Your Morning Linc: Pacific Rim, Lucas Awarded National Medal of Arts, Power Rangers 20th, EW Interviews Moffat, Saving Mr. Banks

Hoo boy, it's hot out there! If you're looking to beat the heat, I suggest heading to a nice cold theater and seeing  Pacific Rim. My friends and I went to the "old man opening night" screening at 8:00 last Thursday (yeah, they do that now) and I really enjoyed it. The monsters, known as kaiju, were particularly impressive and creative. All credit goes to visual effects supervisor John Knoll, a visionary of our time.

Yep, my childhood just squealed a little bit.

The human element of the story was a little cliche, but an overall good job done by the cast, including potential Twelfth Doctor Idris Elba and a manic Charlie Day as a scientist. Pacific Rim also had a very mech anime vibe (like the Gundam series or Voltron) which I enjoyed. At the end of the day, it was a movie about giant robots fighting monsters, and you can't ask for anything better than that.

And now, on to today's Lincs!

1. George Lucas Honored With National Medal For the Arts

For those of you keeping score at home. That's humans: 3 medals, Chewbacca: 0

On July 10, George Lucas was honored by President Barack Obama with the National Medal for the Arts. The citation for the award reads:

"George Lucas for his contributions to American cinema. By combining the art of storytelling with boundless imagination and cutting-edge techniques, Mr. Lucas has transported us to new worlds and created some of the most beloved and iconic films of all time."

I sincerely congratulate The Maker on this incredible honor and thank him for all the moments that Star Wars, and his other films, have transported me to places beyond my imagination. Thanks, George. And May the Force Be With You.

2. Morphenomenal! Power Rangers Celebrates 20th With Morphing Sequence

The show about teenagers with attitude (and a giant floating head) turns 20 this year. Saban is celebrating with a huge anniversary episode and has also recently released a cool video of all the red rangers (and Tommy's White Ranger) from each season morphing into one another.



How many can you name? Which is your favorite season of Power Rangers?

3. EW Interviews Moffat On Doctor Who's 50th And The Search For Twelve

Soon.

Entertainment Weekly recently sat down with the Moff himself to discuss all things Who. They dished on everything from the Matt Smith's departure, the search for the Twelfth Doctor, the 50th anniversary special, Tennant and Smith's Doctors, and whether or not Matt Smith will wear a wig on his last outing as the Time Lord. Here are a few snippets, but click the link above for the full article:

EW: So how goes the search for the next Doctor?
SM: Well, it’s always just terrifying...If you’re a Doctor Who fan, as I have been all my life, you’ve been doing fantasy casting for this part for as long as you can remember. But when you’re suddenly faced with the reality that you are going to sit there and you are going to make that decision it does feel absolutely chilling. There’s a very big range of people who could play it and different ways you could go with it. We must get this right. One false move and the show’s over.”

EW: Is Matt going to have to wear a wig when he films the Christmas special? He seems to have had a very severe haircut for his role in Ryan Gosling’s How to Catch a Monster.
SM: We’re sprinkling fertilizer on his head as we speak. I don’t know. If you care to take a look at “The Angels Take Manhattan” there are a couple of scenes that Karen Gillan came back to do in the graveyard after she’d had her radical haircut and she is wearing what seems like a strategically draped otter on her head. [Laughs]
However, we effect it, the Doctor will turn up in his trademark coif. We can’t have Matt’s last stand in the TARDIS without his proper look. So, thank you, Ryan Gosling…

EW: What was it like having Matt and David together?
SM: They really loved each other and had a huge laugh together. And of course they’ve been through this experience that only the two of them can talk about, really, in the modern world. They are the two people that have played that part at a time when the series is this big. They spent the entire time just sitting together talking animatedly.

EW: Could you talk about how their Doctors relate to each other? Traditionally, there’s been a bit of edge when Doctors have met each other onscreen?
SM: Well, when you’re talking to yourself, there’s no filter! You don’t spare yourself! They’re quite a fun pairing, I would say. There’s a bit of the normal joshing of each other but they’re both such enthusiastic Doctors. While they might be sort of competing slightly, they’re both standing there saying, “Oh god, it’s so cool, there’s two of me!” So, it’s very different. I think the other one that worked brilliantly was Jon Pertwee and Patrick Troughton. They were incredibly funny together. This is very different from that but it’s a sublime double act.

EW: Are you aware that David Bradley (who plays William Hartnell in the movie An Adventure in Space and Time) is now a thousand times more famous in America than he was a couple of months ago thanks to his pivotal role on the recent season of Game of Thrones?
SM: Oh, brilliant. That’s excellent. I love David. He’s such a clever actor. And we’ve had him in the proper show as well. He’s in “Dinosaurs On a Spaceship.”

Only a few more months to go before we get all the answers we're looking for! And that, of course, means the fall of the Eleventh. I really can't wait to see all of this amazing Who history unfold!

4. Saving Mr. Banks Will Be Supercalifra....Ahh You Know The Rest

Not many people think about the work and effort it took to create one of the most iconic Disney films of all time. Indeed, it wasn't easy for old Walt to convince Mary Poppins writer P.L. Travers to even give up the rights to her creation. Saving Mr. Banks tells the story of how Disney convinced Mrs. Travers to do just that, and what he learned about the mysterious nanny in the process.


Saving Mr. Banks is out December 20th, 2013 and stars Emma Thompson as Mrs. Travers, Tom Hanks as the Man Behind the Mouse himself, as well as other notable celebs such as Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, Bradley Whitford, Annie Rose Buckley, Ruth Wilson, B.J. Novak, Rachel Griffiths, Kathy Baker, and others.

Of course, I hope they finally explain how Mary Poppins got here from Gallifrey:

How else do you think she learned about the cartoon world?

'Til Next Time!

- Joe

Your Evening Linc: Making Up for Lost Time

Holy Kenobi! How can a week go by so quickly? Well, while I was doing God knows what (I think they call it "a job") and ignoring my blogging responsibilities, some cool stuff piled up awaiting my undivided attention. Let's get to it before my "Saved Links" folder needs it own episode of "Hoarders".

1. Zack, Bulk, and Skull Reminisce As Power Rangers Turns 20

Walter Jones rocked the Fade and commanded the Mastadon as Black Ranger Zack Taylor in the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. In an interview with IGN, Jones reflects on what made his time on the show so special:

"...I ended up in the winners circle with my cast. And I think the show wouldn't have been what it was without our cast. It was the chemistry we had that made the show what it was. Because we really did find, between the five of us -- or the six of us after Jason David Frank joined -- a camaraderie and a true friendship that we brought to the screen."

Admit it, just seeing this got you sounding off all the Zords in order.

And while there's no denying that while Tommy Oliver may be the longest-serving Ranger, the duo that has seen the most screen time in the now long-running series is everyone's favorite goons from Angel Grove, Bulk and Skull. Played by Paul Schrier and Jason Narvy, the number 10 in human form (think about it) started off as thugs but wound up saving the day on more than one occasion.

"As for the show's 20th anniversary, Schrier said, "It's all a little weird... It's like dating your high school girlfriend again or something." Added Narvy, "It's like you haven't really broken up -- you did, but you're going to keep some stuff there and --" interjected Schrier, "you went off and got married and had another family, but you still love her. You think about her all the time, even when you're with other people... It's healthy, is what we're saying. Healthy!"

Get that "10" comment now? 

You can read more of the interview by clicking the link above, including stories about their first brush with fame and how they weren't originally allowed to see the action scenes from the Super Sentai series on which Power Rangers is based.

2. Gentle Giant Wants to See Me Go Bankrupt....And I Just Might Oblige Them: C-3PO Concept and Boba Fett Mini-Busts

Coming off the announcement of the "Magnitude" Admiral Ackbar mini-bust, I was pretty sure that Gentle Giant was done with their big exclusives for San Diego Comic Con.....to quote an old Jedi ghost: "I was wrong." Gentle Giant has recently released the fourth in their series honoring the concept art of the late, great Ralph McQuarrie. This time with the original design for C-3PO.

The odds of me not buying this are 6,230 to 1

C-3PO's design was heavily influenced by the robots seen in science fiction movies of the 50's and 60's, especially "Maria", the Maschinenmensch from Fritz Lang's legendary Metropolis. It wouldn't be long before the protocol droid with a heart (and outer-casing) of gold would become an iconic image of his own. While you may not being buying him off of a Jawa, you might think GG is trying to pull something by pricing Threepio-Beta at $75. And speaking of icons, no one besides Han Solo has made Star Wars so badass as the Mandalorian bounty hunter himself, Boba Fett. And no one has been able to capture his utter coolness quite like Gentle Giant.

I rest my case

Being a busy bounty hunter, the mini-bust comes with multiple interchangeable arms and his own exclusive box (for storage in your own personal cargo hold). But be forewarned, securing Boba Fett always comes with a high price, and you'll be shelling out $150. I guess Gentle Giant has no "No Disintegrations" policy when it comes to my wallet.

3. The 50th Anniversary Fan Trailer That Gives the BBC Something To Live Up To

A YouTube user, appropriately called "John Smith" (if that is his real name!), has posted a fantastic fan-made trailer, in both 2-D and 3-D, for the 50th Anniversary Special. I think he's done a pretty good job editing footage and audio together to make a pretty seamless trailer. Regardless, it makes me wish we could hop into the TARDIS and take a trip to November 23, 2013.

And if that gave you chills, then this one is going to get you right in the feels. Here is Matt Smith's Love Actually-esque "thank you" and farewell to the fans:


No...I'm not crying...that's um...the image of an Angel...coming out of my eyes....

---
Well I think that'll just about wrap it up for now. I still have a lot of cool stuff to get to, and I'll make sure that I get to it in a very timely (and less wibbly-wobbly) fashion. 

'Til Next Time,

- Joe

Fall of the Eleventh: Matt Smith Confirmed to Leave Doctor Who, Regenerate at Christmas

Sad news, fans of the Chin, but Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith has confirmed that he will be leaving the show at the end of the year, regenerating into the Twelfth incarnation of the Time Lord in the 2013 Christmas Special. Here is his official statement:

“Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show. I’m incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience. Many of them have become good friends and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years.

Having Steven Moffat as show runner write such varied, funny, mind bending and brilliant scripts has been one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges of my career. It’s been a privilege and a treat to work with Steven, he’s a good friend and will continue to shape a brilliant world for the Doctor.

The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show (and speculate more about the future of the show) in a way that I’ve never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable. Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I’m back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special!

It’s been an honour to play this part, to follow the legacy of brilliant actors, and helm the TARDIS for a spell with ‘the ginger, the nose and the impossible one’. But when ya gotta go, ya gotta go and Trenzalore calls. Thank you guys. Matt.”

You can read some very nice statements from showrunner Steven Mofat, and current companion Jenna-Louise Coleman by clicking the links. After David Tennant left the role in 2010, most fans were apprehensive at having a younger, ganglier, Time Lord on screen (and, blimey, that chin!) But I think Matt Smith has proved himself to be a fantastic Doctor. He was able to play both the alien and the leader, the clown and the madman, which embodies the spirit of the Doctor. He made bowties (and fezzes) cool, and provided us with some really exciting episodes. His companions, Amy and Rory, River, and Clara, were always engaging and intriguing. Recurring friends like Craig and the Paternoster Gang were always a treat. We saw the return of classic villains like the Daleks, Cybermen, and Ice Warriors and battled new foes like the Silence and the Whispermen. And we got not one, but two new TARDIS interiors. Especially in the latter part of Series 7, I think Matt Smith was able to put a whole new twist on the character. We got to see him grow as the Doctor and as an actor, and that's quite an experience!

And while I'm sad to see him go, I know that he'll go down as one of the best Doctors to date. In that spirit, here are Eleven (get it?) of my all-time favorite Matt Smith episodes:

1.    The Eleventh Hour
The Eleventh Doctor meets a young Amelia Pond, eats fish fingers and custard, and discovers a mysterious crack in her bedroom wall. After a miscalculation the Doctor returns fourteen years later and saves an older Amy Pond (and Rory) from Prisoner Zero and saves the Earth from the Atraxi. And we first hear the prophecy..."Silence Will Fall."




2.    The Lodger
People are disappearing when they enter a second-floor flat and the Doctor, locked out of a malfunctioning TARDIS, wants to know why. He befriends his new roomate, Craig, and does his best to blend in to regular human life (and fails spectacularly). This episode shows just how alien the Doctor can be, and it's hilarious.


3.    The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang
The Doctor's greatest enemies construct an impenetrable prison in order to seal him away from the universe, believing him to be responsible for the cracks in time. Using Amy's fondest memories, they create the perfect trap, complete with Roman soldiers and a revived Rory. Amy is injured, placed inside the Pandorica, and is reawakened two thousand years later by her younger self. The Doctor pilots the Pandorica into the heart of the exploding TARDIS (with River Song trapped inside) in order to restart the universe in the second Big Bang.


4.    The Impossible Astronaut/Day of the Moon
The Doctor, Amy, Rory, and River travel to Lake Silencio, Utah and see an astronaut rise from the water. The Doctor warns his friends not to interfere as he approaches the astronaut...and is killed. But a past version of the Doctor is enlisted by President Nixon to save a scared little girl, who is being hunted by the spaceman. They travel to an abandoned orphanage where they first encounter the mysterious and deadly aliens known as the Silents, who have been manipulating humanity for all time Amy discovers that she's pregnant...and somewhere in New York City a little girl regenerates.


5.    The Doctor’s Wife
The Doctor, Amy, and Rory land on a planet outside of the universe, where the sentient being "House" is waiting for them. Sucking the soul out of the TARDIS and implanting it inside the body of a women named Idris, House takes over the blue box and makes Amy and Rory run for their lives for his entertainment. Idris and the Doctor construct a makeshift TARDIS and go to their rescue. We find out that the TARDIS "stole" the Doctor because she wanted to see the unvierse, and we got to see the old control room again!


6.     A Good Man Goes To War
The Doctor and Rory, along with Jenny, Strax, and Vastra, (and yes, even Doriam) rush to save Amy and the newborn Melody Pond from the Silence. The epic Battle of Demons Run ends with the Doctor's greatest victory, followed by his farthest fall. They may have saved Amy, but Melody has been abducted. It's then we learn the true identity of Professor River Song.



7.    The Wedding of River Song
Every moment in time is happening at once. Churchill is the leader of a Roman Empire in which pterodactyls fly overhead. A shaggy Doctor reveals that time has gone wrong because River, the impossible astronaut, refused to kill him in Utah. The Doctor, River, Amy, and Rory battle the Silence in the alternate world, but the Doctor must right the wrong, face his death, and restore time. This is accomplished when the Doctor and River wed, kiss, and return to their positions at Lake Silencio. But the Doctor, as always, has found a loophole. Using the Teselecta, he cheats death and fixes the paradox. But Doriam's head informs him that there is one prophecy that is yet to be fulfilled. "On the fields of Trenzalore, at the fall of the Eleventh, when no living being can speak falsely or fail to answer, a question will be asked. One that must never be answered." The first question, the one hidden in plain sight.....Doctor Who?


8. The Angels Take Manhattan
The Weeping Angels are drawn to the city that never sleeps. Rory is sent back in time to the 1930's by the Angels during a trip to New York and Amy, the Doctor, and River go to rescue him. In order to defeat the Angels the Ponds create a paradox by jumping of the roof of the Winter Quay to their deaths, which will poison the time energy that the Angels feed on. The plan works, and the team is dumped into a graveyard back in the current day. But one Angel remains, and zaps Rory back again. Amy decided without hesitation that she will follow her husband into the fixed point in time, and bids a heartbreaking farewell to her raggedy Doctor.


9. Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS
After the TARDIS is pulled in by a salvage vessel, the Doctor coerces the crew to help him find Clara. We get a free-wheeling tour of the Old Girl and see the swimming pool, the observatory, the library, the Eye of Harmony, and the heart of the TARDIS herself. Clara briefly learns the Doctor's name, but forgets it when time is re-written. Add to that the burnt-up Time Zombies and a race to save everyone from certain death, and you have one classic episode of Doctor Who.


10. Nightmare in Silver
The Cybermen are back and they are leaner, meaner, and more deadly than ever. When the Doctor is infected by cybermites he battles for control of his brain (and thus the knowledge of a Time Lord) against the Cyber Planner. Matt Smith is equally convincing as the Doctor and "Mr. Clever", and we are even treated to a flashback of previous incarnations, as well as the geek-squeal-inducing moments when the Cyber Planner quotes his predecessors famous catchphrases. Clara also holds her own and proves to be a strong and valuable companion.


11. The Name of the Doctor

The Doctor's greatest secret revealed, the Question answered (but not really), and the mystery of the Impossible Girl solved. We saw all the previous incarnations of the Doctor...including one never knew existed. And now we go from the Fields of Trenzalore to the 50th Anniversary Special...

So, what are your favorite Matt Smith memories? And Who would you like to see take on the mantle of Time Lord? Sound off in the comments below. Of course, we still have the 50th Anniversary Special and the Christmas Episode to go. So, for now.....Geronimo!

- Joe

Your Evening Linc: Star Wars: Rebels, Smith and Tennant Talk 50th, and Batman: Arkham Origins

Boy, what a weekend! I'm still reeling from the Doctor Who finale, and Game of Thrones is heating up! But let's take a look at what the internet has provided us in the past couple days:

1. Star Wars: Rebels Takes Us Into Unexplored Territory

The Dark Times are upon us, but luckily there is still hope. In a video posted by StarWars.com, Pablo Hidalgo interviews the Man with the Hat, Dave Filoni, on the successor to The Clone Wars. Entitled Star Wars: Rebels, the new animated series will be set between Episodes III and IV and is inspired by the concept art of the late, brilliant Ralph McQuarrie. The Empire has tightened its grip on the galaxy and the Jedi are all but extinct, but a small band of rebels dare to oppose the New Order.



No word yet on  a cast list or plot details, but we do know that some heavy hitters will be joining Filoni's team:

"Leading the development of the series is a creative team of exceptional talent. Screenwriter/producer Simon Kinberg (X-Men: First Class, Sherlock Holmes, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) is an executive producer on Star Wars Rebels and will write the premiere episode. He is joined by Dave Filoni as executive producer, who served as supervising director of the Emmy nominated Star Wars: The Clone Wars since 2008. Executive producer Greg Weisman brings with him a wealth of animation experience with credits such as Young Justice, The Spectacular Spider-Man and Gargoyles."

Clone Wars CG Supervisor and visual effects wizard Joel Aron is also on board. Star Wars: Rebels will air sometime in the Fall of 2014 on Disney XD. And ya know what, I'm excited. For almost two decades we've lived in the world of the prequel era. It's nice to travel back (by travelling forward) to the classic era, even though the series will take place well before that first set of Rebels launched their attack on the Empire's most fearsome superweapon. And seeing Davey Strands in front of a sketch of a TIE Fighter, one of my favorite ships, makes me want to alter time and speed up the production process. I think my excitement can be summed up thusly:



2. Matt Smith and David Tennant are Totally in a Doc-mance

As a thank you for not spoiling Saturday's unbelievable Doctor Who finale, Steven Moffat released a behind the scenes video from the 50th Anniversary Special featuring David Tennant and Matt Smith in their Doctorly garb. It's great to see that the two actors get along so well, and it seems that their characters will be quite chummy come November 23.



The Moff also issued this personal letter of thanks to the 210 fans who kept the leaked Blu-Rays of Series 7B, to the websites that closed their comments sections, and to the multitude of Whovians who chose to go along for the ride rather than be spoiled.

Oh, and where was Moffat and Matt Smith while I was freaking out over the finale? Oh, just about half an hour away at the Way Station, a Doctor Who themed bar in Brooklyn! The hell?! Why did no one tell me about this??



3. Batman: Arkham Origins May Make You Think You're Actually Batman

Capping off this video-heavy post (and cementing my HTML embedding skills in my muscle memory forever) is this incredible trailer for Batman: Arkham Origins. I'll just leave you to flip out on your own:



And that's all for tonight, folks. Til' next time!

- Joe

Your Linc at Lunch: New Clone Wars Clip, No Classic Doctors for 50th, New Crimson Horror Trailer, Name of the Doctor Details

Good afternoon everyone! First of all, as we near Star Wars Day, I wanted to say Happy 5-01st to all of my friends trooping around the world. The 501st are a group of thousands of dedicated and passionate fans who not only spend tons of time and energy on creating better-than-movie quality armor and costumes, but also do a lot of charity work around the globe. They symbolize what being a Star Wars fan is all about.

Bad guys doing good things

Now, I think I've been pretty good trying to mix it up with the fandoms, but today it's all about the big two: Star Wars and Doctor Who! Lots of news to cover so let's get to it!

1. New Clone Wars Clips Previews What Is To Come

Yesterday we were all delightfully surprised when USA Today posted a brand new, never before seen clip from what as to be the next season of The Clone Wars! Leading a squad of clones, Jedi Master Plo Koon (voiced by the incomparable James Arnold Taylor) trudges through a sandstorm in order to find a crashed ship...that curiously contains a lost lightsaber.



Supervising Director, and Stetson aficionado  Dave Filoni promises that we will get the answers to some long-standing questions, including one about a mysterious Jedi Master:

"The Jedi have been fighting a war with an army that was commissioned by one of their own, Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas," he says. "But who was Sifo-Dyas, and what happened to him? The dark lord of the Sith has woven an intricate web to ensnare the Jedi, but it is not full-proof and sometimes a small clue, and a bit of chance, can lead to the unraveling of the best-laid plans."

Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas was alluded to in Episode II: Attack of the Clones as the one who originally went to Kamino to make the order for the clone army. In the comics, it is revealed that he was killed by his old friend, Count Dooku, as his final test to become a Sith. Most recently, Sifo-Dyas was featured in the incredible novel Darth Plagueis. Will this new Clone Wars adventure shed some light on the mystery, or cast it further into the shadows? You can bet I'll bring you the latest as it comes out! Check out the full article by clicking here.

2. No Classic Doctors in 50th, Says Doctor Who Magazine

It looks like we'll only be seeing the return of one Time Lord come this November. The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine confirms that no Doctor from the classic era, including Eighth Doctor Paul McGann, will be making an appearance in the 50th Anniversary Special. As Steven Moffat explains:

“It is important you don’t turn it into a fanfest. We can’t make this all about looking backwards. It’s actually got to be the start of a new story.”

Well, there goes any hope of seeing the Eighth Doctor's regeneration into the Ninth. But in a sense, the Moff is right. This has to be an epic tale in its own right, not just a trip to the planet Nostalgia. And I'm sure there will be tons of nods to the past, especially Matt Smith's predecessors, throughout the special. DWM also reports that filming on the 50th is almost completed and the Christmas Special is due to start filming after his stint in the Ryan Gosling-directed film How to Catch A Monster.

3. New Crimson Horror Clip Harkens Back to Fifth Doctor

Now, if you need to get your Past Doctor fix, the latest clip from this week's "The Crimson Horror" is just what the Doctor ordered! (Looks like I overshot planet Nostalgia and landed on the moon of Pun) Using a grainy footage effect, the clip features the Doctor and Clara once again coming out of the TARDIS not exactly where they expected.



The "gobby" Australian is, of course, a reference to Fifth Doctor companion Tegan Jovanka. Hearing a call back to the Fifth Doctor's catchphrase "Brave heart, Tegan" made my inner fanboy beam with glee. And the reference follows an interesting pattern of reaching back to previous Doctors that one viewer has noticed:

• Rings of Akhaten: Susan (1st Doctor)
• Cold War: Ice Warriors (2nd Doctor)
• Hide: Metebelis 3 (3rd Doctor)
• Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS: Fourth Doctor heard in the TARDIS console room
• The Crimson Horror: "Brave Heart, Tegan" (5th Doctor)

This being the big 5-0 year and all, we can expect many more references to come as we lead into the finale and the special. And speaking of the Series 7 finale....

4. The Name of the Doctor Semi-Spoilers and Teasers

If you want to go into the Series 7 finale "The Name of the Doctor" completely unspoiled, then you best turn away now. Doctor Who Magazine has also published a list of tantalizing details about the last episode before we head into the 50th. It looks like the Doctor will indeed travel to Trenzalore, discover the truth behind Clara, and perhaps, just perhaps, reveal his biggest secret. To that end, there's this intriguing synopsis:

"Every journey taken by a time-traveller tears a wound in the fabric of reality, and the Doctor has time-travelled more than anyone. But the trail runs cold in Trenzalore, the one place in all of time and space that he should never go. The most dangerous place in the universe… Who is kidnapping the Doctor’s friends, leading him to Trenzalore? Could the Fall of the Eleventh be nigh? Or does an impossible girl hold the key? The Doctor’s past, present, and future lives are in grave danger… and his greatest secret is about to be revealed."

This quote from the Doctor:

 THE DOCTOR: “The path I carved through time and space, from Gallifrey to Trenzalore. My own personal time tunnel, leading back to every moment I ever lived. Every step, every tear, every kiss. Even the days I haven’t lived yet. Which is why I shouldn’t be here. The paradoxes… very bad…”

 And some other exciting tidbits:

• Richard E Grant is back as Dr Simeon (“Hello again,” says the Doctor. “How’s the Intelligence – still Great?”) (Joe's Thought: Hm, could the Great Intelligence be the leader of the Silence?)
• Post-Library River Song returns (“Oh, I do like to watch a man think; it’s like watching a whale knit!”).
• On the Doctor’s feelings for River, Moffat says: “You never quite know what the Doctor feels. I don’t think you ever should.”
• There’s more snogging
• Moffat says there hasn’t been a “proper doom-fraught episode” in a while. If this episode is about anything, it’s about death. There is a funereal atmosphere, literally.
• Will everyone make it to the end of the episode alive? (Spoiler: No)
• Will we, at last, learn the true identity of Clara Oswald, the impossible girl? (Spoiler: yes!)
• Will the Doctor’s greatest secret be revealed? (Spoiler: Possibly)
• DWM doesn’t know how the episode ends, it’s that secret
• After this episode, nothing will ever be the same again

If ever there was a time for a real life TARDIS to show up, it would be now. "The Name of the Doctor" premieres Saturday, May 18, 2013.

Hoo boy, what a post! Hopefully there's enough to get you revved up for some great Star Wars and Doctor Who events to come! Check back soon for more information form the Missing Linc!

- Joe

Linc for Your Commute: Yoda Wins Star Wars Madness, Dark Horse's Future, Doctor Who News, and S.H.I.E.L.D

Good morning, one and all! It seems like Spring has finally sprung in the Big Apple. And there's plenty of buzz in the air about this morning's geek-related news.

1. Yoda Wins Star Wars Madness, Does Several Hundred Backflips in a Row

Size matters not....punk.

Everyone's favorite Jedi Master turned swamp-dweller is the winner of this year's first Star Wars Madness! He handily beat Darth Vader by a margin of 60%-40%, a whooping decades in the making. And so, for the next 365 days, His Greenness has been declared the most popular Star Wars character. Check out the full bracket and stats, as well as Vader's lament, over at StarWars.com

2. Dark Horse Comics Founder and Editor Talk "The Star Wars" and the Fate of the Franchise At Dark Horse

With the acquisition of Lucasfilm by Disney, many have been wondering whether or not future Star Wars comic titles will continue to be published by Dark Horse Comics, or return to their ancestral homeland of Marvel. Dark Horse founder Mike Richardson and editor Randy Stradley recently sat down with Entertainment Weekly to discuss that as well as the latest (and yet oldest) outing into the GFFA. In terms of future titles, Richardson had this to say:

"We have it for the foreseeable future, though, so we’re just going about business as usual. It is what it is. Look, from day-one we always knew it was a possibility that someday we might not have the license. We’re prepared for it. We have other franchises to move into that space, but we got involved with publishing in part because we loved Star Wars and so sure it’ll be disappointing on a business level, but probably more disappointing on a personal level."

And while a decision seems to be a bit of a ways off (Stradley says they'll hear by next year), we know that this summer we will see a comic book adaptation of George Lucas' original draft of "The Star Wars". 

The Starkiller Family

The story is familiar yet different all at the same time. We'll see an older General Luke Skywalker, the hero Annikin Starkiller, the planet Utapau, a decidedly un-Sithly Darth Vader, a lizard-like alien named Han Solo, and the epic struggle between the Jedi Bendu and the Knights of Sith. I read the original script a while back and it really took hold of my imagination, but it was a little hard to follow simply on the page. I can't wait to read this come September.

3. Doctor Who 50th News and "Cold War" Trailer

New cast members keep cropping up for the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special. Jemma Redgrave will reprise her role as Kate Stewart, the daughter of longtime ally Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (played by the late, incomparable Nicholas Courtney), and current head of UNIT. Also cast as a UNIT scientist (and apparent in-universe fan), Ingrid Oliver will be playing a character called Osgood (any link to Oswald?). Here she is walking with the Doctor wearing a pretty familiar-looking scarf:

Tom Baker's looking good these days

More pictures from the set show Matt Smith hanging on for dear life to the underside of the TARDIS as Jenna-Louise Coleman looks on. UNIT forces have converged by the Tower of London (apparently their new base of operations)...but are they there to help or arrest the Doctor?

It stinks when you can't have fun at work...

"Heyyy guys....what's up?"

You can also check out a behind the scenes video of Jemma, Ingrid, and Jenna-Louise and some impressive Tower guards on location here:



And one more video for you to feast your eyes upon. Check out the latest trailer for this Saturday's episode "Cold War". The Doctor seems to have overshot Las Vegas and landed on a nuclear submarine that is being attacked by an Ice Warrior (or, more politically correctly, a native Martian).



 In the classic series they spoke in creepy whispers, but this one seems to be imitating Dr. Claw from Inspector Gadget. "I'll get you next time Doctor, next time!"

4. Joss Whedon's S.H.I.E.L.D. TV Series Gets New Title and Description

The self-proclaimed Tom Hagen of the Marvel Universe, Joss Whedon, has been pretty busy as of late. His latest project, a TV series following the adventures of Agent Coulson (Clak Gregg) and his team has a new name and description. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D has yet to be picked up by ABC, but it seems extremely likely that the deal will be done in the near future. Here is the new synopsis:

"Joss Whedon shows us not all heroes are super with “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 

Fresh from his role in the summer’s box office smash, Marvel’s The Avengers, Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) returns to the worldwide law enforcement organization S.H.I.E.L.D. He puts together a small, highly trained, team of Agents to tackle the cases that haven’t been classified yet, the new, the strange and the unknown. That team consists of straight arrow Agent Grant Ward (Brett Dalton), an expert in combat and espionage; pilot and martial artist Agent Melinda May (Ming-Na Wen); and brilliant if socially awkward scientists Agent Leo Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) and Agent Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge). They’ll be joined by civilian new recruit and computer hacker Skye (Chloe Bennet). 

Prepare for an epic adventure that showcases the hope and wonder of the human spirit. This is a world of Super Heroes, aliens and the unusual – of action, spectacle and world spanning stories. The show will speak to the human condition through the lens of our very human, non-powered S.H.I.E.L.D agents – that together we are greater than we are apart, and that we can make a difference in the world.
Executive Produced and co-written by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon & Maurissa Tancharoen (“Dollhouse,” “Dr.Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog”), Jeffrey Bell (“Angel,” “Alias”) and Jeph Loeb (“Smallville,” “Lost,” “Heroes”) comes Marvel’s first live-action TV series, “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”

As reported in an earlier post, Coulson has gotten a full-on resurrection and I can't wait to see how the sharp-tongued world-policing agent will use his second chance at life.

Just lots and lots of sass. 

And that's it for now, friends. Hope you all have a safe trip home!

-Joe

Doctor Who "The Bells of St. John" Review

Alrighty folks, this is no post-April Fool's joke. Better late than never, so here's a dynamite review for one of the best shows on television. And no, I'm not talking about "The Neighbors".

No...not you....never you.

Doctor Who: The Bells of St. John

Before we jump into the first new Doctor Who episode in three months (guh...), I have to mention the unbelievably exciting news that David Tennant and Billie Piper will reprise their roles as the Tenth Doctor and Rose Tyler for the 50th Anniversary Special! 

Seriously, try not to squeal.

Whether or not Tennant will actually play the Doctor or the meta-crisis, hand-grown, one-hearted, overly-hyphenated version remains to be seen. Either way, I'm more pumped for the big 5-0 than ever before!. Allons-y!

Back to the present (if you believe time is linear) and Saturday's episode "The Bells of St John." I thought it was a fabulous re-introduction to the series and a great third "first" appearance by Jenna-Louise Coleman. The two have such a great dynamic and play off of each other really well. It's fun to see the Doctor so intrigued by Clara, only to have the new companion put him off his stride with a quick remark.

The episode was really interesting. Once the monk ran to get the Doctor, I knew immediately that "The Bells of St. John" had to be the ringing of the TARDIS phone (which, technically, isn't a real phone). That's something we haven't seen since the Ninth Doctor episode "The Empty Child".

Get it??

And so we come to the first mystery of the the second half of Series 7. Just who is the woman in the shop who told Clara to call the TARDIS number? River Song? Sally Sparrow? Rose Tyler (and thus setting up the 50th)? Hopefully that wasn't just a one-off comment....and knowing Steven Moffat, it probably wasn't.

When Clara is attacked by one of the newly-minted monsters, the Spoonheads, it takes the form of a character from Clara's favorite childhood book....which is written by none other than Amelia Williams.

Why...why did you have to leave me?

The Doctor comes to the rescue and, together, the two embark to discover exactly what is taking people's souls into the WiFi. I really enjoyed how Miss Kizlet hacked into and used the people of London to interact with the Doctor. It gave the episode a sense that they were facing a real villain who had them playing right into her hands. Of course, we learn later that Miss Kizlet is being controlled by none other than our old friend, The Great Intelligence, who has ditched the snowglobe (so 1800's) and taken on the form of Dr. Simeon.

Peek-a-GAH!

There were some other really cool bits thrown in for the fans as well. Making the WiFi password "rycbar123", Clara tapping into her inner geek by saying "Oswald for the win...Oswin!" and adding more layers to Clara's secret. Where does the leaf in her book come from and why is it "page one?" Speaking of "101 Places to See"...did anyone notice that two ages are missing from the book?

Must have been during her goth phase...

Ages 16 and 23 are somehow left unwritten. Could these be the ages of Clara and Oswin in "The Snowmen" and "Asylum of the Daleks" respectively? Does it mean that this Clara, the "woman twice dead", is the same person as the others? We'll just have to wait and see.

"I wonder just how long I have to wait to say 'April Fools'?"

Overall the episode was really exciting. Between great actions scenes on the plane and on the motorbike (especially when the Doctor-Spoonhead races up the Shard), and classic Doctor Who tropes ("bigger on the inside", donning of a new costume, asking of "The Question") there was a lot to enjoy about the return of the Time Lord. The creepiness of the Spoonheads turning their heads around, the arch-villainy of the Great Intelligence, and the furthering of the mystery of exactly who Clara is, made the Bells of St. John very intriguing.

Now run you clever boy (and girl)...and remember....to tune in next week!

Your Morning Linc: Best April Fool's Pranks from Around the Web

Updated: Karen Gillan to appear in Episode VII and the New Star Wars animated series is revealed!

Good morning, everyone! I'm back from Easter break and I hope you and your family had a great holiday. Not a lot of time until later to get into my Doctor Who and Game of Thrones recaps, so I thought I'd collect a few of the best April Fool's jokes from around the web

1. Google Nose

Because "smelling is believing", Google unveiled the beta for their latest project, Google Nose. According to the video, your olfactory senses will be your guide to the world wide web. "Photo olfactory sensory convergence", as it's called, will no longer be relegated to the realm of science fiction! Click the "Try Google Nose" button and watch the people over at Google celebrate their triumph in their own special way.

 



2. George Takei Will Star in Episode VII

The leader of the "Star Alliance" has revealed that he will be starring as Jedi Master Ceti Maru in Episode VII: Galactic Empire. While not the best attempt at an April Fool's joke, you gotta love the picture he posted:

Oh Myyyyy

3. The Joke I Wish Was Most True: Karen Gillan to Join Episode VII Cast

This one hurts to know that it's a prank. The Big Shiny Robot people thought it would be funny to give fanboys (and girls) everywhere a giant let down by posting today of all days that Karen Gillan will be starring in Episode VII. The fiery Scottish companion of the Eleventh Doctor, Gillan would have been perfect for just about any role in anything ever.

Come along, Pond, indeed.

4. YouTube to Shut Down til 2023 to pick "Best Video Ever"

The folks at YouTube let the world know today that they will be shutting down until 2023 in order to cull through the millions upon millions of videos in order to select "THE BEST VIDEO EVER!" An all-star panel has been organized to select the video, including Antoinne Dodson of "Bed Intruder" fame. Check out the announcement below:

 

5. Doctor Who to Re-Design the TARDIS

Our friends over at Doctor Who TV Blog posted a great prank article detailing the demise of the famous blue police box. According to their article, showrunner Steven Moffat will be trading in the old model for something "hipper, cooler, and sexier" for the show's 50th anniversary. They thank contributor "Ali Forlop" for the scoop.

This actually would be an upgrade.

6. Apple Announces iPlay Game Console

Not to be outdone, the group over at IGN has released a video detailing Apple's new iPlay console. The tech giant wants to compete with the big boys in the world of gaming and they're going to do it with simplicity and style. And you'll be pleasantly surprised at the game they have decided to solely dedicate their console to. Check out the video here:

 


7. New Star Wars Animated Series to Feature Jar Jar Binks and Col. Gascon

Get ready folks! Star Wars Underworld, in their exclusive report, reveals that the successor to The Clone Wars will feature none other than everyone's favorite(?) diminutive Republic officer, Colonel Meebur Gascon!

Actual size.

The series will reportedly follow Gascon and the lovable(?) droids of D-Squad on their many adventures throughout the galaxy. Laying it on thick, SWU also reports that the series will feature Jar Jar Binks, whose absence in the Original Trilogy will be explained and who will make a big comeback in the Sequel Trilogy. Adding to that the possible cameo of Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman from Doctor Who, and you have one hell of an April Fool's post!



That's all for now, guys. Hope you this made the Monday return to work a little bit better.

-Joe

Your Evening Linc: New Star Trek Into Darkness Trailer, OUAT Clip, And Doctor Who Teasers

What a fine evening it is! At the time of writing this blog has been viewed 1,034 times! I'm very grateful for all of you that have read, commented, and shared The Missing Linc. I have had a blast writing it and you better believe there will be more to come! As a matter of fact...

1. New Star Trek: Into Darkness Trailer and Poster

Now, I have to preface by saying I was never that big into Star Trek, but J.J. Abrams has certainly given the franchise new life and made it appeal to fans and non-fans alike. The sequel, Into Darkness is due out May 17th. Here is the new poster just released today:

Mr. Holmes, I presume?

It's funny, but once I start liking a new show or movie, it's all I see anywhere. Benedict Cumberbatch of Sherlock fame is looking absolutely dark and devious as villain John Harrison. Our heroes, Uhura, Kirk, and Spock, look a little out of their depth. And if the new trailer is any indication, it looks like they'll be facing a whole mess of danger.



2. Regina Confronts Owen in a Clip of Sunday's OUAT

It's always nice to see a familiar face...except when that face looks exactly the same as it did 30 years ago. Greg Mendell, aka a grown-up Owen, is confronted by Regina in his hotel room. He doesn't believe that his father just up and left Storybrooke and he demands answers. Regina gives him one: leave, or he'll disappear too.

 

Can't wait for Sunday and another fantastic episode!

3. Doctor Who: Bells of St. John Prequel To Air, New Clip, and Peter Jackson Really Wants to Direct

The good people over at the BBC will be airing a prequel webisode to the first new episode "The Bells of St John" on Saturday, March 23rd. The Doctor has been searching in vain to find Clara, the impossible girl who has died twice so far in different eras. When he does find her though, the Eleventh Doctor's boyish charm shines through (thanks to the brilliant acting of Matt Smith).

"Wait, this isn't a video clip!"

Well, Clara, you're right. The clip can only be viewed at Entertainment Weekly's website. But when you do, note the glee in the Doctor's voice. He can't help but be intrigued by Clara, who in this incarnation doesn't quite know who the Time Lord is yet. This scene is classic Smith, including his delight at his accidental invention of the "quadracycle".

And who knows, maybe one day we'll see an episode by this bright new talent named Peter Jackson. That's right, the Lord of the Rings director has been a Whovian since childhood and has publicly stated more than once that he would love to take the helm for an episode. Jackson reveals his enthusiasm in another exclusive EW article.

"They don't even have to pay me," Jackson writes. But I have got my eye on one of those nice new gold-colored Daleks. They must have a spare one (hint, hint).

Does this man have any unfulfilled child fantasies?

C'mon Moffat, giive him what he wants!

That's all for now! Here's to the next 1,000 views and beyond!

-Joe

St. Joseph's Day Lincs: Star Wars March Madness, JAT Says Farewell to the Clone Wars, Goodbye to the Office, and Doctor Who 50th

Happy St. Joseph's Day everyone! While not as popular as some other saint's day this past weekend, today is a very big deal for Italians and for my family (we have a lot of Joe's). So Viva la Tavola di San Giuseppe! And now let's get down to business:

1. Star Wars March Madness Brackets

Because who needs basketball when you have a good blaster at your side? StarWars.com is hosting its own March Madness and is asking fans to pick their favorites as they go head to head for the top spot. Head on over and cast your vote!

2. James Arnold Taylor Bids Farewell to the Clone Wars, Proves Once Again Why He's The Man

Please....don't.....leave us.

The voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi (and Plo Koon), James Arnold Taylor spoke with IGN about the show's cancellation and what the future holds. He has already published a very touching and heartfelt letter on his website, and apparently is now on a mission to make every fan cry. Here is part of what he said on the fan reaction to the show's untimely demise:

"[I]t really is a touching, heartfelt, wonderful thing to read people's posts and comments on social media outlets and blogs. To get that outpouring of people saying how much they believed in the show and how they loved it and shared it with their kids and families."

I've had the pleasure of meeting James a bunch of times over the past few years. He is an absolutely incredible person who loves his job, his family, and his fans. In the Star Wars community, when you think of Obi-Wan you now think: Alec Guiness, Ewan McGregor, and James Arnold Taylor. He's been overseas to entertain the troops, hosted Celebration VI and Star Wars Weekends at Disney World, and has been performing his one man show "Talking To Myself" to the delight of many. No doubt we'll hear more from the man behind the galaxy's most famous beard. Thanks, James, and May the Force Be With You.

3. Speaking of Goodbyes....The Office Has Filmed Its Final Episode

The hit NBC show is saying goodbye this season, and I'm really taking the loss hard. I went to the University of Scranton, in the city where The Office is set. The show premiered when I was a sophomore, and by the time I was a senior not only did most everyone in the country know about Scranton, but the cast actually came to visit! Thousands of students lined up on the Commons at 3 AM to be part of Al Roker and the Today Show's coverage of the weekend-long event.

Bob Vance and Stanley being eyed by the giant Dwight head

Daryl leading a chant of "Scranton WHAT?"

Angela and (a much younger) me, just chillin

Creed, Meredith, and Oscar taking it all in

So when the HuffPo posted the tweets of all the actor's thoughts on their last day, I couldn't help but feel sad. I've been out of college for five years, but my pride in the University and my passion for the city remains strong. With the end of The Office, I feel like I'm losing a connection to that place I love so much. Just hearing the references to the Steamtown Mall or Cooper's (all real places!) and seeing the University blanket behind Pam (and now Erin) made me smile. When I drive back up to Scranton for alumni events or to visit friends, I always put on The Office theme as I pass by the "Scranton Welcomes You" sign. So while the country might be losing a show, I feel that we are all losing a connection that that charming town in Pennsylvania. That jewel of NEPA known as:

Scranton! WHAT? The Electric City!


4. Doctor Who: Rumors and Teases from The Cast and Crew

One thing is for sure, we may be losing some great shows, but Doctor Who is going to be around for a long time to come! (Or...has been around...will have been around? Wibbly wobbly and all that...)

"Oh, you ride a motorcycle to pick up chicks? That's cute."

Current Doctor Matt Smith shares his thoughts on the freshly completed script for the 50th Anniversary spectacular:

"I read it and I clapped at the end...I think it's hilarious and I think it's epic - but you will not be disappointed"

I don't know about you, but I trust the Time Lord. And the Grand Moff himself, showrunner Steven Moffat, has said that we will learn more about what's waiting for the Doctor on the fields of Trenzalore. It all goes down November 23.

That's it for now, so go enjoy some sfingi di San Giuseppe!

Take that, Irish soda bread.

-Joe