PRISON BREAK

Prison Break, created by Paul Scheuring (A Man Apart) with a pilot directed by Brett Ratner (After The Sunset) has gotten under way with a two episode premiere. In short, the first episode was overstuffed. The second episode was promising indeed.

In the pilot, there was simply way too much work to be done and perhaps more work than was actually needed. Aside from the whole deal of getting our hero, Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) into the prison in short order, there was stuff with a troublesome bishop, the outside-the-wall troubles of John Abruzzi (the great Peter Storemare a.k.a. Karl Hungus) and the familial difficulties of Lincoln Burrows (John Doe's Dominic Purcell). That last bit didn't really seem to achieve much and as Linc the Sink's child's mother is Jessalyn Gilsig (a regular on Nip/Tuck) and don't know how much farther it could go. It isn't even referenced in the second episode. The thing with the bishop may pop up again later (as I get the sense that the entire first season fits together like cogs in a machine), just at first glance, it seemed to be nothing more than an attempt to answers some questions before they got asked. And there's a lot of that in the first hour.

The final reveal of the pilot was both cool and stupid at once. It's certainly a clever idea (that I won't spell out), but they pushed it just a bit much with the "look closer" trick. It will make for a great plot device in the future.

The second hour (directed by Mike Watkins) was much more entertaining and engaging. It's here that we start to see Scofield's plan get under way and that he starts to run into the difficulties that could not be planned for very well. It also starts letting up on how much raw information is being thrown at you. While there are still a great many subplots, they are all clearly heading in one direction.

Overall, the show is clearly riffing on the general 24 vibe and it feels like it, and like 24 will require a little extra suspension of disbelief. The show is really supposed to be a roller coaster and you have to let go a bit to enjoy the ride.

The cast is fantastic, and they are really a part of what makes this show engaging. My favorite so far? The guy with the cat who may or may not be D.B. Cooper (Muse Watson). If his place in the machinery is what I think it is, then this is one of those credulity-straining plot points. In switching off a little bit of the logic center of the brain he could turn out to be a fun and intriguing character.

If the show keeps up the tone set in the superior second hour, that of watching an intricate puzzle come together, then I'll be hooked for the rest of the season. I'd even be inclined to spec, but I think the status quo will be way to morphy to give a spec a shelf life of better than a couple of weeks. It's my understanding that if the show goes to a second season, that second year would feature the escapees as fugitives outside the wall. That's a whole different show right there.

Now, a note on my complete selling out. Yeah, I'm putting ads on here. Big deal. It's not like I stabbed you in the knee with some sharpened rebar. It will only be for stuff that I like. Stuff I have purchased, intend to purchase or would purchase if I had the scratch (which if the ads work, will help out a bit). I like TV DVD's but it can get expensive and every little bit helps. Advertising is not inherently bad (mostly). This must be understood.

I MISS YOU

Work proceeds on Snipe, House rewrite. Battlestar spec will proceed after the close of the current ten episode run (need to see what happens to Baltar). Apparently, Ant has sold out a print run of 15,000. Awaiting clearences on Spacehawks, and the posting of Lost stuff on UGO. Mixing grenadine and Dr. Pepper together and crying.

DONE, PARTIALLY DONE, AND NOT NEARLY DONE

The first two parts of Snipe are written and will appear in Tails To Amaze. I'll see if I can get some preview pages up or something.

The House spec is half rewritten (basically turned into a page one rewrite when I decided to remove one character and institute a new subplot).

Decided not to spec Wanted since it seems to be having a huge ratings slide. Decided to go with Battlestar Galactica (it is so gonna kick my ass). The deciding factor was Javier's rant on how good it is... It seems to be a show that other writers like (and you know, the hep folks).

Lastly, Battlestar and Rescue Me, highly recommended. The Closer and Wanted, okay. Over There, starting to lose me already. Largely because it's just feeling so fake. There are real guys out there doing this right now (and blogging it) . Maybe they should be writing this instead of Mister I-Sing-My-Own-Show's-Theme-Song. It needs more authenticity in this day and age. I'll keep watching it anyway...it's summer.

YOU GOT SOME ARZT ON YOU

This is what I've been doing this week.

Most importantly, I got to meet one of my favorite actors, Terry O'Quinn (Peter Watts on Millennium to me, Locke to everyone else). Really, I got to meet all but two of the regular cast, and they were all very cool and very friendly, especially Terry, Daniel Dae Kim and Dominic Monaghan.

I also took the time to talk with Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof. Add to that meeting Javier last week (and I once met Paul Dini a couple of years ago), that just leaves David Fury, a damn fine writer on any series.

When coverage goes up on UGO.com, I'll link it.

In other news, Red Right Hand has advanced to the final phase of the International Screenwriting Awards.

I have consumed a ridiculous number of banana smoothies in the last three days.

Ant #1 is officially shipping on the 24th. Final!

CAUGHT UP

I've gotten back up to date on my television consumption.

The Closer
I'm not a big fan of procedurals, which is really where this one is, but I dig the Brenda Johnson character and the end of 1x09 was something of the sort you don't get on the network procedurals, which I dug. It's not the top of my list, but it fills a spot in the otherwise underpopulated summer season. If this were on in the fall, I'm not sure if I'd catch it as regularly.

Battlestar Galactica
Still one of the best shows on TV. Fleet politics in the absence of Adama and his impending return continue to comment on the current real world while veering into unusual territory. Gaius is getting hardcore, and that can only be good. I'm still not sure about the Starbuck on Caprica stuff. I liked the pyramid team thing, but it doesn't feel like it's going anyplace really interesting. And what is it that my favorites (the best written characters) are not regulars. Tigh, Tyrol, Dee, etc.

Rescue Me
Tommy hit the lowest depths I've ever seen a main character in a continuing TV series hit. He's skirting the edge of irredeemable. It's so good and so different.
Shea's character seems to be going in a predictable direction, but with this character, I don't mind it at all, because he's such a real guy. And if it takes a sudden turn, so much the better.

Over There
So far, so good. I don't mind in the least that it's staying in the middle of opinions on its subject matter. It's not about the war, it's about the people in the war. What I'm really looking forward to is more about the women ("Doublewide" and "Mrs. B") since this is an aspect of war that's fairly unique to this particular conflict. As far as dramas, FX is batting a thousand.

Rock Star: INXS
Yeah, I got bit by the reality thing. I guess there is one for everyone. This is the antidote to the crap that is American Idol, where they're trying to manufacture the next Celine fucking Dion and all they get are techical skills and a lack of charisma. Idol my ass. Still, I can't imagine a Hutchence-less INXS.

Wanted
The pilot was nothing new. Nothing that The Shield hadn't really done better. Adding Lee Tergesen in the second ep is a step in the right direction. The visual tricks are annoying though. I hope they pull back on that some. This one is also, essentially, a procedural but with a helluva a lot more flavor and a lot of room to break out of that mold at anytime. Outside of Gary Cole's character, there isn't too much digging into the character's lives (which is fine, you don't have to do that to open things up). Each character displays their depth in their interactions with the rest of the team, who all seem to have a thing agaisnt each other. Okay, you know what? It's not a procedural, it's just that the crimes aren't as interesting as the team, so that bit seems a little stale and makes me think of procedurals. I'm keeping my eye on this and will likely spec this one unless I see a reason not to...

NEXT UP

Derrick Fish, of Tails to Amaze, and I will be teaming up for a series of short comics called Snipe. It's the adventures of an anthropomorphic spy. A funny-animal noir, if you will.

Mulling over some specage in anticipation of retiring one or two of the current quiver. Thinking of The Closer, Wanted, Over There and Battlestar Galactica. Leaning toward one of the first two. I think I need to see more of Wanted before I can make the decision.

In the meantime, I've decided to rework the House spec. That should keep me occupied on my lengthy plane rides next week.

Oh, and Ant #1 ships August 17th.

EYE OF THE STORM

And thus another WizardWorld: Chicago is but a dim memory. This was the down year of the typical up/down nature of these things, but as down years go, it was pretty good, and enjoyment was had by all, if they hung out with fun folks and I was fortunate enough to be able to do that this year. Anger was had by others, largely because Wizard is an unethical behemoth.

I got this nifty portrait by young Mister Art Baltazar.


I found this mini comic by Kevin Cannon (a 24 hour comic). High quality, this is.


Met Javier Grillo-Marxuach (see sidebar). He took my picture. I suppose had I not been in an only marginally functional state, I might have done the same.

Smith & Wollensky's appears to have quickly cemented itself as a Saturday night tradition as I and several confederates, some of whom have links in yon sidebar, hit the CTA and headed out for steaks and pork shanks as big your head. And after years of shelling out cash for DC Comics, they returned the favor and picked up the check. Their card is mighty.

There was late-night hotel lobby pictionary, with the eternal topic of movies. My synapses were severely misfiring at this point and I was utterly useless (moreso than usual). I was merely a spectator.

And perhaps a thing might come of this convention, but I'll not speak of it until something does happen.

For proper news coverage, check out CBR. My panel coverage is light, but then one of my assigned panels was total shite and another was devoid of anything resembling news, but Jonah, Seth, and Hannibal are fine upstanding folk who have done their best to serve and have many fine articles. Make with the clicky.

Now, to rest before the Lost junket.

NAME CALLING & SUCH

John Rogers called me a spec monkey.

So cool and all too true.

Go to Kung-Fu Monkey now for the latest infopop on the greatest TV show you were never meant to see.

Now. I have arrived in the homeland, went straight for the comic store (and not just because it was Wednesday). I'm not in there three minutes and I'm pressed back into service. Overall, I'm logging at least eleven hours of register-time at Dreamland. There's something strangely satisfying about it that you don't get in regular retail.

Con gets into full-blown nerd junior prom mode tomorrow. More when I damn well feel like it and at CBR.

TAILS TO AMAZE

This is my latest comics editing gig.




More on this when the time comes. Set for an early 2006 release.
Editing. Makes me think I should invest in a mint green dress, you know?

Now, it's time for a return to the homeland and some heavy-duty geekery. Also, putting in some time for CBR, so there'll be some reports there. Dig.



And yeah, I already fell behind on the weekly assessment of what's good, largely because I've got some viewing backed up and want to give everything a fair shake. It'll balance out in the end.