Weekly Geek Outs - 09/30/16

Greetings!

Here's what is going on in my world this week:

• UnREAL

I have just watched two episodes of this Lifetime show, but I am highly intrigued. It follows a producer on a Bachelor type reality show as she works to balance her conscience with the pressure to create drama between all the women on the show. It is really good so far, and it has gotten really great buzz, so I'm looking forward to see how it holds up.

• Agents of SHIELD

The fourth season of this show premiered recently and I just caught up on the few episodes featuring the introduction of Ghost Rider in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He has really stole the show and I'm intrigued where bringing a character like him in allows the show to go. Demons, ghosts, the supernatural! We're going to get more of the magical side with Doctor Strange coming out soon, so in different ways and scope, we're getting all the different facets of the Marvel comics playground. It's really exciting! Plus, we have Luke Cage coming to Netflix! So much good stuff out there.

• New Jersey

I went back last weekend (hence the lack of a geek out) for my engagement photos, and it reminded me once again how much I miss the people and places of New Jersey. I keep appreciating the state more and more. It also doesn't hurt that my partner was born and raised there and that she helps foster my love of NJ. It's a weird, magical place that I look forward to continuing to spend more time in.

Thanks for stopping by!

Weekly Geek Outs - 06/17/16

Greetings!

Here's what is going on in my world this week:

• Agents of SHIELD

I finally finished watching the last few episodes of this past season this week, and it was a mixed bag for me. This whole series has been uneven, but I still mostly enjoy it, so I'll keep with it. For one, we were told the Secret Warriors would show up on SHIELD, and while they technically did, it was for like one episode. Also, there are some MCU connections, but for the most part, the TV side and the movie side live separately, and it is pretty much that SHIELD and the Netflix shows live beneath the movies. I really hope there are more, deeper, and more prominent connections going forward. It is something that is really holding the show back. Supergirl isn't afraid to bring in a version of Superman, and Flash isn't afraid to go all in on its fun comic book roots. Also, some of the plot points of this season were just goofy (I won't spoil them here). Otherwise, the action and characters are good on SHIELD, and they continue to explore neat little niches of the MCU. I continue to be optimistic about the potential of this show, so here's to season 4 (also RIP Agent Carter).

• Outcomes

I've been thinking a lot this week about goals and outcomes. The simple thought I'll impart on you without going into too much detail as to how I got to it, is that we need to know what success looks like in order to be able to achieve it and know if we have done so. Otherwise, our efforts may be in vain. It may seem like an obvious thought, but I had conversations this week that reminded me of its importance.

• Teamwork

Something else that was humbling this week was the reminder that I need to ask for help sometimes. I've been putting a lot of pressure on myself to do well in my new job and prove I can do it on my own. The thing is, is that I don't have to. I have a team of people alongside me that can help and need to be brought in to know what's going on. I love collaborating but when it comes to getting work done, I tend to take it all in myself. I've been stressing myself out a little too much to do a lot of work and do it well while not asking questions when I should have or asking for help. I have a bad habit with that of thinking I'm bothering people or should know better. Especially with being new, I should ask questions and get help. We don't ever have to go it alone, we just need to find those people on our team and bring them in.

Thanks for stopping by!

What I'm Geeking Out About This Week - 08/14/15

Greetings!

Here's what was going on in my world this week:

• Constantine on Arrow

Constantine was a short lived but beloved show focusing on the famed demon hunter of the same name. It was really given much of a chance to succeed from what I could tell, and in an act of respect (as far as I can tell), the character of Constantine depicted in the show (portrayed by Matt Ryan) will be making his way to Arrow this upcoming season. I'm really excited to see Oliver Queen and Constantine interact, as it continues to build out the amazing TV DC universe that is being created (more on that in the next bit). While admittedly I did not watch the show Constantine, I know this is an awesome thing to exist in the first place, and maybe it will inspire to check out the episodes of the show that are out there.

• Jay Garrick on Flash

On the topic of the ever expanding DC TV universe, The Flash has introduced time travel and alternate realities, which has me geeking out over how this show is just going all in on cool comic book connections. One that has been confirmed is the inclusion of the original Flash from the comics, Jay Garrick. We'll have some double Flash action in an episode (or episodes?) of the upcoming season of the show, so get ready! (The article linked above does a great job of explaining the history and setting up the TV show depiction of Jay Garrick)

• Secret Warriors on Agents of SHIELD

While this isn't super new information, I'm keeping with the pattern of stuff in comic book TV shows. Which SHIELD has felt more like a companion series to the Marvel Cinematic Universe than a driver of it's own destiny like the DC TV universe, Season 3 of SHIELD should be pretty awesome, and will build up nicely to Captain America: Civil War, our next Marvel movie tent-pole. Season 3 will be including more superpowered folks in the aftermath of the events of Season 2, with Skye/Daisy Johnson taking a larger role as she accepts her mantle of Quake from the comics and seeks out her powered brethren for this special team of "Secret Warriors". With the introduction of Inhumans, the Kree, and now this, we're building up a far richer sandbox for the TV show to play in on it's own that is still beholden to the rest of the MCU, but it also feels like the stakes are higher now since more is happening on a bigger scale.

Thanks for stopping by!

What I'm Geeking Out About This Week - 05/15/15

Good day to you!

Here's what is going on in my world this week:

• The Flash

Flash's first season has been amazing. It's pretty much everything I could want from a weekly superhero show; fun, action, good characters, and an expansive universe. It's been more entertaining than Arrow's frustrating third season (which is tough since season 2 of Arrow was so awesome). Next week's episode is the season finale and I'm excited for what they'll tease for season 2. They've already laid out a lot of groundwork for things to come, and I can't wait to see what they do next.

• Agents of SHIELD

This past week was the season 2 finale for SHIELD, and this has been an interesting ride for the show so far. It feels like it has gone in a really intriguing new direction with introducing the Inhumans and focusing a bit more on superpowered people while still holding to the basic premise of the show; being about ordinary people in an extraordinary world. While it still doesn't hold up as well to some of the other comic book shows I watch (Flash and Arrow), it is still an awesome companion to the ever expanding (and fun) Marvel Cinematic Universe. I foresee it playing an increasingly important role to the films, filling in gaps and establishing backstory to the events of the films. The show is definitely worth looking into if you're a fan of the MCU.

• Supergirl

CBS recently released an extended first look at their new superhero series (check it out above), which does a great job of showcasing the background and vibe of the show. Going for a more fun, lighthearted feeling, Supergirl looks like it is going to stake out its own place in the growing crowd of comic book shows on TV right now. I'm looking forward to seeing something different and am happy to see a female led superhero show come to the fray and hold her own with the likes of Arrow, Flash, SHIELD, and the new Legends of Tomorrow. Her and Agent Carter are important role models and are just awesome shows (or at least look like they should be in Supergirl's case).

Thanks for stopping by!

What I'm Geeking Out About This Week - 03/20/15

Greetings! Here's what's going on in my world this week:

• Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

This new Netflix original series stars Ellie Kemper, who you may know from The Office or Bridesmaids, as Kimmy Schmidt. She emerges into the world after spending the past 15 years inside of an underground bunker. It's a clear homage to Blast From the Past but it is done in its own original way and with Tina Fey at the helm, it has her great smart comedic chops to support it. The sense of humor is very similar to Fey's 30 Rock if you need a specific comparison. The show has been getting a lot of positive buzz online and I've been enjoying watching it with my partner. Chalk this one up as another hit for Netflix!

• Community RETURNS!

I'm so excited to see the return of Community on Yahoo Screen. Season six promises to be even weirder than before and it's great that Yahoo is giving such creative control to creator Dan Harmon. The first two episodes premiered this past week and they were both fantastic. I'm eager to see this constantly evolving show grow once more. If you haven't seen any of the previous seasons, they're all available on Hulu.

• Agent Carter & Agents of SHIELD

I finished the first season of Agent Carter recently and have been riding along with SHIELD since it has come back to air and I must say that I've been enjoying these Marvel TV shows. Agent Carter was especially well done, giving some long overdue attention to the fan favorite character. She was a multidimensional ass-kicking woman on television and I think we can all get behind that. SHIELD is also telling an interesting narrative this season. The Inhumans is an interesting inclusion and has let the show finally embrace its super-powered roots. I have faith that it will continue to maintain this current quality as it goes on.

Thanks for stopping by!

What I'm Geeking Out About This Week - 09/26/14

Welcome!

Another week has gone by so that means we're here for another spotlight on what's been going on in my world lately. This edition is television centric in honor of the fall seasons of shows starting up. Enjoy!

• Nathan for You

I just started watching all the episodes of this show (also available on Hulu) and I've been loving it. It's dry, absurd, and very smart. It's premise is parodying the shows like Kitchen Nightmare or Bar Rescue where someone comes in with ideas to save a small business. Nathan Fielder comes in with ridiculous ideas but sells them with an aloof confidence. Watching the scenarios play out is hilarious and I highly recommend this show for anyone who loves to skewer reality television (like myself).

• Agents of SHIELD

I've been a fan of AoS since the premiere of season one, and while it has been sort of rocky getting this point, I'm excited for what season 2 has in store. The new season just started this past Tuesday and set up a cool new premise for the show with the SHIELD folks being made into fugitives and having to work in the shadows with no backup or most of their fun tools. The show is evolving with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and I'm eager to see how it develops on its own as well as along with the movies. Check it out if you haven't and especially so if you enjoy the Marvel movies of late!

• Gotham

This show also just premiered recently and is set in the city of Gotham where Batman (eventually) calls home. This is an origin series, much like Arrow, and has a very similar look and feel. We follow Jim Gordon when he's just starting as a detective for the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD) and most of the rogue's gallery of Batman villains have yet to manifest. I'm curious to see what the pace of this show is going to be and what it works toward. Arrow has thrived as its been able to do flashbacks to Oliver's training and journey to be the Green Arrow while moving at a brisk pace in the present timeline to get his team together and evolve the storyline. I hope Gotham doesn't move too slow and gets to the sort of moments like Arrow has been able to achieve and do so well.

Thanks for stopping by!

What I'm Geeking Out About This Week - 05/16/14

Howdy y'all! Welcome to a television centric iteration of what I'm geeking out about. With all of our favorite shows wrapping up for the season, I wanted to highlight some gems I enjoyed this week.

• Agents of SHIELD Season 1

This show has been much debated in the nerd circles since it had a lot to live up to. I feel like it has finally found its footing late in its first season, and is in a good place moving forward. The characters are being developed a bit more, the action is always on point, and the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe is being pulled in more. I would personally like to see more super-powered antics on the show, but as long as they keep with solid character stuff, I'll be satisfied. Looking forward to what the second season has to offer!

• Arrow Season 2

With a solid season under its belt already, Arrow has definitely found its way even more this past year. While no show is perfect, and Arrow has its faults, it is consistently awesome, which is more than I can say for other shows lately (ahem, New Girl). I feel as though this show would have been amazing with a shorter episode order to keep the story concise, but even so, I'm very engaged with this show every week and appreciate the universe they're building within their own show, and even to spinoffs. Which reminds me...

• The Flash

...The Flash just dropped an extended trailer (click above). It looks really good and I am convinced Grant Gustin will make a great Barry Allen. It looks like this show will bring in more of the super-powers Arrow has been lacking, as well as all of the same great stuff that makes Arrow awesome. I also appreciate the sort of mentoring going on between Arrow and The Flash eluded to in the trailer. I can't wait for some team up, crossover episodes in the future! Also, we need these two in the darn Justice League movie!

That is all for this week. Thanks for stopping by everyone and enjoy your weekend!