First Look at Sam Heughan as Jaime Fraser in ‘Outlander’

Originally published on The Flickcast.  30 October 2013.

Attention fans of Diana Gabaldon’s best-selling book series! Here’s your first look at actor Sam Heughan playing the charming Scottish warrior Jaime Fraser in Starz’s adaptation of popular novels.

For those of you not versed in the Outlander series, Jaime woos the married Claire Randell (Caitriona Balfe), who has suddenly jumped back in time to 1743. She is originally from 1943 where she’s  a combat nurse.

Starz’s Outlander is an adaptation of Gabaldon’s best-selling book series of the same name (the first book is re-titled as Cross Stitch in the UK). Equal parts romance, historical, and fantasy, the series began with Outlander in 1991 and  continues with Written in My Own Heart’s Blood

The the first of Outlander‘s 16 episodes will air starting in 2014.

J.J. Abrams Unveils His Newest Project: A Book Entitled “S”

Originally published on PopWrapped.  30 October 2013.

J.J. Abrams is riding the geek wave to success. Not only is he the director of Star Trek and the creator ofLost, but he is helming arguably the most highly anticipated movie of 2014, Star Wars: Episode VII.

So when J.J. Abrams releases details on a new project, we expect it to be something in the geek/fantasy/adventure TV or feature film vein. But as it turns out S is a book. A literal hardback novel.

Back in August, a mysterious trailer was posted teasing project “S” and everyone (myself included) assumed it had something to do with one of the director/creator’s well-known projects. Now we’ve learned that S is a collaborative novel, written by Doug Dorst and conceived by Abrams.

The plot centers on two college students who are searching for answers about (fictional) author V.M. Straka. Using Straka’s book, Ship of Theseus, as a means of corresponding with one another, the two amateur detectives write notes, leave postcards and maps, and more about their quest within the book.

A novel certainly doesn’t seem like Abrams’ realm of expertise so I wonder, did steering the Enterprise and the Millennium Falcon push him over the edge? Not at all, he says. “‘S.’ was born out of an idea of a love story and the notion of celebrating the book as an object,” Abrams said in the New York Times. “In a digital age, it’s a distinctly analog object. It felt romantic to me.”

Described as looking and feeling like a literary artifact, according to the LA Times, S contains the described copy of Ship of Theseus. The worn novel has all of the attributes of an old library book and we, as the reader, follow along with that story as well as students, Eric and Jen’s, investigation into Straka. 

In short, S is a book that contains a book that is used as both the mode of storytelling for the reader (us) and the characters (Eric and Jen). Think Inception mixed with The Lake House and just a dash of The English Patient. See the book trailer here.

S was released on Tuesday, October 29, and is available to purchase through all major retailers.

TV RECAP: ‘Once Upon a Time’ – Ep. 305: ‘Good Form’

Originally published on The Flickcast.  28 October 2013.

So Oncers it’s time for our weekly journey in Neverland. But this time we get a little spice in our bland Once soup with the story of Killain Jones, a good sailor gone pirate. Just like everyone, his heart was broken with grief and guilt so he went to the Dark (and roguishly handsome) Side. But a certain Savior might be melting his cold, buccaneer heart after all, as evidence by that hot and way over publicized kiss. Oh also, Henry is still with the Lost Boys and Neal is, well…

Neal is in an even worse state than when we ended last week. He gets chucked into a wooden cage by the Lost Boys and is promptly forgotten for the rest of the episode.

Back in Camp Pan, a boy literally pokes Henry with a stick to make him fight back with a conveniently available wooden sword. Pan steps in to prompt Henry to believe he’s holding a real sword and TA-DA! It works! Then Henry gets carried away and cuts the Lost Boy’s cheek but don’t worry. The best thing about being a Lost Boy is you never have to apologize.

As Henry enjoys applause for his use of violence, his family is still in Neal’s cave looking for the key to his secret star map. Emma sees that Neal stopped counting his days on the island not because he left but because he lost hope. Even Hook gravelly-voiced reassurances don’t quell her concerns for Henry. She says it’s time they “take a page from Pan and start being clever.” Why wasn’t this Plan A?

Having seen Hook putting the moves on Emma with his sensitive side, Charming goes into protective dad mode and tells the scallywag to lay off. Emma will never like him because he’s a pirate.

Whoa, hold there Charming. Just-a-pirate Hook used to be a leftenant in the British navy who didn’t tolerate bad form on his ship. Rather, his Captain/brother’s ship. They and the crew are heading out under secret orders, a “mission of [their] dreams” that will bring glory to the Jones family.

Once Upon A Time In Wonderland Says “Forget Me Not” In This Week’s Episode

Originally published on PopWrapped.  25 October 2013.

Oh Wonders, we’re back again for another jaunt through Wonderland or in the case of this episode, Underland. Alice remains steadfast in her search for Cyrus just as Will remains the most entertaining part of this show. The writers apparently predicted this because tonight’s episode is all about our beloved Knave. We get some juicy info on his thieving past and the Anastasia who broke his heart (Spoilers: It’s not Disney’s Anastasia). We also get a well-publicized cameo from Once’s blonde Robin Hood.

This episode is a fun one especially since it focuses so much on Will and so little on Alice. Also, Jafar doesn’t look quite so ridiculous (although next week’s previews show an unfortunate change in hair style). So, let’s jump in to Once Upon a Time in Wonderland’s “Forget Me Not.”

“A few years ago,” as the title reads, a horse drawn carriage stops to help some screaming men in the roadway. A man is down with a broken leg and as they tend to him, someone else silently drops from the sky and snags the carriage’s loot. Later Robin Hood congratulates his Merry Men on a fine ruse and they welcome the man who snagged to the loot as their newest member: Will Scarlet aka The Knave of Hearts.

In present day Wonderland, Will thinks it’s safer for he and Alice to split up but she thinks they should stay together. Turns out she’s right because he has the idea to seek out the Forget-me-knot. This magical item when held over any area will show what last happened there. It would show them who dug up Cyrus’ bottle and give them something to do considering right now they’re just wandering around.

In Cyrus’ Cave of Woes, Jafar and the Red Queen are having a feast while the genie looks on. Jafar taunts him with Alice’s paper crane and utters the words Wonderland has been dancing around for two weeks now:  “Magic always comes with a price.” Tonight’s price will be forcing Alice to make her first wish.

Will and Alice arrive at the Caterpillars abode. He’s the one with the Forget-me-knot and a bounty on Will’s head. No biggie, the Knave assures Alice. This Underland is his world. Everything will be fine! Yeah. The pair have been in this Underland for barely a minute when they’re held at sword and dagger point. But the Caterpillar, not fancying his Knave skewered, bids them approach his smoking couch.

They try to work out a deal with Mr. Caterpillar, who slimily suggests Alice as the form of Will’s payment toward his debt. Anyone else having Jabba the Hutt with Han and Leia thoughts here? Anyway, Alice uses her smarts to deduce that the Caterpillar doesn’t have the Knot but he does know where it is: with the Grendel. The new deal is they retrieve the knot, bring it and Will’s debt is paid. Bonus for the Caterpillar is if Will tries to keep the magical item, his head gets to become the newest pretty decoration on the Caterpillar’s desk. Win-win-win.

BBC America Releases Three New Stills From An Adventure In Space And Time

Originally published on PopWrapped.  23 October 2013.

If you thought River Song was the biggest tease in all of space and time, think again. As we get closer to the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special, BBC America continues to work Whovians into an excited frenzy with snippets of information on their favorite Time Lord. The latest take are these three new pictures from the Doctor Who biopic, An Adventure in Space and Time.

Written by Doctor Who and Sherlock co-writer, Mark Gatiss, the drama reveals the origins of the longest running sci-fi series in history. See above in full make-up and costume, David Bradley, best known fromGame of Thrones and Harry Potter, portrays the First Doctor, William Hartnell.

Next we get a great look at the original Doctor Who set. Bradley is shown with Jemma Powell and Jaime Glover who portray the first companions to the Doctor. Powell plays Jacqueline Hill (companion Barbara Knight) and Glover plays William Russell (companion Ian Chesterson).

Lastly, we get a fascinating picture of the Doctor and his granddaughter, Susan cowering before a Dalek. Playing the First Doctor’s beloved granddaughter, Susan, is Claudia Grant.

Set to show in November as part of the pre-50th Anniversary line up, An Adventure in Space and Time will also be included on the Day of the Doctor blu-ray and DVD.

Meet The Girl In The Flower Dress On This Weeks Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Originally published on PopWrapped.  23 October 2013.

Greetings agents! Are you ready to check in with our favorite smorgasbord S.H.I.E.L.D. team and have your burning questions answered? Is Skye any less annoying? Did May finally cave and punch someone on her team? Can FitzSimmons get any more nerdy cute? Let’s find out!

A man performs street magic for a crowd in Hong Kong. They’re underwhelmed until he throws in some hands free pyrotechnics. When a woman in a flower dress approaches him afterward, asking for more, he creates fire in his palm. She’s in awe.

The woman, known as Raina, and Chan the magician go back to his place to talk about his hot body, er, fire powers. He’s a fan of the greats, like Houdini, but he discovered, “There’s no real magic there; just tricks.” He again demonstrates his power and tells Raina it just started happening a few years ago.  “You have a gift,” she whispers reverently.

She thinks he’s been chosen for something special and repeatedly tells him he has a gift. He agrees, so when she asks him to close his eyes, he does. Only instead of getting lucky, Chan gets nabbed by some guys in HAZMAT suits.

On board the Magic S.H.I.E.L.D. Bus, Skye and Ward play Battleship, supposedly to help the S.O. evaluate Skye’s thought processes. Ward is complimenting Skye for being a quick study at everything and she is astounded to hear the compliment. But she’s more delighted to be beating him at Battleship. Off a ways, Coulson and May also quietly compliment Skye. Boy I hope their trust in the newest team member isn’t called into question later this episode.

The two agents also discuss Coulson’s sleeping habits, or lack thereof. She offers to “lay out the mats” and “go a few rounds with him.” It sounds saucy but she means combat training (I’m mostly sure). They’re interrupted by an alert telling them Chan has been taken. A Hong Kong agent named Kwan fills them in and says they were hacked again…by Rising Tide. All eyes train on Skye. Huh, that was quick.

TV RECAP: ‘Once Upon a Time’ – Ep. 304: ‘Nasty Habits’

Originally published on The Flickcast.  22 October 2013.

Oh Oncers, we’re back again for some Neverland adventures and general stupidity by all adults present.

We start with the recently captured Bae being led through the forest by Felix. “You were a Lost Boy,” Felix says. Bae isn’t interested in reminiscing so Felix continues. “You may have grown up Baelfire but it appears you have grown up stupid.” Seriously, right? Bae proves us all wrong (for once) by slipping out of his hand ties and knocking out Felix.

Flashback to Papa Dark One and baby Bae who is definitely looking like teenage Bae. Daddy gives his son a nice little knife but Bae doesn’t want anything that his dad took from someone else as payment. He wants to leave their little house and play with some friends. Rumple counters that he could build them a castle but Bae doesn’t want that either. At a loss, Rumple says he’s just concerned that his enemies will hurt Bae if the boy leaves.

“I don’t know what I’d do if I ever lost you,” he says. Go a little crazy and use your magic to weave an elaborate plan to get him back probably.

In Neverland Rumple paints his face as Belle appears to him again. She quips that he always liked a mask. He tells her that he needs the mask to make himself the monster necessary to save Henry. When she reminds him that Henry will be his undoing, Rumple says he has nothing to live for anyway. “What about me?” she and all the Rumbellers reply. “You’re not real, just a vision.” Hmmm, fair point but still. Rumple accepts that when he and his True Love parted in Storybrooke it was forever and even if he came back she’d eventually leave him. Because she knows the real him, the ugly, monster him. So he has to redeem himself by sacrificing himself to save Henry.

Also looking to save Henry and taking a different, less successful route is Emma and Co. They’re getting ready to depart based on Tinker Bell’s info on Pan. Tink says they still have to deal with the Lost Boys. “I think we can handle a few children with pointy sticks,” says Regina. Heh.

Au contraire, Tink says. The Lost Boys did quite a number on Tamara and Owen. Which brings her to her next question. What is the exit strategy? Oh that’s easy enough: they don’t have one. Charming remembers that Hook got off the island before but the pirate confesses it was by making a deal with Pan. Only Neal has made it off the island on his own.

Rumple takes care of a couple of Lost Boys with a burst of magic. He picks up one of the poisoned spears and aims it at the intruder running toward him from the forest but stops short. It’s Bae.