Saturday, February 28, 2015

The 100 2x14: Lexa No

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I apologize for not posting these the last two weeks. One week I totally forgot and the other week I thought it was Friday, not Saturday. I'm a little stressed out lately - and The 100 isn't helping!

The 100
CW
2x14: Bodyguard of Lies
Wednesday 8|9c
 
In the Dead Zone
 
Jaha (who thinks he's Moses. Broses?) is leading the straggling few who decided a hike across a desert to a questionable 'city of light' was a good idea across a desert. Murphy is being gloriously sarcastic about the whole thing. A dude named Harris is cracking jokes about Reapers and Grounders when BAM! - he steps on a land mine, and so does another gal. Blood and limbs rain down, and they realize they're stuck in a minefield with absolutely no idea of how to get out. A sandstorm comes up (because naturally) and they wait it out. When it fades, they see light shining beyond the next mountain of sand. Broses proclaims that this is all a test, and if they have enough faith, they'll make it. Murphy graciously tells him 'you first, Chancellor.' Jaha leads them out of the minefield using his walking stick and they race up the dune to find....
solar panels?
A whole lotta solar panels, reflecting the sun. No city. Murphy, righteously angry, throws a rock at a solar panel and a drone detaches from its perch and flies past them. They follow the drone to the edge of the water, where it continues to fly. Fortunately for everyone, there's a boat! Broses tells them to get in. They do.
....Wow, guys.
To coin a Murphy phrase, 'What level of crazy is too much for you?'
 
In Mount Weather
 
Cage: Where are the 44? (RIP, three kids that Cage killed)
Lieutenant: I don't know.
Cage decides that they'll use the fact the kids killed ten Mount Weather soldiers (in SELF DEFENSE) as anti-propaganda so people will come forward with the kid's locations. In the control room we see via radar that the Grounder Army is camped just outside the range of the acid fog. We see Bellamy (HI BELLAMY) running around trying to stop the acid fog from happening. His keybard stops working, two guards realize he's not Lovejoy, and start firing at him. Now that they know they have an intruder, Bellamy's life just got about 100x more difficult - and it was no piece of cake before, chocolate or otherwise. (Sorry, Monty.)
 
Bellamy catches a guard, beats him unconscious, and takes his keycard. (I love Bellamy so much. He doesn't kill unless he has to, unlike some other characters on the show.) He finds Maya's dad, Vincent, who tells him that they've moved some of the kids to areas that were already searched. Bellamy asks Vincent if there's another way to shut off the acid fog, and Vincent tells him there's a place called the 'retro-fit zone' that's off-limits and HEY! Has no cameras! HOW CONVENIENT!
Vincent gives Bellamy a soddering gun. Why?
...I guess he was out of glue guns, or staplers, or tasers.
 
In the Grounder Camp
 
Lexa attempts to calm down Clarke, who is freaking out over the kids in Mount Weather, specifically - BELLAMY. For the first time on the show, someone acknowledges the existence of Bellarke (a ploy by the writers, I'm sure, to assuage the pain of what happens a bit later) by pointing out that Clarke worries more about Bellamy than the others.
Lexa wants Clarke to be an android-leader without emotions, but Clarke just wants to keep people safe. YAY! CLARKE WITH FEELINGS IS BACK! I missed you, Clarke With Feelings. Clarke and Octavia have a brief conversation where Octavia realizes that Clarke knew about the missile before it landed and killed a bunch of people.
'You'd fit right in on the council,' Octavia tells her.
BURN.
But true, in that moment.
Grounder Bodyguard informs Octavia that she's been re-assigned to guard duty. Clarke, suspicious, tells Lexa that Octavia won't tell anyone about the missile. 'You take care of your people,' she says, 'I'll take care of mine.'
Lexa says sure, yeah, and then tells the Grounder Bodyguard to kill Octavia. Clarke gets wind of it and puts a gun to the Grounder Bodyguard's head before he shoots Octavia, and then she takes him to Lexa's tent. Lexa orders the Bodyguard to stand down and has him leave, and they have an exchange about feelings and doing what's right.
Lexa points out that, while she let 250 people die in the village, she didn't let Clarke die. Clarke, taken aback, tells her that if anything happens to Octavia, she'll tell EVERYONE about the missile. This makes an apparent impact, because later, Lexa calls for Clarke to tell her she trusts her, and she won't harm Octavia.
And then Lexa kisses her.
 
OKAY.
*deep breath*
I mean, I saw this coming (on Lexa's part, anyway) from a mile away.
But I think the writers have a serious apology to make to Bellarke shippers.
A. SERIOUS. APOLOGY. Because while Bellarke might be end-game, HOW MANY MORE DELAYS CAN WE EXPECT? FOR REAL? C'MON.
Clarke backs away from the kiss and says she's not ready for another relationship...yet.

In Camp Jaha
 
RAVICK IS BACK!
 
 
Bellamy has found the Poison Fog Vats (that's fun to say) they're taking turns trying to help him figure out a way to turn it off or neutralize it. This entire scene, while nerve-wracking, is adorable because it's like two teenagers trying to tell their mom how to work a computer. Basically, this is the entire scene:
 
Bellamy goes through every option on the monitor and then Wick has a brilliant idea - they can activate the cleaning solution to neutralize the gas! It seems to work, and when Bellamy announces the PH level has gone down, RAVICK HUGS. And they almost kiss, but....they don't. Sigh.
They send out the flare to let the Grounder Army know the gas is neutralized, and then Raven runs back in and starts making out with Wick.
Wow. Nobody saw that coming since the first encounter. *sideways glance* Nobody. I mean, I ship them and all, but this just seems fairly...abrupt? Sudden? Odd? We find out Wick's real name is Kyle, which changes absolutely nothing. Wick he shall stay.
When they're through, Raven tries to slip away as per her Modus Operandi, and Wick tells her, 'if you want to do this, I'm in, but I don't play games. So figure it out.'
While I admire Wick for being straightforward like this, I don't think Raven is ready. Another sigh.
 
In the Grounder Camp
 
They see the flare, and Lexa admits to Clarke, 'you were right to have faith in him.'  I'm hoping Clarke was feeling a little more than faith, but ahem. Cough. Lexa calls her army to battle.
 
In Mount Weather
 
Bellamy thinks his job is accomplished, but he notices a gauge on one of the vats that says the PH levels are exactly the same, and he realizes none of the acid has been neutralized. FLIPPIN' CAGE. URGH. I HATE YOU SO MUCH.
He tries to contact Raven but it turns out the Mount Weather control room has interrupted his frequency. They send people into the Toxic Waste Room - I mean, Acid Fog Vat Room - and they start shooting at Bellamy.
I start hyperventilating. Again.
Bellamy escapes down an air vent, because he rigged up an Oxygen tank with his soddering gun and it EXPLODES. WELL PLAYED, SIR. I'M SO PROUD OF YOU. (Also this is quite hilarious considering Raven specifically told him not to blow anything up. You got your wish, son.)
Cage tries to trigger the acid fog, but to no avail - the entire room was blown up. No fog, sir, no fog
HA.
He gets mad, because he's a baby.
Cage: WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO?
Lieutenant: NOTHING, SIR.
Cage: NOOoooOOOOOOOOoooooooOOOOOOOOOO.
 
In the Woods
 
The Grounder army heads toward Mount Weather and Clarke tells Octavia she wants her with the rear guard. Octavia tells her that she takes orders from Indra, and Indra tells Octavia she's staying up front. Octavia tells Indra about the missile thing, but it turns out Indra already knew.
Indra tells Octavia they'll win this war because Lexa is ruthless. Octavia says, 'that's wrong,' and Indra replies simply, 'it's war.'
BATTLE CRY, and fade.
 
QUESTIONS
1. WHERE. IS. THE. MUTANT. THINGY.
2. Are we ever going to see Emori again?
3. Where on earth is Lincoln?
4. Why didn't Broses and Murphy and the others just dive into all that water? Hasn't it been ages since they've had a drink? And they've been walking through a burning desert? Eh? Eh???
5. THERE ARE ONLY TWO EPISODES LEFT. THEY'RE BEING MARKETED AS A TWO-PARTER.
HELP.
 
 
 

Friday, February 27, 2015

Leonard Nimoy Has Passed Away

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It's been a sad day in fandom. Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played Spock in Star Trek: The Original Series, passed away today at the age of 83. The cause of death was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Known prominently for his role as Spock, Leonard Nimoy has been one of the trademarks of Star Trek. He began his role as the logical Vulcan in 1966. His last appearance as Spock was in Star Trek: Into Darkness, but he played an even bigger role in the 2009 Star Trek movie. He has made his indelible mark on the world, and he will be missed.

Nimoy's costars, William Shatner and George Takei, reacted via social media.
Post by George Takei.


Other tribute tweets have been posted by celebrities, Star Trek cast and Star Trek fans alike.









Fans also posted their thoughts.

And finally, Leonard Nimoy himself graced us with his Twitter presence up until the very end.



The Fangirl Initiative team will be putting together a tribute as well, but to honor Mr. Nimoy in the way that we want to, we need a little time to collect our thoughts. Stay on the lookout for that.

RIP, Leonard Nimoy. You lived long, and prospered.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

The Sherlock Experience

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Before I get into the post, let me say… I'm grateful my aunt is in my life. 60 years of bringing love, light, support, culture, and literature to our family. What a blessing. This post is in honor of her, on her birthday.


So, January was a big month for my parents and I. But, if I must be honest, it all started in December…

Pre-Christmas: I found my dad wrapping gifts for his older sister… what were they? Seasons 1 and 2 of a certain little show most of you know and love, called Sherlock. Shocked and more than a little jealous, I told him I'd love to see them with her sometime! Fast forward to when she received it, Christmas Day: When I expressed my intense interest to see them and spend time with her, and my parents had expressed curiosity, she said "Why don't we all have a Sherlock night?"  I was a little annoyed that I had to "share her", but figured "Oh, why not?!"


Fast forward again, to January 3rd, the four of us in the living room watching season one. We adored it, and so, seeing as some of us had been sleepy and missed details, she left them both at our house. (so we could rewatch, and see the next season) Before I get on with the post, and my further delving into the show, let me say this…


Wow… I had always figured I would love it, but… wow! Even to this day, I struggle to properly describe my reaction to it. I guess the closest I can come is… brilliant. Crazy. Fast paced, and beautiful. And I found myself wanting more. As I told a friend later, "It's a thinkin' show.", which is something there is not a lot of, and I desperately look for. Don't get me wrong, I love action and comedy and such as much as anyone. But what is the most fun and fulfilling for me, are the shows and films that make me think. So, in the course of a very short time, I became more obsessed with, and immersed in, all things related to Holmes than I ever had been before.


I knew about the character, of course. There were different adaptations, be they film or television all over the place, my whole life. I admit I haven't read the stories too much, and have barely even touched the myriad of adaptations out there. But I vividly recall the times Data, Geordi, and even Captain Picard would go on the holodeck and enter his world (yay, Star Trek: the Next Generation!) And I've followed Elementary with great interest, as well. So, again… me liking this came as no huge shock. What shocked me was the extent it overtook me!


Anyway, for months because of commercials, I had been aware of the fact that the International Sherlock Holmes Exhibition was at the Science Center. (from October to guess when!). I had wanted to go all along, but health had prevented me from doing so. But by Christmas, I figured it was now or never… it was packing up and leaving January 5th. It took some pleading and figuring, but lo and behold, on January 4th, my parents and I set out for the adventure of a lifetime.


Am I being a little dramatic? Possibly, but being a story person, and by extension, a theatre person… let's just say it's in my personality makeup to get overenthusiastic about cool things and events. So sue me! :P (I had only had one similar experience before… for "Star Trek: the Exhibition". For my thoughts on that, go here.)


Author's Note:
Remember, all of this was over a month ago, so my memory could be a little foggy. Please bear with me, and I will do my best to recount what I experienced. :) Also, pictures are limited, as I didn't think we were allowed. Later I found out we were, so all I have are the few my mom took. :(


Anyway, when we walked up the sidewalk, you could see footprints. We followed them to the building, and outside saw this...


Anyway, we walked in and got our tickets, and got in a long line. The line moved decently quickly, though was long enough for that dang T-Rex to keep staring at me, just as when I was a kid. As we got closer, we saw some things in the distance, but before getting there… we saw Star Trek Barbies in a case (ahhhh, I want!!!), and a real life axolotl like we had learned about in VBS last summer!!


Then, we saw…




Finally we were inside the Exhibit's area.


The first thing we noticed, was there were a whole bunch of displays talking about the history of the author. And more interestingly, about someone he knew, who he later based Holmes on! It was very fascinating stuff to me, though most people didn't pay too much attention to all of it. I was different, and scoured everything because a) we wouldn't get another chance and it was cool, and b) you never knew what would be important later on. ;)


We even got to see some first editions of the books, and some pages from letters and stories in the author's own handwriting! For a budding writer, and lifelong bookworm, this was especially and awesomely cool!


So, there was a lot of this, and then following all of the in-depth history, was the part that we all can admit is the reason we went. See, we (me and everyone else that bought tickets) wanted to be like/work with Sherlock Holmes, right?!

Yep, that's right… we were gonna work to solve a murder!!!


Holmes wasn't there, obviously, but he had left us recordings and notes. It was cool, we had these little books. And every stop of the interactive thing that we hit, we would get a stamp for our books. I'd love to go super into detail, but on the off chance any of you can go, I don't want to ruin it. But I will say, that I did NOT expect what really happened, and was only a tiny bit close in probably one or two aspects. (which really confused me, as I had paid tons of attention to everything I saw and heard in that whole exhibit.)

Following the interactive portion, was the place where you could see things from… pretty much every adaptation you can think of! Old movies, the new movies, Elementary, Sherlock… it was crazy, man! I got to see a really cool old typewriter…


And what was really weird, was when I found myself standing in front of something very familiar, but it took me a minute to place it. (turns out it was from Sherlock's brownstone in Elementary!) Talk about surreal… an actual prop (I think) right in front of me, from something I see every week!


After exploring all of that, was the "gift shop" part of the exhibit. Mom got a white hat, I got: a hat, scarf, two of the three pics they took of us at the beginning, and the Official Exhibition Guide. (Hey, I had saved up! Luckily, since it was right after Christmas, and was the last day, things were super marked down. That's probably a good part of why I was able to get all that!) I have pictures of them, and the little book I mentioned from the interactive part… but I don't have them uploaded on my laptop yet. Hopefully I can get them uploaded and on here soon, so keep checking back!


In the car, when leaving the parking lot, they pointed out that on the roof of the one building (which kept changing colors), it had Sherlock's silhouette! Wish we could have taken a picture of that!


Right, so, when we got home, the three of us watched season 2… which… THAT ENDING! GAH! And a few weeks later, on the 26th, we watched two of the three episodes of season 3. (what, did I forget to mention that I had bought season 3 at best buy sometime in between there? Hehe, oops!) Now, all I have to do, is find a time to sit down with my parents and watch the final episode available. I'm sure I'll like it too!


Hope this was an enjoyable post, if a little on the long side, and that you can get a chance to see the Exhibit! If not, and you want to learn more about what I kept hidden about the murder mystery… message me! Until next time… notice everything, and enjoy life!

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Our Favorite Literary Romances

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Some of the best romantic pairings have come from literature. As fangirls, the written word has often been a refuge for us, and reading about our favorite characters finding love can be a beautiful experience. In our third collab of the month, we share a few of our favorites.

(If you see a blank space, it's probably a spoiler. Highlight it to read.)

Izzy Stevenson


Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks

From the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling


Lupin (left) and Tonks (right). Illustration by Mary GrandPre.

I’ve always been a fan of characters who you would never expect to be a couple, but at the same time feel perfectly matched. When I first started shipping Lupin and Tonks at the start of Order of the Phoenix, I expected my OTP to be considered a crack ship. He was older, calm, and shy; she was youthful, outgoing, and rebellious. But I couldn’t help it. Something about it just felt right. You can imagine my surprise when the author revealed she also apparently felt they belonged together. Tonks and Lupin may have had some rocky patches in their relationship, to say the least; but to me, they’ll always be my miracle ship that became canon against all odds.

Marianne Dashwood and Colonel Brandon 
From Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen



Illustration of Col. Brandon visiting Marianne by C.E. Brock.


At the start of Sense and Sensibility, you would never think of pairing Marianne and Colonel Brandon. They young woman is frivolous and highly emotional, with her head in the clouds, and doesn’t think too highly of the calm and somber older man. Colonel Brandon on the other hand has fallen deeply in love with Marianne, though his dream of earning her heart seems hopeless. But as time goes on, and Brandon reveals more of his inner character, we see a depth of emotion inside of him that only Marianne can match. 

Sophie and Howl
From Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones


The cover of the audio book for Howl’s Moving Castle

Sophie and Howl are, at the same time, the most lovable and most incorrigible people. Howl is independent, chaotic; and despite secretly being brave and kind, he has set himself up as a coward and a dangerous villain. Sophie is structured, bossy, clumsy, and refuses to stop interfering in Howl’s life even when her help consistently results in disaster. Needless to say, the two can’t stand each other or get enough of each other. Normally I’m not a huge fan of love/hate relationships, but it just works so well with them. Oh, and Sophie is also cursed to look like an old woman and needs Howl’s help to turn back into her normal self. As you can imagine, the resulting tale is both hilarious and endearing.

Jaime Heller

Ah, so many choices. Narrowing down all the possibilities to two or three is a lot harder than it looks!

Here are my recent favorites that just won’t leave my heart alone:


Luca and Lia from the River of Time Series (Lisa T. Bergren): These two. Oh my heart. I might be completely biased because Luca swept me off his feet as he swept Lia off her feet. What a heartthrob. But I feel that these two crazy kids balance each other and complement each other. Luca can make her laugh; and she stuns him with every action she makes. Talk about swoon-worthy.

art by lostie815

Cress and Throne from the Lunar Chronicles (Marissa Meyer): As much as I adore the other couples in the Lunar Chronicles (Scarlet and Wolf are a close second), my heart skips with joy when I think about Cress and Captain Carswell Throne. Cress is adorable with her hugecrush and fangirling over him; and Thorne is just the type of sly, charming man to make anybody happy. While I’m not sure how they’ll romance story will end up, my fingers are crossed that they do end up together. Because deep down—past his snarky scoundrel-ness—I think Thorne cares about Cress (or maybe that’s me hoping he cares for her).

Special BROTP mentions: Legolas and Gimli (obviously from Lord of the Rings), Liesel and Max (from The Book Thief), Lucy Pevensie and Mr. Tumnus (obviously from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe).

Mirriam Neal

For some reasons, it’s harder for me to have a book OTP than it is to have an OTP from a TV show or  even a book-to-movie series. When I DO have a book OTP, it tends to be pretty unpopular (and sometimes blatantly illogical but WHO CARES, they have CHEMISTRY). So I hunkered down and came up with a proper list of the OTPs that wrecked my life.

art by Loki-Ellahell
Katniss Everdeen and Finnick Odair (The Hunger Games)

I know. I know. Everyone adores Finnick/Annie and Katniss/Peeta or Katniss/Gale. And I’ll admit, Finnick/Annie are beautiful and I love that pairing – but honestly, this is one of those ‘yeah, I know it doesn’t happen and yean, I know there’s no reason for me to ship this except I DO, DAGNABBIT’ OTPs. They’re both tributes and both emotionally damaged, suffering from PTSD and the loss of loved ones. They’re both emotionally needy even though they try to act as if they aren’t. They’re both selfless and have courage and skill in spades. They have beautiful chemistry (especially in the movies)…and so Katniss and Finnick (Kinnick? Finniss?) remain a sad, doomed, beautiful OTP close to my heart.

Gwindor and Finduilas (The Silmarillion)

He loves her. She doesn’t love him. He dies. I still can’t talk about it.

Rica Wiersema

(Spoilers present in white text: highlight to read.)

1. Ella of Frell and Prince Charmont of Kyrria

Book: Ella Enchanted

     Despite the horrendous mess of a movie that Miramax tried to create in 2004, this book was still one of my favorite fantasy reads growing up because it thoroughly fleshed out the originally-shallow legend of Cinderella (which I normally dislike, I might add. I would love to go into detail about why the movie Ever After is the best film adaptation of the Cinderella myth, but this is about book OTPs, so that's a tale for another time).


     Not only did Ella Enchanted allow the romance between Ella and Charming to start early and grow naturally, but it also included a phenomenal plot twist by placing Ella under an spell/curse of obedience to any and all commands. The breaking of the curse is one of the most romantic and beautiful moments of fairytale magic I’ve ever read… so of course, the movie horrifically changed it.

     In the book, Charmont eventually gets down on one knee and, unaware of the curse, says simply, “Marry me, Ella.” Though he didn’t mean it to be, it was an order… and one that Ella did want to follow. But she knew that if any of his enemies were ever to find out about the curse, they could force her to put him and the kingdom in danger — perhaps even murder Charmont. Because of this, she knew that she couldn't marry her true love and childhood friend at any cost, so she stood rooted to the spot and was put through horrific pain for trying to resist the spell… but at last she was able to put her foot down and shout, “NO! I WILL NOT MARRY YOU!”

 With the spell broken, she’s at last able to run around the house, cheering and yelling over and over, “I won’t marry you!” to the confusion of many, many people… but of course, now that the curse is no longer a threat to Charmon’t safety, she’s free to marry him and live happily forever afterwards.

     The breaking of the curse in the book is such a phenomenal portrayal of a selfless love that so many people overlook in romance… and it’s so much better than the film adaptation. But it’s hard to understand unless you read for yourself.

2. Podo Helmer and Gwendolyn Igiby

 Book[s]: The Monster In the Hollows, Book III of The Wingfeather Saga

     Frankly, where do I begin with these two? Half of their story wouldn’t even make sense without having read the entire series, and the other half of their story is practically wrought with major spoilers. Their entire romance is told as a flashback, in the third book of a four-book saga. But I’ll do my best:

     Podo Helmer was a largely self-made man who ran away from home to grow up as a thief in the East Bend of Skree. He spent much of his adult life as a peg-legged pirate of Symia, doing many things that he would eventually come to regret in his later years.


     One day when he came to the port city of Ban Rona, he saw a most beautiful woman and left the sea forever… but their story isn’t near as simple as that.

As it turns out, that beautiful woman had a pretty ugly personality, and during their courtship he fell in love with her gentle, homely housemaid Gwendolyn instead. However, to prove his love for Gwendolyn, he had to take a historic beating from the very closed-off, rough-and-tumble inhabitants of the Green Hollows.

     But in the end, Podo earned Gwendolyn’s hand. The wild pirate was slowly tamed by the plain young lady from Ban Rona, and she introduced him to a world of honor and selfless love for family that he hadn’t known growing up. Also, their daughter went on to marry the High King of Anneria.

     But then Gwendolyn was lost to battle when the great nameless evil, Gnag the Nameless, invaded from the east and attempted to destroy every kingdom in his path. Podo then became the central protector of his three grandchildren… particularly his pint-sized granddaughter Leeli, who sang like a songbird and had a lame leg just like him. She and her mother were the only pieces of Gwendolyn that he had left.

     Podo went on to guide his family through battles and betrayals as a wild-but-wizened old man, fighting to his last breath to keep his family safe… all because of the love that one woman taught him about all those years ago.


Sarah Munson

My truest OTP is me with a book. Yup. That right there is true love. Within the pages of countless novels, though, I’ve found so many couples to fall in love with. I could probably write my own book filled with my favorite fictional pairs, and all the reasons I ship them.

When I got Agent Sky’s email saying we were doing a collaborative post on book OTP’s, I was giddy, and also a little overwhelmed. There are so many good books, with so many stellar couples! How could I choose? I have at last narrowed my choices down to a couple of couples. (Which is my ridiculous way of saying I’ve selected two couples to talk about.)


The first is one from my favorite book series, the River of Time by Lisa T. Bergren. If you read my Valentine’s Day link-up post, you know where this is going. Yes, I am once again talking about Lia and Luca. I really tried to stop myself from picking them again, but what can I say? Luca and Lia are right at the top of my OTP scale. They instantly have a spark, but they know how to be friends first. They’re at ease with one another, and spend many scenes teasing and bantering. When Lia and Luca are together, laughter is often present. Yet they know how and when to be serious, and their mutual understanding is perhaps more attractive than their shared sense of humor. Each deeply trusts and respects the other; even when they disagree or fight, they don’t attack the other person’s weaknesses. I love that no matter what they face, these two are more than romantic partners; they are an enduring team. Also, when I was struggling to come up with a “celebrity” couple name for Lia and Luca for the link-up, Jaime came to my rescue and christened the pair Evangeluca. I think it’s perfect, just as Luca and Lia are for one another.

My second couple is more famous, being from one of the best-selling series of all time. I fully ship Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley. I was cheering for Ginny from the moment she arrived at Hogwarts, though I was glad she and Harry don’t become romantically involved until the latter part of the series. Both have very strong, somewhat stubborn personalities. They’re fighters, brave even when they don’t want to be, and deeply devoted. Their connection to one another is far stronger than simple romance. They’re united in their values, experiences, and even some struggles. Harry and Ginny first get to know one another without the pressure of a relationship, so when they do eventually start going together, each already understands the other’s strengths and weaknesses. They look out for one another, making sacrifices and hard choices, even giving up their budding love for a time. Ginny and Harry do not have a smooth road, but overcoming every obstacle ultimately brings them closer together. And despite all the dark times, they still have fun together and know how to cheer one another up. Theirs is a love that grows gradually, continues steadfastly, and lasts eternally.

Sky Destrian

While I tend to ship people more in movies or TV shows, there are a couple book couples that have stolen my heart. 


1. Augustus Waters & Hazel Grace Lancaster
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Move over, Romeo and Juliet. This is the heartbreaking OTPs to end all OTPs. It really hit me how much I shipped them when I watched the movie. The way they connect and become deeper friends, then fall in love, is so beautiful. 

I related a lot to Hazel Grace--her quietness, her hesitancy to fall in love. Augustus is one of the sweetest boys. The way he cares for Hazel, even though she resists at first, is so beautiful. He reads Hazel Grace's favorite book and falls just as in love with it as she is, then takes her to Amsterdam so that they can find out the true ending.

If you are somehow unspoiled by the ending of this book and haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it. Then go watch the movie. There will be tears.


2. Sam & Grace
The Shiver Trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater

(Heads up, I haven't read Linger and Forever yet.)

I read Shiver last month and fell head over heels in love. With the prose, yes, but also the main couple, Sam and Grace.

These two complete each other. Sam is an a sensitive, artistic boy, and Grace is pragmatic, good with numbers and figures. It shouldn't work, but it really does. Their slow descent into love is one of the most beautiful things I've read in a long time, and when they finally admitted to each other that they loved each other, my shipper's heart was completely happy. I look forward to reading the sequels. You'll be hearing more from me about it, I'm sure.

What are your book OTPs? Tell us below in the comments!

Mission Accomplished: Agent Carter Finale Recap

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Well, Agents, it’s time for our final mission: A recap of the Agent Carter season finale.



I cannot believe eight episodes are over already! I was desperate to know how it would end, but I’m not ready to accept that is has ended now.

Here are the facts on how the last escapade plays out (as always, there are explosive spoilers ahead. Proceed with caution at your own risk.)

Episode 8: Valediction

At the start of episode 8, Agent Carter goes in alongside Thompson and Sousa to investigate a murderous scene at a theater.


Forty-seven people were found dead in gruesome ways. The theater manager has no idea what could have killed them, since the auditorium doors were locked from the outside. After a quick review of the bodies, Peggy concludes these people killed each other. But why? Inside the destroyed theater, Agent Sousa uncovers a canister of noxious gas. Some of the substance sprays him in the face, and he suddenly goes off in a rage, attempting to kill Agent Thompson before another officer knocks out Sousa. Back at the S.S.R., Sousa recovers from the effects of the toxin, and the team continues to investigate how it was used in the theater. They know Ivchenko stole a major supply of it, and now that they’re aware of its effects, they need to figure out where he plans to unleash it. Their work is interrupted by the arrival of none other than Howard Stark, escorted by Edwin Jarvis. (Yes, Mr. Jarvis has a first name that I continually forget about.)


Howard is immediately arrested, and blamed for all the destruction his inventions have caused. He rightly accepts the blame and explains it’s why he’s returned. The gas is called Midnight Oil, he says, and it’s what was used in the battle of Fennel to cause an entire troop to wipe each other out. Stark saw the effects and has to stop it from happening again. Since Ivchenko is after Stark, Howard is going to face the situation. The agents reluctantly realize they need Stark’s help and so they formulate a plan to reel in Ivchenko (whose real name is Fennhoff) and his assassin, “Dottie.”


The plan goes awry, and Howard ends up captured by the Russians. The team quickly deduces that Fennhoff is planning to use one of Stark’s private plans to spray Times Square with Midnight Oil during the V-3 celebration. Ivchenko/Fennhoff reveals that his brother was killed in Fennel, thanks to Midnight Oil, and so the Russian survivor is now bent on revenge.


He brainwashes Stark and Howard’s plane takes off before Peggy and her team can stop him. Peggy gets into a vicious fight with Dottie, and Fennhoff escapes.

 

Agent Sousa and Thompson bring the man down, while Peggy finally defeats Dottie by pushing her out a window. Peggy attempts to break through Howard’s trance over the dispatch, but he insists he is doing the right thing and is bringing back Captain America. 


Meanwhile, Jarvis, the only one who knows how to pilot, has Stark in his sights. The butler is ready to shoot down Howard if necessary, but Peggy refuses to give the order, trying desperately to snap Stark back into reality. At the last minute, he breaks out of hypnosis, saving his life and also sparing Jarvis from taking it. (Stark is indignant when he later learns about the plan. But hey, I would have shot him down for the greater good, too!) Fennhoff is thrown into prison, wearing an odd metal gag to keep him from speaking. After all, Agent Thompson was right when he said, “If he talks, you’re dead.” At last, Fennhoff can’t tell people to focus! Dottie (or whatever her real name is) somehow manages to get away.


As for the S.S.R. team, Agent Thompson becomes chief and takes all the credit for their mission’s success. He does offer Peggy her position back, though she doesn’t accept. At least, not yet. I can’t imagine the S.S.R. without Agent Carter forever! In the meantime, Stark gives her one of his “smaller” penthouses and Angie moves in as her roommate. Howard goes on to destroy his inventions, not trusting any government with them after his past experiences. He already believes Captain America’s blood is lost, and in a way, it is. Jarvis nabbed it and turns it over to Peggy, saying she’s the only person who he can imagine taking care of it. She’s touched, and later spills it into the river, releasing Steve at last, with the words, “Goodbye, my darling…”


Let’s pause a moment and listen to the sounds of our hearts breaking.

Now, to keep them from breaking further, I do have a glimmer of hope. The end of Agent Carter neatly tied up a lot of loose ends and details, but it left some dangling. Fennhoff’s cell mate is the scientist Arnim Zola- the guy we remember from working with Red Skull. They begin to communicate through writing, as Fennhoff can’t talk. And Peggy says she doesn’t believe they’ve seen the last of Dottie. Furthermore, I expect Leviathan reaches further than Fennhoff and the blonde assassin. And since Peggy hasn’t officially returned to the S.S.R., her next moves are a question still open. This all leads me to believe there will be a season 2 after all!

So take heart, agents. Our mission may not be over yet!


Speaking of loose ends, here are a few loose thoughts I jotted down after the finale:

· HOW did Dottie live? I’m pretty sure she’s not fully human. Either that, or she is dead and someone else carried her away. Given the bloody footprints, if that were the case, I’d bet it was another female operative. 

· I’m not completely satisfied that Dottie and Fennhoff lived; however, I can overlook it or even approve if it means I get another season of Agent Carter.

· Fennhoff’s main motive in unleashing Midnight Oil was revenge. I would have preferred him to be after something else as well, but I suppose revenge can be vicious enough on its own.

· It was awesome seeing Agent Carter team up with Agent Sousa and Thompson as equals! Sousa really had me worried when Fennhoff seemed to have him hypnotized; but it turns out that Daniel Sousa is far cleverer than I credited him for. As for Thompson, he was great on the mission but hasn’t changed entirely. I had a pipe dream of Peggy becoming head of the S.S.R., but the position seems to suit Thompson. Even if his ego irked me immensely at the end.


· I love Peggy’s response when Daniel asks how she puts up with Thompson taking the credit. She knows her value; no one else’s opinion matters in that case.


· Howard Stark is definitely Tony Stark’s dad. If anything proves it, it’s the scene in the lab. “This should be kept in the dark. And this should be kept cool! And this- it’s fine now.”

· Jarvis is dearer to me with each episode. He really stepped up to get the job done, and although his next mission is to organize the spice cabinet, he’s proven himself to be more than a butler. He’s also proven that he has one of the strongest characters in the show. As he states before giving Peggy Cap’s blood, “I owe Mr. Stark a great deal, but he does not own my integrity.”


Well, agents, I think we can say our mission is accomplished. 

Now excuse me while I go cry some more of Peggy and Steve.

Goodbye, my darlings.



Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Taking Flight With The Wingfeather Saga

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     Alright, I admit it: today, I'm not going to introduce you to a film or a television show… I'm going to introduce you to a book series.

     But don't high-tail it to another webpage just yet; I'm just as likely to pick a movie over a book as anybody else (in fact, perhaps more likely, given my love for visual mediums and the adrenaline rush of sitting in a dark cinema...) but there are certain books that are always going to be worth reading. Whether you've spent late nights under a bedside lamp to finish another chapter of Harry Potter, or whether you spent years trying to beat the summer heat by lying around and listening to Brian Jacques narrate his own audiobooks in his rich Scottish brogue (a gush-worthy experience that must be saved for a different blog post); or taking turns with the rest of your family and narrating Swallows and Amazons aloud… there will always be a few hardbacks that are destined to stay on your shelf until the day you die.

     Even though large portions of my own shelf (and blogs) are dedicated to movies and TV shows, I have found one such book series that is worth not just mentioning, but praising highly… and I will do my best to explain it in a spoiler-free manner that (hopefully) does the stories justice.


Hogwarts The Wingfeather Saga, A History

     I spent a large portion of my life being shuttled about in a minivan, like many children. Some of those trips were spent listening to audiobooks or children’s music albums (and I’m sure my parents grew sick of many a repeated song in those days). However, on the rare occasions when the adults were allowed to choose their own music, the radio was turned on. And in the late 90s, many of our chosen radio stations started to feature, as my father called him, “the Kalamazoo Guy,” (thanks to a certain song of his that mentioned Kalamazoo in the opening line).

     As it turns out, “the Kalamazoo Guy,” was really a Nashville musician named Andrew Peterson. We started collecting his CDs over the years, at first because my parents liked him and then because I liked him. Peterson’s music could only be described as acoustic poetry: he mixed piano and guitar with lyrics that didn’t even need music to be considered enchanting. His subjects ranged from from good-humored songs about retiring in Alaska to the gravity of growing up or losing a loved one. In fact, by 2013 or so, I realized that we possessed every album that he’d ever released — which perhaps made him our very favorite musical artist of all.

     But what does this have to do with a book series, you say? Well, about five years ago, I had the privilege of seeing Andrew Peterson in concert: I was practically rolling in my seat; not only did he have an incredible skill with words, but with wit and humor, too. Near the end, he mentioned that his merchandise table also featured some books he had written — fantasy books, of all things, for (or rather, about) his three children.

     I took one look at the cover of On The Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, which boasted, “Adventure. Peril. Lost Jewels. And the Fearsome Toothy Cows of Skree,” and bought the paperback in a heartbeat.

     By 2011, the first three novels for the series had been released. Eventually the final book, The Warden and the Wolf King, was funded thanks to an unbelievably-successful Kickstarter campaign that many of us fans hopped on in 2013.


     And did I mention the many bonuses that piled up as the money kept pouring in? Full-scale maps, MP3s of original songs, illustrated hardbacks, audiobooks narrated by Peterson himself, even a separately published edition of Pembrick’s Creaturepedia (which is the Wingfeather version of Harry Potter’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them)! Andrew Peterson not only enjoys readers who contribute to his work -- he invites their input with great enthusiasm! Book clubs and art clubs and blogs about the series abound already.

     I’ve spent the last five years trying to convince my friends and family members that they all have to read the series for themselves. Not everyone has yet to acquiesce, but those that eventually caved beneath my oppression have admitted that they’ve fallen in love with the saga, too.

The Plot

     In a land called Aerwiar (which is explained to readers in the book’s initial Brief Introduction to the World of Aerwiar), in the land of Skree (explained to readers in A Slightly Less Brief Introduction to the Land of Skree), there lives a family of peasants called the Igibys (explained in the Introduction to the Igiby Cottage [Very Brief]).

     Many years ago, a Nameless Evil (named Gnag the Nameless) rose up in the east and overran all free lands. Now every city, town, and peasant lives under his rule alone, and they are governed by his cruel Fang snake-men who oppress the people and occasionally kidnap victims to take away in their Black Carriage for unknown purposes, never to be seen again.



     However, for the three Igiby children (Janner, Tink, and Leeli), life isn’t all that bad… until one sour encounter with the Fangs sends their destinies spiraling in a new direction. Suddenly their lives become progressively less comfy and the spark of greatness inside each of them is fed into living flames.

     With the guidance of their wise mother Nia and their wild retired-pirate grandfather Podo, Janner and his siblings must grow up a little faster than they’d planned… and also step up to the helm of a great war against Gnag the Nameless.

The Appeal

     When trying to explain this series to others, I’ve often summed it up by exclaiming, “It’s as if The Chronicles of Narnia was written by Dr. Seuss!”

     While the books aren’t written entirely in rhyme (thank goodness), they mesh an incredible blend of wacky humor with profound meanings and truth. Occasional poems or song lyrics are interwoven with paragraphs that are simply begging to be read aloud in a most pompous manner.

     Peterson’s writing style is similar to J.K. Rowling’s, filling the pages with quirky and humorous details… details that may end up holding the balance of major events to come. Much in the way that our own lives are chock-full of facts that we often overlook, these books take seemingly-insignificant goings-on and interlace them with the plot to create incredible mystery. But just because these books seem to feature extra details doesn’t mean they’re at all monotonous; they’re full to the brim with rip-roaring humor and ancient archetypes and incredible legends of old!


     Peterson enchants the most mundane of objects, sometimes by doing little more than renaming them; you have to admit that a dinner of cheesy chowder with totatoes on the side and sugarberry pie for dessert sounds heavenly. He’s taken to heart what C.S. Lewis once said about writing for children (or indeed people of all ages): “[One] does not despise real woods because he has read of enchanted woods; the reading makes all real woods a little enchanted.”

     But don’t think that just because Peterson’s adventures are ‘cute’ that they are meant for young readers only: children and adults alike will discover new lessons within the pages of this high adventure. In fact, people at all walks of life will find themselves both sitting on (and then promptly laughing too hard and falling off) the edges of their seats! My parents are currently hooked on reading the saga aloud with their youngest daughter — and she’s almost old enough to attend college!

     These stories do an incredible job of mixing competent adult characters with younger main characters who are coming of age and learning to rely on themselves. Every reader will find something new, profound, and/or hilarious every time they open up the Wingfeather Saga.

The Rating

     PG, with maaaybe an occasional PG-13 for a few scary themes… but if your kids can handle The Hobbit, The Hunger Games, or any of the Harry Potters, they can certainly handle these books.

     Violence: This is a fantasy world, with magic and battles and good and evil. There are wounds and blood and perilous situations; there are evil curses and malicious monsters and even psychological, Jekyll-and-Hyde-esque curses.

     But, a bit like Narnia, this is also a fantasy world where there is no doubt that a greater force of good overshadows any evil that could be present.

     Children aren’t going to read this and then wake up in the night afraid that a monster is under their bed; if anything, they’ll learn that their parents will always be down the hall and ready to protect them… and that some monsters might be friendly, anyway.

     Sex: None. This is all strict Disney-style romance, with kisses being pretty much the most anyone sees. If that.

     Language: Except for the occasional PG pirate-talk from a peg-legged buccaneer, this is (once again) a child-appropriate series. There may be deadly threats spoken at grave moments, but no innuendos or curse words that require censorship.

          The Genre

     If you couldn’t already tell, this series is nothing but a humorous, profound fantasy adventure that takes its readers everywhere from a bleak forest to the Dark Sea of Darkness, and from ice prairies to the evil castle Throg where reigns Gnag the Nameless himself! While the main focus is usually the young boy Janner as he comes of age and learns to be a man, many characters have their moments in in the spotlight, too — and many of them get to use all different kinds of skills and strengths other than brute force or mere weaponry to conquer all.

     These books focus on some basic themes like family and sacrifice, but also show more deep lessons — like exposing the damage that one small wrong (or even a misunderstanding) can do over years and years without being dealt with or forgiven.

     So is it worth it?

The Decision

     Yes. Yes, it is.

     Frankly, I have yet to hear or read an unkind word about this series. It’s a heart-pounding, rib-splitting roller-coaster ride for the whole family. Whether you read it by yourself or with others; whether you’re twelve or sixty-eight; whether you tend to prefer movies over books like I do*; I promise you, this series is worth your time. Even if you don’t care for all of its deeper meanings or its adolescent main characters that you’ve supposedly outgrown, it’ll definitely be good for a laugh and there's definitely someone in your life that you can pass it on to.

     * Good news, my friends; Peterson has teamed up with some top-notch animators to bring his stories to the silver screen… and I may or may not have fangirled shamelessly about the campaign in another article on TFI.

Conclusion


     Go to your nearest bookstore immediately. Buy The Wingfeather Saga. Hunker down with a cozy blanket, a friend, and a bowl of cheesy chowder. The prepare yourself to laugh, cry, cheer, and shiver as goosebumps ride up your spine. Your next great adventure is about to begin.