Showing posts with label Torchwood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Torchwood. Show all posts

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Napoleonic Reflection


Something is in the air I can't quite put my finger on. There's trepidation and uneasiness in my spirit this evening. Why? The last few days, barring the Pennsylvania Primary results, have been wonderful. I got to spend time with family and friends. The weather has been beautiful. I feel physically better than I had. Plenty task that were left unresolved are finally getting completed. So what is the problem, huh?

Perhaps my spirit is restless and unsettled due to my television viewing habits Wednesday and today? Yes, last night I watched the Phillies lose to the Brewers; a game the Phillies had been winning until late in 7th inning. Carly, unjustifiably, was booted from American Idol (Brooke who screwed up massively and Jason who was just plain horrible, remained!) The season finale to Torchwood, left me feeling incomplete and disturbed. And Ugly Betty? The ensuing fiasco over Betty's birthday and the developing love tension between her and Gio left me more disquieted.

OK... Ugly Betty did have a few highlights! Seeing Marc rummage through Daniel's (actor Eric Mabius) underwear drawer, pulling out a pair of sheer black briefs, was priceless. Also, Gabrielle Union as Wilhelmina Slater's (Vanessa Williams) even more evil sister Rene, is superior! The tension between those two is delicious to a fault. Loved it. Love it!

After Betty, I wouldn't allow myself to get sucked into Grey's Anatomy, so I finished reading "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S. Lewis instead. Completing that installment of the Chronicles of Narnia did nothing to improve the situation. In summation, the evening was kinda "blah"...

Perhaps the catalyst started this afternoon as Hester and I engaged in a heavy conversation about the Status Quo of life, dating, and marriage/partnerships. Since breaking things off with Napoleon, my love life has been nonexistent. I'm not complaining. Things have been more relaxed and life has been magnanimous since he's gone. But our conversation regarding what one should or should not put up with in a relationship left me slightly deflated. How much does one endure for love? At almost 40, my firm belief is never to put up with anyone's shit. If you can't even devote some of your time to me, then you'll get none of mine. I'm tired of suffering through foolishness.

Hester and I have been through misadventures in love and relationships of semi-epic proportions in our past! I'd like to think she has moved on to bigger and better things, being married and all, but me? I've been there, done the marriage thing, and the shit didn't work out. To the next level, my misadventures in boyfriends, have also been less than spectacular situations. Eek! Been down some paths that if only I could hit rewind, hell even delete, I wouldn't make the same mistake twice!

The virtues, or lack thereof, of marriage are beyond my comprehension. The majority of my friends are either divorced, divorcing, or in loveless marriages. The majority of my friends in relationships, both gay and straight, are miserable, or dealing with endless drama and selfishness on the part of their partners. I reclaimed my independence earlier this year. Learned the tiniest bit selfishness, every now and again, isn't so bad.

Most of my friends are givers and will give of themselves until there's nothing left. Many of my friends have partners who are more than willing to absorb, suck up, and drain everything, leaving their partner/spouse/mate bereft and devoid of hope. Is this what it means to be in a relationship? And what about sex?!?!

There's nothing wrong with a healthy sexual encounter with your partner. Sex is an integral part of a relationship. But what happens when there's too little, none at all, or too much even? I love a good shag, love it! But let's be for real. I'm not at an age where I can go nonstop 24/7 anymore. There's nothing wrong with my stamina, but fucking can get old after all. There has to be some emotional connection. In my friends, and not too long ago with myself, there's a great disparity when it comes to sex. Either the relationship is based all on sex or there's just that Platonic status quo. The "roommate" mate/spouse syndrome. Again. Been there, done that, sold the rights, was a best seller, moved on.....

What I've learned since exiting my teens and 20s, is getting drunk, high, and having meaningless sex at the drop of a hat, does not make a well-rounded individual. At least not for me. I need someone with a moral center; someone I can connect with on a emotional and spiritual level, yet still have earth moving sex! Hester and I compared our war stories. She totally supported my decision in leaving Naps. Lady Miss T, the same. Reflection reminds me of my own failed nuptials, solidifies the whole "single" status lately. They both know me, perhaps better than I know myself. Each knows my heart well, knows the sentimental creature inside who needs balance.

Mind you, I'm not content with being alone, but for now, perhaps it's a good thing. I'm rediscovering myself, getting to be friends with myself, and learning to love myself even more. Self-respect has always been difficult for me. I've allowed many a partner, men and women, dominance and control in my relationships. Not because I'm a doormat, but because I'm giving caring, and compassionate. I tend to care for others greater than I do myself. I've often neglected my own needs over someone else.

Case in point, Napoleon.

In those quiet still moments, his presence lingers. My home echoed from the residual of our doomed friendship, doomed one-sided love story. Naps left clothes, toiletries, sheets, books, CDs, you name it, here. He never asked for it back. I didn't want to deal with it any longer and unceremoniously threw it in the garbage without second thought today! Normally I wouldn't do such a thing, but since he had stolen large amounts of cash and never returned borrowed items, including a $300 pair of dress shoes, I felt justified. It put a finality to it all. There's nothing left of him here.

I don't miss him, but do miss companionship. A dysfunctional relationship is still a relationship. Yeah, loneliness is a bitch and a half. Shit! It's a bitch and a GOOGLE. But you know? I'd rather deal with my own emotional discord than a selfish partner's.

Don't mistake this post as being maudlin. It's not. It's an observation and me working through things because of the current romantic void. I'm not in denial or being needy. Wholeheartedly, my decision to stop my dysfunctional connection with Naps has been the best life affirming decision made to date. Removing that evil from my life has increased my self-worth, -esteem, and integrity ten fold. I did a courageous thing. I invested in myself. Kicking deadbeat boy to the curb, strengthened me.

Despite adversities, I bless each passage with the men and women I've dated. Why? Because without those experiences, I wouldn't have grown. I learned from each endeavor. What are my limitations, what will I accept, what will I tolerate... through those failed commitments, I learned patience, tolerance, the value of truth, honesty, compassion, and trust. I know what the real McCoy is worth. The day I meet "the one," who ever that'll be, I'll appreciate the genuine article so much more with my current self improving process.

If you're fortunate enough to have a partner in your life, take a moment, and give them something special today. It doesn't have to be anything major, just a small gesture demonstrating your love for them. Something as simple as a smile, a neck rub, or telling them they're beautiful. It's the little kindnesses which make all the difference. Being a sentimental person, I remember all the stupid inane things my partners did to cheer and move me when I was down. Believe me a small bit of affection, appropriately given, is so meaningful and goes a long way.

In the end, your blessing will bring a million fold in reward.

Sorry. I didn't mean to get all mushy or sappy. The flux of emotions has got me under a spell. I'm missing something. Again, I'm not complaining. I believe God has a great blessing in store for me, I just need wait on Him.

-Darktomahawk

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Razor and Torches


So I had every intention of coming home last night and blogging about my evening, but no, yesterday had to be the culmination of every television program I watch or needed to be watched. Sheesh. OK, so instead of blogging, or going to bed, I ended up watching TV until the wee hours. It was a little after 4 AM before I crawled between the sheets. Surprisingly, I'm wide awake this morning....

For all the fans of the 2000s inspired version of Battlestar Galactica, all I have to say is Oh! My! God! Did you watch Battlestar Galatica Razor last night?!?! I had been hemming and hawing about watching a flashback episode. I wasn't really interested in the Pegasus crew's view of the attack on the 12 colonies and chalked it up to being just a bunch of rehashed clips with a cheesy plot to tide viewers over until January. Fortunately, I was mistaken. Oh, and did I mention the 70s original "toaster" model Cylons return in this episode? Woo-Hoo!

Razor kicked ass! Major ass! Admiral Helena Cain was such a bad ass bitch and Razor widens the view on why she took certain actions after the destruction of the Colonies. Forgotten was the scene where her first officer questions her orders and she offs him in the head! Even though you knew it was coming from how they told it episodes prior, I still found myself saying "Dayyuuum Bitch!"

"All is fair in love and war," which Helena proves fairly quickly.

It was bothering me who portrayed Admiral Cain. I Googled and discovered she's the actress who portrayed Ensign Ro, the Enterprise's Bajoran Bridge Officer from Star Trek: The Next Generation, Michelle Forbes. OK, excellent usage between my favorite sci-fi genres! I must not have paid attention with Cain's first story arc. Once I relaxed, put my faith in Ms. Forbes superior acting talent, I sat back and enjoyed Cain. Oh and she's Family!!! I loved it! Admiral Cain was a Lesbian! The writers don't just suggest her relationship with Gina (Tricia Helfer's number Six Cylon character), they hit you over the head with it intimate touching and kissing. Until now the new series hadn't addressed homosexuality, although its implied Lieutenant Gaeta (Alessandro Juliani's character) may be gay.

"This has all happened before and it will happen again....and again, and again, and again, and again, and again..."

Razor's biggest disappointment was not even in the show, but during a commercial sneak peak. New episodes of Battlestar Galactica won't be returning until March. March?!?! I've been waiting a whole frackin' year for BSG's return. It was supposed to be airing new episodes this January. March? March?? Maaaaaaaaarch!??? ¡Ah Dios Mio! Frackin' writers strike!!!! LOL.

Overall, as indicated by many blogs, Razor definitely wasn't for the uninitiated, anyone who hasn't been watching the series. I loved it. I loved it oh-so-much more than Torchwood's latest episode.

Despite the heavy homosexual soldier love angst, I really wasn't too impressed with Torchwood this week.

Torchwood
seems to run hot and cold with me. Some weeks the episodes are edge of your seat and then other weeks are why-did-I-waste-the-last hour-on-this-shit episodes. Last night was an "iffy" episode. While I admit the man on man kiss between Captain Jack and the real Captain Jack was heartfelt and moving, the overall story worked my nerves. Just when I thought I knew and understood Jack (John Barrowman) you discover he's not really Captain Harkness at all!

Also not withstanding was Owen's actions. I won't get started. Owen regularly works my nerves, but last night Ianto did for the first time. Ianto? Yes, Ianto. I digress. I'll have to re-watch the episode. Maybe I'm being a little too harsh. Perhaps because the American censors are editing content for commercials' sake, we're not getting the full presentation. Queen Hester and I have sworn to get the DVDs when they're released to catch all the important scenes we've missed.

Next week is the season finale. I'm hoping it will keep my interest a while longer in Torchwood. Well at least I found out Gareth David-Lloyd (Ianto) in real life is dating a black woman. In fact, its the actress from the "Cyberwoman" episode. He scores mega points in my book! Now if we could only get him to switch teams...

Saturday, October 13, 2007

"Countrycide"


This week's episode of Torchwood scared me so bad, I don't want to talk about it! It was perhaps the worst of the series so far. Watching in bed, I had the blankets pulled over my head more than a few times. It was creepy. Yeah, I'm a puss. I hate scary shit and suspense has never been my favorite genre.

The one redeeming factor with tonight's episode was Ianto actually went on a mission with the team. My man Gareth David-Lloyd (Ianto's portrayer) was working those blue jeans! Everybody is all hot and bothered by John Barrrowman (Jack), but don't discount Ianto! Besides, who knows what extraterrestial STD you might catch from Jack? Ewww!

I loved the exchange between Jack and Ianto at the camp fire site. Oh the smoldering love! Poor Ianto turned away; couldn't stare our boy Jack in the face for long. The story hasn't addressed (yet) if Ianto was aware for that in-depth mouth-to-mouth snog...um resuscitation, I mean, or not. I know, kinda, what happens, just not the intricate details of how if all falls into place. But if John Barrowman gave me mouth-to-mouth like he did Ianto in the "Cyberwoman" episode, I'd sure know...whoa! Hotness!

Saturday, October 6, 2007

"Small Worlds"


OK, this is the week of disappointing television. Torchwood was crap tonight! The faeries episode was interesting, but the ending left me hanging for more resolution. Oh well.

Not every episode is going to be spectacular. Still, here's the score card for this week's viewing favorites. Last night's Doctor Who season finale, dreadful! This week's Avatar: The Last Airbender episode, lighthearted, but tame. Wednesday's Top Chef season finale, aggravating, and the Phillies losses to the Rockies on Wednesday and Thursday, gut-wrenching!

Aargh, I've been watching too much TV lately! At least I spent some time on the Internet researching the whole Jack-Ianto romance situation on Torchwood. I was able to dig up the long awaited, yet-to-air, confirmation in the following video clip. Alas, the kiss of love. Watch...

Sunday, September 30, 2007

"Cyberwoman"



I DVR'ed Torchwood on Saturday because I wanted to go out to the bars after Philly's dismal loss. Thank God they won the NL Division this afternoon or else I would've been more depressed. I sat down to watch the episode earlier and here are my thoughts about this week's episode and the series thus far.

So Ianto's been hiding his Cyberman girlfriend in the storage room of the Torchwood base, eh? No one else knew about it, hmmm? Interesting. I wasn't sure what to make of Ianto's character so far other than he seems to be the resident flunky. Ianto never goes on missions and the only action thus far was erasing data from Gwen's computer when she initially discovered information on Torchwood.

Thank you for character development Russell T. Davies. Besides his difficult name (it's pronounced Yan-toe or Jahn-toe), Ianto came off as flimsy and one dimensional as a piece of cardboard. This week, the writers breathed some life into the boy. He showed heart and grace as he fought to do everything to save Lisa (his girlfriend), a former operative for the Torchwood base in London, from the cyberman process. What's better still, Lisa was a sistah, too! Well maybe not a sistah, I think that's strictly reserved for black folks stateside, but she's black. I'm not sure how popular interracial relationships are in the UK.

Traditionally, the Cybermen never scared me on Doctor Who until the second series came about. They're even more frightening on Torchwood. The scene where Lisa throws the Japanese computer scientist on the Cyber transformation table was edgy. Seeing Gwen almost turned into another cyberwoman was equally terrifying.

Captain Jack is becoming a loose cannon. He shoots first, asks questions second, and comes across as heartless and unfeeling bastard. At one point, Jack questions Ianto's loyalty, points a gun at Ianto, and seriously considers shooting him in the head. For a moment I thought Jack would kill our resident major domo. You felt the seething anger from Barrowman's character (proving John is a excellent actor)!

Jack refuses to hear Ianto's impassioned pleas, his begging, to attempt reversal of the cyber-transformation process, demands Ianto kill her, and threatens to kill both of them if Ianto fails to complete the task. Ianto implores Jack "haven't you ever loved anyone?" and calls him more monstrous than the Cybermen. Jack refuses to answer, however, and continues to cock the gun, standing stoic as ever. Finally, Ianto goes into main chamber, and tries to do his duty to kill his beloved.

Now, I'm struggling to figure Jack out. On Doctor Who, Jack was a wildfire, but wasn't cruel. On Torchwood, Jack is not as fun loving nor the carefree bisexual playboy he portrayed on Doctor Who. Here he's more conflicted and darker. I understand Doctor Who has always been geared towards children and Torchwood is more adult-oriented, but Cap'n Jack is too maniacal at times for my tastes.

Still, Jack's refusal to answer Ianto's question says a lot about Jack's true character and nature. I purchased the October issue of Out magazine with John Barrowman on the cover. It gave some spoilers about upcoming Torchwood episodes; all the bisexual romps and snogging-on. There'll be further explanation to Jack and Ianto's relationship as the series develops. Even if I hadn't read the snippet in Out, the Cyberwoman episode hints Jack's connection to Ianto.

Ianto tries to stop Lisa from killing Toshiko, Gwen, and Owen, begging her to stop (Must admit his begging was a bit annoying). She, in turn, knocks him the fuck out! NO!!! Not Ianto (OK, yeah I like the character, a lot. He's my favorite, next to Gwen. I love her character. She gives the human element the Jack, Owen, & Toshiko seem to lack)!!!

What a nail-biting scene! I had to fast forward because I actually thought Ianto was dead (Suzie, a previous Torchwood operative, commits suicide on the first episode). While the others distract Lisa (the Cyberwoman), Jack tries to revive Ianto, giving him mouth to mouth, eventually turning into a full fledged passionate kiss! Hmmm. Does Jack love Ianto secretly?

Friday, September 28, 2007

Doctor? Doctor Who?


Well as there is only now one week left of Doctor Who on the Sci-Fi Channel, all I have to say is thank goodness BBC America is broadcasting episodes of Torchwood. I can't wait for tomorrow's episode of Torchwood. I'm really being drawn in on the series. It's much darker than Doctor Who ever has been.

Currently, John Barrowman, lead star on Torchwood, is doing a story arc with David Tennant on Doctor Who. I'm not sure I like their chemistry (or lack thereof) together. The Doctor in the few episodes with Captain Jack, comes across very homophobic. Sad. Now we can't have my favorite Gallifreyan be a bigot now, can we? He is after all, the last Timelord! Oh wait, there's Professor Yana, I'm mean the Master....The Master!?!?!?

"Eek! Don't kill me Master!! You know I've always loved you best in all you're regenerations...especially you're Eric Roberts personae! What? The Doctor... Doctor Who?!?!?"

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Torchwood



So, I finally got the chance to watch Torchwood on BBC America this afternoon. I'm not exactly sure what to make of it or sure how well received it'll go over with American audiences. I liked it, but then again, I've been accused of liking lots of tawdry, sleazy programs. I was anxious to view the science fiction "dramedy" since its more adult oriented than it's preceding parent show, Doctor Who.


The story involves a group of scientists working to stop aliens from invading the Earth in modern day 21st Century, Cardiff, UK. It stars John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness, a man from the 51st Century who cannot die and is openly bisexual. Barrowman, in real life, is openly gay. Torchwood's producer, Russell T. Davies, is also openly gay as well.

Torchwood is a spin off of the second series of Doctor Who. The name Torchwood itself is an anagram of its parent series. Torchwood was definitely more grittier than Doctor Who. BBC America left the unedited "shits" and "bollocks" (a word most Americans won't know means, unless you live here in PA Dutch Country in Central Pennsylvania, specifically Lebanon and Berks Counties) fly, which surprised me given those words are relatively verboten still in mainstream television. BBC America is known for editing its programming even to cater to American pureness, even though most have to pay extra on their cable package, at least with the mega cable media conglomerate Comcast, I have to pay extra.

Overall, I liked the first episode. I'm a loyal fan of Doctor Who. I've watched the show ever since I was a small child, watching episodes on WHYY-TV Channel 12, the PBS station, back in Philadelphia. I was glad when Sci-Fi Channel decided to pick up the newer series a few years back. I like Captain Jack's character and was disappointed he got left behind when Christopher Eccleston's Doctor regenerated into David Tennant's version of the Doctor (If you've never watched the program, I'm sure this all sounds incredibly geeky and confusing. Yes, it is).

We'll have to play a wait and see game though with Torchwood with the rest of America. It took a while for people to get acclimated to Footballers Wives. Now, Lifetime TV has gotten hip to the concept and has their own cheap imitation version named Army Wives or something to that affect.

I hope people will find Torchwood enjoyable. My earnest hope is BBC America doesn't edit the show to Hell either. Leave the questionable sexual content in! We're sensible enough to turn the channel if there's something we don't like.

Unlike Sci-Fi Channel, which edited out an on-screen kiss between the Doctor and Captain Jack, BBC America left the man-on-man kissing scene when one of the scientists goes to a bar, tries to take home another man's girlfriend, and is confronted by the boyfriend outside a local pub. I got a good chuckle...oh that must've made more than a few folks uncomfortable though.

Disclaimer

While this blog is not really intended to show adult content, I can't guarantee that an occasional image of male nudity won't appear. Be advised that this blog is intended to be read by people with an open mind. I don't claim any rights to the images nor do I have any knowledge of the sexuality of persons featured (unless they are openly gay...duh). Enjoy yourself and take a small step in my every day life and pondering... Feel free to email any comments or opinions.

President Barack Obama!