More on Mr. Robot

If you too are a fan of USA Network's Mr. Robot, you should follow Slate's weekly wrap-up of the show.  Here is a sample covering the first episode of season two:

What a metaphor for modern life—and only a slight extension of its reality. Nearly all the pieces of our critical infrastructure—banking, transportation, energy, waterworks, government, the military, and of course information technology—are wired into computer networks. With the Internet of Things, so, increasingly, are our appliances and cars. If these systems break down, whether due to a technical flaw or a hacker’s keystrokes, most of us don’t—and won’t—know what to do. 

Unlike many shows today, Mr. Robot is not only entertaining but also says something about the world around us.  It may say something disturbing, yet it needs to be pondered while sitting on the couch (and hopefully acted upon).

Update: Good news! Mr. Robot has been renewed for a third season. I guess that means Elliott and E Corp also survive another season. I'm happy about Elliott. 

U.S.S. Enterprise: A New Coat of Paint

If you are a fan of the early Star Trek television series you will be happy to know that the Smithsonian Museum is taking good care of the U.S.S. Enterprise.

This Vimeo video and summary will fill you in on the details:

This is a short film showing the process of the detail paint work on the conservation of the original U.S.S. Enterprise miniature, used in all 79 episodes of the original Star Trek television series. The detail paint work was done between the 11th and the 23rd of April 2016 at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. The model is now on display in the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.

George R.R. Martin Has a Second Planned Series

George R.R. Martin, writer of the Game of Thrones series, has more stories that will soon come to television.  His Wild Cards anthology, a 22 volume series of books started in 1986 and involving more than 30 authors, will be developed for television by Universal Cable Productions (who also handled Mr. Robot).  

Mr. Martin announced the television series on his website and also provided this description of the world he created in Wild Cards:

The shared world of the Wild Cards diverged from our own on September 15, 1946 when an alien virus was released in the skies over Manhattan, and spread across an unsuspecting Earth. Of those infected, 90% died horribly, drawing the black queen, 9% were twisted and deformed into jokers, while a lucky 1% became blessed with extraordinary and unpredictable powers and became aces. The world was never the same...Wild Cards is a series of books, graphic novels, games... but most of all it is a universe, as large and diverse and exciting as the comic book universes of Marvel and DC (though somewhat grittier, and considerably more realistic and more consistent), with an enormous cast of characters both major and minor. There are thousands of stories to be told in the world of the Wild Cards...

Mr. Martin said he is too busy with Game of Thrones to oversee the new series himself (as well as contractually bound to HBO).  He has already had an amazing run with his current series, as well as an amazing amount of work staying current with his writing, so for his sake I am glad he is handing off this project to someone else.  

Superstore Celebrates the Olympics

While the second season of NBC's Superstore does not start until September 22nd, we get to see a special episode on August 19th to celebrate the Olympics. You can even see a few Olympians, including Tara Lipinski, McKayla Maroney, Apolo Anton Ohno, and Cecily Strong. That works for me. 

A Star Wars Television Series?

Disney wants to make a fortune on Star Wars, so now we are hearing about a Star Wars television series (in addition to an existing television cartoon, the main movies, and new spin-off movies). And let's not forget "Star Wars Land" in Florida and California. 

Here is a quote from Disney Entertainment president Channing Dungey regarding a new television series:
 

Oh, as a fan, I would absolutely love to say ‘Yes,’...The conversations with Lucas, we have had conversations with them and will continue to have conversations with them. I think it would be wonderful if we could find a way to extend that brand into our programming.

She doesn't sound like a fan with the word "brand," but instead more like what the rebels are fighting against - an expanding imperial presence.  So I for one would recommend Disney focus on quality more than quantity.  We already saw what the focus on merchandising did to the "brand" when episodes 1-3 of the Star Wars motion pictures were released.  If Ms. Dungey is really a fan, maybe she should be very careful.

Mr. Robot: A Film Within a "Film"

The creator of Mr. Robot originally wanted to tell his tale in a film, but we are lucky that he went the television route. What he has produced is an astoundingly dark story of computer wizardry that goes beyond normal television. 

That does not mean we will not see a film. In fact, last week's episode provided more context to the story via a film called "A Careful Massacre of the Bourgeoisie." Now you can watch the full film, or at least nine minutes of it. But beware - it is pretty gruesome.  Go here for more. 

Season Two of Dark Matter

Season two of SyFy's Dark Matter has been pure fun so far, with a few casualties.  But I warn you - do not read any further if you are not current on the episodes. 

First, I like the new characters in the ship, originally three and now two. A doctor (Devon) and another weapons master (Nyx) makes sense.  I am not sure how long the two of them will last, but I like the addition. 

Second, I'm intrigued by the focus on doubles - doubt lives, double deaths, and double droids. The death of both versions of the character One, if it is to be believed, seemed pretty final for an interesting character. And the new version of the android Seven, still arguing with her earlier self, added a fun crew member to an often dark story. 

And finally, the opening credits, special effects, and even plots seem more professional. This is something I would expect with time and maybe more money.

So sit back and enjoy the show. SyFy found that magic formula that keeps all of us coming back for more.