Why the Model of Network TV is Failing

Earlier today I was thinking about the show Heroes, the NBC superhero drama. The show was hailed as amazing in the first season and subsequently went down the drain over the course of three more years. I was wondering what contributed to the show's downfall and while there is a lot (terrible writers, stingy creator, network's creative influence) one of the big things that contributed to the show's downfall was the model of network television. Though not to the extent of Firefly, Heroes moved time slots a few times and had several randomly placed hiatuses that most definitely hurt the show. This is of course done to help spread out the season of twenty-two episodes over the course of eight months. All it winds up doing though is allowing people to forget their show exists. This leads to bad ratings, which leads to cancellation. 

The bigger issue of the network TV model, is the number of episodes. Twenty-two episodes per season is insane for a serialized drama such as Heroes. You ever wonder why shows like Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, and True Blood (to name a few) are always talked shows? It's because they air on cable channels, whose seasons run a small number episodes (ranging from six to twelve usually) and all air at once. These small amount of episodes allow writers and showrunners to write compelling stories that people continue to talk about long after the season is over. Short cable seasons also allow better control of the story. Because a show only takes place over ten or twelve episodes, the writers can make sure that something major and exciting is happening in every episode.

Breaking Bad is lauded over for it's storytelling quality, no doubt due to the shorter amount of episodes it has to work with.

By comparison writers and showrunners who work on network shows have to somehow stretch their story over twenty-two episodes and accommodate  for these "seasonal" breaks that networks have. This creates filler episodes, or one-offs that have no overall meaning to the show or its characters. Lost fans should be familiar with these episodes (they were usually given to Kate, poor girl). This went on for three seasons before both the writers and ABC realized it wasn't working and made the switch to having smaller seasons. Season four was sixteen episodes, while seasons five and six were seventeen. The show's premiere was also moved to January (February for season six). This allowed the writers to tell the story they wanted without having to shove in useless "story" or interrupt the pace of the story for random hiatuses.

Now this obviously only applies serialized shows. CBS for example has lead the networks in ratings for several years doing everything I think a network shouldn't be doing. Why? Because they're shows are built for it. CBS has had very few serialized shows and they've all failed (like Jericho). Instead CBS' line up includes shows like NCIS, CSI, and How I Met Your Mother. These are all shows that never require you to tune in every week. You can catch an episode whenever you like and realize that almost nothing has changed from the last episode you watched, whenever that was. The trade off here is in quality. While How I Met Your Mother is critically acclaimed, CBS' detective shows are usually paint by numbers in how they work and are thereby predictable and boring.

Slowly but surely networks are starting to see the light. Whether they want to or not they're beginning to realize that shows are better watched all the way through. This is why you see shows that only run during the winter season (September-December) and shows that premiere in the spring and run until May. The only time you'd see a break at this point are major holidays like Thanksgiving (in which case no one is watching TV anyways). My hope is that as time goes on, network execs will realize the power that cable has over them in the case of word of mouth and overall quality and do something about it. I've enjoyed too many shows that fall victim to awful ratings due to too many breaks or quality issues.

Haven't you?

Thoughts on "Asylum of the Daleks"

*SPOILERS ABOUND!*

*******************************************************

I thought about doing a more formal review, but I don't think I have enough to say to constitute a full review. Instead I'm just going to jot down some thoughts I had about the episode. 

Overall I really enjoyed the episode, it was definitely... unique, I think. I liked how Amy and Rory got pulled back into helping the Doctor, though I'm not sure how they wind up back with him the next episode. My hope is that after that episode they decide to stay with him so we don't have to waste time getting them to the TARDIS in later episodes. And while it was nice to see Amy again, I think her and Rory got back together way too quickly. I thought that the failure of their marriage (so to speak) was going to last several episodes, possibly the entire season. Granted it could be that things aren't as fixed as well as we're led to believe, but everything looked fine and dandy by the end of the episode.

The Daleks are an interesting beast. They're one of the Doctor's oldest foes, meaning he's fought them for centuries. Yet after all this time he gets caught rather easily by them. I figured there'd be a more elaborate plot in place for them to snatch the Doctor, but perhaps time constraints got in the way and the writers simply wanted to get to the meat of things. If that's the case then fair enough, I can certainly understand not wanting to waste time. 

The concept of the episode was pretty interesting. The Daleks are scary creatures when they're "normal" but the lost causes or the insane by even Dalek standards are even more interesting. This made the Daleks scary for a change, something I never really saw them as before. I rather enjoyed the scene where the Doctor comes across the worst, or most "mentally damaged" Daleks only to find out that he's the one who made them like this. 

Of course one of the most fascinating aspects of this episode was Oswin Oswald, the Dalek who thought she was human. I'm extremely impressed with Moffat's ability to keep this fun twist a secret because of course Oswin Oswald is none other than the Doctor's next companion. My assumption is that she will join the Doctor before she even boards the Alaska. All the mentions of wanting to see the stars and remembering her, that's the only way I can see it happening. What's nice is she's different from all the other companions (of the 2005 series) in that she's not from our time. She's from the future (I don't really count Jack as a companion), and the Doctor has a reason to bring her aboard the TARDIS. 

I do wonder though why, if the Daleks needed genius, Oswin was in the asylum in the first place? I get not being able to handle the "reality" of being a Dalek, but shouldn't the conversion taken care of that? Other puppets had their memories wiped and stored away. Why was she different? Also what made her so dangerous that she was literally kept in the core of the asylum? Wouldn't the Daleks in the asylum use her as a way to escape? That seems like what they were trying to do, but then why was she locked up? It's weird and confuising. These are questions I wished were answered because I doubt we'll get them as the season continues on. 

That said the emotional implications of Oswin as a Dalek were fascinating. There's this weird disconnect you see when the Doctor realizes the truth about Oswin. He's disgusted at the sight of her. This goes back to something I wish the show would explore more often and it's that the Doctor is not a good person. He's just as insane and potentially evil as the villains he faces. There's a line in beginning of the episode when the Doctor is talking to the Dalek Prime Minister about the beauty of hatred and the PM wonders if that's why they've never been able to kill the Doctor. While they oppose him, he is the embodiment of everything they worship: hatred. How about the fact that all the Daleks in ICU were the ones who fought him in wars? Or when Oswin asks him, "Why do they hate you so much?" 

What a strange and fascinating scene that last one is, no? It's weird to feel almost sympathetic for Oswin (considering what she is). 

Remember me.

What did you guys think about the episode? Maybe YOU have the answers to my questions! 

Musings on Doctor Who

It's official, the new season of Doctor Who returns on September 1st! I'm actually very excited and dreading it at the same time. The reason for that is because this season is officially the Pond's last. Both Amy and Rory Pond will no longer be companions in one form or another by the end of the season. Moffat (the showrunner) keeps hinting at how sad and tragic the end of the Pond's story is for the Doctor. This makes me very, very afraid. It's bad enough Amy is leaving (couldn't care less about Rory), but it makes me think that they're going to kill her off in the end. Nothing would upset me more.

Despite these feelings of dread, the new season looks to be pretty decent across the board. I'm excited for the opener involving the Daleks and some place called the Asylum. It's been awhile since we've had a Dalek episode. The middle episodes look a little weird, involving a space ship with dinosaurs, some rogue robots, and a western town. Hopefully these episodes will be interesting but Doctor Who one-offs have a penchant for being either too silly, or rather boring. Humor has its place in Doctor Who for sure, but they tend to overplay it. The last episode is one for the stone angels. Called "The Angels Take Manhattan" this will be the final episode with the Ponds as well as the end of the season. The Doctor's new companion is set to arrive in the Christmas special a few months from now.

Doctor Who is an interesting beast because to me, the show can be about several different things at once. If you were to ask someone what they thought Dr. Who was about, they might say adventure, character, or anything else. To me though, Doctor Who is about loss. The Doctor lost most of his own people and any others who have survived are too crazy to leave alive. He's lost friends, allies, and companions. He's the loneliest man in the universe who can't see to find someone who doesn't leave him in one form another. It's immensely depressing when looked at like that, but at the same time I enjoy it. The Doctor is an interesting man and seeing how loss affects him is always fascinating.

That said, the Doctor is also insane. It's not touched on much - though more with Smith's Doctor I think - but the Doctor is just as insane as some of the villains he encounters. There are very few moments where you get to see, a concealed threat, blowing up an entire hub of Cybermen, the evil man in the dream world was the Doctor's dark side, and closing Older Amy out of the TARDIS. Hell, even the Minotaur in "The God Complex" sees the Doctor for what he is. This is another reason he keeps a companion. Like Robin does for Batman, they make him think, consider his own life and actions before going forward (most times). Amy even references it in the trailer for the new season when the Doctor considers killing the Gunslinger outright. I would very much like to see what were to happen if the Doctor were "let off his leash" so to speak and had finally had enough.

So I've talked enough and have to go back to work, but I hope what I've said has given you something to think about when watching the show. Do you feel the same way as me? What do you think Doctor Who is about? I'm always up for a discussion/debate!

Metro 2033 Review (PC)

Though it isn’t clear at first, Metro 2033 suffers from a severe identity crisis. The game starts out cohesive enough introducing you to the FPS mechanics of the game and giving to the basis of the story. Unfortunately as the game goes on things start to unravel. Random turret levels are suddenly forced upon you and near impossible stealth sections throw any sort of patience you once had out the window.

The game is set in a post-apocalyptic Russia. Because a nuclear event that happened years ago, the citizens of Moscow were forced to live in the underground metro system. Roughly eighty-five percent of the game takes place in that metro system. The environments here are well detailed and feel very “lived in”. You can’t engage in conversation with many of the citizens in the various cities you’ll come across. But there are the few that will give you pieces of lore, or even a side quest. 

The tunnels of the metro look as though they’re designed to frighten you. It’s damp, dark, and the sounds of the unknown echo throughout. It all looks like something out of a horror game. Unfortunately Metro 2033 is nothing like a horror game. Though it tries to be atmospheric and haunting at times, the game up ends all the tension by constantly throwing waves of enemies at you. It’s like they were trying to frighten you but couldn’t figure out how so they just had everything attack on sight.

The fact that half the time you’re fighting humans doesn’t help either. During these sections you have the “option” of trying to “stealth” your way through or by opening fire on everything you see. This choice is an illusion though. There are several sections of the game that practically require you don’t be seen. Anything short of that leads to a quick death from all angles. All in all it’s rather frustrating because you’re given very few tools to work with and those barely work as it is. Silenced weapons can still be heard (even from afar) and throwing knives randomly connect with the enemy.

Above the ground you’ll find the winter wasteland that Russia has become. It’s beautiful in a haunting sort of way. These sections are few and far between though and you are usually unable to explore because you’re being hunted by a winged mutant. It’s a shame these areas were expanded on a bit more.

Another mechanic of Metro’s is the gasmask and stopwatch. When you’re above ground, or in areas with polluted air you’ll be required to wear your gasmask. When you wear it, your character will set his watch. This indicates how long the filter will last before needing to be replaced. Sounds like an interesting idea, no? Alas, you’re given plenty of filters throughout the game so there’s never any danger of running out. The only thing you have to worry about is getting in a fight that could break your mask, but it’s unlikely to happen. My mask only broke once throughout the entire game.  

As you continue on your journey throughout the tunnels of the metro, you’ll come across several of your fellow Russians. Most of them are well voice acted, but there are a few (especially the children) that sound absolutely fake. There’s nothing worse than listening to two people talk to you with accents of opposite quality.

The goal of Metro 2033 is to save your station from these mysterious people called “The Dark Ones”. Not much is known about them in the beginning of the game and by the end even less if known. There are two endings to game and one of them explains a bit more than the other, but nonetheless you’re left completely confused about who you’re fighting and why.

Metro 2033 seemed interesting enough at first, but it suffers from trying to be several different games at once. It’s certainly a good looking game and plays well enough, but you’ll become frustrated by forced stealth sections and awkward vehicle turret levels.  All in all, I would pass on Metro 2033. 

The Dark Knight Rises Review

The Dark Knight Rises marks the end to Christopher Nolan’s trilogy of Batman films. It brings about an end to a series that without a doubt revolutionized how we look at “comic book movies”.

The Dark Knight Rises takes place eight years after The Dark Knight and things have changed in Gotham. Batman is no more, Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is a recluse, and Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) is living with the guilt of lying to the Gotham people. All of these things come to a head with the arrival of Bane (Tom Hardy) in Gotham City. Bane represents a ferocity and brutality that Gotham, or Batman, has never seen before. Bane’s arrival combined with the appearance of Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway) is finally the excuse Batman needs to return to Gotham City.

What follows is a series of awesome set pieces, great character moments, and fun ride all around. Even if the movie is a tad too long for its own good, there’s very little you could say didn’t need to be there. Every scene and character serves a larger purpose that you may not realize at first, but it all comes together in the end.

Christian Bale continues to amaze as Bruce Wayne. Here we see him a shadow of his former self. He’s old and broken and Christian Bale represents this perfectly. He brings out what drives Bruce as a person to be Batman and why when that’s taken from him becomes a shut in. It’s also sad to see what becoming Batman has done to him.

Anne Hathaway surprises as Selina Kyle in the best way possible. Her turn as Catwoman (though she’s never called that in the movie) is fun to watch and easily a high point of the movie.

Bane – while the weakest of the trilogy’s three villains – is a joy to watch. Many will no doubt think of Darth Vader when they hear him speak. The mask adds quite a bit to him. Even if his accent is odd and you lose a word here or there when he speaks, his menace is without doubt. The speed and power with which he moves is unparalleled, making his action scenes the best in the whole series.

The action reaches new heights in Dark Knight Rises. There are several confrontations between Batman and Bane and they’re all exceedingly satisfying. The action is visceral and the soundtrack (or lack thereof) only helps to punctuate each blow. The large scale action also excites, though the highlight of the movie are definitely the more personal battles.

The end of the movie will be debated about by fans for years to come. Despite that, the ending is exactly what it needed to be. Nothing more, nothing less. It was the perfect way to bring the life of Bruce Wayne (and Batman) to a close.

Nolan without has given us the most fitting conclusion possible to one of the greatest film franchises to grace the silver screen in years. If you loved the previous Batman films, or just enjoy good movies in general I couldn’t recommend this more. 

Injustice: Gods Among Men Impressions and Dream List

Back at E3 when Injustice: Gods Among Us was announced, I was not impressed. Mortal Kombat has never been my thing and DC vs. Mortal Kombat was an atrocity of a fighting game. So my faith was not at all restored by what I saw of Injustice which is being developed Netherrealms Studios, the guys behind Mortal Kombat.

Then came Evolution (or EVO) 2012. The biggest event in the fighting game community. Here is where everyone gathers to test their skills against the mightiest players from around the world. It's also where several new fighting games were demoed. One was PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale. The other was Injustice.

On a whim I decided to watch Ed Boon's presentation of the game (Boon is head of Netherrealms). He demoed two stages and four characters. The characters were Superman, Batman, Flash, and Solomon Grundy.

Color me surprised to find that the game looked way more interesting at EVO than it never did at E3. The trailers at E3 were boring and somewhat evoked the same terrible sickness one gets when looking at DC vs. MK. The demo at EVO on the other hand, was exciting and exactly what I needed to see. These characters look like they were being treated with interest and respect, as opposed to looking shoehorned in to someone else's game. The more I watched, the more interested I became.

Now I want more.

So my usual go to thing to do whenever a licensed fighting game is being made (or the game even has the potential to have licensed characters in it) I create my dream team list. As of now there's supposed to be a total of twenty-four characters in the game. My initial thought was that meant twelve hero characters and twelve villain characters. Alas, that doesn't seem to be the case but my list was created that that split in mind.

I'm not going to detail each and every character's style, or why I think they should be in the game. That would take too long and I'd more than likely wind up repeating myself. That said, I did my best to choose as many none obvious choices as possible.




Currently the list of confirmed characters:
Superman
Batman
Wonder Woman
Flash
Solomon Grundy
Harley Quinn

Heroes:

Green Lantern                                                 Nightwing


Captain Marvel                                          Robin (Carrie Kelly)


Hawkgirl                                                                Beast Boy


Swamp Thing                                                                 Raven


Villains:

Joker


Darkseid


Clayface                                                                   Ra’s Al Ghul


Brainiac                                                                  Bane

Manchester Black                                                      Mirror Master



Vandal Savage                                                     Gorilla Grodd


Green Lantern: Art Link
Nightwing: Art Link
Captain Marvel: Art Link
Robin (Carrie Kelly): Art Link
Hawkgirl: Art Link
Beast Boy: Art Link
Swamp Thing: Art Link
Raven: Art Link
The Joker: Art Link
Darkseid: Art Link
Clayface: Art Link
Ra's Al Ghul: Art Link
Brainiac: Art Link
Bane: Art Link
Mirror Master: Art Link
Gorilla Grodd: Art Link

Jeff Green's Post

Apparently Blogspot DOES have some way to reblog posts but it's really awkward and counter intuitive. So what I'm going to do is just link this post here for you guys to read.

http://jeff-greenspeak.blogspot.com/2012/07/depression-post.html