The latest issue of Olive Leaf (Volume 4 Issue 1, Summer 2010) is available right here in regular version and high quality version~

Olive Leaf Summer 2010 Regular Quality (2.57 MB)

Olive Leaf Summer 2010 High Quality (5.13 MB)

This summer we present an extended issue for the holiday season (since everyone’s just sitting at home with nothing to do, right? ), filled with lots of articles and photos! Note that this is a combined December and January issue, so the next issue won’t be out until February, 2010. We’re taking a New Years break~

Because of a large number of photos in this issue, we again present it in two versions: Regular Quality and High Quality. Regular Quality is 2.57 MB, and is the same quality as the usual issues. High Quality is 5.13 MB, with photos having around twice the resolution—useful for zooming in on the photos .

We hope you enjoy this issue of Olive Leaf!

PS. Please take the time to let us know in the comments which version you find better (file size vs. quality), so we can find a better balance for you guys~

As the festive season grows closer and closer, Illmind and Dub MD are back with an early Christmas present for everyone following the movement, with the fourth installment of the “Blaps, Rhymes & Life” compilation series. This edition is a little special, and the first of its kind, comprising of 2 Discs with double the dose of classic !llmind production. Volume 4 showcases the usual mixture of mainstream/upcoming artists: KRS-One, Keith Murray, Erykah Badu, Big Pooh, Skyzoo, Jared Evan, Reef The Lost Cauze, D-Black, Thoth and many more.

As always Illmind, aka the hardest working producer in the game, continues showcasing his versatility as he works on multiple studio albums with Fortilive, D-Black and Jared Evan, as well as some major artists (we’ll keep that quiet for now) and his new producer showcases “B.L.A.P.” stay tuned to www.illmind.biz for daily dose of everything !llmeezy including upcoming showcases.

Download Here!!

Disc 1: Blaps, Rhymes & Life
01.) Thoth – Get Your Game Right (Produced By Illmind)
02.) Clap Cognac – I’m Gonna Do It (Produced By Illmind)
03.) Fortilive (!llmind, Mushmouf & Slo-Mo) – Gimme (Produced By Illmind)
04.) Mistah F.A.B. – Follow Me (Produced By Illmind)
05.) Brooklyn Academy – Hide (feat. Fresh Jones & Keith Murray) (Produced By Illmind)
06.) Seer – Ill Mind (Produced By Illmind)
07.) KNGDM – Gazillion (Produced By Illmind)
08.) KRS-One & Buckshot – Survival Skills (feat. DJ Revolution) (Produced By Illmind)
09.) Contra – Fall Back (Produced By Illmind)
10.) Skyzoo – Say What You Say (feat. Rapper Big Pooh & Naledge) (Produced By Illmind)
11.) Verbal Kent – Examples (feat. Lance Ambu) (Produced By Illmind)
12.) Truck North – Hot! (Produced By Illmind)
13.) BURNTmd – Let’s Get ILL (feat. Reef The Lost Cauze, Copywrite, Phil Da Agony & Reks) (Produced By Illmind)
14.) Naps N Dreds – Call It Quits (feat. Thirstin Howl III) (Produced By Illmind)
15.) Roscoe Umali – Blow Your Mind (Produced By Illmind)

Disc 2: Blaps, Soul & Life
01.) D-Black – No Ordinary Love (Produced By Illmind)
02.) Gliffics – Call Me Crazy (feat. Chanj) (Produced By Illmind)
03.) Strange Fruit Project – Get Live (feat. Erykah Badu) (Produced By Illmind)
04.) Jared Evan – They Don’t Know (Produced By Illmind)
05.) Eric Roberson – Remember When (Produced By Illmind)
06.) Daria Jones – Stay (Produced By Illmind)
07.) Rae – So Sexy (Produced By Illmind)
08.) Grynch – The Right Way (Produced By Illmind)
09.) 3D – If I Want To (Produced By Illmind)
10.) Naeem Oba – Julia (feat. BrikAbrak) (Produced By Illmind)
11.) Hydroponikz – The Blues (feat. Jay Legaspi) (Produced By Illmind)
12.) Sleek – We Rock The Mic (Produced By Illmind)
13.) Last Days Fam – What You Doin It For (Produced By Illmind)
14.) Naturel – We Don’t Play (Produced By Illmind)
15.) Black Irish – Kick Rocks (Produced By Illmind)

The good folks at Brimstone Press have announced the table of contents for their latest volume of Australian dark fantasy and horror, collected from the 2008 crop, and — big smile — my story, “Smoking, Waiting for the Dawn” (one of several to be included from Dreaming Again), is in there. It’s rubbing shoulders with some mighty good yarns:

“The Last Great House of Isla Tortuga” by Peter M. Ball

“The Claws of Native Ghosts” by Lee Battersby

“Pale Dark Soldier” by Deborah Biancotti

“Heere Be Monsters” by John Birmingham

“Teeth” by Stephen Dedman

“Her Collection of Intimacy” by Paul Haines

“A Guided Tour in the Kingdom of the Dead” by Richard Harland

“Moments of Dying” by Robert Hood

“Just Us” by Pete Kempshall

“Painlessness” by Kirstyn McDermott

“The Casting Out” by Miranda Siemienowicz

More details here.

Yunjae in nagoya

If u r YUNJAE fans, do not miss this

Yunjaechun in sapporo

SuMin in where? Hiroshima

Yosoomin in Fukuoka

credits: 33okilove33

woooooooo so excited for this^^

Fixed Mag Vol.4  pdf  *click here*

Continuing in this series, we leave off volume 3 with Squad Zero (and volunteers) investigating Dracule activity in a cave not far from Mikun city. Issa and Sōsei fight off a horde of Dracules while the rest of the team (separated from Issa and Sōsei) are busy with a group of Dracules of their own.

Story overview:

Leila’s group is able to escape the cavern only to find that Issa and Sōsei have not yet returned. After a delay the two show up. Issa asks Sōsei to keep what they saw a secret. Why? He wants to avoid panic at Mikun. Hibiki and Issa have a slight personality conflict as Issa stops Hibiki from killing a bear, which Hibiki thought was a Dracule.

We get a glimps into Issa’s past. Ciara (Issa’s sister?) is shown in chains but Issa seems content just being with her, regardless of what she makes him do.  In the present, Issa narrowly escapes demotion while Leila goes on an undercover mission to discover who is in charge of illegal Dracule fighting.

In another scene, it seems that Hibiki is secretly set to the task of taking over Issa’s position as Squad Zero captain. A higher-up appears to be the brains behind this scheme; but unknown to Hibiki it seems that the man has some ulterior motives.

My thoughts:

We learn that Mikuni keeps tabs on Issa (and others?) who happen to possess the same type of fetter. Thankfully for Issa, he does not use the eye and therefore does not risk expulsion from Mikun. The mysteries are unfolding, and yet they continue to prompt more questions which hopefully can be answered in future volumes. I thoroughly enjoy reading these.

Things to consider:

The ratings for these stay nicely consistent. Targeted mainly towards boys ages thirteen plus. I do not see anything inappropriate for this audience.

Opportunities for discussion:

Issa tells a lie about what happened in the cave. His intentions were good; he did not lie to edify himself, but rather at the risk of demotion in order to protect those concerned. This brings up a good opportunity of discussion for your teens. Ask them what they think about lying, and if there is ever an occasion where it is OK to do so. Then ask them if there is anything they lied to you about, and see if they are willing to give an explanation as to why. If not, ask them what they think about the topic. Use this opportunity to share your thoughts. Comment if you are interested in my thoughts on the topic.

Past reviews in this series:

1) Dragon Eye (Volume 1)
2) Dragon Eye (Volume 2)
3) Dragon Eye (Volume 3)

I recently contributed a track to feature on the latest in the series of compilations in the ‘Dictaphonia’ series, compiled by Hal McGee.

‘Dictaphonia Volume 4′ features a new song called ‘Long Way Down’

The compilation is now availble to purchase in its original dictaphone/micro-cassette format from the Dictaphonia site.

http://halmcgee.com/dictaphonia.html

CF / The Silent Committee.

The Hot Boys World Volume 4 (WORLDWIDE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 15, 2009)

The Hot Boys World Volume 4 (WORLDWIDE Release September 15, 2009)

Clint Crisher returns to The Hot Boys World Volume 4 with some hot remixes from Dj Peter Tanico and reunites with Hot2Go from The Hot Boys World Volume 2. Hot2Go are Lee Lee Ingram and Brendan Watterson. Hot2Go is one of the hottest current Australian tickets out there, and for good reason. Their thorough understanding of dance rhythms, polished arrangements, and entendre-laced lyrics makes them instantly more visible in the mass of faceless club and inspirational trance anthems that crowd the floor. They also have a knack for releasing unashamedly gay-oriented music with class and verve. Here’s to hoping America gets over its closet problems soon and just enjoys the music! Hot2Go have two tracks on The Hot Boys World Volume 2 CD released on Crisher Entertainment shared with 10 tracks by Clint Crisher. Australian Kiss (Extended Version) and Backseat (Dirty Beats Mix) This video includes “Kiss” which by many gets the higher nod for its prime bump’n'grind mix, great slide blues loop, and terminally oversexed lyrics. With its breathy falsetto/orgasmic tenor vocals and brilliant “because you kiss down under” double-entendre, file this song under next generation Prince in the folder marked “Great Songs About/For Fucking.” Australian Kiss (Extended Version) is a potential 1. Watch this video that includes a Hot2Go live show on June 14 2008. They like to make sweet sweet music, but LOVE making filthy dirty beats!!

Darrell Russ

The third and final artist on volume 4 is Darrell Russ who is a passionate, soulful male singer and songwriter based in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area. Versatile in styles ranging from Disco and Soul to Country and R&B, Darrell captivates audiences with his high-energy stage performance and deep, soulful singing that connects with the crowd. After years of honing his craft in clubs and talent showcases, Darrell is close to completing a full album to be released in January 2010 and has three tracks on Volume 4. His most anticipated full length album will feature some of his finest recordings produced by some of today’s best producers and has already been supported by a number of performances, press releases and radio appearances. He is currently in the studio recording his final tracks for the full-length album that will feature all new material. Upon release in the Winter of 2010, the new album will be accompanied by a promotional campaign that includes performances at parties, clubs and festivals as well as radio stations. Darrell was the featured soloist performer for the regional smash hit television show “Curtain Call,” which is broadcast in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Music Is The Reason,

Crisher Entertainment

Yoshimori and Tokine are the legitimate heirs of their clan. They protect their school from ayakashi, as the creatures try to absorb the hidden power that is buried deep beneath the building.

Yoshimori is the more powerful of the two and he has a hidden love for Tokine. Tokine makes up for the lack of power with skill and precision, but she tends to think of Yoshimori as a younger, annoying brother.

We pickup from the last volume where Yoshimori’s dog, Madarao, battled against an old friend who turned out to be a new enemy.  After the battle, Yoshimori replaced the power-restricting collar on Madarao. It seems that Madarao develops a little more respect for the boy.

Story overview:

We welcome back the ghost of a patissier (pastry chef,) whom Yoshimori had helped out in a prior volume. The ghost seems to be reluctant to leave the living world. He claims that it is because he did not like that his last word was “cabbage,” but there seems to be something else going on. To help out the ghost, Yoshimori works with Yumeko Hananokoji, the Psychic Counselor that he referred the ghost to. Together they find the ghost’s brother and put closure on the thing that was bothering him so that he could finally find peace.

This leads to the introduction of Yoshimori’s own brothers. His younger brother, Toshimori, feels he’s not as talented as Yoshimori. And his older brother, Masamori, came home for a visit. Masamori is a highly skilled, Executive Officer of the Shadow Organization and seems to harbor some unspoken resentment towards Yoshimori for being the one born with the symbol of the legitimate heir. Yoshimori could care less about being the heir, but has a certain amount of animosity towards his older brother.

Masamori puts Yoshimori to the test as he feels the heir needs to use his skills more intelligently. Passing the test in his usual reckless way, Masamori realized his brother’s strength is greater than he thought. Once Yoshimori discovers that his brother is watching him from the sky, he figures out how to use his kekkai to climb up to meet him. At this time he tells his older brother his plans to seal off the Karasumori site forever.

My thoughts:

This one is still currently one of my top three favorite manga series. As always, great character dynamics and a constant page turner. Good humor too.

Things to consider:

Good for ages 13+ and mainly directed towards boys. No questionable content for this age group. Just the typical action violence.

Opportunities for discussion:

The subject of passing on to another world is brought up. Where this series does not take liberties to share what that world is, I believe this is a good time for parents to. Ask your teens what they think about life after death, and then share with them your beliefs and why you believe them.

Past reviews in this series:

1) Kekkaishi (Volume 1)
2) Kekkaishi (Volume 2)
3) Kekkaishi (Volume 3)

1.Skyzoo ft. Wale-Hacksaw Jim Duggan
2.Wale ft. Skyzoo-Lyrically Inclined
3.Skyzoo-Nessasary Evils
4.Wale ft.Lady Gaga-Chillin
5.Skyzoo ft.Maino-Back on the Map
6.Wale ft.Brother Ali-2nd Time Around
7.Skyzoo ft.Chaundon & Tore-3 Kings
8.Wale ft.Kid Cudi-Is this Love?
9.Skyzoo ft. DJ Deadeye & Termanology-Girl Interupted (prod. by Statik
Sekektah)
10.Wale ft.Big Sean & Mike Posner-U Wonder Why (prod. by 9th Wonder)
11.Skyzoo ft.Tore-Get it Done (prod. DJ Premier)
12.Wale ft.Currensy & Tre-Word Play (prod by 9th Wonder)
13.Skyzoo-Way to Go (prod. by 9th Wonder)
14.Wale ft.Duffy-Warwick Avenue
15.Skyzoo ft.J the S & Lord Touch-Pump
16.Wale ft.Young Chris and Tre-Night Life
17.Skyzoo-Fire
18.Wale-UK Freestyle
19.Skyzoo-The Chase is on (prod. by Statik Selektah)
20.Wale ft.Rhymefest-Ain’t Heard it from Me
21.Skyzoo ft.Talib Kweli & Reks-When I Rhyme (prod by Statik Selektah)
22.Wale-Remake of a Remake (All I Need)
23.Skyzoo ft.Sha Stimuli-BK Renissance
24.Wale ft.Lil’Wayne-Nike Boots RMX.
25.Skyzoo & Wale- Freshfest.
26.Mr.Peter Parker & Wale talk HHDYH?

Download Mr. Peter Parker – How Hard Do You Hustle v.4: Skyzoo vs Wale (Mixtape)

Vezi: Wale/Skyzoo .

Via: 2Dope .

Hi, and as Skeme rightly pointed out, I have been too lazy to update this blog, which has to stop.
So Earlier on today i decided to release SRCD Volume 4, the 4th installment to a series i started over a year ago.
This one is abit more “slap dash” considering the last three were planned, but still i feel its a very good collection of beats I’ve made in the past few months.

Erm 12 instrumentals, all produced by me, for your listening pleasure. Hopefully this will motivate me to make some more beats as I’m not sure if I there’ll be any left if i decide to do volume 5 next month!

SRCD Volume 4 Front

SRCD Volume 4 Back

Almost forgot the download links…

http://rapidshare.com/files/243112521/SRCD_Volume_4__2009_.zip

or

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5F98DP57

Heroes Volume 4 Review

Heroes is a strange beast. It can be a loving show, one that rewards watching with occasional flushes of majesty. Sometimes it can bite the hands of its viewers with teeth made of hard-edged steel.

After the horribly patchy-but-turned-good-at-the-end Volume Two (‘Generations’) came the thoroughly magnificent third Volume, ‘Villains’. A thing of absolute beauty, it was television sci-fi writing at its very finest, with character arcs, plot twists, huge super-powered showdowns, great new characters, a story with a conclusion already planned in advance and the most impressive thing – not a single weak episode in all thirteen.

So what can the fourth Volume (‘Fugitives’) offer? Well, on the whole, a nasty trip down memory lane. For starters, the entire Volume is completely directionless, wandering from set-up to set-up without really ‘doing’ anything. Sylar spends the first half of the Volume wandering aimlessly as he tries to find his father, a far cry from the brilliant, hilarious and genuinely frightening villain he managed to become by the end of Volume Three. For the second half of the Volume, the writers seem to have decided that a mental breakdown would be an interesting thing to watch happen to a once great villain. Problem is, it’s not. And now that Sylar can shapeshift, he has been made completely indestructible.

Peter’s manufactured ability has changed from the flight we saw in the last episode to the new power of absorbing one ability at a time. Where this came from is anybody’s guess, but it means that he spends the whole Volume partnered up with useful people so he can actually do something.

Matt Parkman gets conveniently ‘gifted’ with the ability to paint the future, but this gets forgotten after about four episodes. He also gains a son – even though we were all told it wasn’t his.

Hiro and Ando struggle to even come across as comic foils. With Hiro powerless, what could have been a nice role-reversal for the only genuinely brilliant duo is instead forgotten as they bumble about not really doing anything. Ando’s manufactured power has also changed – where it once amplified other Heroes’ abilities, it now just shoots red lightening. Even when Hiro regains the ability to stop time, Ando never once suggests teaming up their powers. Surely the two are perfect? And now that Hiro’s body is slowly breaking down because of his over-reliance on his powers, isn’t it obvious that Ando is the perfect partner? But, no, such logic has no place on this show, it would be entertaining.

Claire goes back to being boring, even after the wonderful flirting with the dark side briefly seen in the last Volume. This time she’s given a four episode love interest (hint: it’s boring) and then spends time looking confused. Bennett fairs better, with a slightly more meaty story of deception and betrayal, but it’s never that interesting compared with the man we all know from past seasons.

Worst offender is new character Denko, a man born to hunt the Heroes. Across the whole Volume, he serves zero purpose. He might get to team up with Sylar in the final episodes, but given that the rest of the time he chases people around and gets more guns aimed at him than Jack Bauer, it’s not worth the wait.

There are some really great moments in this Volume that remind you why you bother sticking with creator Tim Kring through the ups and downs. Daphne’s death – her actual death – is incredible; a mixture of great writing, genuinely touching acting and good CGI. Likewise, the send-off given to Tracey is just as excellent, as she freezes everything around her to protect Micah. If the former glory of Heroes can be seen in these flashes, what was stopping it breaking through the whole time?

Even when the Volume limps to its damp squib finale, where Sylar plans to take the place of the President, the show continues to bite its viewers’ hands. A major character is finally killed, only to be resurrected minutes later in the laziest plot device twist ever. This was once a show that had the balls to sever all its connections to an entire season just because viewers didn’t like it. What’s going on now? We’re even cheated out of a proper climax, as the Amazing Flying Petrelli Brothers prepare to take on Sylar when, for the second time, a door is slammed, ensuring that the battle is unseen to lower costs. Thanks, Kring.

All in all, this is hands down the worst Volume of Heroes’ entire run. Kring and his boys need to figure out where they’re going with this, because after that weak cliffhanger (ANOTHER character is brought back from the dead, are you kidding me?!) the entire show looks to be dying. Let’s hope the magic returns soon.

2/5

So I finally cracked and watched the Season finale of Heroes. I skipped a couple of episodes (22 to 24, if I am not mistaken). I did feel confused once or twice, but thanks to the recap sequence and the slower pace of the show this season, it wasn’t that bad. This episode did, however, provide for some really intense OH MY GOD moments. The question begs to be asked: were these moments due to my confusion, or because they really were great moments?

Danko

Is he gone for good, or is he going to be back? It seems, from the end of the episode and the teaser we got from Season 4, that things are going to be a lot easier for people with abilities, at least officially – but then again, that means that a person like Danko, so against these people, could definitely get involved in an underground terrorist organization. But it might create a useless story arc that would take us away from the principal characters… I guess we are going to have to see about that.

I really loved the scene where Danko and Noah were locked in together; it also made, in my opinion, for one of the visually most interesting still shots of the episode: the image of Noah and Danko, sitting on either side of the bench, back to back, and looking at one another with mutual distrust and, dare I say, loathing. It truly was a great moment.

Ando & Hiro

Is the Dynamic Duo also gone for good? It’s hard to say. On the one hand, Hiro’s ability is fading, and Ando’s doesn’t seem all the useful (sorry, Ando). Also, if the scope of what Nathan started encompasses only the United States, then would the Dynamic Duo be able to help in what is now mostly a top level clean up?

Then again, once Hiro gets his strength back (can he ever return to his normal?), it’s only a matter of a phone call to get him to come right over, wherever he might be, so… and because of people like Danko, there also needs to be a bottom-up clean up.

In other words, there is no way to know what is going to happen to Hiro and Ando. If they did bow out for the last time, I will miss them; they are adorable, and they do provide for some really precious moments. One of them was Ando’s ‘crimson arc’ comment, and the other was the following exchange:

Suresh: Do you have dizziness and numbness in the left arm?

Hiro: Yes, but Bruce Wayne only slept two hours a night.

Sylar

My love-hate relationship with Sylar continues as he becomes creepier and scarier by the episode. I’m also getting the distinct impression that not only Zachary Quinto is having a lot of fun playing this part, but the writers are also thoroughly enjoying writing it; what else could explain all the great Sylar quips during this episode?

Sylar (having captured Claire): Oh, God. This is fun.

.

Claire: I’ll never stop trying to kill you.

Sylar: Everyone needs a hobby.

Unfortunately, Sylar is now dead… Or rather, suppressed… Or rather, erased… Seriously, how do you call what happened to Sylar? What’s with the Sylar-Nathan hybrid? Is this a sad attempt from the writers of Heroes to being the ‘Green movement’ into the show, by taking the concept of ‘hybrid’ a little too far (ha ha), or is it a brilliant way to bring an entire discussion about the meaning of identity and life into the show’s discussion forums?

I have the feeling I am going to be blogging about this, probably sooner rather than later. In the meanwhile, here are two more of my favorite moments in this episode:

Nathan: Sylar… We gotta stop him (stumbles).

Peter (catching him): A lot of help you’re going to be.

.

Claire (right after being thrown through closed doors by Sylar and having crashed and slid down a wall, glaring at a bemused Nathan and Peter): GO!

Footnote: Peter should stop trying to send us subliminal messages through his growing hair about how he is more like his old self and just cut it off already. You’re back. We get it. Now go get a haircut. Things are probably quieter now, but they are definitely not going to remain so, what with a Sylar-Nathan hybrid roaming the halls of Congress – so make sure you visit a barber before then.

3.25 An Invisible Thread

Our Heroes come together to take down Sylar…again.

Remember this will be a SPOILER review.

The third season finale of Heroes carries on the tradition of disappointing, lacklustre and unforgettable season finale’s.  When we can always guarantee that season finale episodes should deliver an amazing hour of television, Heroes does the opposite.  This is not to say I heavily disagreed with the episode, it was alright in parts but for a final episode of the season, it didn’t deliver.  Now if they had actually showed that Sylar vs Peter/Nathan fight then I would have loved this episode but no, they had to have it happen behind a closed door.  I know the show’s budget has been cut but at least show us something worthwhile.

So Nathan is dead, well of sorts.  Sylar has now been convinced that he is Nathan, so really the other tradition of people never dying on the show continues as well.  I liked the twist myself but as the indication at the end of the episode, Sylar might start remembering who he is.  So what does it mean for Zachary Quinto?  Is he gone from the show for the time being?  Even though he’s one of the better actors of the show, I have had enough of Sylar.  The show probably won’t have him gone for long but I think it’s time to end Sylar’s story for good.

I’ve been quite vocal in my reviews about the quality of the show.  Everyone seems to have their opinion on the state of the show.  The show is a shadow of it’s former self.  Season 2 was abysmal but it was a shortened season due to the writers strike.  Season 3 for the most part was an improvement but sadly not by much to reach the quality of the first season.  Volume 3 was mostly poor but volume 4 showed a lot of promise.  Bryan Fuller is now back which means the show is in good hands again.  His full effect on the show will only be seen during the fourth season.  The best move for the show in my estimations, is to get rid of Tim Kring as showrunner and put Fuller in charge.  Kring’s initial vision was grand but along the way, he’s lost that passion that was seen during the first year of the show.

Volume 5 – Redemption

As usual at the end of volumes, we got a sneek peak into what the next volume could be about.  We see the reapearance of Tracy who seems to be exacting revenge on Building 26 agents.  Maybe she will be the big bag of volume 5.  Then we get to see Sylathan who is starting to be annoyed by fast running clocks.  Maybe we’ll be seeing a Jekyll and Hyde type scenerio.

I’m just trying to decide if I’m going to be faithfully, every week watching the show in it’s fourth season.  Mostly all the story threads have been wrapped up now.  The show can become anything it wanted to be.  It has to become something special or our ordinary people with extrodinary powers will no longer exist.

Quote of the episode: Hiro “Holy crap.”

Favourite Scene: Sylar controlling Claire and being very creepy.

The post I made prior to the SCC finale gave me an idea, so I’m planning to make  a bunch of these posts just before various finales air, talking about the seasons in general and my thoughts on them, but mainly my predictions for the upcoming finale. This Monday sees the final episode of Heroes until the fall, the 25th of the season, and the 12th of Volume Four.

I really don’t know how to rate the season as a whole because of the large and obvious divide between the two halves. Volume Three was horrible, overly contrived and full of plot holes or straight up nonsensical decisions. Volume Four was a vast improvement, with episodes ranging from ‘kinda meh’ to ‘good but with some lame bits still’ to some of the best of the series to date. I’ve enjoyed seeing the endgame for Volume Four turn out to not be ’saving the world from imminent destruction’ for once, and I actually liked the character arcs quite a bit, with one big exception: bringing back Parkman’s wife just as you’re killing off Daphne really feels like you’re just trying to sweep the best part of Volume Three under the rug. Doing that with most of V3 is fine because it was terrible, but come on Daphne was awesome!

Unfortunately, I’m heavily leaning towards the season finale sucking. Season one’s finale was I thought the second worst episode of the freshman season, and season two’s finale was a letdown too. This track record doesn’t give me a lot of hope for their third try. Add to this that Kring is writing it, and I’m not holding out much hope. Still, maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised.

What do you think? Can it beat the odds and be good? Did you actually like either of the other two finales?

-Jerk

3.24 I Am Sylar

I Am Bored

Remember this will be a SPOILER review.

The penultimate episode of the season and what do we get, we get a little build up but for most of the episode it was just explaining what Sylar and the others have been up to while our other Heroes were in Coyote Sands.  By the end of penultimate episodes I’m normally ecstatic, eager to see how it concludes, cursing that I have to wait a week.  Honestly I don’t give a damn because I’m just not pumped up for it.

We have Sylar who’s having an identity crisis, he ain’t sure who he is anymore because of all the shapeshifting.  So he decides to creepingly become his mother and have a two way conversation between himself and his mom.  Very disturbing and my mom would be the last person I would want to shapeshift into.

Hiro and Ando decide to take down Building 23.  Hiro learns that if he touches someone when he freezes time, that person won’t be froze.  Ando wants Hiro to accept him as an equal now, considering he has a power, he doesn’t want to be a sidekick.  Hiro begins to bleed from the nose when he tries to freeze time again.  It must have something to do with Baby Touch and Go restoring his power.

Geeky Thoughts:-

• How can Sylar now survive a knife to the back of the head?  Danko won’t be long for the world now.
• Will Micah return and save the day?

We have mostly all the characters captured again.  I have no clue where the story will go or how it will conclude but to say I’m excited would be a lie.  Come on Heroes, deliver a great season finale.

Quote of the episode: Hiro “Let’s go, Batman.” Ando “It’s the Crimson Arc!”

Favourite Scene: Sylar speaking with his mother.