The Morgan Family Tree

I'm surprised I haven't covered this family before! Here's a look at the Morgan Family Tree. Ladyhawk is the crime-fighting identity shared by identical twin sisters Rosetta and Regina Morgan, who first appeared in Spider-Girl #6.

A recurring crime boss who often had run ins with the Falcon, 'Boss' Morgan first appeared in Captain America (vol. 1) #152 and would go on to hold a grudge against the winged crime-fighter. At some point, Morgan (who's first name is still unrevealed) married and had twin daughters, Rosetta and Regina. What little we do know of the sisters childhood is revealed in Spider-Girl #60. When their parents divorced as a result of Morgan's temper, the two sister were separated, with Regina going to live with her mother and Rosetta with her father. Despite his criminal career and temper, Rosetta describes her father treating her like a little princess-a warrior princess.

Supposedly, 'Boss' Morgan died in a shoot-out while Rosetta and Regina were still in high school, with a later police investigation revealing he was responsible for the death of the Falcon. When the sisters were reunited, they set about using their father's estate to fund their war on crime as. Or...at least that's what Rosetta tells Spider-Girl.

But it would seem the reports of Mr Morgan's demise were greatly exaggerated because he appears in Amazing Spider-Girl #7, very much alive and still in charge of his criminal organisation. So what gives? I think, either we can chalk it up to Rosetta not feeling comfortable to share certain details with Spider-Girl or Morgan faked his own demise. Based on Rosetta's reaction to hearing mention of her father's name and their tense interaction later in the issue, I'm inclined to believe Rosetta was not aware, or there's more going unsaid than we know about.

I have not been able to find a name for Rosetta and Regina's mother, but Rosetta tell's Spider-Girl that their mother died a few years prior. If anyone has a suggestion as to her name or identity, feel free to send me a message and let me know. I've always wanted to see the Ladyhawks' get their own mini-series at the least because there is a lot of fertile territory to explore both with the pair's superhero lives and the nature of their own familial relationships.

Until I stop enjoying this series of posts, I remain

frogoat

The Drew Family Tree

This time around I thought I'd shine a little 'spotlight' on the first Spider-Woman, Jessica Drew and her family. The best part about doing these little projects is it gives me the chance to read and discover new facets of the Marvel Universe. In delving into the family history of Jessica Drew, I discovered that her mother and father (Meriem and Jonathan Drew) are deeply entrenched in other areas of Marvel lore.

Jessica first obtains her powers as a result of exposure to radiation when she was a child living with her parents on Wundagore Mountain. The reason her parents were there? Jonathan Drew was a scientist specializing in arthropods who partnered with the man who would become the High Evolutionary. Together, they moved to the nation of Transia onto land inherited by Meriem Drew from her maternal Uncle and, after discovering a vast deposit of Uranium, build a futuristic scientific laboratory to further their research. When Jessica is exposed to a lethal dose of radiation, she is placed into cryogenic stasis and injected with a serum derived from Jonathan's spider research.

Oh, and then Meriem is killed by a Werewolf (who just so happens to be the father of Jack Russell) and Jonathan eventually becomes possessed by the sorcerer Magnus due to exposure to the Elder God Chthon before later becoming involved with a group called the Pyrotechnics who brainwashed and later killed him on the orders of a Congressmen. So yeah, pretty well connected, and that's not even mentioning Jessica's connection to the Puppet Master. Seriously, look into it.

On the MC2 side of things, it appears that following a loss of her powers, Jessica pursued her private investigator career before marrying an old boyfriend (apparently Gerald 'Jerry' Hunt, a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent she encountered early in her costumed days). Two years later, Jess gave birth to her son Gerald 'Gerry' Drew who was soon diagnosed with a rare and apparently fatal blood disease. Hunt blamed Jessica for Gerry's condition and abandoned his family but Jessica never gave up on her son, using her own father's old research to recreate the process that saved her I hopes of saving Gerry.

The process was painful and long, so to distract Gerry, Jessica would entertain him with stories of various heroes including Spider-Man, who would become Gerry's favourite. Gerry emerged from the treatment with spider-powers and become obsessed with replicating his hero Spider-Man. Despite giving him superhuman abilities, the process had not cured him of his blood disease and Gerry was still, in fact, dying.

A few tidbits that don't really fit anywhere: Jessica's mother's name is spelt various different ways including Meriem, Merriam and Miriam, sometimes in the same story. I've gone with Meriem for the family tree, as that is the original spelling from Spider-Woman #1. Also, you may have noticed I mention that Meriem inherited land from her maternal Uncle, despite not including him in the Family Tree above. I am aware. Curiously, there is a slight discrepancy regarding the timeline of events surrounding when Jerry Hunt abandoned his family, as he is seen in a recounting of Gerry's treatment, but absent in another telling. Considering both are told by people who either weren't present (Julia Carpenter) or were too young to remember (Gerry himself), it's unclear whether Jerry left before or after his son began the experimental treatment. Spider-Girl #42 gives Gerry his full first name of Gerald and also mentions that his surname was legally changed after his mother  divorced his father. So, Gerry was formerly Gerald Hunt, after his father.

Until I find a more succinct and streamlined method of pawing through Marvel Minutia, I remain

frogoat

The Lang Family Tree

While digging for another family to highlight, I hit upon the Lang Family. Initially, this seemed like a bigger challenge due to the fairly extensive list of relatives I discovered for Scott Lang. As it turned out, the list of relatives pre-MC2 is really quite small.

Obviously, the reason for this entry in the MC2 Family Tree is one Cassandra 'Cassie' Lang aka Stinger of the Avengers. Cassie is the daughter of Scott Lang, the second Ant-Man, who I'm sure most are now at least somewhat aware of thanks to the titular movie. Scott made his first appearance in Avengers (vol. 1) #181 and stole the Ant-Man identity in Marvel Premiere #47. Cassie also makes her first appearance in the latter title, along with her Aunt Ruth and (I'm assuming they're married) Uncle Carl.

There's really only a few tidbits to address. Despite my initial belief that Cassie's mother ( Peggy Rae) was a fairly long-established character, I discovered that she makes her first appearance well after the MC2 branching point in Avengers (vol. 3) #62. As a result, Peggy is not identified by name in the Family Tree above.

With the increase in audience recognition for the Scott Lang iteration of Ant-Man arising from the recent movie, the character has been the subject of a few solo titles which have introduced several new members to the Lang extended family....all of whom are not included for the same reasons I've mentioned previously. So with all that said, I think that's a wrap, people.

Until I run out of ideas or get something terribly wrong and collapse into a puddle of shame, I remain

frogoat

The Masterson Family Tree

I honestly thought this one would be harder to research, but it turns out I had most of the necessary information rattling around in my noggin. Here is a look at the family Thunderstrike itself, the Masterson Family Tree.

Eric Masterson first appeared in Thor #391 during the wonderful Tom Defalco and Ron Frenz's run on the title. Eric later became bonded to the Asgardian, transforming into the thunder God for a time. Eventually, Eric would gain his own heroic identity as Thunderstrike before eventually dying in Thunderstrike #24. Eric's young son, Kevin, would grow up and eventually take on his father's moniker as the second Thunderstrike in A-Next #1.

As a child Kevin found himself caught between his divorced parents as a rather painful custody battle played out. Kevin's mother, Marcy re-married football celebrity, Robert 'Bobby' Steele. Kevin's relationship with his step-father remained strained even as Kevin reached adulthood, as mentioned in A-Next #5. Kevin's paternal grandparents appear (unnamed) in Thunderstrike #2.

Hopefully I've done the Masterson's justice here, and I hope if I've made any errors that Messers Defalco and Frenz won't go to hard on me.

Until I find time to tackle the massive family trees I know everyone wants to see, I remain

frogoat

The Carter Family Tree

Oh, boy! This one was a headache and half, let me tell you! For the latest installment of MC2 Family Trees, I present the Carter Family Tree. Yes, the very same family who gave us the much-loved Agent Peggy Carter, Agent 13 and American Dream also gave me a whopper of a headache.  Let's take a look, shall we?

So, when Sharon and Peggy Carter were introduced, the former was the younger sister of the latter. Margaret 'Peggy' Carter was established as a French Resistance fighter Captain America met and fell in love with during World War II (first appearing in Tales of Suspense #75 or  #77, depending on who you ask). When Cap reawakened in the 'present' (at the time the 60's and later the 70's) he met a woman who looked strikingly similar (Agent 13 aka Sharon Carter also first appearing in Tales of Suspense #75) who it was later revealed was his wartime lover's little sister.

Fast forward to the early 2000's and you can now see the continuity headache beginning to manifest. If Peggy and Sharon are siblings....how could one have been active during WWII, some 70-odd years ago, while the other appears to be active and youthful in the present day? I mean, how old must their parents have been?!

Speaking of Peggy and Sharon's parents, we are introduced to Amanda and Harrison Carter in Captain America (vol. 1) #162 wherein we learn the familial connection between Cap's two love interests. I have not been able to find a definitive issue that identifies Peggy and Sharon's parents as Amanda and Harrison but as near as I can tell, it's likely a new piece of information introduced in a Marvel Handbook entry.

In recent years, Captain America writer Ed Brubaker introduced a retcon to alleviate the knots of continuity by instead making Peggy Carter Sharon's Aunt. I have to admit this does go some way toward helping the problem, but I wonder how future generations will fix this? Great Aunt? Great-great Aunt? Some dialog in Captain America (vol. 5) #49 suggest that Brubaker's intention was to make Sharon's father (Harrison Carter) Peggy's brother and that Sharon was a 'late surprise' for her parents.

Of course, any retcons introduced after the MC2 began aren't considered canonical unless otherwise mentioned and so, for the purposes of this Family Tree....Sharon and Peggy would still be- somehow- siblings! In fact, it's even expressly stated during flashbacks to Shannon Carter's origins in both Spider-Girl #32 and American Dream #2.

Despite being referred to colloquially as 'Aunt Peggy', Peggy herself clarifies that she is a cousin of Shannon's father. As for Shannon's parents, they have not been given names, neither on-panel nor in any Handbook entries. The little that we do know of Shannon's parents comes from a single panel in American Dream #1. Shannon's mother was a second grade teacher and Shannon's father was a police officer in their small Midwestern hometown.

So, based on the evidence in front of me, I have put together the Family Tree as presented at the top of this post. I have assumed that there are no other generations in the line between Harrison and Shannon's paternal grandfather, but frankly it's all supposition.

While it's really hard to reconcile a WWII veteran like Peggy being seen in the same panels as future generation hero American Dream without suggesting Infinity Formula's or the like, I do have a possible No-Prize explanation. Simply put: the MC2's Peggy Carter is not WWII veteran. I know it seems silly, but notice that no mention is ever made to her knowing Captain America during the second World War. Mention is made only of her time working with the Avengers on-staff, events which chronologically would take place roughly 20-30 years prior to the present of the MC2. Considering that Peggy is of an advanced age, but not an impossibly old age I think it can be argued that this particular point of continuity is different in the MC2.

Something else that jumped out at me is the fact that it was Peggy who was the next of kin to Shannon, rather than Sharon. In fact, Sharon is only ever referred to in the past-tense, leaving me to wonder if perhaps....Sharon remained 'dead' in the MC2. You see, back in Captain America #237, Sharon apparently died. It wasn't until the Mark Waid penned Captain America #445 that readers learned that she had not actually perished. Considering the later story came out shortly before the Marvel Universe suffered a dramatic shake up and the wibbly nature of this period of time in relation to the MC2's own history and point of divergence, an argument could be made either way.

*UPDATE* Upon further investigation, it would appear that Sharon Carter did, in fact, die at some point in the past. Or at the very least Captain America believes her dead and she hasn't resurfaced in the 10 or more years since his absence. From A-Next #10:

Until I find a more convoluted and pointless reason to scrub through half-century-old comics, I remain

frogoat

The Jameson Family Tree

For the latest installment of MC2 Family Trees, I present the storied Jameson Family. J Jonah Jameson's family has something of a potted and potentially contradictory history, but luckily for you (and me!) this series only covers characters introduced in the MC2 universe or comics published before it branches off from the main Marvel universe. So I don't have to deal with how Jameson has two daddies but maybe one of them is also his uncle/step-father too....

Both J Jonah Jameson and his son John first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #1. Something that required some digging to discover was the identity of Jonah's first wife and John's mother, Joan. At first I assumed she hadn't been seen or mentioned prior to Spider-Man's Tangled Web #20, which would have rendered her non-canon for the purposes of this list. But as it turns out she makes a brief appearance way back in Amazing Spider-Man #190 where we learn she died at sometime after John graduated high school. Jonah later meets Dr Marla Madison in Amazing Spider-Man #162 when he employs her to create a new Spider-Slayer. The two would become romantically involved and eventually marries in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #18.

As for John Jameson, the famous astronaut and part-time Man-Wolf would go on to marry Dr Ashley Kafka, the head Psychologist  at the Ravencroft Institute for the Criminally Insane during John's stint as Head of Security. Isn't it interesting that the Jameson men seem to end up with intelligent women who have doctorates?  For the purposes of being thorough, I've included Dr Ashley Kafka's family; her younger sister Norma who was born disabled and was rejected by their mother for her appearance (Spectacular Spider-Man #196). Finally, John and Ashley's son, Jack Jameson (better know as JJ) would go on to become the misunderstood hero The Buzz. But you already knew that, didn't you?

Until I become truly stumped by a family tree (huh, you get it, huh, huh?!), I remain

frogoat

The Crazy/Face Family Tree

A slight departure from the norm today. The Crazy/Face Family Tree, because I have no idea what else to call it when none of the family members have an established name...unless 'Angel Face', 'Crazy Eight' and 'Funny Face' are their real names?

Angel Face first appeared during Phil Urich's Green Goblin series where she claim to be both an only child or the youngest of six sisters, with an abusive father and a loving mother....or loving father and abusive mother. So....her information is suspect at best and unreliable or completed fabricated at worst. It seems after her run in's with Phil as the Green Goblin (wherein she was scarred), in the MC2 she was eventually brought in by Daredevil. It's unclear at which point she had her two sons, but we do know that Crazy Eight is the older brother.

Crazy Eight is identified in the script for Spider-Girl #41 as being a 'twenty-something year old man,' so it seems he was already born around the time of Angel Face's appearances in Green Goblin #8 and #11. We also learn upon his death that Crazy Eight's white/green skin is simply make up and beneath he is Caucasian in appearance. Crazy Eight appears to have more confidence and maintains his composure far better than his younger brother, Funny Face, who he occasionally checks up on  on behalf of their dear mother.

Funny Face has at times made references to these childhood traumas which he has apparently transfers to his dearest friend and confidant, Bunky, a hand-held puppet. Funny Face mentions 'Bunky' having claustrophobia as result of 'his' mother tying 'him' up and locking 'him' in a closet for days. I'll leave the analysis to the experts, but I think it's pretty clear that the young Funny Face suffered as a child.

Until I do a more thorough look at this mixed up family of fun, I remain

frogoat

The DeSantos Family Tree

This family tree is another brief one, but one I find worthy or examining nonetheless. Simone DeSantos was first introduced in Amazing Spider-Girl #1. It wasn't until Amazing Spider-Girl #22 we first met Rene, a man with direct ties to the Goblin Cult. However it wouldn't be until the Amazing Spider-Man Family and Web of Spider-Man Spider-Girl stories (also known as the Spectacular Spider-Girl stories available digitally on Marvel Unlimited) that we would discover that Rene was Simone's father.





Additionally, the Mr and Mrs Spider-Man short story presented in Amazing Spider-Man Family #2 shows us the traumatic murder of a mother and wife named Marlene, who's husband was an assistant district attorney.

This story occurs when Peter was still Spider-Man and Mayday was an infant. At first this seems to be an unconnected event until this scene in Web of Spider-Man (2009) #4, where it becomes clear:

The assistant district attorney was Rene DeSantos and Marlene was his wife.It seems this tragic killing had a profound effect on Rene. His turn to the other side heavily ties him to the Spider-Girl mythos. Rene was Fury, the Goblin Queen's handler for a while, was a member of the Goblin Cult set up by Norman Osborn to enact his twisted revenge plots, was present when Peter was brainwashed into the Goblin God, his daughter is a constant antagonist and rival to Mayday and he is seemingly aware of far more than he lets on.

Until I find a more lighthearted and fun villainous origin, I remain


frogoat

The Duran Family Tree

This one was even easier than the Kirby Family Tree. Here is every known member of Courtney Marie Duran's family. Courtney's parents aren't identified by first names in their only appearance in Spider-Girl #50. Mayday only refers to them a Mr. and Mrs. Duran but she does mention they've been good to her through the years. I think it's worth pointing out that Courtney's parents appear to be far older than most other parents we've seen thus far. Perhaps Courtney is an only child for a reason? I like to think she was fairly sheltered as a child in much the same way Aunt May and Uncle Ben raised Peter.

A recurring feature in the back of some issues of the Spider-Girl series called Spider-Girl and her Amazing Friends was the source of some of the previous characters family information. Courtney has the privilege of being the first to be featured. However, unlike other friends, Courtney's entry does not identify her immediate family, probably because hers was the first entry and the criteria hadn't been nailed down yet. Then again, the other entries aren't exactly consistent and are written from Mayday's point of view, in much the same way as her diary. I may cover May's diary in a post sometime down the line.

Until I stop digging, I remain

frogoat

The Xavier-Marko Family Tree

Due to a specific request, I have broken my previous rule about not including characters who were explicitly seen or referenced in MC2 stories. Big Al asked if I was going to show the connection between the Yama clan and the combined families of Cain Marko and Charles Xavier. You'll note I have not added Xavier's 'sister' Cassandra Nova. This is due to her being introduced after the point at which the MC2 diverges from the Main Marvel Universe. This, in addition to her having never been mentioned, seen or referenced suggests she does not exist in the MC2 Universe.

Until I stop nitpicking through the MC2 (hey, that rhymes!), I remain

frogoat 

The Hardy/Thompson Family Tree

Here's another brief entry in what's become a series of MC2 Family Trees. It's worth noting that following their divorce parents divorce, Felicity has her mother's surname while Gene has his father's surname. I'm slightly curious as to whether Felicia kept her maiden name, hyphenated or simply reverted back to Hardy after the divorce. Which leads me to Felicia's current partner, Diana, who's surname is never revealed.

Before anyone points it out, yes I am aware both Flash Thompson and Felicia Hardy have extended family trees in the main Marvel Universe. For the moment I am focusing solely on the MC2 and as none of them appear or are referred to in the MC2 books, I am leaving them out. Rest assured, I didn't forget Walter and Lydia Hardy nor the entire Thompson clan. I just omitted them.

Until I discover a better Family Tree generator which will allow me to expand the family trees more than a few branches, I remain

frogoat

The Kirby Family Tree

A very quick and easy MC2 Family Tree this time around. Apart from Davida, I don't think any of Kirby family have ever appeared on-panel. We only learn Davida's brother's name because he is mentioned in her profile in Spider-Girl #81. We also learn Davida's full name: Davida Jacqueline Kirby. It would appear Davida's surname is a reference to legendary comic book creative Jack 'The King' Kirby.

If I am mistaken, and Mr or Mrs Kirby have made a cameo someplace, please send me a message.

Until I find a more challenging family tree to explore, I remain

frogoat

The Mansfield Family Tree

So, I got a taste for this family tree thing after my last post, which led to me throwing together another one. This time I thought it might be fun to take a look at Maurice Arthur 'Moose' Mansfield, one of the most developed and lovable characters in the MC2 with probably the most fleshed out families of all of May's friends.

After the Mystery of Jimmy's Sister, I think I may have unintentionally stumbled upon a few more curiosities. You see, Moose's family were first introduced at the end of the original Spider-Girl series in a subplot about Moose's dad being diagnosed with cancer. The whole situation is doubly hard on Moose as his mother is mentioned to have died after a battle with cancer while Moose was in Junior High (as mentioned in his bio from Spider-Girl #77). However in what I can only assume is a case of early installment weirdness, Spider-Girl #8 mentions Moose's parents, emphasis on the plural there. Here are the mentions:

Obviously, this could simply be a case of both Courtney and Sachi speaking in error, while Moose only ever mentions his father and neither parent is seen in the courthouse nor anywhere in the issue. Just a fun piece of trivia.

Another curiosity is the whereabouts of Moose's younger sister, Madeline who is first referenced in Spider-Girl #77. At the conclusion of the previously mentioned storyline regarding Moose's father, Moose ends up moving in with his Uncle Billy and Aunt Katy. Throughout the story, several mentions are made of Moose's younger brothers, and they are even seen in Spider-Girl #99 but no one seems to remember Madeline.

Until I find another thread to pull at, I remain

frogoat

The Yama Family Tree

Just a little something I put together after dwelling on this previous post about Jimmy's mystery sister.

Until I find a better use for online family tree websites, I remain

frogoat

Mayhem and Earth X Venom in Venomverse?

As Spideydude.com brought to my attention, Mayhem aka April Parker and the Earth X Venom aka May Parker are featured on the promotional artwork by Clayton Crain for the upcoming Venomverse event mini series which will be written by Cullen Bunn.

While this isn't confirmation that the characters will actually feature in the event, it's certainly worth keeping an eye on. My only hope is that the characters won't be mistreated or altered beyond recognition in the way that Spider-Verse single-handedly changed the MC2's Mayday by killing her father. Only time will tell.

Until I stop worrying about pencils and ink people, I remain

frogoat

My Trivial Problems

I've been more active with this blog lately. I'm not entirely sure what's led to this, but I'd like to assure anyone who's out there reading this (if anyone actually does read this...) that I don't plan on stopping anytime soon either.

A few odds and ends: Since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 hit the big screen, I noticed my little Mainframe video received several hundred more views than it had in a very short time. Obviously, this is due to a SPOILER-ific cameo by a certain singing celebrity who voices the Guardians of the Galaxy-related character coincidentally also named Mainframe. For the record, the two characters are not related. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the film for it's wonderful character depth and character exploration. Seriously, go check it out!

I've considered doing more 'Evolution'-style MC2 videos, but presently I feel there is limited material to draw from. What little material I have been able to track down to use in future videos also comes with the extra complication of having unidentified or unverified voice actors. This applies to Stinger's recent appearance in the Marvel Avengers Academy mobile game and various symbiote-related characters featuring currently in the Spider-Man Unlimited mobile game. Sadly TinyCo's Avengers game has listed credits and Gameloft's Unlimited has not updated it's in-game credits in sometime. Hopefully, this will improve in the near future.

Speaking of hope....I am conflicted about whether to address Hope Pym in other media. Hope Van Dyne bares very little resemblance to her comic counterpart in the Ant-Man film. In addition, it is the film version who is featured in other media, such as the Lego Marvel's Avengers video game, making them an adaption of an adaption. I highly doubt this version of Hope will turn to villainy, despite my early speculation when the character was announced for the Ant-Man movie. Then again, Tom Defalco and Ron Frenz are given a mention in the films credits. Perhaps I should consider the film version etc when creating a future MC2 video? I am befuddled.

I have a similar conflict with adaptions of Cassie Lang as a character. Until recently, 'Stinger' was the superhero identity of the MC2 character, almost exclusively. Cassie's alias in the main Marvel Universe was Stature but recent developments in the Ant-Man comics have led to her adopting the Stinger nomenclature and costume. Not only is Cassie a character who originates in the regular Marvel Universe, she's quite different. With MC2-related concepts feeding back into the main Marvel Universe, it's muddied the waters when determining which version of the character is being adapted. The obvious exception is the Ant-Man movie's adaptation of Cassie, who is too young to suit up as a hero just yet.


Until I resolve my trivial problems, I remain

frogoat

Black Suit Swiney-Girl in Spider Man Unlimited

I've edited another video for the MC2-related character Swiney-Girl. Considering how short this video is, you wouldn't believe how long it took me. Swiney-Girl is voiced by Chiara Zanni, if I haven't mentioned it before. Please enjoy!

Until I run out of other media to mine for MC2-related material (and pigs), I remain

frogoat

Black Suit Spider-Girl in Spider Man Unlimited

Another little video project I've been working on.

 

Until I figure out a better use for my limited free time, I remain

frogoat

Doctor Who Series 9 Re-Watch Snippets Part 2

Here we go again, this time with not only the second half of Series 9 but the 2015 Christmas Special and, since 2016 only had the one story, the 2016 Christmas Special too. Enjoy. Or don't. Either way is fine. Anyway, here it is:

The fairy tale style opening recap of 'The Zygon Invasion' is probably needed to catch up casual viewers but it's also quite nice and succinct. The two Osgoods make a welcome return to give some lovely exposition before we fast forward to events following Missy's murder of Osgood. Somehow, very effective at eliciting a emotional response. 'Doctor Disco' attempts to make contact with Clara and the two 'big blobs' in charge of the Zygon's settled on Earth...which makes for another great scene with Capaldi playing opposite children. It's also kinda funny until it takes a dark turn. Side note: I love Osgood's choice of attire. There are some really creepy scenes throughout this episode. I like when Doctor Who does creepy and scary well. 20 million Zygons is a lot of people to duplicate. With all the talk of a younger generation or brood of radicals, it makes me wonder how long they've been resettled on Earth? 'I snogged a Zygon once. Old habits'. Obviously the subtext of this story runs deep with the references to xenophobia, being sold and radicalization. This new iteration of UNIT under Kate Stewart is both more militaristic and more female-dominated. Make of that what you will, I personally like the shift. 'Doctor Funkenstein' aka The President of the World aka The Doctor seems to be intentionally playing more silly in response to the severity of the situation. While the trips all over the world do help make the threat seem more global, I can't help but feel this story could have gotten by without these segments to pad things out. Don't get me wrong, the scenes are fine but come the second part, they all seem to have been fairly unnecessary to the overall plot. At least, the scenes could have been all centered around the UK, for example. Once again, there is a secret beneath London. Still, 30 million. It's good to have a classic-feeling UNIT story every now and then. I appreciated the line about UNIT bolstering their ranks from the army, but that in this case that would be unworkable. It felt like a reasonable explanation and also covers why there are so few troops at any given time. Very reminiscent of the classic UNIT-era. Underground tunnels linking continents seems like something that would take a very long time to construct. I have to wonder why people become a pile of sparky-hair when killed. Clara is clearly a Zygon from her first scene onward and the show wants you to know that, it would seem, because of the way the moment with the creepy parents is never followed up on or referred to by Clara again. The narrative wants us to be suspicious, not to trick us. But through the episode, it is easy to almost forget until you remember all the odd moments. The colour palette in this story is perfect with it's reds and greens filling the screen with paranoia and fear. One of the radical Zygons boasts that the invasion has already happened over the past year so that implies a brief time-span for the movement, if not the immigration of the Zygons throughout Earth. Is the President's plane the new Valiant? It does seem to get destroyed a lot. Nice cliffhanger.

I don't actually have a huge amount to say about 'The Zygon Inversion'. Much like 'Listen' it's a personal favourite and nearly perfect episode. Just for Capaldi's anti-war speech alone, you have to watch it.

Jenna Coleman is brilliant playing Clara's Zygon duplicate, Bonnie. Especially when Clara is interrogated. Especially when Bonnie insists she won't give her people a choice about living in peace among the humans.

Capaldi's defining moment as the Doctor has to be this speech. It gives me goosebumps. Bravo.

Then the Doctor goes ahead and reduces me to tears with his passion and pain. He forgives. The most powerful speech in the shows 50-plus year history. Words don't do this performance justice. It has to be seen.

'Sleep No More' is a bit of an experimental episode, with it's 'found footage' motif. I can't decide if I like it or not. It's not a bad story, really. It's just up against some great competition this series. For starters, the monsters of the piece are genuinely original and appropriately creepy. Re-watching it again, I find the point of view style of filming to be well managed for the most part, with only a few moments being unclear. The villain of the episode actually appears to succeed, with the Doctor narrowly escaping in the TARDIS being the closest thing to a victory this time around. Yet another example of the Twelfth Doctor apparently breaking the fourth wall by looking straight at us, the viewer, throughout the episode. The clues about the lack of camera's are actually present throughout the episode, too. A nice touch. That ending was pretty unsettling, wasn't it?

'Face the Raven' is the big one, folks. All that subtle and not-so-subtle foreshadowing comes to a head with this episode. Rigsy returns with a strange tattoo that draws the Doctor and Clara into a mystery. But that's not the real point of the story, no. It's not about the trap street either. The TARDIS gets a good showing this week, flying above London and generally being useful. When Clara dangles dangerously out the doors, she should be worries but she's become so unfazed by all this, it's like she believes she's got plot armour. But she doesn't. I realize the point of this series arc is all about her and the Doctor becoming very much alike and the severe danger that puts her in, what with her not having the ability to regenerate to save herself and all that. Me returns as the Mayor of the trap street. She's still borderline but works as force for good protecting her street. Obviously the 'Quantum Shade' or Raven had to be a massively powerful being to ensure we don't have the Doctor's usual sneaky cheating to get out of the situation. It can grow tiresome having the Doctor be the most god-like person in the room, so it's a good change. Maybe one day, they'll bring back the Eternals. Clara's 'Doctor 101' line and thinking herself clever because she believes she can cheat the death sentence is all too obvious. She's a marked woman and she has been for far longer than this episode. The big reveal that Rigsy was set up comes as no great surprise. The countdown of this episode does ratchet up the tension a bit but it's not until the climax that it holds much dramatic weight. I like the basics of this story but there is something off about the execution and pacing of the episode. Mayor Me being afraid and believing she is doing the right thing really had me going for a second because I had initially guessed the shadowy big bad behind the whole series arc and this threw a wrench into my plans. But no, should have never doubted it. So....what was the actual point of the Confession Dial from the beginning of the series being carted around all this time? I know it's a plot point but what was the Doctor doing with it all this time? He didn't still think he was going to die, did he? The gnawing sense of dread surrounding Clara when she realizes she's signed her own death warrant. The Doctor is furious and threatening to rain down hell on Me. It's all so good. His anger and Clara's plea that the Doctor not act out. She accepts her death. The final words between the Doctor and Clara are actually really stirring stuff. Telling him not to be furious or sad or alone, but to be a Doctor. A final hug and then it's time to face the raven. I found it very emotional because I frankly grew to love Clara as a companion. The Doctor telling Me that Clara was saving her, not him was really scary. And off the Doctor goes to parts unknown, caught in the trap. The post credits scene with Rigsy beautifully memorializing Clara by painting the TARDIS was a nice tribute.

'Heaven Sent' is my favourite Capaldi episode to date. It's almost a one man show and that's probably what I like most about it. Capaldi can hold the camera and command a scene like nobody's business. It's compulsive viewing. Gripping. The veiled figure is perfectly creepy. The Doctor continues to talk to Clara. The wound is still fresh for him. The monologue is brilliant. The chalkboard. He's lecturing, tutoring, teaching. It's what Capaldi's Doctor does so well. He considers the moving and changing castle a torture chamber and the veil an interrogator because he has secrets he will never give up. Given what this place is later revealed to be, that says a lot. The lingering shots of the castle and the puzzle of this place really sink in to your subconscious. The mystery was intriguing. I love how the Doctor slowly works out the mechanics of the place. The terrible realization that he has eternity to dwell on Clara's death is a gut punch. This whole episode is the Doctor's grief. When it's revealed he's been at this for millenia over and over again, you realize he's reliving the fresh tragedy of Clara's death over and over. That's rough. The montage is really very stirring. It moves me. Tje Doctor pounding away at the wall with his bare hands until he gets through shows astonishing persistence. The long way round indeed. Is he now billions of years old? When he says the Hybrid is 'me' I thought he was being clever and referring to Ashildr. The Doctor is one hell of a bird.

So....'Hell Bent'....It's a bit of a let down as series finales go. Oh, it's not terrible but the parts don't quite come together to form a satisfying conclusion. Gallifrey. The Barn. The Doctor standing quietly in defiance, drawing a line in the sand. All good stuff but it's too soon for Gallifrey to return and off screen of all things. I suppose because the loss of Clara is still fresh for him, but he really does go too far. A bloodless coup doesn't excuse the murder of a fellow Time Lord nor potentially fracturing the universe. I know the point is he's gone too far but it feels wrong and his comeuppance isn't enough to clean the taste from the mouth. So the Doctor used his supposed knowledge of the Hybrid as leverage to get Clara back. When Capaldi flips and becomes angry because his desperate plan is failing....that is the rage of a Time Lord who can't accept when something is at it's end. The whole Hybrid arc is poorly resolved, if it is even resolved. I personally feel Clara was better off dying by her own actions. That said the final goodbyes and the Doctor's sadness at not remember her is very affecting. The whole bit about Clara being frozen right before her death is a frustratingly open ended resolution that robs her death of any drama or weight. Sure, she has to die but she can spend eternity running before she has to face her fate.

'The Husbands of River Song' is a lighthearted Christmas romp until the end where it becomes the final piece of a 7 year puzzle. Then it's sweet and sad and heartbreaking. Just when you thought the sad times would be remedied with your standard Christmas cheer....I like this one. It's not very substantial as plots go but it's a fun rollercoaster ride of emotions.

Not going to lie, as a comic book super hero fan, I loved 'The Return of Doctor Mysterio'. A truly delightful caper with all the trappings of a super hero story and a Doctor Who Christmas Special all rolled into one package under the tree. The Christopher Reeves Superman references are the most obvious but there are several more scattered throughout the episode. Is it especially mentally taxing? No, but it is mentally stimulating. Nardole has a few well timed comedy moments that work well. But I am uncertain how his character will be handled in the coming series. He'll need a more robust and rounded characterisation to work as a full time companion. The brief scene between him and the Doctor is a nice start. Did I mention I love all the super hero tropes this story utilizes? The final scenes with the Doctor's speech about endings was lovely. The Doctor's been through a journey the past few years and it shows. Bring on the new series.

Until I find a better way to scratch my itch for talking at length about Doctor Who, I remain 

frogoat

Doctor Who Series 9 Re-Watch Snippets Part 1

The Twelfth Doctor's second series is vastly different in not only format but tone, style and story structure. Comprised mostly of two-part or linked stories, Series 9 sees the Doctor enjoy his new lease on life fully with his companion Clara....but tragedy was always close behind. This is the first time I've re-watched this series in a year so this should be interesting. I remember having mixed feelings about the series structure and it's story arc. Without further ado, here is Part One!

'The Magician's Apprentice' opens the episode and series 9 with an amazingly creepy scene on a desolate battlefield. Hand mines are utterly repulsive for some reason. I think the Capaldi's Doctor here proves just how wonderfully he plays opposite children. Then the boy tells us his name. Davros. Brilliant. Tonally, I think the series starts off very differently from the previous, with more of a hybrid of styles from prior era's. The reappearance of locations such as the Shadow Proclamation and Karn lends some continuity to the universe, which I enjoy. I think the argument that Clara is not consistently characterized is inaccurate. She simply grows as a character through her three series tenure. The fact that she is easily distracted during a class is indicative of her going through the motions as a teacher, waiting for another adventure. Since Danny is gone, Clara is even less tethered to her mundane and normal life. Missy makes another scene-stealing entrance before taking the time to goad Clara. The Confession Dial proves to be an ongoing plot point....Missy and Clara going head to head is good television. So....I actually like Capaldi with sunglasses and a guitar. Sue me but I think it's a nice wrinkle to add to his Doctor. The over the top jokes and Tank are to illustrate the situation. Hugging returns with reason. Colony Sarff the snake man is absolutely grotesque, but honestly he's just a lackey with a gimmick. The more dressed-down Doctor is an interesting departure from his more Pertwee-esque prior look. I think a happy medium suits Capaldi best. The idea of Davros being 'made' the man he is today by the Doctor is the kind of story you can really only tell in this manner. Clara's comment to the Doctor about him knowing the truth about Missy's survival is indicative of their storied relationship. The best scenes of this story are between Missy and Clara and Davros and the Doctor. I love, love, love seeing Davros replay classic-Who scenes. So....Skaro is treated as a big reveal but we already saw it was restored in Series 7. Still, I like seeing classic series style Daleks on a 'The Daleks' style Skaro. Oh, look! It's the Supreme Dalek from Series 4. Then Missy 'dies'. Davros as an old man feels right, somehow. Then Clara 'dies' and the real meat of the story can finally begin. Compassion is wrong. The final scene is quite good with The Doctor apparently 'exterminating' the young Davros. What a cliffhanger! It's a good thing the next time trailer doesn't ruin the next episode too.

'The Witches Familiar' opens with Missy recounting a classic story of the Doctor in peril. Which Missy uses to educate Clara (and the audience) on how she escaped death last series. Clever way to hand-wave a miraculous escape. So....true to history, you should never make the Doctor angry. The Doctor literally taking Davros' place is charming and chilling. Missy using and abusing Clara somehow manages to be thoroughly watchable. A Dalek sewer made of decaying Daleks. When the Doctor demands Clara Oswald be returned alive and unharmed, Capaldi can't help but convey the emotions with such intensity, I was concerned for the Daleks. No small feat. Davros being connected to every Dalek on the planet does help explain why he's lived so damn long. When Davros explains that he was unable to remove mercy from his 'children'.....well, not only is it poetic but it also retroactively explains why Daleks seem to understand mercy lately. The Doctor explaining who he is and why he came to Davros' deathbed gives Capaldi something meaty to play. Clara trapped inside a Dalek is a massive callback. Seeing how the vocabulary and expressions of a Dalek are repressed and channeled through their gun is a nice piece of lore. The truly exceptional scenes between Capaldi and Bleach's Davros drive this episode. There is so much to be said for their heart to heart, particularly as they are such bitter enemies yet share a commonality. Davros even asks if he is a good man. 'How far we have come to go home again'. Seeing the Doctor go to such lengths to help even such an enemy reminds us all over again that the Doctor does what he believes is right, no matter what. The sewers are revolting. Missy trying to goad the Doctor into killing Clara while she is trapped in a Dalek casing is just good writing. Mercy. The Doctor returns to young Davros and saves his life. The Doctor concludes that it doesn't matter if they are friends or enemies so long as there is always mercy. A great two-part opener.

'Under the Lake' is one of those stories that spends a long time building up to the second part. It's good, don't get me wrong. Spooky, eerie and atmospheric. A sort of base-under-siege story which Doctor Who has used liberally through it's long history. Usually the first party is a slow moving drag, but not here. The Doctor talking soothingly to the TARDIS is something we don't see enough of in New-Who. The mystery with the ghosts and the ship is genuinely intriguing. The Doctor's inability to use sign language was a nice touch. The Doctor's disapproving look when Clara tries to celebrate a potential new adventure is oddly disturbing in retrospect. It stands to reason that writer Toby Whithouse would reuse one of his creations, the alien Tivoli and it isn't particularly intrusive to the plot. Just an indicator something is amiss. The Doctor's socially inappropriate reaction to learning ghosts are real was one of those touches I truly appreciate with Capaldi's performance. The bit of comedy with the cards was out of place, though. The Doctor's had a whole season for that. The conversation between the Doctor and Clara wherein he expresses his concerns and emphasizes his duty of care for his companion are actually much needed. The Doctor knows all too well what this life can do to those around him and is genuinely worried. His lack of social skills in this regard fail him but he conveys his emotion perfectly. It's Clara who assures the Doctor she is fine. But I think it's obvious this is not the case. Back to the main plot! The Doctor throws his UNIT credentials around to ensure the 'infestation' doesn't spread, which strands the team in the base. Gathering more information makes for some nice tense chase scenes. Using the Faraday cage to trap the ghosts is a nice development. Does anyone else get an Alien3 vibe? Especially the assembly cut. The reveal that someone is killing people only to hijack their souls to boost a distress call is actually rather horrific, which fits the tone of this tale. I appreciate that given the opportunity to leave, the team elects to remain to solve things. It's not often the supporting cast gets the chance to decide if they want to live or die. Capaldi's Doctor is driven to solve this mystery. He holds the same love for exploration and discovery that he's had since the very first episodes of Doctor Who. It's captivating to watch a true master work. Suddenly the tension ratchets up with the base flooding and the Doctor and Clara separated by time and space. Oh, but then we see a new ghost....The Doctor. God, I love great cliffhangers.

'Before the Flood' opens with Capaldi breaking the fourth wall yet again to explain 'the Bootstrap Paradox'. It's a hallmark of the Twelfth Doctor by this point to break down the barrier between the viewer and world of Doctor Who. It's also very scholarly, as though the Doctor is educating us throughout his run. I thoroughly enjoy it. Having a fan essentially squee after attempting to play it cool by namedropping former companions and events was a nice if brief moment but it did remind me of Osgood just a bit too much. The Tivolian gleefully wishing to be oppressed is.....disturbing in a whole different way. When the Doctor seems to accept is inevitable death, it's Clara's reaction that really struck me: 'Die on the person after me, but not me'. The conversation that follows is powerfully effective but more importantly, very telling of Clara's irrational but understandably grief-stricken emotional state. It's a continuation of her character arc. The ghost-Doctor's warning is great method for continuing to ratchet up the tension again now that we've settled back into the plot. The Fisher King makes for an impressive visual but it's squandered in this story and under utilized. Bennett's anger at the Doctor when O'Donnell dies is palpable and the Doctor doesn't even deny it, adding he isn't trying to change history to save himself, but Clara makes for an honest if not entirely moral statement. The Doctor attempting to change the rules of the game by using the TARDIS is something we never see so seeing it fail here is wonderfully poetic. The Doctor explains that you can't go back and change the root of tragedy. Now that's obviously foreshadowing but I don't think I caught it originally. Clara steps into the Doctors shoes yet again, encouraging others to endanger their lives, to be brave to save the day. Having someone question if traveling with the Doctor has changed her only further accentuates this point. Seeing events play out in two different zones really helps elevate this episode and ensures the second half of this story doesn't drag. The scenes with the Doctor confronting the Fisher King are probably the weakest of the story because the King does nothing but posture and boast and spends much of his limited time on screen in the shadows. Oh, sure he throws around a few references to the Time Lords but it doesn't make him a convincing threat, just a paper thin villain. Experiencing the ghosts creeping up on Cass from her perspective, devoid of sound, is an effective and singular method of storytelling. The Doctor is offended by the Fisher Kings violation of the rules of Life and Death. The point being, of course, that soon we'll see him break his own rules and do just that. Was I the only one that laughed when the Fisher King looked up and saw the dam wall breaking? Seeing the hologram gimmick used as a callback is a fair plot point conceit. Clara sharing advice on grieving with Bennett is a small scene that speaks volumes. Closing out the show by referencing the Bootstrap Paradox again is a great bit of meta-commentary on the show itself, which has frequently used similar gimmicks through Moffat's years as show-runner.

The bonkers opening of 'The Girl Who Died' is loads of fun. The fact that the Doctor's highly advanced technology fails to impress the Vikings pals in comparison to seeing the Sonic Sunglasses snapped in two with barely any effort. Whoops. Fast forward to two days later and the Doctor's comment about premonition being remembering in the wrong direction makes me wonder if it's a part of Time Lord physiology. A genuinely laughed out loud at Capaldi's hilariously bad attempt to hoodwink the Vikings with a yo-yo before been shown up by a far more impressive display in the clouds. Clara steps up as the leader among the captives, a role she is becoming terribly comfortable with. I like the line about Gods never actually showing up as proof that Odin was a deception. I doubt the production team expected to get so much mileage out of the Sanctuary Base space suit back in 2006's 'The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit' but here we are still using those things. Clara's bluff almost works until Ashildr becomes outraged at what the Mire have done to her people and war is declared. The testosterone-fuelled scene about dying in battle is beautifully shut down by the sounds of a baby crying. Thematically, the Doctor's ideology is at odds with battles and war and dying for honor. Seeing Capaldi translate the babies cries is poetic and frankly moving. The fact that an infant moves the Doctor to stay and help recalls The Day of the Doctor. Capaldi is great with the comedy bits here. Clara coaching the Doctor is fabulous. She knows how he works. They've become very close friends. Ashildr and the Doctor sharing scenes is gripping. 'I tell you that leaving this place would be death itself'. The Doctor often mocks soldiers and warriors but hearing how much they mean to Ashildr makes the point that there is always a reason to fight, so long as you have something to fight for. The plan to trick the Mire is a good bite of fun before it turns tragic. A story to save a town. I do like that. Reputation is everything. But the moment you realize Ashildr has died is made all the worse by the Doctor's expression. Capaldi's acting is superb when he talks about how the painful memories of Clara will one day bring him such grief. The big reveal about why the Doctor chose Capaldi's face is actually rather brilliant. It's not sci-fi, it's a reminder. When the Doctor declares to the heavens that if anyone has a problem with him saving people then to hell with them....well....very soon, Doctor. Very soon. Saving Ashildr is a gift the Doctor gives that sadly becomes a curse, all because he can't bare to lose people. Capaldi's face when he describes immortality is subtle and full of centuries of living. The final slow tracking shot of Ashildr through the centuries is beautiful.

Even though it's not a two-parter, 'The Woman Who Lived' and the previous episode are clearly closely linked by Ashildr aka Me. I have to confess, Maisie Williams is a brilliant young actor and I may be a teeny bit biased. The opening scene and the setting of 1651 actually make me miss the historical stories of old. Sure, throw a monster in there if it helps with ratings, but I do tire of the frequent stories set on present or near-present earth. Ashildr forgetting her own name is a nice touch. Forgetting loved ones and living through endless tragedy. I also enjoy the recounting of Me's many previous lives throughout history. The rows and rows of journals tell a tale not even she can revisit. Peter Capaldi's reading aloud is mesmerizing and it absolutely guts me when we learn Me lost her children. Her decision to never again suffer through that tragedy, leaving the journal entry as a constant reminder. The Doctor's mercy in immortal flesh confronts him with what his empathy has left behind. A far more subtle theme than the 'Hybrid' story arc, but a far more enjoyable and thoroughly watchable one. Seeing the Twelfth Doctor without Clara makes for a nice change in the story dynamic. Me's instance that the Doctor acts as her companion is great comic material, as is the sneaking about while breaking and entering. Me refers to Clara as a weakness who will die on the Doctor. He looks devastated when Me asks how many he's lost. The Doctor hates puns and banter with a passion. Charming. In my opinion the first half of the episode is better than the conclusion. The interactions between the Doctor and Ashildr/Me are the best scenes of the episode and conversely, the scenes with the 'monster of the week,' Leandro and Lady Me are the weakest, feeling shoehorned in to seemingly fill the quota of a Modern-Who episode. Seeing how much Ashildr has changed because of the Doctor is a key point of the series. She's almost the counterpoint to the Doctor, becoming colder and harsher over time while the Doctor continually finds new reasons to go on doing good in the universe. Okay....fine.....I'll admit I love the gallows humour for it's literal usage here. While they laugh, he lives. The Doctor and Sam Swift exchanging jokes is frankly marvelous. The MacGuffin puts the scale of the story far to high compared to the rest of the story. It serves the purpose of reminding Ashildr/Me that she does care but frankly this could have been achieved far better and with greater subtlety. The Doctor having no clue whether Same Swift will become immortal is a nice bit of honesty. People often forget that the Doctor is just somebody who tries his best, he's not reading from a textbook and there is often no precedent for what he does. So, the guitar seems to be sticking around. I don't mind that. Clara and the Doctor are now so very close. They even hug. That should trouble you because it troubles the Doctor.


Until I find a better use for my limited free time than re-watching Doctor Who (as if that were even possible), I remain

 
frogoat