Come on, Beeb! Pump some cash into alien designs and prosthetics, please
TELEVISION FETT
Ian Woodward, email I’m torn about new Star Wars show The Mandalorian. Sure, the first picture was exciting, though basing a series on a Boba Fett type feels like the lazy option, like they’re going for something that everyone will instantly agree is cool. I just feel live-action Star Wars belongs on the big screen, not TV. I can accept all the movies Lucasfilm is giving us, but there’s something about bringing the galaxy far, far away to TV that makes it feel that little bit less special. It doesn’t help that every other time it’s happened it’s been a creative disaster – remember the Holiday Special and those Ewok TV movies? I try not to! SFX This seems an old-fashioned perspective, now TV’s home to so much great writing. I’m excited about seeing a version of Star Wars that has time for proper character development.
#CAGE PLIGHT
Lauren Hooper, email Gutted Netflix have cancelled Luke Cage! I didn’t mind about Iron Fist – it wasn’t great and was troubling on many levels (rich white boy fantasy and all that) – but Luke Cage was a joy. I hope Luke pops up again on the Marvel shows, because he’s too good to just throw in the bin. You have to wonder what kind of viewing figures a show gets for Netflix to cancel it; they surely have more viewers than network television? SFX It does seem odd, but then we know zilch about the audience data. Anyone have a horrible feeling Netflix might have found many international territories are less welcoming of a show centred on black characters? I really hope I’m wrong!
#PANIC AT THE DISCO
Keira Lindsey, email I’m nervous about the second season of Star Trek: Discovery. The first was amazing because it was Trek as we’d never seen before, with more violence, people being properly nasty, and the bonkers nature of the spore drive. But with the return of Spock and the Enterprise, we’re in danger of getting a prequel that’s too close to the original. SFX It does seem like we’ve only just got to know the new crew, and now iconic characters could steal the spotlight. Another big question is whether they can keep making us scream, “WTF?!” now we’re primed to expect twists.
#THRILLER IN VANILLA
Michael Garner, email The Purge series is a complete misstep. It should have been a satirical look at the class system and political views. That or a straightup, balls-to-the-wall violence horror show. It doesn’t get near to anything of that type at all. The violence is vanilla, and when it looks like they’re trying to say something about sexual politics it turns icky, not scathing. Just poor! SFX Not caught up with this yet, and after The First Purge, I’m not optimistic. We’ll have a full season review next issue.
#P&P INCLUDED Gordon Smith, email Thanks for the piece on A Matter Of Life And Death [SFX 305]. It was a fantastic read, and took me back to watching old films with my mum as a seven/eight-year-old: Blithe Spirit, The Ghost And Mrs Muir... but my favourite was always this Powell and Pressburger classic. I remember the sense of wonder engendered by the opening minutes, so British, whimsical and subversive. I always tear up watching it. I have a fractured relationship with my youngest brother. Fifteen years ago, he bought me a subscription to SFX, and it remains the best present he’s ever got me. Thank you, Neil! SFX That’s SFX: bringing siblings together since 1995. Who needs family therapy?
#SUPREME COMMANDER
Robert MacDonald, email It was a nice surprise to see the back page tribute to Servalan actress Jacqueline Pearce [SFX 306]. Blake’s 7 was such an integral part of my childhood that it’s hard to believe she’s no longer here. I got to know her about 20 years ago when her then-boyfriend was lodging with my friend’s mum. Funny thing is, I never connected the person I came to know with that character she played. I’m surprised the BBC haven’t screened an episode of Blake and his crew. SFX Never mind a one-off repeat, they should re-run the series in her honour!