A Long Time Ago, During the Clone Wars: "Weapons Factory," "Legacy of Terror" & "Brain Invaders"

 Star Wars The Clone Wars

The Battle for Geonosis Part 2 continues on these three episodes of "The Clone Wars." Obi-Wan and Ki Adi are recovered and more Jedi and Padawan's are showing up to clash with Anakin and Ahsoka. Let's get right to it.

"In the Name of the Moon" Re-Watch: Returning Memories: Usagi and Mamoru's Past" & "Usagi's Confusion: Is Tuxedo Mask Evil?"

 Sailor Moon

We kind of got left with a little bit of a cliffhanger at the end of the last episode. Usagi was revealed to be the Moon Princess was looking for. I'm always curious if there's anyone out there who hasn't seen the anime or read the manga who doesn't see this coming. It just feels so obvious, but there has to be someone who was completely shocked, right? I'd love to meet this person.

"I Am the Night" Re-Watch: "Beware the Creeper" & "Judgement Day"

 The New Batman Adventures

We did, Joe. We did it. These are the last two episodes of "Batman: The Animated Series." It's pretty exciting for me to finish this. I started it back in 2017 and four years later we are finishing the series. There will be a couple of loose ends we will have to tie up, but it's crazy to think this blog series outlasted my marriage. Without further adieu, let's get to it.

A Long Time Ago, In a Republic Far, Far Away: Pre and During the Phantom Menace

 Star Wars

I know what you're probably thinking. It's not time for a Star Wars post and this isn't about The Clone Wars. Correct on both counts. This is a special edition post, which we will have from time to time. I'm doing my best to cover the new canon in chronological order, but they are going to keep releasing new content, so sometimes we may have to backtrack a little bit, which is what we are doing today. We have a new entry into the life of Padmé Amidala that takes place after her election as Queen of Naboo.

"The Truth Is Out There" Re-watch: "Little Green Men" & "The Host"

 The X-Files

The second season of the X-Files premiered on September 16, 1994 and became a bonafide hit. It rose in the ratings every week and in total viewership. It climbed overall from 111 to 63 out of all shows on television at the time. That is not too shabby for a series that aired on Friday nights.

The second season also solidified a formula that would be relatively successful for the series moving forward. Mulder and Scully confront an unexplainable problem. They encounter roadblocks, sometimes thrown in their way by the very government they serve. The problem either resolves itself on it's own or with some help from the titular agents. Rinse. Repeat. This may seem like a critique, but it's really not, especially in these early seasons. Each episode, even at it's most ridiculous, is suspenseful. If there was one thing that holds this season back a little bit, it's that, aside from one or two episodes, humor is largely missing from these 25 episodes. The inclusion of that humor and sort of wink at the audience is what makes season 3 the best of the series. But we are getting ahead of ourselves.

Without further adieu, let's begin our journey back through season two.

"foX-Men" Re-Watch: X-Men The Last Stand

 "X-Men: The Last Stand" (2006)

After the triumph that was "X2: X-Men United," things kind of fell apart behind the scenes. Bryan Singer left the film to make a pretty terrible Superman movie. He was replaced by director Brett Ratner, a guy who was best known for the "Rush Hour" movies. Oh yeah. This is going to be great.

Principal photography on "X-Men: The Last Stand" began in August 2005 and ended in January 2006. At the time of it's release, it was also the most expensive film made. The film stars Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier/Professor X, Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto, Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine, Halle Berry as Ororo Munroe/Storm, Famke Janssen as Jean Grey, Anna Paquin as Rogue, Kelsey Grammer as Hank McCoy/the Beast, James Marsden as Scott Summers/Cyclops, Rebecca Romijn as Raven Darkholme/Mystique, Shawn Ashmore as Bobby Drake/Iceman, Aaron Stanford as John Allerdyce/Pyro, Vinnie Jones as Cain Marko/Juggernaut, Elliot Page as Kitty Pryde, Daniel Cudmore as Peter Rasputin/Colossus, Ben Foster as Warren Worthington III/Angel, Michael Murphy as Warren Worthington II, Dania Ramirez as Callisto and Shoreh Aghdashloo as Dr. Kavita Rao. The film was written by Zak Penn and Simon Kinberg. It was directed by Brett Ratner. "X-Men: The Last Stand" was released on May 26, 2006.

"Hated and Feared" Re-Watch: "Captive Hearts" & "Cold Vengeance"

 X-Men The Animated Series

If you are a comic book nerd, or any sort of nerd, you've probably seen the joke about Jean Grey fainting a lot in this show. I'm going to say, that is never something I noticed during my first watch through. It's probably because I am a blatant Jean Grey apologist and was willfully not looking for it or ignoring it. Well, I will be watching this time and I will say in this first episode, they do Jean a little dirty.

"An Unusual Couple" WandaVision Recaps: "Filmed Before a Live Studio Audience," "Don't Touch That Dial" & "Now In Color"

 WandaVision

I know what you're all thinking. Didn't he already post a long form, full series recap/thoughts piece on "WandaVision" as part of his Re-Visiting the MCU series? Yes, I did. But, I love "WandaVision." It's my favorite of the MCU shows and I really wanted to re-watch it, so I thought, why not do an episode by episode breakdown. It will be quick and painless. Three episodes per post. Three posts total. And then we will move on to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. 

"Fuck Batman" Titans Recap: "Deathstroke," "Conner" & "Bruce Wayne"

 Titans

It's been a minute since we have talked about "Titans." Life happened and I fell away from the show. Now that the show is about midway through season 3, I thought why not go back. We will take a break from the movie DC Murderverse and dive back into the television DC Murderverse.

Previously, Dick, Rachel, Gar, Donna and Kory dealt with Trigon. Dick re-opens Titans Tower, which upsets the OG Titans and causes their greatest foe, Deathstroke, to come out of retirement. While Kory is dealing with some familial drama, Hank, Dawn and Donna are questioning Dick's decision, especially when he brings Rose, Deathstroke's daughter into the fold. The teams old foe Dr. Light, working with Deathstroke pops back up. Gar and Robin go after him alone and Robin ends up being kidnapped. A flashback reveals that Deathstroke killed former member and Donna's paramour, Garth aka Aqualad, and Dick befriended and killed (?) Deathstroke's son, Jericho, as revenge? For my thoughts on the first four episodes you can go here and here.

A Long Time Ago, During the Clone Wars: "Senate Spy" & "Landing at Point Rain"

 Star Wars The Clone Wars

I'm always really excited when I realize one of the episodes is focused on Padmé seeing as how she is one of my favorite Star Wars characters and definitely my favorite prequel trilogy characters. I am always let down. We have another one today. Will I actually be happy with it? Let's find out together.

"In the Name of the Moon" Re-Watch: "Enter Venus, The Last Sailor Guardian" & "The Shining Silver Crystal: The Moon Princess Appears"

 Sailor Moon

I have been waiting for these episodes ever since I started this recap of "Sailor Moon's" first season. Sailor Venus is my favorite of the Sailor Guardians and she finally makes her debut in these two episodes. These episodes are big on lore and they help to set up the final thrust of the second half of the season. 

"I Am the Night" Re-Watch: "Mad Love" & "Chemistry"

The New Batman Adventures

 I have to thank everyone who has been reading these recaps of "Batman: The Animated Series." It's been a few years, but we are closing in on the finish line. Including these episodes, there are four left. I've really enjoyed recapping one of my favorite shows and I'm really thankful for anyone who has read even one of these.

"The Truth Is Out There" Re-Watch: "Roland" & "The Erlenmeyer Flask"

 The X-Files

So, I was doing great updating my blog at regular intervals. Then, depression and anxiety took hold and things kind of went off the rails. We are backpack, backpack back again though and ready to finish up the last two episodes of "The X-Files" inaugural season. Let's get to it.