Tom Hiddleston in "Sherlock"

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

A few days ago a certain “Sherlock” rumor has been confirmed. No, there’s not going to be Johnlock (not that I know of anyway).  No, we’re not going to be getting it any sooner.

However, we will be receiving Tom Hiddleston as Sherrinford Holmes.

Sherrinford Holmes is the mysterious, third brother of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes. All this time, Sherrinford has been nothing more than a mere whisper in the program. Now, we will finally see who Sherrinford is and how he’ll play into the new season of “Sherlock”.

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So tell me, what are your thoughts on Sherrinford Holmes? 

Capaldi's Keeping Us Company

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False alarm: Capaldi will NOT be leaving “Doctor Who”.

So yes, like me, you can all take a relieving deep breath.

The article I referenced in my last entry was a tabloid which tends to distort rumors. Frankly, I had no idea that article was a tabloid and was merely writing with my own anger at the notion of losing Capaldi. Capaldi is possibly one of my favorite Doctors next to Hartnell, Tennant, Smith, Eccleston, and Troughton.

Now granted, Capaldi has said that this could be his final year while Moffat told us that Capaldi is going nowhere. For now, nothing is set in stone other than Moffat’s departure. Capaldi’s expected leave is a rumor and even then, we can only take rumors with a grain of salt.

Personally, I don’t imagine Capaldi leaving us so soon. After all, the man was president of a “Doctor Who” fanclub in his youth and even wrote fan letters regarding the show. He has adored the program since he was a child – why would he leave something that he only spent approximately three years on? It would probably be the shortest run of a Doctor ever next to the War Doctor. Capaldi’s even signed on for another three seasons and I cannot imagine why he would suddenly want to leave especially with that in mind. Yes, Capaldi wants to do other things in life, but is he willing to leave a role he’s loved for years and played for only a short amount of time?

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So tell me, what do you think Capaldi will do?

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"?

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”?

Sonic Sunglasses or Screwdriver?

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

In the past few weeks, I’ve noticed that life has a way of making things work. For example, I’m now in a Dungeons and Dragons group (#clericlifestrife) every Tuesday which conflicts with my blog schedule. I’m also growing more acquainted with my job and I couldn’t be happier in doing so.  Lastly, I’m finally starting to get more of a social life – going out almost every Saturday and doing things to craft an excellent life.

Because of this, I’m once again going to change my blogging schedule. I apologize, this must be irritating to you and frankly, I can easily understand why. I don’t know if I will change the scheduling again in the future, but I can only see what time brings.

Until then the new blogging schedule is: Monday and Thursday.

Fanfictions will still be posted every Sunday. As to where there will be a second day for them or not, I’m still uncertain. I do not enjoy doing anything without putting effort into it – my writing especially; after all, it is what I want to do in life.  I will keep everyone abreast as to what will happen in the future regarding my blogging and fanfiction schedules.

Since it is Monday, let’s get this show on the road.

Speaking of shows, this previous weekend episode of “Doctor Who” sent the Internet into a frenzied storm. Not because of the Daleks or the Tardis regenerating. No, no, it was something completely different, unexpected, and written by the hand of Steven Moffat. 

It was the sonic sunglasses.

The sonic sunglasses are to (possibly temporarily) replace the sonic screwdriver and encompass all the features of that device. They are “wearable technology” as the Doctor so excitedly referred to them.  This new accessory has sent the Internet into a spiraling tornado of anger and curses aimed towards Moffat who claimed that he invented the sonic sunglasses because he could.  He exercised his power as a writer and made a change to something incredibly iconic, now reducing it to a pair of sunglasses.

Before I give my opinion on these sonic sunglasses, I would like to say that I am a woman who embraces change like the sun. I try to live my life open mindedly, experiencing new things one day at a time or whenever they so happen to arise. I appreciate and welcome change in an attempt to learn more about myself and the world around me. I honestly believe the Doctor is the same way – from the start of his new regeneration we saw him trying to figure out who he was and always questioning his person. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this and if anything, more fans have encouraged this. They want to see a Doctor who will never stop asking about his identity, his life, his past, what he can do, what he can’t do, and why. It makes this Doctor much more relatable, given that these are questions we do ask ourselves on a daily basis. We do this to understand ourselves better and our place in this great, vast universe.

But by the beard of Zeus coated in bubble gum I hope these sonic sunglasses are temporary. Again, there is nothing wrong with change and exploring something new in an attempt to understand everything, including yourself.  The sunglasses are just sunglasses; there’s nothing special about them other than them being able to perform the functions of a sonic screwdriver which is all well and good, but in the end they’re just sunglasses.  You can purchase sunglasses anywhere and while they are stylish, they bear nothing special when compared to a sonic screwdriver.

Now what is a sonic screwdriver? A sonic screwdriver is elusive, exclusive only to those of Gallifrey (unless you’re River Song) crafted with time lord technology. It is a device no other species has and is used for pretty much everything except any activity regarding items with wood in them. It has been around since the very birth of this entire franchise and has stood the test of time, often changing into different forms when a new Doctor regenerated. The sonic screwdriver represents the “Doctor Who” fandom as something unique, strange, and timeless.

So far, the Internet has crafted petitions against Moffat’s sudden onslaught of sonic sunglasses.  While I have not signed it (nor do I have any intention to in case this is just a mere temporary event), I am curious to see what will come about.

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

So tell me, what do you think of the sonic sunglasses?