If there is one unfortunate constant in the universe that each and every one of us have to deal with at some point or another in our lives… it would have to be, death. Because eventually we are going to have to reconcile the fact that our friends and our family members are going to fade away into the great beyond, and so will we. And while that means we need to brace ourselves emotionally for the void their loss will create and do everything we can in life in order to feel comfortable with our own end… we tend to put those preparations to the wayside and understandably so. Simply because it’s terrifying to ponder upon that particular constant and no one wants to make that a priority.

So, we simply put it to the back of our minds until the time comes to handle it, leaving one to wonder… if there is indeed a proper way to prepare one’s self for the hardest aspects of adult life and it just so happens that Star Trek: The Next Generation took the time to offer up some kind of answer to that question in its next episode. For Doctor Beverly Crusher was forced to face this this harsh reality in ‘Remember Me’ in the most unique and terrifying way imaginable. Because shortly after an old friend came aboard the Enterprise for transport, one that was facing the end of his career and pondering upon his own final chapter, Beverly suddenly noticed that something strange was happening aboard the ship.

In that, not only did her friend disappear without a trace from the Enterprise and the Federation’s memory banks, but he also faded away from everyone’s memory since no one remembered interacting with him in the slightest and this problem only continued to worsen. For soon other members of the crew began to go missing as well, leaving Beverly to wonder if she was losing her mind or if something more was at work here, and it turned out to be the latter. Because she and the audience came to discover that a warp bubble experiment that Wesley conducted, sucked her into a universe where her worst fear of losing everyone that matters to her is realized and in the end, it takes Wesley and the return of the Traveler to save her from this waking nightmare.

But while this episode ends on a particularly happy note, everything that comes before it, is quite dark and bold. Because the subtext in this episode is clear in that, those we love can disappear on a moment’s notice and their sudden exit will indeed feel raw and confusing and it is stunning to see a Star Trek tale point that out, and of course offer up a supremely positive message about that harsh reality in the process. For this tale also answers that all-important question, by pointing out that the only way to truly prepare for the end of those we care about… is to cherish them and everything wonderful they bring to the table, and to relish in every moment we spend with them. Because then their exit won’t seem so jarring and heartbreaking because our hearts are full of wonder in regard to those who say goodbye and that makes this episode quite moving and poignant.

Because that really is some sound advice, and it doesn’t sugar coat the fact that you can never really prepare for the end since it is so sudden and so jarring and this episode deserves all kinds of credit for handling this concern of ours in a brilliant and subtle manner, and really in the end, this is just a great episode through and through. For not only did it have something powerful to say, but it finally let Gates McFadden take the center stage in a compelling manner and once again, season four continues to impress, by offering up another powerful story revolving around a more unique aspect of the human condition and hopefully it keeps this trend going. Because this is making for some incredible storytelling, the kind that stays with you long after the episode has come to an end. Until next time.   

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 304 of ‘American Gods’.
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The word ‘God’ evokes some powerful imagery in our collective minds. In that, we picture an all-powerful and all-knowing being. One that could easily wipe out all of mankind with a simple thought or gesture, but opts not to, because they are also somewhat benevolent and passive beings. The kind that would prefer to keep out of our affairs and observe our world from afar with bemusement, since they tend to revel in the wonder of the chaotic nature of our kind. If anything, that longstanding view is relevant to our discussion today, simply because it is obvious that Neil Gaiman and STARZ are eager to update this ancient view by way of American Gods, since this series continues to find new ways to humanize these enigmatic beings, as evidenced by this week’s tale.
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For ‘The Unseen’ was eager to explore a new angle in regard to the age-old notion that we are forged in their image by posing the theory that our chaotic nature extends to these beings as well. For if we are truly reflections of these omnipotent creatures, then our flaws and our fears and our negative nature… has to be shared in kind. And it explored this fascinating notion by putting the ‘human side’ of several Gods in this story, such as Wednesday, Technical Boy and Bilquis, on full display. Wherein the latter two helped the story to ponder upon how our fears and our stubborn nature could exist in Gods as well, as part of our collective survival instincts. And they are ‘active’ and functional in this tale, because the both of them were dealing with situations that left them concerned about their continued existence. 

Because Technical Boy was desperate to figure out what was causing the strange glitching that he was experiencing and the fear that was generated from that, prompted him to do something unthinkable, and forge an alliance with Shadow to find Bilquis, since she was the only one that could save him. And as it turns out, she was locked away in a secret facility because of the fact that Bill Sanders’ lackeys knew she was somehow involved in his disappearance, and her time in this dark place… allowed for her to dig deep and fight hard in the most stubborn nature imaginable, in order to not let her captors get the better of her and to not let fear or despair set in. And what made this segment so fascinating and so powerful… was the sheer fact that Technical Boy and Bilquis were indeed at their most human here and their actions truly did make it clear that we share every trait imaginable, and there is some inherent danger that comes with that.

After all, the Gods technically answer to no one in this story, and that can provide them with horrific freedoms if they choose to indulge in the evils we resist because of consequences, and that was explored by way of Mr. Wednesday in this tale. Because shortly after Shadow declined to help his dad free Demeter from the mental health facility she was residing within, Wednesday opted to handle this the long way round and he managed to harm people in the process. All by using Johan to blow up some of his followers, so he could ‘survive’ the attack and act as though the blast had damaged his mind, giving him the opportunity to join his beloved on the inside as part of a long con to break her out and well… this was an eerie segment of the story for certain. Since it spoke to the fact that the Gods in this tale have no problem with coming down to our lowest level if it suits their needs.

But while that makes it seem as though this episode relished in spotlighting the darker side of the human condition, the story also took a little time to examine the wonder of something quite positive; the second chance. Something that was handled by way of Laura Moon’s journey in this story. Because a strange set of circumstances allowed for Samedi’s potion and Sweeney’s blood to mix together with her dust and that brought Laura back to life and gave her a grand second chance, one that she was eager to embrace. Because her voyage to Purgatory helped to realize that she did indeed waste precious years on Earth, and that the time had come to do things different this second time around and perhaps listen and learn for a change before acting. A decision that is bringing her back to Cairo, so she can find some answers and take a little time to plan her next steps toward redemption and fulfillment. 

In the end however, this was simply a unique episode through and through. One that went to some supremely meta and philosophical places over the course of the hour, and it really did do a fine job of removing the mythos surrounding the Gods by exposing their outright humanity and what’s wild… is that the plot really didn’t advance all that much during this tale, but that doesn’t matter in the slightest. Because we were treated to a compelling and raw analysis of the human condition, one that put some of our worst traits on display without offering up any kinds of answers or solutions on how we fix them. Which makes this episode nothing more than a fine reminder that we are indeed flawed creatures striving for better and that all-important second chance, and the show deserves serious credit for going this route and entertaining us in the process. And it should be interesting to see what kinds of unique stories await us down the line… now that Laura has returned to the land of the living and Mr. Wednesday is in the hands of mental health professionals. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Six of ‘The Watch’.
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When we think of fantasy stories, a fairly specific formula comes to mind. One that involves good and just heroes, that put everything on the line by heading out into the world for an epic adventure, one that will eventually save their society from a great evil that intends to claim it as their own. And of course, as their journey continues along, they face incredible challenges that manage to offer up some broad and sweeping commentary about our modern world and life in general. Which means that if you are looking for any kind of detailed examination about the human condition and what makes us tick on a fundamental level, you’ll need to dig into a different genre since this one is all about generalized examination. Or at least, that used to be case when it comes to fantasy stories.

For as storytelling continues to evolve and grow, even the fantasy genre is finding new ways to truly look at what it means to be human and what makes us so incredibly unique and for proof, then look no further than last night’s episode of The Watch. Because not only did ‘The Dark in the Dark’ offer up a grandiose adventure akin to our favorite classic fantasy tale, but it actually had a lot say about the importance of self-acceptance and how it can be incredibly empowering and downright liberating. Which made this quite the engrossing tale for certain, one that brought forth this fascinating examination by having Cheery and Angua and Constable Carrot go on a grandiose quest to the mines outside of the city, in order to find the next artifact.

An act that shook Cheery to the core of her soul. Simply because this is where she escaped from all those years ago when she decided that the time had come to live her life as she saw fit. But she also feared this place because there was a powerful evil that lurked within the confines of the mine. One that was eager to claim the souls that opted to shave their beards and stand against the norms of the miner life, and what made this segment so incredibly worth our while, is that it turned out to serve as an allegory for the closed mindedness of our current world. Specifically, how individuals that buck the norm, are often shunned for embracing who they are, especially transgender individuals, and that led to a broad examination of how it is in fact, okay to be who you are and that the dark place we think we will venture to for embracing our true selves simply doesn’t exist.

Instead, such worries are a manifestation of the fear that others project for not being able to understand or embrace the wonder of individuality and in this case, the Summoning Dark served as a physical representation of the freedom that one receives when they know who they are through and through. And it is that very freedom that allowed for Cheery to find a calm and a peace that she’s never known, and it also allowed for her to embrace the newfound power that the Summoning Dark provided her with in a magnificent manner, since she was able to use it to outright save her friends from Carcer’s clutches and the Thassassins’ Guild (the latter of which was handled by another hilarious musical number). If anything, it was simply incredible to find this kind of growth and depth in a story where mystical creatures and magic are standard elements.
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But while that alone could have carried this particular tale, we would be remiss to not point out that this episode also took the time to examine how easily people can be inspired to turn to evil when the spark of malice is ignited in their hearts. For Wonce joined Carcer in front of the council of disembodied voices to discuss their next moves and she was eager to try and help these mysterious beings. Which spoke volumes to how much Carcer has managed to influence her and inspire her to do awful things and well, that is clearly going to lead to some serious trouble down the line. Since Wonce may have figured out a way to bring down Vimes and Lady Ramkin by making full use of the multiverse and well… what’s scary is that there is a chance that this wild plan might actually work, when all said and done. For Vimes and Lady Ramkin are on shaky ground after having their trust issues and their trauma toyed with during the siege of the station.

In the end however, it is best to declare this episode to be outright brilliant, through and through. Because this story really did manage to offer up all kinds of magnificent surprises storytelling wise since its commentary was poignant and powerful and downright inspiring for certain. Because Cheery’s journey in this tale will likely give direction to others that are struggling with their own fight in regard to finding themselves and that’s just wonderful, and it adds depth to this story as well and truly, this surprise push to add layers to this unique story is making it an essential watch. One that is undoubtedly leaving all of its fans eager and anxious to see where this story is headed next as it continues to inject new life into a classic genre that’s been long overdue for a modern makeover. Until next time.