Television Shows – Page 8

Five Ideas for Potentially Fantastic New HBO Series

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Colin McMahon

And when I say five ideas, I of course mean five intellectual properties that already exist… so five ideas that are not mine.

HBO has a long history of stellar television programming. Since the mid-1970s, HBO has created shows such as Oz, The Sopranos, Fraggle Rock (not kidding), The Wire, and Flight of the Concords. Their current broadcasting line-up includes Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, and True Detective. In short: they make a lot of kick-ass shows. What does the future currently hold? Well, there is a post-rapture series known as The Leftovers in the works… that sounds interesting. Sadly, a miniseries based on Neil Gaiman’s American Gods has just officially fallen through so that will not be happening.

Not that HBO needs help but American Gods would have made for a very interesting series (to say the least). There are other known series out there floating around, some are currently trying to land television networks. Here are five ideas for existing series that would be perfect for HBO to adapt into television:

Honorable Mention: Dune

Essentially Game of Thrones on a desert planet with giant worms. Look it up.

5. The Sandman

Forget American Gods, if there is any Neil Gaiman series that would make a killer show: it is The Sandman. This series of graphic novels is arguably the best piece of created work in that medium ever (sorry Watchmen). The plot revolves around a protagonist called Dream, who is one of the Endless (others include Destiny, Desire, Death, Despair, Delirium, and Destruction). Their names reflect their role in the world of humanity, which is obviously separate from their own. It sounds complicated because it is, and there really is no better way to understand the Sandman than to read it.

I could make sense of this image but I stand by my "just read it" philosophy. — I could make sense of this image but I stand by my “just read it” philosophy.

Unfortunately, this one is very unlikely. Two reasons: the first being that HBO already tried to get the show off the ground in 2010. It is unclear why the pitch fell through but, needless to say, it didn’t happen. Second, Hollywood (with the help of Joseph Gordon-Levitt) have acquired the rights for a movie, due out at the end of 2016. Can the Sandman even work as a movie? I am very skeptical (this is a 75 issue series with a lot going on), nevertheless, this appears to be the direction that the adaptation is heading in.

4. Fables

The comic series by Bill Wilmington may be overstaying its welcome at this point (ending next year) but it is still perfect for a gritty HBO series. The story primarily follows Bigby Wolf (the Big Bad Wolf) who is the sheriff of a community of fables living in our world. They are outcasts, driven from their homelands. Bigby, along with the rest of his community, must try to keep themselves hidden as they plot to reconquer their homeland and defeat the unknown empire that has set up there.

Bigby is a very likeable protagonist, and his relationship with Snow White is one of the biggest "awwwws" in the series. — Bigby is a very likeable protagonist, and his relationship with Snow White is one of the biggest “awwwws” in the series.

While dealing with fantastical characters, this series handles everything in a very realistic manner, so it would not be one of those ideas torpedoed by budget costs. Apparently, a television series was already pursued on NBC without achieving any results. There is also a movie in very early stages. Fables would be at its best as a series. There are multiple protagonists and multiple villains.

Okay, that’s it for the safe choices. Now let’s get to the great untapped world of video game adaptations.

3. Metroid

The idea of an HBO series coming from a video game (made by family-friendly Nintendo) is untested. It has never been done. In Metroid, I believe the potential exists to create a very cool sci-fi drama revolving around bounty hunter Samus Aran. For those unfamiliar, in the Metroid series, Samus goes from planet to planet, looking for her targets. It is a very cold and solitary existence, which might present problems in terms of the supporting cast.

Still one of the biggest moments in gaming when Samus first removed her helmet and players realized that the badass they had been controlling was a woman. — Still one of the biggest moments in gaming when Samus first removed her helmet, and players realized that the badass they had been controlling was a woman.

In the past, Nintendo has tried to solve the problem in multiple ways. First, the hunters: they are simply other bounty hunters that Samus competes with. Secondly, in Metroid: Other M, her squad and trainer were introduced. However, I would stay away from this group as it was used to rob Samus of her agency in Other M. The feared bounty hunter suddenly became a little girl who had to ask permission from her superior male officer to use her weapons… it sounds like I’m exaggerating but that game was kinda sexist (it was bad).

Metroid is a risk but, the science fiction genre is huge right now and people love a strong female protagonist. Metroid could be a fantastic and unique series if done right.

2. BioShock

Arguably the most intellgient AAA game made in recent years, BioShock would be perfect for a dark horror/sci-fi series. The setting of Rapture, the city at the bottom of the sea, would be challenging but not impossible to pull off with modern day visual effects. Andrew Ryan’s (no relation to Ayn Rand) world of capitalism gone wild and elaborate gene splicing would create a welcome newcomer to television.

This series was already tried as a movie but failed. The primary reason was the dark nature of the subject material. Simply put: there is no way to make a true BioShock movie without it earning the R rating, something that companies shy away from as it tends to drive profits down. Solution: HBO series. Sex, grotesque murder, insane characters, children in danger… why that’s all the best parts of HBO right there.

Best part is the spinoff is already taken care of with BioShock Infinite.

1. Mass Effect

Stop me if this sounds familiar: a world consumed by politics while greater dangers come in from areas outside the political focus. Sounds so far-fetched right? Mass Effect follows the story of Commander Shepard, the man (or woman) trying to save the galaxy from itself…. and also a massive indestructible army of space squid called the Reapers. Shepard must travel from planet to planet, forging allies and eliminating enemies before time runs out. His crew: aliens from essentially every major race out there. His boss: occasionally the government (known as the Citadel), occasionally pro-human terrorists (Cerberus), and occasionally the military (he is a commander after all).

Mass Effect really would be perfect. The only thing holding it back is the budget requirements. This would be an expensive show. That said, it is still well within the realm of possibility. With the movie adaptation floundering under script difficulties (this is a massive story to condense into three two-hour segments), it seems like a well-made TV show is the way to go. If this is done right, it would be the next Star Trek… only, you know, popular when it initially airs.

So there they are, five ideas for HBO to pursue. Of course, if one is looking for actual quality television to watch, I recommend starting here.

Subverting the Fantastic: Why we Love a Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones)

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Colin McMahon

Ask anyone who can read or has HBO: George R. R. Martin is an entertaining man. His series, A Song of Ice and Fire (or Game of Thrones as it is known on television) has taken the world by storm and become an element of culture. Few fantasy series ever achieve this level of fame. While there is no single reason why A Song of Ice and Fire has become as popular as it has, the intelligence of author George R. R. Martin plays a large role. More importantly, his knowledge of the genre and his ability to subvert the common themes/archetypes that readers/audiences have come to expect. Let us examine a few of the new spins that make the series memorable (warning: spoilers to follow).

1. Killing Your Main Character in the Opening Act

“Ah!” You cry, “spoilers!”

… The book, A Game of Thrones came out in 1996, the HBO show aired its first season in 2011. Eddard “Ned” Stark dies. He was played by Sean Bean. This information should surprise no one.

But holy sh*t, this kind of thing does not happen in fantasy often. What’s more, Eddard Stark is the honorable knight lord. He is a man who lives by a code and strives to do what’s right. In most fantasy series, this would be the character that the audience/reader follows throughout. Witness Ned Stark slay the beasts and watch as good triumphs over evil. George R. R. Martin understood this, he understood that no one reading his book would think that Eddard Stark would die – so he killed him off.

While any weary reader/watcher could suspect that Eddard Stark’s initial plan to stop the Lannister’s would encounter hiccups (it was only the first book in the series after all, he couldn’t solve every problem right then), the idea of killing him was simply foreign. By doing so, George R. R. Martin tossed out the idea of the immortal hero and showed that anyone/everyone in his series would be vulnerable. Instantly, every character became that much more interesting. If Ned Stark could lose his head – anything could happen.

2. Tyrion “the Imp” Lannister

No offense to Peter Dinklage (I love his portrayal of Tyrion in the show – he is a phenomenal actor) but he was not right for the part of Tyrion. Let me rephrase – he needs makeup for the role. Tyrion Lannister is known as the Imp. Not simply for his short stature but for his deformities. Here is an illustration based on how the books describe Tyrion:

Black and white cannot show his two eye colors but you get the idea.

He is ugly. A small, malformed creature – and a member of (arguably) the most hated house in the series. Following normal fantasy logic, this guy should be the worst one. A treacherous, sneaky little imp that lurks in the dark and preys on the weak. Yet that is not Tyrion Lannister at all. By far the most likeable member of House Lannister, Tyrion operates with more decency and honor than his two attractive siblings.

I could have used any character really to illustrate how George R. R. Martin subverted the common fantasy notion that beautiful people are always fair in every aspect of their personality but I believe no other character illustrates this better than Tyrion. This is a fantasy series where looks tell the audience/reader nothing about the character… save how they appear.

Man, look at this little kid. I bet he is innocent and naive. I hope he finds a knight to mentor him up into a just lord…

3. Weddings and Battles

In most fantasy series when main characters do die, it is on the battlefield. In the midst of war they are slain: pierced by a sword in single combat usually. As fair as deaths go, it is a very romantic image. Weddings by contrast usually mark the place of resolution/happily ever afters. The war is over and the danger is passed, time to celebrate with a light affair and end the book.

When is the last time a main character was killed in a battlefield in A Song of Ice and Fire? No, nothing kills main characters like getting married in a George R. R. Martin series. While some might say this is a manifestation of personal issues (Martin’s first marriage ended in divorce), I like to think it is more of the brilliant subversion that is found throughout the series. As mentioned before with Tyrion Lannister: appearances are not everything.

4. Female Characters who Actually do Sh*t

Martin can be hailed for creating a series where women are at the center of the action. While this, hopefully, will be the norm for every fantasy series to come: the change has to start somewhere. I am in no way crediting Martin for being the first (there are plenty, including Tolkien, who have incorporated women into an active role). Famous works are an inspiration and this will do far more for advancing female characters in fantasy than a dozen obscure series that are only read by a few.

Given her introduction, few people probably assumed that Daenerys was destined for the power that she has taken.

A Song of Ice and Fire has two books left before completion and the main conflict appears set (White Walkers (Ice) vs. Dragons (Fire)). It has been a long time since George R. R. Martin began his series (the first three books were published within four years, the last two have took eleven) and some (myself included) are starting to doubt whether the quality will be maintained. Ending a series is one of the hardest challenges in writing. There are many characters and audiences/readers will be wanting a satisfying resolution for all of them.

Yet George R. R. Martin has surprised us, time and time again. It is one of the main reasons that we keep reading/watching. The beginning was unorthodox, the middle was turbulent… who is to say that the epic fantasy ending that we are all starting to expect is even coming. This has not been a series to play by the rules. That is why we love it so much.

How Women Ruined Young Justice for the Rest of Us

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Colin McMahon

Women…. am I right, fellas? It seems like everything they touch in this world gets a little worse. What have they brought to the world of education? What have they brought to the world of politics? When was the last time that a woman even discovered anything useful in science? Well it turns out that women aren’t just a force for un-action, they are actively ruining things for us guys. Things like Young Justice:

I know what you’re thinking: there’s only two women there and both conform to the ideally thin image demanded by civilized society. That is not the problem. True, while the show wastes episodes devoted to explaining these two’s “character” and “motivation,” the problem with Young Justice is that women actually WATCHED it. Apparently a lot of them, the majority of Young Justice’s strong viewership was women. So, of course, the executives at Cartoon Network had to cancel it.

If Paul Dini is to be believed (he’s a man so we can trust him), then the sole reason that Young Justice went off the air is because, since the majority of the viewership was women, the execs over at Cartoon Network (I’m going to guess also at least 90% male) canceled the show since it wouldn’t sell toys.

“…we had families and girls watching, and girls really became a part of our audience…but the Cartoon Network was saying…’no, we want the boys’ action, it’s boys’ action, this goofy boy humor we’ve [got to] get that in there’…I’d say look at the numbers, we’ve got parents watching…[the executives at Cartoon Network say] ‘we’ve got too many girls, we need more boys.’ And that’s why they cancelled us…’We don’t want girls because the girls won’t buy toys….Boys buy the little spinny tops, they buy the action figures, girls buy princesses, we’re not selling princesses.”

Just read that again. The nerve, right? WHY COULDN’T THEY HAVE WATCHED SOMETHING WITH PRINCESSES?! Everyone knows that there is not a single super-popular animated show out there starring a woman who is not a princess.

Korra is actually a princess... a princess who beats the snot out of people. — Korra is actually a princess… a princess who beats the snot out of people.

All the Cartoon Network executives wanted was to create a good, wholesome show that sold toys to little boys and little boys only, like a 21st century G.I. Joe or Transformers. Those two shows were both solely marketed towards males and have not produced a single sexist –

Well not more than one –

Okay then that’s –

Fun fact: this shot is not the start of a porn but rather the introduction of the main female character in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. — Fun fact: this shot is not the start of a porn but rather the introduction of the main female character in *Transformers: Dark of the Moon*.

Fine.

For the record, I did try to find the records for Young Justice‘s ratings to confirm (or deny) Mr. Dini’s accusations but was unable to. What I did find was that the show was highly rated on IMDB, praised on TV.com, and that there is a petition to bring the show back. Apparently a Kickstarter campaign was also considered. Clearly this just means that the women are organized and are actively trying to trick the Cartoon Network executives. Rest assured, they are men and no attempt at manipulation or well-formulated argument will penetrate their testosterone-reinforced skulls.

This is a shame since I just binge-watched the first season (on vacation, don’t judge me) of Young Justice and it was rather entertaining. There was excellent story continuity, strong characters, and the show appeared to contain applicable morals for teens growing up. F*cking women though… am I right, Mr. Dini?

“That’s the thing, you know I hate being Mr. Sour Grapes here, but I’ll just lay it on the line: that’s the thing that got us cancelled on Tower Prep, honest-to-God was, it’s like, ‘we need boys, but we need girls right there, right one step behind the boys’—this is the network talking—’one step behind the boys, not as smart as the boys, not as interesting as boys, but right there.’ And then we began writing stories that got into the two girls’ back stories, and they were really interesting. And suddenly we had families and girls watching, and girls really became a big part of our audience, in sort of like they picked up that Harry Potter type of serialized way, which is what The Batman in boarding school [?] is really gonna kill. But, the Cartoon Network was saying, ‘Fuck no, we want the boys’ action, it’s boys’ action, this goofy boy humor we’ve gotta get that in there. And we can’t—’ and I’d say, but look at the numbers, we’ve got parents watching, with the families, and then when you break it down—’Yeah, but the—so many—we’ve got too many girls. We need more boys.”

Clearly Paul Dini is as outraged at the female audience as I am (with their stupid need to watch things that aren’t about makeup or cooking). Thankfully, the executives at Cartoon Network were able to put a stop to it… this time. Men, we need to be firm on this. If there are little girls out there watching the things that little boys are supposed to be watching, they may start getting the same ideas! The same hopes, the same dreams! They might start wanting what we want, which is bad because everyone knows how clever women are when it comes to getting their way.

Oh well, maybe Netflix will pick it up for another season or two. They are very good at listening to what fans want and providing the appropriate programming. I know what you’re thinking, I will say right now that Netflix is run by a man, but maybe he’s a little like a woman on the inside. Young Justice can only hope.

...as long as girls buy toys. — …as long as girls buy toys.

Even though I think it was pretty obvious, let me just say that this post was brought to you by the letter “S” for sarcasm and sexism.