Category: Disney Studios

  • Alien: Earth Metamorphosis and Observation Begin Return to Alien Canon Roots!

    Alien: Earth Metamorphosis and Observation Begin Return to Alien Canon Roots!

    2025-08-12 Alien Earth banner

    Welcome Back Alien fans!

    2025-08-12 Alien Earth poster - Crop
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    What we have all waited five years for has finally come to pass! It is the year 2120, two years before the events in Alien (1979) and fifty-nine years before the events of Aliens (1986). Although drifting from canon, fans should consider that it is likely the events in Alien: Earth may have led to the findings of the Nostromo as delineated in the first and expanded in then second films of the franchise. 

    NOTE: What is rather odd about this brand new broadcast science fiction series is that after Alien fans have been waiting over five years for it, the three major Social Media associated accounts on X (Hulu, Disney Plus and FX Networks) have failed to regularly post or even interact with Alien: Earth fans. Nor do they post anything promoting the series each week. Critically, FX Networks has not even posted since the Shogun on November 02, 2023!

    2025-08-12 Alien Earth poster1 - Crop
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    Everyone in the entertainment industry, including FX Networks owner Disney Studios knows that X is without doubt the most important social media entertainment platform in the world as indicated by their use of X to promote other movie and television franchise products. Fans we have questioned want to know why Alien: Earth is being virtually ignored on X?

    Before you proceed with my analysis, we suggest reading Lori’s detailed analysis of the first two episodes that clearly highlights the good and non canon aspects concerning Alien: Earth. The good news is that FX Networks has elected to broadcast the full episodes that are over an hour in in length so that important elements are not left on the cutting room floor for commercials.

    This time around we are once again on a ship owned by the corrupt Weyland-Yutani Corporation that has been seeking extra terrestrial life forms for several decades (at least). Named the USCSS Maginot, the ship was on a 65 year mission returning to Earth with several alien specimens that will manifest into disastrous results.

    Alien Covenant poster
    Image courtesy 20th Century Studios

    What all this means is that the Xenomorph Egg proto specimens may have been on the Alien: Earth Maginot ship from as early as the year 2093.

    This is well before the evil corporate android David (Michael Fassbender) created the Xenomorphs in the year 2104 during Alien: Covenant (2017).

     

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    Alien Romulus Ian Holm as Rook
    Image courtesy 20th Century Studios

    All this happened after the events that occurred subsequent to the events in the year 2093 onboard the ship in the film Prometheus (2012) some twenty-two years before Alien: Romulus in the year 2142.

    Viewers will recall that this was when a ship full of Xenomorph’s, with the help of a sickening synthetic humanoid android named Rook (Ian Holm), planned to take over and infect all the passengers on the ship portrayed in Romulus, then ultimately bring the Xenomorph’s to Earth for the Weyland-Yutani Corporation!

     

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    Alien Earth Noah Hawley at SDCC
    Image courtesy Vulture Dot Com

    Fortunately two survive Romulus in cryogenic stasis and escape on a cargo ship named Corbelan before the main ship named the Renaissance is destroyed by impact with the rings of planet LV-410 apparently killing the hideous Xenomorphs. All of this says nothing about the events of Alien Resurrection set some 261 years after Alien: Earth!

    Confused yet Alien: Earth admirers? Most Alien franchise fans are justifiably perplexed. Especially since series creator Noah Hawley stated in an interview before the release of Alien: Earth that he was going to largely ignore references made in the outstanding Alien prequel movies Prometheus and Covenant. Many Alien franchise fans agree that not referencing the prequels makes no sense!

    Alien Earth S1x01 The team
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    Too bad Mr. Hawley, TeamWHR has news for you! Alien franchise fans and WormholeRiders News Agency have done all the mathematics and figured out that what is about to happen is all tied together. Your job Mr. Hawley (Ethan Hunt – Mission Impossible pun intended) is to maintain the veracity and sanctity of the Alien canon, something that seems to have eluded yourself and franchise creator and Alien: Earth Executive Producer Ridley Scott to some extent so far.

    This time around, we learn Weyland-Yutani Corporation has competition. In specific Prodigy Corporation is named that has created hybrid humans by implanting the consciousness of terminally ill young people into the synthetic human bodies. Utilizing the film classic Peter Pan, unfortunately pandering to Disney Studios in the process, by naming the main Alien: Earth characters Wendy (Sydney Chandler) and Peter Pan’s “Lost Boys”.

    2025-08-12 Alien Earth poster8
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    Nevertheless, although a bad move by the creators of Alien Earth in our humble opinion, the third episode titled Metamorphosis, returns to Alien canon for the most part to the sighs of relief from the viewers. This after a lackluster 590,000 viewers on FX Networks for the premiere episode and only 380,000 for the second episode. This is compared to 2.6 million viewers for the Nautilus science fiction series premiere that Disney cancelled prematurely. After producing and broadcasting the first season in the UK, fortunately for North American fans, this superb science fiction adventure series was sold to AMC-TV.

    Although Alien: Earth now boasts 9.2 million premiere viewers on streaming service Hulu, this is a calculated estimate with no empirical evidence provided to substantiate their viewership. It is only calculated viewer time that has been provided to date, something easy to fabricate. Despite many reviews that (so far) discuss the potential of Alien Earth as a disappointment, we are keeping an open mind hoping the series continues to improve over time.

    Alien Earth cast and creators
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    Additionally, as mentioned above, FX Networks, the creator of Alien: Earth, has not posted anything since November 2023 on X. Strangely, Hulu only recently began supporting the FX Networks flagship science fiction series on X with only three posts AND NONE on Disney Plus!

    Many  commenting on X hope that it turns out to be an accidental omission in this case up to now. However, even on Facebook, the official Alien: Earth posts are often liked by only a few hundred people, with only ~92,000 followers, not hundreds thousands of followers expected for a series with 9.2 million of viewers.

     

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    Metamorphosis:

    Alien Earth S1x03 Morrow is the only survivor
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    This third episode invests in character development while returning to it’s Alien roots with a decisive battle between an escaped Xenomorphic alien creature and Wendy. Written by Noah Hawley and Directed by Dana Gonzales, it is confirmed that Weyland-Yutani‘s Morrow (Babou Ceesay) is the only survivor of the Maginot. Morrow unsuccessfully attempts to make a deal with Kirsh (Timothy Olyphont) regarding the cargo he has crash landed on an Earth island named Neverland. It is another Peter Pan Disney Studios pander that leaves many viewers scratching their heads in puzzlement.

    Alien Earth S1x03 Wendy Ms Yutani owner of Weyland-Yutani
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    Morrow escapes and reports to his boss Yutani (Sandra Yi Sencindiver) who is the daughter of the original Yutani who was in charge at Weyland-Yutani before he left on the Maginot sixty-five years earlier.

    Morrow is ordered back to base, but convinces Yutani that he has a plan to salvage the extraterrestrial creature cargo he brought back to Earth. No doubt Morrow plans to steal it from Prodigy Corporation on Neverland research island complex. This element is left for future episodes to explore.

     

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    Alien Earth S1x03 Hermit Joe trapped by the Xenomorph
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    Meanwhile, Wendy is searching frantically against the orders of Kirsh. When she finds her brother Joe Hermit (Alex Lawther), viewers witness that he has been trapped in Xenomorph goo, obviously being prepared for implantation by a Facehugger egg.

    In the process Wendy is witnessed battling the escaped Xenomorph that grew to full size after everyone, except Morrow, on the Maginot was slaughtered.

    Wendy does battle with the Xenomorph and thankfully succeeds in killing the creature in a classic fight to the death confrontation. During the confrontation Wendy is damaged.

     

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    Alien Earth S1x03 Boy Kavalier and Kirsh examine the Xenomorph egg
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    Fortunately, Wendy who was injured in the process, is saved by minions of Kirsh who take her back to Boy Kavalier’s (Samuel Blenkin) laboratory to have her injuries repaired. Here with Dame Sylvia (Essie Davis), Wendy’s human “mother” standing bedside, we learn that Wendy, unless completely destroyed by Xenomorph acid blood, can be restored to full functionality. Mighty handy for the future of the series that apparently all the hybrids can be repaired,

    While this is happening, Nibs (Lily Newmark) and hybrid Curly (Erana James) who also looks a lot like Sigourney Weaver, wonder why they couldn’t keep their human names. They accuse Boy Kavalier of Wendy being his favorite. Kavalier admits Wendy is, but only because she was the first hybrid to be created, but that she (Curly) is in the hunt for favorite hybrid status as they work in the laboratory with other extra terrestrial creatures including the Eye-Ball monster among other horrors.

    Alien Earth S1x03 Wendy can hear the Xenomorph
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    We also learn that Wendy, after she escapes the laboratory hospital, can hear the alien creatures being resurrected in the laboratory. We witnessed Wendy hearing alien chittering language during the premiere, but viewers thought it was due to the proximity of the Xenomorph.

    From the story arc in the third episode, it appears apparent that Wendy is currently the only hybrid who can hear these foul creatures thinking. No doubt this will become a focal point in future episodes.

    Alien Earth S1x03 Wendy with her brother Joe Hermit
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    In Metamorphosis, during the ending sequences, we witness Kirsh extracting what appears to be a tadpole from a Facehugger specimen. This tadpole, a baby Xenomorph, is being inserted into a human lung. This delineation establishes that the Xenomorph’s do not gestate in the intestines of their victims before literally bursting upon the world killing their hosts per Alien canon.

    An interesting development, to say the least, is proof that both Prodigy and Weyland-Yutani corporations have long planned to develop the Xenomorph as a weapon of mass destruction despite the obvious threat to humanity. The real question to consider is if Prodigy in the process of making a Xenomorph queen? Our opinion is yes and this factor will be to investigated further in future episodes.

     

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    Observation:

    Alien Earth S1x04 Wendy is examined
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    The fourth episode is directed by Ugla Hauksdóttir and was written by Noah Hawley. “Observation” creates an Alien canon pivot point regarding what happened subsequent to Wendy and Joe Hermit (her brother) in their life and death struggle with a fully formed Xenomorph that escaped the Maginot.

    Fortunately Wendy successfully killed the creature in the previous episode much to the disappointment of Prodigy Corporation. However, Boy Kavalier’s Prodigy Corporation has plans to rectify that situation!

     

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    Alien Earth S1x04 Wendy recovering after surviving the Xenomorph battle
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    The episode opens with a scene of Wendy on a hospital like table being examined by Kirsh, Dame Sylvia, her scientist husband Arthur (David Rysdahl), and Boy Kavalier. Wendy relates she has experienced “hearing the Xenomorph’s thinking”.

    This fits the episode description “An unexpected connection is formed while a covert plot puts everyone in danger”  

    When Wendy awakens, brother Joe Hermit arrives and is told that his damaged lung was replaced and that he will never guess what they did with his old lung.

     

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    Alien Earth S1x03 Wendy examines the lung implanted with the Facehugger tadpole
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    Viewers will recall that Wendy saw Joe’s lung being experimented on and that Kirsh implanted a Facehugger tadpole in it. Although Wendy did not know at the time it was her brothers lung because Kirsh took her hearing “offline” so that Wendy cannot hear he and Boy Kavalier talking.

    This is a disturbing development because it means that Boy Kavalier’s Prodigy Corporation has complete control over the hybrid human beings. Wendy later surmises it was her brothers lung when she learns her brother received an artificial lung from Kirsh in the Prodigy Corporation research laboratory.

    Alien Earth S1x04 Wendy meets with Boy Kavalier
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    After her hearing is restored, Wendy shares with Boy Kavalier and Kirsh confirming to them both that she can hear the Xenomorphs thinking and that she suspects a baby Xenomorph is in process of being born elsewhere in the Prodigy research laboratory complex. Do they know about this?.

    Kirsh expresses concern that it could affect their plan to manipulate the extraterrestrial life forms. Boy Kavalier blithely states that everything and everyone on the island is his property!

    Alien Earth S1x04 Eyeball monster takes over sheep
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    In a particularly vivid scene, viewers learn that this includes Kirsh using the Eye- Ball monster to take over a sheep, an innocent life form.

    Despite objections expressed by Arthur as expressed to his wife Dame Sylvia, It is at this point viewers learn that Prodigy Corporation in general and Boy Kavalier in specific have no ethical objections to utilizing anyone or anything to achieve their nefarious goals.

    Meanwhile Morrow recruits Aarush Singh renamed to hybrid human Slightly (Adarsh Gourav) to infiltrate Kirsh’s laboratory. Although reluctant, Slightly is convinced when Morrow blackmails him with implied threats to his family. Unknown to Morrow and Slightly, Kirsh is observed monitoring their entire conversation!

    Alien Earth S1x04 Nibs thinks she is pregnant
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    The episode continues with brother Joe Hermit also being blackmailed. Unless he cooperates with Prodigy Corporation and helps keep an eye on Wendy, he will be sent off the island, never see his sister again, and a hefty bill for his lung replacement will be forthcoming.

    To make matter worse for the hapless hyvrids, Nibs confesses to Dame Sylvia that she believes she is pregnant. The result is Dame Sylvia Nibs is to be locked in her room. Will Nibs survive what Boy Kavalier and Prodigy Corporation have in store for her?

    Alien Earth S1x04 Wendy pets the Xenomorph
    Image courtesy FX Networks

    The episode comes to an ending with Wendy back in the research laboratory where the sounds she has heard are coming from. Kirsh observing Wendy without her knowledge. Wendy, while looking at lung that is the source of the Xenomorph thinking she hears witnesses a baby creature erupt from the lung taken from her brother.

    Amazingly, Wendy, with a smug smile on her face, is not afraid and actually pets the hideous baby Xenomorph who does not attack Wendy! The only conclusion we can draw is that Wendy is in communication with the baby monster, Is this what Kirsh and Boy Kavalier planned or is it a surprise they didn’t know was coming? Tune in for future episodes to find out!  

    Click to visit and follow WormholeRiders News Agency on X!

    We will be back with more on Alien: Earth after we complete our reports about the Press Room interviews and Panels we covered during our time at San Diego Comic-Con this year. In the meantime, please feel free to share this article with your friends, co-workers and or your family!

    We look forward to you visiting our dedicated review and analysis web site here in the future! Or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit WormholeRiders on X, or visit me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story. I and TeamWHR look forward to Seeing You on The Other Side!

    Thank you. Click to visit and follow WormholeRiders (Kenn) on X!

    Best Regards,

    Kenn of #TeamWHR

  • San Diego Comic-Con 2025, Julien’s Star Wars Auction, Predator: Badlands, Stern Pinball, The Toxic Avenger, Tron: Ares and MORE – Get Ready For The Storm!

    San Diego Comic-Con 2025, Julien’s Star Wars Auction, Predator: Badlands, Stern Pinball, The Toxic Avenger, Tron: Ares and MORE – Get Ready For The Storm!

    2025 Comic-Con banner - 640

    San Diego Comic Con Logo
    Image courtesy Comic-Con International

    Hello, fellow Comic-Con attendees!

    We are just days away from San Diego Comic-Con 2025! This year is a bit less chaotic than last year’s event, with no major Marvel movie screening like the one the previous year featuring Deadpool & Wolverine. Still, there are always fun things to see and do during the con, both inside and outside the convention center. This year seems to have more anime and games featured. We have not seen that since the writers and actors’ strike in 2023. Some major studios might not have panels this year, but that doesn’t mean their presence will be absent at the Con. Luckily, Hall H will host some great panels on Friday, although there will be very few on Saturday, which is unusual since both days tend to be the busiest.

    2025-07-12 Comic-Con Museum
    Image courtesy Kenn of TeamWHR

    The Comic-Con Museum also features historic Star Wars movie items from Star Wars: Echoes from the Galaxy. All of the fabulous items up for sale are being done by the legendary Julien’s Auction House.

    Visitors can tour the museum located in nearby historic Balboa Park, only a short distance from the convention center to see some of the historic items up for sale before the auction that will be conducted on Sunday July 27, 2025.

    Lucas Museum of Narrative Art banner
    Image courtesy Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

    This year is historic, as the legendary George Lucas will make his Comic-Con debut with a panel discussing his new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. The panel will be moderated by Queen Latifah a legend in her own right. I do not doubt that with George Lucas present, Hall H will be even more crowded. The auction will be held at the museum on the last day of the con, Sunday, July 27th, at 10:00 am. Happy bidding!

    The Toxic Avenger banner
    Image courtesy Troma

    Thursday, Day One of the convention, kicks off with ‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ opening the Hall H panel in style, followed by a panel featuring two major comedians, Gabriel Iglesias and Jo Koy. This might be the first time comedians host their own panel at Comic-Con.

    One panel I am especially excited about is ‘The Toxic Avenger’ with Peter Dinklage. It will be great to see Dinklage back in Hall H, especially since he usually appeared there for the Game of Thrones panels in earlier years.

     

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    Stern Pinball Mandalorian
    Image courtesy Stern Pinball

    Another exciting event at the convention is that Stern Pinball is bringing its new machine to the convention. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic shark movie that started it all… JAWS. Stern Pinball is riding that wave and unveiling its JAWS-inspired machine.

    Their Stern pinball machines are fantastic and feature some legendary franchises, such as John Wick, James Bond, and The Mandalorian as well as rock and roll icons like Rush and Metallica. They also have their convention room at the Marriott Marquis, where you can try out some of their featured games. I plan to try my luck with the new JAWS machine and will give a report.

     

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    Predator Badlands poster
    Image courtesy 20th Century Studios

    I and everyone I know was eagerly hoping for a ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ panel in Hall H since the movie opens on July 25th, but unfortunately, there will be no Marvel panels this year.

    I think the chaos that resulted from the ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ surprise panel premiere last year at led Comic-Con International and Marvel Studios to decide against a special screening of Fantastic Four: First Steps at this years legendary pop culture convention.

     

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    Tron Ares poster
    Image courtesy Disney Studios

    Friday at San Diego Comic-Con in Hall H starts with ‘Outlander‘ and its spinoff ‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood,’ followed by ‘Alien: Earth,’ the Stephen King movie ‘The Long Walk,’ ‘Predator: Badlands‘ which has been moved up a month to November 7, 2025 from it’s original December release.

    Friday in Hall H concludes with the exciting  long anticipated return of Disney Studios Tron franchise starring Jeff Bridges as the fabled Kevin Flynn. I for one am looking forward to the ‘Tron: Ares‘ panel!

     

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    Primitive War poster
    Image courtesy Sparke Films

    If Hall H is not an option for you this year, there are still plenty of other fun panels to check out.

    Some highlights include the exciting ‘Primitive War‘ set in Vietnam 1968 where a United States recon unit known as Vulture Squad is sent to an isolated jungle valley to uncover the fate of a missing Green Beret platoon. The group soon discover they are not alone.

    The Primitive War panel is being presented in second largest venue, Ballroom 20. Featured stars include Ryan Kwanten, Tricia Helfer, and Jeremy Piven.

    Also returning to the con is ‘Dexter: Resurrection‘ with Michael C. Hall and the cast, moderated by Jamie Chung.

    Friday is always busy, with most panels taking place in the three main spots: Hall H, Ballroom 20, or the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront. Whatever you choose to do during the convention, plan accordingly, as most panels overlap and it can be challenging to see everything you want.

     

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    Alien Earth Wreckage at San Diego Comic-Con 2025
    Image courtesy FX Networks (Click to learn more)
    If you don’t have a badge for Comic-Con, don’t worry – you can still enjoy plenty of activities. Every year, Petco Park hosts a variety of exciting attractions. This year’s setup at Petco Park features a gritty underground Gotham City. Adult Swim, Abbott Elementary, will each have installations outside the convention. Most exiting is he soon to be released Alien Earth that will feature an immersive experience known as “The Wreckage” outside the Hilton Bay Front Hotel Thursday through Sunday

    Malibu Barbie Cafe San Diego
    Image courtesy Malibu Barbie Cafe. Click to make reservations

    The Gaslamp restaurants will also showcase installations and offer fun food options and swag for fans. Paramount is bringing back “The Lodge”. Fans of Barbie can wear roller skates and roll around the Malibu Barbie Café. Peacock’s Twisted Metal is offering a “Bumper Battle” experience at San Diego Comic-Con. This interactive event allows fans to step into a post-apocalyptic world and participate in a bumper car tournament inspired by the show. Please note that since these activation’s don’t require a badge, lines may be long. It’s a good idea to check wait times on social media.

    Stranger Things S5 poster
    Image courtesy Netflix

    With Warner Bros., Fox Studios, Disney, and Netflix not having panels this year, the panel rooms might be quieter, but that could mean more time for everyone on the convention floor. I am surprised that Stranger Things doesn’t have a panel this year, given that it is their final year, and it has always been a convention favorite. It’s always interesting to see which major series will and won’t be featured at Comic-Con when the schedule is released. I know everyone has their favorites, and it can be challenging, but it’s always fun regardless of the choices.

    Comic-Con vendors room 2023
    Image by Kenn of WormholeRiders TeamWHR

    One thing that will always remain a staple at Comic-Con is the comics and the artists. No matter where you turn on the convention center floor, you will always see lots of vendors selling comic books or their original art. Take a stroll through Artists’ Alley and discover the amazing art showcased every day. Support these incredible independent artists, whether it’s by buying a sticker or original artwork. Another great way to support these artists is by sharing their content on all your social media platforms. After all, comic books were the original reason why Comic-Con started over 50 years ago.

    As I finish this post and get ready for an exciting adventure, I want to remind all fans to support local comic book shops, local artists to keep pop culture, movies, and TV series alive! Importantly, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, comfortable shoes, pack snacks, and grab as much swag as you can. Bring your enthusiasm! See you soon in San Diego!

    Click to visit and follow WormholeRiders News Agency on Twitter!Thanks to Kenn for video and image embedding for my feature article and many thanks to you for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency. I will be back reporting with new information as Team WHR heads to San Diego Comic-Con 2025!

    Please feel free to leave a comment here or If you prefer, you may also click the social media icons below to share this news article or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit me on Twitter by clicking the links or images avatars in this news story.

    See You on The Other Side! Click to visit and follow Noz4a2 (Lori) on Twitter!

    Until next time,

    Regards,

    Lori

  • The Tower – Modern Mermaid Movie – Cam Gigandet, Jack  Kilmer and Adam Sigal Interviews at Comic-Con 2024!

    The Tower – Modern Mermaid Movie – Cam Gigandet, Jack  Kilmer and Adam Sigal Interviews at Comic-Con 2024!

    Comic-Con 2024 banner

    Hey There Fantasy Enthusiasts,

    San Diego Comic Con Logo
    Image courtesy Comic-Con International

    I am excited to share a unique mermaid story, The Tower (2024), with you. Unlike the typical Disney archetype like Ariel, this mermaid has been imprisoned within a water tower in a charming Southern town for years, adding a captivating twist to the narrative.

    San Diego Comic-Con 2024, an extraordinary event, is the perfect platform to unearth unique projects and creations that may need more mainstream attention, making it a perfect fit for the fantasy community.

    2024-07-26 Jack Kilmer The Tower Press Room
    Jack  Kilmer – Image by Lori of WormholeRiders #TeamWHR

    I interviewed Jack Kilmer (Palo Alto),  Cam Gigandet (Twilight), who are two of the stars in the upcoming fantasy film, and Adam Sigal (Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose) the writer and director of The Tower.  Unfortunately, TeamWHR couldn’t interview  Bella Thorne (Midnight Sun) in the Press Room as she was called away. The unique story line piqued my interest, as it has been a while since we have seen a movie with this kind of premise. The last mermaid-focused film that comes to mind is “Splash,” directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, which featured Daryl Hannah as the mermaid.

     

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    2024-07-26 Bella Thorne The Tower Press Room
    Bella Thorne – Image by Lori of WormholeRiders #TeamWHR

    Jack Kilmer, who plays Billy, an outsider and a ‘Goth kid’ in the film, shared his experience. He described the extensive preparation time provided by director Adam Sigal, including water training such as swimming, which was particularly demanding as it took place in a water tank built in a small town in Arkansas. He also highlighted the collaborative nature of the film and its specific tone, which reminds him of Joel Coen and Ethan Coen films, regarding the humor and quirkiness of his movie.

    As an independent film, this movie exudes a unique charm that differentiates it from big-budget productions. This independence empowers the cast and director to take daring creative risks, leading to an exceptional outcome. Supporting independent films is not just a choice; it is a necessity, as they are the backbone of the film industry. It is worth noting that numerous modern movie stars kick-started their careers in indie films. So, let us come together and support this unique project.

    2024-07-26 Cam Gigandet The Tower Press Room
    Cam Gigandet – Image by Lori of WormholeRiders #TeamWHR

    I asked Jack about his favorite mythical creature, and he mentioned that vampires intrigue him. What struck me as ironic is that his co-star, Cam, was part of Twilight, one of the most famous vampire movies ever. During our discussion, Jack also expressed interest in potentially working on a Western project in the future. I found this particularly intriguing given his father, Val Kilmer‘s, renowned role in one of the most iconic and beloved Western films of the modern era, Tombstone. Val’s portrayal of Doc Holliday is considered legendary, and many have argued that he deserved an Oscar for that performance. Personally, it is one of my all-time favorite Westerns. It is a tough act to follow, but if anyone is up for the challenge, it would be Val’s son, Jack.

    2024-07-26. The Tower Cast - Getty Images
    (l-r) Cam Gigandet, Adam Sigal, Bella Thorne, Jack Kilmer, Clare Bateman-King. Image by by Michael Kovac, courtesy Getty Images

    The next person I spoke to was Cam Gigandet, who plays the sheriff of this small town. He described his character as someone with a “fetish for power over people,” which vividly explains his role in the film. Cam had said that his character represents the dark side of masculinity, an unrepressed archetype. I have long held an appreciation for Cam and his body of work. While Twilight is not my cup of tea, I have enjoyed his other endeavors. During his brief period at our table, he was humorous and engaging. When I asked him about mythical creatures, the response I found most interesting was about Bigfoot. He explained that it is his favorite because his son is really into that particular mythos. I asked the actor if portraying a villain was as thrilling as actors often claim it to be. He explained that while playing “good guys” comes with specific rules to follow, embodying “bad guys” allows for unrestrained creativity. He even admitted to finding the good guy roles dull, stating that he bores himself when he takes on such characters. In one instance, he described feeling sorry for the character until the character spoke, revealing his character’s true, unfavorable nature.

    2024-07-26 Adam Sigal The Tower Press Room
    Adam Sigal – Image by Lori of WormholeRiders #TeamWHR

    When Adam Sigal joined us, a fellow journalist inquired about his approach to managing the press for his film. As a director, I can relate to the sentiment that many of us are more at ease behind the camera than in front of it, and Adam expressed a similar sentiment. Despite being the film’s creator, speaking about it cannot be very comforting, as it involves discussing the project instead of letting the work speak for itself. At the convention, he mentioned they were in the final stages of post-production and getting the movie into theaters. He also hinted that it might be available on a streaming platform, but he did not specify which platform it would be available on.

    2024-07-26. Jack Kilmer of The Tower
    Jack Kilmer – Image by Michael Kovac, courtesy Getty Images

    Adam elaborated on his film, explaining that Jack’s character is depicted as “an outsider and very marginalized, abused in many ways.” At the same time, Billy lacks the motivation to leave his small town. In the story, Billy encounters a mermaid (played by Bella Thorne) residing in the town’s water tower, intending to consume him. However, taking pity on Billy, the mermaid strikes up an unlikely friendship with him instead of fulfilling her initial plan. As their bond develops, Billy realizes that the mermaid is even more metaphorically trapped than he is, leading him to decide to assist her in escaping.

    2024-07-26. Adam Sigal of The Tower
    Adam Sigal – Image by Michael Kovac, courtesy Getty Images

    I asked Adam for his advice to gather insights on raising funds for independent films. He shared that he recently participated in a three-hour podcast, delving into this subject. According to Adam, successfully securing funds involves employing creative strategies and having unwavering faith in the excellence of your work. Furthermore, he stressed the significance of creating a remarkable product, comprehending the business aspects, and effectively persuading potential investors to back your project financially.

    Adam mentioned that Bella had to speak her lines and had the challenging role of being a mermaid. Her character had to deal with a lot. He described how she had to wear a restrictive costume that limited her movement and float in a cold water tank while reciting her lines. Unfortunately, Bella could not talk to us about her experience making this film and her challenges while wearing the constraining costume.

    2024-07-26. Bella Thorne of The Tower
    Bella Thorne – Image by by Mat Hayward, courtesy Getty Images

    Adam reminisced about his aspirations in youth, expressing a desire to become a novelist. He identified “Raising Arizona” as the pivotal film that seamlessly blended his passion for writing with the visual artistry of filmmaking. Furthermore, he cited David Lynch as a significant influence on his work, claiming to be the ultimate Lynch fan. This assertion led to a friendly challenge, as I, too, consider myself a fervent admirer of Lynch’s work, particularly his iconic creation, “Twin Peaks.”

    I had a fantastic experience meeting the cast and director of The Tower. Learning more about the upcoming film and getting to know everyone involved was fascinating. Unfortunately, I have not heard or seen any trailers, and I could not attend the panel due to prior commitments, but I am intrigued by the film. I feel it will incorporate elements commonly seen in Lynch films, considering the director’s deep admiration for Lynch’s work.

    I want to thank Gary Miereanu from GT Marmots/PR, Inc. for allowing me to interview the incredibly talented cast and director. This project will secure a place in a major studio for distribution in theaters or on various streaming platforms. Anticipate the release of this captivating film. I am eager to experience this one-of-a-kind movie soon!

    Click to visit and follow WormholeRiders News Agency on Twitter!Thanks to Kenn for video and image embedding for my feature article and many thanks to you for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency. I will be back in the near future for Team WHR with more of the excitement from San Diego Comic-Con 2024!

    Please feel free to leave a comment here or If you prefer, you may also click the social media icons below to share this news article or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit me on Twitter by clicking the links or images avatars in this news story.

    See You on The Other Side! Click to visit and follow Noz4a2 (Lori) on X!

    Until next time,

    Regards,

    Lori

  • Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Press Room Interviews!

    Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Press Room Interviews!

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    Welcome back WormholeRiders,

    Indiana Jones Dial of Destiny studio poster
    Image courtesy Disney Studios

    Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is an enjoyable movie that was enjoyed by millions when it was released on June 30, 2023 in the United State subsequent to the premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2023. Released in over fifty countries worldwide thereafter, with theater receipts over $400,000,000 to date the film has earned a respectable profit for Disney Studios which purchased Lucas Films ILM, and Paramount Studios, the original producer and distributor of the film series. I subsequently enjoyed the film again with my family when it was released for purchase on digital and look forward to watching yet again when it is released on Disney Plus December 01, 2023!

    Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is the sequel to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) that followed the Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). Dial of Destiny is the fifth and reported to be the final installment of the Indiana Jones film series that began in 1981 with the classic Raiders of the Lost Ark.

    Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny studio poster
    Image courtesy Disney Studios

    It was nice to see Harrison Ford return as well as many other actors featured in the five film series including Karen Allen and John Rhys-Davies. New additions to the Indiana Jones saga series included Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones, and Mads Mikkelsen who was excellent as the primary villain and many other talented actors to complete the adventure series of films that delineated many mythological sagas over the course of several thousand years of human history.

    2023-07-22 Indiana Jones Dial of Destiny Press Room
    Image by Kenn of WormholeRiders #TeamWHR

    Therefore it was a special treat to have been invited to attend the Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Press Room at San Digo Comic-Con 2023 to interview members of the Visualization Team that made the movie not only possible, but could not have ensured the willing suspension of disbelief that is vital to the overall success of an entertainment project.

    As with virtually all entertainment efforts, especially movies and television, a professional Visualization Team is essential to the success of the project. Visualization Teams enable viewers to make bridges in their minds by employing, or trying out some experiments between studio departments that have a crazy idea that may or may not work. Visualization Teams “throw things at walls” and see if they will stick in the minds of viewers.

    Antikythera Mechanism
    Image courtesy Smithsonian Magazine

    One such critical visualization is the Antikythera mechanism, estimated to be over 2,000 years old, that was discovered in 1901 among the wreckage retrieved from a shipwreck off the coast of the Greek island Antikythera, hence it’s name. Believed to be a mechanical astronomical computer, the Antikythera device, replete with obvious gears and mechanisms, is at the heart of the Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny movie mythology!

    With our thanks to Emilie via Proof Inc at Erskine Public Relations, we had the honor of discussing Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny with four members of the Visualization Team including well known creators Stuart Allan, Dirk Westervelt, Patrice Avery and Clint G. Reagan. We include our Press Room interviews with these four talented creators below for your enjoyment.

     

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    About Patrice Avery:

    2023-07-22 Patrice Avery Indiana Jones Dial of Destiny Press Room
    Image by Kenn of #TeamWHR

    Patrice is a Visualization Producer for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. She is well known for her work The Hunger Games (2012), The Creator (2023), The Tomorrow War (2021), Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023), Creed III (2023), and Fast X (2023).

    Patrice has contributed to one hundred entertainment projects for her fine work in the areas of visual effects, production management and as a Producer.

    About Dirk Westervelt:

    2023-07-22 Dirk Westervelt Indiana Jones Dial of Destiny Press Room
    Image by Kenn of #TeamWHR

    Dirk is the Editor of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. He is well known for Men of Honor (2000), Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008), Logan (2017), Ford v Ferrari (2019), and Deadpool 2 (2018) having worked on over twenty-five entertainment projects.

    Dirk has been nominated for editing by American Cinema Editors, Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films Saturn Award for Deadpool 2, and won the San Diego Film Critics Society Awards for best editing for Ford v Ferrari.

    About Stuart Allan:

    2023-07-22 Stuart Allan Indiana Jones Dial of Destiny Press Room
    Image by Kenn of #TeamWHR

    Stuart is well known for his Visualization Team work on The Simpsons Move (2007), Conan the Barbarian (2011), Fast Five (2011), The Hunger Games (2012), Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Man Of Steel (2013), Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), Aquaman (2018), The Predator (2018), and Jumanji: The Next Level (2019).

    Stuart has provided visual effects, animation and artwork on over forty films during his career.

    About Clint G. Reagan:

    2023-07-22 Clint G Reagan Indiana Jones Dial of Destiny Press Room
    Image by Kenn of #TeamWHR

    Clint is a Visualization Producer for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

    He is well known for his work on The Hunger Games (2012), G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) and Transformers (2007), The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015), Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), The Great Wall (2016), Spiderman Homecoming (2017), Ghost in the Shell (2017), and Ford v Ferrari (2019). Clint has been contributing his talent in over forty entertainment efforts in visual efforts and artwork departments since he began his career.

    Click to visit and follow WormholeRiders News Agency on Twitter!We will be back in the near future with more of our feature articles about our awesome adventures at San Diego Comic-Con 2023!

    Please feel free to share this article with your friends, co-workers and or family and leave your comments! We look forward to you visiting our dedicated review and analysis web site here in the future! Or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit TeamWHR on Twitter, or visit me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story. I and TeamWHR look forward to Seeing You on The Other Side!

    Thank you. Click to visit and follow WormholeRiders (Kenn) on Twitter!

    Best Regards,

    Kenn of #TeamWHR

  • Mushka – The Story of a Girl and Her Tiger at San Diego Comic-Con 2023!

    Mushka – The Story of a Girl and Her Tiger at San Diego Comic-Con 2023!

    SDCC 2023 banner


    Hello fellow San Diego Comic-Con fans!

    Mushka poster
    Image courtesy Mushka the Movie

    As you may already know, this year’s convention was quite different due to the writers’ and actors strike. Typically, I would have had interview after interview lined up, but unfortunately, both unions were on strike, making it a lot different than in previous years.

    Despite the challenges, I could still snag a fantastic interview with Disney Studios legend Andreas Deja (visit Andreas website) and the team behind the fantastic short film “Mushka.” The film tells the story of a nine-year-old girl and her pet tiger, set in the Ukraine. Although you may think it sounds familiar to the beloved cartoon “Calvin and Hobbes,” this film is different, with many political and social undertones in the animated short film.

    One of the things I love about this film, aside from the fact that it has tigers (my favorite animal of all time), is that it’s drawn with ink and pencil and colored with watercolors. There was very little actual CGI or computers used. As someone who remembers Disney pre-Pixar and pre-digital animation, where everything was hand-drawn, I appreciate and love this animation style, which takes much more skill than sitting at a computer and using digital tools. Not to take anything away from the fantastic artists at Pixar, but there’s just something much more personal to me about using the blank page, paper, pen, and ink that makes it much more personal.

     

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    Mushka team creating
    Image courtesy Mushka the Movie

    I had the immense pleasure of sitting down with Andreas himself and Roger Viloria, who acted as a Jack of all trades from producer to editor to production manager, Courtney DiPaola, one of the many animators on the film, and Fabrizio Mancinelli, who composed the original theme for the short.

    All four of these fantastic artists were a pleasure to sit down with. They had such love and passion for this project, and I was thrilled that they were able to bring it to us here at Comic-Con.

    Mushka production manager Courtney Dipaola
    Image courtesy Mushka the Movie

    When I asked Courtney about her favorite highlight of working on Mushka, she mentioned that she always wanted to work with Andreas. Working with such a prolific director early in her career was beautiful and will surely help her in all her future endeavors. Mushka came around when she was starting her career; at that time, there was not much in hand-drawn animation in America. Andreas was one of the voices she went to find motivation. She was holed up in her house trying to learn how to do it by herself, and it was hard to stay excited and feel like it was worth continuing. However, Andreas was one of the people she repeatedly returned to be inspired.

    Mushka is being created
    Image courtesy Mushka the Movie

    Roger’s answer was similar but different at the same time. He mentioned how well they all worked together, but also to see something from beginning to end come to fruition. He noted that, unfortunately, people love to start projects and are excited about them, but even if they get halfway through, they never finish. Can you imagine how many projects are on shelves or still in development? Mushka itself took more than seven years to complete.

    Baby Mushka and Sarah
    Image courtesy Mushka the Movie

    During our conversation, Roger emphasized that there was no rush in completing the project and that it was important for everyone to work at their own pace and stay healthy. He explained that strict deadlines often lead to stress and mistakes, so they decided to ease up on deadlines. The objective was to ensure the project was done correctly, and they would release it only when it was fully ready. The project was completed in 2022, the Year of the Tiger, aligning perfectly with fate.

     

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    Mushka and Sarah
    Image courtesy Mushka the Movie

    During the interview, I asked a question about the favorite tiger of both Courtney and Roger. Courtney’s answer was Shere Khan, the Bengal tiger antagonist in Rudyard Kipling‘s The Jungle Book. Courtney mentioned how she appreciated the way Shere Khan was drawn, his stripes, and the incredible voice acting by George Sanders. Roger agreed with Courtney and mentioned Rajah, the tiger from the movie Aladdin. He noted how Rajah reminded him of Mushka, a big tiger-sized baby. He enjoyed the animation and the personality of Rajah.

    Mushka in progress
    Image courtesy Mushka the Movie

    During our conversation, I pointed out to Courtney that she was one of the few women in the animation industry who was a hand-drawn animator. She mentioned that due to the period I was referring to, it was predominantly men in the industry. “I had never really thought much about it before. It’s funny; when I got to college, people started telling me that I was one of the best female artists there, and it made me realize that I had never really considered gender as a factor. I was simply interested in art and filmmaking.” Aside from Shere Khan, her inspiration regarding hand-drawn animation was the From Walt’s Table: A Tribute to Disney’s Nine Old Men “The movies that I just cycled over and over and over was The Jungle Book, 101 Dalmatians and The Sword in the Stone.”

    Mushka being created
    Image courtesy Mushka the Movie

    During a conversation, it was mentioned that visible pencil lines were something that Courtney found inspiring. Roger shared that Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was his favorite movie when he was seven years old, and it profoundly impacted him. I can relate to this because watching those movies during my childhood brings back a sense of nostalgia. The animators of Mushka’s movie aimed to preserve the essence of earlier Disney films, such as 101 Dalmatians, and how they used to be drawn. Typically, Disney would put the project through a second phase of cleaning up the drawings. However, in the case of Mushka, they chose to keep the integrity of the pencil drawing intact.

     

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    Mushka team at work
    Image courtesy Mushka the Movie

    Fabrizio talked about how he used Richard Sherman’s theme as a base for his film theme and used the Sherman song for the film’s end credits. Fabrizio had said that writing the score for a particular movie and setting the tone for it using a popular tune by Richard Sherman. The writer then had the opportunity to use this tune in some parts of the film and wrote their scenes around it to make it seem like they were coming from the same source. One of the inspirations for the music in this piece was Richard Sherman. The score is classic and symphonic, so he drew from that tradition. He even included Tchaikovsky, a composer from the former Soviet Union. “Korobeiniki,” a traditional 19th-century Russian piece of music, was also used as temp music. It’s a well-known piece as it’s the music played in the video game Tetris. He drew from his European roots of orchestral scoring and orchestral writing to write music appropriate for the film. The film is like a beautifully illustrated book from the 1970s, so that he couldn’t write something edgy or too modern. He had to write something respectful of the film’s aesthetic, which is delicate and pastel-colored at times but also strong during essential moments. He aimed to create music that fits well with the film and doesn’t feel overwhelming. During a conversation, Fabrizio revealed that his composing process begins with him playing everything on the piano before moving to the computer to refine the final product. He also mentioned that he wanted to pay tribute to the film’s initial stages, during which Andreas had worked with paper, by following a similar approach. The creative process is more immediate because technological limitations are not a factor. “The only limit to our creativity is the sky, so we look above and consider what this can communicate to us. Physical materials like paper are more tangible and can immediately reveal what works and what doesn’t, even without listening. As someone with classical training, I can easily identify what is effective and what is not.”

    Mushka on the edge
    Image courtesy Mushka the Movie

    I asked Fabrizio again about his favorite tiger; as before, he answered Shere Khan. According to Fabrizio, Shere Khan is one of the finest animated characters created by Milt Kahl. Moreover, Fabrizio appreciates the work of other artists from different fields of art who have contributed to his love for the art form. These great artists have created something that has communicated with him from thousands of miles away in another country and has helped shape the person he is today. Fabrizio owes his love for storytelling to these people.

    Mushka creator Andreas Deja
    Image courtesy Andreas Deja

    The final interview of the day was with the maestro himself, Andreas Deja. It’s not often that I get to sit down and chat with a legend in the industry. The experience is comparable to my first time at Comic-Con in 2012 when I had the incredible opportunity to sit in the press room and interview the celebrated director, Roger Corman – a personal hero of mine. Andreas was asked about his experience at the Con so far. He shared that he had discussed making his own film with his producer, Roger Viloria, about ten years ago. Even then, Andreas knew a tiger would be in the movie. Roger had suggested showing it at Comic-Con. Now, he finds himself here after all those years.

    I had asked Andreas what inspired the story of Mushka. Was it anything in the past that he had heard or something else? He had said, “Over the years, we have had friends over to view our almost finished project. The audience was usually small, consisting of two or three people. One person asked me about a story we had presented, thinking it was true. This was interesting because the story was completely made up. This experience led me to start asking myself questions. After 30 years at Disney, I realized I needed my own project. I asked myself what kind of animals I would love to draw and animate. I have loved drawing animals since I was a kid and received a letter from Disney.”

    Mushka Andreas Deja learning at the zoo
    Image courtesy Andreas Deja

    As a child, Disney sent him a letter advising him to become an animator – drawing animals at the zoo and people in life drawing classes. He followed this advice and found a passion for drawing animals that has stayed with him ever since. When choosing the central character for a project, Andreas considered using an animal but wasn’t sure which one. A big fan of big cats with experience from The Lion King, he thought a tiger could be a great choice and take their research to the next level. Tigers are such beautiful animals with all the stripes and then with the gorgeous coats and anatomy and all that, so he wanted to pair it with a human because the TV series he grew up watching, like Flipper, Lassie were shows he saw in Germany where he grew up, and so he thought that had something to do with it. At the same time, this kind of relationship fascinates him.

    Baby Mushka found by Sarah
    Image courtesy Mushka the Movie

    Andreas had this idea for a story about a girl and a tiger. The girl raises the tiger from an orphaned cub, forming a strong bond. However, as the tiger grows up, they both face a threat from some nefarious individuals who want to kill the tiger for money. The girl is determined to save her beloved tiger and takes him back to the forest where she found him, hoping that he will learn to live as a wild tiger. However, this plan may not be enough if things don’t go according to plan. He discussed this idea with his friend Michael McKinney, who helped him flesh out the story. They first thought of India when they thought of tigers but then realized that the story had already been done with The Jungle Book. So, they decided to explore a different part of the world. They asked themselves, which country has the largest tigers in the world? Siberia came to mind, and we decided to set the story there.

    Mushka in action
    Image courtesy Andreas Deja

    When I asked Andreas who his favorite Tiger was, he said something I had completely forgotten about: he said Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. His last assignment for Disney was a Winnie the Pooh feature in 2010, and he did Tigger. Being responsible for animating established characters he didn’t initially design felt daunting. However, he was determined to study their movements and draw inspiration from them while adding his touches to their animation. Fortunately, Disney has an Animation Research Library with millions of original drawings and sketches. He spent much time analyzing and studying old scenes featuring Tigger, which was an enjoyable experience. Throughout his three decades at Disney, he had access to this library and regularly visited it to improve his skills. Sometimes, holding a scene from a classic movie like The Jungle Book or Bambi in your hands can make you feel like you can never create something of equal quality. Still, he always tried to stay positive and remind himself of animation’s great potential. By taking it seriously and making it personal, it’s possible to create something truly remarkable, and that’s what he aimed for by studying the work of the old masters. If you do your job well, if the story is good, and the characters act well, people will believe that, and that’s to him. A big part of the magic is the combination of making drawings come to life on paper. He finds nothing more fascinating than that, and I agree.

    2023-07-22 Mushka Press signed poster
    Image by Lori Glumac for WormholeRiders

    At the end of the Press Room interview at San Diego Comic-Con 2023, Andreas offered to sign a wonderful production picture of Mushka and Sarah for me and the other journalist at the table. It was not only beautiful, it was a delightful gesture to conclude the interview. If you have the opportunity to watch Mushka, I highly recommend it.

    I am grateful to Kenn for giving me this assignment when I had none. It was a highlight of my Con experience.

    I would also like to express my gratitude to the fantastic team behind Mushka. It was an absolute pleasure to interview you and learn about this beautiful piece of art.

    Since Kenn was in another Press Room at the same time with our professional video camera TeamWHR uses for interviews, we include a video below featuring Roger and Courtney from the Press Room for your enjoyment.

     

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    Click to visit and follow WormholeRiders News Agency on Twitter!Thanks to Kenn for video and image embedding for my feature article and many thanks to you for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency. I will be back in the future with new series analysis after my adventure at Comic-Con 2023 in San Diego!

    Please feel free to leave a comment here or If you prefer, you may also click the social media icons below to share this news article or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit me on Twitter by clicking the links or images avatars in this news story.

    See You on The Other Side! Click to visit and follow Noz4a2 (Lori) on Twitter!

    Until next time,

    Regards,

    Lori

  • The Book of Boba Fett: The Man Behind The Mythical Mask!

    The Book of Boba Fett: The Man Behind The Mythical Mask!

    The Book of Boba Fett banner
    Hello, my fellow The Book of Boba Fett fans!

    The Book of Boba Fett poster
    Images courtesy Disney Star Wars

    In the Star Wars universe, there are many memorable characters. One of those unique characters is named Boba Fett. His legend and mythos have been a part of the Star Wars universe since The Empire Strikes Back and then again in Return of The Jedi, where he is knocked into the Sarlacc pit by a partially blind Han Solo (Harrison Ford).

    For more than 30 years, we thought that was the last of that legendary bounty hunter until we saw him again in the Disney plus series The Mandalorian.

    In Season 2, Episode 1 (Chapter 9: The Marshal), at the very end of the episode, we see a figure watching Mando (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu as they leave the area. Turning to the camera, we can see that the long assumed dead bounty hunter Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) is back from the dead.

    The Book of Boba Fett - Boba Fett in action
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    It was great to see this legendary character come back to life in the Star Wars universe. The collective reaction was overwhelmingly excellent and excited when it was announced (with a teaser end credit scene) that Boba Fett was getting his own Disney plus series.

    The Book of Boba Fett series started in December 2021, and for me, it was yet another thing to look forward to closing out 2021. There will be spoilers for this series, so stop now if you have not watched it yet.

     

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    The Book of Boba Fett - Boba after escaping the Sarlac
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    The initial reactions to the series were mixed, with expectations being more of a badass Boba Fett to the more subdued, wiser, and more philosophical Boba Fett. Instead, we were treated to flashbacks of how Boba Fett escaped the Sarlacc pit from the first episode. This question has plagued fans for years, and we were finally shown how it happened. The scene itself was pretty creepy but brilliantly directed by Robert Rodriguez.

    The Book of Boba Fett - Boba escapes the Sarlac pit
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    Seeing the inside of the Sarlacc pit and how Boba was entangled in the tentacles would make any viewer recoil. It was your worst nightmare come true; waking up in the dark, disoriented, and immobile, being slowly digested can make anyone terrified. Finally, the flight or fight instinct kicked in, and we saw Boba use his flamethrower to burn his way through to the surface and the sands of Tatooine. Crawling out of the Sarlacc pit to his freedom was more than satisfying to fans that have been waiting for this to happen for decades.

     

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    The Book of Boba Fett - Fennec Shand helps Boba escape the Sarlac
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    When it comes to the Star Wars universe and its lore, there is no better team than Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni to help navigate through that universe. With the blessing of George Lucas, both Favreau and Filoni took the helm of the spin-off series and added their terrific twist to the story arc.  These creative genius’ showed us a side of Boba Fett that we never really saw in the original movies. Instead, we saw a man who had been fundamentally changed through his trauma. The series consisted of most episodes having flashbacks to Boba’s life after escaping the horrendous Sarlacc pit. These flashbacks occurred while Boba healed his visible wounds in the bacta tank. It showed him being found and captured by the Tusken Raiders or sand people.

    The Book of Boba Fett - Boba heals in the bacta tank
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    What we knew of the Tusken’s was akin to how the Indigenous people were viewed in the West of early America. We, as fans, always assumed that the Tusken’s were savages and killers, not knowing precisely what they indeed were. It was refreshing to finally see another side of the Tusken’s and how they lived than what we fans have known for years.

    The Book of Boba Fett - With the Tustin Raider Tribe
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    Once Boba was accepted by the Tusken tribe, he began training with the gaffe stick, the sacred weapon that the Tusken people have been known to carry with them. We saw Boba yield this weapon in The Mandalorian, season 2 episode 6 (Chapter 14: The Tragedy), and wreck several Storm Troopers with a swift but brutal swipe of that legendary stick. We saw him suit up again in his fabled armor in that same episode. With his armor restored to its rightful owner, the bounty hunter we know and love returns with a vengeance. Annihilating a garrison of Storm Troopers in a rampage brought to life the myth that we have always known Boba to be.

    The Book of Boba Fett - A toast by Boba Fett
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    Because of these episodes in The Mandalorian, I think fans were expecting The Book of Boba Fett to showcase Boba as the badass bounty hunter in every episode. Instead, what we got was different, and I was delighted with what we received. Boba took over Jabba the Hutt‘s throne on Tatooine from Bib Fortuna and declared himself Daimyo; he said that he would rule the territory with respect and not fear as Jabba had done in the past. The flashbacks also showed us Boba as a young boy back on Kamino seeing the devastating effects that his father, Jango Fett’s, death took on him. All the trauma that Boba has experienced in his life, both as a young boy and a man, has shaped him into the man he has become.

    The Book of Boba Fett - Boba and Fennec Shand
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    “You can only get so far without a tribe.” Boba had said to Fennec Shand (the fantastic Ming-Na Wen), referring to the Tusken tribe that accepted him as one of their own. That tribe that taught him their ways and, in turn, Boba taught them a bit about what he knew. The slaughter of his tribe was another traumatic event that added to his change and future decisions, especially when he finds out who it was that slaughtered them.

     

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    The Book of Boba Fett - Fennec Shand smiles
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    The series itself had elements of classic western and mafia themes and Eastern samurai themes running throughout the series. You could almost pinpoint precisely what elements were part of each episode by how it was shot and the other characters introduced into the series.

    Boba has established rule was the opposite of how Fennec Shand had thought he would rule. The cunning assassin and right hand of Boba, Fennec, would have done it her way and most likely led with a bit of fear instead of respect. She may not have agreed with Boba at first, but eventually, it made sense to her and his decision. Fennec was also another voice for Boba to listen to, having gone through her journey and trauma to get where she is currently. It was nice to see how both actors meshed together and made one hell of a team. It was nice to see the balance out of opinions and strategies, the decisions made by the writers to show that was a brilliant move, in my opinion.

    The Book of Boba Fett - Fennec and Boba
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    I know that most fans of the series were disappointed that Boba did not use more of his bounty hunting skills in the series. We only saw glimpses of it throughout the series instead of a constant barrage in every episode. Most fans failed to see or did not want to know the man behind the iconic mask. They did not want to see the trauma that shaped him into the new man we see before us. In my opinion, it would have been a disservice to the character not to have him change and go through what he did to come out a changed man. It would be boring to see him constantly do nothing but fight and not the reason behind it.

    The Book of Boba Fett - Chewbacca
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    More Star Wars characters were introduced into this series as the series progressed. Characters in the animated series and the offshoots (like the comic book) come to life in live-action. Black Krrsantan (Carey Jones) was one such character, a meaner and more extensive version of the beloved Wookie Chewbacca. When you first see Black K (as he’s affectionately called), your first reaction is one of shock and awe.

    The Book of Boba Fett - Grogu
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    The mere presence of this gladiator-turned bounty hunter is formidable, to say the least, with his menacing stare stopping you cold. Black K and Boba have a history together in the comic book story, so seeing them on opposite sides made for a tense interaction. Again, we see how Boba decided not to engage the Wookie or the Hutts because he knew that bringing war instead of peace to Tatooine would defeat the purpose of the change he wanted to implement as the new Daimyo. Also, it was nice to see the very popular Grogu character near the end of the series.

     

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    The Book of Boba Fett - Like the Mafia
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    The elements that most intrigued me were the ones that mirrored the mafia. The different families that were part of Tatooine, the Pyke Syndicate, and how Boba had gathered all the capos to discuss the business and protection that Boba would offer were reminiscent of many mafia movies that showed the same thing. It was as if you were watching an intergalactic commission with Boba being the Capo di Capi or the Don Vito Corleone of Mos Eisley. Because of this element of the series, my love for it grew more. I am fascinated with the mafia and that way of life that I have made a point to research and deep dive into the inner workings of that way of life. By doing so, I understood, probably better than most, why Boba was doing what he was doing made more sense than the fear people expected him to use. One of the most infamous gangsters and arguably the father of the modern American mafia, Charlie “Lucky” Luciano, said, “We cannot make money with guns in our hands,” which credited what Boba had set out to do, rule with respect, not fear.

    The Book of Boba Fett - Boba Fett rides the Rancor
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    Boba wanted to rid the city of the “spice” trade (or drugs) that have been prevalent on Tatooine up to that point. He knew the Mayor Mok Shaiz (voiced by Robert Rodriguez) was tolerant and perhaps even involved with the spice trade and made it a point to let the mayor know that the spice trade and any other shady business with Boba in power would not be tolerated. The Mayor does not take kindly to the new Daimyo encroaching on his territory and sends assassins after Boba and Fennec. As the fight ensues, we see a bit of Boba using his skills to fight off the assassins sent to eliminate him. It was a quick fight with Fennec and Boba being the victors.

    The Book of Boba Fett - Boba and Fennec face trouble
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    I will admit that I have not watched the other offshoots of the Star Wars universe, such as Clone Wars or Rebels, but I do know (thanks to my geeky friends) the specific characters that are brought to life in this live-action series. From bringing in Cobb Vanth (Timothy Olyphant) and Black Krrsantan to giving the fans what they have been jonesing for a live-action Cad Bane (Corey Burton). The introduction of Cad Bane was nothing short of spectacular. The scene of Cobb Vanth noticing a shadowy figure approaching from the horizon is heavily influenced by Sergio Leone‘s films. Classic gunslinger tropes and standoffs in the middle of town were brought to life beautifully in this series. Again, there was no doubt that the Western and samurai tropes were prevalent in these particular episodes.

    The Book of Boba Fett - The Hutts are nervous
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    The significance of Cad Bane showing up in the series means that Boba was making the families nervous. Bane being a gun for hire meant that whoever had the money, Bane had no qualms about doing a job no matter how criminal it was. Again, the meeting of Bane and Boba meant that there was a history between the two, albeit a rocky past, but one that could be exploited and used for pure adrenaline-fueled action. The irony of Bane calling Boba an “old man” is when Bane himself is living way past the typical life expectancy of his alien species. Bane accuses Boba of going soft since living with Tusken’s, with that statement hitting a nerve in Boba that makes his subsequent actions wholly justified.

    The Book of Boba Fett - Young Luke Skywalker
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    The Book Of Boba Fett also gave us fans another piece of iconic Star Wars lore. We got to witness Boba being given a Rancor as a gift by the Hutts. What made that even more special was the Rancor handler was none other than celebrated actor (and Robert Rodriguez staple) Danny Trejo. I could hear fans across the fandom yelling “MACHETE” once they saw Trejo grace their screen. Trejo is one of those treasured actors that has made an indelible mark on audiences that whenever they appear on screen, it undoubtedly brings a smile to fans everywhere. Fans were also treated to witnessing Boba ride that Rancor in episode 7 during a battle with Scorpenek droids. It was very cool to see the Rancor in action as the last time we saw any Rancor was in Return of the Jedi when Luke (Mark Hamill) came face to face with one. With the live-action Rancor, we got glimpses of both Godzilla and King Kong movies as the Rancor battled the droids and faced down Cad Bane.

    The Book of Boba Fett - Favorite characters from Star Wars
    Image courtesy Disney Star Wars

    I love that with this series, elements of older movies again were prevalent and used as an homage. It was clear that the showrunners wanted to pay tribute to the film that shaped them as filmmakers and Lucas, whose influence is crucial to Star Wars as a whole. Adding in a bit of The Mandalorian and giving viewers a taste of what might come in The Mandalorian season 3 was great. It added another layer to the story that helped establish Boba’s loyal “tribe” around him.

    I would love to go over every episode and reveal spoiler after spoiler, but I will refrain from that because I want you to watch the series and judge for yourself. To give the series a chance and look at it for the wonderfully complex series it is. The way the series was left, I am hoping for a second season. A LOT more can be told in this series; the story is far from over. Fingers crossed that Disney would give the green light to another fantastic season of The Book of Boba Fett so we can partake in more adventures with Boba and Fennec Shand.

    Click to visit and follow WormholeRiders News Agency on Twitter!Thanks to Kenn for video and image embedding for my feature article and many thanks to you for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency. We will be back soon with more analysis about new television series, movies and conventions on our screens this year and beyond!

    Please feel free to leave a comment here or If you prefer, you may also click the social media icons below to share this news article or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit me on Twitter by clicking the links or images avatars in this news story.

    See You on The Other Side! Click to visit and follow Noz4a2 (Lori) on Twitter!

    Until next time,

    Regards,

    Lori

  • The Mandalorian: Bounty Hunter With A Conscience That We Love!

    The Mandalorian: Bounty Hunter With A Conscience That We Love!

    The Mandolorian banner - Click to follow on Twitter

    Hello friends of WormholeRiders,

    The Mandalorian Season 2 Poster
    The Mandalorian Season 2. Images courtesy Disney Studios

    Are you ready to hear about the Disney plus series The Mandalorian?

    I hope you loved it as much as I have. I am a Star Wars fan, but not fanatic, the franchise has always been a favorite of mine and will always have an incredibly special place in my heart. I was 5 years old when I saw the original Star Wars in 1977 at the Alexandria Theatre on Geary street here in San Francisco (sadly that theatre is no longer there). Over the years I have seen all the subsequent films that have come after the original three. As I have grown older, I have become a lifelong fan, I was so happy to hear that a series based on The Mandalorian was coming to Disney plus.

    We were first introduced to the most famous Mandalorian, Boba Fett in Empire Strikes Back and again in Return of the Jedi. From those movies on we knew that whenever we saw those bounty hunters, we knew things were about to get interesting. The series picks up 5 years after Return, it is set during the New Republic that was established by The Alliance. The series is the brainchild of Jon Favreau who wrote 23 episodes, directed one and pretty much had a say in everything and anything that was to be involved in the series. Dave Filoni a lifelong Star Wars nerd executive produced the bulk of the series as well as directed and wrote two episodes. With the masterminds like these two gentlemen behind the series, there was no doubt that fans were going to get the series they had long desired.

    The Mandolorian cast
    The Mandolorian cast. Images courtesy Disney Studios

    How Star Wars was influenced by the film The Hidden Fortress by Akira Kurosawa, Mandalorian is influenced by the Westerns of Sergio Leone as well as the Japanese film Lone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance by Kenji Misumi.

    Seeing those movies and then watching the series you can clearly see the similarities and parallels. As someone who loves Leone’s Westerns and those Japanese films that influenced it, I knew from the get-go that I would love this series.

    The Mandalorian - Cara Dune Mando and Greef Karga
    The Mandalorian – Cara Dune, Mando and Greef Karga. Image courtesy Disney Studios

    The cast alone is another reason worth watching it for, it is a virtual goldmine of amazing actors, some of which are seen on screen or heard through their voices. Let us start with the Mandalorian himself voiced by Pedro Pascal from the Netflix series Narcos. Pedro may not be the actual man in the suit (you do see him donning the suit in a few episodes), but his emotion is still present and powerful. He is the “man with no name” the lone bounty hunter that roams the galaxy and finds work when he can. We do not find out Mando’s name (Din Djarin) until Chapter 8: The Redemption in a series that goes by chapters, not episodes.

    The Mandolorian poster
    The Mandolorian poster. Image courtesy Disney Studios

    The great thing about having a series like The Mandalorian at Disney is the production value of the series. With a powerhouse like Disney behind you and the best technology in the business each chapter (episode) feels like a movie within itself. From the costumes (costume designers Joseph A. Porro and Shawna Trpcic) to the sets (set designer Amanda Moss Serino) to the music (Ludwig Göransson), it immerses you fully into that world and for that brief time you feel like you are right in the middle of the galaxy. Add in ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) to the mix and you have the perfect combination.

    The Mandalorian - Giancarlo Esposito as the evil Moff Gideon
    The Mandalorian – Giancarlo Esposito as the evil Moff Gideon. Image courtesy Disney Studios

    In the first season we have a cast of characters beginning with Carl Weathers (Greef Karga), Gina Carano (Cara Dune), Werner Herzog (The Client), Nick Nolte (Kuiil), Taika Waititi (IG-11) Giancarlo Esposito (Moff Gideon) and Emily Swallow (Armorer) rounding out the rest of the cast.  I remember during the first season and the first few episodes the character of Kuiil had a voice that was so familiar but could not quite place and was pleased to see that Nick Nolte returned to the screen.

    It was about the second chapter that I realized it was Nick Nolte, and that made me love the character even more. The directors for the first season are some of the best in the business, from Bryce Dallas Howard to Taika Waititi, all bringing their own love of Star Wars to their respected episodes.

    The Mandalorian - Ming Na Wen as Fennec Shand
    The Mandalorian – Ming Na Wen as Fennec Shand. Image courtesy Disney Studios

    The second season has added even more talent to the series both in front of and behind the camera!

    With a cast like Temuera Morrison (Boba Fett), Katee Sackhoff (Bo-Katan Kryze), Rosario Dawson (Ahsoka Tano), Michael Biehn (Lang), John Leguizamo (Gor Koresh), Timothy Olyphant (Cobb Vanth) things are bound to get interesting.

    Great actors like Bill Burr (Mayfeld), Horatio Sanz (Mythrol), Amy Sedaris (Peli Motto) and Ming-Na Wen (Fennec Shand) are thankfully seen again in the superb second season adding more humor, compassion, and talent to the pool.

    The Mandalorian - Katie Sackhoff as Bo-Katan Kryze
    The Mandalorian – Katie Sackhoff as Bo-Katan Kryze. Image courtesy Disney Studios

    Behind the camera is more great talent with Robert Rodriguez, Dave Filoni, Carl Weathers, Taika Waititi, Peyton Reed. The series is better because of who is in front as well as behind the camera, when you have people that have a deep love and admiration for the material it shows in each episode. For example, the episode that Robert Rodriguez (Chapter 14: The Tragedy) directed is indictive of his style, if you have watched any of his movies then you know what I mean. You will be able to know from the first few minutes of that episode that he was the one that directed it.

    The Mandalorian - Baby Yoda
    The Mandalorian – Baby Yoda. Image courtesy Disney Studios

    Mando finds himself in an unexpected role of father figure to “the child” who Mando is tasked to find and kill. Not realizing that the target is a child, and Mando instead rescues the child and protects him from the Imperials who want him dead. Even though Mando is dedicated to the ways of The Mandalorian, the code of Bounty Hunters’ Guild, he is still a man with feelings and emotions. He was tasked with finding others like the child and returning the child to his family. As a fan of the Star Wars franchise “the child” (later in Season two is when we finally find out his name, Grogu) is remarkably like what we know as Yoda, but the origin of his species has never been revealed. He does share the same traits as Yoda, as the series progresses, we do see that the child does possess the ways of the force and has on a few occasions helped Mando out of sticky situations by using said force.

    The Mandalorian - Baby Yoda Grogu
    The Mandalorian – Baby Yoda Grogu. Image courtesy Disney Studios

    With each chapter the mystery of the child, affectionately known as “Baby Yoda” becomes more apparent and that makes the urgency to find his kind more dire than first anticipated. We then find out that he may be the last of his kind and the reason he is wanted so badly by the Imperials is because of his capabilities that wield more power than thought possible. Nothing like having a whole galaxy of bad guys chasing after you, right? Thankfully Mando is more than capable of handling anything that comes their way.

    The Mandalorian - Werner Herzog as The Client
    The Mandalorian – Werner Herzog as The Client. Image courtesy Disney Studios

    The series is wonderful in that it shows the progression of a man who was bound by honor of the only way he has been taught (“this is the way”) and he has always known to maybe becoming more of the human he is. The armor he wears is not only symbolic of what he was, but it slowly becomes the thing that frees him as well.

    It is complicated to say the least, we all wear our own “armor” throughout our lives and as we go through the journey of life, that armor becomes tarnished and eventually becomes that thing that either sets us free or destroys us. With Mando it is no different, his journey changes him in ways he never thought. From not being able to remove his helmet in the presence of another human to potentially abandoning the code he has followed his whole life. It is Shakespearean at its finest and we are here for it.

    The Mandalorian - Mando seeks help
    The Mandalorian – Mando. Image courtesy Disney Studios

    Pedro Pascal does a fabulous job at not only having the disciplined way about him, but eventually having that compassion, love, loyalty that has transformed him into the man he becomes at the end of the second season. I have always been a fan of Pedro’s; he is a great actor that can convey more with his voice than he can with an action.

    It is hard to write about the series because I do not want to give away anything about the third season. Honestly when friends of mine started watching this show (and they are total Star Wars nerds), I was a bit reluctant to start because I thought they may be a bit biased. I was pleasantly proven so wrong about that. It was at the end of the first chapter (episode 1) that I had become enamored, enthralled, hooked, and obsessed with the series. I did not start watching it until the third episode had aired and once I binge watched them, I was salivating for more. Disney is smart in that the series is not given to you in one shot (as has been the case in most series nowadays), but weekly so you are made to tune in every week to see what happens next. I like having the anticipation during the week and speculating what might happen next in the series. 

    The Mandalorian - Mandos ship
    The Mandalorian – Mandos ship. Image courtesy Disney Studios

    Having a series like The Mandalorian has opened my Star Wars world a bit more. It has made me want to delve further down the Star Wars rabbit hole and watch the other series that have been associated with this series (and the potential ones that might get spun off). I do know that there will be an Ahsoka Tano series coming soon, with Rosario Dawson. With each spin-off of the franchise we as fans get to enjoy the best parts of that entire franchise.

    The Mandalorian - Mando
    The Mandalorian – Mando. Image courtesy Disney Studios

    If you are a fan of any of the series that are part of the Star Wars franchise the I highly recommend this series. There is so much to sink your teeth into that covering it in one post will not really do it justice. All I will say is that the Season two finale was so incredible that I literally cried, but happy tears. It leaves it open for more and let me tell you there is a lot more in store for Mando. It also will make you have a slight deja vu regarding yet another movie related to the franchise. You will be (hopefully) as mind blown as I was when you see what happens . My advice to you is when you do watch the season two finale watch it ALL THE WAY THROUGH the credits and then about a minute after you will get something worth it. Trust me, I had to tell my friends to go back and watch it and they were glad I told them.

    That about wraps up my post about the Disney plus series The Mandalorian. I hope this convinces you to watch the series. I am looking forward to season three and anything that comes after it. We leave you with one of our favorite videos from the series, Ludwig Göransson beautifully scoring The Mandalorian.

     

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    Click to visit and follow WormholeRiders News Agency on Twitter!Thank you for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency. Thanks to Kenn for video embedding and adding images for my feature article. I will be back next season for more on The Mandalorian about the adventures Mando faces as we learn more about Baby Yoda!

    Please feel free to leave a comment here or If you prefer, you may also click the social media icons below to share this news article or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit me on Twitter by clicking the links or images avatars in this news story.

    See You on The Other Side! Click to visit and follow Noz4a2 (Lori) on Twitter!

    Until next time,

    Regards,

    Lori

  • Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – What They Become – Shaking Things Up!

    Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – What They Become – Shaking Things Up!

    Agents of Shield banner - Click to learn more at the official ABC Network web site!

    Agents of Shield Marvel banner logo - Click to learn more at the official Marvel web site!Hello and welcome back to Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.!

    With the mid season premiere just around the corner, I would like to take this opportunity to refresh the slow-started but action-packed season one of this awesome show!

    If you have not seen the midwinter finale, be alert! Spoilers ahead!

    “What will I become?”

    Back in season one of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the beautiful Raina, (Ruth Negga), asked a question that seemed out of place. No one understood it, it had no context, and it certainly did not seem like the first question she would ask of the elusive Clairvoyant.

    Agents of SHIELD S2x10 - Skye contemplates what her Dad has becomeAs season one continued, it still did not entirely seem like the question had a place in that universe. There were indications that something was different about Raina, and certainly about Skye (Chloe Bennet), and even Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) himself, but still the question was not answered.

    Season two began to focus on that question, however, and amidst the madness of writing, the danger of HYDRA, and the skin-crawling creepiness of Grant Ward (Brett Dalton), the layers peeled away, revealing purpose, motivation, and understanding. Finally, we were led by the obelisk into that dark room in Puerto Rico as the eager Raina and the driven Skye made contact with what they would become.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - What They Become

    The final sequence at the end of the midwinter finale left me gasping. It was breathtaking, beautiful, heartbreaking, and game-changing.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Skye Shaking Things Up

    As I had suspected, the attractive, smart, friendly Antoine Triplett (B.J. Britt) turned out to be a redshirt. All right, he got more screen time than the average redshirt, but still ultimately I noticed early on in season two that his character was often relegated to chatter, background, with little time to step up and really shine.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Trip Taken Over

    It has been my experience that when this happens to characters, it means they are likely being written out of the show. (See Chyler Leigh and T.R. Knight in Grey’s Anatomy and Craig Veroni in Stargate Atlantis). I was sad to see Trip go, but his timing is absolutely exquisite.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Skye Reborn

    Skye undergoes this amazing change, receiving this gift she did not even want, and as she is reborn from the cocoon in one of the most beautiful visuals I have seen in the show to date, the first thing she sees is her dear friend crumbling to pieces before her eyes.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Trip Crumbling

    Her (re)birth, his death, is something she will have forever linked in her mind. Chloe is stunning in that moment, on the verge of tears, shocked, terrified, even hopeless (but not yet helpless).

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Skye Crying

    It is easily one of my favorite moments of season two. What a send-off for Trip!

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Trip

    Hats off to Chloe Bennet for all the work she has had to do with Skye. She has had to embody a coming of age type story (and origin story) over the course of one and a half years instead of one and a half hours, and she has handled the change brilliantly. From the character perspective, Skye has completed her original character arc by receiving many of the answers she has sought. She joined S.H.I.E.L.D to find out about her parents, then stayed to find out more about who she was.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Skye Cocoon

    She certainly got her answers and, in the process, gained herself friends, a family, a purpose, a father (figure, and the one she really wants, I think), a father (real…if a madman), and a stalker. Skye has come a long, long way and now with the revelation of her true identity, things with her are only going to get more intense!

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Skye Green

    Agents of SHIELD S2x10 - Skye and Dad try to figure things outSo the hints were dropped excessively in the last two episodes, especially in word choice and the ever-famous song, and now we have a confirmation from the creators: Skye is Daisy Johnson, daughter of “The Doctor (Kyle MacLachlan).
    Skye is a character known to many as ‘Quake’ (and all the earth-shattering puns that accompanied that revelation were done to death within twenty-four hours of the finale airing.).
    Perhaps more interesting is the revelation that Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D has shifted perspective just a tiny bit. They are no longer exclusively focusing on the non-superpowered people of the Universe. With the arrival of Daisy, we have the arrival of the Inhumans, something many of the cast members and creators seem exceptionally excited about.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Raina With the Obelisk

    For those of you who really have no idea who the Inhumans are, let me give you a brief paragraph, (and thank you http://marvel.com/universe/Inhumans for the assist.). Inhumans are the result of genetic experimentation on early humans by another, powerful race known as the Kree. We are familiar with the Kree already – the GH-325 serum that formed the basis of Coulson’s T.A.H.I.T.I. project came from one.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Coulson Wants to See the Fuss

    Agents of SHIELD S2x08 - The team searches for secretsWe saw it first in season one, episode 14, ‘T.A.H.I.T.I.’. Also, the legend spoken of by Raina in season two, episode nine ‘Ye Who Enter Here’, involves a star falling from the heavens and blue angels coming to change humanity.

    That is likely a direct reference to the Kree and their experimentation on humans. The city of Attilan (the city Coulson and so many others were forced to draw) is the main city for the Inhumans, which means we may have a whole hotbed of excitement awaiting in those hallways.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Terragen Crystals Obelisk

    Agents of SHIELD S2x10 - Melinda May and Skye confront the enemyNow, while Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen have said other characters will get more screentime, you cannot just drop a bomb like: “Hello, you are an alien!” and then let the storyline sit. We can certainly expect more Skye/Daisy-centric episodes now in the back half of season two.

    With the help of Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen), Skye has to learn about her abilities, of course, and control them, and learn how to live in a world where she is suddenly different. How will the others perceive her now?

    Will she be able to stay away from her father despite his confidence that she will need him to help her? Now that Skye’s questions have been answered, all the avenues of storytelling for her open up.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Skye, Trip, and Obelisk

    I know this worries some people as the first half of season two seemed to be so much about Skye as well, though I disagree – I think it was more about the Inhumans in general and the rebuilding after HYDRA. Skye has become a main character, for certain, and now with her father in the picture and her new abilities ready to come out, she is going to become even more of a major player.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Raina's Eye

    Agents of SHIELD S2x10 - Dad tries to convince Daisy SkyeThe biggest question for season two for me right now is who are the bad guys? We beat HYDRA to the punch, Daniel Whitehall (Reed Diamond) is dead, and we do not have a ‘Centipede’ equivalent running around. There is always Calvin Zabo, (Kyle MacLachlan), who likely still wants to keep beating up Coulson for stealing his satisfaction.

    There’s Raina, who might be heavily upset by her new look (she will always be beautiful to me though). Grant Ward took off with Agent 33. Then you have Bobbi (Adrianne Palicki) and Mack (Henry Simmons) keeping something from everyone. There are plenty of antagonists out there but I am wondering which will take center stage. One thing is for sure: the writers have Plans, so Something Is Coming.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Thumb Drive

    I have to say, another absolute favorite moment of season two would be Skye finally meeting her father, Cal. Call me a rosy-eyed optimist, but I seriously think that was some of the most realistic and intelligent writing for that kind of scene I have ever seen – and the acting on both sides is marvelous! It gets me every time and I have seen the episode at least four times now. There is, to me at least, no question that Cal loves Skye. There is no question as to how important she is to him. The stakes were so high and the tension so thick in their first meeting that I found myself holding my breath.

    Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Skye Repulsed by Cal

    The moments were alternately agonizing (Cal telling Skye she had to stay), and creepy (Cal touching her shoulder while he hummed the lullaby…well that was kind of sweet too), and sweet (Cal having to start over and stumbling through his introduction.).

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Cal

    Kyle does an impressive job of playing so many emotions all in one second, and the character himself seems to be incredibly conflicted and complicated. Cal, like Raina, is ultimately out for his own personal goal, and he is willing to use anyone to get it. His backing down when Skye held a gun to him was a little surprising to me, but at the same time it made him vulnerable, more likeable, and perhaps even more realistic. He wants his daughter to be happy and to be with him and if she has to do some crazy stuff, let her. After all, he is Doctor Jekyll (or so the rumor goes.).

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Cal Enraged

    I completely understood his attacking Coulson and did not actually see it as a ‘bad guy’ act at all. It is a perfectly understandable reaction. Imagine you have held an obsessive hatred of one man for twenty-five years. You have planned how you are going to kill him, imagined it, felt the echo of satisfaction that you know one day will be real. Then, as you are literally walking towards him to enact the revenge you have waited for, someone else shoots him dead. Sorry, Coulson, but I was totally with Cal on that one. No, you could not have known the whole story. But still….twenty-five years of agony just evaporated….Cal had to take it out on someone and you happened to be right there.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Coulson Tries to Stop Cal

    I like Cal, there is no secret there. I almost wish he was not already genuinely assumed to be a bad guy. Like Raina, he could be a neutral factor and pull it off with more charm and humor than Grant Ward (who was starting to get outright stalkerish by the end there.).

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Ward Frees Skye

    Grant Ward. Over the last few episodes, Ward has managed to do what I was hoping the writers would let him do, and get out of his cell and back into the real world. From there, the overall question of how he handles life when he has no one to follow definitely began to answer itself. Ward also had his own agenda, and was perfectly capable of following it within the rules he set for himself. It seems now that he is loyal to no one, simply using both S.H.I.E.L.D and HYDRA for one purpose: to re-ingratiate himself with Skye.

    Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Raina, Ward, Cal, Whitehall

    Raina outright calling him on it made me chuckle with evil glee, even though at that point it was pretty obvious to everyone what was going on. But things went upside down when Skye pulled a one-eighty and shot him.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Ward Shocked

    He clearly, obviously, and shockingly did not see that coming. Is Ward really so stupid as to believe that Skye would not hurt him after all that has happened? It is totally possible…love makes you blind. Either way he may become even more dangerous now that he has been spurned.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - May Worried

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Ming Na is outstanding as Melinda May!Finally, we get down to the remaining characters of the show. I am sorry to put it that way but a lot of them did seriously take a backseat this half of the season. Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen) has been her usual badass self this season, and seeing her laugh and dance and take it personally when her face got taken was all lovely.

    Hopefully we will get a little more into her again to round things out. Characters have to wait their turns, understandably so, and not everyone was as quiet as May this season.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Simmons Listens to Fitz

    Jemma Simmons, (Elizabeth Henstridge), got a good, solid episode to herself, which FitzSimmons fans (as well as everyone else) desperately needed to try and understand why she left the team when Leo Fitz (Iain de Caestecker) needed her most (to use his words.).

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Fitz Protects Simmons

    While we still do not completely have all of those answers – and in fact what we have is almost contradictory – the dynamic between Fitz and Simmons has changed painfully, (especially with Jemma telling Bobbi she had only ever seen Fitz as a friend….say it isn’t so, please!). Fitz has outright admitted that he needs to work ‘for’ Simmons, not ‘with’ her, and that he is no longer as capable as he was. It seems to me that Fitz is trying to deal in reality and Jemma is not there yet. I could have that backwards, but maybe the second half of the season will get more into it.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Midwinter Finale - What They Become - Fitz Talks to Simmons

    Still and all, Fitz has Mack, (who thankfully did not die, at least as a zombie), and Hunter (Nick Blood), and Jemma has…well Jemma does not really have anyone anymore, unless Skye and Bobbi will listen, and frankly both of them are stuck in their own stories at the moment. I hate to view Jemma as an antagonist because she did what she thought was right…it just seems now like it may have been the wrong decision.

    The spring premiere of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D is this Tuesday, March 3!!

    Agents of Shield banner poster - Click to learn more at the official ABC Network web site!

    Click to visit and follow WormholeRiders News Agency on Twitter!Thanks to Kenn for final staging and audio video embedding, and thank you for visiting our dedicated Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. web site!

    Please feel free to share this article with your friends, co-workers and or family. Feel free to leave your comments and we look forward to you visiting in the future.

    Or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit WHR on Twitter, WHR on Facebook or visit me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story. Both I and Team WHR look forward to Seeing You on The Other Side!

    Thank you. Click to visit and follow Nayari09 (Pam) on Twitter!

    Best Regards,

    Nayari09 (Pam)

  • Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Ye Who Enter Here Skye Rolling in The Deep and Poor Mac!

    Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Ye Who Enter Here Skye Rolling in The Deep and Poor Mac!

    Agents of Shield banner - Click to learn more at the official ABC Network web site!

    Welcome back WormholeRiders dedicated to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.!

    Agents of SHIELD Marvel banner logo - Click to learn more at the official ABC Network web site!This Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. reviewer remains impressed with the outstanding level of production quality values, character development, script writing and overall progress as the story arc builds to the series winter finale before the Christmas holiday season in an episode.

    “Ye Who Enter Here” was written by imaginative Paul Zbyszewski and directed by the talented Bill Gierhart! who did a wonderful job with a great episode!

    I cannot speak for all admirers of this series, but this reviewer remains ecstatic about the outstanding adventures we are treated to each week via the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. series!

    Agents of SHIELD S2x10 - Skye meets DadWith only one episode remaining before the series winter break, the exciting details of “Ye Who Enter Here” laid a solid foundation for the tenth episode “What They Become”, when Skye (Chloe Bennet), seemingly abused by Agent Ward (Brett Dalton), who has been “Rolling in the Deep” will meet her father (Kyle MacLachlan).

    “What They Become” airs Tuesday December 09, 2014 on the ABC Network at 9 PM, 8 Central time, a sure to be exciting episode that this reviewer is looking forward to when Skye is delivered to dear ole’ Dad by her unrequited lover Ward!

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 - Skye is Rolling in the Deep!

    Click to learn about Ancient Aliens at their official web site!This reviewer loves these types of stories where theory and hypothesis are woven into the tapestry. Having been a admirer of the theories of the fantastic series, Ancient Aliens, as seen on the History Channel network, in “Ye Who Enter Here” we find out more details concerning the ancient alien presence and their ancient city as envisioned in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.!

    Foggy Machu Pichu - Image courtesy National GeographicMost people we know love the concept of aliens visiting Earth in the distant past, long suspected of helping the natives build the Great Pyramids, Machu Picchu and other ancient archeological structures!

    Many believe the aliens not only helped prehistoric human kind develop. Other believe aliens enslaved us fir their nefarious purposes. Still others believe that the aliens were believed to be deities that the edifices of modern religion were created from. Still others think the aliens are still here, monitoring Earth to this very day !

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Coulson and Mac enter the alien templeRegardless of whether you the reader believe in aliens or not, in “Ye Who Enter Here”, Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) has his team attempt to find the entrance a mysterious alien city.

    The ageless story arc is a foundation long been enjoyed by hundreds of millions, if not a billion or more human being on our fair planet Earth!

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Coulson shows the team the ancient alien cityIn “Ye Who Enter Here”, we begin to unravel more of the fascinating aspects of the Marvel Universe that have dovetailed the adventures in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.!

    More fun is the dual role of MingNa Wen who portrays our beloved Melinda May and the horribly evil Hydra operative, Agent 33, a slavish minion of Hydra leader, and World War Two Nazi officer, Daniel Whitehall wonderfully portrayed by Reed Diamond!

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Ming Na Wen as Melinda May and Agent 33

     

    Ye Who Enter Here:

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Skye has nightmaresAs the as rest of the agents seek to rescue Raina (Ruth Negga) subsequent to confirming that Hydra is after her, all hell will break loose in the process as we open the Skye (Chloe Bennet) who is experiencing a series of frightening nightmarish dreams about her mysterious past, no doubt related to her father (Kyle MacLachlan), “The Doctor”. Skye cannot fathom all the details yet, but she is convinced that something horrific is about to happen.

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Skye hears a sound in her nightmareThis reviewer enjoys the acting talent of Chloe Bennet, a gifted and gorgeous actress who brings realism to her role in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

    Skye is dealing with the identity hidden from her for what the protagonists believe are good reasons.

    A short time later, Coulson shares with his team that evil Hydra has obtained the feared Obelisk!

    To make matters worse, horrific Hydra has now employed an expert who knows how to use it, none other than dear ole’ “Dad” aka “The Doctor”!

    Agents of SHIELD S2x07 - Raina holds the ancient deviceWe have learned that there is a potent, in fact a devastating weapon contained within the Obelisk. A secret, known only the is that in order to activate the weapon, one must be inside an ancient alien temple located in the secret city that in buried under the city of San Juan.

    Agents of SHIELD S2x08 Diabolic Daniel Whitehall of HydraThankfully, the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. know where ancient city is. Fortunately malevolent Hydra does not… YET! The mission of our heroes, the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? Get to the alien temple first, and blow the powerful temple to smithereens before Hydra can activate the weapon and enslave all of humankind!

    Diabolic Daniel Whitehall’s (Reed Diamond) Hydra operatives, including a still wounded Agent 33, hunt down Raina (Ruth Megga) in Vancouver, British Columbia to exact their revenge.

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 The cloaking umbrella saves RainaFortunately, a couple of Agents Sam and Billy Koenig (both portrayed by Patton Oswalt) are there to ensure Raina’s escape. Sam uses of a special type of cloaking umbrella to affect their escape.

    Raina, now allied with SHIELD receives an a lanyard. Coulson sends an extraction team consisting of Melinda May, Skye and Lance Hunter (Nick Blood) hoping to keep Skye from confronting her crazed father now employed by Hydra. This is suspected by Skye who is still wondering about “Dad”.

    A fun scene ensues as Mac (Henry Simmons) probes Bobbi (Adrianne Palicki) about her rekindled romance with Hunter. The two of them know a secret that Lance does not. Bobbi wants to keep it that way.

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Fitz comes to a realization about SimmonsAgent Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) has bared her soul about what has transpired between her with Agent Leo Fitz (Iain De Caestecker). Jemma has been confused feelings she went undercover at Hydra after were both left for dead by now Hydra operative Agent Ward (Brett Dalton).

    During these poignant moments in “Ye Who Enter Here”, The two former best friends finally have a heart to heart discussion. It does not go as planned. Fitz reveals that he can no longer work with Simmons, whose heart is broken in the process.

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Mac, Fitz and Simmons in the ancient alien cityThis reviewer strongly believes these two will reconcile their friendship much like Lance and Bobbi, perhaps even leading to matrimony!.

    Bobbi has a San Juan contact who we learn is running behind schedule late for their meeting. Bobbi uses the delay as chance to voice her concern about the mission to Coulson.

    Bobbi is concerned that SHIELD, and Coulson is there to do accomplish something other than destroy the alien device weapon, perhaps to dovetail his own obsession as we learned in “The Writing on the Wall”.

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Skye fights with Agent 33Coulson calms Bobbi the only purpose of the mission is to stop Hydra from enslaving the world. The SHIELD team works to gain access to the hidden city, a story of the haunted fort tower where they are digging is revealed. In the process, we meet Diego (Carlos Rivera Marchand), a local friend of Bobbi in San Juan who provides information about the ancient alien temple.

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Raina is to be savedThe SHIELD team is in Canada to save Raina. True to series form, with great fight choreography between Bennet and MingNa, Skye is about to get her ass kicked by Agent 33. This reviewer was happy when Lance comes to her rescue! As this reviewer has shared previously, the snarky Lance is a fun addition to the team.

    Subsequent to the wonderful fight sequences, Raina shares a secret with them that she can handle the Obelisk without any negative effects.

    Once she realizes Hydra has the device, she tries to flee. May crashed the SHIELD van into the bad guys ensuring their escape and calming Raina in the process.

    Agent 33 also escapes and informs evil Whitehall of the incident where she was able to implant a tracking device on Raina.

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Raina and Skye have a chatBack story regarding Skye’s father (that we have been waiting for about Raina) is revealed as they escape. Skye is told by Raina that her father is not really a bad person, but has been manipulated by life’s circumstance into what he has now become.

    Raina shares that she herself was a lost soul before she met Skye’s father. Finally Raina shares with Skye that “Dad” has been seeking his daughter his entire life. Raina describes that the Obelisk is a Divining device with the power to help “the worthy inherit the Earth”. Naturally, Whitehall is convinced that Hydra is the only organization “worthy” enough to possess the Obelisk.

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Dirt bag Ward is held at gunpoint to no availIt is at this point in the action that Skye’s earlier sense of foreboding comes into play. In a desperate attempt to warn her Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. team mates, Skye tries to contact the Coulson.

    Evil Hydra has planned ahead when we learn that Skye’s communication has been blocked via the tracking device!

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Melinda and Skye draw down on Ward!

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Hydra dirt bag Ward comes aboard the airbusThings quickly go from bad to worse when Four Hydra QuinJets surround the cloaked SHIELD airbus. Dirt bag traitor Ward and a team of Hydra agents come aboard. They demand Raina and Skye!

    In a melodramatic scene, an ultimatum is give: surrender Skye and Raina of he will kill everyone aboard the SHIELD airbus. In an emotional moment between Skye and Melinda May, who have developed a warm respect for each other, Skye says that she can handle herself. Raina reminds Skye to bring along her tablet with the map of the ancient alien city.

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Mac is afflicted by the alien temple curseAs the episode winds down, Mac is lowered into the pathway to the secret city. As he reaches the bottom, Mac reveals an alien symbol to the group which glows a reddish hue that somehow causes the exact alien symbol to appear on Mac! It appears an ancient curse is protecting the city!

    The team pulls Mac to the surface who is suffering from some alien affliction as his eyes glow red! In what appears to be his last act on Earth, Mac yells at his comrades to run.

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 The alien hole where Mac will be sealed inNow fully affected by the alien curse, Mac attacks all of them. An “icer” has no effect.

    Fitz holds a gun with real bullets on Mac. He is unable to pull the trigger! Bobbi shocks Mac to the point where he falls into the hole. Coulson orders the alien hole to be sealed with Mac inside!

    The episode ends with a conversation between Agent 33 and Whitehall. She advises the evil Hydra leader that Ward has captured Raina and Skye.

    Agents of SHIELD S2x09 Agent 33 and Whitehall discuss WardWe learn that Ward was only supposed to capture Raina. Ward is obviously still obsessed with Skye, Whitehall raises and eyebrow in curiosity.

    This leaves me to wonder if the Ward character could be a triple agent? This hypothesis is reinforced when Whitehall learn that Ward did not destroy the S.H.I.E.L.D. airbus per his orders. Agent 33 is instructed to destroy the SHIELD airbus as the screen fades to black!!

    Agents of Shield season two banner poster - Click to learn more at the official ABC Network web site!

     

    Click to visit and follow WormholeRiders News Agency on Twitter!

    Please feel free to share this article with your friends, co-workers and or family. Feel free to leave your comments and we look forward to you visiting in the future.

    Or as many of our readers and visitors often do, visit WHR on Twitter, or visit me on Twitter by clicking the text links or images avatars in this news story. I and Team WHR look forward to Seeing You on The Other Side!

    Thank you. Click to visit and follow Kenn of TeamWHR on Twitter

    Best Regards,

    Kenn

  • Agents of SHIELD: 0-8-4 Means Come and Get Some More with The Asset Promo!

    Agents of SHIELD: 0-8-4 Means Come and Get Some More with The Asset Promo!

    Agents of Shield banner - Click to learn more at the official ABC Network web site!

    Welcome back WormholeRiders and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.!

    Marvels Agents of SHIELD banner logo - Click to learn more at the official ABC Network web site!This series represents the finest effort in many years to effectively capture the science fiction drama audience on Tuesday evenings in the United States.

    The creators creators Maurissa Tancharoen, Jed Whedon, Joss Whedon, Jeffrey Bell, and Jeph Loeb, have accomplished precisely that, AND added icing to the cake of Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson, MingNa Wen as Agent Melinda May, Brett Dalton as Agent Grant Ward, Chloe Bennet as the rebel computer hacker Skye, Iain De Caestecker as Agent Leo Fitz, Elizabeth Henstridge as Agent Jemma Simmons, Ron Glass as Dr. Streiten, and Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill with a little known program treat (based on views) offered each week.

    Click to visit and follow Verizon on Twitter!The cool weekly special of which we speak is sponsored by Verizon, and is known as Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. DECLASSIFIED! We have included the latest episode below for your enjoyment.

    This editor was quite surprised that more viewers were not aware of this fun, well produced special that is available each week!

    We respectfully suggest you let ABC and Verizon know you “Want Some More”, just like “0-8-4!”.

    Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - Clark Gregg banner poster

    Editors Note:

    Agents of SHIELD cast banner - Click to learn more at the official ABC Network web site!Before continuing a joint, two person Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. analysis, WormholeRiders News Agency management would like to say goodbye to Holly Wilson as an active contributor to Team WHR.

    Holly Wilson joined Wormholeriders News Agency (WHR) a little over eighteen months ago on April 06, 2012 subsequent to a standard volunteer employee interview.

    After the interview, Holly agreed to abide by, be bound by, and follow all WormholeRiders Standards and Policies without exception as is required of any candidate requesting consideration as a WHR staff reporter prior to being granted approval.

    Agents of Shield banner poster - Click to learn more at the ABC Network web site!Holly initially reported to Patricia Stewart-Bertrand on the WHR Eureka team, and to myself on the WHR Warehouse 13 analysis team. Holly became a (had been a) good contributor who always turned her reviews in on time, often a day ahead of deadline. WHR always thanked her for each review on our web sites and on social media.

    In the late fall of 2012, Holly expressed a desire to lead a WHR Series Analysis team of her own. Based on her performance through that date, and with respect to the series, Being Human, Holly began writing regular analysis of that series in January 2013. We thanked Holly for all her help even though she was unable to complete season four analysis of Being Human.

    What happened? Holly had started a new job and had experienced other challenges which began to compete for her time. Moreover, Holly volunteered to write reviews for one of her favorite series DT known more formerly as Destination Truth. Holly also joined Patricia and I upon occasion at our hit live radio program WormholeRiders WHR you Decide where she received regular praise for helping out.

    Additionally, Holly covered two of four entertainment conventions where WHR (as a news agency) is credentialed in 2012 and 2013… before things began to change.

    Nevertheless, Holly express a strong desire to write analysis for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. because she admires the work of series creator Joss Whedon.

    Click to visit and follow HWilson2009 (Holly Wilson) on Twitter!WHR management was about to stop approving additional assignments in the hope that things would settle down, but relented when she promised to have reviews in on time. Unfortunately, it was impossible for Holly to meet the WHR Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. analysis team requirements that she had originally agreed to.

    Sadly, Holly Wilson tendered her resignation earlier today. We will miss her, but hope to remain friends with her, depending of course on her behavior.

    In closing this prologue, I sincerely thank Holly for her contributions to WHR and wish her and her family well, in fact, nothing but the best in the future.

    Holly’s Thoughts on 0-8-4:

    This week’s episode opens BIG with 0-8-4 which translated means Object of Unknown Origin, the prior 0-8-4, Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) explains to Skye (Chloe Bennet), was a Hammer, and we all know how that turned out!

    Buckle your seat belts, grab your coaster, and settle into your bunk as we analyze a week in the life of #AgentsofSHIELD !
    The scene opens with The Bus in flight and Agent Coulson has just mentioned over his comm, something about there being blue skies from here on out…….

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 The Bus

    The next scene shows an explosion blowing a hole in the side of The Bus and Agent Coulson being thrown about the cabin! Somebody is yelling ‘Hold On’! What has happened and where is backup?! How on earth or the verse did somebody get a bomb on the Bus, have they been shot in mid-air?! What is happening people?! Moreover, where is Ironman?

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 19 Hours EarlierWere dropped into a scene with The Bus being loaded, Skye is there, with her van and all her belongings are being carried onto The Bus! We see she has a little touchstone, what is that….is that a geisha doll with a wobbly head…..maybe not but close enough! As Skye gets the last of her stuff from her van, she adds ‘No joy rides, it’s my house’! Before she turns and enters The Bus, and her new world as an Agent of SHIELD, did you notice…..one of the guys stuck something on her van….what is that little pyramid thingy….a GPS tracker, a homing device, a really cool speaker?! I do not know what it is but I bet it comes into play later, so we have noted it and will keep that in mind for a later date perhaps!

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Geisha doll

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 What is thatAgent Ward (Brett Dalton) comments that Skye is just not qualified to be a SHIELD agent, Coulson agrees that Skye isn’t that’s why he invited her on as a consultant, and he reminds Agent Ward that technically Stark is a consultant also and that’s turned out pretty good for everyone! Seems Skye might be in good company on this one! I want to be a consultant! Ward is concerned about her past, and of Skye’s ties to something called ‘Rising Tide’ and he reminds Coulson that she has successfully hacked into the SHIELD network twice, with not so state of the art equipment! Coulson’s response, imagine what she will do with the resources of SHIELD behind her! Okay, lets see where this goes…I hope were not jumping on the Van wagon too soon with this girl, sorry about the pun, well….not really! Lol

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Ward May and Coulson

    Bus driver Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen) reminds Coulson that they already have two untrained kids on the team and now another is being added? She does not seem happy about this development and neither does Ward! Coulson assures them that their frowns will be put on record, but he has made the decision and Skye will be added to the team!

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Melinda May Bus driver

    The mission this week is object of unknown origin, what our agents call a 0-8-4! And even Coulson says ‘We don’t know what that means’! However, our destination IS set we are going to Peru, so get your suntan lotion and camera phones on the ready, it could be tropical, there could be a beach, either way there is sure to be unknown stuff happening, you should bring any extra grenades if you have them… Just saying….

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Not like other planes

    Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) and Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) find Skye a bunk cause per the intercom its wheels up, lock it or lose it! Ward hand’s Skye a map, this is no normal map, tis the exit map for The Bus in case of emergency evacuation! Coulson shows up to welcome Skye to the party, a few niceties are exchanged, mention of the battle for New York, a sceptre through his heart, Tahiti being magical, him getting the plane having it refurbished, studs up! They have a seat, Coulson likes people to use coasters, another thing to remember, they buckle up and are off!

    Sidebar Note: This magical place they call Tahiti – I think we should keep this tidbit in mind for later use also… Just saying

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Coulson Tahiti


    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Fitz and Simmons PeruWe land safely in Peru and the team arrives at what looks like an archaeological dig! Fitz and Simmons are talking ancient artifacts, local wildlife, monkeys and snakes and just rambling on about techie stuff, I like these two! Melinda May immediately feels they are excessively exposed out in the open, she goes to put their vehicle in a more undisclosed location. Skye seems confused as to why she is even there, Coulson explains to her that she is there in case her attributes are needed, otherwise, just tag along!

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Coulson and the Professor

    Coulson meets the Professor (Carlos Leal), the man in charge of this site on the steps of what looks like an ancient pyramid of sorts. Coulson introduces himself as the Professor begins to explain why SHIELD was called, he has found an artifact and it doesn’t seem to be in the right place, the site has been dated to at least 500 years old, but this artifact, well it glows, with blue lights and it made of high tech metal! It is not 500 years old! This could be a problem, also Coulson asks him whom he has notified besides SHIELD and the Professor says the Ministry of Peru – great, whew – that might be a problem people!

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 artifact


    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Coulston demands they evacuateSimmons has pulled out some SHIELD tech in the form of Sleepy, one of the Quadcopter modules, the flying tech! Personally, I love this stuff, the tech, the acronyms, and the very premise that someone is working in the background, to try to keep the world safe from monsters! Anyway, Sleepy is analyzing the artifact – size, internal workings, and specs in general. When Sleepy’s analysis comes back, Simmons is in shock as she tells them the artifact actually predates the wall it is latched onto by at least 1500 years…..whoa! Simmons says…maybe alien…..Fitz says looks more German…

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Quadcopter Sleepy

    As we join, Melinda May outside, Ward is saying something about her not having a sidearm, and Melinda calmly states that if she needs a sidearm, she will take one! Then which turns out to be a big mistake, Ward pops off that he forgot he was working with the Calvary – Melinda looks at him – with that look, that we already know and love – and she say ‘Don’t ever call me that’! Ward agrees but gives us a little back-story on Melinda May, seems she was a real badass in Bahrain, and went into retirement after that.

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Melinda May takes sidearms

    While May and Ward were talking old times it seems some Peruvian rebels were surrounding them, from behind and the sides, Ward and May are jumped, Melinda takes down two guys in the blink of an eye and took both their guns from them, so she has two – one in each hand! Ward also did okay, has one person by the neck and it is a standoff – then from around one of the jeeps comes a really pretty woman decked out in cammo ….who could this be?

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Peruvian rebels

    And to all our amazement, Coulson walks out of the pyramid speaking fluent Spanish, its Whedon awesome, brilliant and shiny indeed! He is the ultimate version of my perfect man, calm, collected and wears that suit so nice! Okay back to the story! Well, turns out he knows this woman! She recognizes him first and calls him ‘Phillip’, he responds and says ’Camilla’ (Leonor Varela) and yep, seems they have history, and not just a working together kinda thing people! O….yes! Agent Coulson has been doing more than a little research with our rebel leader during a chapter of his past….possibly in Tahiti?

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Coulson and Camilla

    With one word, she has her rebel army stand down; Coulson begins introducing the SHIELD team to Camilla! While in the pyramid thingy, Skye, Fitz and Simmons are trying to figure out what this thing on the wall is…then Fitz says…. It’s alive and they all kinda geek out – Skye asks, alive alive? Fitz answers that is has a functioning power source! Omuhgods! IT’S ALIVE! Ward drops in to tell them that they have company, not actually rebels but the State Policia, Skye know all about the uprising in this area of the world and Ward reminds her that she is not talking from the safety of her van, down by the river. Fitz and Simmons are begging for more time, are they in danger…..do they really have to go….Ward says no, as long as everyone does their job!

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Ward tells them company

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Rebels are Here

    And I spoke too soon, Camilla and Coulson are reminiscing about old times when there’s gunfire, explosions, people running and yelling everywhere! The rebels have come for the device and Ward yells for the team to load it up! Let’s go! But before we go, I grabbed a screen cap of the case that Sleepy was in…..looky guys…..all the Quadcopters have the names of the seven dwarfs from Snow White! Cute huh?! There is even one named Snow White 00 – I wonder if that is a special one…..just wondering….

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Quadcopters names

    They needed containment for the device but there was no time, Ward grabs it off the wall and off they go! Fitz is really upset about Ward just grabbing it off the wall, Ward says science class is over and throws it into one of their bags! Skye, Fitz, Simmons and Ward are all trapped in the pyramid when Ward yells ‘Get back’ pulls this thing from his coat, Coulson tell Camilla to yell hat her men to get down, Ward jumps down the stairs pull this thing out and jams it into the ground and BAM! Sonic Boom blast happens and all the rebels and anything standing goes flying backwards and to the ground!

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Ward grabs the device

    Camilla’s and Coulson make a run for her truck while the rest of the SHIELD team SHIELD truck with Melinda driving and they head towards the airstrip dodging rebel gunfire, there’s smoke and explosions everywhere! This is not going to be a peaceful trip through the jungle my friends! Melinda gets to The Bus first, Ward begins to close the ramp with Melinda yelling that Coulson is still out there! Ward gives backup as Coulson, Camilla and a few of her armed policia run up the ramp and safety! Skye mentions that she really misses her van! Whew! What a ride!

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 In the line of fire

    Fitz has been trying to tell everybody about the ‘Device’, to be careful with it, now as the ramp is raised and the gunfire subsides he explains…..this thing is powered by the same thing that power Captain America – Hydra WWII technology – its full of lethal amouts of gamma radiation! Ward – so its nucular… Coulson….no, its much much worse….

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Much much worse

    Coulson steps up to make sure May, who is driving The Bus, is doing okay with what just went down in Peru. He apologizes for subjecting her to the fire-fight and asks her if there’s anything else he can do for her before he goes to check out the device, powered by evil, that sits in their cargo bay…..May obviously has nothing to say, she has that steely look of determination and focus on her face! Yep, excellent bus driver!

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Coulson and May

    Simmons is taking the device from the bag, notice she is wearing gloves, which should help a lot and keep the worse than nuclear power out of the nervous system! Coulson is sending Camilla’s guys that made it upstairs, where they will be more comfortable, while he and Camilla discuss where they are taking the device.

    Coulson tells Camilla that they are headed for a SHIELD containment facility; she is suggesting an airstrip nearer to their current location. Sweetie, that is not gonna happen – please!

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Simmons with the device

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 need to iron out the kinksFitz, Ward, Skye and Simmons are having a bit of a squabble when Coulson comes in and asks if everything is okay in there, Ward admits they are having a bit of a communication problem, within the team when Skye pops up and volunteers to be the team captain!

    Coulson reminds them all that they do need to iron out the kinks, and he continues; Ward, you do speak 6 languages; Simmons, you have PhD’s in two fields I can’t pronounce; and Fitz you ARE a Rocket Scientist – so work it out! Skye yells after him, ‘I’m good at stuff too’!

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 skye with her doll

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 somethings up on the busEverybody seems to be settling in quite nicely, Fitz and Simmons are still checking out the device, Camilla’s guys have eaten and are kicking back, Skye and Ward are discussing world issues and not agreeing on much at all.

    Coulson and Camilla have adjourned to Coulson’s office, he has quite a collection of what he calls touchstones to the past, he like having them around, also noted, most are glued down!

    Coulson thinks Camilla is acting weird, Ward sees a couple of Camilla’s men, and they seem to be waiting for something, then we see another of her men, standing outside the lab, watching Fitz and Simmons……something is not good here kiddos!

    AgentsofSHIELD S1x02 Fitz in the grips

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