May 1997 saw the release of Virgin Publishing’s final Doctor Who novel — Lance Parkin’s eighth Doctor novel The Dying Days. Admittedly I don’t have much to go by way of comparison with the New Adventures as I’ve read only about a dozen or so of the sixty published, but it’s one of the bestContinue reading “Valeyard of the Daleks”
Allyn's Crackpot Theory: Docile Klingons
Time for a crackpot theory! In many ways, the Dominion War was a godsend for the Federation/Klingon alliance. The Klingons, steeped as they are in warrior nobility and all that rot, sent their finest warriors, the angriest, the ones with the greatest bloodlust, to the frontlines. And like the fields of Flanders, the battlefields ofContinue reading “Allyn's Crackpot Theory: Docile Klingons”
Allyn's Crackpot Theory: Ambassador Worf
Time for another Crackpot Allyn Theory! As we know, in the final Deep Space Nine episode Worf is appointed as the Federation’s Ambassador to the Klingon Empire. When we next see Worf, in Star Trek: Nemesis he is apparently no longer an Ambassador as he attends the Riker/Troi wedding in a Starfleet uniform and isContinue reading “Allyn's Crackpot Theory: Ambassador Worf”
On Johnny English
I went to see Johnny English this afternoon, having nothing else better to do. It’s goofy fun. It’s a spy spoof, without being so self-indulgent as the Austin Powers films. John Malkovich makes for a good “Bond villain,” and Natalie Imbruglia was solid as the platonic “Bond girl.” The relationship between English and his assistantContinue reading “On Johnny English”
Appearances update
The Shore Leave convention has posted the weekend’s schedule. As previously noted, I will be hosting a Doctor Who panel celebrating the show’s fortieth anniversary, Sunday at 5 o’clock. Yesterday’s news that BBCi will be web-broadcasting a six-episode animated special starring Richard E. Grant as the Ninth Doctor gives me something new and interesting toContinue reading “Appearances update”
Stress
Who doesn’t have stress? Honestly? There’s always something that gnaws at the back of the mind, that the merest thought of brings a quickening of the pulse and a pounding in the head. Stress. Normally I’m a serene person, like a Zen master. Life generally doesn’t bother me, because what happens happens and you eitherContinue reading “Stress”
Upcoming Appearance
This coming weekend, July 11th through 13th, I’ll be at the Shore Leave science-fiction convention in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The schedule for the convention hasn’t yet been announced, but I know from a phone call this evening that it is being prepared. I’ve been asked to host or moderate a Doctor Who panel for SundayContinue reading “Upcoming Appearance”
Allyn's Crackpot Theory: The Clone of Spock!
Now for one of Allyn’s crackpot theories…. Spockdid stay dead after Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The post-Genesis Spock is really a clone of the original Spock, with most of the original Spock’s memories. Their brain structures are completely different; the post-Genesis Spock had his brain wired based not on the life hisContinue reading “Allyn's Crackpot Theory: The Clone of Spock!”
Adventures in Potterdom
The local Barnes & Noble held Friday night a Harry Potter release party. At midnight that night, Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix went on sale, and in the hours leading up to its release a number of activities were planned–readings, trivia contests, costume contests, cookies and punch, that sort of thing. FridayContinue reading “Adventures in Potterdom”
For all you Hobbits
Today is Mid-Year’s Day. So, drink merrily, smoke some Old Toby pipeweed, have a safe summer solstice, and do the things that all you Hobbits do.