Disqus - Latest Comments for pisher

Re: Halt and Catch Fire star Scoot McNairy on Gordon's shocking [SPOILER]

pisher — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 13:39:17 -0000

Because that's exactly what Gordon would want. ::sarcasm::

Do you have NO memory of what it's like being a teenager?

I ask this question, even if you still are one.

Re: Csonka’s Ultima Lucha Tres (Part III) Review

pisher — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 13:35:58 -0000

The problem with most wrasslin' shows is that they're horribly inconsistent--plot and character development are for ****, and they keep shifting direction at the drop of a hat. By defining itself, upfront, as a scripted show (meaning they can hire real writers, as well as trained actors), and limiting themselves to 40 hours a season, Lucha Underground was able to stay focused and still provide absolutely first rate grappling (and, of course, lucha). And why not? McMahon already set the precedent of admitting it's just entertainment. This is the next logical step.

What's great about the kinds of shows you mention is the spontaneity--there are moments of unforced brilliance--talents can step forward and take over a show, the way the Hardys did for a while on TNA. But they don't tend to last very long. Like the Hardys at TNA. Which is now almost unwatchable.

Anyway, nobody has seen every wrestling show. Many are so regional you're lucky to see them if you live in whatever part of the country they're in.

This is the best wrestling show I have seen. I don't think I was watching WWF in 1997, but I was in the early 80's, and I liked that a lot better. If you never saw a Don Muraco monologue, I can only pity you. If you never saw him wrestle live, well--you missed something.

Re: Csonka’s Ultima Lucha Tres (Part III) Review

pisher — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 13:28:33 -0000

Not shows, but they do have a lot of great (and also good/bad) movies.

If they keep Lucha Underground on, I'll try this Bushido thing they're doing.

Otherwise, forget it.

Re: Csonka’s Ultima Lucha Tres (Part III) Review

pisher — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 09:56:53 -0000

I just started watching this season--been watching wrestling shows all my life, and nothing else comes close. Okay, Championship Wrestling from Florida with Gordon Solie, back in the 80's, wasn't far off, but much less consistent, and nobody on that show could fly, and they didn't have hot women (or any women).

WWE looks so sad by comparison.

Honestly, if El Rey doesn't pick it up for S4, I may just stop watching El Rey entirely.

Re: Halt and Catch Fire star Scoot McNairy on Gordon's shocking [SPOILER]

pisher — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 22:42:19 -0000

Did not see it coming--not until it became obvious he was having a part of his life--the most important part--flash before his eyes. But I hoped that wasn't it.

When Donna said "Gordon's dead," I felt a sort of tremor. It meant a lot more than (for example) when they kill somebody on Game of Thrones or Walking Dead, where death is a commonplace, and it's more a matter of when than if. Not dissing those shows, just saying--this felt more personal. More--you know--immersive.

Really fine work on this show.

Re: The Strain recap: Season 4, Episode 10

pisher — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 19:36:05 -0000

WHO CAUSED THE DEATHS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE! (POSSIBLY BILLIONS).

Re: The Strain recap: Season 4, Episode 10

pisher — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 19:34:41 -0000

Which makes no sense, and I'm glad they didn't do it that way.

How could he be infected by The Master, after years of fighting Strigoi?

The books are, if anything, dumber than the show.

Re: The Strain recap: Season 4, Episode 10

pisher — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 19:34:05 -0000

I think they only got rid of her because the actress wanted to be released.

And I have never really felt like Fet and Dutch were an improvement over the Fet/Nora romance that never had time to happen. Frankly, Fet's S4 girlfriend was the best of the bunch. And they just ditched her.

Re: The Strain recap: Season 4, Episode 10

pisher — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 19:32:36 -0000

I agree the last season sucked, but not because they changed stuff from the books.

And I don't see how Eph getting turned, in the process of sacrificing himself to stop The Master, save Fet's life, and finally share a moment of reconciliation with Zach, means that he lost his chance for redemption, which honestly, I don't think he needed, since he was one of the few people who tried to stop The Master back when it really mattered.

Kelly's chance for redemption--that never came.

Re: The Strain recap: Season 4, Episode 10

pisher — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 13:31:10 -0000

For all its flaws, I was on board with this show until this season. Some fine moments, but too scatttershot, and the ending much too pat. But you know, if they don't give us the ending we expected, we complain, and if they do, we still complain.

Everybody seems to be willing Gus's S4 girlfriend out of existence--he was pretty stuck on her, and she's still alive, and is he going after her? Apparently not. Probably they couldn't get Rhona Mitra to come back for a wrap-up.

Gus and Dutch were over, and should have stayed that way. I mean, literally, walking into the sunset together? After everything that came before? Nope. She'll leave him for a woman before the credits finish rolling.

I mean, if it had ended with them having naked wild NC-17 sex, as a symbol of life defeating death, now that would be different. I'm not cheap, but I can be had.

I think the main energy of the show was about showing a massive worldwide contagion, and how society fails to understand or come to terms what's happening until it's too late. Once they'd done that, they'd basically told the story.

Also, though I know it's in the final book, using a nuke to save the world--not my favorite plot twist, though I guess it worked for Bruce Willis.

Also, I think New York's groundwater is now radioactive, and I seem to remember there's an earthquake fault somewhere in our bedrock. That water tunnel is truly cool, and I could have shown them a much more remote access point in the Bronx, if they'd asked.

Anybody who says this is the best season must have been smoking something really good. One long shark jump, but at least Setrakian got to kill Eichorst.

But I still have no idea what it was Setrakian finally saw in the Lumen. I mean, they just blew The Master up with a nuke. That's not exactly a Eureka! level insight, and they were already planning to do that. Did Setrakian see something about the water tunnel in there? I guess we'll never know.

Re: Game of Thrones stars react to that huge Jon Snow reveal

pisher — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 13:13:38 -0000

Why do you keep posting attacks on her? How does this non-existent person threaten you so much? Why must you make statements like "She will die in childbirth"? Why do you speak as if yours is the logical majority opinion, when it is entirely emotional in nature, and most people who watch the show would never agree with you? Do you think I'm going to just give up and stop responding?

I hardly ever do this kind of thing anymore, and I have plenty of spare time at work. I will keep checking. I will keep responding. You will keep repeating the same tired discredited personal attacks. And I will laugh at you.

And I'm not a kid. Probably you aren't either--except mentally.

Re: Game of Thrones stars react to that huge Jon Snow reveal

pisher — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 12:57:06 -0000

I don't like Cersei. I didn't like Ramsay. I was a bit cold about Margaery, though she was damned sexy for all that. If you want to say "Well, they're villains" (you can like villains), Olenna never gave a damn about anyone but her family and her class, had contempt for the common folk.

Euron is just flat-out annoying, and I only wish they'd used him even less. I'm glad we go tto see Dorne, but I can't help but feel too much time was wasted there (the best of Dorne got his skull crushed by The Mountain).

And I never once posted to complain about any of them. I enjoyed them all, quite often. They were part of the story being told, and no story ever told is perfect, and no one aspect of any story ever told equally pleases everyone.

The fact is, none of these characters were ever as central to the show--or the books--as Daenarys. Only Jon, Tyrion and Arya rival her. Cersei has always been an example of how NOT to be. As a leader, or a mother--she is reprehensible and a failure, but a dangerous one.

Dany is meant to show how a woman can be strong without being evil. How she can fight for what is hers without forgetting that other people have their own perspectives and rights. And most of all, how she can learn from her mistakes, as Cersei never has and never will. Also she has dragons. They producers aren't spending what they do on those dragons because people don't like them. A lot.

There are better actors on the show, definitely--mainly seasoned grizzled veterans of stage and screen, playing older characters. But the main heroes of this show are the next generation, finally coming into their own. And they are increasingly gathering about--wait for it--Daenarys Targareyn. And this is what's going to happen in the books as well, if they're ever finished, which I doubt.

And the fact that you refuse to see that is irritating to me, as stupidity invariably is.

I keep forgetting your name, sorry. Why would anyone choose such a boring online sobriquet?

It's not about me. It's not about you. It's about the truth, and the truth is, Dany is one of the most fascinating characters on the show, certainly one of the two or three most popular, and a big part of what makes people tune in. There is massive consensus on this. If you want to defend a minority opinion, at least have the good grace to admit that's what you're doing.

Re: Game of Thrones stars react to that huge Jon Snow reveal

pisher — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 10:20:56 -0000

There were a bunch of Aegons--it was a much-used name in that family.

I mean, there's been a ****load of Jons, when you get right down to it. Much more common name.

I don't believe he'll ever go by that name among his friends.

My nitpick would be this--she wants Ned to protect him--Ned can only do that by hiding who he is. What's the point of giving him a name that marks him as a Targareyn? Lyanna was near death, in a state of delirium. We can't really blame her for being confused.

I think we can blame her a little for helping to cause a civil war. The Helen of Westeros. But the character was portrayed as impulsive and headstrong, and that was part of why Ned loved her, and why he would pay such a high price to grant her dying wish.

Re: Game of Thrones stars react to that huge Jon Snow reveal

pisher — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 10:16:35 -0000

Well yes, that's just what it is. And that's fine, but I think it's the writers making this connection, not Aemon himself.

Re: Game of Thrones stars react to that huge Jon Snow reveal

pisher — Thu, 31 Aug 2017 10:14:13 -0000

And what I'm seeing is you refusing to see anything you don't want to, which has made it impossible for you to truly understand or appreciate this show.

And yet you still watch it, and comment obsessively on it, and then accuse others of having their pants in a bunch.

And make predictions with damned little basis to them. There are a lot of ways Dany could die. One of which is in her bed, at a ripe old age, with Jon by her side.

But you'll be whining no matter what happens.

Re: Donald E. Westlake: The Writer’s Writer’s Writer

pisher — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 16:56:01 -0000

I think you're overstating your point when you say Westlake makes everybody a crook or a mark. He understands there are other options in life. He just doesn't tend to make them the central characters in his work very often. But the more you read of him, the more you know how many exceptions to the rule there are. He never let himself get stuck in a rut very long. He kept changing up.

I agree Lemons Never Lie is a great book, but I don't agree Grofield was one of his best series protagonists. The first three Grofields are pretty hit or miss, an experiment in progress, though always interesting. Once he finally wrote a great Grofield novel, solving the problem he'd set for himself, he stopped writing about Grofield, except for one last appearance in a Parker novel. And I suspect you know how that turned out.

Parker was his best series protagonist. Followed by Dortmunder, and Mitch Tobin (you made his acquaintance yet?)

But overall, I think this is a terrific critical overview. You do a great job highlighting his style--at least his style as Westlake. But that was only one of his faces. He had many.

When I hear the term "writer's writer,"I think of someone who only writers fully get. While Westlake was never a major best-selling novelist, his appeal has gone far beyond his fellow professionals.

Re: Game of Thrones stars react to that huge Jon Snow reveal

pisher — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 15:47:15 -0000

It's not coincidence that Sam shows up when he does--where else is he going to go? It's not coincidence that he goes to see Bran. Of course he wants to see him, after helping him in the past, and having worried he did the wrong thing by letting those kids go beyond the Wall. It's not coincidence that Bran decides to tell Sam about what he knows. It's a decision, based partly on the fact that he knows Jon and Sam are very close friends, and he wants to talk to somebody who isn't a Stark, but does know Jon, about what is, after all, a very sensitive issue. This would essentially rewrite one of the most important chapters of their family's history, and it would mean their bastard brother is neither a bastard nor their brother.

It's a bit of a coincidence Sam found out about the secret marriage. But when you talk about coincidence here, you're forgetting that this is a world of magic, and of at least one very real god, who is manipulating events and people. The entire show is a sequence of coincidences, and so are the books.

You decide you don't like a given coincidence when it bothers you personally, but that's more boring than anything.

However, most of what you're referring to here isn't the least bit coincidental, so you can't even get that right.

Re: Game of Thrones stars react to that huge Jon Snow reveal

pisher — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 15:42:55 -0000

Jon didn't even want to be King in the North.

First he has to learn about it.

Then he has to decide what to do about that.

Ever consider he might want to do nothing about it?

Re: Game of Thrones stars react to that huge Jon Snow reveal

pisher — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 15:40:47 -0000

Maester Aemon never knew about Jon's parentage--remember, he was rooting for Dany to take back the throne or at least pleased with her success.

He's talking about his younger brother, Aegon V. Targareyn, who is heavily featured in several novellas GRRM wrote, "The Tales of Dunk and Egg." Youthful adventures of a future king with a loyal friend. He never expected to inherit the throne, but Aemon famously declined to be king, and joined the Night's Watch. Leaving "Aegon the Unlikely" to wear the crown.

Now clearly that's why Jon got that name at birth. So there is a connection. The writers are making a reference there. But Maester Aemon was thinking about his brother.

Re: Game of Thrones stars react to that huge Jon Snow reveal

pisher — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 15:32:03 -0000

Since when do boring people inspire strong emotions?

Oh snap.
:D

Re: Game of Thrones stars react to that huge Jon Snow reveal

pisher — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 09:45:26 -0000

I tend to side with Olenna on the appearance of Targareyn males. The Valyrian look works fine for Emilia Clarke, but she's still cuter as a brunette. Apparently all Targareyn men look like Elric of Melnibone, only, you know, not cool. ;)

Re: Game of Thrones stars react to that huge Jon Snow reveal

pisher — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 09:06:52 -0000

If what happened the first time she was pregnant didn't kill her.....she's a whole hell of a lot tougher than her mom. Or 99% of the men on this show. Or you. Or me, for that matter.

God the Dany hate gets boring.

Re: Game of Thrones stars react to that huge Jon Snow reveal

pisher — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 09:04:59 -0000

I'm really worried about anyone who is only fine if this one specific thing happens on a scripted TV show.

I'll be fine if people like you stop trying to impose their neuroses on stories.

;)

Re: Game of Thrones stars react to that huge Jon Snow reveal

pisher — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 09:03:25 -0000

Not everything has to be about logic.

And, you know, Sansa could have asked him "What is this you need to talk to Jon about?" She's been very wary of his new abilities, though they came in useful when she wanted to take down Littlefinger.

He's very abstracted. Like autism squared. How'd you like to have the experiences of thousands of people living and dead dancing around inside your head all the time?

Re: Game of Thrones stars react to that huge Jon Snow reveal

pisher — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 09:00:16 -0000

Really really bad condoms. And where's Jon going to get one? Are there gas station convenience stores on Dragonstone?

People want wild spontaneous romance, then they complain it was badly planned and inappropriately scheduled.