Personal Highlights
Lost Terminal: 9.2 – We’re in St Petersburg. Firstly, I had a good laugh about time zones, especially given Seth’s feelings about them. It’s the beginning of another long journey for Seth and Maddie, but there’s also a focus on some other important themes in this story. Seth brings up the FAILSAFE’s satellite from last season, and especially his last words. Seth doesn’t have time to think about it, but it made me think that one or multiple AI’s programming could be a theme that’s going to be examined more closely this season – and it came up sooner than I thought. The changes to Maddie – both physical and otherwise – are more apparent this season as she has been reunited with Seth; and I’m very curious to see how these will be explored further, as both she and Seth travel through another new part of the world for them.
Desperado: S245 – Hasty and Hostile. I’ve really been enjoying this second season of Desperado, and the insight it’s been giving into the story’s wider world, through the introduction of new characters. Roxanne and Tsyia are delightful, and I love their ‘the grumpy one is soft for the sunshine one’ energy. Their road trip with Shinji is proving to be very interesting – and fun! – so far, and provides many details about Indigenous peoples’ role in the war against the Old Man and the Crusaders.
InCo: Episode 47 – Comfortable. It’s a very difficult conversation that Nova has very understandably been avoiding since her… trip. There’s an insight into her true emotional state, what she tries to keep hidden from everyone; and I’m really glad this conversation with Hatov evolved into an opportunity for him to tell Nova what he really thinks, as some hard truths are faced. Nova’s not quite off her self-destructive path yet, but a lot of progress is made in this episode thanks to Hatov, and the story has reached a difficult turning point.
The Pasithea Powder: 24 – Mission Creep. It’s the other side of the story, as we catch up with Sophie, and oh boy is there a lot to catch up on. As Jane wasn’t able to contact Sophie in the season opener, here Sophie isn’t able to contact Jane, and the distance between them seems insurmountable – at least, for most of the episode. She has a recording device, which allows her to describe her environment, and just how far away from home and everything she’s ever known she is. The effects of the Pasithea Powder are always present, however; and as far from home as she is, Sophie can never escape from her past.
The Goblet Wire: If Only I Were Never Home. In the first episode written by The Far Meridian’s Eli Barazza, we meet a new player. Pearl Forest is completely different to Fisher of Snakes, who we’d followed in the previous three episodes. This episode provides a very interesting contrast between the domestic life of a housewife, and the surreal game that we are gradually getting to know. This is a player much more familiar with the game, and this longevity and ease with which they talk to the Operator, coupled with the brief insights of their home life, suggests a form of escapism and comfort – but Pearl Forest wants more than the Operator can give her. We go no further than their conversation with the Operator in this episode, but the impression here is of a very different game to Fisher of Snakes’, where their life itself seemed to be at stake, which I found very intriguing.
Chaika: Episode 7 – The solemnest of industries. Ok, what is happening? There have been a few little hints during this story that HYGGE and LEQU, the two AIs, knew something that Chaika didn’t, and I fear that this is it. After a highly emotional episode, which was beautifully written and performed, everything is turned upside down aboard Chaika’s ship. The final line in the episode changes everything we – and Chaika – thought we knew about Earth, and raises so many questions at the end of what is this season’s penultimate episode. I’m very excited to see how this season will end!
Debuts
Love & Noraebang is a new production from Sonoro and The Mash-Up Americans, and is billed as a ‘romcom, K-drama, telenovela’ podcast. Set in LA, Jaesun is the heir to a large Korean company, and Ana is the owner of a successful and expanding Mexican restaurant. They both meet at Ana’s restaurant, and sparks instantly fly. After months of flirting, Jaesun’s cousin Chloe knocks their heads together and Jaesun finally asks Ana out to noraebang – Korean for karaoke. Sadly, this adorable couple’s time together is limited, as Jaesun must return to South Korea within a month to complete his two-year mandatory military service.
Mx Bad Luck is written by Cry MJ, and Mx Bad Luck is Micah. We meet Micah on their first day at their new job, working the night shift at a convenience store. They’ve been having a run of bad luck from the sounds of things, and haven’t been able to keep a job for more than a couple of weeks. We’re also introduced to Micah’s roommate, a couple of their co-workers, and one strange customer in particular.
Trailers and Prologues
Icarus Rising is due to launch on the 19th of this month, and this week a trailer for the show was released. Titled Wanderlust, this trailer introduces us to colleagues and best friends Kay and Pip, and Kay’s fascination for pirates. Given that the first episode is titled Stowaway, this trailer gives more than a few hints to the plans brewing in Kay’s mind.
Returns
SINKHOLE is back for its second season, and our narrator isn’t excited to jump back into the spotlight after the attention they gained from their previous posts. They have thoughts about how technology has advanced since they fell into the Hole, and how that reflects on the world of tabloid journalism that we inhabit. It provides some more details about the society they’ve found themself in, and have had to adapt to – and also on how much things change, yet also stay the same.
Crowdfunding
Someone Dies In This Elevator is an anthology series produced by Tal Minear, which is currently crowdfunding for its second season. This upcoming season will feature 65 creatives between cast and crew, over a total of thirteen full episodes. As the title of the show suggests, someone dies in an elevator in each episode of the series, with each writer interpreting this concept in their own way, bringing new characters and settings, and surprises.
A Sky Full of Pods 