tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83956230830914953142024-09-04T04:53:31.940-07:00merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-19118546975203879702012-05-08T11:47:00.002-07:002012-05-08T11:47:48.559-07:00<strong>Sub-Space Submariners</strong><br /> <br /> The war machine of the comet empire under Prince Zordas moves in on Earth.&nbsp; The Star Force under Derek Wildstar has rescued space marines stationed on the Planet Bromas.<br /> <br /> Dr. Sane administers a vitamin shot to a complaining space marine.&nbsp; He tries to awaken a sleeping marine, then Wildstar coms looking for Sergeant Knox.&nbsp; Knox is in the mess hall, where the marines harass Nova and IQ 9.&nbsp; Wildstar approaches them looking for Knox again.&nbsp; They ignore him.&nbsp; Wildstar leaves to find Knox, and the marines make a mess and try to egg Conroy into a brawl.&nbsp; A marine throws food at Conroy, but hits IQ 9 instead.<br /> <br /> Knox is brooding at the observation deck when Wildstar finally finds him.&nbsp; Wildstar apologizes and explains that they can't return them.&nbsp; Knox comes off as a jackass.<br /> <br /> The comet empire mows through several asteroids, destroying them.&nbsp; The comet empire cheifs of staff and Princess Invidia monitor the progress of the Star Force, and Invidia express doubt over Desslok's abilities.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> The generals complain about Invidia once she leaves.&nbsp; She enters Zordar's chambers to notifiy him of the Star Force.<br /> <br /> Wildstar arrives on the bridge just as Eager detects something on the radar.&nbsp; Orion is unable to identify it.&nbsp; Wildstar orders the ship on alert.<br /> <br /> Nova and IQ 9 are leading the marines on a tour, and the marines proceed to steal food out of the hydroponic garden.&nbsp; The alert alarms sound and Nova leaves the marines with IQ 9, ordering them to their quarters while she rushes to the bridge.<br /> <br /> Nova sees the ship on her out of focus radar.&nbsp; Then missiles strike the Argo as Sandor identifies it as a space submarine.&nbsp; The fighter pilot rush to their ships.&nbsp; Knox tries to board a ship, but the pilot knocks him back.&nbsp; On the bridge, Sandor and Wildstar release mines, trying to depth charge the submarines.&nbsp; Unfortunately, the submarines move through the explosions unscathed.<br /> <br /> Wildstar orders the shock cannons on standby.&nbsp; Knox tries to talk a gunner out of the turret controls/&nbsp; As they're arguing, they fire and miss.&nbsp; Wildstar orders Knox out of gunnery control and then launches the fighters.&nbsp; Dr. Sane gives his cat saki--err, soybean milk.&nbsp; Knox comes looking for Nova.&nbsp; Sane is able to talk him into staying out of trouble by offering him saki.<br /> <br /> The fighters destroy the submarines.&nbsp; The bridge crew celebrate, but Wildstar, Sandor, and Venture brood over the entire situation.&nbsp; They discuss that this mission may be harder than the trip to Iskandar because they don't know the mission or the enemy.&nbsp; Sandor has Nova locate a small planet they can land on for repairs.<br /> <br /> The EDF commandant is told the results of the analysis of the metal fragments recovered from the enemy ships.&nbsp; They can't identify them, so two fleets are dispatched to planet Brumas to reinforce it.&nbsp; The Argo continues to the small planetoid for repairs.&nbsp; The repair crews begin their work.<br /> <br /> Conroy asks Wildstar to kick the marines off the ship.&nbsp; The marines are now interfering with the repairs.&nbsp; A repair crew finds Sergeant Knox and a brawl ensues.&nbsp; Wildstar arrives to stop the fight, and ends up being dragged into a fight with Knox.&nbsp; Sane manages to get the Argo crew back to their repair stations.&nbsp; Once they're gone, Sane starts cheerleading them . . .&nbsp; But then it turns out that he's mocking them.&nbsp; The two of them stop and Wildstar apologizes.&nbsp; Knox admits he's been walking around looking for a fight ever since they lost the battle on Brumas.&nbsp; Wildstar orders the marines to start abiding by the Star Force rules, which of course leads Knox to start acting like an asshole again.&nbsp; Sane tries to calm Wildstar down as Knox stalks off.<br /> <br /> The comet empire continues its rampage through space.&nbsp; An adjutant notifies Zordar and Invidia that the space submarines have been destroyed.&nbsp; Invidia is angry, but Zordar tells them both to leave small fish like the Star Force to Desslok.<br /> <br /> Wildstar broods while looking at the portrait of Avatar.&nbsp; They receive a message from Telezar.&nbsp; Venture pushes Homer out of his seat so he can use the message to triangulate the location of Telezar.&nbsp; They get a broken-up message.&nbsp; Homer is distraught that the message is so mangled, but Venture has a rough bearing.&nbsp; Sandor and Orion tell Wildstar that repair work is completed, and the Argo lifts off.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-65564478436940717592012-03-05T07:21:00.000-08:002012-03-05T07:21:55.991-08:00<strong>At Planet Brumas</strong><br /> Eager and Nova notify the crew that they're closing in on planet Brumas.&nbsp; They get an urgent message from the Marine base there.&nbsp; Wildstar orders Venture to full speed.&nbsp; Then we get an astronomy lesson--Brumas is the formerly-inhabited 11th planet of our solar system.&nbsp; It is home to rear minerals, and a base was built as part of the EDF.<br /> <br /> Eager detects a number of contacts.&nbsp; Wildstar recognizes them as the same planes he's already seen.&nbsp; They open fire with the pulse laser guns.&nbsp; The enemy fighters fire back with missile, but take losses and veer off.&nbsp; They look like a cross between the original Cylon Raiders from Battlestar Galactica and horseshoe crabs.<br /> <br /> The base on Burmas is taking heavy damage.&nbsp; The personnel try to resist.<br /> <br /> The Comet Empire commander is watching the attack when he's told that the Star Force is approaching in the Argo.&nbsp; He orders the second squadron to destroy them before they reach Brumas.&nbsp; Wildstar orders the fighters launched to counter the second attack.&nbsp; Wildstar orders Conroy to stay close to the Brumas base.&nbsp; Nova picks up a fleet of larger ships--Sandor surprises Wildstar with an increased range on the main guns.&nbsp; Pleased with this new capability, they range in on the approaching enemy and fires.&nbsp; They destroy the first group.&nbsp; Wildstar ignores a second pair of ships closing from the other direction and moves to support Brumas.<br /> <br /> The Comet Empire ships bombard the Brumas base.&nbsp; Liquid oxygen begins leaking, reducing the oxygen supply to several compartments.&nbsp; The base personnel mount a rescue action to the damaged sections.&nbsp; Outside, the Comet Empire ships deploy ground forces in tanks.<br /> <br /> The base personnel pull back to the central unit and see "robot" tanks approaching.&nbsp; They plan to fight back, using the terrain to their advantage.&nbsp; The tanks begin firing missiles into the base.&nbsp; As the tanks close in, the men on the base open fire.&nbsp; They use the emergency radio to call for help again.<br /> <br /> The Argo closes in and engages the Comet Empire ships over the base.<br /> <br /> The marines on the base send ten men out to hit the tanks in close quarters as the Comet Empire officers see the Argo.&nbsp; The long range guns catch the comet empire ships by surprise.&nbsp; The Comet ships fire back, but Wildstar responds with torpedo fire.&nbsp; The main enemy carrier withdraws.&nbsp; Wildstar lets it go, concerned with the base.<br /> <br /> The enemy tanks and fighters are meeting heavy resistance from the marines.&nbsp; Then Conroy's astro-fighters turn the tide and route the enemy.&nbsp; Rescue ships deploy from the Argo and land.&nbsp; Sandor meets Sergeant Knox and Corporal Kane.&nbsp; The marines are taken to the Argo.<br /> <br /> The Comet Empire commander apologizes to Desslok for not listening to him about the Star Force.&nbsp; Desslok gloats.<br /> <br /> Dr. Sane is tending to the wounded marines while Sergeant Knox shows that he's got the mental maturity of a 13-year-old and leers at Nova.&nbsp; And she essentially maces him with antiseptic.&nbsp; Knox is also freaked out by IQ 9.<br /> <br /> Sandor gathers the department heads and analyzes the wreckage of the tanks.&nbsp; The EDF commandant calls them, and Wildstar briefs him on events, warning him that Earth is under threat from a new enemy.&nbsp; He welcomes them back into EDF command and orders them to address this new threat.&nbsp; General Stone is still an asshole.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> The bridge crew summarizes events, and then Orion starts the wave motion engine.&nbsp; The marines are in the mess hall using up the Argo's supplies.&nbsp; Sergeant Knox is watching the receding planet Brumas from the observation deck.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-46448858790881998452012-02-27T19:01:00.000-08:002012-02-27T19:01:40.019-08:00Crossing the Andromeda<br /> <br /> The EDF command is watching the Argo's escape.&nbsp; Meanwhile, citizens in the city see the light from the exploding battle satellite.&nbsp; Venture's little brother sits atop a crane and daydreams about his brother Mark.<br /> <br /> Eager sees no sign of pursuit as Venture announces they're passing the moon surface station.&nbsp; Fighters from the moon station approach the Argo.&nbsp; Wildstar orders all hands to battle stations.&nbsp; The gunners track the fighters as they make a pass.&nbsp; The fighters come back around, and the lead fighter waggles his wings.&nbsp; Wildstar gasps as he realizes who it is.&nbsp; Conroy announces that the Black Tiger Squadron and the Moon forces request permission to join the Star Force.&nbsp; As the pilots land in the hangar, Wildstar greets them personally.<br /> <br /> The Andromeda, with Gideon in command, closes in on the Argo.&nbsp; His first officer apprises him of the situation with the moon base flyers, and Gideon says his orders are to stop the Argo no matter the cost.<br /> <br /> The crew is having a mixer on the rec deck, and Sane's cat M-mi livens up the enterprise.&nbsp; Wildstar chases the cat down the corridor, and finds Nova has stowed aboard.&nbsp; Wildstar urges her to leave, because she ignored regulations--but Dr. Sane points out that he's broken rules himself, even with a good reason.&nbsp; Um, then Nova starts to undress--OH, she's getting into a spacesuit.&nbsp; Wildstar relents and orders her to resume her duties as part of the Star Force.&nbsp; He says that asking her to rejoin was too much to ask of her, but she says she is a member of the Star Force as much as anyone else.&nbsp; Then they embrace.<br /> <br /> The Andromeda gets one of Argo's beauty shots as it closes in.&nbsp; Gideon orders his crew to intercept the Argo just before it enters the asterod belt.<br /> <br /> Conroy opens a portal to bid farewell to the Earth--and sees the Andromeda closing in on the Argo's radar blindspot.&nbsp; All hands rush to their battle stations again.&nbsp; Eager updates Wildstar and Venture on the Andromeda's approach when Nova arrives on the bridge.&nbsp; The rest of the crew celebrates her arrival.&nbsp; Gideon sends a message for the Star Force to surrender.&nbsp; Wildstar refuses to answer.&nbsp; Sandor suggests they hide in the asteroid belt.&nbsp; Gideon is determined to pursue them.<br /> <br /> Venture pilots the Argo through the tight quarters of the asteroid belt.&nbsp; The Andromeda tries to keep up, but the asteroids are giving them difficulties.&nbsp; Nova leads Venture through a narrow canyon on a large asteroid.&nbsp; Orion says he's getting too old for this shit.&nbsp; The Andromeda can follow them no longer; Gideon orders his crew to circumvent the belt and catch the Argo when it emerges.<br /> <br /> The rest of the crew celebrates when they lose sight of the Andromeda, but Wildstar isn't so sure.<br /> The Argo emerges from the asteroid belt in sight of Jupiter's orbit.&nbsp; Nova picks up the Andromeda again.&nbsp; The Andromeda closes in very slowly.&nbsp; Sandor suggests Wildstar talk to Gideon; Venture concurs.&nbsp; Homer opens a channel.&nbsp; Gideon orders him to return.&nbsp; Wildstar tries to reason with him.&nbsp; Gideon insists the Star Force has no authority to investigate the message.&nbsp; Gideon apologizes, but he must follow his orders.&nbsp; The Argo crew prepares for battle.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> The Andromeda's computer trains its cannon batteries on the Argo.&nbsp; Wildstar aims the Argo's main shock cannons and prepares to fire.&nbsp; The range between the two ships closes.&nbsp; The crews wait tensely.&nbsp; Gideon is surprised that Wildstar seems to really mean it.&nbsp; The turrets track the Argo as it glides just over the bow of the Andromeda.&nbsp; Gideon's XO orders the turrets to realign behind them, but Gideon orders them to stand down and hopes Avatar has taught them well.&nbsp; Gideon tells the EDF he was unable to locate the Argo, and gives the Argo his regards and tells them he respects their courage.&nbsp; The crew celebrates throughout the ship and salutes the Andromeda from the observation deck.&nbsp; Gideon surmises that Wildstar will make a great captain.&nbsp; And it would have been awesome if he had added "In whatever navy you end up serving."&nbsp; <br /> <br /> The Comet Empire tracks the Argo as it passes Jupiter.&nbsp; They decide to leave the Argo to its own devices.&nbsp; Then Desslok calls them and scolds them for discounting the Star Force.&nbsp; The Comet Empire leaders are scornful of the Star Force and Desslok's obsession with them.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-57439646251561094022012-02-16T12:06:00.000-08:002012-02-16T12:06:09.806-08:00<strong>Battle Satellite</strong><br /> <br /> Oh, so the planet has been called Telezart all along.&nbsp; Wow.&nbsp; I never thought I'd be so dependent on subtitles.<br /> <br /> The Earth Defense Force are notified of the mass desertion of the ex-Star Force Members.&nbsp; They monitor the crew of the Argo remanning the Argo.&nbsp; They decide it's mutiny, and order the Star Force to return to their assigned posts.&nbsp; BTW, the Star Force are back in their first season uniforms.<br /> <br /> On the Argo's bridge, Wildstar appeals to the memory of Avatar.&nbsp; Orion isn't ready to take off, but Wildstar orders them to launch anyway.&nbsp; Wildstar and Sandor discuss the impending retaliation from EDHQ.&nbsp; Then Homer reports that they're calling for Wildstar right now.&nbsp; They put the commander of the EDF on-screen, who orders them to return to their posts.&nbsp; Wildstar refuses.&nbsp; General Stone initially gave them thirty minutes to decide, but then wants to override the locks that allow them to launch.<br /> <br /> Mark Venture is at home, still brooding, when Jordy comes home.&nbsp; Venture leaves for a walk rather than play ball with Jordy.&nbsp; Venture calls Dr. Sane.&nbsp; Whatever Venture says causes Sane to freak out.&nbsp; He takes the cat and starts to leave, but Nova knows what's happening, and insists on going.&nbsp; Even though SHE'S JUST A GIRL.&nbsp; BLEAUGH.<br /> <br /> Wildstar addresses the crew and reminds them that they are all volunteers and if they decide to stay on Earth, it's their decision.&nbsp; Sandor tells him that Venture hasn't arrived.&nbsp; Wildstar decides they have no choice but to leave without them.&nbsp; General Stone tries to prevent them from launching rather than reasoning with them.&nbsp; Eager and Dash are concerned that the locks are closing, but Wildstar is unworried.<br /> <br /> Venture, Sane and Nova meet at Avatar's statue/&nbsp; Venture voices his doubts.&nbsp; Sane, his cat, and Nova are going despite the risks.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> The Argo is preparing to launch.&nbsp; Wildstar is in the pilot's seat when IQ 9 tells him Venture asn't arrived.&nbsp; He orders the gangway retracted.&nbsp; Orion releases water into the launching dock.&nbsp; The EDF commander calls him again, and warns him that they'll be mutineers.&nbsp; Wildstar reaffirms their commitment to leave.&nbsp; The Argo is fully submerged, and Wildstar orders the launch.&nbsp; Then, a hand closes over Wildstar's on the flight controls.&nbsp; It's Venture.&nbsp; Venture increases engine power and they take off.<br /> <br /> General Stone orders missiles fired, though the commander argues they only want to prevent them from launching, not destroy them.&nbsp; Unfused missiles are launched.&nbsp; Eager warns them, and Wildstar has torpedoes launched to intercept them.&nbsp;&nbsp;One missile gets through and fastens to the Argo, followed by another.&nbsp; Sandor surmises they're only trying to weigh them down so they can't launch.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Orion activates the wave motion engine.&nbsp; Sandor asks Venture for maximum engine output to shake off the missiles.&nbsp; The ship surfaces and the manget missiles drop off.&nbsp; As the ship moves through the atmosphere, two fighters barnstorm them.&nbsp; One clips its wing on the Argo's conning tower.<br /> <br /> General Stone decides they'lve let the Star Force get away with too much.&nbsp; He activates the battle satellites.<br /> <br /> Eager picks up the satellite.&nbsp; Sandor advises Wildstar that it's gone active.&nbsp; Wildstar aims the shock cannons at the satellite as it charges up.&nbsp; It fires, and Venture evades the beam.&nbsp; IQ 9 says he helped design that satellite.&nbsp; Wildstar fires, destroying the satellite.&nbsp; The commander tells General Stone to let the Star Force get away.&nbsp; General Stone orders Gideon to take the Andromeda after the Argo.&nbsp; The EDF commander, privately, says to himself that the Star Force has his blessing in their mission.<br /> <br /> The Comet Empire's generals are apprised of the launch of the Star Force.&nbsp; Zordar orders them to stay on plan.<br /> <br /> The Argo is now space-bound, and Venture hopes they're doing the right thing.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-14916139652440675732012-02-15T12:12:00.000-08:002012-02-15T12:12:50.261-08:00Just a quick note before I go on with today's episode: I've found Space Battleship Yamato--dubbed.&nbsp; So, I'm going to finish up with the second season of Starblazers, and then I'm going to do something a little weird and go back to all of the previous eps of Star Blazers and add my commentary on the SBY version of each episode.&nbsp; So I can go back to my initial plan of comparing the Japanese original to the "retooled for American consumption" version.<br /> <br /> Now. . . <br /> <br /> <strong>Underground City</strong><br /> <br /> The Andromeda triumphantly lifts off as a bunch of little kids watch.&nbsp; One of them reminds the others that the Star Force is stronger, having defeated Gamilon.<br /> <br /> Wildstar is overseeing the repairs to the Argo when Venture and Nova arrive.&nbsp; Sandor calls Wildstar to the message decoding room.&nbsp; They have deciphered the message, and Nova realizes it originates from far in space.&nbsp; They listen to the garbled message.&nbsp; Ugh--that's gonna give me a headache.&nbsp; Wildstar says it sounds like someone in distress.&nbsp; Sandor is still analyzing the origin, and he and WIldstar speculate that the message could be garbled due to jamming.&nbsp; They try to convince the Earth Defense Force council that something is up.&nbsp; Um, the Council isn't swayed so easily.<br /> <br /> Later, Sandor, Wildstar, and Venture discuss the goings on.&nbsp; Sandor mentions that the power disruption was due to the destruction of an energy base on Venus.&nbsp; Wildstar decides to take off--with the Star Force veterans--in the Argo.&nbsp; Venture doesn't want to be an outlaw, but Sandor decides to tell the Star Force.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Wildstar and Nova are out for a drive, and Nova notices Derek is brooding even more than usual.&nbsp; Derek tells her not to worry.&nbsp; She urges him not to keep secrets.&nbsp; They leave the road and head out on a blasted, un-reclaimed stretch of Earth, then take a massive elevator to an underground city, a relic from the battle with the Gamilons.&nbsp; They reminisce about the last series--for the sake of the viewers.&nbsp; Wildstar scoffs at the EDF's thinking--do they believe Earth can never face such danger again?<br /> <br /> Nova knows why Derek brought her down to the city, and suspects that he's gonna go rogue with the Star Force and the Argo.&nbsp; Suddenly, she leaves for a moment.&nbsp; Derek is left standing by himself, flummoxed.&nbsp; Nova goes by herself to have a good cry--she can't bear to let Wildstar go, but she knows she can't ask him to stay.<br /> <br /> Desslok is aboard his flagship as it enters the Magellanic cloud.&nbsp; He thinks back to the time the Star Force defeated him there.&nbsp; His entire remaining Gamilon fleet is meeting up with him here.&nbsp; The various commanders sign in and the fleets form up.&nbsp; Desslok addresses his troops and prepares them for the coming war.&nbsp; He orders all ships to advance to Telezar.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Wildstar surveys the Argo in the hangar and promises her that they'll take to the skies soon.&nbsp; In the deserted bridge, he is surprised when the ship's systems come to life.&nbsp; Sandor and Orion arrive, and Sandor tells him that Orion's placed his gear aboard and completed the repairs.&nbsp; Homer, Dash, and Eager join them on the bridge.&nbsp; But where's Venture?<br /> <br /> Desslok's ships approach Telezar.&nbsp; He plans hi ambush against the Star force.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile the Comet Empire's comet is destroying asteroids for fuel/&nbsp; Zordar and Invidia are notified that Desslok has arrived at Telezar.&nbsp; Zordar then is apprised of the impending attack on the Earth's outer defenses.&nbsp; He orders the attack to commence.&nbsp; Crewmembers make the preparations for the comet to join the advance fleet.<br /> <br /> The Star Force prepares for launch aboard the Argo.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-33363913231436576012012-02-14T12:28:00.000-08:002012-02-14T12:28:15.985-08:00<strong>Blackout</strong><br /> The crew of the Argo is disembarking, meeting with their families.&nbsp; Derek and Nova reunite, and Nove sees Derek's bandage, insisting that Dr. Zane look at it.&nbsp; Zane says "Is that it?!"&nbsp; Then IQ 9 shows up.&nbsp; Today happens to be a holiday in honor of Captain Avatar.&nbsp; Wow, I really miss Captain Avatar and we're only two episodes in.<br /> <br /> Wildstar and Nova think about Earth's progress since they returned from Iscandar, and have dinner or something in a restaurant looking over the megalopolis.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Zane, meanwhile, is getting drunk--er, drinking SPRING WATER at Avatar's statue and reminiscing about the Iscandar mission.&nbsp; He also gets a cat drunk.&nbsp; Then the rest of the Argo crew, with Venture and Sandor, arrive and they have a reunion in honor of Avatar, administrated by Dr. Zane.&nbsp; The crew hang out in the park, drinking "spring water" and watchthe ship Andromeda return from her test run.<br /> <br /> Wildstar approaches Zane and ask him if everything is all right on Earth--Wildstar has a feeling that something is about to happen to Earth.&nbsp; Wildstar tells them that they were attacked by unknown ships.&nbsp; Everyone reacts.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Later, Wildstar is walking alone in the Star Force drydock and sees the Andromeda.&nbsp; He's confronted by by guards, but identifies himself and requests to see the captain.&nbsp; Wildstar meets Captain Gideon, and realizes that he was his instructor in the academy.&nbsp; Then they space-lawyer each other over right-of-way, and Gideon is an asshole.&nbsp; And he dismisses Wildstar.&nbsp; Sandor and Wildstar leave together, and they discuss the improvements and refinements of the Andromeda vs. the Argo.&nbsp; The look at the new engines and weapons, and comment on how everything is automated.&nbsp; Neither Sandor and Wildstar approve of the reduction of the crew to automatons.&nbsp; Sandor says the higher-ups think the Argo's crew was merely along for the ride, but both he and Wildstar know that success was due to the people working together.<br /> <br /> Sandor and Wildstar also discuss the mystery foe.&nbsp; The machines have been unable to analyze the transmission from the day before.&nbsp; In Sandor's . . . office?&nbsp; Station?&nbsp; They listen to the transmission, and then Sandor shows him some unidentified "comet" that is emitting a power ray that accounted for both Wildstar's and Sandor's system issues.&nbsp; Sandor supsects that it's something that merely looks like a comet.<br /> <br /> Sandor and Wildstar begin refitting the Argo with new weapons, ships, and a time-radar.&nbsp; Orion is concerned with improving the wave motion gun.&nbsp; The higher-ups want everything on board the Argo to be centralized.&nbsp; Wildstar is upset.&nbsp; He's goes to argue with the commandant.&nbsp; It doesn't go very well.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Then the lights go out.&nbsp; EVERYWHERE.&nbsp; Civilians panic.&nbsp; The power outages spread, and cause chaos.<br /> <br /> Dr. Zane, in the middle of an operation, uses a new robot's power cells to restore OR power.&nbsp; IQ 9 feels sad.<br /> <br /> Wildstar, driving on the surface,&nbsp; sees and recognizes a Comet Empire ship.<br /> <br /> The Comet reconnaissance commander reports to Zordar and Invidia, and shows them the chaos the power outage has caused.&nbsp; Desslok cautions them, and Invidia teases him.&nbsp; He leaves to head them off for when they decipher the garbled message.&nbsp; Invidia doesn't trust Desslok.&nbsp; That's okay, 'cuz ol' eyebrows Zardor has put a commander loyal to himself under Desslok.<br /> <br /> Next episode, Desslok meets up with former Gamilon officers.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-24390353047065768682012-02-13T15:39:00.000-08:002012-02-13T15:39:20.422-08:00<strong>Ambush at Jupiter</strong><br /> Here we go, on to season 2 of Star Blazers.&nbsp; They even updated the theme song!<br /> <br /> It's been a year since the Cosmo DNA rejuvenated the Earth.&nbsp; But a new threat approaches.&nbsp; A comet that devours every natural satellite it encounters--it's the home of the Comet empire.&nbsp; We see carriers deploying fighters as ground installations fight back.&nbsp; Are these ground installations on Earth?&nbsp; Or some other target planet?&nbsp; Must be a different planet, as a mushroom cloud wipes out the place.<br /> <br /> The comet emperor Zordar and his daughter Invidia <strike>drule</strike> drool over the renewed Earth.&nbsp; Zordar and his nobles? Commanders?&nbsp; Whoever--plot to invade Earth.&nbsp; Then Desslok arrives and Zordar greets him warmly.&nbsp; Desslok quizzes--oh, they're generals--on their strategy.&nbsp; The General outlines their plan.&nbsp; There are several forces deployed, one moving in to Earth, one disrupting Earth's energy.&nbsp; They even have a couple divisions in reserve for Desslok to command.<br /> <br /> Desslok tells them they've overlooked the Star Force.&nbsp; The Comet Empire doesn't consider the Star Force a credible threat, and point out that even the Earth government doesn't believe in the usefulness of the Star Force.&nbsp; Desslok warns them . . .<br /> <br /> The Argo is out on patrol at the edge of the solar system as mining and energy installations are being established throughout the planets.&nbsp; Wildstar is in command of the Argo, and is approaching Earth after a year on patrol.&nbsp; Homer teases Wildstar about Nova, who is working at a hospital on Earth.<br /> <br /> We go live, to Nova at the hospital.&nbsp; And, IQ 9 is there.&nbsp; And his head falls off.&nbsp; Nova gazes out a window as the robot leaves, and we get a neat transition from Earth sky to Argo flyby.<br /> <br /> Wildstar's radar operator picks up three UFOs.&nbsp; Wildstar starts to dismiss them as cargo ships, but they're unrecognizable.&nbsp; Wildstar orders Homer to get updates from Earth.&nbsp; Their transmissions are . . . jammed!<br /> <br /> The Comet Empire ships launch missiles at the rear guard ships.&nbsp; The damaged escort ship tells Wildstar that they'll land for repairs.&nbsp; The enemy ships fire on the Argo.&nbsp; Wildstar rushes to the hangar and launches in his fighter.&nbsp; Hello, hotblooded hero.&nbsp; It's been a while.<br /> <br /> Wildstar engages two of the ships (they look like horseshoe crabs).&nbsp; The speed of the enemy ships impresses Wildstar--then Homer calls him back--their energy systems are overloading.<br /> <br /> Two Comet Generals discuss this energy overload.&nbsp; And gloat.&nbsp; And they mock Desslok.<br /> <br /> The Argo crew is attempting to stop the energy overload.&nbsp; Sandor calls from Earth, telling them to cut off power transmission--but it's not coming from Earth.&nbsp; Sandor resorts to physically cutting the receptor circuits.&nbsp; Then IQ 9 arrives and his head falls off again.&nbsp; Urgh.<br /> <br /> Sandor's men had picked up a transmission just before the power surge.&nbsp; Nova is concerned that it's affecting ships in space.&nbsp; Like Derek on the Argo.<br /> <br /> Wildstar and Homer wonder about the planes, the damage, and the power surge.&nbsp; They resolve to return to Earth.<br /> <br /> The comet empire discusses the source of the transmission--a client planet was trying to warn Earth.&nbsp; Zordar dismisses the threat/&nbsp; Desslok speculates that the Star Force will launch a rescue mission, and Zordar places him in charge of the operation against the Argo.<br /> <br /> The Argo approaches the Earth, but the pilot . . .&nbsp; can't find a parking spot.&nbsp; Or get ahlod of ground control.&nbsp; Then another ship appears on their radar--a new Earth ship.&nbsp; Wildstar has Homer warn them out of the Argo's way, but the radio is still out.<br /> <br /> I think these ships made the colonizing trip to Glorie from Libertie.&nbsp; The captain of the new ship calls the Argo a tub.&nbsp; This turns into a game of chicken.&nbsp; Argo has the right-of-way, but the new ship doesn't want to lose their test results.&nbsp; And the captain freaks out when he realizes Wildstar is in charge.&nbsp; The Argo holds its course.&nbsp; The two ships just barely miss each other.&nbsp; Homer reports that they've lost two coats of paint.&nbsp; The two crews relax, and Wildstar loses his mind and starts laughing.&nbsp; The rest of the bridge crew joins in.<br /> <br /> On Earth, Sandor repairs IQ 9, who leaves for a date with a lady robot.&nbsp; The Argo prepares to land.&nbsp; But, the message they've received will . . . do things.&nbsp; To other things.<br /> <br /> <em>Look forward to it!</em>merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-40899516772506278782012-02-10T11:06:00.000-08:002012-02-10T11:06:36.811-08:00<strong>The Journey Home</strong><br /> This is it.&nbsp; The end of the epic.&nbsp; Well, the first season, anyway.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> The Star Force loads the Cosmo DNA on the Argo, leave Iscandar for Earth, and bid farewell to Alex Wildstar and Starsha.&nbsp; The crew works to assemble the Cosmo DNA so they can use it as soon as they land.<br /> <br /> On the bridge, Wildstar and Venture admire the home galaxy from afar.&nbsp; Homer cheers--they can contact Earth.&nbsp; Earth command contacts them, and they tell them they have the Cosmo DNA, but that Avatar is ill from radiation sickness.<br /> <br /> In Avatar's quarters, Dr. Zane examines the captain.&nbsp; Avatar tells him of a dream he had of the Earth.&nbsp; Zane assures him that they'll reach the Earth.&nbsp; Venture and Wildstar anticipate one final jump to Earth.&nbsp; Venture says it's lonely without the Gamilons at every step.<br /> <br /> Oh, Venture, you had to say it.&nbsp; Desslok is closing in on them in a ship of his own.&nbsp; He prepares to fire the Desslok cannon, but the Argo warps just as he fires.&nbsp; Desslok orders his crew to jump after them.<br /> <br /> The Argo warps into their home solar system--and Desslok's ship warps into the same spatial coordinates and they collide.&nbsp; Desslok orders his crew to prepare for boarding, and unleashes radioactive "sleeping"&nbsp;gas.&nbsp; Orion and the survivors of the engineering crew get helmets on and try to hold off the boarding party, but they get past them.&nbsp; Orion notifies the bridges crew, but the boarders are relying on the gas.&nbsp; Wildstar comes face to, um, helmet with Desslok.&nbsp; As the gas slowly fills the ship, Desslok taunts Wildstar.<br /> <br /> Venture issues a warning to the remaining crew about the gas.&nbsp; Nova rushes from sickbay to the Cosmo DNA.&nbsp; Sandor protests--it hasn't been tested yet.&nbsp; As the gas begins to overcome Sandor, she tells him to walk her through the process from the control room.&nbsp; Just as she's engulfed by the radioactive gas, she starts the machine.<br /> <br /> The gas is cleared from the ship, but Nova collapses.<br /> <br /> Desslok and his boarding party are driven off of the Argo by the cleaned air.&nbsp; They disengage from the Argo and jump away, vowing to return.&nbsp; Sandor tells Wildstar about Nova, and then goes to find Dr. Zane.&nbsp; Wildstar has&nbsp;a heroic blue-screen-of-death over Nova's unconscous form.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Wildstar is in Avatar's quarters, beginning to lose hope that Nova will recover.&nbsp; Avatar gives him a lecture on the quality and meaning of hope.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> They finally reach the Earth, and the surviving crew gathers at the observation deck to celebrate.&nbsp; Wildstar mopes through the joyous throng, brooding over Nova.&nbsp; he enters sickbay and caresses Nova's face.&nbsp; Wildstar picks her up and carries her to the observation deck.&nbsp; They had a good opportunity for a series of flashbacks while Wildstar has a monologue about how he's fallen in love with Nova, but it doesn't happen.&nbsp; He carries her out onto the bridge.&nbsp; The crew turns and watches, and they give Wildstar encouragement.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Man, this scene is <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ManlyTears">rough</a>.<br /> <br /> The Gamilons have closed in behind the Argo again.&nbsp; Desslok prepares the cannon and fires.&nbsp; Eager detects the energy surge and Venture evades.&nbsp; They're not going to make it when Sandor flicks a switch and the ship glows white.&nbsp; The energy bolt strikes the Argo--and is deflected back at Desslok.&nbsp; Desslok watches in dismay as he's consumed by flames.<br /> <br /> Sandor explains that he's just finished a reflecting force-field based on the Gamilon reflex cannon.&nbsp; Venture pilots them to Earth.<br /> <br /> Avatar asks Dr. Zane to leave him alone for a while.&nbsp; Zane leaves reluctantly.&nbsp; Dammit, he's going to die RIGHT NOW, isn't he?&nbsp; He takes out a picture of his family.&nbsp; He apologizes to the Earth that he won't live to see it green again.<br /> <br /> God, I love this show--BUT IT FUCKING SUCKS.<br /> <br /> Whew.&nbsp; Okay.&nbsp; I'm all right now.&nbsp; Yeah, I know there's some internet dipshit right now who's going, "Gawd, you could see this coming from a mile away."&nbsp; Fuck you, dipshit.&nbsp; I knew it was happening.&nbsp; It was just really well executed.&nbsp; So piss off.<br /> <br /> Wildstar takes Nova from the bridge to Dr. Zane when she regains consciousness.&nbsp; Yes, dipshit, you knew that was happening, too.&nbsp; Congratulations for winning anime.&nbsp; Fuck you.&nbsp; Wildstar and Nova do a little dance around the bridge and the Argo finally returns to Earth.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-88029106848991296572012-02-09T11:57:00.000-08:002012-02-09T11:57:13.143-08:00<strong>Iscandar</strong><br /> <br /> So I've been misspelling it all along.&nbsp; Oh well.<br /> <br /> The Argo is making the final approach to Iscandar.&nbsp; Eager reports that the environment is similar to Earth.&nbsp; Homer reports that Starsha is calling them.&nbsp; Wildstar puts in on speakers.&nbsp; She warns them of the atmospheric conditions, and they land in a bay near the capital city.&nbsp; The ship docks and Wildstar, Nova, IQ 9, Venture, and Sandor disembark to find Starsha greeting them.&nbsp; Sandor remarks that Starsha looks like Nova.<br /> <br /> The crew members introduce themselves and Starsha mistakes Nova for her sister.&nbsp; They explain that Astra had crashed on Mars, killing her.&nbsp; Wildstar tells her how they found the message capsule, and that's how they got to where they are now.<br /> <br /> They begin loading the Cosmo DNA parts as Orion, the doctor, and the captain watch with Sandor keeping track.&nbsp; Sandor wishes they could assemble it under Icandarian supervision, but they're out of time and have to do it on the trip.&nbsp; Avatar expresses his total confidence in Sandor.<br /> <br /> The&nbsp; crew is exploring the planet by riding around on a weird monorail thing.&nbsp; Nova and Wildstar and with Starsha at . . . a graveyard?&nbsp; Starsha says it may be all that's left of Iscandar.&nbsp; Nova says they have seen no people--and Starsha says she and her sister were the only survivors of a mysterious virus.&nbsp; They asked the Gamilons for help., but the Gamilons decided to conquer instead.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Starsha tells them to follow her to the city--there is someone from Earth that they must convey back with them.&nbsp; She takes them to some kind of ICU-like room, and Derek sees his brother Alex, resulting in a tearful reunion.&nbsp; Starsha leaves and cries in private, until Nova approaches her.&nbsp; Starsha explains that he had been captured by the Gamilons.&nbsp; On the trip to Gamilon, the ship carrying him crashed on Iscandar.&nbsp; She says he must go back to Earth, but Nova points out that Starsha is in love with him.<br /> <br /> In the mess of the Argo, crewmembers wonder if they'll make it to Earth in time.&nbsp; Orion is confident that they can repair the damage to the Argo.&nbsp; Sparks is a total Debbie Downer--and wants to stay on Iscandar.&nbsp; Orion, has none of that nonsense.<br /> <br /> Nova and the Wildstars (that's really fun to say) return to the Argo.&nbsp; Alex visits Avatar, who is shocked at his survival--Sandor, Alex's old classmate, is the first of pretty much the entire crew to visit.&nbsp; Meanwhile, Sparks loses his mind and kidnaps Nova.&nbsp;&nbsp;Derek suggests taking Starsha with them to Earth.&nbsp; Derek asks her in person, but Starsha cannot bring herself to leave her homeworld.&nbsp; She shows a plane from the Argo--people including Sparks have landed on a volcanic island that might sink.&nbsp; Wildstar rushes off to the rescue as the ground quakes.<br /> <br /> Wildstar returns to the ship, only to be informed that SParks and others have deserted.&nbsp; Sparks calls to tell them of his intentions.&nbsp; They argue for a bit.&nbsp; Then Sparks reveals that they've kidnapped Nova.&nbsp; Well, that's creepy as all hell.&nbsp; Wildstar tries to warn them of the islands instability.&nbsp; Then Eager picks up a tidal wave--well, a tsunami, but they call it a tidal wave.&nbsp; Venture prepares to launch to avoid the wave.<br /> <br /> The deserters are terrified at the earthquake on their island.&nbsp; The Argo lifts off and launches, um, things.&nbsp; Meanwhile, the tidal wave hits the island and a volcano erupts.&nbsp; The things the Argo launched turn out to be rescue ships.&nbsp; One picks up Nova and flies her back to the Argo.<br /> <br /> What about Sparks and the other 10 deserters?<br /> <br /> Venture meets the other department heads in Avatar's quarters.&nbsp; Wildstar gives the order to prepare for the trip home.&nbsp; Avatar urges Starsha one last time to come to Earth with them, but she insists on staying at her home.&nbsp; As they're leaving, Nova urges her to keep Alex with her, but She doesn't answer.<br /> <br /> Alex says his final goodbye to Starsha, and she finally breaks down and declares her love for him.&nbsp; She rushes off, and Alex starts after her.&nbsp; He asks Derek to forgive him, and then makes the decision to stay on Iscandar.&nbsp; Derek and Nova watch them leave, and Derek seems happy for his brother.&nbsp; He calls them the Adam and Eve of Iscandar.&nbsp; And then tells Nova their turn is next.&nbsp; Ummm . . . <br /> <br /> The Argo lifts off for the return trip, carrying the Cosmo DNA.&nbsp; They only have 131 days left.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-27652960822284551052012-02-06T08:15:00.000-08:002012-02-06T08:15:18.665-08:00<strong>The Battle of Gamilon</strong><br /> <br /> The Argo is in the Gamilon sea of sulfuric acid.&nbsp; Wildstar asks IQ 9 for confirmation.&nbsp; IQ and Sandor warn him that the rain and the seawater will destroy the Argo.&nbsp; Then a flight missiles approach and they evade, trying not to dive into the sea.<br /> <br /> In the Gamilon HQ, Desslok watches as Krypt orders continued missile barrages.&nbsp; Desslok orders the sulfuric acid storm machine, and then gloats.&nbsp; Krypt offers him wine as a toast, but Desslok rebuffs him.<br /> <br /> The missiles continue to batter the Argo.&nbsp; Nova, after Wildstar catches her during a fall, tells him to consult with the captain.&nbsp; Avatar asks Wildstar how the crew is holding up.&nbsp; Wildstar says the crew is holding up, but he doesn't know what to do.&nbsp; Avaar tells him to submerge the ship and find a volcano, triggering it to erupt with the wave motion gun.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Wildstar relays the orders, to Venture and Sandor airing their objections.&nbsp; They batten down the hatches (seriously) and Wildstar submerges the ship.&nbsp; Desslok and Krypt watch--everyone knows they have only 10 minutes under the acid/&nbsp; IQ 9 finds a suitable volcano and guides Venture toward it.&nbsp; IQ is going slowly and methodically, and Sandor starts to freak out a little as bits fall off the ship.&nbsp; IQ 9 directs them to a volcano connected to other volcanoes, and Wildstar charges the wave motion gun.<br /> <br /> They fire.<br /> <br /> The blast disintegrates the base of the volcano.&nbsp; Magma churns out of several volcanoes and the Gamilon fortifications are severely damaged.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> In his headwuarters, Desslok watches the eruption in stunned silence.&nbsp; Then he breaks into hysterics.&nbsp; His men watch in terror.<br /> <br /> The Argo breaks the surface of the sulfur sea.&nbsp; Krypt reports to Desslok, who has now calmed down.&nbsp; To the point that he thinks it's a ghost ship.&nbsp; He flips out and orders are weapons launched.&nbsp; Krypt then turns on, urging him to stop the fight before the Star Force destroys them.<br /> <br /> Wildstar is hearing Sandor's damage report.&nbsp; And they see another approaching wave of missiles.&nbsp; The missiles hit and Wildstar orders all remaining guns to fire.&nbsp; As the missiles continue to swarm around the Argo, Wildstar orders them to charge into the heart of the command post.&nbsp; Some funky looking missiles detach from the roof of the planetwide cavern and while some are destroyed byt the Argo's guns, others trigger a massive cave-in, dropping more missiles in the midst of the Gamilon fortifications.<br /> <br /> The Gamilon headquarters is ruined.&nbsp; Desslok staggers to his feet, surrounded by his dead troops.&nbsp; He dodges a cave-in and gets into an escape ship of some sort.<br /> <br /> The crew of the Argo pick themselves up out of the wreckage.&nbsp; The dubbers added some dialogue between Sandor and Eager so it doesn't look quite so sepulchral.&nbsp; Wildstar finds Nova on an upper deck.&nbsp; She's exhausted and overcome by the fighting.&nbsp; Wildstar suspects the Gamilons are done fighting.&nbsp; The ship is just as severey damaged as the Gamilon command post.&nbsp; Wildstar helps Nova to her feet--they need to patch up both the crew and the ship.&nbsp; They return the the bridge, and Wildstar gives the order to make the last leg of the trip to Iskandar.<br /> <br /> The Argo emerges from the caverns of Gamilon.&nbsp; In his quarters, Avatar watches the approach to Iskandar.&nbsp; He congratulates the crew over the PA.&nbsp; They make the final approach to Iskandar--only 161 days left.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-28497022641279078482012-01-31T13:56:00.000-08:002012-01-31T13:56:03.290-08:00<strong>Dragged to Gamilon</strong><br /> <br /> The Argo approaches a phenomena on space, and Venture realizes something is wrong with the compass.&nbsp; IQ 9 and Nova state the obvious, and Sandor insists the problem isn't with the compass.&nbsp; Venture decides it's an external cause.&nbsp; Homer determines that a signal is coming from the Magellanic Cloud where Iskandar is.&nbsp; Homer does something, and they receive a message from Queen Starsha of Iskandar.&nbsp; She tells them that Iskandar is the 8th planet orbiting the sun in the Magellanic Cloud, and she will transmit a signal as a guide.&nbsp; The crew celebrates and shakes hands.<br /> <br /> In his quarters, Avatar is bed-ridden.&nbsp; Recovering from the battle?&nbsp; Or worse.&nbsp; Derek and Nova have a "first date" where Derek tries to take a picture of the two of them and she slaps his hand away, then leaves, giggling.<br /> <br /> Homer goes to the radio room when they realize the signal from Iskandar is gone.&nbsp; Venture explains to Wildstar that two Iskandar's have appeared.&nbsp; They wonder what's going on.&nbsp; Then one Iskandar disappears from the screen.&nbsp; Homer surmises it's radio jamming.&nbsp; Missiles suddenly close in.&nbsp; Wildstar has the gun crews prepare and range in as the missiles divide into four groups.&nbsp; Wildstar sends Nova to look after the captain, though Avatar insists Nova should be on the bridge.&nbsp; Wildstar orders the weapons to fire a counter barrage, but the missiles end up being cluster weapons of some sort and get through.&nbsp; Venture panics--the missiles have created a metallic cloud that distorts all the sensor readings.<br /> <br /> Wildstar has a momentary crisis, wonder if he's cut out to lead, then orders Conroy out in a fighter to collect missile fragments.&nbsp; Conroy is forced to launch without instruments.&nbsp; Sandor analyzes the fragments, and determines that they are of Gamilon origin.&nbsp; After some mental gymnastics, Sandor, Wildstar and Venture realize that the "second Iskandar" is Gamilon--they never thought about where Gamilon actually was.<br /> <br /> In the Gamilon capital city--which is underground--Desslok is relaxing in a pool, getting a massage when Starsha calls him on a space phone.&nbsp; She is upset at the radiation scattered around Iskandar.&nbsp; Desslok mocks her, and asserts that the devastation of Earth was for the benefit of both planets.&nbsp; Because Galveston--er, Gamilon needs a new planet, so he's decided to depopulate Earth.&nbsp; Starsha then taunts him with his repeated losses against the Star Force.&nbsp; Desslok cuts her off.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Desslok, now fully clothed, arrives at the Gamilon, um, government chambers.&nbsp; Fine.&nbsp; Let's just call it the Reichkanzlorei.&nbsp; He gives us a geological lesson on the strange double-crust structure of Gamilon, and that the volcanoes of the lower crust have created seas of sulfur, which will figure in his final plans to destroy the Star Force.&nbsp; It involves missiles, coastal gins, and other crazy schemes.&nbsp; The generals sure seem to like it.<br /> <br /> The Argo is still enshrouded by the metallic cloud, and Wildstar agonizes over Starsha's true allegiances.&nbsp; Then Nova calls him to the radio room--Starsha is calling.&nbsp; She warns them of Gamilon and their jamming and . . . she gets cut off.<br /> <br /> Wildstar apologizes to Venture for having a meltdown.&nbsp; Wildstar then goes to Avatar's cabin, where Avatar advises him to get past the Gamilons.&nbsp; Then the ship is struck and starts shaking.&nbsp; Wildstar emerges on the bridge to discover that the magnetic cloud is dragging the Argo towards Gamilon.&nbsp; The crew rushes to battle stations.&nbsp; On Gamilon, the tractor beam weapons are dragging the Argo to the planet, despite Venture's best efforts.<br /> <br /> They brace for a crash, and then plummet straight through an opening in the crust into a sulfurous sea.&nbsp; The Argo splashes down.<br /> <br /> Teh crew is scattered across the bridge where they fell.&nbsp; Wildstar struggles back into his seat and rouses the rest of the crew.&nbsp; He orders IQ 9 to analyze the sea--but Nova and Sandor are still trying to reassemble him.&nbsp; Then a storm starts.&nbsp; IQ 9 starts his analysis as the storm rages.&nbsp; IQ 9 informs them that the ship will dissolve in this sea.&nbsp; Venture orders them to lift off.&nbsp; Bits of the ship are already corroding and falling off.&nbsp; Then bombs start dropping on them.&nbsp; The explosions drive them back under the sulfurous waves. . .<br /> <br /> There are only 164 days left.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-46295668911698791872012-01-30T11:56:00.000-08:002012-01-30T11:56:29.949-08:00<strong>Battle of the Rainbow Galaxy</strong><br /> And here it goes, the big battle we spend all of last episode building up to!<br /> <br /> Lysis proclaims that today will be the day the Gamilon forces finally defeat the Star Force.&nbsp; He launches his fighters to defeat the Black Tigers.<br /> <br /> The Argo moves into the Rainbow Galaxy at full alert.&nbsp; Wildstar orders the Black Tigers to launch as he sees the Gamilon fighters closing in.&nbsp; The ships form up around the Argo.&nbsp; Wildstar leads his fighters against the Gamilons.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Lysis orders the precision bombers from Carrier 2 to launch.&nbsp; He then prepares the SMITE machine.&nbsp; The precision bombers assume formation in the SMITE zone and are teleported (while Balgar laughs maniacally) to a location just behind the Argo.&nbsp; Uhhhh, that effect looks an awful lot like the Zentraedi grand fleet folding into Earthspace.&nbsp; The bombers start bombing the Argo and Venture can't figure out where they came from.&nbsp; Avatar desparately recalls the Black Tigers.&nbsp; Wildstar orders them to return.<br /> <br /> The bombers are taking their toll on the Argo, which fires back with its weapons.&nbsp; The Black Tigers return and the bombers reform and break off.&nbsp; Watching all of this, Lysis orders carrier 3's torpedo planes to launch and attack the Argo's unprotected flank.&nbsp; They, too, are transported by the SMITE machine.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Wildstar is pursuing the bombers when he sees the torpedo planes materialize and encircle the Argo.&nbsp; They drop torpedoes WHICH HAPPEN TO BE MOST OF THE PLANE'S FUSELAGE!!&nbsp; Wildstar is recalled again while the Argo takes severe damage.<br /> <br /> Lysis orders the drill missile launched an deploys the heavy bomber squadron.&nbsp; The drill missile is carried by a crazy looking bomber that is SMITE-transported to the Argo just like the others.&nbsp; THe Black Tigers are chasing off the torpedo planes when Conroy advises Wildstar that the planes are low on fuel.&nbsp; Wildstar orders them back to the ship.&nbsp; Lysis orders the drill missile to be used. <br /> <br /> The Argo crew sees the heavy bomber appear and panics.&nbsp; The drill missile is launched and flies right up the wave motion gun.&nbsp; Venture speculates that it's a misfire--the Sandor sees tha the missile is turning.&nbsp; Avatar orders all belowdecks crews to the upper decks as the missile bores its way into the ship.<br /> <br /> Sandor and IQ 9 run to the wave motion gun and try to find the missile's power source.&nbsp; They crawl into the missile and attempt to reverse the drill action.<br /> <br /> Lysis plans to detonate the missile in five minutes.&nbsp; He orders his carrier fleet to assemble to witness the final destruction.<br /> <br /> Venture and Wildstar are coordinating the repairs of the majority of the attack's damage while Sandor and IQ 9 are still working on the missile.<br /> <br /> The carriers transform from carrier to battleship modes and begin fire cannonades at the Argo.&nbsp; The Argo takes serious damage.&nbsp; Wildstar returns fire with the conventional weapons while Sandor find the controls of the missile.&nbsp; The fleet closes in on the crippled Argo.&nbsp; Blagar and Lysis gloat.&nbsp; Then IQ 9 reverses the missile and he and Sandor evacuate.&nbsp; The missile pulls itself out of the Argo's bow and flies back to the Gamilon fleet.&nbsp; It strikes the red carrier and explodes.&nbsp; The flaming wreckage catches the blue carrier, destroying it.&nbsp; Lysis' command ship is buffeted by th explosion as all the carriers explode.&nbsp; He pilots his command ship right at the Argo.<br /> <br /> Venture evades, but Lysis's flying saucer continues chasing them.&nbsp; Avatar orders them into the black cloud, but Lysis tracks them on sonar and drop DEPTH CHARGES.&nbsp; Er, space bombs.&nbsp; The barrage shakes the Argo, but they get above Lysis.&nbsp; Lysis decides to plant a bomb on the Argo's ventral surface.<br /> <br /> Venture and Wildstar wonder at the sudden lull in attacks.&nbsp; The radar is repaired just in time for Nova to see that the Gamilon ship is beneath them.&nbsp; Then Lysis appears on the Argo's screen.&nbsp; He and Avatar confront each other face to face for the first time.&nbsp; Lysis tells him of the bomb.&nbsp; It detonates, and the Argo withstand the blast.&nbsp; Lysis opts to limp home in his damaged control ship.<br /> <br /> The Argo is battered and severely damaged, but continues on in space.&nbsp; Crewmembers assemble on the outer deck for a military funeral for the lost hands.&nbsp; Avatar presides in a stirring speech as the main cast salutes fallen comrades whose names we never knew . . .<br /> <br /> Hmm.&nbsp; No day countdown in this episode.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-34550005631893686772012-01-26T11:54:00.000-08:002012-01-26T11:54:09.464-08:00<strong>Challenge of the Rainbow Galaxy</strong><br /> \Lysis is on trial before Desslok for his failures.&nbsp; He blames Balgar.&nbsp; Krypt and other leaders accuse him of arrogance.&nbsp; A vote for the death penalty (among others) begins.&nbsp; Krypt declares that he is placed under house arrest until the day of his execution.<br /> <br /> Desslok is being attended to by blondes when Krypt brings him the death penalty verdict.&nbsp; Desslok crumples up the verdict, and says Lysis is the only one he can trust him to actually do things.&nbsp; I know I bring it up a lot, but the Gamilon buildings and vehicles look an awful lot like the Galveston buildings and vehicles.&nbsp; Krypt brings Lysis news of his pardon.<br /> <br /> The Argo crew are analyzing material from Balan.&nbsp; Sandor tells Wildstar that he suspects the Gamilons were planning to move to Earth--and that Balan was a midway station that they've now destroyed.<br /> <br /> Balgar and Lysis are looking at the rainbow galaxy.&nbsp; Lysis decides that this is where they will meet them for the final battle.&nbsp; He wants Balgar to issue a challenge to the Star Force.&nbsp; He has a crazy transporter-like weapon called SMITE for short.&nbsp; He also has a drill missile, specifically designed to be fired right down the wave motion gun.<br /> <br /> On the Argo, all the department heads are rushing to the bridge, wondering what's happening.&nbsp; Wildstar tells them that they've received a communication from Gamilon.&nbsp; Homer translates it.&nbsp; It's a challege from Lysis to meet him in an Earth-week for a challenge.&nbsp; Wildstar is all ready for the fight.&nbsp; Sandor and Venture are more concerned about the schedule.&nbsp; Wildstar is all for wiping them out now to save time later.&nbsp; Orion reminds them that Avatar is on the bridge.&nbsp; Avatar stands and proclaims that they did not seek out the Gamilons--the Gamilons brought the fight to them. They will face them.<br /> <br /> The Gamilon forces are amassing.&nbsp; Fighters are being transported to massive multi-deck carriers.&nbsp; The carriers land in a strange, hollow-looking planet (it's sorta like the covered jungle experiment the Invid had).&nbsp; Lysis is informed that all 4 space carriers have landed.&nbsp; He meets with the four captains.&nbsp; He briefs them on the mission.<br /> <br /> Maintenance crews are working on the Black Tiger fighters.&nbsp; Venture briefs Wildstar on the rainbow galaxy.&nbsp; Each star has . .&nbsp; it's own . . . metal?&nbsp; Ooo-kay.&nbsp; Wildstar suspects they'll have radar problems in an area with such a composition.<br /> <br /> Lysis and his massed forces salute Desslok, who gives them a pep-talk.&nbsp; The color-coded carriers began loading troops as Lysis and Balgar supervise.&nbsp; Balgar is worried about what happens after the drill missile fails.&nbsp; Lysis accuses him of being afraid.&nbsp; They board the flagship to a gun salute.&nbsp; The carriers deploy.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Avatar broods over his selection of Wildstar as deputy captain while the five Gamilon ships enter the rainbow galaxy.&nbsp; Lysis outlines their plan, to destroy the radar first, and then the main gun.&nbsp; Balgar licks his boots (well, figuratively).&nbsp; Lysis warns them not to underestimate Avatar.<br /> <br /> Avatar orders Venture to go to automatic pilot, then summons the whole crew to the assembly room.&nbsp; Members of the crew voice their doubts and their resolve.&nbsp; Avatar, supporting himself on a cane, mounts the stage and urges them to fight well, then has them make a toast with water from Earth.&nbsp; Avatar toasts to his friends and their coming victory.<br /> <br /> Balgar notifies Lysis of the Argo's arrival, who gloats that they will be flying blind.<br /> <br /> Nova warns of the loss of radar while Avatar and Wildstar summon all hands to battle stations.&nbsp; The crew man their fighters.&nbsp; The Gamilon fleet approaches, readying cannon and fighters.&nbsp; The Argo retroes and awaits the Gamilon fleet.&nbsp; Aaand--to be continued!!<br /> <br /> Only 215 days left.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-49041416934626702012012-01-25T11:26:00.000-08:002012-01-25T11:26:59.306-08:00<strong>The Artificial Sun</strong><br /> <br /> The Star Force has reached Balan--the half-way point of their trip to Iskandar.&nbsp; But unbeknownst to them, it's the site of a Gamilon Base.&nbsp; Conroy, Wildstar, and IQ 9 are on a reconnaissance flight and see . . . a star orbiting the planet Balan?<br /> <br /> The bridge crew discuss the mission.&nbsp; Wildstar and Conroy approach the planet surface and see pod-like plants all over the ground.&nbsp; And in the center of a crater, IQ 9 sees a Gamilon station.&nbsp; Wildstar and Conroy do a closer flyby and call the Argo to advise them of the base's existence.<br /> <br /> As they close in on the base, anti-aircraft fire greets them, but they evade and continue surveying the planet.&nbsp; IQ 9 relays the return message from the Argo, but Wildstar decides to shut the base down.&nbsp; A Gamilon squadron launches.&nbsp; Conroy tells Wildstar to go back, since he's just flying a recon plane.&nbsp; Conroy engages.&nbsp; Wildstar gives IQ 9 the controls, only to have IQ 9 take him back to the ship while Conroy continues the fight.<br /> <br /> Wildstar lands and goes to the bridge.&nbsp; On the bridge, Homer orders Conroy to return.&nbsp; Wildstar urges Avatar to destroy the base.&nbsp; Venture protests--they're 44 days behind schedule.&nbsp; Wildstar points out that they'll just have to fight them on the way back, putting them even more behind schedule.&nbsp; Avatar agrees to attack just as Conroy in his damaged fighter.<br /> <br /> Lysis is mustering his fleet 50 mega-miles from the Balan base.&nbsp; Balgar paces, getting on Lysis' nerves.&nbsp; Lysis plots and schemes.&nbsp; A common enemy commander trait, isn't it?&nbsp; He knows the Argo will close in to the surface base, and he'll use the artificial star to crush them.&nbsp; Balgar is upset that Lysis is willing o sacrifice the base.<br /> <br /> The base prepares to counterattack the Argo.&nbsp; The Argo closes on the planet and Avatar orders all hands to battle station.&nbsp; Wildstar prepares the missile and main gun batteries.&nbsp; He notices the sun is doing something weird and orders an eye kept on it.<br /> <br /> The Gamilon base launches missiles.&nbsp; The main guns intercept the missile barrage.&nbsp; Balgar and Lysis watch as they approach straight on to the base.&nbsp; Lysis orders the artificial sun activated and starts its descent.&nbsp; The sun closes in on the Argo while it's fighting its way through the missiles.<br /> <br /> On the bridge, Eager notices the sun closing in and alerts the rest of the crew.&nbsp; Wildstar wants to fire the wave motion gun at it.&nbsp; Eager and Sandor protest, and the fourth missile wave reaches them.&nbsp; The sun closes, and Avatar orders him to prepare the wave motion gun to fire at the sun.&nbsp; He and Venture coordinate the aiming--300 seconds to align the gun, 290 seconds for the sun to destroy them.&nbsp; Lysis gloats and Balgar is upset that the troops on the base will be sacrificed and leaves the control room.<br /> <br /> Missiles strike the ship's unprotected flank as the aft guns struggle to shoot them down.&nbsp; Wildstar orders them to back away from the sun--Venture is afraid the missiles will do even more damage from that close range.&nbsp; They do it anyway, and some panic ensues as the sun promises to destroy the Gamilon base as well as the Argo.&nbsp; Nova sees Avatar clutching his chest . . .<br /> <br /> Lysis is gloating--until Balgar tells him that Desslok is calling.&nbsp; Lysis wonders why he chose now to call.&nbsp; Desslok orders him not to sacrifice the base.&nbsp; Lysis, enrage, yells at Balgar.<br /> <br /> The Argo crew see the sun receding.&nbsp; Thy come around and prepare to fire the wave motion gun.&nbsp; The BFG does its thing and destroys the sun.&nbsp; Fragments from the sun strike and devastate the Gamilon base, but the Argo escapes.&nbsp; Lysis and Balgar watch in dismay as the Argo emerges relatively unscathed.<br /> <br /> A research team lands on Balan the moment the sun is done erupting.&nbsp; The bridge crew is at ease after the battle.&nbsp; Wildstar says the plants were the thing that tipped him off to the sun's artificialness.&nbsp; Avatar orders him to meet with him at a specified time.&nbsp; Nova and IQ 9 land on the hangar deck and bring a space turtle on board.&nbsp; The turtle's vestigal eyes and the plants all indicate that the planet normally has very little light.&nbsp; The ship resumes its crews.<br /> <br /> Wildstar meets Avatar in his quarters.&nbsp; The captain says he's fatigued.&nbsp; He asks Wildstar for help, taking on some of the responsibilities as deputy captain.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Any chance the Man-Made sun episode of Dairugger was an homage to this episode?&nbsp; As well as the team leaders becoming co-captains with Ise?<br /> <br /> There are only 253 days left.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-59823554945006106832012-01-24T12:07:00.000-08:002012-01-24T12:07:18.591-08:00<strong>Communications Satellite</strong><br /> <br /> The Star Force has been out of visual communications with Earth for 2 months.&nbsp; A crew member is having a physical in sick bay.&nbsp; He has a constant ringing in his ears, but the doctor can't find a physical reason, but guesses he's suffering from homesickness.&nbsp; He is prescribed a visit to the holodeck with Nova.&nbsp; She sets up a simulation of snowfall near a harbor.&nbsp; Crewman Homer seems somewhat cheered up by the simulation until he sees a hologram of his mother carrying firewood and freaks out when it's apparent that she's a hologram.<br /> <br /> The Doctor is assisting the Captain to the communications room.&nbsp; Avatar&nbsp;manages to contact the UN.&nbsp; They report that the planet bombs have ceased with the destruction of the Pluto base, though the radiation is still spreading.&nbsp; Suddenly Homer arrives and starts some panic spreading.&nbsp; We don't know anything about Iskandar, we don't know where the Gamilons are, and we don't know what's really going on on Earth.&nbsp; Avatar talks him down, and then Homer passes out.<br /> <br /> In the mess hall, all the department heads are discussing Avatar's communication with Earth.&nbsp; Avatar thanks them for their performance while he was in sickbay.&nbsp; The toast to the crew, the families on Earth, and the captain's health.&nbsp; They express concern at Homer's outburst.&nbsp; Venture wonders what the chances of the success of the mission really are.&nbsp; Avatar tells him there are no guarantees, but they must believe in a future for everyone.&nbsp; Without that believe, Earth is lost.<br /> <br /> General Lysis is informed of the intercepted communications between the Earth and the Argo.&nbsp; Lysis is planning to destroy morale with a communications relay satellite.<br /> <br /> Homer awakens in the middle of the night and goes early to his post in the communications room.&nbsp; He chases off the crewman on duty, and calls his mother.&nbsp; He's been using a "secret" frequency.&nbsp; His mother tells him that his father is very sick.<br /> <br /> Earth is bearing the scars of the radiation-laden planet bombs.&nbsp; Homer's father has been responsible for work constructing underground cities, and has apparently caught some new virus (despite have bandages on his head).&nbsp; Homer tries to speak to his father, but interference and his father's loss of consciousness ends the call.&nbsp; Then Homer finds Wildstar looking over his shoulder.&nbsp; Homer has an angst moment and rushes onto the bridge, pleading with Venture to turn back and return to Earth.&nbsp; Venture refuses, then Homer freaks out and leaves just as Wildstar comes running for him.<br /> <br /> In the hangar, Homer tries to sneak past Conroy to the spacesuit lockers while Wildstar calls to warn Conroy.&nbsp; Wildstar and Venture rush down to the hangar deck, but Homer is already in space, trying to swim home.<br /> <br /> The Argo retroes, and the Black Tigers launch in their fighters to search for Homer.&nbsp; If this were the 2004 Battlestar Galactica, they woulda just said "Frakk 'im!"&nbsp; In space, Homer is hallucination that he sees the Earth, but he's actually approaching the communications relay satellite.&nbsp; The GAMILON communications relay satellite, and the truth slowly begins to dawn on him.&nbsp; He decides he has to get back to the Star Force.&nbsp; But, well, he's been adrift in space.&nbsp; So now he has a freakout about that.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Wildstar approaches the relay satellite.&nbsp; Homer waves him in, and Wildstar calls the rest of the Star Force.&nbsp; Wildstar picks him up and gives Homer the weapons control, allowing him to be the one to destroy the satellite.&nbsp; Homer's spirits are instantly lifted, and they rendezvous with the rest of the search party.&nbsp; They return to the Argo.<br /> <br /> There are only 255 days left.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-48632915078084253692012-01-23T12:15:00.000-08:002012-01-23T12:15:49.030-08:00<strong>Magnetron Wave</strong><br /> <br /> The Argo is 7,000 mega-meters from a strange, inactive object.&nbsp; Wildstar has sand Sandor out in a ship to examine the object.&nbsp; He's 10 megameters away when he reports--and then his ship breaks up.&nbsp; The crew is suddenly assembled while Sandor narrates what he so narrowly escapes from.&nbsp; The ship seemed to just come apart, rather than explode.&nbsp; Sandor proposes that its a magnetron wave emanating from the object--which is a Gamilon base.&nbsp; Sandor says they should use the new seamless shuttle.&nbsp; After some wrangling, he and Wildstar agree to take the seamless ship out to explore.<br /> <br /> They fly through the wreckage of Sandor's first plane, and then close in on the object.&nbsp; The magnetron waves seem to come from holes all over the object's surface.&nbsp; Avatar says they are starting to feel vibrations back on the Argo.&nbsp; Wildstar tries to fire into the ports, but they close are part of some defense mechanism.&nbsp; He and Sandor decide to EVA and raid the object.&nbsp; They anchor their ship and walk down one of the ports, which reminds Wildstar of a cave.<br /> <br /> After walking, and climbing, and walking, they see a strange yellow alien lumber by.&nbsp; Sandor tells Wildstar he's had Alex, Wildstar's brother, for a while.&nbsp; They were friends in the academy together.&nbsp; After the academy, Sandor was responsible for ship maintenance--he had done repairs on Alex' ship, the Paladin before they battle at Pluto.&nbsp; That was the last he saw of Alex.<br /> <br /> Um.&nbsp; Why are we bringing this up now?&nbsp; Sandor is guilty, feeling he didn't do a sufficient repair job on the Paladin.&nbsp; Wildstar forgives him.&nbsp; And then the weird yellow thing--some kind of robot, attacks them, and Sandor saves Derek's bacon.&nbsp; Then . . . the reminiscing continues.<br /> <br /> Sandor had been in grammar school when he insisted on driving a rocket car on the moon and crashed.&nbsp; Wildstar assures him he's not the only one to have made foolish mistakes.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, during this walk down memory lane, the magnetron wave is peeling deckplates off the Argo's hull.&nbsp; Venture frets.<br /> <br /> Sandor explains to Wildstar that the object is actually a giant computer, and the tunnels are the computer's circuits.&nbsp; They turn the corner and find the main processor of the computer.&nbsp; And it looks like an Invid hive brain.<br /> <br /> Avatar tells Venture to prepare for a warp jump in case Sandor and Wildstar don't make it back.<br /> <br /> The two are wiring bombs to the computer.&nbsp; Sandor gets philosophical about science that creates machines that destroy people.&nbsp; And then the computer starts laughing at them.&nbsp; The floor starts heaving.&nbsp; Tendrils come out of portals and knock Wildstar over.&nbsp; He sees Sandor caught by the computer's tendrils. . . <br /> <br /> Venture has readied the warp.&nbsp; The crew looks expectantly at the captain&nbsp;. . .<br /> <br /> Wildstar struggles back to consciousness.&nbsp; Sandor urges him to help, reminding him that the Argo might have to jump.&nbsp; He tells Wildstar to remove his arms and legs--SANDOR IS BIONIC!<br /> <br /> Hmm.<br /> <br /> Wildstar disassembles Sandor's limbs and carries him out to the shuttle.&nbsp; Sandor demands to be left behind.&nbsp; Sandor says his bionic arms and legs are bombs, and he'll set them off after Wildstar leaves.&nbsp; He urges Wildstar to leave--he'll be okay to be picked up when the explosion is over.&nbsp; Wildstar leaves Sandor floating in space and returns to his fighter.&nbsp; After exchanging meaningful looks, they separate.<br /> <br /> Avatar counts down the final seconds and orders the warp.&nbsp; Just before he pulls the lever, Wildstar requests permission to land.&nbsp; Avatar demands an update, and Wildstar explains that Sandor is taking care of the magnetron situation.&nbsp; Wildstar watches the explosion, then tells the Argo crew he's going back for Sandor.&nbsp; He searches through the wreckage and hears his voice.&nbsp; Wildstar finds Sandor, streaked with soot, in a corner of the wreckage.<br /> <br /> Lysis mocks Balgar for this latest defeat.<br /> <br /> Wildstar is brooding on the observation deck when Sandor arrives with his new arms and legs.&nbsp; Derek says he hopes Alex is alive somewhere.&nbsp; Sandor says it would mean as much to him as it does to Wildstar.<br /> <br /> Only 260 days left.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-51564012033671188892012-01-20T11:52:00.000-08:002012-01-20T11:52:20.402-08:00<strong>Balanosaurus</strong><br /> <br /> From bees to Balano.&nbsp; What a journey we have traveled.<br /> <br /> The Star Force is approaching the planet Balan.&nbsp; Which is really Balan this time (the narrator pronounced Beeland as Balan).&nbsp; Venture catches us all up on how badly behind schedule they've gotten.<br /> <br /> Planet Balan is younger than Earth.&nbsp; It's still cooling, and simple life is just developing.&nbsp; Naturally, at the Gamilon base on Balan is working on a way to turn it into a weapon.&nbsp; Lysis arrives and argues with General Valgar, who wants to use the Balan "energy cells" as a weapon.&nbsp; Lysis denies him permission.&nbsp; Like any good mad scientist,Valgar pretty much ignores such orders--partly because Lysis wants the credit for defeating the Star Force.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Then we see "cells" swimming through lava and becoming a spherical . . . thing.&nbsp; A Gamilon fighter lifts off and follows the sphere.&nbsp; It's Valgar with his "mind control" helmet, forming the cells into a Balanosaurus.<br /> <br /> Venture completes the warp.&nbsp; Nova is alarmed that Captain Avatar is slumped unconscious at his station.&nbsp; While he's in sickbay, Venture and Wildstar speculate that they amount of warp jumps have exhausted him.&nbsp; The doctor examines him, and tells the captain that it requires an immediate operation.&nbsp; Avatar tells him to do his best.<br /> <br /> Lysis scolds Valgar for training the Balanosaurus, though Valgar denies it.&nbsp; And then he just goes and admits it.&nbsp; Wow.&nbsp; Clearly he's risen to his level of incompetence.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Dr. Zane starts the operation at Avatar's urging, who also tells him about&nbsp; secret instructions in case he doesn't make it.&nbsp; IQ 9 joins the operation and anesthetizes him with a crazy deep-sea diving helmet.&nbsp; Venture, Wildstar, Orion, and Sandor watch tensely through the gallery windows.&nbsp; The ship continues to travel through space, approaching Balan.<br /> <br /> The Gamilon shuttle carrying Valgar sights the Argo and he deploys the Balanosaurus.&nbsp; And many anime giant robot Kaiju are born.&nbsp; He forms the cells into a . . . monster that attacks the Argo, Howling like Baragon all the while.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> The Balanosaurus rams the Argo and it explodes.&nbsp; Oh.&nbsp; Then Valgar says his Balanosaurus will destroy the real Argo just like this decoy.&nbsp; Lysis is informed of the continued testing and is angered.<br /> <br /> Avatar is out of the surgery and waiting to awaken from the anesthesia.<br /> <br /> Valgar approaches the real Argo.&nbsp; Wildstar is notified that Gamilons are approaching--he orders battle stations, but Venture protests and says they should evade.&nbsp; Then Orion points out that they can't outrun them at this speed.&nbsp; Valgar deploys the Balanosaurus and the bridge crew is freaked out by its formation.&nbsp; Wildstar readies the main batteries.&nbsp; They fire on the Balanosaurus.&nbsp; The attack blows it apart, but the individual cells batter the Argo, and then it reforms.&nbsp; Wildstar orders the wave motion gun readied.&nbsp; Orion protests--they've just completed a warp jump--but then they all agree that it's the only way.<br /> <br /> They prepare to fire.&nbsp; The Balanosaurus closes in.&nbsp; The gun fires, and the Argo passes through the explosion.&nbsp; Valgar watches in shock--the Balansaurus could not withstand the wave motion gun.<br /> <br /> A crack has formed in the lower gun deck.&nbsp; orion goes to repair it.&nbsp; IQ 9 sees that Avatar is recovering and rolls through the ship proclaiming the good news.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> The anxious crew is gathered in the gallery windows of the sickbay, and Wildstar informs Avatar of the fight and damage to the Argo.&nbsp; Avatar assures him that he made the right decision, and as Avatar heals, so must Wildstar help the Argo and the Star Force heal.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Lysis is displeased that Valgar went ahead with his dumb idea.&nbsp; And he's sure there must be some way to defeat the Star Force.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> There are 263 days left.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-74852175779901734732012-01-19T14:47:00.000-08:002012-01-19T14:47:24.016-08:00<strong>Stop at Beeland</strong><br /> <br /> That's right.&nbsp; Beeland.<br /> <br /> On day 98, the Star Force is approaching the strange planet Balan (that's how the narrator pronounces it). The crew is in the mess hall and Derek complains about it. Then Nova shows up in a dress and they all act like horny 14 year olds.&nbsp; Then IQ 9 shows up, calls her cutie and she runs off.<br /> <br /> Later, Venture, Wildstar, and IQ 9 are sunbathing and IQ 9 declares his undying love for Nova.&nbsp; Nova happens to be complaining to Avatar about IQ's bizarre behavior, and Avatar suggests that he needs his 10,000-mile checkup.&nbsp; Then they approach the planet Beeland and prepare to land.&nbsp; Avatar observes that it looks green, like Earth.&nbsp; Nova is sent, with IQ 9, to look for edible plants.&nbsp; Derek wonders if sending IQ 9 is a good idea.<br /> <br /> It's not.&nbsp; In the shuttle to the planet, IQ 9 proposes to Nova, she has a freakout, and crashlands in a jungle.&nbsp; And--my GODS--IQ 9 crashes on top of Nova and wants to rest on top of her because he likes it there.&nbsp; Hurgh.&nbsp; They leave the ship and search for edible plants.&nbsp; Then the bee-people examine the ship.<br /> <br /> Nova and IQ 9 emerge from the jungle to find a giant beehive.&nbsp; They go to explore it, and the bridge loses contact with them.&nbsp; Avatar advises them to wait and see.<br /> <br /> In the hive, they are captured by the bee people and taken prisoner.&nbsp; We see the bee people, um, making honey?&nbsp; Then IQ and Nova are tossed into a cell.&nbsp; IQ&nbsp;9 surmises that the bee people are enslaved by the Gamilons, and the bee resistance thinks Nova and IQ 9 are Gamilons.<br /> <br /> In the rule part of the hive, Queen Melina is trying to contact Krypt, and has trouble with the communicator.&nbsp; The cargo tanker is being sent to Beeland.&nbsp; Melina wonderrs what she should do about the old man resistance leader.&nbsp; Krypt tells her that he's her problem.&nbsp; If she can't take care of him, Desslok might replace her as ruler.<br /> <br /> The bee people start a drum jam and Melina appears to look over her subjects.<br /> <br /> The Argo is still waiting for word from Nova when they catch sight of a Gamilon rocket tanker.&nbsp; Avatar scrambles Wildstar and the Black Tigers.&nbsp; Conroy and Wildstar decide to use delayed-action rockets to disable the tanker and destroy it far from the Argo.&nbsp; The battle rages.<br /> <br /> On the planet, IQ 9 and Nova worry that the bee people will kill them.&nbsp; The IQ 9 gets all weird and creeps out Nova.&nbsp; Oh, and he professes his undying love for her.&nbsp; Again.&nbsp; Then Nova apologizes and hugs the robot.&nbsp; Just before the bee people lead them out.<br /> <br /> Queen Melina is presiding over an awesome bee dance number.&nbsp; The Gamilon tanker approaches.&nbsp; The leader of the resistance appears out of the crowd and denounces the queen.&nbsp; He has Nova and IQ 9 brought before her, and threatens to kill the "Gamilons" if they open fire.&nbsp; Then the tanker lands and the resistance leader continues rousing the rabble.&nbsp; He summons some bee-people who haul a cannon before the queen.&nbsp; He challenges her to show her true allegiance by destroying the tanker.&nbsp; She slowly takes the controls of the cannon . . . and laughs and sends her guards after the resistance fighters.&nbsp; She approaches the tanker on the landing platform.<br /> <br /> Then the tanker explodes, thanks to the damage caused by the Black Tigers.&nbsp; IQ 9 detects the source of the explosion to be delayed reaction bombs.&nbsp; Then the bee resistance start beating IQ 9 and Nova with sticks.&nbsp; Members of the Star Force arrive, and IQ 9 gives an injured Nova to Wildstar.&nbsp; The ZBlack Tigers hold off some of the bees, while Nova explains that they could be just as bad as the Gamilons, particularly to bee-eyes.&nbsp; The bees call IQ 9 a monster, and he gets all emo and angst-ridden.<br /> <br /> On the Argo, IQ 9 in on the observation deck.&nbsp; Nova brings news that the bee-people have given them food, but he still acts weird.&nbsp; There are only 267 days left.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-88950103076399142462012-01-16T09:02:00.000-08:002012-01-16T09:02:00.153-08:00<strong>The Galactic Whirlpool</strong><br /> <br /> The Argo is approaching an unknown planet, and Nova is manning the coffee cart.&nbsp; Venture complains that there's no milk.&nbsp; Ryder establishes the course heading for the planet Balin/&nbsp; Nova wonders if Starsha of Iskandar knows the Star Force is delayed.&nbsp; Venture replies that she seems to know everything.<br /> <br /> Gamilon troops assemble in front of a commander whose name is not subtitled.&nbsp; Then we see a large fleet approach, and one ship lands.&nbsp; The Gamilon general Lysis disembarks, and tells the current commander, Balgar, that he is now in charge on Balin.&nbsp; Then Lysis proceeds to throw a tantrum and trash the (rather tastelessly decorated) office.&nbsp; He then confines everyone to quarters.<br /> <br /> Wildstar and his crew are performing maintenance on the fighters, and babble inanely for a while.&nbsp; Ahh, it's almost like watching Voltron.&nbsp; Then something causes the ship to start shaking.&nbsp; Wildstar goes to see what's up.<br /> <br /> Avatar calls Orion from the bridge to see why the wave engine has stopped.&nbsp; Orion is working on it.&nbsp; Wildstar arrives on the bridge and asks Venture what's wrong, but nobody knows.&nbsp; The auxiliary engines aren't helping.&nbsp; Then they figure out that they're on the edge of a galactic whirlpool.&nbsp; Umm.&nbsp; A black hole?&nbsp; They turn on the video panel and look at the whirlpool.&nbsp; Then Wildstar needs the explanation of the galactic whirlpool. and we get a garbled (but passable) explanation of black holes--oh, the whirlpool is&nbsp; predecessor to a black hole.<br /> <br /> The Argo passes the wreckage of other ships that have been caught in the whirlpool.&nbsp; Then--they find a Gamilon ship that is totally NOT wrecked.<br /> <br /> Lysis and Balgar are closing in on the Star Force.&nbsp; Lysis refuses to let the whirlpool cheat him of victory.&nbsp; Wildstar prepares the wave motion gun, but there isn't enough power.&nbsp; Venture protests the plan to fight.&nbsp; Wildstar appeals to Avatar, but Avatar sides with Venture.&nbsp; The Argo tries to pull free, and the Gamilon ship opens fire.&nbsp; Wildstar protests that there's only one enemy ship.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the rest of the fleet is approaching, and Lysis and Balgar debate closing in or holding off.&nbsp; Then the Argo picks up more than 3,000 more Gamlion ships.&nbsp; Venture can't pilot the ship any faster.&nbsp; Avatar reassures him that they can find their way out if they found one in.&nbsp; Sandor tells him the instruments are useless.<br /> <br /> The Gamilon fleet opens fire.&nbsp; Avatar decides to respond.&nbsp; Wildstar fires the main cannons (not the wave motion gun).&nbsp; Balgar laughs.&nbsp; Lysis orders his ships to continue firing.&nbsp; There's a shot of laser-fire streaking past the Argo bridge that looks an awful lot like some shots of Zentradi ships firing on the Macross.&nbsp; Then the Argo loses all power.&nbsp; Avatar slumps in his seat, then looks at the astrocompass, which is the only functioning instrument.&nbsp; Queen Starsha of Iskandar contacts them through it, and tells them to follow the direction indicated by the compass.&nbsp; Power returns, and everything is back to normal.&nbsp; they fire the engines and return fire on the Gamilons while Venture pilots them on Starsha's course.&nbsp; Lysis loses his mind as this all goes on.&nbsp; Orion reports that the wave motion engine is functioning again, and Avatar plans to jump as soon as they're out of the whirlpool.<br /> <br /> The battle continues, and Wildstar gives Venture his own brand of encouragement.&nbsp; Avatar orders the main guns to stop firing.&nbsp; Wildstar orders or reports that all seatbelts are fastened.&nbsp; Then the ship makes a space warp and Lysis has a meltdown.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Venture and Wildstar are musing on Starsha when Nova appears and Wildstar gets all weird.&nbsp; At his headquarters, Lysis types in his diary about fighting the Star Force.&nbsp; There are only 273 days left.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-53182807791828179842012-01-14T11:20:00.000-08:002012-01-14T11:20:22.195-08:00<strong>The Octopus Star Storm</strong><br /> <br /> Octopus-like giant stars are causing space storms that have brought the Argo to a halt.&nbsp; Outer-space doldrums, apparently.&nbsp; The crew is going stir-crazy.&nbsp; Wildstar and Venture start a fight over . . . chess.&nbsp; Avatar calls the department heads to the planning office.&nbsp; They decide to review the situation.&nbsp; Venture gives them an overview of the Octopus Star Cluster, and its dangers.&nbsp; They've lost 21 days in trapped in the storm.&nbsp; And Wildstar starts in on him.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> It's gonna be one of <em>those</em> episodes.<br /> <br /> More time passes.<br /> <br /> Wildstar goes to the hangar and boards his fighter without authorization.&nbsp; Conroy tries to talk him out of it, but he takes off anyway.&nbsp; The instruments go nuts, and then his fighter is blown back against the Argo and gets trashed.&nbsp; He is escorted to Avatar's quarters, who then sentences both Wildstar and Conroy to scrubbing the hangar deck.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> At the hangar deck, they find that most of the crew is scrubbing the deck for various infractions.<br /> <br /> Nova, meanwhile is trying to convince Avatar to let them throw&nbsp;a party.&nbsp; Avatar refuses; he's concerned about the food supply.&nbsp; He decides having them mad at each other is better than letting them worry about food.&nbsp; Huh.<br /> <br /> That night, Orion is up late scrubbing the engines.&nbsp; Sparks wonders how they'll get back in time to save Earth.&nbsp; He thinks maybe they should go back to Earth and try to evacuate.&nbsp; Orion doesn't think the captain would listen to such an idea.<br /> <br /> Venture is alone watching the storm when Nova finds him.&nbsp; He keeps wondering if there's really a way to escape.&nbsp; Nova points out that they could have simply gone around the black cloud, but Venture insists they should be able to find a channel.<br /> <br /> Wildstar is having nightmares.&nbsp; And then is awakened by the alarm.&nbsp; Avatar scolds him for being late as he arrives on the bridge.&nbsp; He sees that the storm has cleared--but there's a Gamilon ship that had been hiding behind the cloud.&nbsp; Wildstar wants to pursue, but Avatar says they should stay on course.&nbsp; And then the Gamilon ship disappears into the Octopus Star Cluster.&nbsp; Avatar sends him out in his fighter to track it.&nbsp; Wildstar finds a channel which he begins exploring.&nbsp; He names it after himself, then decides to return when he's lost contant with the Argo.&nbsp; The bridge crew sees him returning as he calls them about the channel.&nbsp; He lands his ship to the congratulations of his crewmates.<br /> <br /> Then he realizes that he didn't follow the channel all the way through.&nbsp; Avatar tells Venture to just try the channel and hope for the best.&nbsp; They start the engines and go for it.&nbsp; Avatar asks Nova about the party--they can celebrate when they've made it out of the Octopus cluster.<br /> <br /> Wildstar tells Venture they have something to settle.&nbsp; They go the engine room, and Wildstar confronts him.&nbsp; It turns into a fight, and Nova finds them finding and breaks it up.&nbsp; Bruised and battered, Venture and Wildstar are back on the bridge and the ship starts following the channel.<br /> <br /> Oh yeah, this full episode the Argo has had some weird transparent shield/bubble protecting the upper deck.<br /> <br /> The storm starts up again while they're in the channel.&nbsp; Wildstar and Venture struggle with the controls together (d'awww), the engines strain, and the ship swirls down a whirlpool.&nbsp; They hang on . . . an the ship emerges from the other side of the storm.&nbsp; Ventura and Wildstar have a male-bonding moment and Nova says they probably don't remember what they were even fighting about.<br /> <br /> Life on Earth is getting more difficult by the day.&nbsp; There are only 280 days left.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-32241217827405905492012-01-13T17:02:00.000-08:002012-01-13T17:02:56.497-08:00The Gamilon Pilot<br /> <br /> At Gamilon Headquarters, Desslok is, um, taking a bath.&nbsp; According to the narrator, is doing out of sheer spite.&nbsp; Because you can't do that on Earth.&nbsp; Then Gamilon General Lysis arrives and Desslok gets dressed to meet him.&nbsp; They reenact "The Triumph of the Will" and salute each other, then Desslok awards him some medal while Lysis mentions the Star Force, and asks to be the one to crush the Star Force.&nbsp; Desslok decides he deserves some sport.<br /> <br /> Wildstar and his fighter squadron are scouting ahead of the Argo.&nbsp; Wildstar picks up a UFO, and he hassles Conroy about procedure--then they see a Gamilon fleet.&nbsp; They open fire on the Gamilon ships and destroy a few.&nbsp; Wildstar reigns Conroy in from pursuing the fleeing fighters, and then Wildstar sends the Black Tigers back to the Argo while he and Conroy go to capture a damaged Gamilon fighter.&nbsp; They attach towlines and drag it back to the Argo--and the Gamilon pilot stirs in the cockpit.&nbsp; It will be the first Gamilon ever captured.<br /> <br /> In the hangar, crewmembers are clustered around the captured ship.&nbsp; Sandor congratulates Conroy, and the doctor ships the captive off to sickbay.&nbsp; Sandor goes to take a look at the Gamilon fighter.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Wildstar and Conroy rush through the mess line to get food and wonder about the Gamilon pilot.&nbsp; Does he have a family.&nbsp; IQ 9 is decontaminating the prisoner, and Wildstar and Conroy come across most of the bridge crew coming to watch the . . . autopsy?&nbsp; Interrogation?&nbsp; Examination?<br /> <br /> The Gamilon is wheeled into the room and the doctor works on reviving him.&nbsp; The crowd gets a little rowdy.&nbsp; The doctor takes off the helmet to reveal a blue humanoid.&nbsp; The crew is shocked at the resemblance to humans.&nbsp; IQ 9 analyzes him.&nbsp; So the Gamilons are basically human.&nbsp; And Wildstar starts to lose it.&nbsp; He rushes down to the sickbay and ***AAAUUUGH HULU COMMERCIALS!!!***<br /> <br /> OK.&nbsp; Derek is in the examination room, rushing toward the table, and the doctor freaks out.&nbsp; The Gamilon pilot comes to, fear in his eyes . . .<br /> <br /> And we flash back to a young Derek Wildstar and his mother, waiting for his older brother Alex.&nbsp; They're in Japan.&nbsp; On the surface of the Earth.&nbsp; Before the planet bombs have driven everyone underground.&nbsp; Over dinner, the family discusses the planet bombs and Derek sneaks off.&nbsp; He is mad that they didn't go to the movies instead of picking up Alex at the bus station.&nbsp; Then he cries.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> We see a panorama of Tokyo, and Derek can't sleep while Alex is snoring--and planet bombs hit Japan (well, they're calling it "Great Island," but it's pretty obviously Japan).&nbsp; Planet bombs rain down on Mount Fuji and a reporter reports that the volcano is erupting.&nbsp; Derek's family watches the news, and Alex gets mobilized.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Planet bombs rain down on earth and we see footage that is imitated in Golion, Dairugger, and Macross (that whole "cities crumbling in flames" thing).&nbsp; The since we're not even a year past Japan's tsunami/start of their nuclear crisis, the scenes of the struggling survivors are particularly chilling right now.<br /> <br /> Derek goes to visit Alex at his base.&nbsp; He calls sushi rolls chocolate cake, and discuss Alex's two space battles, and the worsening of the bombing.&nbsp; The family is moving to an underground city.&nbsp; And it turns out, Derek was something of a pacifist.<br /> <br /> Derek is taking the 4:00 bus, and his father tells his mother he has all the necessary permits to move.&nbsp; The Wildstar parents reminisce about the trees and the bus stop and Derek doesn't get off the next bus--and a bomb hits the bus stop.&nbsp; Derek was on a later bus, damaged in the explosion.&nbsp; He wanders throguh the devastation to find the charred remains of the bus stop.<br /> <br /> Now we're in the present and I know some stuff got cut, and then Derek starts punching the Gamilon--then he sees that they're both weeping.<br /> <br /> Avatar interrogates the pilot, but Gamilons have their memories erased before going into battle.&nbsp; Avatar has the Gamilon plane repaired, and tells him to send the Gamilon back.<br /> <br /> As the Gamilon is boarding his fighter, Derek gives him a bag of food.&nbsp; Um, was there a lot of stuff cut here?&nbsp; The Gamilon launches.&nbsp; I think I'm going to call him Sandu.&nbsp; In memory of the Drule pilot.&nbsp; There are only 305 days left.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-16068940971637646992012-01-12T11:59:00.000-08:002012-01-12T11:59:03.387-08:00<strong>The Sea of Fire</strong><br /> <br /> The Argo is cruising through the great Magellanic cloud.&nbsp; Nova is looking out a window and Wildstar arrives to make fun of her.&nbsp; She's making wishes on stars.&nbsp; Wildstar gets all thermodynamic on her, then wants to know what she wishes.&nbsp; She just laughes.&nbsp; Then the ship begins shaking.<br /> <br /> Venture rushes onto the bridge and demands Orion tell him what's going on--but it's not the engine.&nbsp; Sandor, Nova, and Wildstar arrive on the bridge.&nbsp; Nova sees a space net stretched between the stars--and they'll come to a complete stop in three minutes.&nbsp; Captain Avatar is collapsed in his quarters.&nbsp; He climbs into a chair.<br /> <br /> Wildstar wonders where the captain is, and UFO's are approaching the ship.&nbsp; The captain lowers his chair into the bridge as the UFOs are identified as missiles.&nbsp; Venture commences full power astern, but the Argo doesn't move.&nbsp; Venture and Orion argue over the lack of movement, then Venture manages to turn the ship and the first wave of missiles misses.&nbsp; Venture and Orion argue some more.&nbsp; Wildstar asks the captain if he should fire the counter-missiles.&nbsp; Avatar does not respond, so Wildstar fires them anyway.<br /> <br /> Later, Avatar tells Orion and Venture to be more professional.&nbsp; They apologize and go have a cup of coffee.&nbsp; Then Avatar yells at Wildstar for not waiting for the order.&nbsp; Avatar slaps Wildstar, then doubles over in pain and demands to be left alone.<br /> <br /> Desslok and his officers are watching the Argo caught in the space net.&nbsp; Desslok orders some wine, which he pours on the floor.&nbsp; It becomes a black cloud and gets bigger when he shoots it.&nbsp; He introduces it as the ecto-gas.&nbsp; It feeds on energy and destroys matter.&nbsp; And if the Argo escapes that, there's a star the have to trap it in.&nbsp; It helps to have backups.<br /> <br /> Avatar is being tended by the doctor.&nbsp; Nova redresses the wound, and Nova and Wildstar begin helping him out of sickbay--then the doctor tells him that there's more than the current wound to worry about--radiation poisoning may require him to be hospitalized.&nbsp; Avatar refuses.<br /> <br /> The Argo is still caught in the space web when the ecto-gas encircles it.&nbsp; Sandor freaks out.&nbsp; Avatar orders emergency take-off.&nbsp; The crew takes their battle stations.&nbsp; Venture leaps into his pilot seat and orders full power.&nbsp; The ship breaks free.&nbsp; Nova finds an opening in the space net--which happens to be right where the Sea of Fire lies.&nbsp; They ask the captain what they should do.&nbsp; Avatar orders them to approach the Sea of Fire at full speed.&nbsp; Sandor protests.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Desslok watches them fly directly at the Sea of Fire and gloats.&nbsp; Then he goes to work on, um, other projects.<br /> <br /> The Argo approaches the Sea of Fire.&nbsp; Avatar orders the shields engaged over the hull.&nbsp; The crew watches the approach, and Avatar orders full speed maintained.&nbsp; Sandor suggests they put on space suits.&nbsp; Avatar passes out.&nbsp; Nova calls the doctor.&nbsp; An assistant gets him into a spacesuit as he rushes to the bridge.&nbsp; The doctor orders them to stop, but Avatar countermands the order.&nbsp; The doctor checks his pulse, and tells him to be careful so he doesn't end up in the&nbsp; . . . *ominously whispered* "hospital."<br /> <br /> Red Star flares 10-times the size of the Argo threaten the ship as Venture maneuvers the ships around them.&nbsp; The internal temperature is, um, 400 degrees. Venture demands more power from Orion, but is engineers are suffering from the heat.&nbsp; Outside, however, the flames of the Red Star consume the ecto-gas.&nbsp; Then the ship plunges headlong into an abnormal flare, too fast to avoid it.&nbsp; Then Avatar orders Wildstar to fire the wave motion gun.&nbsp; They hit full power, and Derek fires, dispelling the Red Star flare.&nbsp; The Argo flies triumphantly through the Sea of Fire.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Desslok is .&nbsp;. . in bed, no doubt seeing to his other projects.&nbsp; Krypt starts to tell him about the Star Force, and Desslok says he didn't want to hear about the death of Star Force.&nbsp; The Krypt tells them that they're very much alive, and Desslok broods instead of gloating.<br /> <br /> Aboard the Argo, Nova is wishing on star.&nbsp; She tells Wildstar that she trusts in the power of her wishes more than the power of the star.&nbsp; She finally tells him that she's wishing for a certain person to fall in love with her, but refuses to tell him who that is.<br /> <br /> There are only 308 days left.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-91716577542810146202012-01-11T12:32:00.000-08:002012-01-11T12:36:01.225-08:00<strong>Desslok Mines</strong><br /> Desslok is saluted by his commanders as he walks down a red carpet amid chanting.&nbsp; Huh.&nbsp; All of the Gamilons are uniformly blue now.&nbsp; Krypt, Desslok's adjutant, briefs Desslok on the progress of the Star Force.&nbsp; The commander Talan plans to use Desslok space mines to stop the Argo.&nbsp; Desslok calls it entertainment and toasts to the defeat of the Star Force.&nbsp; One of his commanders starts laughing, prompting Desslok to dispose of him through a trap door.<br /> <br /> The Argo is moving through space.&nbsp; On the bridge, Nova notifies Avatar of unidentified objects ahead.&nbsp; The look at it on the viewer.&nbsp; Avatar orders the balloon decoy ship to be deployed/&nbsp; Sandor explains it to Wildstar and the audience. The Baby Argo Balloon flies amongst the mines--the crew recognizes them for what they are just as the balloon detonates them.&nbsp; Venture maneuvers around them.<br /> <br /> The Gamilons--save for Desslok--are amazed that the Argo has changed course/<br /> <br /> Nova sees that the mines are following them.&nbsp; Wildstar suggests warping out of the minefield.&nbsp; Sandor calls him a cowboy.&nbsp; Avatar order Venture to full stop--the mines stop as well.&nbsp; Venture asks Wildstar about the wave motion gun, but there's no time to charge the gun and they start arguing.&nbsp; Nova computes a course, and Venture weaves the ship among the mines.<br /> <br /> The Gamilons are watching.&nbsp; Desslok gloats.&nbsp; Venture threads their way through the mines and Wildstar taunts him.&nbsp; One of the mines shifts position--Venture sees it, and other bridge crewmembers realize the mines are under remote control.<br /> <br /> Wildstar promises never to call Venture a space jockey if he stops the ship.&nbsp; Avatar then orders him to stop.&nbsp; Orion complains.&nbsp; Avatar orders Nova to figure out what's controlling the mine.&nbsp; IQ 9 rolls around, and then Nova figures out there's a sonic wave signaling the mines.&nbsp; IQ 9 and Sandor take a shuttle out to investigate.&nbsp; And IQ 9 has hiccups.&nbsp; Desslok and Krypt watch the shuttle.&nbsp; The mines close in again.&nbsp; Sandor is still zeroing in on the control signal.&nbsp; Avatar orders Venture to tilt the ship 5 degrees to the left.&nbsp; After some wrangling, Venture tilts the ship.<br /> <br /> IQ 9 is having trouble zeroing in on it.&nbsp; The mines are 2 meters away from the hull.&nbsp; Avatar orders more tilt.&nbsp; Sandor and IQ 9 find the control mine.&nbsp; They EVA from the shuttle, and IQ 9 cludges around on the mine (hiccuping the whole time).&nbsp; More closing, more tilting, and they're trapped.&nbsp; IQ 9 hiccups and then finds the controls and disables it.&nbsp; I mean, it takes a while.&nbsp; And there's a lot of tension building.&nbsp; But IQ 9 unscrews a spike from the mine, then he flies into the mine and disconnects a . . . thing with the help of his extenso-arms.&nbsp; Sandor takes the thing, and all the mines stop closing in on the Argo.<br /> <br /> The Gamilon commanders are shocked, and Desslok muses on the kind of men who make up the Star Force.<br /> <br /> Avatar orders Wildstar to take the Black Tigers out to defuse the mines with bare hands.&nbsp; They go EVA and push the mines out of range.<br /> <br /> Desslok asks Krypt what the mines were originally called.&nbsp; Krypt apologizes for presumptuously naming the mines after him.&nbsp; Desslok starts laughing--sometimes simple solutions are the best, an the barbarians of the Star Force did it with their bare hands.<br /> <br /> The minefield is cleared and the Argo takes off.&nbsp; Desslok dismisses his officers.&nbsp; He orders Krypt to send Avatar a message congratulating him in Desslok's name.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Avatar receives the message, but they are unable to trace the origin.&nbsp; The message is read out loud to the crew.&nbsp; Avatar orders the wave engine started.&nbsp; There are 311 days left.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-79217478935499405812012-01-10T09:29:00.000-08:002012-01-10T09:29:31.564-08:00Fitting title for my first episode back after almost two months, no?&nbsp; Totally unplanned, BTW.<br /> <br /> <strong>We Will Return!</strong><br /> <br /> The Star Force has destroyed the Pluto base and is preparing to leave the solar system.&nbsp; The Argo receives an emergency call from Earth. Avatar returns to the bridge to take the (strangely casual for being an emergency) call.&nbsp; Though they've stopped the bombing, the radiation has done its damage, and the Star Force aboard the Argo is their only hope.&nbsp; Then they lose the transmission.<br /> <br /> Nova is sure they will succeed.&nbsp; Avatar says it's easier when you can act than when you're simply waiting.&nbsp; He briefs the crew.&nbsp; They must make up for lost time, by making a space warp, traveling faster than the speed of light.&nbsp; He gives the crew each 5 minutes to call their loved ones.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> With no loved ones to call, Derek Wildstar broods.&nbsp; IQ 9 tries to harass him out of it, but he leaves.&nbsp; Avatar goes to follow him.&nbsp; Meanwhile, Nova is presiding over the communications line.&nbsp; A crewman leaves the room crying, and Venture is next.&nbsp; He calls his brother, who has a minor freak-out.&nbsp; Jordie (the brother) is making a model of the Argo, and two of his friends are sick from the radiation.&nbsp; Venture runs out of time and gets all teary-eyed.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> Wildstar is whistling to himself, alone on the bridge.&nbsp; IQ 9 reminds him that his turn on the communicator is coming up.&nbsp; Wildstar gets mad and runs off.&nbsp; He yells at two members of the ready-crew who have left their posts.&nbsp; They're pretty shocked.&nbsp; He's mad that everyone else has a family.&nbsp; Oo-kay.<br /> <br /> The captain is inspecting the engine while Orion is in his commo section, but runs off.&nbsp; Nova is looking for Wildstar, and Conroy goes to look for him in the hangar.&nbsp; He finds him slouched in the cockpit of a fighter.&nbsp; As Orion is leaving, Conroy tells Nova that Derek's pouting.&nbsp; Avatar finally finds him in the galley.&nbsp; Then he walks past him.&nbsp; Hmm.<br /> <br /> Orion is talking to his children and wants to see his granddaughter, Kathleen and gets all . . . Irish.<br /> <br /> Avatar is in his quarters and pulls a picture of his deceased son out of a drawer, reflecting that he, like Wildstar, has no one on Earth to call.&nbsp; Wildstar is doing situps in the gym while Orion reassures his family that they'll make it to Iskandar, then the transmission runs out and he, too, starts crying.<br /> <br /> Hell of an episode to come back to!!!<br /> <br /> Nova goes into the commo room when Orion doesn't come out right away--then she asks him to stay while she calls her family.&nbsp; And her parents are, um, arranging&nbsp;a marriage with their new neighbor.&nbsp; She'd rather get things in order with her family, but they're wedding-crazy.&nbsp; Orion starts laughing.&nbsp; Then Nova's mother breaks down and the transmission ends.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> The crew is in the rec room, celebrating.&nbsp; Some have new children who've been born while they were away.&nbsp; Wildstar is still brooding, looking out a window.&nbsp; Nova finds him and tries to get him to call Earth.&nbsp; He finally relents and slumps into the commo room.&nbsp; He stairs at the screen.&nbsp; Then Nova realizes she didn't show him how to use it, and wonders why he's just sitting there.&nbsp; He finally explains that there's no one for him to talk to on Earth.&nbsp; Avatar is also brooding while looking out the window of his quarters.<br /> <br /> Wildstar finally enters the bridge, and then decides to speak to Captain Avatar.&nbsp; Avatar shares "spring water" (looks more like saki to me) with him, and then tells Wildstar that, while they must leave Earth, a tiny point of light now, they will be back.&nbsp; He and Wildstar yell at the the Earth that they will return.&nbsp; Hopefully the captain's quarters are soundproofed.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> The crew watches as Earth recedes, and Nova approached Wildstar while the captain stays up in his quarters and we get a musical number.&nbsp; They leave the solar system and Venture explains that visual communication with Earth will be impossible.<br /> <br /> Desslok watches them leaving the solar system and gloats that he will hunt them down and destroy them.&nbsp; There are only 315 days left.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8395623083091495314.post-55438839297784944212011-11-29T13:05:00.000-08:002011-11-29T13:05:35.857-08:00I did just say I was going to take some time away.&nbsp; So here I am the next day with a new post.&nbsp; Actually, I'm not watching anything while I post, I just wanted to share some thoughts on Voltron Force.&nbsp; If you don't know, it's Nickolodeon's (and WEP's) new Voltron series.<br /> <br /> First things first--I like it.&nbsp; I enjoy watching it.&nbsp; It's <em>fun</em>.<br /> <br /> I don't know what the target audience (y'know, the kids it's actually marketed towards), but the majority of Voltron fans who are my age seem to revile it.&nbsp; Hate it.&nbsp; <em>Despise</em> it.&nbsp; Everyone's entitled to their own opinions.&nbsp; Despite what many prolific forum posters may believe, fandom doesn't need to come to a consensus.&nbsp; I prefer Vehicle Voltron and Dairugger to Lion Voltron and Golion.&nbsp; But I'll still watch both.&nbsp; I like Southern Cross the most out of all three Robotech segments.&nbsp; It doesn't really bother me much that my favorite happens to be most fans favorite target for derision.&nbsp; Whatever.<br /> <br /> Most of the Voltron Force-hate seems to come from 3 basic opinions.<br /> <br /> 1) It contradicts the original series.<br /> 2) It doesn't match how *they* would have done a Voltron sequel.<br /> 3)&nbsp;It's not the new Thundercats.<br /> <br /> One of my friends, an English teacher, and one of the guys with whom I would play Voltron at recess in third grade, admitted that he still has a hankerin' for Voltron.&nbsp; He says it's often the earliest stories to which we are exposed that stay with us the longest.&nbsp; So, yeah, I can understand how someone whose first impression of Voltron is so strong that suddenly seeing Allura's neice, and seeing the planet Balto without an explanation of how it's not destroyed ('cuz it done blowed up in the original series) or if this is Balto 2, and why do all of the Drule soldiers now look like Yurak, and whatever--I can see how that might rankle you.<br /> <br /> My post-Voltron anime&nbsp;maturation was fostered by the likes of Leiji Matsumoto, so I don't tend to get terribly hung up on continuity.&nbsp; Try to make all of the Captain Harlock series and OVA's make sense together.&nbsp; No, wait, don't.&nbsp; I don't want to get sued for manslaughter by the family of the guy who tries and spontaneously combusts.&nbsp; It's not possible.&nbsp; Does that make Yamato and Harlock and Galaxy Express 999 not worth watching?&nbsp; Well, it might for some.&nbsp; Probably the same guys who can't stand Voltron Force because, well, it pretty much takes the general continuity of Voltron and runs with it.<br /> <br /> So it's not your idea of what a new Voltron should be.&nbsp; I've got my own ideas (I might post them here some day.&nbsp; We'll see).&nbsp; I tend not to take that kind of thing personally.&nbsp; I happen to think this light, breezy, action-adventure take on it is pretty entertaining.<br /> <br /> And so we come to the third form of Voltron Force rejection.&nbsp; Maybe that's it's biggest flaw, coming out the same year as the new Thundercats.&nbsp; Personally, I love both (much like I love both Macross and Robotech, Macekre ranting trolls aside).&nbsp; Thundercats is a much more . . . invested take on the series.&nbsp; They're very carefully weaving their own continuity, and man, the designs are gorgeous.&nbsp; Voltron Force just isn't the same kind of series.&nbsp; There are similarities--mainly because the production staffs are probably the same age and have a lot of the same influences--but Voltron Force plays fast and loose with the genre, while Thundercats practically bathes in it.&nbsp; Voltron Force is balancing on the line between episodic and following an overall arc.&nbsp; Thundercats is thoroughly arc-oriented.&nbsp; Oh, and--samoflange, anyone?&nbsp; Thundercats is a lot more generous with its easter eggs for longtime fans.&nbsp; Though Voltron Force tosses out a few--a commander named Cossack, and, for us Gatchaman fans, a planet of Science Ninjas!<br /> <br /> Y'know, let's look at Balto for a second, as a contrast&nbsp;between Voltron Force and Thundercats.&nbsp; Balto is Pidge's home planet, full of Science Ninjas.&nbsp; How does a society where everyone is a ninja work?&nbsp; How did it get to be that way?&nbsp; What kind of government do they have?<br /> <br /> None of that is important to Voltron Force.&nbsp; A planet full of Science Ninjas--who've all turned into ZOMBIES--is just awesome.&nbsp; Just go with it.<br /> <br /> I can see how that would grate on some fans.&nbsp; Ugh.&nbsp; Stupid, dumbed-down kids' stuff.&nbsp; Some of us will just chuckle--heh, zombie science ninjas--and play along.&nbsp; Again, whatever.<br /> <br /> Thundercats is far more concerned with world-building, and tying that into storytelling.&nbsp; We've got hints of the great past between the animal races of Third Earth and Mumm-ra, how the Thundercats may have gotten to the top of the food chain, and how they believe they got there.&nbsp; And inter-species racism is a pretty major theme.&nbsp; So, yeah, they get into much heavier, more thought-provoking stuff.<br /> <br /> Why do the two takes have to be mutually exclusive?&nbsp; Or, again, you may like the more serious one, and you're just not that entertained by the one that just tries to be awesome.&nbsp;&nbsp; For the final time, whatever.merovingianfitnesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10125527567055988832noreply@blogger.com0