Take Care, Capaldi!

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Along with Moffat leaving “Doctor Who” this year, Peter Capaldi will resign his role in 2017.

Capaldi believes this decision is for the best because he wants Chibnall (“Doctor Who”’s new showrunner in 2018) to choose a new Doctor. Capaldi’s contract covered him for the 2017 series, ensuring that he would continue to be the Doctor. However, he claims he wants to do other things in life and do more than just be known as the Doctor.

This notion is understandable – Christopher Eccleston was the same way, but after leaving his role as the Doctor he was typecast as such. It became difficult for him to find work without being known as the Doctor and while most people would appreciate this, for him it became a rough challenge. He even claimed that his role in “Thor: The Dark World” was his biggest break that he had received in a long time. Let’s hope Capaldi doesn’t suffer the same fate even though he has been in other pictures so far.

However, it’s terrible to see Capaldi go. I feel as though fans were just starting to enjoy him and now he’s leaving like footsteps on the sand. He was a gritty doctor who never stopped learning about himself, what he can do, and his purpose for existence. He was rough, but caring and dark. It was something we haven’t seen in a while. It was a new who to say the least, but regardless I can only hope that the next Doctor will be just as good if not better.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to comment, critique, share, and subscribe.

So tell me, are you sad to see Capaldi leave?

Moffat No More

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Steven Moffat surprised everyone this past weekend by leaving “Doctor Who”. Chris Chibnall of BBC’s “Broadchurch” will be replacing him in 2018.

Chiball has been a fan of “Doctor Who” since he was a child and claims that the show is the best of the BBC with its uniqueness, boldness, and how much devotion and admiration it receives from fans everywhere. Chiball has also written five episodes of the series and seven episodes of “Torchwood”. Needless to say, “Doctor Who” is in good hands (or so it seems).

With Moffat’s departure, “Doctor Who” will receive a Christmas Special this year, but the next season will be pushed back to Spring 2017. Charlotte Moore (BBC1’s controller) explained that the BBC was going to be filled with momentous occasions such as the Euros and Olympics in 2016. She wanted to save something big for 2017 and Moffat wants to leave the fans with a “huge event” on the show.

However, I find it rather odd that Moffat has decided to leave “Doctor Who”. This is the man who said that he wouldn’t leave unless he wanted to do something else.  When asked about his decision to leave, he merely replied that he felt like his time was running out. Maybethe show’s low ratings (despite BBC’s high Appreciation Index) since Moffat’s initial takeover has something to do with it as well.

So then has something else attracted Moffat’s attention? Perhaps that spinoff of Clara and Ashildr that the Internet would love to see? A ‘Torchwood’ revival with Harkness and his crew and maybe River Song? What will Moffat go onto next?

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry.If you enjoyed it, feel free to comment, critique, subscribe, and share.

So tell me, what do you think Chibnall will do with "Doctor Who"?

The Game Will Be Afoot

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

“Sherlock” season 4 finally has an air date.

PBS has hinted that “Sherlock”’s new season will be premiering in January 2017. While the BBC hasn’t announced anything official regarding the air date yet, PBS also showcases the series. However, the air date depends on Benedict Cumberbatch’s schedule. After all the man has been starring in films left and right, but he very much wants to continue with “Sherlock”.

Even Gatiss commented on PBS’ announcement, claiming that Moriarty’s reappearance will be life altering, if not huge for the series and its fans.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to subscribe, share, comment, and critique.

So tell me, are you ready for “Sherlock”’s next season?

The Year of Pokemon

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

2016 is the 20^th anniversary of Pokemon which means it’s time for me to remember just how old I am while playing a game I’ve loved since my childhood. With Pokemon Go and Pokken Tournament being released this year, Nintendo has some tricks up its sleeves for this wondrous anniversary.

For starters, Chandelure and Braixen have been announced for Pokken Tournament. These two are a few more fire/psychic types added to the game. Sylveon, Magikarp, Pachirisu, and Croagunk have also been announced as support Pokemon. However, Chandelure is a Pokemon that no one expected. While there’s no footage of the brawling beast yet, its trailer will be premiering on January 31^st, 2016.

In regard to battles of Pokken Tournament, there will be three modes: Single mode (player vs CPU with three difficulty settings), Local battle (player vs player, with one on the Gamepad and the other using a standard controller), and Online battle. Online battle has two subcategories: Friendly Matches (which can be played with anyone (friends or strangers) for fun) and Ranked Matches (which can be played with anyone, but you receive points by how well you fight). Players can also use a LAN cable to connect two Wii Us to fight.

Also throughout the entire year we will be able to receive legendary Pokemon to download for Pokemon ORAS and Pokemon XY. They will be downloadable either through the Nintendo Zone or a serial code distributed at Gamestops. The download schedule begins and runs as such:

Mew (Lvl 100) – February 1, 2016 – February 24, 2016; Serial code (most likely Gamestop)

Celebi (Lvl 100) – March 1, 2016 – March 24, 2016; Wi-fi (most likely Nintendo Network)

Jirachi (Lvl 100) – April 1, 2016 – April 24, 2016; Wi-fi (most likely Nintendo Network)

Darkrai (Lvl 100) – May 1, 2016 – May 24, 2016; Serial Code (most likely Gamestop)

Manaphy (Lvl 100) – June 1, 2016 – June 24, 2016; Wi-fi (most likely Nintendo Network)

Shaymin (Lvl 100) – July 1, 2016 – July 24, 2016; Wi-fi (most likely Nintendo Network)

Arceus (Lvl 100) – August 1, 2016 – August 24, 2016; Serial Code (most likely Gamestop)

Victini (Lvl 100) – September 1, 2016 – September 24, 2016; Wi-fi (most likely Nintendo Network)

Keldeo (Lvl 100) – October 1, 2016 – October 24, 2016; Wi-fi  (most likely Nintendo Network)

Genesect (Lvl 100) – November 1, 2016 – November 24, 2016; Serial Code (most likely Gamestop)

Meloetta (Lvl 100) – December 1, 2016 – December 24, 2016; Wi-fi (most likely Nintendo Network)

Thanks for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to share, subscribe, comment, and critique.

So tell me, what are you excited for in this year’s Pokemon anniversary? 

Sayonara Snape and Starman

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

They say that when you grow up you leave your childhood behind. You leave your footie pajamas, your old toys, and maybe even your favorite movies like the “Harry Potter” series and “Labyrinth”.  Some people are sentimentalists and/or diehard fans and will stay true to fandoms they loved as a child. “Harry Potter” and “Labyrinth” are no exceptions; so when two iconic roles from those films (or any other film) die, it breaks our heart to know that that person made what we treasure so dearly from our pasts.

Alan Rickman and David Bowie departed this past week at the age of 69, both suffering from cancer.  Their deaths have sparked outrage throughout the world and broken the hearts of many, including mine.

To be frank with you, I’m still in disbelief that we lost two wondrous people. Both these men shaped my childhood in ways that I still fondly remember. David Bowie’s voice was one of the first things I remember hearing, especially “Space Oddity” and his introduction to the animation, “The Snowman”.  Afterwards, Bowie took me into the depths of “Labyrinth” where not only my love for Jim Henson’s craft bloomed, but I also heard more than just his message to Major Tom. There I heard his expansive vocal range and to this day, “As the World Falls Down” still wins my heart every time I hear it. His other songs are catchy and captivating, causing me to listen to them without end.

Alan Rickman appeared a few years later as the tall, brooding Snape who claimed he could brew fame, bottle glory, and even put a stopper in death. I always believed him to be a serious, no –nonsense actor, but when I heard about his lighthearted interaction with a young Rupert Grint, my mind was completely changed. Apparently Rupert was crafting an unattractive picture of Snape/Alan Rickman while he stood behind him. When Rupert was done, Alan asked to see the picture and had Rupert sign it so that Alan could keep it. He said it was one of his most treasured mementos from the “Harry Potter” series.

When I also learned that he needed to understand the character in order to play them, it revealed to me just how truly devoted of an actor and man he was. He was given secretive information regarding Severus Snape by no other than JK Rowling herself and throughout the movies he allowed the character to be hard-hearted, but also grow into someone we adore.

To his day, despite their deaths, we adore these men. We love the crazy, colorful antics of Ziggy Stardust only to be followed by the charming allure of the Thin White Duke.  We admire the secretive, yet dark and foreboding nature of Professor Snape. Both men left irreplaceable marks on this world with Bowie inventing glam rock, different personas that we still remember him as, and producing music that will never be forgotten. Rickman forever labeled himself as ‘Severus Snape’ to an entire generation while learning about characters to understand them better like Judge Turpin, Marvin, Metatron, and Alexander Dane.

So raise your wands and blast “Starman” because David Bowie and Alan Rickman are up there in the sky. They’d like to come and see us again, but they’d blow our minds. Until we meet with them, let’s remember them for who they were and how they stayed with us from childhood to adulthood.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to subscribe, share, comment, and critique.

So tell me, what are your favorite characters portrayed by David Bowie and Alan Rickman?

Sherlock and Pepper's Ghost

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

WARNING: THIS ENTRY HAS SPOILERS FOR “THE ABOMINABLE BRIDE”. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM READING THIS POST.

“Sherlock” released its Christmas special and while some people have a few bones to pick with it, others adored it. As for myself, I enjoyed the idea of seeing the initial Arthur Conan Doyle based Sherlock flash back and forth with the modern day Sherlock. It was a strange ending to be frank, but I believe it was the one section of the special where I heavily fangirled. No, no, not because of Moriarty in a wedding dress, but because of the Pepper’s Ghost trick.

The Pepper’s Ghost Trick was an illusion trick crafted in the Victorian era as a means of entertainment. However, the effect goes back to the 16^th century when a Neapolitan scientist, Giambattista della Porta first described the Pepper’s Ghost Trick as such:

“Let there be a chamber wherein no other light comes, unless by the door or window where the spectator looks in. Let the whole window or part of it be of glass, as we used to do to keep out the cold. But let one part be polished, that there may be a Looking-glass on bothe sides, whence the spectator must look in. For the rest do nothing. Let pictures be set over against this window, marble statues and suchlike. For what is without will seem to be within, and what is behind the spectator's back, he will think to be in the middle of the house, as far from the glass inward, as they stand from it outwardly, and clearly and certainly, that he will think he sees nothing but truth. But lest the skill should be known, let the part be made so where the ornament is, that the spectator may not see it, as above his head, that a pavement may come between above his head. And if an ingenious man do this, it is impossible that he should suppose that he is deceived” (Porta, 1658).

This description was later brought to life by Henry Dircks in 1862. Dircks had invented Dircksian Phantasmagoria wherein he created the Pepper’s Ghost trick. He attempted to sell his trick to theatres that rejected the offer because it would be too costly to rebuild the theatre to accommodate his idea. Later on, he was able to replicate his illusion with a booth at the Royal Polytechnic Institute of London where John Pepper saw it and was instantly spellbound. Pepper was able to reduce the complexity of Dircks’ idea so that it could easily be shown at theatres without a needed rebuild. Dircks signed all of his financial rights to Pepper who tried to give Dircks’ credit despite the ‘Pepper’ name sticking with the trick.

So why did I lose my head over this ancient illusion?

Because it’s a key feature in the Haunted Mansion.

Readers, I am a diehard Haunted Mansion fan and to see this effect used in “Sherlock” lifted my spirits.

For those of you who don’t know, the Haunted Mansion is a well-known ride in Disney parks, each having a varying theme save for Disneyland California Adventure (the original), Tokyosea, and Walt Disney World (the original’s duplicate). The Haunted Mansion opened its doors to the public in 1969 and utilized the trick in its iconic ballroom scene where “ghosts” twirl about on the floor. In actuality, they are nothing more than the result of Pepper’s Ghost Trick. Beneath the balcony there are a row of mirrors and light angled at a certain way. Alongside those mirrors are animatronics of spinning dancers whose image falls through the glass and appear as ethereal dancers. It’s a famous scene utilized in almost every Haunted Mansion (save for Mystic Manor) and to see it resurfaced in a show I adore is even more a reason to gush.

While Moffat probably didn’t include this trick as a nod to the Haunted Mansion, there’s a good chance he wrote it in because it was used during the Victorian era. It aided in solving the mystery despite Moriarty’s sudden abrupt appearance as the bride. Regardless, seeing the Pepper’s Ghost Trick utilized outside the Haunted Mansion and something I enjoy provided a wonderful moment of fangirling.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to comment, critique, share, and subscribe.

So tell me, what did you think of “The Abominable Bride”?

Homosexuality for the Crystal Gems

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

“Steven Universe” is popular show on Cartoon Network following the adventures of a boy (Steven Universe) and his friends, the Crystal Gems – beings infused with gemstones. The show is completely and utterly Earth shattering in its unique art style, interesting plot, and portrayals of relationships, especially those of the homosexual variety.

Homosexuality is a topic that’s accepted to a certain degree in our society. Homosexuals have been finally allowed to legally marry in America and it’s considered a gigantic triumph in the gay community. However, there are still people who are homophobes and enforce their opinions in any way possible. Such as Cartoon Network UK censoring “Steven Universe” to make it less homosexual.

The censored scene in particular is a fusion dance where Pearl and Rose Quartz (both females) meld together to become Rainbow Quartz. A fusion dance is an intimate, unique dance that two (or more) gems can partake in to become a stronger being. This dance was featured in the episode, “We Need to Talk” and has been hailed by fans everywhere as an act of unrequited love between the characters. Pearl and Rose Quartz, however, are canonically labeled as lesbians by the fanbase, and are not officially a lesbian pair.

Cartoon Network UK has altered this scene so that one of the characters has a more masculine face to stray from the homosexual nature of this scene. Fans everywhere have signed a petition to keep the scene as it originally was and without the homophobic alteration. Cartoon Network UK has taken note of this petition and stands by their alteration.

While I’m not a homosexual or bisexual myself, I still believe that regardless of ethnicity, color, and sexual orientation people should have the right to be wed. Furthermore, all people of colors, orientations, and ethnicities should be portrayed on television in their proper roles. For a show like “Steven Universe” to exist and portray loving homosexual couples (like Ruby and Sapphire and also the fan labelled lesbians/bisexuals Pearl and Rose Quartz), is something tremendous.

The world isn’t all one shade, one ethnicity, and one orientation. The world is thousands of different shades, tons of ethnicities, and millions of orientations. So why shouldn’t each one be equally represented? Ruby and Sapphire are “Steven Universe”’s official lesbian pairing and thankfully, they haven’t been censored. This show has been accepted by tons of people as a sort of solace for their orientation and a universal symbol of peace among people and acceptance. For it to be censored over a dance of unrequited love is something unnecessary and ridiculous.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to subscribe, share, comment, and critique.

So tell me, what do you think of “Steven Universe”?