The Lullaby League
First Aired: Thursday May 6, 1993
A blues vocalist comes to town and has Zach Brock play on stage with her. In the process, she collapses and it is found that she has a serious health problem. Also, Maxine and Kenny deliver a baby, which is given to Maxine by the fugitive mother.
Being the last episode of the season, I was hoping for a bit more than what I got. There were two story lines with about equal screen time. The first one involved a pseudo-famous blues singer named Naomi (played by Della Reese), who suffers a heart attack during her performance with Zach Brock in front of the town. When Jill sees no other option, she puts a temporary transplant of a pig liver into the woman until they can find a suitable donor. After the woman finds out, she flips out and worries about her legacy should she die. She wants the liver out. The courts do not relent and Naomi is left at hating Jill for dishonoring her. By the end of the episode, she grudgingly decides to have a human liver transplant in Chicago.
The other storyline involved Maxine and Kenny chasing a speeding car and finding a woman in labor when it pulls over. Maxine has to deliver the baby before the paramedics show. The following day, the mother skips town after Kenny questions her because it turns out she is wanted by the government. She left sole custody to Maxine until a proper home can be found. In the process of caring for the baby, Maxine decides to adopt. However, the woman turns herself in and agrees to testify against her husband so that she may keep the baby in a half-way home. Needless to say that at the end of the episode, Maxine is heartbroken.
Like I mentioned, I was hoping for a bit more, since the last couple of episodes have been very charged in their acting and writing. While both of the storylines, mostly Maxine's, were interesting to start with, I felt they petered off a bit at the conclusion. Of particular note for me, when Judge Bone showed up to console Maxine, I was disappointed because it felt too sugary. I still can't wait for season two, because I hope it starts off better then this left off.
Score: 7.5 / 10
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Titus - S1E05
Titus Integritous
First Aired: Monday April 17, 2000
Titus High Performance has just finished their latest creation for a internet mogul, but when he requests one last modification, Titus can't bring himself to do it because it would make the car look like crap.
This is the first episode that takes place wholly in the workplace of Titus High Performance and it was a good one at that. The episode begins with Titus, Dave and Tommy finishing up a hot rod with a millionaire internet mogul. When the guy shows up, he states that he would like a wing on the roof. Titus sees this as a blight on the car and argues with the group about adding it. Eventually, he decides that he wants to take apart the car, but becomes trapped underneath it when the jack breaks. While not seriously hurt, he is trapped and, at Ken Titus' suggestion, Tommy and Dave add the wing. Erin shows up and demands that Titus be relieved from the car, but it is already after they added the wing. Tommy states he wants his dream to come true to of having a successful business, but Titus doesn't want to do collision and other stuff. The mogul shows up, likes the roof, and cuts the guys a check. Tommy, in a turn of heart, changes his mind and refuses the check. However, Titus sees the check and ends up selling out anyway.
Like I mentioned, it was a great episode with good all around humor between the present and the flashbacks. There were a lot of good one liners as well as some shtick among the friends. I think any episode is good when Ken (Keach) has to interact with the others in the present. I am not sure if I liked the ending or not, since it seems little out of character for Titus to sell out.
Score: 8.6 / 10
First Aired: Monday April 17, 2000
Titus High Performance has just finished their latest creation for a internet mogul, but when he requests one last modification, Titus can't bring himself to do it because it would make the car look like crap.
This is the first episode that takes place wholly in the workplace of Titus High Performance and it was a good one at that. The episode begins with Titus, Dave and Tommy finishing up a hot rod with a millionaire internet mogul. When the guy shows up, he states that he would like a wing on the roof. Titus sees this as a blight on the car and argues with the group about adding it. Eventually, he decides that he wants to take apart the car, but becomes trapped underneath it when the jack breaks. While not seriously hurt, he is trapped and, at Ken Titus' suggestion, Tommy and Dave add the wing. Erin shows up and demands that Titus be relieved from the car, but it is already after they added the wing. Tommy states he wants his dream to come true to of having a successful business, but Titus doesn't want to do collision and other stuff. The mogul shows up, likes the roof, and cuts the guys a check. Tommy, in a turn of heart, changes his mind and refuses the check. However, Titus sees the check and ends up selling out anyway.
Like I mentioned, it was a great episode with good all around humor between the present and the flashbacks. There were a lot of good one liners as well as some shtick among the friends. I think any episode is good when Ken (Keach) has to interact with the others in the present. I am not sure if I liked the ending or not, since it seems little out of character for Titus to sell out.
Score: 8.6 / 10
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Ultimate Spider-Man 1
PowerlessOctober 2000
Written by Brian Michael Bendis and Bill Jemas
I have decided to fully dive into the Marvel Ultimate Universe (also known as Earth-1610) after having read a little bit of a Ultimate Fantastic Four title. I then researched what was the first title and I found out it was good ole webhead himself; huzzah.
This first issue begins in Osbourne Industries where Norman Osbourne is hard at work with his genetic technicians. They are using various subjects, such as spiders, on the OZ project. As Norman hastily has to talk with his lawyer over the phone, his assistant fails to cap the container on the spider case and the arachnid escapes. Elsewhere, in Queens, readers are first introduced to nerd Peter Parker as he is reading a science book in a mall food court. As he tries to study, some rowdy teenagers pester him by throwning food. A sympathetic red-head (Mary Jane Watson) looks on with sadness. Before the other teens can stir up more trouble, Peter's uncle, Ben Parker, shows up and wrangles Mary Jane into a conversation with Peter and him.
The next day at his public school, Peter is further instigated by Flash and his big friend, but Harry Osbourne shows up and helps the guys to leave Peter alone. Peter and Harry are friends even though Harry is on the team with the other lugs. Later that evening, Ben and May Parker discuss the possibility that Peter may have S.A.D., but Peter just shrugs it off. Harry comes by so they can study and it is revealed Peters parents had died in a plane crash. When Peter trails off about an adhesive invention his father had worked on before dieing, Harry ends up leaving. Norman is too busy to be bothered with Harry when he tries to remind his father his class will be in the lab the next day. As the class is going through Osbourne Industries, Peter is bitten on the hand by the same spider shown at the beginning. Even though he has a seizure, he recovers after blacking out. Norman has a meeting to discuss what to do about Peter, decides to pay his hospital bill, and notes that we wants to keep an eye on the boy.
In school the next day, the heckling continues but as Flash's pal Kong is about to trip Peter, Peter reacts instinctively and flattens him onto the ground. Peter faints again and is taken to the hospital. He has blood taken, but the sample is replaced by one of Osbourne's men. As Norman examines the blood, he notices the toxins will kill Peter. He decides to send his goon Shaw to kill him before that happens to that no one finds out he will die because of his Industries. When Shaw tries to run down Peter with his car, Peter reacts for some reason (spider sense), and leaps over the car. When Shaw reports back in, Norman aborts the kill so that he may study the boy further. Peter begins to research and realize the spider has affected him somehow. After a confrontation with May and Ben, Peter wakes up in the middle of the night and tries to climb the wall. The issue ends with Peter hanging upside down from the ceiling.
I am not sure what I think of this issue. I know it is suppose to be a re-imagining of the comic, using some of the first movie as the basis mixed in with the original Amazing Fantasy comic as well. However, it felt like it was a bit of a struggle to get the story into the pages it did. Some of the plot points were done on one page, with the next going to a later time. While they have Pete playing the angsty teenager right now (at 15), the character I like the most so far is Mary Jane. She is the beautiful and smart person she is meant to be, but you can see how she is sort of infatuated with Peter as well. Anyway, I hope the story of the next issues flow a bit better than this one.
Score: 3 / 5
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Runaways Vol 1 Issue 6
Pride and Joy, Part 6November 2003
Written by Brian K. Vaughn
At the Hayes' residence, Molly is no angry at Nico after Nico had knocked Mrs. Hayes out with the Staff of One. Gertrude and Old Lace join them. Molly ends up freaked out about Old Lace while Gertrude is freaked out about Molly being a mutant. Alex comes into the room while Gertrude tries to fill Molly in on what has transpired over the past couple of hours. It turns out that Karolina and Chase had shirked their duties, though, and all of the kids are attacked by Mrs. Dean in Molly's room. She subdues Gertrude, but Molly then becomes angry and hurtles Mrs. Dean out of the house and into the pool.
The kids decide to leave after Nico and Alex go to get Mrs. Dean out of the pool, just in case she might drown. As they remove her, she attacks Nico again, but Alex hits her with the Staff. The van is making it's way through downtown Los Angeles with Alex trying to use the ring he swiped from Mrs. Dean to decode the book they stole. It doesn't work because it only translate some of the words. Geoffrey Wilder then calls Alex's cell phone and informs the kids to turn on the radio. A news bulletin has gone out that Alex and the others are wanted in connection with the murdered girl, now identified as Destiny Gonzales, as well as the kidnapping of Molly. Alex hangs up on his father in frustration and Chase suggests they fall off of the radar of everything.
Back at the Hayes residence, the Pride makes a startling discovery. A note was left by one of the kids, pledging their loyalty still to their family. It is unsigned. Meanwhile, the kids have arrived at Chase's hiding spot, Bronson Canyon in Griffith Park, which is a place Chase likes to call The Hostel. The kids then discuss having new names, with everyone choosing one except for Alex, who vows to redeem his for however long it takes.
The ending of the six-part beginning for the series left me a little more wanting. With the last three being as good as they were, I was expecting a bit more revelation or resolution with the Pride. I figured that Mr. Wilder would pin the murder on the kids in order for them to submit, but he underestimated his son's will. I was surprised, however, by the note from one of the kids. I have a feeling it will be Alex, just by the way he makes a point not to "change his name" like the others. I still think it will be interesting to read the next couple of issues, since I want to see how they go about surviving now with such notoriety.
Score: 4 / 5
Runaways Vol 1 Issue 5
Pride and Joy, Part 5
October 2003
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
The comic begins with the Steins and Yorkes' watching over Molly Hayes as they wait for the rest of the children to show up after the parents had threatened Molly's life. However, Molly starts to come out of the trance. As her mother talks to her, Molly says she hasn't been feeling well and that she had been bleeding. Her mother thinks this has to be due to her hormones and her growing into a woman, so she soothes her daughter back into the trance. The comic then breaks to the teens one the side of the road trying to discuss what to do. In the course of the discussion, Chase unknowingly activates the fistigons he stole from his parents[1], which shoots a spray of fire. They all decide then to assault the Hayes' residence and extract Molly.
Back at the Hayes residence, Leslie Dean shows up from New York City, though without her husband Frank. Outside, the teens are getting into position with Alex Wilder leading the group through walkie-talkies. He and Nico then discuss the plan, but she ends up kissing him just in case things go wrong. The both then approach the house and ring the doorbell. As Dr. Hayes lets them in, he is attacked from behind by Old Lace. Alex, Nico and Gertrude then try to carry out the rest of the plan but are waylaid by the Yorkes. Nico, who becomes frustrated, lunges at the Yorkes and is cut by a battle ax. Due to the spilled blood, the Staff of One emerges from her body and she takes care of the parents before heading up to Molly's room.
Outside Leslie Dean confronts her daughter and Chase, but Karolina strikes her mother with the bracelet that keeps her alien powers at bay. This in turn also harms her mother and allows Leslie Dean to be knocked out. Back in the home, Nico has confronted Mrs. Hayes but their conversation is cut off when Molly awakens and it dawns on her mother that Molly is showing signs of being a mutant. Nico knocks out Mrs. Hayes with the Staff and Molly then threatens to hurt Nico, ending the comic.
A little bit of a let down on par with the previous issue, but a more action packed issue than any seen so far. It was good to see Alex start to move into a leadership type role. The kiss was expected between him and Nico. I like how the confrontation worked out but was a little surprised at how powerful Nico currently is after only starting to use whatever power she has. It must somehow be infused already into the Staff, making it easier for her to wield the power. I also like the little trick Karolina played on her mother; a sort of kryptonite thing. I was waiting to see what sort of powers Molly would bring to the table and it certainly is interesting that she is a mutant. Looking forward to the conclusion to see what the teens will now end up doing.
Score: 3 / 5
October 2003
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
The comic begins with the Steins and Yorkes' watching over Molly Hayes as they wait for the rest of the children to show up after the parents had threatened Molly's life. However, Molly starts to come out of the trance. As her mother talks to her, Molly says she hasn't been feeling well and that she had been bleeding. Her mother thinks this has to be due to her hormones and her growing into a woman, so she soothes her daughter back into the trance. The comic then breaks to the teens one the side of the road trying to discuss what to do. In the course of the discussion, Chase unknowingly activates the fistigons he stole from his parents[1], which shoots a spray of fire. They all decide then to assault the Hayes' residence and extract Molly.
Back at the Hayes residence, Leslie Dean shows up from New York City, though without her husband Frank. Outside, the teens are getting into position with Alex Wilder leading the group through walkie-talkies. He and Nico then discuss the plan, but she ends up kissing him just in case things go wrong. The both then approach the house and ring the doorbell. As Dr. Hayes lets them in, he is attacked from behind by Old Lace. Alex, Nico and Gertrude then try to carry out the rest of the plan but are waylaid by the Yorkes. Nico, who becomes frustrated, lunges at the Yorkes and is cut by a battle ax. Due to the spilled blood, the Staff of One emerges from her body and she takes care of the parents before heading up to Molly's room.
Outside Leslie Dean confronts her daughter and Chase, but Karolina strikes her mother with the bracelet that keeps her alien powers at bay. This in turn also harms her mother and allows Leslie Dean to be knocked out. Back in the home, Nico has confronted Mrs. Hayes but their conversation is cut off when Molly awakens and it dawns on her mother that Molly is showing signs of being a mutant. Nico knocks out Mrs. Hayes with the Staff and Molly then threatens to hurt Nico, ending the comic.
A little bit of a let down on par with the previous issue, but a more action packed issue than any seen so far. It was good to see Alex start to move into a leadership type role. The kiss was expected between him and Nico. I like how the confrontation worked out but was a little surprised at how powerful Nico currently is after only starting to use whatever power she has. It must somehow be infused already into the Staff, making it easier for her to wield the power. I also like the little trick Karolina played on her mother; a sort of kryptonite thing. I was waiting to see what sort of powers Molly would bring to the table and it certainly is interesting that she is a mutant. Looking forward to the conclusion to see what the teens will now end up doing.
Score: 3 / 5
Runaways Vol 1 Issue 4
Pride and Joy, Part 4
October 2003
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
After being alerted by his minion Lieutenant Flores of the LAPD that his son reported a murder, Geoffrey Wilder, leader of The Pride, visits Alex's room to discover he is nowhere to be found. Alex is actually at the Dean residence about 11 miles away where Karolina Dean is still reveling in her newfound discovery of her alien power to fly[1]. The rest of the group tries to decide what to do with their discoveries. They decide to find and reveal to Molly Hayes, who they had left out until this point because of her age, what they have found out about their collective parents. However, Chase Stein persuaded the rest to stop by his home first in case there is anything there that he is meant to receive or learn. As they leave, Gertrude Yorkes senses someone watches but decides to dismiss the fact. She is right, since Old Lace has been following them since they left the genetically altered dinosaur at the Yorke's residence.
The kids arrive at the Stein residence and go to inspect Chases parents' work shed, which turns out to be deceptively small on the outside but large inside. They find a variety of mechanical weapons and experiments before being confronted by the Steins and Minorus. As Chase puts on some robot gloves (fistigons) and X-ray goggles, his father uses a device to subdue him. Alex then removes Karolina's bracelet, unleashing her alien luminescent powers, before they are both attacked by the parents. Nico Minoru's mother tries to stab Nico with the Staff of One, which is absorbed by Nico to her mothers amazement. Old Lace makes an appearance and occupies Mr. Stein while Nico assaults her father, breaking his hold on Karolina, who then shoots a beam of energy at him.
With the Steins and Minorus subdued, the group pile into Chase's van and Karolina drives them towards the Hayes' residence to get Molly. However, on the way Gertrude's phone rings. The comic ends as the Hayes and Yorkes threaten to kill Molly unless the teens surrender.
This was the first issue with an action scene and I was pleased overall. It seemed to be over a bit to quick and easy, but the kids did want to get out of the place ASAP. It was fun when Old Lace showed up and the reaction by Chase in the van afterwards. We start to get a bit of information on the Pride, and I really like where it is going. Again, we end on a bit of a shocker that begs the reader to keep going. A solid effort, but a little less engaging near the beginning.
Score: 3 / 5
October 2003
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
After being alerted by his minion Lieutenant Flores of the LAPD that his son reported a murder, Geoffrey Wilder, leader of The Pride, visits Alex's room to discover he is nowhere to be found. Alex is actually at the Dean residence about 11 miles away where Karolina Dean is still reveling in her newfound discovery of her alien power to fly[1]. The rest of the group tries to decide what to do with their discoveries. They decide to find and reveal to Molly Hayes, who they had left out until this point because of her age, what they have found out about their collective parents. However, Chase Stein persuaded the rest to stop by his home first in case there is anything there that he is meant to receive or learn. As they leave, Gertrude Yorkes senses someone watches but decides to dismiss the fact. She is right, since Old Lace has been following them since they left the genetically altered dinosaur at the Yorke's residence.
The kids arrive at the Stein residence and go to inspect Chases parents' work shed, which turns out to be deceptively small on the outside but large inside. They find a variety of mechanical weapons and experiments before being confronted by the Steins and Minorus. As Chase puts on some robot gloves (fistigons) and X-ray goggles, his father uses a device to subdue him. Alex then removes Karolina's bracelet, unleashing her alien luminescent powers, before they are both attacked by the parents. Nico Minoru's mother tries to stab Nico with the Staff of One, which is absorbed by Nico to her mothers amazement. Old Lace makes an appearance and occupies Mr. Stein while Nico assaults her father, breaking his hold on Karolina, who then shoots a beam of energy at him.
With the Steins and Minorus subdued, the group pile into Chase's van and Karolina drives them towards the Hayes' residence to get Molly. However, on the way Gertrude's phone rings. The comic ends as the Hayes and Yorkes threaten to kill Molly unless the teens surrender.
This was the first issue with an action scene and I was pleased overall. It seemed to be over a bit to quick and easy, but the kids did want to get out of the place ASAP. It was fun when Old Lace showed up and the reaction by Chase in the van afterwards. We start to get a bit of information on the Pride, and I really like where it is going. Again, we end on a bit of a shocker that begs the reader to keep going. A solid effort, but a little less engaging near the beginning.
Score: 3 / 5
Runaways Vol 1 Issue 3
Pride and Joy, Part 3
September 2003
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
The comic begins with the group of Runaways being confronted with a giant lizard reminiscent of a velociraptor (Old Lace) that was being confined begin a secret passage in the Yorkes residence. The kids contemplate what to do with the watchful beast as Chase Stein takes the initiative and attacks the creature, which retaliates. However, at the command of Gertrude, the creature becomes docile. As the kids ponder this turn of events, a holographic image of the Yorkes materializes and reveals they had left the creature as protection for Gertrude if they had died. Old Lace is a genetically alerted dinosaur from the 31st century, since the Yorke parents are time travelers.
The group decides to head for Karolina Dean's home, which is empty since her actor parents had gone to New York City. Leaving the dinosaur behind despite Gertrude's pleas to bring it, the kids make their way to the Dean residence. While there, they discover that Karolina's medical alert bracelet has significant meaning. A piece of paper found with a crossed out picture of the bracelet leads Karolina to rip off the trinket in a huff, revealing her to be a luminescent being. The group then contemplates the possibility that Karolina is an alien after she discovers she can fly. The final scenes of the comic show that the detective the kids contacted in Runaways 2 has taken the complaint to his superior, Lieutenant Flores. The comic ends with Flores contacting Alex Wilder's father, the apparent leader of the Pride, to inform him of the possible situation his son has brought about.
A good follow up to the second issue, we see the characters begin to find their powers/characteristics. I kind of figured that Old Lace wasn't threatening since it was on the cover of the next issue with Gertrude hugging it. I do like the conversation about what to do with it and how Chase reacted. Also, for the first time in awhile, I was really amazed at the interior artwork in relation to Karolina's coloring as her alien form. Very beautiful. Jo Chen's cover is exquisite as well and was my background for a week or two after reading this.
Score: 4 / 5
September 2003
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
The comic begins with the group of Runaways being confronted with a giant lizard reminiscent of a velociraptor (Old Lace) that was being confined begin a secret passage in the Yorkes residence. The kids contemplate what to do with the watchful beast as Chase Stein takes the initiative and attacks the creature, which retaliates. However, at the command of Gertrude, the creature becomes docile. As the kids ponder this turn of events, a holographic image of the Yorkes materializes and reveals they had left the creature as protection for Gertrude if they had died. Old Lace is a genetically alerted dinosaur from the 31st century, since the Yorke parents are time travelers.
The group decides to head for Karolina Dean's home, which is empty since her actor parents had gone to New York City. Leaving the dinosaur behind despite Gertrude's pleas to bring it, the kids make their way to the Dean residence. While there, they discover that Karolina's medical alert bracelet has significant meaning. A piece of paper found with a crossed out picture of the bracelet leads Karolina to rip off the trinket in a huff, revealing her to be a luminescent being. The group then contemplates the possibility that Karolina is an alien after she discovers she can fly. The final scenes of the comic show that the detective the kids contacted in Runaways 2 has taken the complaint to his superior, Lieutenant Flores. The comic ends with Flores contacting Alex Wilder's father, the apparent leader of the Pride, to inform him of the possible situation his son has brought about.
A good follow up to the second issue, we see the characters begin to find their powers/characteristics. I kind of figured that Old Lace wasn't threatening since it was on the cover of the next issue with Gertrude hugging it. I do like the conversation about what to do with it and how Chase reacted. Also, for the first time in awhile, I was really amazed at the interior artwork in relation to Karolina's coloring as her alien form. Very beautiful. Jo Chen's cover is exquisite as well and was my background for a week or two after reading this.
Score: 4 / 5
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