Review: Dexter - “Helter Skelter”/”My Dark… Whatever”
As we move into this two-block Dexter episode review (sorry, I missed last week so you get two at once), Dexter and Isaak are preparing for a showdown, Deborah has let Dexter know that she wants to jump his bones, Quinn is in hot water because of his dealings with the Russian mob and LaGuerta is still tracking down the clues to find out who the real Bay Harbor Butcher is. Isaak, for his part, is out of jail and ready to go, though it doesn’t end well for him.
Isaak has gone rogue from his Russian buddies, so they end up sending a few assassins his way. He decides that the best way to deal with them is to make a deal with Dexter. In exchange for taking them out, Isaak will call off his hunt and leave Dex in peace.
Dex wants nothing to do with it at first, but when his girlfriend Hannah is kidnapped, he goes along with Isaak’s plan. It’s a pretty straight shot from there and Dex manages to take out both of the killers with little trouble. Unfortunately, the strip-club owning rival of Isaak, George Novikov, catches up with them and puts a bullet in Isaak’s gut. After a brief heart-to-heart, Dex dumps the dead mobster’s body into the bay.
Meanwhile, Hannah tries to escape from her captor but ends up getting herself stabbed. As she lay dying, Deborah’s keen detective work leads her to the house where she’s at in the nick of time. Despite her dislike for her brother’s murdering girlfriend, Deb saves her. Still, this does little to alleviate the hatred that Deb has and she continues to try and figure out a way to get Hannah tossed in jail for her poisoning habits.
After Isaak is out of the way, Dex has to find someone else to kill. Luckily for him, there’s an arsonist serial killer in town, burning up people in public places. Dex figures out who he is, but actually sticks to the promise he made to Deb about not interfering in her cases. He’s close to putting the knife to the arsonist, but eventually lets his sister do what she does best.
But this restraint isn’t doing our favorite serial killer any good. He still has the urge that needs to be fulfilled. As if by magic, Hannah’s abusive father shows up, playing at making peace but really there to blackmail his daughter. It turns out he has information on one of Hannah’s earlier killings, including the name of a witness who could pin it on her. He demands big money from Dex and Hannah but Dex isn’t playing ball. Instead, despite his lady’s protestations, he drags the father off and puts a knife in him.
In the meanwhile, Quinn gets into more trouble when he gets into an argument with George. First he puts his fists into George’s face and later a bullet into his chest. Lucky for him, Angel is around and heard the altercation. Despite some misgivings about the details of the situation, Angel backs his partner up. Whether Quinn will be facing the wrath of more Russian mobsters or end up in jail remains to be seen.
LaGuerta is tracking down more clues and getting closer every day, but still lacks any evidence to suggest that Dexter is the man behind so many killings. She looks for help in the form of her former boss who, despite not liking her one bit, offers some sound advice. This story arc is boiling slowly, though I’m guessing we’ll see it’s conclusion by (or at) season’s end, possibly even as the lead-in for what will happen in the eighth and final season.
Perhaps the biggest element of these episodes, and Episode 10 in particular, is that Dex is changing from the code-driven, controlled serial killer to a more chaotic and whim-driven murderer. He breaks his code by killing Hannah’s father, simply to protect her. He gives up on the concept of his “dark passenger”, admitting to himself that there is nothing driving him to kill - that it’s only him and his urges. He’s becoming less and less a force for vigilante justice and more of the type of serial killer that everyday people fear.
As the last two episodes loom near, Quinn, Dexter and Hannah are all getting into hot water. There is something hanging over each of their heads that isn’t likely to end well. Dexter will no doubt have to make a decision about saving Hannah from his sister and another about whether LaGuerta makes a viable target to prevent her from bringing him in. I’m wondering whether they’ll sacrifice Hannah at the end of the season to save Dexter or whether the writers will try to keep her around for season 8.
Tune in again next week for yet another Dexter review. Only two more episodes, so it’s about ready to hit the fan and get serious.
Netflix signs deal with Disney
Netflix is finally starting to regain some of the ground it has lost over the last few years. Today the company announced that they have come to an agreement with Disney, which will bring a huge number of family-friendly moves back onto the Netflix Streaming service.
Review: Walking Dead - “When the Dead Come Knocking”/”Made to Suffer”
The last two episodes of this half-season of The Walking Dead begin with poor Glenn and Maggie as prisoners of Merle, the Governor and his crew. They’re determined to figure out where Rick’s gang has made their home. On the other side of the map, Michonne has just arrived at the prison and is looking to get inside. She’s wounded and surrounded by walkers, but through random chance happened to get covered in their blood and is therefore sporting some anti-zombie camouflage.
After making her way in, the crew questions her and she lets them know about Glenn and Maggie’s predicament. The group decides a rescue mission is in order. So Michonne shows them to Woodbury and helps them sneak in to try to find their friends.
While they’re getting ready, Merle continues to torture Glenn, even going so far as to throw a walker in with him while he’s tied up to chair. But Glenn is hardcore and manages to kill the zombie despite his confined condition. When other tactics fail to work, the Governor goes after Maggie and, by using threats against Glenn, gets her to spill the beans on the prison hideaway.
So the Governor begins to organize a plan to go invade the prison at the same time that Rick and his raiding party show up in Woodbury. A fire fight ensues and plenty of people get shot down. Only one disposable member of Rick’s crew ends up dying and they grab up their captured pals and make a run for it. As they’re performing the extraction, however, Michonne has her own plans.
She sneaks into the Governor’s home and waits, ready to cut him down should he come home. She finds the room with all the floating heads and discovers her enemy’s daughter, zombified and locked in a cage. Lo and behold, the Governor returns at the most opportune time. They get into a scuffle, the zombie-daughter is killed and the Governor loses an eye. Andrea walks in to break the whole thing up and Michonne takes off.
In the meanwhile, we’re introduced to yet another group of survivors. They’re running through the woods and happen upon a broken-down back entrance to the prison. Fleeing beyond its walls, they find themselves in trouble in the walker-infested cell blocks. Lucky for them, Carl hears some screaming and rushes down to the rescue. Plus four more survivors to Rick’s camp. Considering the firepower the Governor can bring against him, he’s going to need them.
The episode ends with one of our favorite survivors being captured by the Governor and Merle being called out as a traitor due to his lie about Michonne’s demise. We’ll have to wait until February to see what happens, but I imagine it’s not likely to be pretty.
And so concludes this block of The Walking Dead reviews. If I can find something else I want to watch, you’ll see some reviews here. If not, check back in February for more.
Get ready for a big Fleetwood Mac tour
Let me make this perfectly clear: If you haven't ever seen Fleetwood Mac live, you must. Even if you're just a casual fan, the Mac puts on one of the best live shows I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. You won't be sorry if you shell out the money for tickets, I promise you.
That being said, guess what? Start saving up right now, because Fleetwood Mac is hitting the road again in 2013!
Tour dates for the 2013 Fleetwood Mac tour were announced this week, and with well over 30 stops scheduled, the chances are good they'll come near enough to you to justify going. I saw the 2010 tour and two shows during the 2003/2004 Say You Will tour. Each time, I was in awe.
Does this new tour mean that new Fleetwood Mac music is coming? Possibly so, but not in the form of an album -- at least, not yet. Stevie Nicks tells Rolling Stone magazine that she and Lindsay Buckingham just "two new Fleetwood Mac songs" that they "might play" during the shows. Please? Please?!
The Fleetwood Mac tour gets underway on April 4, 2013, with a stop in Columbus, Ohio, and wraps up on June 12, 2013, in Detroit Michigan. Along the way, stops are planned in many major cities, including New York, Las Vegas, Denver, Atlanta, Chicago and Boston. Like I said, the chances are quite good you'll get to see the band this time out.
If you haven't already asked Santa for a Christmas present, I'd strongly suggest putting Fleetwood Mac concert tickets at the top of your list this year!
Seattle holiday gifts under $25
Holiday season has arrived and your list of gift recipients and shopping seems to grow exponentially as various holidays approach. Although gifts should never be given without a genuine desire to do so, sometimes an unexpected gift is necessary for a specific occasion or person. Often such an occurrence will happen with little warning and when it does, a gift game plan will help you complete your shopping in an efficient, affordable manner. Seattle in Style offers six gift ideas for $25 or less to fit a variety of styles and preferences. Each gift can be found in Seattle, with the exception of one for those die-hard online shoppers.
Anthropologie, $18
One might argue that Voluspa has never created a bad scent; their luxury candles are inspired by art, fragrance and elegant illumination. Snag a fragrant candle of intricate notes in a beautiful tin or glass jar from Anthropologie, located on Fifth Avenue between Pine and Pike.
LOFT, $24.50
Every woman can appreciate a pair of earrings with a little dangle and a lot of sparkle. Perfect for the office or a date, these pretty earrings can be found at the LOFT, located on Fifth Avenue between Pine and Pike.
Cupcake Royale: Baker's Choice, $18
Sweeten up your coworker or boss with a dozen cupcakes from Cupcake Royale, Seattle's first cupcake bakery and cafe that now has locations all over the city. With seasonal varieties like gingerbread, pumpkin maple, eggnog and peppermint bark, you'll surely make a saccharine impression.
Forever 21, $19.80
Who doesn't need a cute quilted purse to store their little girly items during a holiday cocktail party? This affordable find from Forever 21, on the corner of Sixth and Pine, comes in winter white and slate grey, along with a gold chain strap.
H&M, $20
Bows are big this holiday season, as is cabernet red. Combine the two concepts in a sweet, feminine dress from H&M, on the corner of Sixth and Pike. Your sister will love this pretty frock and you'll love borrowing it from her!
Mod Cloth, $20
Give your best friend a pair of gloves she can wear with everything. Grey is a hot color this season and the beading adds a nice detail for any outfit. Find them online at Mod Cloth!
I paved Ponyville, and you should too!
First let me say, Heaven help the person who is wrong about ponies on the Internet. Yikes.
After a few more weeks of gameplay, here are my current suggestions for playing the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic game for iPad:
Scrounging for pizza
I cannot stand being cooped up, especially if that coop happens to be a two-bed, one bathroom hotel room at the likes of the Quality Inn located along Highway 13 in Savage, MN; only it wasn’t the Quality Inn but the Comfort Inn ten years ago when I was stuck there along with my mom, my brother and our two dogs thanks to our being homeless.
One of the things that kept me from going bananas back then was hanging out at the pool, where I had considerably more elbow room handy.
It was here on one Friday night that that a whole flock of kids arrived under the supervision of a few grown-ups along to see to their every want, one of which was pizza. Several of them, all delivered, courtesy of good ol’ Pizza Hut.
Pizza! It was the rarest of luxuries for us back then because of a super-tight budget which saw food shelves as our primary source of groceries. At one time, we had some Jack’s sausage and mushroom pizzas from time to time, cooked in a tiny grill mom had acquired, but pizza from a place like Pizza Hut was a luxury we could only dream of.
Our usual bill of fare was canned tuna, cold hot dogs and popcorn; not exactly the most balanced of diets, but it kept us going. The monotony of it all naturally left a craving for tastier foods, though.
So it was that as the night wore on and the clock ground toward the time the pool area closed at 11 p.m., an idea formed as I lounged near the hot tub minding my own business: If they had any pizza left when their shindig was done, I would go over and politely ask if I could have it. If successful, I would take it back to our room and share my bounty.
Believe it or not, they did have a slice left when I went up and asked as their shindig wrapped up, and they were more than happy to part with it. It was pepperoni if I remember right, and my brother and I split it as soon as I heated it up in the microwave our hotel room had.
Such are the things we do when we are starved for certain kinds of food.
Best Christmas movies of all time
While I do admit that I am particularly fond of the Hallmark Channel’s made-for-cable movie about the blogger/publicity specialist who earns special recognition from Santa and his much cuter friend, I also have a few favorite Christmas movies that will probably never appear on the Hallmark channel.
Here’s a list of a few of my favorite Christmas movies. What are your favorite Christmas movies from back in the day and why? What’s the best Christmas movie out this year.
So, without any further ado other aside from the Animal from the Muppet show drum roll, here are my fave Christmas movie picks from when I was a kid.
Here are a few of my absolute favorite Christmas movies:
Christmas Vacation
Nothing beats Clark Griswold putting up Christmas lights and impressing his friends and family with his unbeatable Christmas love and spirit. Chevy Chase’s cluelessness as Clark Griswold shows him as the most lovable dad of all time.
Miracle on 34th Street
The idea that Santa Clause can appear in court is pretty awesome as is the idea that Christmas spirit extends past just buying and shopping. Magic is provable with Miracle on 34th Street.
A Christmas Story
In A Christmas Story, all poor young Ralphie wants for Christmas is a bb gun, which is hopefully something that we don’t all have to relate to. The lesson of the movies are simple: be careful what you wish for and never, ever, ever do a triple-dog-dare just because someone asks you to.
Elf
Will Ferrell, who is about 9 feet tall plays a giant Elf returned home to New York. Need I say more? Elf is a kid-pleaser that sentimental adults will fall in love with, too. Elf’s lesson is that we should be nice to kids of all ages.
Bad Santa
Billy Bob Thornton is the baddest Santa ever. He drinks, he picks up moms, and he doesn’t listen to kids. Holiday store hiring managers should note that Santa Clauses should not be carrying flasks with them at all times. That said, the capers of Bad Santa and Billy Bob Thornton’s strange kind of charm remind us why Angelina Jolie might have once been in love with him in the first place.
What other movies should be on this list? Do you have any special favorites to add to the list of Christmas favorites?
Robot Unicorn Attack for iPad/iPhone
Full disclosure up front: although I love this game, I am not very good at it. Not very good AT ALL. I wish it had a setting for "people over the age of 40." Sadly it does not, so my experience of the game is limited to the first, oh, 30 or 40 seconds.