 euro. This is why I can never get any merch -_-

I know some people here watch The Owl House too, so I thought you guys might like this post. People have found out the historical inspiration for the Wittebane brothers! It's really cool :D

https://clow-is-a-simp.tumblr.com/post/665004078716289024/if-anyone-wants-to-go-down-the-rabbit-hole-and-try

[lilacsigil]

I feel you on the shipping charges! I'm in Australia, so you can generally at least triple the price of anything to include shipping!

[laughing_tree]

I’m currently playing Outer Wilds and I want to ask, does this game pick up as it goes along? Because I’m a few hours in and so far any sporadic progress I make is interspersed among long periods of aimlessly stumbling around trying to find stuff, or just getting killed as I try to manage clumsy controls.

[sadoeuphemist]

That's the basic gameplay loop, that you find something interesting that is largely inaccessible, so you bumble around trying to figure out how to get to it. And you make a little progress each time, discovering a shortcut, or just getting better at navigating, and soon enough you're zipping in and out until you've uncovered everything there is to learn from there, and then you move on and repeat with somewhere else.

Technically you could beat the whole game in your first playthrough if you knew what you had to do, the game is gradually discovering what you have to do.

[stubbleupdate]

The Tomb Raider cookbook is out today

[iamrman]

I never understood the appeal of beans on toast. I don't like the way the bean juice makes the toast go all soggy.

[stubbleupdate]

After finishing the River Raids, I'm pretty much finished with AC Valhalla until the next set of DLC is released

[melplayspersonal]

Last week I mentioned "accidentally" getting a FGO Jalter figure I had to build, and yesterday I had time to kill, so I went ahead and put it together! It was pretty interesting, and I might try to do more in the future.

Also I find myself getting more and more invested in Cookie Run Kingdom than I ever thought I would. I care so much about these cookies. So much, you guys.

[janegray]

That looks really cute.

[mister_terrific]

I've got three figures--The Female Protagonist (which I put together), Okita & Musashi (my daughter's work). The latter two are my favorites, which Daughter knows very well.

She actually got Musashi for me as a surprise Christmas present, but one night during a FaceTime chat I noticed the figure in the background and asked her about it. "Oh crap, forget you saw that, Dad!" my daughter yelled.

She's really good at assembling these things, not so good at keeping things under wraps!

[lordy_co]

Still on a very low point psychologically. Went to therapy today and it didn't help much. But I send positive thoughts to Icon, hope we can both feel better soon!

Watched a couple horror movies this weekend, most of which were part of a New French Extremity exhibit on a streaming service.

Candyman: really great movie. Expands a lot on the mythology laid out by the first movie while also being much, much bolder than that one. Both leads are amazing on their roles and the ending is just chilling.

The following movies are all part of the New French Extremity movement and I recommend caution when looking up on them if you're sensitive to violence.

Inside: a very good movie about a pregnant woman whose house is broken in on Christmas' Eve. Top-notch acting and leaves you very, very tense while watching, even if some characters hold the idiot ball from time to time.

Martyrs: probably THE most violent movie I've ever seen. Very good, but also absolutely bleak and brutal. I don't plan on watching it again anytime soon, and I'm not even particularly sensitive to fictional violence. You've probably noticed I didn't talk aobut the story, and I don't think I can: it changes so fast from one thing to another that I'd risk spoiling it.

Trouble every day: the most FRENCH movie I've ever seen. Short but "deep" dialogues, lots of scenery shots, some female nudity. Story is about an American scientist who travels to Paris on his honeymoon, but also to meet with a former colleague who did some...unusual research on a certain type of behaviour. Probably the weakest of the bunch, but also the least violent.

Frontier(s): about a group of criminal youths who rob some money during riots in Paris and then decide to make a run to the Netherlands. Their mistake is making a stop to rest on a motel run by...well, let's not spoil it. Not much gore but a lot of brutality towards the main characters, and the ending is very, very bleak. I'm a white guy, but I got the distinct impression that you'll feel a lot worse after it ends if you're a POC. due to how it ends and the implication of some stuff we hear throughout the movie.

Eh, this post is long enough already, so I'll leave some game-related news for another day.

Risking bring up a taboo subject here...

[silverzeo]

To anyone who saw the new Young Justice last week... I gotta ask...

When they had that one line with Clark talking to Lois about "something".... did anyone else thought of that ONE unofficial Supergirl manga?

[zachbeacon]

Hope you feel better soon, Icon.


Just caught up on Doom Patrol.

Season 1 was some of the best superhero media ever but I can’t really recommend it to most people because it’s so weird. I mean, I know people that bounced off of WandaVision.

Season 2 had a lot of problems even if you don’t count Covid robbing it of an ending.

Season 3 has been a LOT stronger than 2 but, as we near the end, I’m starting to have doubts that any of the plots but Rita’s are going to be resolved. Granted, Cliff went from sympathetic to pathetic really quickly and Victor and Jane’s stories are playing out like most of their stories so far. Still, I really want to see where they go with Larry’s … thing.

[lissa_quon]

Alas I thought I had a market lined up this Halloween weekend - but they never got back to me. Considering my currently spoon count - I'm going to just accept this as not happening.

My mom went into surgery yesterday to remove the cancerous tumor that was taking up a large portion of her tongue. Recovery is as gnarly as one would expect. Also - due to covid rules I'm not allowed to visit her. So I get to stay home and try to keep sane and busy. I have an art livestream for Ghost-con this Friday if anyone is curious.

Also started watching Doom Patrol. Never read the comics - but I grew up on 80s-90s vertigo comics -so the sort of "wtf - lets throw everytrhing at the wall and see what sticks" abstract weirdness feels sort of nostalgic for me. Also its weird enough I can't focus on anything but the spectacle which works for me right now.

[zachbeacon]

Wishing your mom the best. As someone who enjoys tasting things, tongue sounds especially rough.

While I think the later seasons either pulled things from other comics (we even got a Dead Boy Detectives appearance in the third season) or made stuff up, its really amazing that I think just about every bat-shit insane thing in the first Doom Patrol season is pulled from the comics. Morrison gets most of the credit (as they should) but a lot of the weirdness was also pulled from the original Drake stories and underrated gems like the Giffen run right before the Nu52.

(Except where Cyborg is concerned, obviously. Still, he fits in well with the “powers as a disability” themes Doom Patrol likes to explore)

LIGHTYEAR TEASER TRAILER

[janegray]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwPL0Md_QFQ&ab_channel=Pixar

WHAT.

THE.

HELL!?!?!?!?

Re: LIGHTYEAR TEASER TRAILER

[tinygaylaura]

Let Chris Evans actually get to finish saying a catchphrase god damn it

[zachbeacon]

Spent another half hour on the phone with Amazon customer service because their people delivered my stuff to the wrong place for the ninth time in two months.

Tell me again how private companies had outgrown the post office.

[ladymidath]

Still have not been able to see The Suicide Squad but I am hoping to see it soon. I am stoked for Let There Be Carnage and I have been watching Doom Patrol, Legends Of Tomorrow, although most of my favourite characters have gone. Also Y The Last Man which is becoming harder to watch. It's good but damn the sadness is unrelenting. I am planning on getting the collected The Maxx series by Sam Keith. I saw the series on MTV's Liquid Television and Oddities. I have been meaning to read it but never got around to it. That's about it. :-)