Saturday, January 25, 2020

Star Trek Picard Episode 1

This stunning piece of art was done by:
Episode one of Star Trek Picard premiered on Thursday Jan 23rd 2020 but I had to wait a few more days to watch it as I wanted to watch it with my buddy Brian. He and I had watched The Mandalorian together each week and it was such a fun experience. Since we are both big Trekkies this was the perfect series to continue that tradition.

First of all here's a brief synopsis of episode one titled "Remembrance".

In 2399, retired admiral Jean-Luc Picard is interviewed about his retirement: In 2385, two years prior to the Romulan supernova, an attack on Mars by rogue synthetics resulted in the destruction of the armada tasked with evacuating the Romulan system's inhabitants; Starfleet banned synthetics and reneged on its promise to aid the evacuation, prompting Picard to resign and retire to his vineyard. A woman named Dahj kills Romulan assailants after they infiltrate her apartment and murder her boyfriend. She experiences visions of Picard; after seeing his interview, she seeks him out. Picard visits the Starfleet Archive Museum, where he examines a painting by the late Lieutenant Commander Data that features a woman who resembles Dahj. Dahj asks Picard for his help, but is killed by the Romulan assassins. Picard questions scientist Agnes Jurati about the possibility of creating a sentient organic-passing android, deducing that Dahj is actually Data's daughter; Jurati tells him Dahj must have an identical twin sister. At a Romulan reclamation site located inside a Borg cube, Romulan Narek meets Soji Asha, the sister in question.

I LOVED IT!!!! It was amazing that you were able to jump right back into this world only 20 years later. It still felt like Star Trek The Next Generation yet still different enough to stand on it's own. We were introduced to characters who you instantly liked or even feel in love with. Patrick Stewart didn't miss a beat, it felt like he never left the roll of Jean Luc Picard. It was great to see Brent Spiner back as Data, their relationship has always been special. I was intrigued by the story and as it unfolded I was excited to see where it was going to go next. The scene in which Dahj dies is heartbreaking, especially since moments before Picard said he would do anything in his power to protect her. But the following scene was amazing. Picard recovering from the explosion and realizing he failed in protecting her and gets fired up. There is this visual character shift from this old man waiting for death to come, to this determined man wanting to find the answers. Part of me loves the idea of having to wait a week for the new episode as you get to chat and debate about it and watch it a few more times but on the other hand.... I want more now!!! I can't wait to see how this seasons unfolds.

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Star Wars Clone Wars Season Seven Trailer

Last year Disney + announced that they will be releasing one final season (season seven) for Star Wars The Clone Wars. They will be able to give it it's proper send off. When Disney purchased Lucasfilms The Clone Wars was cancelled at the end of Season Five, thankfully Disney was kind enough to finish the episodes that were for season six and near completion. These episodes eventually were released on Netflix a few years back and they were amazing. But there was never truly a proper ending... until now. I've blogged a bunch about The Clone Wars over the years, you can do a search on this blog and find them if you want to read them.

Clone Wars is my favorite of the Star Wars Animated Series. It introduced one of my all time favorite Star Wars characters Ahsoka Tano. But this blog is about the final season of Clone Wars, Season Seven that will be premiering at the end of February on Disney + and I can't wait. Here is the final trailer for season seven of Star Wars The Clone Wars.


Patrick Surprises Whoopi

I have been super excited for the new Star Trek series Picard coming out shortly on CBS All Access. Jean Luc Picard is one of my favorite Captains in Starfleet as well as one of my favorite characters in that universe. I'm also a HUGE fan of Sir Patrick Stewart. This morning on The View Stewart was on promoting Picard and officially asked Whoopi Goldberg to reprise her role of Guinan on the second season of Picard. She looked genuinely shocked and shaken. There was so much joy coming off of her it was palpable. She had her cheshire cat smile, it reminded me of her Color Purple character Celie. I adore Whoopi Goldberg and I loved the character of Guinan. I always wanted more and now it looks like will get our wish.

She of course accepted his offer and they embraced. It was a very sweet moment. I can't wait to see what's she's been up to the past 20 years.