The Rains of Castamere aka The Red Wedding

I'm a fair bit behind on most TV shows at the moment, to the extent where I have only just reached episode nine of the third season of Game of Thrones. This is without doubt jaw dropping good, possibly the best episode of anything I have seen in years. I am so relieved I did not know about the twist in the final act, I absolutely did not see it coming.

Its a very clever episode, the fight half way through the episode and prospect of a number of characters with different plot threads finally coming together made me think that this was going to be a good episode for a certain family during this episode. Slowly the rug is pulled from under the the viewers feet in the second half of the episode and most of the characters in up in a worse situation than when the episode started.

One of the best aspects of this episode is the red herring of Casterly Rock which had been carefully set up over the season. Because of this as viewers we think we know whats coming, we think we can see the direction the show is going and perhaps even what the season finale is going to be. However at this point having not seen the next episode yet I don't know whats going to happen. The show has pulled a swerve, one of the main plot lines looks to be over and I don't know where the show will be going next...

My opinion on the Royal Baby

I am aware that she exists.

Arsne Wenger to Leave Arsenal

Arsne Wenger is leaving Arsenal at the end of the 2017-18 season.

Wow who'd have thunk it?

A spectacular manager and he consistently got a team of Arsenals stature into the top four which is one hell of an achievement. He stayed to long and became a throwback to the early 00's but his impact on football is immeasurable.

The Big Finish Catch-Up February 2018

For those of you new to this section of the blog, I started listening to the Big Finish Doctor Who releases when they started back in 1999, getting them as they were released up to mid 2002 and release No 33 Neverland. At that time I left Uni and due to being a bit busy with life and what not I only heard one or two releases over the next few years. I started getting back into them around 2008 and was 6 years behind at that point. Due to wondering off into the Lost Doctor range and a relaxed listening pace I fell further behind. In order to catch up I'm listening to two releases a month (or more when its a 60 min single disc release, plus without seeing the cover or knowing anything about the story) and my mission to catch up continues;

First up this month was Cobwebs on the main range featuring the 5th Doctor, Nyssa, Tegan and Turlough. We've reached a batch of stories (this trilogy and the 7th Doctor & Klein stuff) that I've heard on the radio a few years back - so its not my first listen to this story. Its an interesting story with a good central puzzle and an underused TARDIS crew. Written by Jonathan Morris who is one of my consistently favourite writers. Its more of a serious story and feels like the TV era it takes place in 8/10.

Second up its Survival of the fittest also in the main range with the 7th Doctor and Klein which also features a telling of Kleins back story. A strong well acted, well written story with the Doctor and Kleins relationship so central - you could lock them in a room and give me two hours of them playing with kittens and I'd still listen. So strong and a pivotal story for Klein. Hearing Kleins story which had only been hinted at in Colditz is lovely and I enjoyed the surprise cameo. The rest of the story feels rather unique as the TARDIS encounters a different kind of alien that communicates in a different way. The resolution means I can't wait for the next story - hell of a cliff hanger ending! Another strong story I highly recommend 8/10.

American Psycho

I recently watched American Psycho for the first time in ages, the following are my thoughts following the film;

Does Patrick Bateman actually kill anyone? I keep coming up with reasons for yes and no, its fascinating that few films leave such a lingering question such as this.

Due to later films and parts taken by the cast we see Batman kill the Joker and get questioned about it by the Green Goblin.

I really like the 80's aesthetic.

Phil Collins has never sounded the same since the first time I watched this film.

Its a good touch that the person we see Bateman nearly kill is Jean, as she's the only potential victim who is a constant in his daily life.

Patrick Batemans final line as Jean finds is notebook is a nice touch.

Normally films with a "narrow narrative" annoy me but it fits perfectly here.