The Following – tv series reviewed

Great DVD series about a charismatic but homicidal English teacher! This teacher manages to develop a cult of serial killers amongst his students. Even when he’s been locked up, he manages to direct them as they cause mayhem across the US. The detective (played by Kevin Bacon) is always several steps behind, and never knows if those around him are also members of the cult, which always keeps the viewer guessing.

The murderous teacher is an Edgar Allan Poe fan and has written a gothic novel. He is now working on a sequel in which the detective is the hero. Each episode of the series is another chapter in the serial killer’s sick book.

The Following has great intertextuality and paranoia. It’s also great fun, and full of twists and turns. Highly recommended by this gothic author! 9 out of 10

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Dalton’s mum gets a copy of The Book of Orm before the author does!

Typical, init? You slave for a year writing your book, and then Waterstones is somehow distributing the book before either the author or the commissioning editor have received their copies.

See where I sit in the food chain? DO YOU SEE?

Poor flamin’ authors, that’s what I say. Yes, I’m whining. It’s the last thing left to me. Oh shut up.

falling skies, series 1

Just finished watching Falling Skies series 1, of which Steven Spielberg is executive producer. Scenario: aliens have landed on earth and decimated the human population. Human refugees organise themselves into armed groups, but they feel more like the early settlers of American history to me. The strange comparisons to the US’s past continue with the main character being a history teacher who keeps referencing various battles. What’s going on with this whole ‘learning from the past’ vibe? Well, this series seems to be some sort of metaphor for/comment upon/description of  how contemporary America has lost its way. There’s a struggle for survival. The American dream is finished. What comes in its place? Well, a lot of navel gazing and saccarine emotion, that’s what. It’s a bit nauseating in the first few episodes and might put many off. The sentimental soundtrack doesn’t help. There’s also a complete lack of humour in the show (except for a character called Pope, who doesn’t get enough of a showing really), which means the whole thing just doesn’t come across as real or credible. In moments of adversity, humour (be it gallows humour, attempts to lift spirits, or reference to shared cultural tropes) is always displayed by human beings, because life is surreal or hyperreal at such times.

On the good side, the aliens are cool enough to steal the show much of the time. They are mysterious and don’t get over-exposed. It keeps the viewer going all the way to the end of the series, where there are some decent reveals. I’m glad I persevered, and wouldn’t rule out watching the second series.

like a slow, creeping thingy

Like a plague across the UK, all three titles have now been ordered by stores in Birkenhead, Lowestoft and Folkstone. Ha, ha, ha (evil laugh). Next, the world!

Meanwhile, I’m finally starting to make progress on Chronicles of a Cosmic Warlord. It’s going well, albeit I’ve only done 7 pages so far. Chapter one done by xmas, barring tragic accidents. I’ll have a synopsis up on this site around then too.

But, of course, being an author never pays the bills, so I’ve taken on some part-time teaching with Manchester Met Uni. Training Chinese teacher, ain’t it. Keeps the snarling wolf from the door, even if it only puts him further down the garden path rather than in a nice, comfortable zoo.