The Last of Us 2- Video Games As Art

Over the past couple of weeks I've been working my way through The Last of Us 2. I liked the first game just fine but didn’t really think it was the masterpiece many gamers claim it to be but to each their own. I found this game to be much the same; it's 30 or so hours of moving around long grass shanking people interspersed with intense gunplay and the occasional clicker in run down liminal spaces. It's a dark revenge story told interestingly through 2 perspectives but I felt it was overly long and the story dragged out a lot.

The game does have gorgeous graphics and bold storytelling (for a video game) and, whilst I don’t think it deserved all the hyperbolic praise or accolades it received (video games ‘Schindler’s List’ anyone?), it is definitely a game worth playing.

Utopia For Realists- Book Review

I first came across Dutch journalist Rutger Bregman through a much shared social media video where he talked at Davos about tax avoidance and how no-one was talking about this elephant in the room. He seemed like an intriguing fellow and so when I heard he'd written a book I bought it and approached it with cautious optimism. I say cautious as I am wary of 'men of destiny' who give bitesized TED-talk style solutions or quick answers and soundbites puff pieces rather real-world suggestions and workable solutions. I worry about the cult of personality the internet has given us where someone claims to have all the solutions, however they very rarely do once you scratch beneath the surface. After all, we don't want a repeat of the charismatic guy who fronted the Kony 2012 campaign which called for foreign powers to go in, take over, control and train a foreign army... pro-war activism. Hmmm, yeah, not great when you consider the geo-political implications of training an army with a recent history of civil war. But I digress… how is Utopia For Realists?

Well, I'll say this- it is very readable, understandable and Bregman doesn't claim to have all the answers. Often, in these kind of books the author makes a grand statement proclaiming that their idea or polemic is the one solution but Bregman is more measured in his approach. His vision for a utopian society includes establishing a universal basic income for all, a more measured approach to GDP which takes into account the value and quality of the jobs rather than quantity, a 15 hour work week where hobbies and interest are promoted and open borders. It’s a pity the book was written a few years ago as, in light of the pandemic and the Universal Basic Income model that many countries (including Britain through the furlough scheme) employed, it would be useful to see what the real world situation bore out but alas it is not to be. However what we have is a book that is broken down into 10 chapters over 264 pages (not including appendices etc)
The chapters include:


1. The Return of Utopia
This compares the medieval European ideal of the Land of Plenty, Bruegel's Cockaigne, to the modern western world’s, but paints a bleak picture of Paradise.

2. Why We Should Give Free Money to Everyone
Examples of giving away free money, resources and support to the street-sleeping homeless are presented and they show impressive data and real-world results.

3. The End of Poverty
This look at how an indigenous casino lifted Cherokee families out of the cycle of poverty and social problems and led to a huge improvement in school attendance and results. Also, it looks at Utah‘s unique way to deal with homelessness and poverty and the lasting impact it has had on the public purse and society as a whole.

4. The Bizarre Tale of President Nixon and His Basic Income Tax Bill.
If you can believe it, President Nixon considered introducing a universal basic income in the 1970s but the successful results of a similar scheme in early 19th century Speenhamland, England were deliberately misrepresented for political reasons in the 1830s.

5. New Figures for a new Era
The creation of GDP and its modern limitations.

6. A Fifteen Hour Work-Week.
The push for more leisure and creativity time, especially where automation would make many jobs obsolete.

7. Why It Doesn’t Pay to be a Banker
On real, well-paid jobs that negatively contribute to the economy and jobs that are meaningless-so-called 'bullshit jobs'. For a recent example, see the Greensill business with David Cameron where he was a lobbyist for a firm that recently went bankrupt.

8. Race Against the Machine
The rise of automation and its impact on labour.

9. Beyond the Gates of the Land of Plenty.
Allowing freedom of movement to allow the creation of wealth across the world and equity.

10. Ideas Change the World
The belief that apparently impossible or crazy ideas eventually become mainstream e.g. abolishing slavery, environmentalism etc

Reading the book, I liked Bregman's viewpoint and his optimism for the world as he doesn't have all the answers nor does he pretend to, however, I would like to have seen him address some of the potential issues. I think open borders are a compelling idea but would it suppress wages and lead to animosity and friction between groups due to reduced labour bargaining power? If we look at Britain and the EU, access to cheaper labour has led many unscrupulous businesses to begin a 'race to the bottom' and zero hour contracts. Further, would open immigration lead to a brain drain in certain countries and further entrench the deep inequality between the rich and poor? However, these are small points to reflect on when looking at the wider picture.

Victor Hugo stated, ‘There is nothing is as powerful as an idea who's time has come’ and this is what Bregman is stating in this book- we need to alter what we value as a society and consider how we measure success away from pure economics. In a way he is singing off the same hymn sheet as David Attenborough in his book A Life On Our Planet: My Witness Statement and Vision for the Future where he states that we need a more global rather than individualistic country GDP measure of success.

Overall, Bregman is an enthusiastic writer and I like that the tone of the book is optimistic rather than pessimistic and angry. There is so much angst and anger out there so it's refreshing to read a more measured approach to something that everyone has a viewpoint on and strong feelings about. Utopia For Realists is a quick and enjoyable read and I would highly recommend it.

LINK- Natives: Race and Class in the Ruin of Empire- Book Review

LINK- On And On And Colston ( Or, How We Kinda Sort of Learned to Talk About the Legacy of Colonialism and the British Empire)

LINK- Why I No Longer Talk To White People About Race

LINK: Let’s All Create a ‘New Normal’.

LINK- Disenchantment- Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Gravity Falls Complete Series Review

LINK- Ms Marvel Can Change the World

Comet in Moominland- Book Review

Comet in Moominland is the second of eight books set in the world of the Moomins. The book was written in 1946 and many believe author, Tove Jansson, wrote it as a parable for the nuclear threat and the real possibility of nuclear annihilation that existed post-Nagasaki and Hiroshima at the tail end of WW2. Whatever the truth, these whimsical stories with heart and street philosophy mean so much to so many because, through the mouth of these hippo-like creatures are aphorisms and truths about life and the human condition and so it is with this tale.

Comet in Moominland

Sniff and Moomintroll discover a mysterious path near the coast and find that it leads to a cave. Whilst traveling back home they see portents of doom and witness unusual phenomena like the sky changing into an unusual colour and the seabed drying up. They then plan to travel to the Lonely Mountain to talk to the scientists at the observatory to find out what is going on. Along the way they meet Snork Maiden, Snufkin and other characters who would become series regulars. When they find out that there is a comet blazing towards Moominvalley and will lead to oblivion the team head home where Moomintroll believes Moominmamma will make everything okay.

What could be a sombre meditative tale about the preciousness of life is in-fact sprinkled with dashes of humour, warmth and truth. Even though oblivion is imminent there are adventures aplenty, with night dances, shopping trips and romance. The characters enjoy the simple pleasures in life and don't let the existential threat dampen their spirits for long. Whether this was written as a nuclear parable or not, the tale is profound and works at a deeper level for those looking for meaning.

Often, we see our lives as being made up of big milestones based on decisions we have made and situations that have occurred but sometimes it's the smaller moments that shape us. Sometimes there are serendipitous moments where the right people at the right time become lifelong touchstones that affect us profoundly and become quietly pivotal and so it is with this book where Moomintroll meets Snufkin and Snork Maiden and his life is never the same again.

For those looking for an enjoyable road trip romp, this does that too. This is the beauty of Jansson, she is a humanist and writes about the human condition unlike anyone else whilst having a fun and exciting jaunt for our characters.

Immortals Fenyx Rising- Video Games As Art

Immortal Fenyx Rising is that rare thing from Ubisoft, a brand new IP that isn’t a sequel or an iteration on something they have been producing for many years. That itself had me intrigued and so I bought the game within the first week to see what it was like. I have to say that it is a stunning looking game with some great visual and interesting art style. The writing is sometimes funny but misses the mark with its ‘humour’ but all that could be forgiven if it was a solid game. Unfortunately, it descends into the usual Ubisoft collect-athon and the map soon fills up with too many markers.

I know some people were comparing this to Zelda: Breath of the Wild in terms of a more open world but, whereas BOTW trusted the gamers to find their own story and make their own markers, Ubi does it all for you and so any agency and sense of organic discovery is lost.

I gave the game about 5 hours of play but it left me feeling cold and I couldn’t warm to it, no matter the quips and wordplay from the Gods. I’ve traded it in but at least I gave Ubisoft the benefit of the doubt, I was disappointed but I hope that by supporting a new IP they continue to try something different.

It’s unusual for me not to finish a game but Immortals Fenyx Rising proved too cookie cutter for my liking.

Jean Michel Jarre Amazonia- Album Review

Jean Michel Jarre has been pretty busy over the past few years, releasing collab album Electronica 1 and 2 in 2015 and then dipping back into his first breakthrough album with Oxygene 3 and then releasing arguably his best album in years- the stunning Equinoxe Infinity. Now, he returns to his 'musique concrete' (the process of using recorded sounds to create a sound montage which is often abstract in its quality) roots by creating a sonic soundscape inspired by the Amazon rainforest and the works of photographer Sebastião Salgado.

For a certain contingent of Jarre fans, who were expecting derivative works based on the Oxygene and Equinoxe albums, this will be terrible news. They will claim that Jarre has 'lost it' and is ‘past his prime’ etc. But, as Jarre himself said during a Facebook Live session, "Some people are always unhappy". So for those who appreciate the chameleon like nature of Jarre with all its ups (Zoolook) and downs (Teo and Tea) this is an intriguing and exciting opportunity to see what the electronica maestro can produce when going back to his musical roots.

The new 52 minute binaural album will accompany Salgado's exhibition of over 200 photographs centred on the beauty and life of the Amazon, its bio-diversity and its peoples.

This album is a mixture of electronic and orchestral instruments sprinkled with approximations of real-life natural sounds. As a huge fan of his stunning Waiting for Cousteau album and particularly the final track, which itself was a meditative and calming piece where there was a spaciousness and tranquility, I was really looking forward to this album. Don't get me wrong, I love his musical compositions and the journey he takes you on but Waiting for Cousteau is his piece de resistance of ambient dreaminess and any chance of something similar would make me incredibly happy. So, how is the new Amazonia album?

The album works as a whole piece and I don't imagine listening to one track independently. It is very much a whole soundscape that creates a tapestry of sounds to immerse yourself in. It is a challenging listen in that there are very few standout pieces but the whole is wonderful and engaging. I can imagine listening to it after a hard day at work, just letting it wash over me and take me away to the tropical wonderland. I’ve tried to describe the mood of each track but it is difficult to categorise so please bear with my verbose flights of fancy if you can:

Track 1 is a veritable smorgasbord of sounds with motifs switching very quickly. It starts off very calming with chanting voices bouncing around, interpreted with a short gentle arpeggio but gives way to a lower guttural synthesiser sound.

Track 2 changes to a more upbeat techno-type rhythm which then has a deep reverberating sound that resounds in the ears. A high piano-esque motif plays and this is followed by fast pounding stabs which reminded me of John Carpenter's soundtracks. This track really does move around a lot and is hard to pin down but it works as a movement.

Track 3 has a compelling short rhythm which loops but is added to with an airy sound and a gentle drum beat. Vocalising changes the tack of the track and bird sounds enter the mix.

Track 4 has a haunting melody that has a threatening deep synch bass. One of the tracks of the album for me.

Track 5 builds on this and is busy sounding as a cacophony of voices, including babies squealing, plays in the background alongside a quick drum beat. This is then interrupted with a flute-y sound and the whirr of insects flying around before giving way to a crackling fire and an echoey crystal cave-y sound. It shimmers and wends its way around an aggressive whirring chainsaw sound.

Track 6 starts with children singing together against a backdrop of chirruping insects before a driving synth cuts in, threatening to break the calm.

Track 7 has a gentle rhythm but the gentle thunder rumbles and rain patters, bringing a whole Badalamenti vibe with a sense of sadness.

Track 8 has children singing mixed with an elder voice and a soft gentle drum and this goes into track 9 where the drum motif mixes with the airy Badalamenti synth sadness scape to end on a note of melancholy. But then some male vocalising and humming adds a sense of hope as the raindrops patter, adding a sense of hope of wonder. Then the synth hits as the thunder cracks and a synth choir enters, adding an angelic sound to the low drum sound.

Overall, Jarre has produced an interesting album and, whilst I haven't seen the photography exhibition it works alongside, I imagine it compliments the work to be diegetic. The album is well worth a listen and, whilst not as accessible and engaging as Equinoxe Infinity or his more ‘mainline’ albums, it is an interesting journey well worth taking.

LINK- Equinoxe Infinity Album Review

LINK- Planet Jarre Celebrates 50 Years of Jarre

LINK- Jean Michel Jarre Oxygene 3 Album Review

LINK- Jean Michel Jarre Electronica Vol. 2 Album Review

The Essential Wrapped in Plastic: Pathways to Twin Peaks- Book Review

For followers of Twin Peaks, the 'Wrapped in Plastic' fanzine kept them informed of all things TP, David Lynch and Mark Frost. The fanzine started in 1993 and ran for 75 editions, finishing in 2005. Living in England, I had heard of the magazine but never owned a copy due to it being difficult to obtain and source. When I heard that extracts from the magazine had been made into a sort of 'best of' book, which contained episode by episode breakdowns, critiques, interviews and essays, I sought it out immediately, needing to feed my craving to return to this, most singular, work. Reading this book, John Thorne’s enthusiasm is clear and it is truly a labour of love from an author with a deep passion for the show.

The book was a fascinating read.

The book was a fascinating read.

The individual background of each episode and cast and crew quotes are a rich source of information but the highlight for me was the examination of the season 2 finale where Lynch literally threw away the script and free-styled to make something confounding yet profoundly interesting. I also liked Thorne’s examination of Fire Walk With Me and how, at the time, it was much maligned but critics and a public who wanted to have some sort of closure of the season 2 finale but were left to deal with a prequel dealing with dark subject matter like incest, murder and drug abuse.

In light of Twin Peaks: The Return, some of the theories concerning Cooper being the dreamer is interesting and intriguing, especially considering Lynch’s ouvre after FWWM and The Return. However, the Judy theory don't fit but much of what is theorised about the rest of the show really does. Judy or Jowday has been re-contextualised in season 3 but it is interesting to read about what Judy could have meant had it been renewed at the time.

Reading the book, what stands out is that the show burned so bright so quickly that the network didn't know what to do. Lynch and Frost had a bona-fide smash hit on their hands but wanted to move on to other creative endeavours, leaving the show in the hands of some creative who didn't always understand what made the show quirky yet unmissable. As a result, the show meandered and went through some strange alterations before being brought back on track the Windom Earle storyline and Lynch's stunning piece de resistance conclusion.

I loved reading the book and it opened my eyes to some intriguing theories and thoughts. For anyone needing to scratch the TP itch this book is a must have!

LINK- Reflections on Twin Peaks: The Return

LINK- Twin Peaks Retrospective

LINK- Twin Peaks: The Return Series Review

LINK- Secret History of Twin Peaks: Book Review

LINK- Twin Peaks: The Final Dossier Book Review

Devil May Cry 5- Video Games As Art

Devil May Cry is the quintessential hack and slash action-adventure game, full of combos and flashy moves. I never really got into DMC, only playing the original and DMC reboot, both of which I enjoyed but not enough to be a big fan of the series. However, DMC 5 might change my mind. It is an enjoyable 15-18 hour romp that is gorgeous to look at and just pure fun to play. Check out the screenshots from my playthrough.

Bubble Bobble Quarter Arcade- Review

I have very fond memories of Bubble Bobble as it was one of the first games from my childhood that I fell in love with. The catchy music, sweet graphics and simple to play but difficult to master gameplay hooked young me in and it has been that way ever since. In fact, when I started this website one of the first covers I did for the homepage was a homage to Bubble Bobble due to the pure love I have for that game.

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So, whilst sitting in the shed on a wet rainy day taking a break from remotely teaching my pupils during lockdown, an advert popped up for a Quarter Arcade cabinet of Bubble Bobble and it got me thinking… I know Numskull have released a few arcade machines before and they are all bona-fide classics like Pacman, Galaga and Dig Dug but none of them really interested me. Bubble Bobble was different though and so I pre-ordered it. Over the course of the last month, I've had some buyers remorse and more than once thought about cancelling it but I know that it has sold out and I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I had ‘must have’ and I'd let it go and so I stuck with it. I'm glad I did.

This is an official, fully playable arcade machine and uses the original ROM of the game. A big draw for me was that it had the 2 player mode with dual-joystick controls so I could enjoy it with friends and family. The game runs off a C-USB power cable but does have an internal battery so you can play it away from a power source, at least for a while.The system is very robust and looks very swish. The Taito detailing and branding is on point and even though an exclusive Bubble Bobble arcade machine didn't exist, this is a good approximation of what the arcade machine would look like.

I know some may say, “Why don’t you just MAME it?” or '“Why pay so much for something you can find a ROM of online?” To this I would say that I have the game on emulator but sometimes it’s nice to have something official to show an appreciation and love for it. These products are not for everyone and I get that but why be negative towards something that serves a community who look forward to it?

I'm now off to kick Baron Von Blubba’s butt but I hope that Quarter Arcade follow up with Rainbow Island, Parasol Stars and New Zealand Story arcade machines.

I do love my Bubble Bobble arcade machine! Please excuse my Covid hair.

I do love my Bubble Bobble arcade machine! Please excuse my Covid hair.

Carmen Sandiego- Complete Season 4 Review

After 4 amazing seasons, the rebooted animated adventures of Carmen Sandiego has come to an end.

I've loved this series as it has always been great to see the creative and zany heists as well as the various new VILE operatives. The show has always been a heartening tale of empowerment and fighting the corrupt forces that work in the shadows... So far so QAnon, but this show has always been fun and cartoony, and doesn't take it too seriously, unlike QAnon.

The show retains its beautifully animated artistic vision with a stylish noir art look, all angles and interesting colour palette, reminiscent of Batman: The Animated Series or Samurai Jack. However, the bigger draw this season is Carmen's search for her mother and the stress her fight with VILE brings upon her surrogate family's and her own life. With ACME circling closer and VILE upping its aggression, hurting Shadow-san in the process, it's a real cracking final series where anything goes. When the chase is on to get to the biggest horde of ancient stolen artifacts, acquired by the original VILE 5 in medieval times, the show really comes into its own as the whole cast has its moment to shine.

The series starts with a couple of heist episodes, however, from episode 3, The Robo Caper, things start to accelerate and divert from the usual story beats and structure. There is a caper but the stolen crown is not the central conceit. Rather, this is a story driven episode as Shadow-san is attacked by a VILE robot as he recuperates whilst Carmen battles the Cleaners as she rushes to find Grey/ Crackle, the brain wiped former VILE operative. He is in the thick of things as the agency try to use him to hone in on Carmen but end up accidentally awakening his memories and his fighting skills. Meanwhile, Agent Devineaux starts to doubt the criminality of la femme rough and alongside Agent Argent, realises that she actually might be a force for good- mea culpa at last.

Episode 4, The Himalayan Rescue Caper, has Carmen and Crackle meet and his decision on whether to leave or remain with VILE has big implications for the endgame. Carmen and Player meet and she confesses that she needed to meet her other oldest friend.

However, from episode 5, The VILE History Caper, we get an insight into the origins of the organisation and a great chase is on to discover the last 2 of 3 remaining locations which will reveal an ancient treasure horde of stolen artifacts. This is a very exciting way to build up the finale of the series, not with a whimper but with a show stopping bang. Once Carmen stops VILE in their tracks they get revenge and take her hostage, leading to her being reprogrammed into a VILE puppet. When they task her with taking out her surrogate family the stakes are raised as a Carmen without restraint and humanity is a dangerous thing indeed.

What transpires is a heartening tale of camaraderie and connection as Team Carmen go toe to toe against VILE and all that it represents. ACME enters the fray and doesn't know which side to be on as it knows VILE is bad but is Carmen?

I'm gutted that the show ended but boy what a ride it's been. We've seen our Red grow from a simple criminal protégé to a master at organising heists. We also get a time jump 2 years in the future and see the old gang in their new lives. I won't spoil if Carmen find the truth about her mother but it is handled well.

The fact that its lead is a strong Latino woman is a big boost for representation but more than that, it's just a great story well told! I highly recommend the show.

Gravity Rush 2- Video Games As Art

Gravity Rush 2 is the delightful sequel to weirdly wonderful steampunk fantasy game in which you controlled an amnesiac young girl with levitation powers. What set the original game apart was the shifting gravity mechanic and the gorgeous art style. Gravity Rush was a PS Vita game that was remastered for the PS4, however Gravity Rush 2 was specifically made for the PS4. The extra power of the machine really makes the game pop.

I completed the game in about 25 hours and finale which was dramatic and provided closure for Kat fans. Check out the screenshots of my playthrough below!

Mysterious Cities of Gold- Complete Season 4 Review (Spoiler Free)

The Mysterious Cities of Gold started in 1982. 38 years, and 117 episodes later, it has finally ended. So after all this time, has the wait been worth it?

MCOG is a very pretty show © DIC, Fabulous Films, Blue Spirit, Movie-Plus Group

MCOG is a very pretty show © DIC, Fabulous Films, Blue Spirit, Movie-Plus Group

I was lucky enough to be able to download the French language episodes and english fan-subs through the hard work and diligence of the members of the Gold List, a MCOG Yahoo Group created in the late 90s that I had been a member of since 1996. I’d like to say many thanks to Silent_G and the amazing guys at the Discord group who worked hard to make sure that english speaking fans could access the show. Whilst it is not my ideal way to watch the show, I am grateful that I have been able to view it and appreciate it alongside other fans in real time. It created a collegiate atmosphere with the community sharing theories and ideas as the series progressed. I can’t wait for more people to watch the show and really get into interesting conversations about what the ending means.

I watched the series over the course of a few weeks and these are my reflections on the forth and final season of the MCOG. This is a spoiler free article but I do gently brush over themes covered in the season. For those looking for a more in-depth look at the season and a more detailed retrospective on all the series as a whole, I’d recommend you check out my article here.

Season 4 propels the story forward and picks up from the slight slump of the tail end of the third season, where I felt that the characters started to act out of character and the plot became a little convoluted.

The Golden Condor covers a lot of miles this season © DIC, Fabulous Films, Blue Spirit, Movie-Plus Group

The Golden Condor covers a lot of miles this season © DIC, Fabulous Films, Blue Spirit, Movie-Plus Group

The final series starts with Ambrosius, Gaspard and Laguerra travelling to Africa to find the next city (the fifth of seven), armed with the two gold medallions found from the previous golden city. Building on the legend of the Queen of Sheba, they are seeking the city of Ophir and a treasure that could be a game changer for the possessor, granting them potentially god-like powers. Ambrosius covets it but Esteban and the team are not too far behind him. With Zia's growing ESP abilities, as well as the moxie of the team as a whole, they overcome many of the traps set by Ambrosius to find the Doorway of the Ancients, a Mu-en (Mu-vian? Mu-enite? Mu-tian? ) portal which allows them to teleport across continents in an instant. It is with this development that the series grows in scope.

We get an introduction to Leonardo Di Vinci and the Order of the Hourglass, the organisation set up to find out more about Mu/ Hiva culture. This is a callback to lore that Athanaos (Esteban's father), Ambrosius and Dr. Leguerra were the first 3 members of the Order who set out for the New World to find evidence of the ancient civilisation.

When the fifth city of Ophir is finally discovered, Ambrosius gains the treasure but is betrayed by compatriots. The city retreats in the process of the fight.

Esteben et al. try to find clues to the sixth city, Orunigi, and overcome many challenges to retrieve the Bako, a sacred mask of prophecy which guilds them to its location. It is here that the ‘Grand Heritage’ of the Mu people is revealed and the ‘Great Cataclysm,’ which will destroy the world, must be prevented with the creation of the seventh city.

Phew! Reading that you can see that the show really escalates the stakes and makes it a more global affair but it is still the show we all know and love. It is a tough balancing act to include so many ‘new’ real figures from history and have then fit in with the vast cast of characters from seasons past but I think the show manages it, for the most part. I think you need to see this series almost like a greatest hits- bringing back the classics whilst trying new stuff that fits in to the overall story arc.

The climax of the show is optimistic with disparate peoples across the world joining together to battle against an overwhelming threat that could destroy all life on Earth. Some aspects feel a little undercooked, like the Prince Tyrias plot, but these are small niggles in an otherwise well-crafted story. The denouement is satisfyingly dramatic and also sets up intriguing possibilities about alternate, maybe parallel worlds or realms and possible continuations. As a long-time MCOG fan I couldn’t ask for a better ending.

As with the previous season, there are moments of stunning artistry and beauty and for fans of the series to enjoy. The Golden Condor again is given centre stage and there is pure GC adoration as the machine is lovingly shown from all angles, usually accompanied with a huge swell in dramatic synth music. And that's something to mention too; the quieter contemplative moments have some stunning music that is modern but more than just an homage to the past soundtrack It is its own beast and very worthwhile.

I’d also like to add that, as a former pseudoscientific theories/ conspiracy buff by way of Graham Hancock, Erich Von Daniken et al. and to a much lesser extent Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, it's great to see how the writers of the series have interwoven so much lore, theories and alternate timelines together to make a cohesive and intriguing mythos. The emphasis on telekinetic and advanced tech of the ancients as a unifier is suggested in Hancock’s book ‘Before America’ and had been suggested even by Elon Musk as regards the building of the pyramids. As a former Assassins Creed fan (at least until Black Flag and before it became iterative busy work), the idea that Da Vinci was part of a secret brotherhood who had tapped into a secret knowledge is intriguing and exciting. The fact that notable figures from history make appearances and team-up including Nostradamus, Charles V and the Kings of France and Zimbabwe is a bonus as pseudo-scientists and historians love this world-wide conspiracy/ organisation stuff. *Disclaimer- pseudoscience is fun as a thought experiment but not to be be taken too seriously btw!

I think that the setting and portrayal of Africa is very well done and the peoples are treated with respect and dignity, something that comics (remember Tintin in the Congo, oof!), and some other mediums (many, many anime and manga series), have often not handled well with broad stereotypes and ethnocentric racism usually depicting the land and people as 'savage' and 'other'. The Princess being infatuated with Pedro, which is played for laughs, could be seen as the problematic 'Jezebel' trope however later in the series we see her being a strong and forthright leader who schools Pedro and Sancho for their arrogance. This shows is very positive about Africa in the 16th century, as it should be. After all, the continent was home to many kingdoms and empires that were independent, prosperous and successful in trade before the onset of European colonialism and empire.

However, the harsh realities of colonialism and the start of the slave trade are not ignored and are a plot point mid-way through the series. They struggle to reconcile with a world where men are sold as commodities and the topic is treated with sympathy and respect. MCOG is a deeply humanist work and over the course of the 4 seasons it has always made each peoples sympathetic and flawed. After all, even the Olmecs were just trying to keep their race alive--even if it was through questionable means. As Pedro says, "There are some things that are worth sacrificing, good deeds make you better people" and for his character that is quite the development from season 1. The end of show documentaries discuss the matter somewhat and, whilst aimed at children, it is enlightening and will hopefully get young people thinking more about the legacy of empire.

It's very much a show that is perfect for now, at a time when the pandemic and ecological collapse threatens the world.It also shows how by working together with mutual understanding and empathy, all the cultures of the world can come together to achieve something collectively wonderful. It's a hopeful sentiment and one much needed in a world which has been struck with something as cataclysmic as the pandemic which has isolated and separated many communities and brought forth the fissures that existed in many of the societies. However, like in the MCOG, these times don't have to be seen as apocalyptic but rather a revelation as the lies of individualism have been laid bare. We are a global community and MCOG shows that by working together we can achieve pretty much anything. This is not a revisionist but rather alternate take on the 16th century where rather than European expansionism, colonialism and empire we see collaboration and respect.

I wasn't expecting it but after all is said and done, MCOG sticks the landing and, in places, nails it. It is a masterclass of storytelling and shows how, even after many years, the sequels can carry the momentum of all that has gone before. Sure, there is a bit of ret-conning but when it adds to a larger and better told tale… why not? There is a quote from Twin Peaks where David Lynch's character Gordon Cole states in no uncertain terms, 'Fix your heart or die,’ and I feel that overall, that is what MCOG is saying and it does so eloquently.

Much like how Twin Peaks: The Return stunned audiences with its audacious and ambitious story and visuals many, many years after the OG series, MCOG season 4 more than does the original series justice.

I will miss the show that has been such a huge part of my life but I can’t complain; they gave it a heck of a send-off!

LINK- Mysterious Cities of Gold Season 3 (English Dub) -Complete Series Review

LINK- MCOG Series 2 Review

LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East

LINK- Ulysses 31 Retro Soundtrack Review

LINK- MCOG Soundtrack on Vinyl Review

LINK- Twin Peaks: The Return Series Review

LINK- Secret History of Twin Peaks: Book Review

LINK- Twin Peaks: The Final Dossier Book Review

LINK- Hilda Comic Series Review 

LINK- Disenchantment- Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Gravity Falls Complete Series Review

LINK- Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- An English Geek in Saudi Arabia

Hilda- Season 2 Review

Hilda is an amazing Netflix animated show. The first season, a 13 part animated series, was adapted from the multi-award-winning and highly acclaimed graphic novel series by Luke Pearson about a young, blue-haired girl who goes on many adventures.

I love the graphic novel series. You can see how Luke Pearson’s art changes and evolves.

I love the graphic novel series. You can see how Luke Pearson’s art changes and evolves.

In season 1, protagonist Hilda lived with her mother in a cabin near the woods and mountains, away from people. It is in this landscape that Hilda went on her first few adventures filled with magical creatures and magical worlds that co-exist alongside hers/ours.

When their home is destroyed Hilda and her mother left their cabin and moved to the city of Trolberg. Here, Hilda adapted to life in an urban setting, meeting new people and the complexities that brought. She began to understand the beauty that can exist in the city and developed friendships through the Sparrow Scouts group she joined. It was here that the main thrust of the series pushed forward with each episode being an amazing and whimsical adventure. There were elves, stone giants, a Thunderbird and even a nightmare inducing teen thrown into the mix and it all ended up making sense as the world with a tapestry of story and character with its world-building logic.

I loved the original series and felt that the weirdness and slight tinge of unease was reminiscent of Over The Garden Wall, Gravity Falls and Scrooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated.

With season 2, Netflix have kicked things up a gear as we have lots of new stories which diverge from the comic series as most of this had been covered in the previous season. Fear not however as these original tales are excellent and continue the good work done in the previous season. It deepens the relationships between Hilda and the citizens of her world as they try to navigate the threat posed by Ahlberg, a narcissistic figure who seeks to destroy the trolls and ascend to some form of power. He is a great foil for our heroine over the course of the show, which has this through-line.

The individual episodes and my thoughts are below, but be aware, there be mild spoilers:

In Episode 1, The Stone Circle, we are introduced to Erik Ahlberg who is the self-appointed Trolberg Safety Patrol Inspector and is a vain glorious man, seeking fame and fortune at any cost, even if it means ruling up the trolls who are wandering closer to the city walls. This is a great start as it sets up an antagonist for the duration of the show.

In episode 2, The Draugen, Hilda goes through different adventures to ascertain who Ahlberg is and what his endgame is. This includes meeting pirate ghosts (the Draugen) and making a deal with the Rat King, but to no avail... yet. This is quite scary as you see the ghosts of dead sailors seeking to wreak havoc but the ending is quite sweet and emotional.

The third episode, The Witch, sees Hilda and best friend Frida help the librarian retrieve an overdue library book from a scarily private and accomplished witch. It's fun and full of awesome moments, and features trials much like the ones The Goonies faced but more kid friendly and with less problematic slurs. There are sweet moments like when a pupil meets her teacher and realises that she didn't disappoint her but achieved her best.

Episode 4, The Eternal Warriors, has Hilda, Frida and David explore the wilderness with the Sparrow Scouts but when David is scared of ghost stories he meets Warriors who can grant him immunity from fear. This is quite a gruesome episode as heads and limbs are lopped off, but it's all quite comedic as David learns the value of accepting who he is.

The Windmill, which is episode 5, sees the return of meteorologist Victoria Van Gale. When the team meet her -living off grid in windmill surrounded by woodland creatures- they are suspicious of her but soon she wins then over. However, is she hiding a deep secret? This is an emotive episode that looks at how we can do bad things, even when our intentions are good; it's the whole 'hubris of man' thing.

In episode 6, The Old Bells of Trolberg, when an automated systems which rings the bell on the hour every hour is installed by the Safety Patrol it wreaks havoc on the lives of everyone in and surrounding Trolberg. Hilda et al. plan and carry out a heist to take the system out before it is rolled out. This is a great episode as we see different groups working together to keep Trolberg noise free from the bells.

The seventh episode, The Beast of Cauldron Island, finds the Lindworm accused of destroying boats in the harbour. When Ahlberg assembles a motley crew to take the creature down, Hilda and crew try to ensure its safety but find another, more true, threat. This is an exciting show as the lore of mythical creatures is extended and we are introduced to a true legend. We also see the dynamic between Hilda and her mum as concerns about her safety come to the fore.

The Fifty Year Night, episode 8, sees Hilda grounded after lying to her mum in the last episode. When she sees her neighbour acting suspiciously Hilda opens one of his historical magazines only to be transported 50 years into the past. She discovers a tale about one magical night at a dance hall and a lifetime of regret and seeks to change that. But, messing with the past had repercussions and echoes. This is a really emotional episode and very heartfelt as Hilda learns about regret and consequences. I won't spoil it but there is an emotional scene with soft piano music playing where an acceptance of a decision that has consequences nearly had me bawling my eyes out.

Episode 9, The Deerfox, sees Twig leave Trolberg and going back into the wilderness. He seeks refuge in the destroyed remains of the house he once lived in and loved in the wilds but also feels a greater pull calling to him. Hilda is bereft to realise that Twig is gone and goes out to find him. What follows is a flashback of how Hilda and Twig first met. This is a beautiful story as we see Hilda realise that she might have taken Twig for granted. Also, we see Twig's origins of sorts and it is one of the most gorgeously animated sequences in the series.

In episode 10, The Yule Lads, Hilda accidentally gets her mum kidnapped by some elves who seek out naughty children and adults. This is a fun Christmassy story about not judging others and making things right. It's a slight but sweet episode.

When the Tide Mice cause magical troubles at the local snack company in episode 11, The Jorts Incident, it is up to Hilda and crew to track them down. This is a really fun episode with elements of The Real Ghostbusters as the team go the Jorts Head Office to track down all the Tide Mice and retrieve the soul of their latest victim. You also get a nice character development with Kaisa (the Librarian witch) and David, who pair up to round up the pesky rodents.

In episode 12, The Replacement, Alfur is relieved from his duties after the council refuses to believe his extraordinary reports about his various escapades with Hilda. When they come to take him away they become embroiled in an adventure too. This is a fun, fast paced story with Alfur's friendship with Hilda coming to the fore. It shows how much Alfur has grown as a character and how he is much more integral to the adventures with Hilda than may have been thought of before.

The series ends with The Stone Circle, the final and longest episode of the series. It builds on the television series but also the story arc of the final graphic novel which was released at the tail-end of last year. I reviewed the graphic novel but this episode is a little different as Hilda and her mum get thrown out by an accident occurring in the Nissa No-where Space. They end up inside a mountain inhabited by trolls and must make their way out back to Trolberg. In another plot, The Trolberg Safety Patrol end up stranded outside the walls with David and Frida and must survive the night. Both plots complement each other as they are about surviving against the odds in perilous circumstances. There are some pretty close calls and squeaky bum moments but it all ends up pretty well, until the final moments which set up the feature long movie due later in the year.

Overall, I loved this series and felt it kept the great momentum from the first season going. However, once again it's the smaller, more contained episodes with heartfelt moments that made the show something special that hits hard. We see the various creatures and Hilda's crew band together to protect one another in grand battles but it's the wrinkled hands held, the tears of a frustrated mother, the nuzzle of a parent to their young that truly make this one of the greatest animated shows I have ever seen, and I've seen A LOT.

Whilst Hilda is aimed at slightly older kids, it is a PG after all, it is excellent for older people too as the central story about facing the challenges the world throws at us and being kind and understanding in the face of it all is universal. It’s a great time for animation at the moment, what with Carmen Sandiego, Disenchantment and The Hollow out there but you REALLY NEED to watch Hilda!

LINK- Hilda Comic Series Review 

LINK- Disenchantment- Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Gravity Falls Complete Series Review

LINK- Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated Series 2 Review

LINK- Ms Marvel Can Change the World

Hellblazer: Marks of Woe- Graphic Novel Review

I love the character of John Constantine. I read all of the original Vertigo run, which was the longest running at the time clocking in 300 issues, watched the surprisingly okay Keanu Reeves film and the pretty solid but cancelled too early TV series that started Matt Ryan who excelled in the role.

When the series ended in 2012 it was later replaced by Constantine which rebooted the character for the New 52 and later Rebirth. I never read these series as I have a sense of weariness when a company kills off complete histories to start something edgy and new. It often falls flat and the comics company often reboots the old series, asking fans to ignore a whole strand of comics and come back cap in hand. After this happened a lot in the 90's after the Death of Superman sold gangbusters, I am a somewhat jaded comic fan and with time (and money) being a lot more of a luxury nowadays, I thought I'd hold off to see the fan reaction. Although not bad, the new comics received a 'meh' from fans who were upset that the Constantine legacy, which had been much earned over many years, was largely ignored.

The comic is gorgeous.

The comic is gorgeous.

And so, we finally get to the DC Black Label which, apart from the edge-lordy name, brings us the Sandman Universe with the John Constantine: Hellblazer character with all his legacy and history but also dark snark back. With world events that have occurred over the past 8 years or so we get the Constantine we love, delivering acerbic observations about the divisions caused by Brexit, the hypocrisy of the Windrush scandal and the intentional breaking down of the NHS by the Tories. It's biting stuff but boy is it accurate of the current state of play in Britain. It's a country he knows but doesn't quite recognise or fit in anymore; he is almost a man out of time with his racist and sexist non-sequiters but he is put right by his new cadre of pals.

The story begins with a bang as we see an all-powerful wizard, Tim Hunter destroying the Earth. At the final moments before death our OG Constantine is approached by an older version of himself and is given a Faustian pact, which sees him return to an alternate reality but with an opportunity to learn from his past mistakes and become a better person. We see Chas briefly meet a terrible end but we are introduced to a tough Glaswegian bouncer Nat, who calls Constantine out constantly and is a good foil to his usual ouvre.

We then get an interesting Books of Magic tale, in which Constantine meets an ascendant, younger Tim Hunter undergoing a tricksy test of morality. We get a more meatier 3 part story in which Constantine gets mixed up with gangs from inner-city London who meet their end at the hands of a supernatural being. It's a dark tale about gang on gang violence linked to drugs and turf wars but carries a deeper message about how life is hard in these areas and hope is often not there at all.

The following two issues are lighter in tone as we meet Tommy Willowtree, a modern, earnest, soy drinking, ponytailed magician who looks up to Constantine as a protector of the realm. Although this story seems a diversion from the main story it is definitely linked as we see who is pulling the strings behind poo magicians who are trying to get Constantine. There are moments of mirth as Constantine can't understand the enthusiasm his young acolyte has for the world and for him. It's an endearing buddy comic with Constantine realising that he is getting older and needs to open up a bit more to changes over the past decade, he's not young anymore.

Hellblazer has a lot to say about the state of the world without being too preachy

Hellblazer has a lot to say about the state of the world without being too preachy

The final comic in the trade is yet another darker tale as we get further background information on Noah, Constantine's new taxi flunky. Noah is introduced as a self elected mute in the gang story but here we see him working with Constantine to solve the mystery of who is killing patients at the hospital his mother works at.

All in all, this is a solid return to form fro Constantine. It manages to balance a new set of characters and story arc whilst paying respect to what went before in the original Hellblazer run. The overarching theme running over the trade is that change is occurring and can be unsettling but hatred leads us nowhere. We see Constantine realising that he needs to adapt and open himself up just a little to his new friends and acquaintances.

I must mention the art which is varied in style but stunning. We have the darkly drawn panels with sketchy art from Campbell which creates a pervading sense of dread but then we also have Bergara and Bellaire giving the book a more comedic look. The shift in art style and colours is never jarring and is thematic to the stories.

As you can tell I loved the trade and was looking forward to the next, hoping it would continue. However I've heard that the series has been cancelled. This is a real shame as it had so much promise after an amazingly strong start. I'll wait for the next trade but hope Constantine doesn't have to be left on the shelf for too long, he's too good a character for that.

LINK- Hilda- Complete Series 1 Netflix Review

LINK- Comics in the Classroom

LINK- What Comics Have Taught Me

LINK- Disenchantment- Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Gravity Falls Complete Series Review

LINK- Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated Series 2 Review


Reflections On A Weird Year And Moving Forward

2020 was a strange year for the world as we've all tried to cope with the fallout from the pandemic. With the year over and a new one just begun it got me reflecting on the interesting journey my family and I have been on.

My wife and I were teaching abroad in Saudi, having packed up in Summer 2019 with the intention of being abroad for quite a few years. We had hoped to see the world, show our girls different cultures and societies and hopefully save for our future too whilst enjoying the perks of international life. However, the pandemic had other plans…

With the rising Covid cases across the world, different countries undertook a variety of strategies, some which worked better than others, which we know now with retrospect - after all, who would have thought leaving airports open with no temperature or health screening during rising Covid cases would be a bad idea that would come back to haunt us?

In Saudi, lockdown was very strict, with all but essential travel restricted and schools closed on 9th March. This meant all schools in the country had to undertake distance learning. Luckily enough, our school had been going paperless for a couple of years and so the technology and systems were in place to transition pretty smoothly.

Over the next 2 months our school held meetings on Google Meet whilst we teachers planned bite-sized lessons which the pupils could access in their own time and do independently. We assessed their work and offered feedback on the online learning platform SeeSaw and met online with our students for 6 hours a week to discuss their work, as well as their physical and mental health. It was wonderful to see the children, as well as their pets, stuffed toys and various accoutrement they felt compelled to share, as it kept that teacher-pupil relationship alive during a time when people could feel isolated. Considering the circumstances, our school did well in ensuring the children had a cohesive system in place for delivering the curriculum whilst also keeping pupils engaged with communication from us teachers. 

However, I'm not gonna lie- it was intense and incredibly demanding. My wife and I sometimes worked 18 hour days as the workload was incredibly gruelling at the beginning. Being a new development, the goalposts were often changed and we would have to pivot to new ideas and plans which were being forged by the senior leadership team who were responding to circumstances as they appeared. These innovations had to be implemented with very little lead time but with having our own two children at home, it made delivering what was demanded all the more difficult. This was heightened as the facilities in the compound were closed, social distancing enforced heavily with crippling fines and the balmy 40+ degree weather meaning you couldn't stay outside for too long. Our children, and others in the compound, could not use the swimming pools, play centre, sports facilities, parks or other play facilities which made the days long, but as we had a live-in nanny we had it easier than many of our colleagues and others in the wider community. With time, my wife and I (and I believe all of my colleagues--though I don't wish to speak on their behalf) persevered and we gradually fell into a pattern and things became easier. 

What I noticed was that, after the initial whirlwind of direction and activity, distance learning let us thrive as teachers as we were left to plan as a grade and this allowed us to show our true professionalism and expertise. In fact, I'd say that some of the distance learning lessons were some of the best and most cohesive I'd taught over the year as we had to mainline the learning and put the various, works-in-progress Common Core, 'Student Directed Learning' and 'educationally progressive' trends to one side. Being taken away from this 'progressive accretion' meant that the lessons taught were more focussed and streamlined with no ‘filler.’

I'm not a Luddite but some of the initiatives I've had to go through as a teacher over the years have been counter-intuitive and this school was no different in that regard. Not everything worked but as this was a top-down led school with a singular vision, we had to adhere to the strict guidance we were given.

When flights were available, we flew back to England to complete the final several days of Distance Learning from home, safe in the knowledge that if flights were shut down we were close to our nearest and dearest. I wrote about that in a post in May 2020, which was the last one about our work and life and Saudi. This is the follow up and a ‘state of play’ up to now.

Our Summer in Devon was great as we had the beach and moors pretty much on our doorstep.

Our Summer in Devon was great as we had the beach and moors pretty much on our doorstep.

Our school closed for the end of the academic year on May 21st 2019 and we were informed that we would have to wait and see about what would happen as regards the virus, the financial fallout and its effect on enrollment and thus the implications for our jobs. The international teaching circuit is heavily affected by financial instability and when the economy takes a downturn so do the pupil retention rates at fee-paying schools. There was a real fear that many student would leave the school or be unable to return (due to flights not being available) and so a sense of dread filled much of the teaching staff. We were hopefully going to be informed about our jobs mid-August 2020 but this late date meant that we would have passed the point for most job applications for teaching here in the UK and also meant that most international jobs would have gone too. Some schools had released some staff with severance packages and an apology but our school took the sensible approach of 'wait and see' but this meant that we had an uncertain future.

Over the next few months we waited and watched the spread of the pandemic, the fluctuating spikes in infection rates and Covid hotspots, reflecting on if this would affect our livelihood and Saudi home. The school was not very forthcoming or communicative about what was going on and what kind of position they were in as, to be honest, they didn't know themselves which way the wind would blow and so… we waited.

During this protracted period of time we were in a state of limbo and didn't know what to do. The constant waiting took its toll on our mental health but we are fortunate in that we are key workers and that allows us at least some guarantees of work in the teaching marketplace should the situation go LIFO (Last In First Out). However, from a familial point of view this was a terrible position as our girls didn't know what was going on in terms of their schooling and we couldn't make any financial decisions as we didn't know what would happen:

  • Would our girls go to the local or Saudi school and what would this look like? 

  • Would schools be safe if we went back? 

  • Would we be penalised for not being able to get back to Saudi because we left? 

  • Would we be given any severance? 

  • What would our references look like? 

  • Would Boris continue to be a muppet and handle the situation badly yet still deny it whilst speaking nonsensical Latin phrases to show off his privilege? 

A couple of months later the school asked us to fill in some staff questionnaires to get a feel of our mood. So we had a decision to make:

(i) be honest and say we would honor our 2 year contract but state that we were concerned about what the school would have in place for our daughters whilst we were doing distance learning which might include a live lesson component, or,

(ii) be honest and say we didn't want to return due to rising Covid numbers in Saudi and then be told that we had broken the contract and suffer the harsh financial  penalty? 

As you can see, we were very conflicted and my wife and I oscillated back and forth between these two options but we filled in the questionnaire as honestly as we could saying we wanted to complete the two years but that the welfare of our daughters would take precedence; after half a year out of school we couldn't in all good conscience have our daughters' learning left as a question mark. 

And so we waited until we were informed on 21st August that we were to be released from our contract. It was a shock but also a relief to be honest. At the time, we were disappointed that we had been let go as we'd had a tough year but we had wanted to finish our time and say goodbye to colleague and friends. Also, as a parent you want your children to have a sense of closure, for them to say thank you and bye to the friends they had made but this would not be possible now, except through online means. During such uncertain times we were glad to be home near friends and family and the NHS.

The lateness of our termination had us scrabbling to get our girls into school, buying a car, looking for jobs, looking at housing etc. All pretty intense stuff at the best of time let alone during a pandemic but we were given a fair severance so that helped alleviate any short-term financial concerns. Also, we had made some preparations for this eventuality and so we put that into action. We had considered going to teach abroad in Brazil (like seriously, there was a job going… I’m not just saying that as in old films it’s where all mobsters and criminals would run to to get away from the Feds) but we decided to settle in Devon as Bolsanaro was handling the pandemic nearly as badly as Trump. Also, Devon was where we planned to settle in some undetermined 'future' so why not do it now? With the beach and moors nearby we had beautiful landscapes to explore as well as the in-laws nearby, but you can’t have everything eh? (I kid, I kid!)

Meanwhile, our friends and colleagues in Saudi helped pack our villa for us and sent our belongings via shipped freight, for which we were eternally and immeasurably grateful. However, this meant that for a few months we would not have our belongings and the stuff we had left in England before our international departure in the summer of 2019 was in storage… in Kent!

However, the priority for my wife and I was to get our girls settled into school as it had been 6 moths since they had last been in a classroom with their peers. My eldest daughter settled in at the local two form mixed year school really well as the SLT knew about what had happened to us regarding Saudi and the nurturing school environment was to get the children settled and address the issues that may have arisen after several months out of school.

My younger daughter meanwhile was a little more difficult to place as there were a few pre-school around but we didn't know which one to go for. We opted for 2 to see which one she liked the best, a pre-school attached to her sisters, she calls is 'Twin School' and another that was based a few miles away in a temporary porta-cabin structure as the original building had been damaged a few months ago due to a neighboring fire that broke out. The draw of this porta-pre-school was that it had pigs and donkeys and had a big focus on nature and singing, two things my daughter loves.

As for work, while I was waiting for my DBS police check to clear before getting myself out there to do some supply work to suss out the schools and figure out what was next, I undertook some online tuition and it kept me busy and our family afloat during this difficult transition. My wife, who is also a teacher (much better than I in my opinion) took the role of maintaining the house and looking after the kids as with the return to school and potential closures of bubbles, we had to have someone available at home. After being at work, this was a difficult transition but hopefully would only be temporary, at least until things got back to some kind of normality.

Once our children were settled, I finally got my DBS through in early October. I started to put myself out there via a supply agency and it was an interesting experience. I'm from London where teaching jobs are plentiful and abundant- opportunities as far as the eye can see. Here in the South West it's definitely not like that. Long term teaching jobs are rare as teachers stay until they retire or die, which is fine but it means lots of younger people leave for the bigger cities. Also, as I didn't want to travel for dozens of miles and I had the additional curse/ blessing of being an experienced teacher who was on the Upper Pay Scale which made me prohibitively expensive for many schools there were few roles out there for me. It got to a point where I even went for a Deputy Headship role, even though I’ve only ever reached middle management levels before. I think I could have done well in the role with mentoring and guidance but who wants that during a pandemic when the Head could go off ill? And so I didn’t get it due to lack of managerial experience but maybe that is something for less germier times for me to consider…

However, I haven’t minded it as it has meant I have had to hustle. In between the occasional TA supply job and rare teaching supply at mainstream and SEN schools I have been doing online tuition and making *sigh* content for my website. Now the supplying has been great as it has offered me an ‘in’ at schools and shown me insights into what schools are like as well as seeing good practice. In a way being out of a full-time teaching role was liberating as I didn’t know what was going to occur day to day. It was just my Mazda Sport 2 and I on the open road, taking in new places and learning more about this area that I know quite well but with no experience of the schools. In many ways I felt like a proper Millennial, doing loads of things whilst trying to see what sticks.

After my Honda Jazz, this Mazda 2 Sport was a bit of a power upgrade. I’m not gonna lie, I was scared to drive it initially but now I love it!

After my Honda Jazz, this Mazda 2 Sport was a bit of a power upgrade. I’m not gonna lie, I was scared to drive it initially but now I love it!

I worked at a SEN Autistic school for much of the later Autumn 2 term as a TA and occasionally as a teacher. This experience was great as I had to adapt my behaviour and teaching strategies and learned so much. I had the occasional interview or teaching role at other schools here and there but this SEN school was pretty much a constant and taught me a lot. I loved the experience, even though it was challenging and exhausting, as I developed new friendships with staff and forged bonds with many of the pupils, many of whom didn’t initially know what to make of me due to my appearance and cultural background. With time they opened up and accepted me and it led to some interesting conversations about identity. I had a pupil with autism say in all earnestness, “You’re blowing my mind, you’re asian but you speak english so well. And you say you were born in east London?” It was touching and it was moments like this that really made me smile as by having chats like this other kids would come up to me and tell me about their heritage, often whilst we were playing football at lunchtime. I also hope that by engaging with me I tackled some of the stereotypes and misconceptions they may have had about asians.

Just before Christmas I applied and got a fixed term teaching position at a mainstream school in Torquay which should tide me over for the Spring term. I don't know what's going to happen after but in a weird way I feel excited to be given an opportunity to find new positions this late in my professional career.

It’s been a heck of a year but in the words of the poem ‘Hope-o-potamus’;

There’ll be times in your life when your road will be tough.

You’ll be tempted to say that you’ve had quite enough.

There’ll be poeple that try and convince you to stop,

And you’ll feel that you’re just about ready to drop.

But those are the times when you’ve got to keep moving.

And with every small step you will see things improving…

I don't regret making the decisions my wife and I have made as, even though things didn't all work out, life is all about trying new things and shaking it up. This is what makes life interesting and exciting. It doesn't always go your way but in my view it's much better to do something and it not work out rather than have this feeling of regret or ennui at not embracing life to its fullest potential.

In life it’s the journey that’s worthwhile.

LINK- Straight Outta Quarantine: 14 Days in Blighty

LINK- Flying Home From Coronavirus

LINK- One Month on From Social Distancing in Saudi

LINK- Life in Coronavirus Lockdown Saudi

LINK- Life in the Times of the Coronavirus

LINK- Bahrain II: The Revenge

LINK- The Further Adventures of Anjum of Arabia in Saudi

LINK- High Tea and High Times in the Riyadh Globe

LINK- Reflecting on Life in Saudi Arabia After 5 Months

LINK- Life in Saudi Arabia 3 Month On

LINK- An English Geek in Saudi Arabia

LINK- Video Gaming In Saudi Arabia

Guts- Comic Book Review

Raina Telgemeier may not be a familiar name, even amongst comic fans, but she’s an extremely accomplished writer and artist in the medium. On May 10, 2015, Raina’s works took all of the top four spots on the New York Times bestseller list for paperback graphic books- a first in the medium but because Raina's books are mostly for teens and young adults many of the older comic fans will not know her.

I do love Raina’s work as it is accessible and honest without being edgy for the sake of it.

I do love Raina’s work as it is accessible and honest without being edgy for the sake of it.

It’s a shame for them though as they are missing out. Since reading her award winning memoir-ish book Smile a few years ago and the follow up Sisters I have been a big fan. She talks with honesty and candidly about matters but always at an appropriate level which isn’t patronising or edge-lordy. She created Drama, a very human story which dealt with issues such as identity, sexuality and friendship and also Ghosts, a tale about a family moving to a haunted town where the ghosts are not scary spooks but rather ancestors who offer the living a connection to their past. Drama and Ghosts showed that Raina could flex her muscles in tales based on wider aspects of life but with her latest book, Guts.

With Guts, the author delves into her past again to look at the trials and tribulations of youth, specifically anxiety and stress and the impact this can have on your life. The story doesn’t feature much of a storyline but there is the over-aching theme of dealing with anxiety, panic attacks, developing food intolerances, having a very sensitive stomach, and connecting with the ‘mean girl’ in her class . Through various vignettes we see that she ends up in therapy, which the book makes clear is no big deal and nothing to be ashamed of.

I liked the book and the underlying message is sweet and well executed- we all have our fears and we have to be brave to face them. The personal reflections of the author at the end, which discuss how she still has many of the same problems- even as an adult, will be valuable to many people who read it as it is honest and heartfelt. That’s why so many people connect with Raina’s work as it speaks to us.

I really liked the book and, whilst not my favourite, it is definitely worth a read.

LINK- Comics in the Classroom

LINK- What Comics Have Taught Me

Röki- Video Games As Art

Röki is a point and click adventure game inspired by Scandinavian tales of yore, but there is no Thor or indeed any Gods from the Norse pantheon. Rather this is the local folklore of the region which has been untapped in gaming (with the exception of the wonderful ‘Year Walk’).

You play as Tove, a young girl touched by magic and the heroine of the story. Over the course of around 12 hours, you are tasked with unraveling the mysteries of a mystical forest and its hidden pathways as you seek to save your brother, captured by a dark spirit. Along the way you find curious items, engage with intriguing creatures, and journey into Tove’s memories to directly confront her past as she attempts to save her family.

The game is presented in a beautiful picture book style, which is complimented with the cel art style, whilst the gameplay is rooted in non-violent environmental puzzle solving. I thoroughly enjoyed the game and liked the button click which made items glow, this prevented the frustration of pixel hunting for random items which plagued older titles in the genre.

A Short Hike- Video Games As Art

I've been playing a lot of open world games lately and whilst it has been amazing to explore the 9 realms of Norse mythology (God of War), the skyscrapers of New York (Spiderman) and a post-apocalyptic world strewn with robotic animals (Horizon: Zero Dawn), I was getting 'stunningly rendered world with amazing bloom lighting effect' fatigue. So I decided to take a bit of a break, by playing 'A Short Hike', an open world game where you explore an island with the purpose of scaling a mountain to receive reception for an important phone call. The difference between this open world game and the others is that it a tightly contained 1 1/2 hour game with no extra padding. It has a few fetch quests but I can count them on one hand and all are achievable in a couple of minutes. There isn't a map and as a result there isn't a splooge of icons like an irritating shopping list. No, it's concise and relaxing... Just what was needed after the intensity and demands of the other games. I love the colourful isometric Nintendo 3DS art style and the cute but concise dialogue. It's a charming game and well work the few quid on investment. 

Mysterious Cities of Gold Season 4 Part 1 Review (No Spoilers)

*Since writing this post, I have written an updated article with a review of the whole season 4. You can find that here*

The Mysterious Cities of Gold started in 1982 and this year was set to mark the conclusion with the forth and final season. Closure, at last, after 38 years. Or so we thought…

Unfortunately, Covid had different plan and has delayed the complete season release. Instead we only get the first part of the season which consists of 11 episodes with the remaining episodes are set to air early in 2021. The show is available to stream on French and Swiss channels but there has been no word on the English language dub yet.

Luckily, I was able to download the available episodes through the hard work and diligence of the members of the Gold List, a MCOG Yahoo Group created in the late 90s that I had been a member of since 1996. I also received translated English subtitles (thanks Kevin!) which were converted and retouched for fluency from the original French to watch alongside the downloaded episodes from the streaming sites of those channels. Whilst not my ideal way to watch the show I am grateful that I have been able to view it and appreciate it alongside other fans in real time.

So, over the course of a few days I watched the show and these are my reflections on the forth series so far. This is a spoiler free article but I do gently brush over themes covered in the season. Season 4 part 1 propels the story forward and picks up from the slight slump of the tail end of the third season, where I felt that the characters started to act out of character and the plot became a little convoluted.

The final series starts with Ambrosius, Gaspard and Laguerre travelling to Africa to find the next city (the fifth of seven), armed with the two gold medallions found from the previous golden city. Building on the legend of the Queen of Sheba, they are seeking the city of Ophir and a treasure that could be a game changer for the possessor, granting them potentially god-like powers. Ambrosius covets it but Esteban and the team are not too far behind him. With Zia's growing ESP abilities, as well as the moxie of the team as a whole, they overcome many of the traps set by Ambrosius to find the Doorway of the Ancients, a Mu-en (Mu-vian? Mu-enite? Mu-tian? ) portal which allows them to teleport across continents in an instant. It is with this development that the series grows in scope.

The Doorway of the Ancients

The Doorway of the Ancients

We get an introduction to the Order of the Hourglass, an organisation set up to find out more about the ancient Mu/ Hiva culture. As a former pseudoscientific theories/ conspiracy buff by way of Graham Hancock, Erich Von Daniken et al. and to a much lesser extent Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, it's great to see how the writers of the series have interwoven so much lore, theories and alternate timelines together to make a cohesive and intriguing mythos.

Notable figures from this period in history make appearances and add a new layer of intrigue into the mix with quasi-history. What I liked was that, as well as these real figures from history, we also see the return of a few old faces from seasons past who are all eager to get to the fifth city and are as unscrupulous as ever. One reveal in particular has a WTF moment where I actually gasped and then whooped for joy.

When the fifth city of Ophir is finally discovered, the reveal is spine tinglingly good. Its obvious eventual demise is a given, as is this shows wont, but no less dramatic against its backdrop.

Overall, I think that the setting and portrayal of Africa is very well done and the peoples are treated with respect and dignity, something that comics (remember Tintin in the Congo, oof!), and some other mediums (many, many anime and manga series), have often not handled well with broad stereotypes and ethnocentric racism usually depicting the land and people as 'savage' and 'other'. There is the exception of Princess being infatuated with Pedro which is played for laughs. I believe it is meant to show a strong female character but could come across as quite stereotypical of the problematic 'Jezebel' trope. However, this is only a small slight against the show which is very positive about Africa in the 16th century, as it should be. After all, the continent was home to many kingdoms and empires that were independent, prosperous and successful in trade before the onset of European colonialism and empire.

I learned a lot watching this series; I never knew about such amazing historical sites as the 13th century Lalibela monestry, hewn from a single rock, or the great gold mines and trade of the Mutapa Kingdom in Zimbabwe. The documentaries shed more light on these and I've now got a few more books on my wishlist to buy to research more on the matter as a result.

Another plus for the series is how on this journey the children see the harsh realities of colonialism and the start of the slave trade. They struggle to reconcile with a world where men are sold as commodities and the topic is treated with sympathy and respect. MCOG is a deeply humanist work and over the course of the 4 seasons it has always made each peoples sympathetic and flawed. After all, even the Olmecs were just trying to keep their race alive--even if it was through questionable means. As Pedro says, "There are some things that are worth sacrificing, good deeds make you better people" and for his character that is quite the development from season 1. The end of show documentaries discuss the matter somewhat and, whilst aimed at children, it is enlightening and will hopefully get young people thinking more about the legacy of empire.

As with the previous season there are moments of stunning artistry and beauty and for fans of the series to enjoy. The Golden Condor again is given centre stage and there is pure GC adoration as the machine is lovingly shown from all angles, usually accompanied with a huge swell in dramatic synth music. And that's something to mention too; the quieter contemplative moments have some stunning music that is modern but more than just an homage to the past soundtrack It is its own beast and very worthwhile.

And so, as we head into the final straight our team are down to the final 2 cities and I'm not sure how the story will end. I wonder if it'll do the Twilight Zone's, "Man is brought down by his own hubris" *shakes fist in the air* thing as the 5 cities so far have presented clean transportation, energy, medicine and technology but always it has been destroyed by warring factions. I think it'll end on a note of optimism with ‘the kids shall inherit the Earth, and make it better’ but we shall see.

This has been an excellent start to the end of the series and I can't wait for the last few episodes to drop as in this complex 4D chess game, it's all to play for.

LINK- MCOG Season 4 Streaming (French Dub and French Subtitles)

LINK- Mysterious Cities of Gold Season 3 (English Dub) -Complete Series Review

LINK- Watch MCOG Season 1, 2 and 3 on SBS On Demand Australia

LINK- MCOG Series 2 Review

LINK- MCOG Nostalgia

LINK- MCOG Retro Soundtrack Review

LINK- MCOG Soundtrack on Vinyl Review

LINK: Japan: My Journey to the East

LINK- Ulysses 31 Retro Soundtrack Review

LINK- An English Geek in Saudi Arabia

Hilda Season 2 Coming Soon

Hilda is a graphic comic series and Netflix animated show about a young adventure loving girl. The original 13 part animated series was adapted from the multi award winning and highly acclaimed graphic novel series by Luke Pearson in 2018 and I loved it.

Hilda-+Graphic+Novel+Series+Review.png

Now season 2 is about to drop on 14th December and I am so here for it! I loved the original season and have read all the graphic novels. Check out the trailer below and whilst you are at it, check out my complete season 1 review as well as my graphic novel series review.

The Once in a Generation Gaming Question

As Winter approaches a difficult decision will have to be made.... no, not about lockdown and a Covid Christmas (although that's very important too of course) but as regards the purchase of either the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X (pending availability of course).

Decisions, decisions!

Decisions, decisions!

I'm not sure what I'm going to go for as neither Sony nor Microsoft have shown me any launch titles that have convinced me I need to buy the system on the day it drops. To be honest only Nintendo usually have something as a Day 1 release that make it a system seller which usually makes make me an early Nintendo adopter.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no Nintendo fan boy ( even though I always buy a Nintendo system for its exclusives) as I do also always buy either a Sony or Microsoft system too to ensure I have access to a wider variety and quantity of games, but this time the choice is a little more complex.

I have a PS4 currently as I like the exclusives and the focus on games rather than what Microsoft was pushing this generation initially , which was an all-round media machine with a Kinect focus. This is despite me being a huge Xbox 360 fan in the previous generation as its push on Live Arcade swayed me, alongside an ecosystem that was well integrated with indie titles and online marketplace.

The new consoles coming out seem to offer a bit of a starker choice this time round; 'more Sony exclusive' vs 'Tonnes of games with Game Pass'. It seems like a no-brainer that Xbox seems like the better option, and for many it probably is, but as an aging gamer with limited time I value the amount of time I have available for my hobby. I'd rather spend time playing the games I really wanted to rather than sifting through the sheer number of games that Microsoft will have available. Now some might say, 'Get the Xbox and play the games you want' but having Netflix I know that when there is too much choice I get paralysed and end up consuming not much at all as my mind starts to wander onto my 'pile of shame' watch list and I dip in and out, not committing to anything or racing through it without appreciating it fully. Imagine that with gaming? I'd always be worried about the next shiny thing. Although with the acquisition of ZeniMax and potential exclusives of titles like Elder Scrolls, Doom, Wolfenstein and Fallout is a huge boon for Microsoft, I’m still not sure that they’ll be system exclusives, maybe being timed exclusives or being released multi-platform, so I’m not too concerned about this.

So it's not you Microsoft, it me. At least that's how I feel at the moment but you never know, Sony might bugger it all up like they did with the PS3 and I might go cap in hand back to Xbox. One things for sure, in these unusual times things are as unpredictable as ever and that applies to the gaming space too. However, one certainty is that Nintendo will remain my one gaming constant.

Now to continue working through my pile of shame before the next gen drops.

LINK- My One True Gaming Constant- Nintendo

LINK- Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World- Book Review

LINK- Japan: My Journey to the East

LINK: Preserving the Spirit of Media Past

LINK- Why I Collect