The Expanse Picked Up By NETFLIX International

Netflix will be bringing the hit SyFy TV series of the year to the world!

Why is this awesome news? Because now all of you across the world will finally get to see the show I love and (more importantly) get to weigh in on my episode breakdowns! Stay tuned for Ep 9 and EP 10 soon.

The Rundown

Being an American (and Texan) I pretty much figured if it happens here, it must happen in the rest of the world. It never occurred to me that most of y’all have not had a chance to see the series yet. Hopefully, I haven’t ruined anything for you.

I can tell you that if you’re even a passing fan of sci-fi, you’ll like the show for the imaginative plot and side stories that intertwine and immerse you in the TV series’ universe. Plus the spaceships, cool future tech, lasers, etc…

So, starting on November 3rd, 2016 Netflix will make the first season of The Expanse available for streaming to members outside of the U.S. and New Zealand. The second season of the show is wrapping up production now and is set to premiere sometime in early 2017 on SyFy and Netflix. I’m a bit jealous of my international Expanse fan friends. Y’all get to marathon the whole series when you get it. I’ll have to watch week to week.

The Why

Producing The Expanse is a costly undertaking for SyFy. The scope of the show is definitely one of the bigger undertakings that the channel has gambled on to date. Unfortunately, ratings for the show declined towards the final episodes of season 1. This, combined with the big budget, was most likely the cause behind the decision to license to Netflix. The good thing is the show has a large cult following and I’m sure SyFy hopes to tap into it and expand on it when the show goes out to the rest of the world.

For now, I can tell you that Season 2 of The Expanse is highly anticipated here (in my house) and for fans across the country. Head to SyFy.com to catch up on episodes from Season 1 and subscribe to SKATRONIXXX to stay up to date on this and all your favorite geeking, gaming, and nerding news.

See you soon!

Once Upon a Time SN6 E3 – The Other Shoe

ONCE UPON A TIME – “The Other Shoe” (ABC/Jack Rowand)

So far, I’ve been complaining about the episodes this season.  They’ve left me saying … meh.  But, this week they finally finished a story that I’ve been wondering about since Season 1 Episode 4!  I wanted to know how Cinderella … Ashley ended up in Storybrooke and (like Paul Harvey always said) ‘the rest of the story’.

So, even though I’ve been anxiously awaiting the Aladdin – Jasmine story line that they’ve teased us with all Summer, I was happy with last night’s episode.  And also… they gave us a really romantic Captain Swan scene which I may or may not have been watching repeatedly since last night.  Go ahead… judge me.  I don’t give a f … oh sorry, the boss doesn’t let me say words like that … OK.  I don’t give a flip.  I mean, come ON.  She’s gonna move aside some of those red leather jackets and make room for his black leather.  It doesn’t get much more romantic than that.  I wanna see her move the yellow bug over to make room in the driveway for The Jolly Roger!

I do have one criticism though.  I wanted an evil Evil Queen.  So far, she’s just been kind of comedic relief.  This whole thing with Regina trying to stay one step ahead of herself is just … well…. hilarious.  Give me some evil.  Ya know, like Gold in the first season.  Hell, like Regina in the first season.  But, her wardrobe is (as always) awesome AF.

Hook teaching Henry how to sword fight was beyond awesome.  It was really kind of sweet and cute.

In the upcoming attractions portion of the program, they said we’ll get Aladdin and Jasmine in TWO weeks.  YAY!

MacGyver SN1 E3 – Awl

Photo: Guy D’Alema/CBS ©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

I’ve decided not to call Lucas Till’s character MacGyver.  I just think of him as Angus (which is Mac’s given name).  That way I can enjoy this show without constantly comparing it to the original show.  There.  Easy peasy.

Because in reality, other than the glaring absence of RDA as Mac, this is a pretty good show with lots of action and cracking dialog.  And, the music’s pretty awesome too.  Also… b-t dubbs, I love the new and improved version of Jack Dalton.  George Eads totally makes this show for me.  Riley’s pretty kick ass too.

This week, the Phoenix team (see how I did that? No reference to Mac) had to go into Malaysia and extract an “asset”.  Ralph was the guy that handled the money for a terrorist group.  The Phoenix team hoped that he’d have some kind of intel that would help stop whatever the terrorist group was planning next.  Ralph was a pretty funny guy… well, I laughed at him a lot.  No… not with him.  AT him.  After getting shot, Ralph became the albatross around Angus’ and Jack’s neck while trying to get to their extraction point on time.  Angus even had to perform major surgery  with the windshield wiper fluid tube from Ralph’s SUV… after bandaging his wound with a driver’s license and some black electrical tape…. all while being directed by a surgeon that didn’t speak English that Riley grabbed off a golf course.  Thank God for translator apps.

All that and then Angus had to play the monster in Bozer’s indie film.  But, it’s all in a day’s work for … oh,  OK… MacGyver.

**please notice the bowl of paper clips on the table in the picture above… that is probably the best running gag in this show!

Sigourney Weaver Cast as Defenders Villain

Big news from New York Comic Con. First of all, all four of The Defenders (Daredevil – Charlie Cox, Jessica Jones – Krysten Ritter, Luke Cage – Mike Coulter and Iron Fist – Finn Jones) appeared together for the first time. Awesome.

It was then announced that Sigourney Weaver would be playing a ‘significant but unspecified’ role in Marvel’s The Defenders – although it was disclosed that she would be the villain.

Jeph Loeb, head of Marvel Television, said “Marvel is honoured to have an actress of her caliber and status… she is by definition a class act.”

Sigourney Weaver is no stranger to the geek-sphere, having starred in the Alien movies, the Ghostbusters movies, Wall-E, Paul, Avatar, Galaxy Quest, Chappie and (of course) Finding Dory. This will mark her debut in the Marvel Universe.

Marvel’s Iron Fist will land on Netflix 17th March 2017. The Defenders still appears to be on track for a 2017 release (although this is still TBC)

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Lucifer SN2-EP2 ‘Liar, Liar, Slutty Dress on Fire’

Hello, Devils! As you know there was no episode last week due to the presidential debate. It’s been a long week but I’m very glad Lucifer is back this week, my Mondays are again complete Below is a quick recap of where we last left Lucifer on the 19th September.

SN2-EP1 ‘Everything’s Coming Up Lucifer’

We could see that Lucifer was clearly distracted by his mother’s escape from hell, while he and Chloe investigated the murder of a stand-in actress. Lucifer was convinced his mother was back to kill him and every lead he interpreted as a message for his mother. Chloe’s faith in Lucifer was tested by the new medical examiner, Ella. Amenadiel hopes to rein in his brother’s wild side as the both try to deal with the absence of Maze.

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SN2-EP2 ‘Liar,Liar, Slutty Dress on Fire’

As we all know Lucifer (Tom Ellis) has monumental mommy issues, so when he comes face-to-face with mommy dearest Charlotte (Tricia Helfer), Lucifer has mixed feelings about her and her intentions on earth. Charlotte explains what has happened to her, but Lucifer suspects she is lying to him. Charlotte tries to convince Lucifer, that she is not on earth to harm anyone, however, Lucifer doesn’t buy her story nor does he trust his mother. Momma Morningstar is sporting her new flesh bag and is smoking hot, but she is one dangerous and no doubt a master of manipulation.

Chloe (Lauren German) and Dan Detective “Douche” (Kevin Alejandro) interrogate their daughter Trixie (Scarlett Estevez) over the maiming of her doll, in order to get the new doll that girl wants. Lucifer is amused and somewhat proud of the offsprings (Trixie’s) exploits and buy her the expensive doll she wanted. Obviously, Chole is not happy with Lucifer for buying the doll and tell him as such. I am still not convinced on the addition of the medical examiner Ella (Amiee Garcia), it really feels awkward and forced, she is clearly there to be “team God” but is we really need that?

Lucifer is having trouble calling Amenadiel (D.B. Woodside), and in the last episode, we saw that Amenadiel was starting to lose his powers. Is that part of the reason why Lucifer can’t call him? Amenadiel is researching something, which I am guessing has to do with the loss of his powers, when Dr Martin (Rachael Harris) approaches him and lets rip, she is hurt that he had lied to her about being a therapist, and she is used to her clients lying to her but not her colleagues and friend. But Amenadiel has big problems, he is losing his powers, and his wings are not looking very healthy at all, but why? Is it from what Maze (Lesley-Anne Brandt) did to save him, or is it because mommy dearest is in town?

Charlotte believes she has convinced Lucifer that she is harmless and he allows her to stay on earth, however as soon as he leaves the room she has a devilish smirk and an F U look on her face, but who is the F U too? Ex-husband or lucifer? Mommy dearest definitely can’t be trusted and she definitely has something brewing, I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of whatever Charlotte is brewing!

Join me for the recap of next weeks episode SN2-Ep3 ‘Sin-Eater‘ only on Skatronixxx.com you can also find me on Twitter: @Presh81

Lucifer airs Monday 9/8c on FOX 

Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Days Could Be Numbered

We are now into the final countdown before uniquely named megastar Benedict Cumberbatch joins the Marvel Universe as Doctor Strange. It’s weird to think that just 6 years ago those 6 syllables didn’t trip off our tongues as regularly as they do now. Today, Cumberbatch is an Oscar nominee, a household name, and the leader of of a tribe of groupies who call themselves ‘Cumberbitches’ – high praise indeed.

In an interview with GQ Magazine, the Sherlock star suggested that he might be hanging up his deerstalker after season 4. “It might be the end of an era. It feels like the end of an era, to be honest,” Cumberbatch explained. “It goes to a place where it will be pretty hard to follow on immediately.”

But before you fake your own death in protest (a la season 2) Benedict is not burning any bridges with Conan-Doyle‘s famous detective. “We never say never on the show. I’d love to revisit it, I’d love to keep revisiting it, I stand by that, but in the immediate future we all have things that we want to crack on with and we’ve made something very complete as it is, so I think we’ll just wait and see. The idea of never playing him again is really galling.”

Sadly, it seems Sherlock is a victim of its own success. Both Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman – who plays John Watson – are never short of job offers. According to IMDB, Benedict Cumberbatch has eight upcoming projects (including Avengers: Infinity War and yet another version of The Jungle Book) and Freeman has five. That won’t leave a lot of time for filming numerous 90 minute episodes of Sherlock!

So, the message is, Sherlock fans: enjoy season 4, as it could be your last visit to the mind palace!

Sherlock season 4 is due to air in 2017 (date TBC)

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Once Upon a Time SN6 E2- A Bitter Draught

She’s back.

That’s right, The Evil Queen in all her glory and scene stealing wardrobe is back.  And, I loved every minute of it.  Nobody does villain better than Regina, and I’m really liking having her as both a hero and at the same time a villain.

Although, watching her coming on to Gold was a little uncomfortable to watch.

I was excited for the arrival of The Count of Monte Cristo, but sad he isn’t sticking around.  I’m really unhappy that they teased us with a peek at Aladdin and Jafar but haven’t shown us any more about them.

Hook helped Belle because he’s trying to become someone he can like (and forgive), and Emma had some appointments with “The Cricket” to talk about her Savior issues in hopes of ending the tremors in her hands.

Last week, I said that the premiere left me feeling a little meh.  Well, I’m still waiting for things to get moving.  Things seem to be moving slower than a sloth on Xanax.  I understand that they’re building … but come on, hit me with a hammer already.

MacGyver SN1 E2 – Metal Saw

Things didn’t start off all that well for Mac & Company in the latest episode of MacGyver.  But, if you were a fan of the original then you know that’s kind of the formula.  Early in the first season of the original show, they called them the “Opening Gambits”.  They usually involved MacGyver escaping single-handed from some impossible scenario.  The only difference in the new version of the “Opening Gambit” is that Mac’s not alone… insert hero sidekick Jack Dalton here.

I’m glad that the powers that be on this one have been listening (even if only slightly) to the fans of the original series.  I know that they completely re-tooled the pilot and re-shot everything.  They have several members of the original team on staff… and they pay homage to the original every chance they get.  And yet, something still feels off.  Perhaps, it’s just me pining for Richard Dean Anderson, but maybe not.  I read recently that RDA refused to be a part of this reboot because he felt like CBS & the team behind this revival were ignoring the wishes of the loyal fans of the original series.  His refusal came before the re-tooling and re-shooting.  So, I’m still holding out hope that he’ll come on board eventually… in some capacity.

Shut up!  Do NOT burst my bubble.

Anyway, back to this episode…. Mac & Company have to go save Jack’s ex-partner (ya know, from when he was in the CIA) who’s gotten in a bit of a jam in Venezuela.  I think the line of the episode award goes to Riley (played by Tristan Mays).  After being told to wait in the car, she comes in just in time to knock out the bad guy with a car door… And she says, “What?  You told me to wait in the car; technically I did.”  Of course, they save the ex-partner (played by Person of Interest alum, Amy Acker) while throwing around phrases like “hashtag” and “Uber” pointing out all the modernizations of a classic, and they manage to catch the bad guy as well.  Oh yeah, and we learn in this episode that what Mac and Jack have in common is they’re both unlucky with women.

The action in this new version seems … well…. more.  And, I gotta say, they blow a lot of stuff up.  And I do like to watch ’em blow stuff up.  I miss RDA’s narration though.  Don’t get me wrong Till still has some narrated bits, but RDA just had a sarcastic wit that’s missing in this one.

The best gag of the episode is the bowl of paper clips on the table… but I don’t want to say anymore than that.

Archer is Literally Ending After Season 10

There’s good news, and there’s bad news… The good news is that animated spy comedy Archer has been renewed for 3 seasons, taking it through to 2019. The bad news is that creator Adam Reed has said once those three seasons have been made, that’s the end of the road for Sterling, Lana, Mallory and co.

Talking on the Murmur podcast, Reed said “The plan is to end Archer after Season 10. I don’t know that anybody has talked about that, but that is definitely my plan, is to do eight, nine, and 10 — and they’re gonna be each shorter seasons of just eight episodes — and then wind it up.”

It took a while for FX to renew the show, possibly because Reed initially said he planned to end it after season 8, however he then had what he called a “brain explosion” about how he could keep momentum for an additional two seasons.

He went on to assure fans that the three upcoming seasons would not only be different from each other, but also different to anything that had gone before. Considering the cliffhanger at the end of season 7, I’m really interested to see how they’re going to pick up when Archer returns early next year.

If you can’t wait that long, please enjoy some of my favourite Archer character’s best bits:

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American Horror Story: Roanoke “Chapter 3”

Hi AHS fans. I’m in for the lovely Presh this week, as she’s not feeling so good. Wishing you a speedy recovery girl!

Last week we left the Miller clan in a shocking cliffhanger – Lee‘s daughter Flora was missing and a yellow hoodie belonging to the little girl was hanging up in a tree about a hundred metres above their heads…

Roanoke Chapter 3

The police (i.e. the local cynics) recover Flora’s distinctive hoodie from the high tree. The family launch a search party for the little girl throughout the woods, however Lee explains she was not hopeful, because of her experience as a cop. In her interview, she talks us through the timescale milestones when a child is missing, and how the likelihood of finding the child diminishes as time goes on. Pretty quickly into the search, Lee finds something, which is revealed to be Flora’s doll, which has been dismembered and the head replaced with the head of a dead pig. The weird display is also covered in blood. (This whole episode is full of solid gold Angela Bassett performance – she’s brilliant!)

The Millers go further into the woods, and find a creepy farm, known to be the residence of the hillbilly weirdos, the Polks. There is another creepy offering on the ground – this time though it’s a dismembered pig with Flora’s doll’s head. They look around the house, and the place looks deserted. There’s flies buzzing about everywhere and rotting animal bits in the fridge. It’s pretty gross! They go out to the barn and find some dirty children suckling on a pig.

The Polk children – cleaned up and detached from the pig

The Polk children are at the hospital, having been cleaned up, and are being questioned. The police can’t get any sense out of them and they are shouting something unintelligible. Mason turns up and loses the plot with Lee, Matt and Shelby, who are anxiously waiting for news of Flora. Back at the creepy house, Mason attacks Lee and accuses her of hiding Flora to keep her from him. Shelby defends her sister in law, but Mason insists he will tell the police about Lee’s kidnapping indiscretion from  last week’s episode. Mason leaves and the family try to rest, however Matt is woken by a call in the middle of the night. The police have found a body. It has been burned beyond recognition and is strung up on one of the Blair Witch style scaffolds – it looks far to big to be Flora! Lee is handed a ring taken from the body, and she identifies it as Mason. Matt and Shelby check the security cameras, and realise that Lee left the house 15 minutes after Mason and returned four hours later. She has no alibi for the time of the murder. Lee walks in on their discussion and is angry that Shelby doesn’t trust her. They are interrupted by the arrival of a strange man called Cricket Marlow (Leslie Jordan). He’s a psychic investigator who has been sent by the spirits to help find Flora – because of course he is! He walks through the house and locates the area where Flora was hiding last week, opening the little cupboards and finding a bonnet. He also name-checks ghost buddy Priscilla, and explains that Flora is not dead, but hiding with her friend.

Cricket Marlow – Paranormal PI

Cricket sets up a seance to call Priscilla, but instead gets The Butcher. She chops their candle in half and smashes all the windows. She tells Cricket that she doesn’t have the child, and if she did she would have killed and eaten her. (Also, we get another awesome accent from Kathy Bates – it’s as good as the Freak Show one!) Cricket shouts ‘CROATOAN!’ which is the word that the Polk kids were shouting at the farm. Cricket says he can take the Millers to Flora… for $25,000. Matt is angry and accuses Cricket of being a con man. Lee takes the far more reasonable action of holding Cricket at gun point! Matt talks her down, and throws the psychic out, but Cricket tells them he will be invited back. He whispers something to Lee then leaves.

This is where the episode breaks slightly from the convention – we hear the voice of the interviewer (Cheyenne Jackson? Possibly!) asking Lee about Emily. Lee is shaken and asks for the camera to be switched off and we see candid footage of her sorting herself out. Lee reveals that she had another daughter when she was much younger and she went missing too. What?!? Lee left the 4-year-old Emily in the car when she went to run errands and she went missing.

Lee is freaking out!

Lee goes back to see Cricket and pays the fee, but Cricket can’t take her to Flora just yet. He explains that the Butcher is part of the lost colony of Roanoke, which Lee calls bullshit on, as Roanoke is miles away. Through flashback, Cricket explains that the Butcher – real name Thomasine White – was the wife of the leader of the colony. He went off on a supply run, leaving his wife in charge. The men of the colony don’t like being bossed around by a woman, so they revolt and put a spiky iron mask on her an leave her to die in the woods. The final betrayal for her is that her son Ambrose (Wes Bentley) locks the mask (although he looks really unhappy about doing it – maybe it will save him later!) After a few days in the woods, Thomasine is dying, and is attacked by something in the shadows. She is rescued by the Horned Woman, who offers her a still beating heart, which Thomasine eats – naturally. The delicious raw heart gives her new strength and she returns to the colony and delivers a cleaver to the head to all who betrayed her – with the exception of Ambrose, who is on a last warning. She then decides to move the colony a few miles in land – right to the spot where the Millers currently live!

Cricket and the Millers (which, incidentally, would be a very cool band name) head out to the woods to bargain with the Butcher for their lives. Cricket asks her to get Priscilla to return Flora in return for them leaving. Shelby is shocked to learn that Matt has agreed that, in addition to this, they will also burn down their home to ensure no one else lives there. Matt is conspicuous in his absence so Shelby goes looking for him. Luckily, Matt is safe! He just went off to get coffees for everyone because they were looking tired. Matt is a hero! Just kidding… Matt is in a trance, having sexy times with the Horned Woman next to a dead pig, being watched by two horny hillbillies. Later, Matt returns home with no memory of what has happened. Shelby is understandably miffed, and calls him out on it – Cuba Gooding JR pulls out his finest OJ ‘I didn’t do it!’ acting. They are interrupted by Lee getting arrested – presumably the work of an angry Shelby…

Matt was as shocked as anyone about the events!

That’s it for another week. Hopefully Presh will be back in action for episode 4, but if not, I’ll join you again for the crazy world of Roanoke! Chapter 4 will air Wednesday 5th October 2016 10pm (US) on FX.

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