Saturday, September 9, 2017

Into the Crypt Again and Carmen's Greatest Caper



As Hurricane Harvey winds down, a few other tropical storms are making headway on North American coastlines. Not everyone evacuates at once, but let the ants beg on their behalf... no pity at all...

Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego? S3
10x20 mins
1995 Fox

ACME's quest to capture the Scarlet Thief is top-of-the-list this season. Zack and Ivy solve plenty of Carmen's riddles, coming at them in increased frequency, while Carmen encounters several past and formal acquaintances. 

Zack and Ivy are still one-minded and won't stop at nothing until Carmen is jailed. Even with Ivy hollering at her "little bro," there seems to be less sibling rivalry (like in Season Two) and both being physically apt and fearless, these two brave gumshoes are strongly bonded with immense trust in each other (because not just anybody will trapeze from one helicopter ladder into somebody's arms, right?) Ivy's short temper is downplayed and she's still light on her feet (and quick-thinking). Leave the tactics (and constant tendencies to squeal "hii-ya!") to her and Zack as sidekick. It seems he took a break from inventing this season, but he confirms with Ivy of places and basic trivia. "Hey, isn't that the place where...?" 
The places the ACME agents are not as vast as past seasons. Rather, a commute between North African countries and Europe, to generalize. Either CHIEF is off the line for substantial amounts of time or the brother-sister duo are constantly in action that there is little time to shed light on some fun facts. Have an acute eye for detail and quick wit and that's the pace ACME agents are at when it comes to solving puzzles (Zack still has some inaccuracies whenever he attempts to solve Carmen's little riddles).

The first-ever three-part episode incorporates time travel and a Chronosphere... ACME gets an occasional update. Carmen begins to set the record straight that she is the world's greatest thief of all-time and being self-driven and always out of harm's way, the tech-savvy fox is out to steal on her dignity's behalf. Also sidenote, grateful for Rita Moreno providing Carmen's (subtly seductive) soothing voice.

Rating: 6.2


S4
8x20 mins
1996 Fox

Carmen Sandiego takes a trip down Memory Lane, still dropping clues and puzzles at the ACME agents. Time travel doesn't have to be out-of-sight, as there are places to be and time is no matter.

Opening up with the Trial of Carmen Sandiego, the former ACME agent works with Zack and Ivy to prove her innocence of an uncommitted crime. But that's not the last time they'll collaborate; Carmen encounters several past acquaintances and foes, one who is seeking vengeance. Not one to play cat-and-mouse games, it seems Carmen takes up a few (temporary) roles... can you imagine Carmen as a henchwoman? Gray is.. not as brilliant as her signature red trenchcoat.

It seems that the shorter a Fox series, the episodes are much more action-packed. And so it shall be as the character ensemble of each episode stretches beyond Zack, Ivy, and Carmen... from fellow ACME agents to old-news crooks that Carmen caught and sentenced. Don't forget that Zack and Ivy are young, as Ivy does mention getting an overseas ACME internship/job and Zack begins driving. And what about persona l dilemmas? Spice it up when Ivy has a timid admirer and Carmen's henchmen feel belittled by Carmen, but she's not critical towards others because gotta put yourself at the forefront.

Rating: 6.6

**Carmen Sandiego is getting rebooted, voiced by actress Gina Rodriguez. Coming soon onto streaming services, notably Netflix.

Tales from the Crypt S2
18x 25mins
1990 HBO

Preferred Watching Sequence: 2, 4, 6, 7, 15-17
The Cryptkeeper still doesn't like unvited guests, so gather round for his tales, kiddies.

One factor that makes for redundant episodes is the commonality of a majority of characters condenses down to being driven into delirium, madness, and despair. And if there's anything that Tales doesn't make routine, it's being "bland." Being broadcast on HBO, punishmen and karma pangs. Guns are a frequent guest, and with instinctive impulse to save themselves, there is nothing holding anybody back from silencing any witnesses. But karma just might take the backdoor on you.
Karma and as always, irony, is central throughout this season. Give in a little to superstitions because there is a price for being a nonbeliever. As such, "seeing is believing" and taking part in any sort of following, it's universal. Top that, this season is racially diverse and still good-looking regardless if A-list guest star or a rising actor. Demi Moore as a gold-digging secretary, Patricia Arquette as a young blonde farmgirl, TERI HATCHER as a hot supermodel... Justifying cultural practices and 'community values' are not easily dismissed because social acceptance is so commonplace. Anyway, whether wearing a skin-tight dress or barely clad, beautiful women are not just for show. There are motives within motives in several of these episodes and to unveil the mastermind behind the act behind the act is unbelievable.

Taking advantage of situations, more like taking advantage of what others [shadily] offer you. Self-defense can easily be reason enough for loading a gun in the right place. No hesitation and definitely no looking back, just keep driving. But the undead lie low and are totally alive in spirit. What else is running amuck and hyper in this season? F-bombs everywhere!! Overuse might have worn down the expected eerie overtones. Profanity in Tales is generally used for jeering, abuse, and frustration purposes, as presented in the second season.

Rating: 6.8
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The first week of September has passed and I'm still under the weather. Feeling fizzled out, but man, changing up your study habits makes or breaks time management. If the idea of time management is too much to handle, consider how to make the most of your time... because that's something you'll never get back. Disconnecting from the Internet and finally taking up a long-awaited nature walk is quite calming. Lounging back, watching the sunset, serene sights make for some internal security.
Meantime, overeating and the consequential guilt 😕 Prevention is less consequential than cleaning up your own mess (before taking on some medium-impact activities, take in adequate H2O. Don't rely solely on sugar water when you're pushing for miles)

And what about expectations? What of the surprise of not really anticipating anything? Switch off between the two, moderation is key. Till the next one,