“Everyone’s drawing Marxolor! I should draw something too!” :Dess starts to draw: ANGSTY THINGS HAPPENS

...In the novels, Morpho Knight is heavily linked with the screams of those about to die. I figure since Magolor has already died once, Morpho just needs one little scream before he can finish the job...

There was going to be more to this, but this was as far as I got before I became exhausted. At least I got to draw Marx being cool for once. Here’s the script for the unfinished part...

.

Magolor: "...M-Marx...?"

Marx: "It's okay Mags. It’s okay. It’s gone.”

Magolor: "...I-I’m not…I’m not supposed to be here...!"

 Marx: "Don't you listen to that thing! If someone like ME is still around…you better believe you deserve to be here..."

.

:Later, Morpho complaining to Papi and others:

Morpho: “...Did I come on too strong, you think?”

Anonymous asked: Do the intellectual elites basically set the direction of how society thinks? Over the centuries, the general public has followed philosophical trends in the academic world so how do these beliefs and academic theories filter down into the mainstream? Is there anything we can do to stop it?

It may seem like in our current turbulent times that the elites do the thinking for the masses. And if one stands back to look at the flash points of intellectual history that indeed feels true. But equally one can stand back and ask critically if this is really so? 

Who are you actually talking about? Who are these intellectual elites? I dislike these generalisations because they are unhelpful. How does one define elite? Is it intellect? Is it cachet of social position? I think our so-called university elites - professors etc - are in their own existential crisis because of how commodified a university education is becoming. They are beholden to students as consumers. It’s a worrying trend.

Of course it didn’t use to be like that because then our intellectual elites had both recognised intellectual prowess and a social cachet. In other words they had power. I think the modern day academic is many ways a powerless and even pitiful figure at the mercy of university managers and money men.

Nor do I think one thinker dominates over others as they might have done in the past.

A case van be made that ideas today are democratised. Power resides wherever their is a vacuum. It doesn’t reside in the class room but on social media.

In our more recent times intellectual trends like post-modernism and now social critical theory have been seeping into the mainstream. Even Donald Trump has brought up critical race theory to the wider watching populace as a beating stick over the left.

But many ordinary people would be hard pressed to name the actual thinkers (outside of just lumping people together as an amorphous mass e.g. cultural marxists or far right conservatives). It’s more true to say that all ideas now fight in the market place of ideas as a product for people to consume blindly.

But why one idea takes off and another doesn’t is something I don’t have answer for. Or where is the point where ideas from top down meet reality from bottom up and create some kind of intellectual and social momentum? I don’t have time to get into that here.

Another thing is that like an MP4 download the compression size of the complexity gets eroded the more it is downloaded and passed around. In other words people start arguing over labels and top line arguments than actually grapple with the deeper and more complex ideas contained.

This isn’t to say there are no problems with such theories - e.g. critical race theory - because there are. For the record, I am hostile to such philosophies as a Tory as I am towards many lefty isms plaguing the modern university campus that find their way into the public square.

Rather than attack the messenger (ie people) one should critically examine the arguments from every side. This is true for any theory and wherever it comes from. We engage ideas not people.

I don’t want to sound like a broken record so let me play devil’s advocate and suggest an alternative if only to muse upon on it.

I was having a stimulating series of conversations with a professor of intellectual history and other academic historians and political scientists from prestigious French institutions at a friend’s dinner party not so long ago. Like any French dinner good conversation is expected along with good food and wine. Arguments are meant to be robust and even heated but never personal. Arguments are won as much by charm and wit as it is by intellect. It’s all very convival and civilised.

Anyway, we touched on many things from the sorry state French politics, Brexit, Trump, and Covid of course. The usual stuff I imagine. But because of who was around the table the discussion enjoyably explored much wider issues.

For me it’s always interesting to hear the premise from where people build their arguments. For the left secularist the Enlightenment becomes the cornerstone from which the lens of history is viewed and interpreted. For the conservative it’s anything before the 1789 Revolution. Both actually looked at change and the ideas therein as from top down. The ground up (or the view from below) was given short thrift.

I suggested an alternative premise more from a playful motivation than absolute empirical evidence - if only to liven things up a little as the conversation was becoming stale and even predictable.

Perhaps the direction of influence could also be seen the other way round? That is to say that philosophical theories formalise and develop ideas that are already in circulation in society and culture.

Did you get that? Let me explain.

Remember Hegel's beautiful and profound observation that 'the owl of Minerva spreads its wings only with the falling of the dusk. In the words what Hegel was saying was that philosophical theory comes afterwards, reflectively, when a development of ideas or institutions is complete and (he would add) in decline.

Plato's 'Republic', at least its political portion, was as the late Michael Oakeshott once put it, 'animated by the errors of Athenian democracy'. Any citizen could participate in politics and help determine policies and legislation without any knowledge of the relevant matters. Plato saw democracy as the politics of ignorance. If every other human inquiry or activity recognised expert knowledge - in his famous example, you wouldn't let just anyone, regardless of their lack of specialist skills, navigate a ship - why not politics, too ? Why should politics be special in not requiring knowledge of the proper ends and means of political action as a condition of participation. Think of this what you will, but the 'Republic' was rooted in its contemporary context and was a response to it.

Aristotle's 'Politics' is a theorisation of the Greek polis, which was already passing out of independent existence under the impact of Alexander the Great's conquests. Athens was a city-state, and a democracy (albeit a limited one). Even though Aristotle was not born in Athens his views were accepted until he was shunned after the death of Alexander.

Aquinas' 'Summa' was a response to the recovery of Aristotle's writings and to the ongoing beliefs and practice of the Catholic Church - as well, of course, to movements which he opposed in theology.

Hobbes' 'Leviathan' is clearly a recipe for avoiding the kind of political and social chaos caused by the French Wars of Religion and the English Civil Wars. They were in his rear-view mirror when he wrote his tome.

Hume's 'atomistic' view of the nature of experience as composed of distinct impressions and ideas drew on the model of Newtonian 'corpuscular' physics.

Kant's Critique of Pure Reason asks how knowledge is possible, with the glories of Newtonian physics in the background. His emphasis on the place of reason in ethics is fully in the spirit of the Enlightenment's celebration of reason.

John Stuart Mill's 'On Liberty' was a counter-blast to the pressure toward conformity which he thought he saw in the England of his day.

Logical Positivism was a response to the huge, brilliant developments in science - relativity and quantum theory - and took the form of scientism, the view that scientific knowledge is the only form of deep and accurate knowledge (of all real knowledge).

Marxism was a response to the embryonic birth of the modern capitalist system after the industrial revolution in Britain. Both Hegel and Marx formulated their theories by what they observed was happening with the birthing pains of modern industrial capital society. Cultural Marxism is a different beast entirely.

I could go on.

I am not suggesting, of course, that there was anything crude or mechanical in the way these philosophies emerged from their contexts. They all added independent thought of great subtlety. But their problems and the terms of their solutions were set by their times, at least as they understood them. It’s plausible but may not be completely true. But that’s part of the enjoyment of musing upon whimsical thoughts without the conceit of being certain.

Anyway something to think about.

Thanks for your question.

Crowley x Aziraphale - Soldiers in Petticoats

SFW

Word Count: 1766

Can you tell I just skimmed the last third of Orlando? They’re early Suffragettes hey! Also, direction whom?

           Crowley looked out over the crowd of women before her. Some held signs, others merely folded their arms over their chests. All were surprisingly silent. One woman at the front looked nervous, wielding a sign exclaiming “Workers of the World Unite!” with a button from the Limerick Soviet Party pinned to her blouse. She had reason ample for being nervous in this crowd.

           The group had mainly gathered as a protest and vigil for the women who had died only a week ago in a horrible factory fire in New York. Many worried that the same thing would happen yet again to any of the textile producers in England, so many citing Marx, Dickens, and near history to plead their cases.

           Though Miss Crowley had no need to work in a factory, she had long been a supporter of such endeavors, not just showing up to wait for chaos to ensue. She knew much of the issues resulting in the subjugation of people were the result of absence of divine intervention or reasoning, and would, at times, provide the subtle nudge for humans to be able to stand up for themselves.

           The woman beside her put a hand on her arm, fingers shaking. Crowley looked down at the smaller woman. She also worse black, her simple straw hat strung with a few glass beads that reflected the light off of them.

           “They’ve called the patrol officers on us,” the woman said, her accent a thick Irish lilt.

           Miss Crowley’s sharp eyebrows sunk to meet her glasses. “Of course, they did. Blast.”

           The crowd had grown to the size of nearly three hundred at this point, clogging the London intersection so that traffic could not move properly, and the protesters would all be trapped in one place should the police come at them from several angles.

           The woman put her head down, praying quietly to a God Crowley doubted was listening.

           She patted the woman’s arm. “I have a plan.” She began marching toward a street where a carriage had blocked off the street. She absently rolled up a sleeve, concentrating on how it would be possible to move it without anyone noticing.

           A voice called out from the crowd, “Crowley? Is that you?”

           Crowley turned, not really knowing the voice, but recognizing it intimately.

           A short woman excused herself while pushing between two others, a head of blond hair popping between them, then rounded shoulders, and then the whole lady.

           Crowley looked at the woman over her glasses, the image of a stout man in a top hat throwing a piece of paper into a duck pond immediately coming to mind.

           “Aziraphale??” Crowley grinned. “What the bloody hell are you doing here!?”

           Aziraphale’s eyes looked incredibly tired when she smiled. She lifted a massive stack of propaganda flyers that were clutched to her chest. “Just spreading awareness. Discord. Cady-Standen. You know how it is, dear.”

           “Political leftist is a good look for you, angel.”

           Aziraphale blushed and looked at her boots. Boots that were covered with mud, her hem was also dusty and dirty. In fact, the only part of her that had no dirt or soot was that pristine blue sash she wore to hide she had on only a Reform brassiere rather than a corset. Crowley was impressed.

           “How long have you been awake? And out here?”, Crowley asked, fussing just enough to notice Aziraphale give her a subtle pout.

           “I’m still mad at you, you know,” she said, turning up her nose slightly.

           Crowley turned at the sound of police kazoos and bells being wrung several blocks away, the noise causing a first wave of panic through the crowd.

           “Mad enough you wouldn’t help me get these people out of here?”, Crowley asked, turning back to the carriage, now abandoned by the owners and driver.

           Aziraphale frowned, raising a pale eyebrow. “What do you have in mind?”

           Crowley nodded to the carriage. “We make a barricade once everyone splits and distract the bobbies.”

           “Oh, Crowley that’s not a good idea,” Aziraphale said, worrying at the button on her blouse.

           “Well, tell me a better idea. A single. Better idea,” Crowley huffed, checking the crowd to see everyone was watching the police coming from one direction. Good. They would follow the majority of people right to where they would be barred from following.

           Aziraphale put her flyers on the front of the carriage. “I don’t have a better idea, temptress.”

           Crowley rolled her eyes. “No need to be catty.”

           “I take exception to that statement.”

           “You would. Help me push.” Crowley put her hands against the back of the carriage, and Aziraphale pushed her back against the back. “Now push!”

           The carriage moved quickly with their joined strength; Crowley hoped quick enough for no one to notice.

           Aziraphale stood atop the luggage hold and cupped her hands around her mouth. Her reedy voice rose above the crowd, calling for everyone to run where the carriage had just been. Crowley gave a hand to help her down, keeping a grip on it as the crowd flushed between the two warehouse buildings down the street.

           She looked down at the smaller woman with a small smile. “I’m glad for your help again, angel.”  Aziraphale’s eyebrows drew together a moment as she saw the police coming closer, throwing clubs and fists at the fleeing crowd.

           She frowned and gave a curt nod. “Yes, I’m glad to have you, too, Crowley.” She snapped her fingers and the carriage rolled back into the street, producing a blockade to give the protesters more time.

           “Show time.” Miss Crowley put on a smile, sauntering over the group of police before them. It was only about ten, a handful of others had run down other streets and alleys, but they were nothing compared to the remnants of the crowd that remained to beat them back. She stepped between one patrolman and an older woman that held a parasol between her and the officer. “Now we really don’t need to do this. It is such a waste of your time. How about you just go back to your stations, and we will go on our way? Saavy?”

           “Crowley…” Aziraphale warned in a low voice, ringing her hands and putting herself between the officers and a group of the remaining protesters.

           The officer chuckled, merely lifting his riot club at Crowley.

           Crowley shrugged. “I suppose that would be a no.”

           She lowered her glasses and the officer’s face paled. Her eyes shifted like hellfire and the promise of an eternity therein. The officer made a pitiful squeak before falling to the ground with a thud, completely unconscious.

           “Everyone needs to get out of here,” Aziraphale said to the women around her, handing over the keys to her bookshop. “Take these and meet in the basement. I have cots and medicinal supplies there already. Take anyone hurt or being sought by police. Go!”

           The tallest woman of the group nodded. “Thank you, Miss Fell.”

           Aziraphale came to stand beside Crowley.

           “Just don’t… Don’t seriously injure any of them. It will only hurt their families.” She looked worriedly up at Crowley until she got a solemn nod. She could not tell if Crowley was sincere, but they moved forward, nonetheless.

           Crowley pulled her hat pin out, letting the black number drop to the ground as she swung the pin at the first officer to bare down on her. The piece of metal exploded into bubbles just before making contact with the man’s skin. The man fell to the ground at the mere contact of Crowley’s fist against his chest.

           “I said not to injure them!”, Aziraphale cried, miracling another officer into the fourth floor of a building down the block. She checked over her shoulder to see the street had cleared of everyone but the officers and the two divine beings. Distracted, she tripped on a dropped picket sign, falling hard onto the cobblestones.

           Crowley hurried to her side, pulling her up to her feet. Another dozen police officers were coming their way. “Time to go, angel.”

           “I agree,” Aziraphale said, still breathless. “No wings.”

           Crowley nodded. “No wings.”

           They sprinted down an alleyway the opposite direction of the exceptionally hostile bobbies.

           When they finally thought they had lost the officers, they hid themselves on a fire escape, both out of breath. Crowley sat upon the stairs while Aziraphale laid upon her back, chest heaving as she panted.

           “How many do you think got hurt?”, Crowley asked, looking out at the Thames.

           Aziraphale sat up, folding her hands in her lap before answering. “Not many, I hope.”

           She looked incredibly tired, her blouse torn, hair failing into her face, and she was missing the buttons off of one sleeve. Crowley thought she was incredibly beautiful, looking more alive fleeing from the police than Crowley had seen since they left Eden all those centuries ago.

           “Oh, Crowley, I worry so much for them. I’m meant to protect them from evil, but it seems I only intervene when it’s far too late.” She rubbed her face roughly, brushing strands of hair away from her face. She dearly hated confessing her anxieties, especially to Crowley. She was never meant to be vulnerable around the demon.

           “It does seem like my lot-,” Crowley started, with Aziraphale’s voice raising over her voice.

           “It’s not demons. It’s humans! For so long we’ve just watched, but now they are trying to change things. They want a better world and I’ve done nothing to help with that.” Aziraphale twisted the gold ring on her pinky, the skin around it had begun to turn pink from irritation.

           Crowley put out a hand to stop her. “Hey. Hey now. Just… Just look at me a moment?”

           Aziraphale looked from Crowley’s lean hand to her serpentine eyes.

           “None of this is on you. You understand? You are not the only angel, and you are not the only one that feels like it’s all your fault.” Crowley looked away at that. “Trust me.”

           Aziraphale sighed, fingers linking with Crowley’s.

           “If all this is ineffable, then it may be just as well we act within this world as humans to change the outcome of human-created problems,” Crowley reasoned, her thumb running over the back of Aziraphale’s much smaller hand.

           “Sometimes I think we were created too human for our own good,” Aziraphale murmured, almost to herself.

           Crowley’s heart ached for Aziraphale. “You may be right about that, angel.”

Stream concluded~! Picture finished~! Once again drew @ohhimarx‘s version of Marx but this time he’s along side Nightmare Palette Adeleine ready for battle. I never thought I’d be drawing these two side by side like this(I mean I drew Adeleine and Marx before but not this Marx with this Adeleine).  Also, Marx’s wings have never been easy for me to draw and this time was no exception.  I, also, kept fangirling over how cute Marx was turning out. I’m actually sitting here admiring it as we speak. ^w^ Hey, what can I say? I drew a handsome boi~! <---Totally modest.

12/24: An Earth Prime Christmas

Night had fallen on Earth Prime’s Paragon City, and the towering buildings glittered in the magnificent array of dancing lights. Shops had put up their seasonal red, greening, and illuminated displays, offering candy canes and gingerbread men on napkins to passersby. Carols echoed in blissful harmony up and down the streets while bells rang in accompaniment. Blanketed in the charm of falling snow, the season of Christmas was delightfully welcomed among the old, young, and otherwise. Despite the smells and sights of the largest Primean settlement, Matt still had very much planned to complete before the glorious day arrived. Every minute mattered.

“Alright, get those boxes up and out!” Matt called, “We must ship fast but gifts too slow!” Muscles van Stranglehaus effortlessly lifted another large pallet of multi-colored crates onto a large wagon. Fully loaded, the harnessed therapod Bob Wrex pulled them into Alpha Station, where Melvin and his robots, the Unitoroids, led by Unit-46, sorted them by product for mass shipping. Unloading had taken far too long than expected, but this was a crucial step in making sure no presents got lost. Matt was not getting kitty pjs again, if he could help it. Truth be told, this was the first time had been a part of a process like this perhaps in all his life, born on E.P. and away on the Earth he lived. Despite the hectic nature of it all, a bit of him was glad to have something he felt he belonged to, if not for a moment. It was also nice to not have to rely on Sword or Knife for anything drastic, he chuckled to himself. Those two could use a break. Knife’s puffy cream-white snow cap bobbed as she chased Duke, Matt’s long-haired German Shepherd. Duke bounded over the fallen snow whenever she drew near. Sword, in a more somber black coat to Knife’s white, made the two seem more like sisters than Weaponsonas. She kept tiny glimpses of a smile on her face as she watched them play, not knowing Matt was eyeing her. He was about to say something when a purple blur filled his vision. “Merred Crambles, Kami-sama!” Junpei cheered. Matt rolled his eyes, “Not now, Junpei. Getting the last of it accounted for. How’s everything inside?” “Peach-tastic! Mr. Person says we’ll be ready in no time!” “Rinteru and Kagehiro back yet?” “Still on delivery. Must be Fumatori Kagehiro-san’s murders taking so long.” “What?” “Nothing!” “Beastakyuu and Shoto?” “Handling Tree Hollow’s gifts right now. He’ll be free as soon as he can.” “Raf and Miuna?” “Who knows?” “Fine, must be important,” Matt shook his head. “I know Efpy’s AFK and Marx is busy with his bar right now. Seems we’re stretched pretty thin.” Junpei put a sleeve to his chin. “The Red Nosed Bazilisk can still work like a charm. And no hide or hair of Afterglow or Motay!” “Good…”, Matt sighed. He ran his fingers through the black fringes of his hair. “Tell Person I’ll be inside soon.” Junpei saluted with his purple sleeve. “Roger, Kami-Salami!” He plodded through the snow in his brown boots, chanting “Yume” until he was inside. “Anything I can help with?” Sword asked, now closer to Matt. He jumped at the sudden sound of her voice. “Wah! Frag, you got me!” “It wasn’t my intention…”, Sword muttered. “No, don’t worry!”, Matt fixed his red jacket. ”I want you two to enjoy Christmas. You do so much work every other day of the year. You deserve to relax.” Matt waved her inside, Knife and Duke following behind. Sword wished to say more, but kept her request in silence. With the last shipment of gifts inside, Matt began the search for Mr. Person in the main control bay. The mysterious man in a suit and gas mask greeted Matt with a nod. The screen told him everything he needed about the stock of presents: train sets, markers, dolls and action figures; batteries for robots, model kits, and game boards; books, drones, sports gear and bikes; all shipping out to every corner of the fourteen continents. When the fifty foot Main Street Christmas Tree is lit, that is the signal to begin the gift giving. All was going according to keikaku. “All’s going according to keikaku!” said Junpei. Matt glared. “Don’t ever say that again.” Mr. Person chuckled. “Do I get a present too?” Knife asked. “Of course you do,” Matt said. “Everyone will. But it’s a secret.” Knife looked at Duke. “Yours too.” Duke tilted his head. She smiled and patted Duke’s head with her gloved hand. Matt was about to leave when a loud rumbled tripped the perimeter alarm, causing Duke to whine. “That’s coming from Shipment!” Mr. Person yelled. ”The Master Unit!” “Not the keikaku!” Junpei cried. The group rushed down to find a hole blown into the roof. Panicked Unitoroids clambered about, trying to seize fallen presents. Atop a hoverpod far too big for him smirked an all too familiar insect-like foe. “Ho, ho, ho, you tinseled fools! It is I, Weevil, the Tiny Master of Evil!” Matt growled. “Again with this slag, Weevil? I thought I left you chillin’ over an open volcano?!” “Your boy wasn’t hot! And neither will your holiday be, now that I have THE MASTER CONTROL SWITCH! And… this thing which was right next to it!” In Weevil’s gritty silhouette hand rested a tiny green and red striped box from the stack. It was dotted with snowflakes, a smiling snowman, and fixed shut with a red bow. Weevil shook it. “What is this anyway?” “Don’t shake that!” Matt roared. “It’s important inside!” “Since it’s so important to you, it’s coming with me!” Mr. Person drew his gun, but Weevil’s hoverpod had a few more gun. “Everyone, get back, Matt shouted, reaching for Sword. She transformed and shifted her stance into Greatsword. The hunk of metal easily blocked the array of lasers. Weevil took the opportunity to escape to his main ship, link the hoverpod, and fly off into the wintery night sky. Matt reverted Sword to standard and gazed after the ship, furious but reluctant. “What are you doing?” Sword asked. “I just… I wanted you to have a day off! That was the whole point of this Christmas!” “Nonsense! This is what I was made to do! Now after Weevil or everyone’s work would’ve been pointless!” Matt changed her stance to Wing, gaining four floating swords on each side. “Junpei! Person!” Matt called, “Take Knife and Duke and get everyone into position! We’re having this Christmas!” With that, he flew off after Weevil’s ship.

Weevil set the Master Control and Matt’s gift on the dash. He didn’t need to steal any presents if he could destroy the tradition. How else would anyone receive any gifts, or even know to commence the festivities? Truly a diabolical scheme. So much so, he couldn’t resist breaking into song: “I don’t want a gift for Christmas! That happiness will make me gag! My wish is true: All I want for Christmas Is Doom~!”

A violent rumble emanated through the hull. Weevil brought up his screen to communicate with his Weevbots.

“That better not be what I’m thinking it was back there, soldier.” “No, sir,” the Weevbot replied. “No violent decapitations here, sir.” “Good- wait what?” A swipe of a blade, and the screen turned static. “Gah! If ya want something done right, build a gun to do it,” Weevil grumbled. He reached for a laser gun when there was a tapping on the door. Knowing exactly who it was and how mad he would be, Weevil tiptoed closer to the door, crouched low, and open fired. Twelve smoking holes were left in the door, killing the last remaining Weevbot on the ship behind it. “Oops,” Weevil shivered. “Yeah, oops.” Matt said behind the evil bug (?) man. He kicked him through the door and retrieved both his present and the control switch. “You retrieved both your present and the control switch!” Junpei beamed, having teleported into the cockpit because it’s Junpei. “Will you knock that-look out!” Matt blocked a laser from Weevil’s gun with his present, protecting Junpei with it, while using a Wingbeam to disarm Weevil. The two escaped out the window, but not before striking the Emergency Explode on Weevil’s dash. “NOOOO! WHY DO I EVEN HAVE THAT BUTTON?!” Behind Matt and Junpei was an explosion that looked more like fireworks than anything else. The Primeans adored the lightshow above as the Main Street Tree glowed like a halo. Tonight, everyone would receive a touch of love in the holiday spirit. But it was not without its tragedies. Returning to Alpha Control, They were met by Mr. Person, Knife, and Duke once more. Duke’s present, a red and green ball, found itself swiftly buried in snow. Sword returned human, and stood by Matt’s side. “Is it okay?” She asked. Matt unwrapped it to inspect the fullness of the damage. There was nothing that could have been done to salvage the destroyed gift, a large burn through the center of the frame. “It was a picture of all of us…” Matt said. ”It wasn’t much, but I wanted to get something all of us could share. I guess with how everyone is, it was a dumb gift anyway.” “Nuh-uh!” Knife protested. “I like it!” She gave Matt a hug. “The important tasks are done here,” Mr. Person said. “Think you’ll be going back home?” “Think they’ll need me down there?” Sword looked down. “You made our Christmas great, so it’s fair you make theirs as well.” Matt nodded in agreement to her words. “And I’ll go with you!” Junpei smiled like a cat. “Heck no.”

New Post has been published on WilliamBruceWest.com

New Post has been published on http://www.williambrucewest.com/2017/01/06/west-week-ever-pop-culture-review-1617/

West Week Ever: Pop Culture In Review - 1/6/17

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2017, where we’re gonna lose even more celebrities than we did last year! That’s right, kiss Betty White goodbye!

  On the movie front, since we last got together, I saw Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Yeah, it didn’t do much for me. Now, let me back up a bit. I did miss the first 20 minutes because I had double-booked the night. So, I did miss the setup, but my friend caught me up so I’d know who everyone was. There was Hector “Space” Gonzalez, and Trixie Bang Bang, and Gay Karate Man, and He Who Shoots From Canister Vacuum. And they were fighting the evil Sir Capes A Lot, who was building the Death Star. I got all that. Still, something about it just left me empty. I feel like it’s a giant Easter egg of a movie for those hardcore Star Wars fans, but I’m not sure what it offers the casual fan. ***SPOILER ALERT***I mean, it’s just one big suicide mission. It’s impressive how they’ve worked it into the existing tapestry of A New Hope, but it’s not a story that had to be told, especially since no one made it off that beach. Just kinda bummed me out***END SPOILER***. Anyway, every Star Wars fan I know loved it, so I’m happy for them.

I finally watched the Justice League Action special I mentioned in the last post. It was OK. I mean, I loved that a lot of familiar voices were back, like Kevin Conroy and Khary Randolph, but I’m not sure I’m sold on the animation. First thing to remember is that it’s not the Justice League/Justice League Unlimited that we got over 10 years ago. It’s aimed at a younger audience, and the episodes are best described as “bite sized”. In the special, the Trinity team up with Captain Marvel, Swamp Thing, Green Arrow, Plastic Man and John Constantine to fight evil D’Jinn brothers. It was OK. Like, it wasn’t riveting, but it felt like the kind of thing that would be released directly to DVD. Not sure I’m gonna be DVRing it every Saturday morning. What did y’all think?

Since I’ve been a booster of it since the development stage, it’s with heavy heart that I can confirm that Girl Meets World has been canceled by Disney Channel. I was a huge fan of Boy Meets World, as I feel like I basically grew up with Corey, Shawn, and Topanga. Their stories weren’t as zany as the TNBC fare, but they weren’t always heavy, either. Sure, every now and then you’d get an episode about how Shawn’s poor white trash, but those episodes were few and far between. So, that’s kinda what I expected from Girl Meets World. And I’ve gotta say I was disappointed because that show got heavy as FUCK sometimes! Is there a God? Why did Maya’s dad leave? Is Farkle autistic? It’s like every episode just HAD to teach a lesson. Oh, and they reminded us Maya was poor white trash every possible chance they could get.

I loved the legacy aspect of it, but it just didn’t hit on all cylinders like I felt Fuller House did (which, by the way, was just renewed for a 3rd season on Netflix). Sure, Full House was treacly dreck, but then again, so was a lot of Boy Meets World. They were both ensconced in the world of TGIF at one time or another, and had similar ingredients. I just feel like Fuller House came back with nothing to prove, while Girl Meets World seemed like it was fulfilling some mandate from Disney that it had to be educational. It is surprising, however, that it’s not getting a fourth season, as Disney tends to love their 100-episode runs – the point at which the shows become no longer profitable to produce. Sure, Even Stevens and Lizzie McGuire only ran two seasons, but later hits like That’s So Raven and Hannah Montana got four seasons.

To be honest, part of me feels like the cancellation stems from star Rowan Blanchard’s tweets last year, where she came out as identifying as queer. Now, Disney is a pretty progressive company, but I’m not sure they knew how to spin that, and the renewal question has been up in the air since then. Still, a lot of folks are discussing the fact that Raven-Symone is a lesbian, yet she has her That’s So Raven reboot coming to Disney Channel, so maybe I’m wrong. Some fans are hoping the show will be picked up by Freeform (formerly ABC Family), where it could tackle more mature themes, but I think it’s done for now. The final 3 episodes air this month.

In TV news, there were a few bait and switch situations this week. First up, it was reported that Will & Grace was definitely coming back for a limited 10-episode run following the success of that voting video they did a few months back. Recurring guest star Leslie Jordan started blabbing that it was a done deal until Debra Messing finally came out and said that nothing had moved past the talking stage at this point. On the one hand, I loved Will & Grace during a tumultuous time in my life, but I’m kinda done with it. I want a Will & Grace reunion about as much as I wanna see a Mad About You reunion (God, that was a horrible finale!). Still, Hollywood’s out of ideas, so I’d say it’s still happening.

Next up, reports came out of The International Consumer Electronics Show that Conan would be moving to a weekly schedule, a la Full Frontal with Samantha Bee and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. It’s been rumored that the show had been having trouble booking high profile guests, and the best ratings came from when Conan would travel and tape on location. By the end of yesterday, however, TBS reported that there were no plans for a format change “at this time”. So, just like with Will & Grace, it’s happening. They’re just upset they couldn’t get in front of it fast enough.

Speaking of cable shows, Archer is finally moving to FXX this season. The original plan was for FXX to be Fox’s cable comedy network, while FX would handle the dramas. However, when FXX launched, it just became the home of The Simpsons until It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia got shuffled over there. The fact that they didn’t move Louie and Archer, however, made it seem like a vote of no confidence for the spinoff network. Archer’s is little long in the tooth these days, and it’s no longer the crown jewel it once was, but I wonder if it’s got the juice to get more eyeballs on FXX. I hope it works because I love Man Seeking Woman and You’re The Worst over there, and they could both use more viewers.

In comic news, DC Entertainment President Geoff Johns confirmed that there would soon be an announcement regarding a new DCTV television show. Now, it’s not clear if this is another Berlantiverse series, a la Arrow/The Flash, or an unconnected show like Gotham. I’m curious if it’s just a confirmation of the Black Lightning show that had already been ordered to pilot by Fox, or if it’s something completely different. Also, it’s being reported that Johns will write some Watchmen comics this summer. This is a terrible idea since so many fanboys treat Watchmen like it’s their Bible, so there’s no way this will be well-received. They tried the Before Watchmen series, which didn’t really catch fire. They just had to go and reintroduce the concept in DC Universe Rebirth #1, so now I guess they’ve gotta do something with it. I’ve never felt Watchmen was “untouchable”, but I have no desire to revisit that world, so this project simply isn’t for me.

In wrestling news, it’s being reported that Diamond Dallas Page and “Ravishing” Rick Rude will be inducted into the 2017 class of the WWE Hall of Fame during Wrestemania weekend. The latter one really means a lot to me. I think Rick Rude was my first favorite wrestler because he was my introduction to the concept of a “ladies man”. The way he would pick a random woman out of the audience, and bring her into the ring. He’d kiss her, she’d pass out, and then he’d gyrate over her. That was a true pimp move right there! Like most wrestlers, he died before his time, so I guess he’s gyrating over angels now.

Things You Might Have Missed This Week

Supergirl star Melissa Benoist divorced her husband of 21 months, Blake Jenner

Woody Harrelson is in talks to portray Obi-Wan’s mentor in an upcoming Star Wars film

Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey lost to Amanda Nunes in 48 seconds, after training for over a year for her comeback.

A Charmed reboot is in the works at The CW. It’s reported to be set in the 70s, but will have some kind of connection to the original series.

Mariah Carey “lost the plot”, as out British friends might say, when her pre-recorded track messed up on New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. She claims they intentionally sabotaged her for ratings, while Dick Clark Productions reports that she didn’t even come to soundcheck.

80’s pop star Richard Marx and wife, former VJ Daisy Fuentes, subdued a crazed passenger on a Korean airline. In other news, how the Hell did Richard Marx land Daisy Fuentes?!

It was revealed that Drew Barrymore’s upcoming Netflix sitcom Santa Clarita Diet is actually a zombie show. Meh. I’ve been over zombies since 2006.

In Arizona, folks reported seeing a winged demon, heralding the beginning of the apocalypse. Yup, 2017 is gonna be swell!

When I first heard about The Mick, starring It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia‘s Kaitlin Olsen, a lot of thoughts went through my head: Is Sunny over? Is Fox gonna bury it? Will it even be funny? Luckily, I got my answers pretty quickly. No, Sunny is still going, as they scheduled The Mick around its shooting schedule. Fox didn’t bury it, but instead gave it some prime real estate after one of the last regular season football games of the season. And was it funny? Yeah, it’s funny.

If you haven’t heard of it, Olson stars as MacKenzie “Mickey” Murphy who’s going nowhere in life. She’s got no money, no prospects, and a deadbeat boyfriend. She decides to pay a visit to her wealthy sister to hit her up for a loan when the FBI raids the party, carting her sister off to jail for fraud. Once released, Mickey’s sister and brother in law flee the country, leaving their 3 kids in Mickey’s care. There’s the college bound bitch daughter, there’s the privileged snob teen son, and then there’s the precocious little boy who doesn’t really know what’s going on. Of course Mickey butts heads with the older two, while befriending the maid, Alba. The pilot plays out somewhat predictably, as most of it had been shown in TV spots leading up to the show. It’s the second episode where things really kick into gear. A loan shark comes after Micky, while she and Alba are getting high at a rave. Meanwhile, the kids’ bitchy grandmother has come to take over the house, and grandma doesn’t play!

I thoroughly enjoyed both episodes that aired this week. As I said before, it debuted on Sunday, which I feel is a better night for it. Instead, however, its regular timeslot is Tuesdays at 8:30, following New Girl. It being a Fox show, however, it probably doesn’t have a prayer. After all, I thought Grandfathered would be a sure thing, and now Stamos is back on Fuller House duty. No, I doubt we get a second season of this thing, but I’ll enjoy it while it’s here. That’s why The Mick had the West Week Ever.