Lanterns Ep. 3
From the first episode of Lanterns I've been captivated by the character of young John Stewart. He is a complete fan of his hero the Green Lantern. He loves his hero in the way only a child can. So open, so awestruck. Such a sweet kid.
When his parents tell him he will need to start training right now, right on his birthday to become the next Green Lantern, he's all in. He wavers a bit when it is his turn to shoot an apple off of his father's head. He's been training in firearms for quite awhile, so he likely has the skill. But he fears hurting his father. And he can't fear anything.
In that first episode where John's dad came home and shot an apple off John's head, he seemed a monster. It turns out the mom is the monster, who has spoken to a Guardian in person, and she takes up the challenge of making John fear nothing. Her husband is along for the ride, but it is the mom who is determined that John succeeds where his father failed.
Adult John is disillusioned when he meets his hero Hal Jordan, but his determination and training to succeed in becoming a Lantern keep him on course. He seems unable to be ruffled. He's not just fearless as required of a Lantern, he has a solid inner core that cannot be breached.
I only read Green Lantern comics eons ago, and the Hal Jordan of those comics was nothing like we see here. I haven't read any John Stewart Lantern comics, so I don't have any outrage at changes to his origin story. I only know what I see here, an old, failing to be a hero Hal Jordan, and a pure, idealistic John Stewart who'd better be wearing a ring by the end of this season.
Star Trek Strange New Worlds Like Chronitons Through The Hour Glass
This is the first terrible episode of the season. It is supposed to be a soap opera episode, with all sorts of personal entanglements, and an acting style that is a bit over the top for everyone. Personal entanglements: Pike is Uhura's secret father. Una goes tigery over M'Benga, letting him know she's there for him (wink wink). La'an tries not to slaver over Spock's twin brother with his long locks, open shirt, and flirtatious ways.
The problem isn't the sub plots at all. It is in the delivery of lines. The over the top facial expressions are not there. It's a dull reading of things.
The other problem is Trelane, who appeared in a previous season, and in the original Star Trek series. He's a bratty, spoiled godlike being who just wants to toy with the captain and crew. I cannot stand characters like that. Don't get me started on Q. Grrrr.
The Mandolorian and Grogu
Originally in theaters, this film made it to Disney this month. There's much to love. The Mandolorian training Grogu to fight , and at one point how to fly. A moment when some tiny mechanics come to rescue the Mandolorian in their tiny ship, and there's no way he can get off of the Hutt's planet in that craft. Grogu staying behind and tending to and hiding his friend who has been injured and poisoned by a truly monstrous Dragonsnake. It is the stuff of nightmares.
Though I love the characters here, particularly Rotta The Hutt, I felt the movie went on too long. You'd think the story was done, then some other fight breaks out.
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