All posts in Geeking Out

All of us Doctor Who fans who watch with delight as the TARDIS travels to unthinkable places in time and space all have one question we ask every few years or so.  “So what the hell is with this regeneration?”

Obviously, we all know that it is a ploy created to keep the show fresh with new actors as the Doctor.  But there is so much more behind the regeneration process that us in Whoville didn’t even know applied.  According to newly found papers in the BBC archive, the regenerations weren’t just a face lift for the Doctor, they were meant to convey the “hell and dark horror” of what of not only the Doctors life, but also a really bad LSD trip.

That’s right folks, for all of you who watched older episodes of Doctor Who and thought, “These guys have to be tripping balls to think of this…” you aren’t totally wrong!

According to the document:

The metaphysical change… is a horrifying experience – an experience in which he relives some of the most unendurable moments of his long life, including the galactic war.  It is as if he has had the LSD drug and instead of experiencing the kicks, he has the hell and dank horror which can be its effect.

These regenerations come with at a cost though, insanely harsh fanboy criticism.  I know I too am a culprit to this.  I find that of the original Doctors Tom Baker is easily the best, and David Tennant of the new.  It seems a majority of people feel this way as well.  With each Doctor comes a new personality.  Some incredibly serious, others, like Tom and David, are more on the wacky side of things.

This all leads up to the most recent incarnation of the Doctor, Matt Smith.  His portrayal of the Doctor is supposed to be one who is a disgruntled scholar who has all the answers, but is someone nobody listens too.  I think this will bring about a more frustrated Doctor, more rash decisions and solo saves…the Kirk rather than the Picard.

Fo shizzle

What do you think?

Thanks BBC News

If you did a double take while reading that title, you aren’t the only one.   Your eyes aren’t liars though, they did read that correctly.

According to The Live Feed, George Lucas has decided to do something smart with the Star Wars franchise.  It has just been released that George Lucas has given his blessing to the minds behind Robot Chicken, Seth Green and Matt Senreich, to join forces (like Han and Chewie) with Lucasfilm Animation for a Star Wars comedy series.

Green said:

The Star Wars universe is so dense and rich; it’s crazy to think that there aren’t normal, mundane everyday problems in a world so well-defined. And it’s even crazier to think of what those problems might be, since it’s all set in a galaxy far, far away. What do these characters do when they’re not overthrowing Empires?

I think that this is one of the smartest things that Lucas has done.  Finally a decision that makes sense!  What do you think?

(It’s a trap!)

The Live Feed

Oh yeah, the news is just all over the place today with “The Walking Dead”, and I have to say, it makes me excited!  So let’s dive right into the goods.

First up:

AMC has already ordered 6 episodes of the series!  This is phenomenal because the pilot hasn’t even been shot yet!  AMC must really know about the zombie craze and have complete faith in Frank Darabont and this adaptation, and they would be silly not to!

Next:

We might have Rick Grimes, our lead in the series!  Yesterday we came at you with the casting of his best friend Shane.  Well this is the real deal, and though there is mixed reception about the casting choice I for one really like it.

Johnny Lee Miller is the frontrunner for the part of Rick!  You may know him from many films…but I think there is one film that stands above all the rest…Hackers.

Finally:

I’ve always been a fan of AMC, but with their president coming out with statements like this I think this channel is going to be around, and one of the most top watched channels, for a long time to come.  Charlie Collier says:

AMC strives to make original shows that play like movies and ‘The Walking Dead’ is a perfect complement to the network’s celebrated movie franchise, Fearfest, which has always been an important destination for our audience,” said AMC president Charlie Collier. “With its depth of story and the remarkable talent attached, The Walking Dead gives us an opportunity to raise the bar significantly within this popular genre, and continue our commitment to being the home of premium programming on basic cable.

What do you think about all  this?

If you didn’t know that AMC was adapting the comic “The Walking Dead” into a TV series, now you do.  Frank Darabont is attached to write, direct, and produce this amazing project.  However, there has been little news of progress other than that a pilot has been ordered, and I was starting to get worried…until today.

We have our first casting decision!

According to MTV’s Splashpage:

The living are starting to flock towards “The Walking Dead,” as actor Jon Bernthal has become the first official cast member for the AMC television series. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bernthal will play Shane, the best friend of series protagonist and fellow police officer Rick Grimes. Bernthal is best known on television for his role on “Eastwick” and the currently airing “The Pacific,” and was most recently seen on the big screen in “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” and “The Ghost Writer.”

I’m personally ecstatic about this, not that I know much, or have seen anything with Jon in it, but that’s the beauty of what this show will be.  I remember when the comic came out I had no idea what to expect of it, and it did nothing but impress.  I’m hoping the TV show will do the same.

What do you think?

Thanks BamKapow!