The Last of Us, “Left Behind”, Review!

The Last of Us left off with Joel wounded and Ellie hopeless which brings us back to her past! “Kin” Re:cap - Joel has found his brother, Tommy, in Jackson, Wyoming. He has had panic attacks and turns Ellie over to Tommy to find the Firefly base.  In the morning, Joel is there ready to take Ellie on horseback to the University of Eastern Colorado. It is abandoned, Joel admits to Ellie that he wanted to be a singer, and then they see monkeys running wild on the campus. Joel says they must be from the labs. The Firefly symbol is on the Biomedical Sciences building sign. Ellie notices piles of sandbags and Joel says they are guard stations.  They enter the building and go to a room where they hear sounds, but it is the monkeys. Joel finds a map with pins leading to Salt Lake City! They see men wandering with weapons and they try to slip out back. Ellie warns Joel and he fights with a man snapping his neck. Ellie that Joel has been stabbed and gets him on the horse to escape. She shoots at the others. By train tracks, Joel falls off the horse, Ellie pleads for him as we hear a soft rendition of Depeche Mode’s “Never Let Me Down Again.” 

The title of this episode refers to the downloadable game expansion from 2014. We open at a snowy neighborhood, bloody tracks lead to a house, inside a horse shakes off the snow on him. In the garage, Ellie is working to bind the wound on Joel’s stomach, he gasps. Joel grabs Ellie to tell her to go to Tommy. Silently, she puts his jacket over him and walks up the stairs. Ellie opens a door and we fade to black. It returns with Ellie listening to a Walkman jogging in sweaters. Walkman, big 80's must-have, probably very rare for this time period. There are other FEDRA students running with her around an indoor basketball court. I was wondering about Ellie’s backstory after the last episode. Her headphones are torn off by a bully, Bethany (Ruby Lybbert). Ellie is told by Bethany that her friend fights and she isn’t there anymore. Ellie lashes out. Later, she is in the office of Captain Kwong (Terry Chen) with a black eye. He says Bethany is in the infirmary. She was put in the hole three times so tries to tell her the truth. Ellie can be a grunt following orders from Bethany he set aside a cup or he places keys on his desk, she can be an officer following the rules. Ellie chooses keys and asks for her Walkman. 

In her room, Ellie is reading a Savage Starlight comic, as it rains outside. The artwork as she looks through the pages looks exactly like Michael Avon Oeming’s work. She stares at the empty bed. A woman calls for Ellie to turn off her desk light. Ellie is sleeping as we see someone slip from the orange light outside. Her mouth is covered, but Ellie knocks down the girl and takes out her switchblade. She realizes it is her friend Riley Abel (Storm Reid)! The actress recently starred in the thriller, Missing. The character of Riley was developed by Neil Druckmann and artist Faith Erin Hicks in the Dark Horse limited series, The Last of Us: American Dreams (2013). It is collected in a trade paperback and also available on Comixology. Ellie says she was gone for three weeks. She wants to know where her best friend had gone. Riley admits she joined the Fireflies. She wants Ellie to go with her to have the “best night” of her life! I get that the sense of the two as friends, but Riley isn’t instantly endearing like Henry and Sam or Bill and Frank. Ellie refuses saying it is 2 a.m., but Riley throws her some clothes to get dressed and smiles. She wants Riley to turn around while she changes and her best friend sees her Walkman and a-ha cassette. Ellie has her red jacket on. They slide down a ladder and have to hide while a FEDRA truck passes. 

The conversation goes to Riley telling Ellie not to mess with Bethany. Ellie counters that Riley’s fight with Carol had her recover for a week. Riley was them go up steps to what she says is a few floors. At the seventh floor, they find the body of a man whom Riley says wasn’t there the previous day! They look at him closeup with their flashlights. His bearded face looks frozen with open eyes. Ellie takes a bottle from him, the floor suddenly creaks so the girls leap back, as the corpse falls! They laugh and Riley takes a drink, she makes the sour face, and then Ellie tries a drink. She brings up if that was the first dead body Riley has seen. Riley says she saw her parents. They joke about Riley joining the Fireflies. She tells her that she was sneaking around and found by an old woman, by old they mean 40 or 50!  Riley said the hate about FEDRA and there is still differences between them since Ellie still repeats Kwong’s line about “holding everything together.” Riley has them leaping across rooftops. She still buys into FEDRA’s take on Fireflies. Riley shows her the view from a building, the mall, Ellie says it is filled with Infected. 

Riley explains that when they turned on power, they didn’t realize the power was on for the mall, the two friends drop down from a broken roof. She points out directions for Ellie to follow. Ellie is suspicious, but does so when her flashlight goes out. Riley asks if she reached the point. Then, the power starts to turn on section by section of the deserted, but colorful mall. A usual sight, but somehow, the shot is like walking into Las Vegas for the first time. Ellie is stunned as Riley walks up and explains that no one can see the lights outside of the mall. Riley promises to show Ellie the “Four Wonders of the Mall”! We start to hear a-ha’s classic “Take on me”, as Riley takes Ellie to the escalator which she calls “electric stairs.” Ellie is impressed walking up and down the escalator. There is no Infected. She wants to look at some of the stores, Riley tells Ellie that her mother said people looted the stores until stopped by the military, one of the remaining stores is Victoria’s Secret. Riley has Ellie close her eyes and takes her hand to lead her to the first wonder. It is a merry-go-round from the video game. Riley throws the switch to activate the ride, they find horses, and share a drink. 

There is a soft, chiming rendition of The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven.” This is another refuge from the apocalyptic outside world. It of course can’t last and we know we didn’t see Riley when Ellie was captured by the Fireflies. The merry-go-round stops. Ellie wants Riley to go back so they can “run things.” Riley says it will be Ellie and that she will be 17 the next month when FEDRA hands out assignments. She admits that Kwong assigned her sewage detail, standing guard over shovelers. Riley went back for of course Ellie and then takes her to the next wonder. They go to a photo booth, Riley has the five dollars to get the pictures, they pose, and the roll comes out mostly overexposed. The next wonder has electronic sounds, they rush to see Raja’s Arcade, beautiful neons of pink, blue, and dark arcade consoles. It is a paradise of 80’s video games. Riley also pulls open a change machine of coins! They go to the Mortal Kombat II game! We saw the cabinet at the gas station in episode 3, “Long Long Time.” Ellie chooses Raiden and Riley selects Mileena. We pull back, across the darkened mall to a toy store with the Cordyceps roots! The Last Of Us episode focusing on Ellie, we understand her not just trying to survive, but what she has lost and who she is as a person! 

Four Fungi out of Five! 

#TheLastOfUs, #LeftBehind, #PedroPascal, #BellaRamsey, #StormReid, #TerryChen, #RubyLybbert

Re:tro Re:view - The Riddler: Year One Book Two!

The life of Edward Nashton continues with his obsessive work in The Riddler: Year One! “People lie number’s don’t” is by Paul Dano and Stevan Subic. The Bill Sienkiewicz cover has the shadowy Edward sitting before a wall of blue screens of offices, closeups of his face, and a brown screens of The Batman. It opens with oily, blackish tendrils of hair around faces, an adult, Thomas talking to Edward. 

We realize that this is Thomas Wayne, the father of Bruce Wayne. Thomas asks Edward what he likes in school, hair parts to reveal Edward’s glasses. The memory is becoming clearer from not haze, but darkness. Thomas mentions the Renewal Program that will help bright students like Edward. The memory ends with Thomas’ words, “you matter.” We see a closeup on the adult Edward’s eyes and glasses with young Edward in the right lens and Thomas in the other. A brilliant image. 

He is shaken from his daydreams by his arrogant boss, Zach, who points out that Edward had written “Something’s not right” on his papers. Zach had been celebrating his promotion and new office. He says that Edward is slow who mentions that he is finishing divorce papers. We get a medium shot locked on Edward expressionless as Zach slaps his shoulder calling him boy. Then, we get a closeup to an infant in Edward’s glasses. 

The panels are interesting matches of imagery with the text. Edward watches as the workers leave with finally the janitor walks away in silhouette. He is still troubled by a number. Then, enters the office of the Division Director, R. Stone. Edward checks his calculations on his phone, he knows he was correct, checking papers with a flashlight. We see behind him a framed newspaper headline, “Maroni Drug Bust.” He finds Waterfront Industries as part of his company’s papers.    

Edward is confused by something missing and then checks the paper shredder going through the strips until coming across a name, Mr. Joon. He realizes that Joon is the owner of New Beginnings. Then, Edward starts reassembling the strips to check payments. Closeups as we find that corrupt money is sent to the Renewal Project. Edward is stunned as we see him react to his discovery in a partial splash page. He wonders what to do with his finding until reaching his apartment and a man mentions to Edward about rats. 

The man flicks his cigarette before leaving and Edward is shaken. He flashes back to being bullied as a child. Edward goes over his application to the Renewal Project and his rejection for every year from 1999 to 2009! He thinks back to a scarlet, blood red, images of Thomas and himself. Then, we get a stunning splash page with Edward’s thoughts about the corruption, twisting, incredible work by letterer Clayton Cowles, in a technique I’ve not seen since Alan Moore’s comic work. It twists will we see Edward growing up from an infant until we see him at the end forming a question mark. 

Esward reminds himself over his rejections, Zach smugly going to his office, then himself screaming in a grisly image. Then, he reminds himself to breathe in the darkness. Back at work, he begins, an image of The Batman shows on his phone. He starts writing the connections to Mr. Joon. A garbage collector, Edward in disguise, wheels out a trash can from a truck. He tails Mr. Joon to the bank, watches him at night and sees him give a packet to an Asian woman. He wonders what is in the packet and also why the woman lives in a housing project. The next day, Stone takes Edward into his office, and thanks him for bringing up his findings that will be “investigated.” 

Then, he asks if Edward has connections to Wayne Enterprises. Stone wants Edward to audit their accounts. He wonders on the ride back to his apartment if he has done good. Edward Nashton would be capable of good, but we know he will ultimately fall. This is seen with green panels of Stone and Edward and then red steps, until we see Stone horribly distorted into some beast. He decides to continue his investiation on his own using nigma.org to hack into the CCTV cameras around Gotham City. This is paired with The Batman in action. The Riddler: Year One is a stunning comics work with a dark and surreal look into Edward’s mind as he starts his own investigation!  

Five Riddle King apps out of Five! 

#TheRiddlerYearOne, #PeopleLieNumbersDont, #PaulDano, #StevanSubic, #Edward, #Thomas, #Zach, #MrJoon 

The Ark, “We Weren’t Supposed to Be Awake”, Review!

"We Weren't Supposed to Be Awake" has another danger for the crew of The Ark and their pasts come back to haunt them! The Ark-1 drifts in space. Angus waters his plants, others take showers, at the mess hall, morale is restored. The engines flare and Garnet announces that their mission has resumed. Lane appears with Strickland and clears the bridge. Strickland says there is murder evidence and Lane shows Lt. Garnet the computer pad with the bar scene from last episode. This where she slashes the neck of a man like the death of Jasper in the first episode! He takes her in house arrest. Lane says he is acting as commander. Strickland is not certain and doesn’t want Lane to make a shipwide announcement. Strickland walks out and then hears a baby’s cry. Other workers can’t hear the baby. At the farm, Agnus finds wilted cabbage, Brice finds it amusing that he has named the plants. He tells Angus to follow him. Angus sees the video of the crystal crushed in Brice’s astronaut glove. It has been put in the airlock, Angus examines it, and Brice wants him to analyze it to see what happened to the ship. 

THE ARK -- “We Weren’t Supposed to Be Awake” -- RYAN ADAMS, RICHARD FLEESHMAN, CHRISTIE BURKE, REECE RITCHIE  -- Photo: Aleksander Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY

Strickland questions Lt. Garnet in her quarters. He puts together what he thinks are the events, Jasper told her that he would leak the video, but Garnet refuses to believe it is her. She looks at a photo of herself and a doctor. Garnet says it was at Jacksonville, Florida and at that time she was at the launch site in London. Brice talks to Lane, he doesn’t want a murderer in control of the ship, he wants to eliminate her. A strange, three skeletal hand reflects in Brice’s eyes! Strickland sees a man in a tuxedo holding the crying child. He rushes towards it, but only finds a wall. Strickland enters Cat’s room polishing her nails. He tells her that he has seen a hallucination of Robert holding his daughter. He says he left his husband behind. I like that we find some of the background of Strickland! A patient tells Dr. Kabir that she looks tired, she takes her pill!, Dr. Hall (Jonathan English, also producer for the show and formerly The Outpost) advises her. He is an image from her past, they are all hallucinating? She argues with Dr. Hall, who was lost in the ship damage, in the washroom. She turns to find only a sleeping patient. Brice wants to “kill a traitor” with Lane, he is interrupted by Brice, another hallucination. What conversation and person is real? 

They rush over to a man punching a wall, a psychotic episode, they take him to the med bay. Dr. Kabir sedates him and admits she is talking to her mentor! I really like that the episode focuses on the doctor, a showcase for Shalini Peiris, and her casual mention of her hallucination is perfect. Nevins has a meal of the vegetables babbling to Trent who has asked her out. Nevins sees her mother (Ebony Feare) who says she is wasting time. Trent then sees Commander Ingram (Lisa Brenner) who says she’s too young. He asks her if they had a relationship just for her “secret mission.” What is this secret mission? He kisses his imaginary lover. She says Lt. Lane may be like them. Trent suddenly wakes from the hallucination. Nevins washes her face trying to deny that she sees her mother. Strickland is going through the personnel and tries to resist the crying of his child. He finds that the time of the video that Garnet was telling the truth. Dr. Kabir confronts Brice, he finds himself restrained, and she is about to inject him for an analysis! 

THE ARK -- “We Weren’t Supposed to Be Awake” -- SHALINI PEIRIS, RICHARD FLEESHMAN -- Photo: Aleksander Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY

Brice then sees Nevins who tells them about the hallucinations. Strickland talks to Lt. Garnet, she tells him that she is going to tell him confidential information, Garnet says the woman is Denise Garnet, her clone! I thought she was her twin, now the question is who was her parents? They were tested with experimental DNA through the years. Dr. Hall tests oxygen dreprivation, then Denise turns psychotic! Garnet says that she went to Florida after the launch ceremony and found Denise died. She wants Strickland to keep her clone background a secret since it may compromise the mission. A genetically modified command officer? There is a bit of simliarity with Julian Bashir in Deep Space Nine. There must be a reason why the clone program was ended besides what happened with Denise. As we see Bad Batch, not all clones are the same. At the command room, Cat says the hallucinations are harmless, then Garnet walks in with Strickland. He says GSA classification that cleared her, but also closed the investigation?  Eva says her crew at med bay has made it impossible to get the ship to lightspeed.

Dr. Kabir and the imaginary Dr. Hall find that the patients are convulsing. In the shower, Eva turns to find her lover, Harris (Dominik Cicak). It has taken Eva some time to come to terms with his death and she has no fears now. It is also great to see Cicak in the show after his character's death and also Brenner. Cat talks with Eva and her hate towards Jasper. She realizes that Eva killed Jasper! Eva cuts her throat, a hallucination!, she runs and sees Eva with her hair down. Angus sees Garnet in a black dress, having fantasies of his commanding officer! She says the plants need water. It is the water! He runs to med bay and tells Dr. Kabir that the cause is the water and then collapses. She checks on him, unresponsive, and asks Dr. Hall if he said it was the comet water. Later, she is showing analysis of the toxin particle, resembling LSD, that slipped past their filtration system. The medical problem infecting the crew of a ship is like “The Naked Now” (1987) episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation which in turn was based on "The Naked Time" (1966), but it is treated here as a way to reflect character fears, desires, and past with dangerous consequences! The sci fi ideas may be similar, but this show makes them fresh and interesting in The Ark world. One by one crew members are lost and there is yet another complication! This episode of The Ark is a medical mystery to be worked on by Dr. Kabir with Garnet and her past becoming important!  

Five Compression Suits out of Five! 

#TheArk, #WeWerentSupposedToBeAwake, #ChristieBurke, #ReeceRitchie, #RichardFleeshman, #ShaliniPeiris, #PavleJerinic, #RyanAdams, #StaceyRead, #ChristinaWolfe, #JonathanEnglish, #DominikCicak, #EbonyFeare, #LisaBrenner

Re:tro Re:view - Bad Batch, “The Clone Conspiracy”!

"The Clone Conspiracy" feels like the start of season 2 with Admiral Rampart and the consequences of the season 1 finale! We open to Imperial City at sunset on Coruscant, three Venator-class Star Destroyers hove above the dark spires of buildings, we from the the tall, orange and blue marquee of 79’s cantina to the streets. This is the off duty drinking establishment for clone soldiers, a 8D-series smelter droid acts as bartender, while two troopers (both voiced by Dee Bradley Baker of course) in uniform whisper about Admiral Rampart. Cade brings up that Rampart lies have decieved the Galactic Senate. Slip, a trooper with a beard, just wants things to go on. Cade says Rampart ordered the destruction of Tipoca City, and the people in it, their home. He mentions that he sent a message to Rampart, mistake, to inform the Senate before he tells them. Breaking the chain of command. Cade leaves and Slip catches up to him. Then, Cade is shot, a sniper!, Crosshair or a bounty hunter? Slip takes cover, returns fire with Cade’s blaster. He uses a speeder bike to block the sniper fire and then pushes over the edge to escape!   

At the Imperial Senate, an Ishi Tib senator, the species with a starfish-like face with eyes on stalks, speaks. He is Gani Riduli (Phil LaMarr) from the Banking Clan saying without the clone troopers, they are defenseless. Then, he mentions Rampart’s Defense Recruitment bill, gesturing to Rampart that will offer protection. This is seconded by a Commerce Guild senator (Jennifer Hale). I’m not certain how two former Separatist leaders could have a strong voice in the Senate, but such is politics. The bill is set aside by Senator Tynnra Pamlo (Sharon Duncan-Brewster), this is the senator we saw working for the Alliance in Rogue One (2016), the actress reprises her role here. Riduli counters that the Mid and Outer Rims are threatened by insurgents. Senator Bail Organa (LaMarr) brings up that the clone army was from the Emergency Powers Act and that recruitment of army is against the principles of the Senate. It is interesting to see the Senate post-Clone Wars and we can understand why it can’t work with how the Emperor set it up. This is countered by the Commerce Guild senator. 

Bail Organa wonders about the Emperor’s opinion, but Grand Vizier Mas Amedda (Stephen Stanton) says the Emperor leaves the decisions to the Senate. The young Pantoran, Senator Riyo Chuchi (Hale), brings up why the clone troopers have no say with the new bill. She was introduced in the Clone Wars episode, “Trespass” (2009). Hale has returned to voice her. Riyo is the sensible voice who is countered by the Commerce Guild senator. She says that after the clone troopers’ sacrifice, they are being brushed aside. A recruitment bill can’t be put in place without dealing with the clone army. Admiral Rampart (Noshir Dalal) moves his Senate pod forward and he says a plan is already in place for them. Riyo wonders if the clones were consulted. Bail says the bill is tabled until the care for the clones is presented and this is seconded by Senator Pamlo. Amedda eyes Senator Chuchi. He walks the halls with Rampart and warns him if the bill doesn’t pass. Also, that the Kamino destruction will end the bill, but Rampart says he is prepared to deal with any problems. 

At the 79’s bar, Slip is angry at the treatment of his fellow clones talking to Riyo. She wants to bring a pension plan for the clones, but Slip just wants to be a trooper. Riyo says that their time as troopers will finish with their age. The rest of the clones gather around her when she says she will bring their concerns to Rampart’s bill. It is about ten minutes in the episode and no appearance of the Bad Batch so this feels like an epilogue of the Clone Wars series. Slip, in the shadows, tells Riyo about Rampart’s lies. He tells her about the attack on Kamino and that he was there when Rampart gave the order. Any clone that tried to speak about it were silenced. He says she can check his service record as CT-0409. This makes me think of the four part 2014 Clone Wars arc; “The Unknown”, “Conspiracy”, “Fugitive”, and “Orders.” Trooper Tup’s chip malfunctions and the truth about it is found out by his fellow trooper Fives who tries to reveal the mystery. At her apartment, a guard announces the arrival of Admiral Rampart. At the industrial area of Coruscant, Slip rides a speeder bike, and he goes to alley to contact an unknown person (I’m thinking Captain Rex or Cody). He needs to leave Coruscant. 

The next day, Rampart walks with Senator Chuchi and he says that she wants to the Empire to pay for the pensions for millions of clones. She counters, cleverly, that if it is too much of an expense than it would not be time for his recruitment bill! He brings up the insurgents again. Clones could be sent in small units to take care of these “insurgents.” This must be the beginnings of the Rebellion. At his office, Rampart says the clones should be recognized for their service, he notes that Riyo looks troubled. She brings up the storm that destroyed the Kamino cities. A weak cover story, the cities were built to withstand storms. She questions his survival and Rampart says he needs to go off world. Under giant statues of clone troopers, Senator Chuchi walks with her guard, past marching clone troopers. An aide tells her that she has a secure communication. She reaches a Coruscant street on a landspeeder with her guard and a blue Astromech droid, R2-C4, greets her. Riyo has the guard wait to the side of the alley and then she is surprised by Senator Organa!  

Bail says that Rampart says what others want to hear, but he still keeps secrets. He brings up the growing insurgency that is starting to make the Emperor afraid. The Clone Wars was his creation and this is outside of his plans. Bail notes that with Kamino gone, it is convienent to recruit a new army. Riyo brings up the clone she met who said Rampart gave the order to destroy the cities. She says he has gone into hiding and Bail warns her about others who will searching for the clone. In his office, Rampart activates the hologram for the assassin, he wears thin armor, a helmet like a Kabuki mask, and has a rifle strapped to his back. He is identified as Clone X in the StarWars.com databank. He has not found the clone and Rampart tells him to follow Riyo. This is too much like Darth Maul looking for Padme’s ship. Slip has reached the rendevous point, a clone voice says he is on the way, then he hears footsteps so he draws his blaster pistol! He of course meets Senator Chuchi and Slip explains his contact will make him disappear. Clone X is waiting! “The Clone Conspiracy” is full of intrigue, this makes me think that this is how Bad Batch season 2 should have started, but they should be added in their own show!  

Four Vibro-knives out of Five! 

#BadBatch, #TheCloneConspiracy, #DeeBradleyBaker, #PhilLaMarr, #JenniferHale, #SharonDuncanBrewster, #StephenStanton 

The Last of Us, “Kin”, Review!

The Last of Us has Joel reaching his goal to go to Wyoming, but he has to make the decision of continuing with Ellie! The episode opens with Henry confused with the gun, Joel calls out his name, and it turns to black as the gun goes off. We see a snowy landscape, so calm now after the chaos, “Three Months Later.” The corpse of deer hangs dragging its horns on the ground. Three white rabbits are brought in by a hunter. Marlon enters the house, he is seen by his wife in a chair, Florence (Elaine Miles), I recognize Graham Greene. Dances with Wolves (1990) is one of his many, memorable films. Miles was Marilyn Whirlwind in series, Northern Exposure. They are unnamed in the episode. He is told to give up his gun by Joel who points his own gun. Marlon is surprised his wife didn’t shoot him, her gun was too far, and also she made him soup! Ellie is at the second floor and when she rushes down, mother smiles, Joel wants to know their location on a map. Marlon has not seen Joel’s brother and notes the other towns, Ellie says Cody is full of Infected, the couple laughs at Ellie’s mention of “Firefly” people. He warns them not to cross the river. Their appearance here is brief, but is it ok if there was a whole show about Marlon and Florence? Plus, I want Greene and Miles to be in every show on television. 

Florence says they haven’t seen the killers, but they saw the bodies of Infected and others. Joel walks out of the house, Ellie takes one of the rabbits, he starts to hear ringing and leans against a fence post! This seems to be an ongoing problem for Joel maybe Tinnitus caused way back in Texas or some other time. He says it’s the cold air and Ellie continues under the fence toward the river. They walk through the snow, the hills with a setting sun (beautiful shot), and reach the cliffs above what Ellie calls the “River of Death”! Joel says it is too dark to cross so they will make camp in one of the caves. A fire is going and Joel wraps electrical tape over his boot. He looks up to see the green curtain of the aurora borealis. Ellie tries Joel’s canteen of whisky, it seems like whisky, but it is too strong for her. She asks what he will do after a cure is found from her blood. Joel says he would find a ranch and raise sheep. Ellie looks up at the moon and said she read up on space travel at the FEDRA libraries. 

She says to Joel that see tried to save Sam rubbing her blood on his bite. Joel takes the watch, but like in Kansas City he fell asleep. He wakes up to see Ellie at the side of the cave with his rifle. She was careful to scout around before standing guard like he taught her. I think Ellie could survive, probably, on her own. It is snowing over the river and bridge when a gunshot disturbs the quiet! Joel was testing any reaction at the side of the river. He cautiously leads the way to the bridge. Nice overhead shot of the snow swirling around over the two walking across the bridge. Ellie has her hand in her mouth trying to learn how to whistle like Joel! She also wants to learn how to hunt. They approach a dam and then they are surrounded by horse riders! Joel with his hands up is ordered to drop his rifle and then for Ellie to step back from him. A black dog is said to be able to smell Infected and sent over to Joel. The leader sends the dog to check on Ellie. It seems tense until Ellie giggles and plays with the dog. Joel says he is only looking for his brother. 

A woman (Rutina Wesley) moves her horse up and asks for his name. Wesley was in a number of series and notably True Blood playing Tara Thorton. The riders approach a town with a long wooden wall. The leader raises up a red flag and the guards ready for their approach opening a large gate. They ride in, Joel and Ellie look to see that it is just a normal, mountain town with kids playing. A post is being prepared and Joel calls out Tommy’s name! After all of this time, four episodes, it is the reuniting of the brothers! They don’t say a word as they hurry to hug each other. Such joy, Joel appears to be a normal, not the tough exterior with his younger brother. At a massive dining hall, Ellie and Joel tuck into some food, Joel tells Ellie to watch her language. She also shouts at a kid curious about Ellie (a video game Easter Egg?). Tommy says they are building a reputation to scare off people. Ellie brings up Marlon and Florence. They seem to be the ones to build up that reputation. Tommy points out that the woman next to him, Maria, is family taking her hand. Ellie congratulates them and gets Joel to do the same. 

Maria gives them a tour of their town of Jackson that they established seven years ago. There are only a few raiders that show up and some stray Infected. Joel realizes from the power lines that they get power from the dam. Ellie points out a herd of sheep to Joel. It is a great, independent refuge from the apocalypse, held together by Maria, one person. Maria says to Ellie that she is part of the council, elected, and working for 300 people. Tommy points out that everything is shared to which Joel adds that it is communist. Maria agrees saying that the town is a commune. Ellie is impressed by a young filly at a stable whom Maria says is named Shimmer. Maria says they can shower, get new clothes, and stay at a house across from them. Tommy says it has been around since 2003. Maria she will take Ellie over to the house so the brothers can catch up with each other. At a bar, Tommy prepares the drinks, he asks about Tess, Joel says she’s fine. Then, he asks about Ellie, Joel says she is a daughter of a Firefly. It seems Joel is guarded, untrusting of his brother for some reason, and asks about the Fireflies trying to find her a family for a fee. 

Tommy says their base is at the University of Eastern Colorado, a week’s ride, with dangerous territory in between them. Joel wants to ride there with Tommy, but he is hesitant. He blames Maria and Tommy says her group took him in, Joel counters that they cut him off from radio contact, Tommy says he just has to follow their rules. Joel brings up that he may be thought of as “wrong people”, but he did so to protect his brother. Tommy says, “We murdered people.” A paranoid community, but understandable with the apocalypse outside. It looks like Tommy will be staying. He explains that Maria is carrying his baby. Tommy is angry at Joel, he gave up after losing Sarah, but he wants to keep living. Joel says he will leave with Ellie in the morning. The townspeople are singing Christmas songs around the tree. Joel pauses, feels pain, getting support from a pole. He sees the back of a person just like Sarah before the woman finds her daughter. Joel isn’t “wrong people”, but he doesn’t fit in with regular folk anymore. Ellie finishes her shower and sees the note, “I’m across the street” on a pile of clean clothes. It may be too late for Joel, but I wonder about Ellie. 

Ellie enters the empty house and by the fireplace she sees a chalkboard with two names; Kevin and Sarah whom both died in 2003? Maria enters with a winter coat for Ellie, she says it is very purple, and then says she will trim Ellie’s hair. She tells Ellie that she was an assistant district attorney from Omaha. All of this time, Ellie’s possible nature of being immune to the Infected, is hidden. Ellie says she is sorry for what Maria says is her memorial for her child, Kevin. Maria tells her that Sarah was Joel’s daughter, Ellie doesn’t say a word, but she is defensive knowing that Joel and Tommy killed people. Maria takes Ellie to the movies. It is a old film projector with other kids in the audience. It is Richard Dreyfuss starring in the romance, The Goodbye Girl (1977), written by Neil Simon. A strange movie to show to kids, but at least it isn’t Jaws, two years earlier! Her attention is drawn to Maria talking with Tommy and then he leaves. Joel tries to pry off the heel of his boot when Tommy enters and tries to apologize. He asks Tommy if the ride is a suicide mission and he is told others have come back. 

He admits to Tommy that Ellie immune and that he saw her get bit months ago. Tommy sits down to hear the whole story. Joel explains through narration as we see Ellie walk the snowy street. He goes over how he was hired by Marlene to take Ellie to some Fireflies, Tess got bit and made him promise to watch over Ellie, he admits that Ellie saved him from the man in Kansas City, Bryan from episode four. Then, a man killing his brother, Henry and Sam, last episode. Joel admits he just watched. Then, he says he thought the dog would kill Ellie, but he was too scared to do anything. Powerful acting by Pedro Pascal. Joel would only tell his story to Tommy. He says he has changed and dreams of losing something. Joel says he has always failed her, Sarah, “again and again.” He wants Tommy to take her to the base and help make a better world for his child. Joel adds this is why Tommy left him to somehow find redemption. It is the only thing he asks of his brother. Tommy says he will take Ellie at dawn. Ellie is not going to be separated from Joel so easily. Another powerful episode of The Last of Us especially focusing on Joel Miller. 

Five Fungi out of Five! 

#TheLastOfUs, #Kin, #PedroPascal, #BellaRamsey, #GabrielLuna, #RutinaWesley, #GrahamGreene, #ElaineMiles  

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Review!

The third movie in the Ant-Man films and his new family back to the bizarre Quantum Realm, it is just all action! The film is directed by Peyton Reed who previously directed Ant-Man (2015) and Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018). Jeff Loveness, a writer for Rick and Morty, wrote the screenplay. It begins with a cosmics skyscape, someone in a blue poncho walks next to slug-like beasts. A comet streaks across the sky and the person removes her hood revealing the CGi young-ifed Michelle Pfeiffer, Janet van Dyne. Pfeiffer begun the Ant-Man series with Ant-Man and the Wasp and then Avengers: Endgame (2019). Janet has some hidden, lost years that are at the heart of the story. She looks out to the city and then is suddenly assaulted by spider-like creatures! She shoots one, but the other creature continues its attack. It is blasted by a man who resembles Kang (Jonathan Majors). The actor will star in Creed III this year and was in the Loki episode, “He Who Remains.” (2021). He asks, “What is this place?”

This shifts to San Francisco, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) happily walks the streets. Rudd originated the Ant-Man role and also starred in the Avengers: Quantum Encounter (2022) short that runs on Disney Cruise lines and voiced Ant-Man in What If… Zombies?! (2021). The scene is like in the trailer with Scott mis-identified as Spider-Man by coffee shop owner, Ruben (Ruben Rabasa), and his old workplace, Baskin-Robbins. Rabasa was in the “Who You Really Are” (2015) episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Scott has lunch with Jimmy Woo (Randall Park) who was introduced in Ant-Man and the Wasp before starring in the WandaVision (2021) series. Short cameos to tie into the past movies, but there are missing characters. At the Pym Van Dyne offices, Scott brings beer to Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), the actress starred in the Ant-Man series and voiced The Wasp in the VR game, Avengers: Damage Control (2019). They activate their suits to get to a secluded picnic kinda like Big Hero 6 (2014). 

Later, at City Lights (a well known, historical bookstore), Scott reads from his book, Look Out for the Little Guy, which IRL will be in bookstores on September 5th. He gets a call from the San Francisco County Jail. Scott heads there to post bail for his daughter, Cassie (Kathryn Newton). The actress takes over from Abby Ryder Forston who starred in the first two Ant-Man movies. Forston is 14 years old now and stars in this year’s adaptation Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Newton, 26, portrayed Lucy Stevens in Pokemon: Detective Pikachu (2019) and also the horror comedy, Freaky (2020). The age change is explained from the five years from the Blip. Cassie becomes a superhero and takes the code name Stature in Young Avengers #6 (2006). She is the young activist who points out that she was tear gassed in a “park of peaceful protestors.” Cassie shows the booking officer his shrunken police car. Hope and Scott drives Cassie back to the Pym house and he is surprised that his daughter has a suit. She notes that encounter with Bee Man, her name for Darren Cross (Corey Stoll), known as Yellowjacket. 

At the house, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) enlarges a shrunken pizza similar to Back to the Future Part II (1989). Douglas played the character throughout the Ant-Man series and voiced Pym in the animated episode, “What If… The World Lost Its Mightiest Heroes?” (2021). Also there, is Janet Van Dyne who is secretive about her thirty years in the Quantum Realm. Scott is stunned at Hank’s mention that this was Cassie’s second time in jail. He really doesn’t know his daughter being an absent father trying to save the world. Cassie poses the question to him, “What are you doing now?” She brings up that Grandpa Hank has developed smart ants. His ant farm has turned high tech with ants that have transformed tunnels into what looks like electronic circuits. Cassie explains that she has been studying the Quantum Realm with Hank. She has developed a device called the Quantum Satellite that can send a signal to the Quantum Realm to map it. This shocks Janet who races to shut it down. She tries to warn them, but the satellite re-activates! I’m getting Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989) vibes! They are sucked into the Quantum Realm with everyone trying to hold on Total Recall (1990)-style!  

Still, Hank, Janet and then Hope and pulled in, the Pyms, with Cassie and Scott next, the Langs! Behind them are a few of the high-tech ants! In the quantum tunnel, Hope activates her Wasp suit and grabs hold of her parents. Scott tries to reach Cassie. He transforms into his Giant Man form and protects Cassie. He slams hard into the ground and Scott reverts back to his regular size. They look around the Quantum Realm, there are coral tendrils like jellyfish, something out of the animated Strange World (2022). The two films should have been paired together. Hank finds his wife and Hope, there is a blue pulse, and Janet slams them behind a tree-like formation. A ship scans the area, but is blocked by the tree. Ant-Man calls for the others and Cassie sees what looks like a moving sun! Scott goes back to Giant Man size and tosses the bright, tentacled creature. They are met by Quantum Realm natives. Janet explains to her family that there are things beyond the Void and Sub-Atomica, this was a world introduced in Fantastic Four #16 (1963). Scott is taken prisoner by Xolum (voiced by James Cutler), a humanoid with a lamp-like head, while Cassie tells him, “Drink the ooze!” 

Three vehicles fly towards Janet, Hank, and Hope. Janet tells them, “I’ll handle this” and goes out to confront a pinkish humanoid. She stabs him, but the humanoid reforms, and then she hugs him! He has a ride for them on a blue-eyed, giant manta ray creature. Scott is taken before more of the Freedom Fighters and forced to drink the ooze. This translates their language similiar to the drink, The Voice of Barsoom, in John Carter (2012). The ooze comes from a pinkish blob similar to B.O.B. in Monsters vs. Aliens (2009). Veb is voiced by David Dastmalchian who also voiced Kurt in “What If… Zombies?!” (2012) and was in the last two Ant-Man movies. There is also a loss of Scott’s friends, Luis (Michael Pena) and Dave (T.I.). Scott is also questioned by Quaz played by William Jackson Harper who was in the comedy series, The Good Place, and was narrator for the podcast series, Marvel’s Black Panther: Sins of the King (2020). He is a telepath and can read the surface thoughts of Scott and Cassie. The laser guns of the Quantum Realm are very like the sentry pistols in The Black Hole (1979). 

Lastly, they are met by the leader, named Jentorra (Katy M. O’Brian), a deadly warrior. O’Brian was Kimball in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and played Major Sara Grey in the superhero show, Black Lightning. Jentorra says the Conqueror will find them. Her background is just as a Freedom Fighter and should be developed in a prequel comic book. Cassie of course sides with the Freedom Fighters and of course Scott is the reluctant hero who needs to stand up not just for his daughter, but for others in need. Janet drops the manta ray creature down a cliff and dips its wing in the water like the banshees in Avatar (2009). At a base, Janet pulls up her hood to keep anonymous, but her past will catch up to her. Hank wonders at this Quantum world pointing out one person who resembles a vegetable. She leads them to a gambling den that looks like it is trying to outdo the Cantina aliens in Star Wars (1977). 

Janet is there to find Krylar. He is played by a well known actor. Her time in the Quantum Realm may give them an advantage, but she has to reconcile her past. The way home is through the Conqueror who is of course Kang (Majors). This is the time traveling villain who first appeared in Avengers #8 (1964). He has two marks on the side of his face that are edges of his helmet. Ultimately, I think he is the most powerful, but weakest Marvel villain since he is just a bully. His forces include blue-helmeted soldiers who are faceless so they can be cannon fodder. There is also one of Kang’s henchman who is a well known  villain who was introduced in Tales of Suspense #94 (1967). His Jack Kirby design is great, but the stretched out actor's face looks like 90's effects. Patton Oswalt had a 2021 animated series based on the character. A villain tied to Scott’s past. Cassie wants to save a world like her father and Scott’s mission is to find a protect her. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is just entertainment with a touch of the family dynamic! 

Four Pym Particle Discs out of Five! 

#AntmanAndTheWaspQuantumania, #PeytonReed, #PaulRudd, #KathrynNewton, #EvangelineLilly, #MichellePffiffer, #MichaelDouglas, #DavidDastmalchian, #WilliamJacksonHarper, #KatyMOBrian, #JonathanMajors   

Strolling Through the (Theme) Park One Day: Disneyland!

Disneyland is one of the fun parks, there is a number of entertainers, and nods to the history of the theme park! Still, I was there before the close of the French Market restaurant and try for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. First there was an exhibit from the Disney Gallery, Disney 100 Years of Wonder at Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. It featured artwork and maquettes from attractions and themed areas like Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones and the Forbidden Eye, and Avengers Campus. A feature on Frederick Douglass was at the lobby outside of the theater. It was narrated by Robin Roberts and an informative summary of Douglass’ life produced by National Geographic. Recommended especially for Black History Month. Great Moments was a bit much for young guests, but it is a classic Disney attraction and something you can learn in a theme park of just entertainment. Plus, it has the “Two Brothers” song. Recommended for at least one time. 

I went from there for my reservation to Rise of the Resistance, but it was down. This is the downside with the latest, high tech attractions. Still, I saw The Mandalorian walk out of a gate, he had a bag with Grogu. Mando strolled through Black Spire Outpost, and he was examining objects at the woodcarving shop, The Wooden Wookie. A very great character moment. Then, I left Galaxy’s Edge only to find that Rise had wait times on the Disneyland app., so I circled back. This time, I focused on getting photos since I’m more ready for certain areas. I will say that the cast members at the stormtrooper bay are unfriendly. One just nodded no at taking pics which is strange because this is not the case outside of the ride. Yes, it is trying to be in character as an Imperial officer, but just rude. I left and was about to leave Galaxy’s Edge when I saw Fennec Shand. She was more open to a photo op and a very close likeness to the character.  

Finn at Rise of the Resistance, photo by the author.  

The French Market was crowded, almost every table was filled, usually there is five or seven open tables. The restaurant has a great menu, I had the Cajun Roasted Half Chicken with a Mint Julep, delicious! I worked at food services at Disneyland and this was one of the restaurants I would always go to, now it is Ronto Roasters in Galaxy’s Edge. It will be closed (today, Feb. 17) for Tiana’s Palace said to be open at the end of the year. To the side is the Mint Julep Bar, I went there towards the end of my visit to get one last drink. If you don’t know, it is the most refreshing drink, and gives you minty fresh breath. I haven’t found a single drink that is thirst quenching as a mint julep. One summer, I had sweat pouring off me, drank a mint julep and it was sealing off the sweat glands and hydrated me! Still, the queue was about twenty minutes, but worth it. At that part of New Orleans Square, it is a bottleneck with restrooms, the train station, foot traffic headed to Haunted Mansion, and the Mint Julep Bar. 

Then, my virtual queue was ready for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. At this time, there are only two ways to ride the attraction; virtual queue or lightning lane. I entered the virtual queue at 6 a.m. and it was available at around 1:30 p.m. This is next to Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin which was closed. The rest of Toon Town is still under construction and will open on March 19th. The attraction first opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World on March 4, 2020. Reservations are checked before you walk under the railroad bridge. Then, you can see the El Capitoon Theatre. Strangely, it didn’t have the feel of the El Capitan, and no handprints of the stars. I would like to see voice actor signatures maybe next to character hand and footprints. This would make it magical for me. There is a queue that forms to the right of the entrance where your reservation is checked in. I do like the faux movie posters especially The Mousketeer. A great play on the Mickey Mouse Club members and The Rocketeer. 

                                                                              Mickey costumes from Mousercise and Disco Mickey, author’s photo. 

Next, you move into the next room under a red banner, “It was all started by a mouse…” The room had the plane from Plane Crazy (1928) hanging from the roof. Other movie props include the Steamboat Helm from Steamboat Willie (1928) and the Beanstalk from Mickey and the Beanstalk (1947) breaking through the roof. I also like the costumes from the albums; Mickey Mouse Disco (1979) and Mousercise (1982). The kids walking in the queue had no idea or interest in the Mickey memorabilia, their parents should seriously take them to Main Street Cinema before going on this ride! Strangely, nothing from the Mickey Mouse Club, no pictures of the Mouseketeers, Disney please put them in! C’mon, we should have Jimmie, Annette, Britney, and Justin! Next, there is a room with a concession stand, I liked that there is different condiments and the best one was Haggis! The inside queue is just long and it is amusing to see all of the Easter Eggs, but finally you are led to different theaters featuring the new Mickey Mouse short, Perfect Picnic. You start to see the short on screen before you enter the cartoon! This goes to yet another room which leads to the loading of train cars with the locomotive in front. You chug past some abstract hills like painted walls. 

The movement is trackless, the technology was pioneered with Pooh’s Hunny Hut in Tokyo Disneyland in 2000. Still, it kinda doesn’t make sense, a trackless ride on a railroad which usually has tracks. Conductor Goofy pops open the locomotives doors to talk to you. Mickey and Minnie drive a red convertible above you. It looks like faces projected on figures. They drive through the mine shaft and then into a Western canyon. I was just slammed around by the ride which was not at all fun. A carnival follows and then the train goes underwater. Next, a city street with Donald Duck driving a van. This is all before you go to a dance studio with Daisy Duck teaching you a few dances like the mambo. The movement is like Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. This ends up at a night picnic with Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto. I’m not certain if there are cameos of other Disney characters like Genie, Stitch, or Olaf. I still think there is hope for a Bambi themed area. The ride storyline is confusing, I didn’t like the tossing action, and I noticed no excited kids at the end of the attraction. It was a nice day at Disneyland; I like the characters, highly recommend going to see Mirabel at Frontierland, she had kids jumping up and down, and one was just stunned meeting her, and having one last meal at French Market!  

#Disneyland, #GreatMomentsWithMrLincoln, #FrederickDouglass, #RiseOfTheResistance, #TheMandalorian, #FennecShand, #FrenchMarket, #MintJulepBar, #MickeyAndMinniesRunawayRailway, #TheMouseketeer, #PlaneCrazy, #SteamboatWillie, #MickeyAndTheBeanstalk, #MickeyMouseDisco, #Mousercise, #MainStreetCinema, #PerfectPicnic, #Mirabel