Rediscovering the Truth

I have always been an X-Files junkie since the first season. It wasn't a vintage until the second season when every episode seemed like a whole movie. The plots were that good. It kinda lost momentum especially when Mulder kinda left the series. And it never quite gained it back, especially when the story revolved around the loss of his sisters and the Government cover-up plot etc. I wanted them to go back to the simpler stuff.

Then Fringe came along which sort of filled the void. That also ended. So, I had been yearning for a good sci-fi for a while.

Imagine my delight when the announcement came that Mulder and Scully would be reunited. So, I had been eagerly awaiting the next instalment since.

I recorded the two episodes from last week and was only able to watch them last night. It left me with a mixed feeling. It was mainly positive but I thought the story-line could have been paced differently. I prefer them slower and putting in more interesting incidents of the paranormal in between like they used to. Stretch it to more than 6 episodes, allowing the character to develop a bit more since 13 years was a big gap. They had children together for heaven's sake.

Two down, another four to go. Another episode airing this evening. Let's see where it would take us ...

Fringing Apart?

I finally had time to catch up with the fourth season of Fringe, even though I had the DVD since the end of last year - a legal one this time. What spurred me was the fact that I managed to get episodes from the fifth - and final - season from my DVD peddler a couple of weeks back. Time to catch up ….

I was afraid that the series was doing an X-Files on me. It was getting way to personal in terms of plot lines. I prefer the Fringe team exploring the supernatural happenings, rather than talking about the new world order and invasion of alien beings. I want it to be kept real! The moment I found out that of of the main character was shot and then brought back to life, I started to doubt that the new season would be as good as the previous.

The same happened during the fourth season of Galactica when the story became personal - with the crew being grounded at a planet since Galactica ran out of fuel and there was mutiny amongst the crew. The plot started to become thin and at times excruciating. Once the Cylons found out about the new colony, Galactica packed up and started moving and the story then became interesting again. I think Sci-Fi should never take themselves too seriously when it comes to plot. You could turn to daytime soap opera for that ….

Well, I watched the final two-parter last night and it had enough hook for me to soldier on for the final season. Will start with the first episode tonight if I had the time ….

Season Three

The extended weekends at the apartment allowed Anita and I to indulge on the things we liked to do together - watching movies. On one of the trips to Plaza Damas, we managed to pick up the third season of Downton Abbey, and devices a marathon for the two of us. We went through four episodes last night, and the rest - another four this afternoon after my ward rounds.

Due to that, we had to delay our trip back to Gombak, and went for a late lunch cum tea as well on the way home.

The third season was less gloomy than the war-tinged second season. The was no lack of drama of course. There was enough twists and turn to get the plot moving, new characters being introduced as well as a few departing. The ending was a good one though, providing some closure to a few of the questions left hanging. Shame that Lady Mary's wedding to Matthew was not shown in great splendour.

The narrative was sharp, and the comments from the Dowager Countess was as cutting as ever. Great screenplay with great direction and acting. Shirley MacLaine character only showed up in a couple of episodes though, leaving us wanting for more.

Next stop, the Christmas Special 2012. Not available yet for download on the UK iTunes Store as yet.

Downton Abbey Done for Now

It was close to 2 in the morning, and I have just finished watching the Christmas edition of Downton Abbey. It would be along day tomorrow - luckily I have only got a couple of patients in the ward, plus a few coming to clinic. So, hopefully it won't be too bad.

So, I was finally finished with the first couple of seasons. The third would be out some time in September. I would be getting the season pass off iTunes when it was finally out. Looking forward to that. Now, off to bed ...

New Season of Fringe

After a wait of six months, I finally got hold of the fourth season of Fringe. A new perspective with a new story arch this season, and in the first few episodes, the emphasis was more on new events rather than the main plot. The challenge here was finding time to watch all the episodes .....

It looked like even Puan Anita was interested in the plot. In fact, she was aching it with me yesterday. I also had the whole of the first season Downton Abbey in my cabinet and that would be another 10 hours worth of TV viewing.