Beyond The Hub A Sad Farewell to Faith Howells by DJ Forrest

 

There’s never been a dull moment in the Howell’s household, from its early beginnings to its final tragic outcome in season three, with kidnappings, murder, secrets and lies, yep, there’s definitely nothing quiet about the lives of the Howell’s.   

In the first season of Un Bore Mercher/Keeping Faith, Evan Howells is keeping too many secrets from his wife, and one Wednesday morning, disappears. She sees him as usual pulling the car away from the front of the house, and the next instant, he’s gone, and for a long while it seems, never to return. A search is on for details of Evan’s disappearance, and a substantial amount of money from the company accounts which has cleaned them out, leads Faith to discover that Evan has bitten off more than he can chew with the likes of the Vaughan’s and the Reardon’s. 

Evan may have appeared the model citizen, but when he worked with the Vaughan’s and Gael Reardon, he was anything but a saint. It led to Faith to discover what her husband had been up to before he disappeared. It put them all in danger, including young Alys, her eldest child. It led to Steve Baldini, who she had acted as solicitor for, who had promised to look out for her and her family, who knew things about Evan that even Faith didn’t know about. It led to her falling for this rugged bad boy Baldini, and towards the end of the season, you really, really hoped she would… 

Season One introduced us to a wealth of characters. The extended family including Evan’s sister and her policeman husband. Evan’s mum who came clean as to who his biological father was, after a DNA test put Tom nowhere in the picture. 

When Evan finally returned, when the truth came out about his involvement with the Vaughan’s and Reardon’s, that level of trust that Faith had had for him was well and truly lost. It also brought with it corrupt police activity in the form of the Police Sergeant who was determined to connect Faith with the disappearance of her husband, and the death of a dentist. 

Season Two saw Evan in prison, but the investigation was still ongoing and Gael Reardon was putting the pressure on Faith with packages and envelopes and handovers, that were caught on camera. Alys had reached the obnoxious teenager stage and who can blame her with the craziness of family life. Arthur, the down and out drunk in the first season, who came into his own towards the end, and became a firm friend of Faith’s and became the new childminder, and the whole family appreciated his help, even when Evan was released from prison. 

Evan hadn’t properly adapted to family life and was still tracking Faith, uncovering her investigation, the photos and paperwork from deals and contracts which had led to them almost going under in the first season. Tom had separated from Marion, and was living on his boat in the harbour. His secretary declared her undying love for him, which was very sweet, and Marion developed a limp and a walking aid and had aged incredibly after the trauma of losing her son and then her husband in swift succession. I’m not sure if Evan truly forgave his Mum for lying to him about his father. 

In Season Three, a newcomer came to town, stirring up trouble and looking for revenge. Faith’s estranged mother came for a visit, to stir up trouble, and cause untold mayhem and chaos for Faith and her family. Her concern for daughter and her grandchildren was a mask for why she was really in town and the final showdown was the icing on the cake. Her swansong. 

The final episode was a true heart breaker and tear jerker. Hankies were definitely required. Staring down the barrel of a handgun, Faith saw the darkness of the mother scorned. Her revenge was to eliminate everything her daughter truly loved, to make her feel as bad as her own life had become. But Faith, was a different person when she left home and left the clutches of her mother – a woman she never loved, or trusted. It unnerved her that she was in town, and home truths had to be laid on the table when Faith finally owned up to some things in her past, she had hoped would remain buried. When Tom learnt the truth, he ended his business relationship with Faith’s mother, who had come in to put some business his way. 

Matthew Hall, writer and creator of Keeping Faith has a way of drawing you into a character and their lives, bringing them to life before your eyes. Introducing a character who for much of the story is a regular kind of Jo, with a family, living in a small Welsh coastal town, and everything is pretty much, normal, but then taking the normal, and turning it into something bigger, stronger, brasher and introducing us to characters who you want to root for. Some you want to slap, and others you might want to hit in the face with a chair. But certainly, you find yourself humming the theme tune while working, see character scenes opening up in your head. It’s been a wonderful series and I’m only disappointed that it’s come to its natural end, but what an ending. 

It’s going to take some time to find a series that will fill the void of Un Bore Mercher/Keeping Faith. 

We Will Miss You, Faith Howell’s.

 

 

Beyond The Hub Behind Her Eyes by DJ Forrest

 

Woah, I never saw that coming! 

I love a good story, me and this didn’t disappoint. Within 6 episodes, it went from the usual, wife suspecting her husband was having an affair, to absolutely, all out Fatal Attraction – with a twist. And it’s the twist that had me sit up on the sofa and woah at the screen. 

You knew in a way which direction this story was heading, but you didn’t quite have the how it got there, until the final episode presented itself, and then you saw the fourth character in this story reveal themselves to you, and then you realised, just why Adele scared you so much, and what it was that was lurking behind her eyes. 

Which means that, now, after giving up on the book initially, because I couldn’t make sense of it, and having now seen the series, I need to re-read the book, because it explains the series a lot better, in more detail. 

In 1995, there was a drama series called Ghosts, and one particular episode called I’ll Be Watching You by Stephen Volk, three characters played by David Hayman, Derrick O’Connor, and Anita Dobson, stuck in my mind for an incredible amount of time, so that when this series began to travel through astral projection, I was taken back to Ghosts. In that episode, Jack played by O’Connor is serving a life sentence for murder, and is suspicious that his wife (Dobson), is having an affair with his brother, played by Hayman. After Jack is stabbed in a prison fight and has a near death experience, he discovers that he can astral project himself, so much so, that he decides to find out the truth about their relationship, except it has a tragic outcome. 

That episode was quite powerful, as indeed was this series, and the way that astral projection was used for quite some time. One particular aspect of the astral projection that possibly scared me the most, was how one of the characters in Behind her Eyes fell into a fatal trap. 

So, to the premise of this story – Adele, who has spent possibly a year in a mental institution after the death of her parents in a fire, in the family home, opens up to her friend, Rob, also in the mental institution about her ability to astral project. But Rob takes it one step further, which you don’t discover until the final episode, and I’m not going to spoil that moment for you, because, bloody hell, it’s such a shock to your system. Unless, of course, you’ve read the book!!! 

Adele however, does scare you. There is something behind her eyes, something malevolent about the way she looks at you. Like a Damien moment, but without the crows and the forcing someone to do something that they don’t want to. She does have some power over Louise though. She knows what David is like. It’s not a chance meeting outside a coffee shop. 

Louise is a single Mum, whose husband left her for another. Her husband, who she still feels anger towards but tries not to show it in front of her young son, has trouble accepting their relationship is over, but equally can’t forgive him for leaving her, and can’t seem to move on from that. She also suffers from terrifying night terrors. However, a chance meeting with David (Adele’s husband) in a bar, when she was meant to be meeting her female friend, gives her a new lease of life, and when David appears at her work, and she discovers he’s her new boss, the love affair continues. Then Adele finds out, and her evil plan wheedles its way between them. Adele however, comes over as a good friend and Louise likes her, but is shocked when she discovers who she is, and is torn between the pair of them, and whether she should step away from the whole thing. It’s a dangerous place to be. Friends with the woman whose husband you’re screwing! Adele manipulates Louise. She befriends her, already knowing who she is, and what she does, and visits her flat, and also offers her a way of fixing her night terrors, with a book written by Rob, of how to astral project. 

The twist I was on about at the start – you’re never quite prepared for that. You have a feeling that something is going to happen to Louise, because she does put herself into dangerous situations and there are several times when you expect to see Adele become absolutely psycho. You are expecting also to see David come a cropper when he’s alone with Adele, especially when she’s chopping vegetables, near to him, with a ruddy great big carving knife. She does appear unhinged at times. 

But that final episode explains EVERYTHING. But it’s no good jumping to the end episode to watch it first, as none of that will make any sense – you have to watch it from the beginning. 

David, loved Adele. He loved her from the first moment he ever met her. Then when her parents were killed, he was accused of the fire and the murder, but he was found innocent. Whenever David was in trouble throughout this series, Adele would always bail him out. David holds a lot of secrets. He keeps a dossier about his wife. He writes in it every day at work. He has Adele’s money – because while she was in the hospital, she signed all her money over to him. So, he’s painted as the bad guy to anyone outside of the relationship – so you can see how manipulative Adele can be, when confronted with anyone who happened to fall for him and his Scottish charm. 

And then there’s Rob – junkie trying to kick the habit and live free of drugs – who falls for Adele while in the hospital, and comes for a visit after his rehab. The pair are inseparable during their time in hospital, and although you never see them do much more than hold hands together and talk and hang out, like best mates, there’s a stronger bond between them, than the bond between her and David. 

Things change after Rob’s visit and David can’t bear to be anywhere near his wife, despite doing his best to try and get through each and every day with her. It’s at this point, where we’re drawn towards the well, and the watch lying at the bottom of it and David’s reactions regarding who is at the bottom of the well, and the implications it could bring for David, in light of the dead parents and the fire. It’s a very, very manipulative woman who would turn the tables on her husband, in order to save herself from any trouble, because there’s a lot more trouble to come, and it is absolutely bloody brilliant. It goes far beyond I’ll Be Watching You. 

There is talk of a second series – but personally, I think it should be left as it is, because to have a second series would dilute the tension of what we’ve already seen. 

But by gum, Sarah, it’s a crackin’ story!

 

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Beyond The Hub The Irregulars Review by DJ Forrest

 

Netflix's new supernatural crime drama is set in Victorian London and headed up by a group of teenage misfits, all living below ground in their cellar home, starring McKell David, Thaddea Graham, Jojo Macari, Darci Shaw and Harrison Osterfield. 

When a Rip in time between worlds is opened up, (remind you of anything) all manner of evil enters, and while young Jess is trying to make sense of her nightmares, The Linen Man played by Clarke Peters, offers her help as an Ipsissimus - rubbing a butterfly onto her arm, allowing her access to other people's minds, just by touching their arm. Through this ability, Jess is able to help catch some of the worst of people imaginable - and believe me, there are a lot of those in this series. 

There is a link between Sherlock Holmes and his partner Dr Watson, and Sherlock's lost love Alice, played by Eileen O'Higgins, and two members of the young detective group living beneath the world in their cellar. - again, remind you of anything? 

Aside from it feeling like an early take on Torchwood, let's not forget that rips in time have been used in more than the Whoniverse, let's not forget Primeval here. The Irregulars are a group of 5 young people from two different walks of life. Leo, who we see from the off is a Prince of the Realm, whereas his counterparts in the story, including young Bea, who he forms a relationship with, are street urchins, just trying to get by, and not afraid to go out on a limb and get it. It gives a little different take on how you expect every street urchin to behave, considering the last thing you watched was the musical Oliver... 

Now put aside your Sherlock Holmes fantasies for now because this one is not a likeable character. He's weak and pathetic and very hard to engage with. Dr Watson seems quite the bastard (s'cuse my French), and even I wanted to see him bumped off mid way through the season, but you know he can't, for obvious reasons. Although the characters are played exactly like the books and films you remember, this explores their lives AFTER the fame and glory of cracking so many cases. Sherlock's addiction has reached a point where he's given up on sleuthing, because his one true love has stepped between worlds, never to be seen of again and he's pining for her, and love, as we all know, hurts like crazy, and Sherlock can only find comfort in opium. 

Dr. Watson however, keeps 221b Bakers Street alive, and recruits Bea and her friends to find out information about each and every case they work on, which ignites interest and passion in Bea, who you can tell enjoys the investigations, and it helps her and her sister Jess, understand about their mother, and why they were put in the care of the church, and later the workhouse, by events that are caused by the Linen Man. 

It's a really enjoyable, entertaining series and I truly hope a second one is in the making. Naturally, there were a few faces from Who and Torchwood, which warrant this review. Robert Stone (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang bouncer) appears in the first episode as a street fighter, which Billy is completely outmatched by. Clarke Peters I've already mentioned, Emma Cuniffe (Doctor Who - Night Terrors), Simon Ludders (Doctor Who - New Earth/Thin Ice) are to name but a few. 

Written and created by Tom Bidwell who also plays a character in the series and directed by Joss Agnew, Johnny Allan and Weronika Tofilska, if you haven't seen it yet, save it to your List and enjoy it when you can. I loved each and every episode and it did feel Torchwoodesque but on a smaller, younger scale, and I really hope we haven't seen the last of these wonderful characters.

 

Beyond The Hub Shark Attack 3: Megalodon by DJ Forrest

 

The Terror Has Me in Stitches 

Everyone has a turkey of a film somewhere in their credits, and this may be one of Barrowman’s. The acting is a little ham fisted and the dialogue a little over done in places, but I actually enjoy watching it, weirdly. Perhaps because Barrowman’s role isn’t completely overdone – apart from in some places, when he’s whacking a rubber shark, I mean Megalodon that’s popped through the bottom of the boat they’re on, to say HI Mom, what’s for dinner, I fancy human tonight. And the swearing is a little Oh God. Oh Shit, which I may have added a little more emphasis on and perhaps added the odd, Oh F**k, especially if I’d just seen a very large aquatic beast pop up to the surface of the water and take down an entire speed boat and owner?   

The film is set off the Mexican coast but filmed in Bulgaria, and begins with a diver being attacked by a large shark as he installs a power cable at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Six months later, and lifeguard Ben Carpenter, played by Barrowman is out catching lobster for his supper, and comes across a shark tooth embedded in the broken cable, only it’s too big to be a Great White Shark. Taking it back to his apartment he uploads the shark tooth he’s photographed and asks anyone what it might be. This attracts the attention of Cat Stone, a natural history researcher played by Jenny McShane, who comes down and investigates further, with two of her friends.   

What I hadn’t realised, till I researched a little, was that Shark Attack is a series of films which involve Ben Carpenter, but these are not all played by Barrowman. Jenny McShane played a different character in the first film. Am not entirely sure how well her first character came across but this one really struggled to engage with the audience especially me, on any of the emotional situations she came across. 

Mind you, the antagonists in this story didn’t seem to have much of a pulse either. The big bad in the film is a businessman called Tolley, who needs the power cable to work because of his business which I think was in tourism, and because of the threat to his trade, he wanted the big shark found and killed, so he could return to making more money. 

The film has become something of a cult classic, especially amongst Barrowman fans, who always talk about the worst scene in the film possible, and of which doesn’t involve him whacking a baseball bat at a rubber shark and screaming DIE! DIE! DIE! 

No, it’s the ‘pussy’ one, which John ad libbed to evoke a reaction in his female co-star. It, as far as I am aware, didn’t work but the comment was kept in – on DVD. It’s not however, on the streaming channel known as Amazon Prime. It’s not there at all. Plus, the audio is out by a millisecond and enough to really ruin a bad film altogether – that and the crap acting, by most of the cast. If you are going to watch it, I’d advise purchasing the DVD. 

This film came out in 2002, so it’s not a digital copy, which means that it doesn’t travel well to a streaming channel. It’s not crystal clear, and with the audio failing on the lip sync it’s a hard one to watch. But I persevered, because I have the DVD and I just wanted to watch a Barrowman film that night.   

Barrowman’s role as Carpenter is entertaining to watch – but then, Barrowman is always entertaining to watch. 

To be fair, both he and Ryan Cutrona were perhaps the only two actors in the entire film that were worth giving a hoot about. The rest – well, it was early on in their careers, I guess I shouldn’t complain too much. 

It is a laughable film from the rubber Meg in the boat being whacked with a baseball bat, to the big momma Meg rising from the depths to take out a speedboat and a jet ski, and various other people in a raft escaping the sinking ship. It’s absolutely, side splittingly hilarious from then on in, which is sad really, because, when it first starts, there’s promise, and interest, and hope. 

It’s not Jaws. It tries to be. But it’s not. 

If you’re a Barrowman fan you’ll want to watch it, just to know what it is that the fans are talking about – but buy it on DVD – don’t wait for a streaming channel to air it. They cut out all the best bits!!! 

Beyond The Hub It's a Sin by DJ Forrest

 

Everybody Hurts…Sometimes. 

Bravo, Russell! You’ve once again reduced me to a blubbering wreck.   

It’s been at least 14 years since this happened last. I remember it well. It was the Doctor Who episode where Rose Tyler was thumping against the sealed wall of Pete’s World, with tears and frustration and the 10^th Doctor had his ear pressed against the other side of the wall, and my heart broke. It broke again during their final meeting on the beach at the end of the episode. Although I think Murray Gold’s excellent music score had something to do with that too. 

Dear god man, and you do it to me again, with another powerful ending to an absolutely beautifully put together drama. Where even the music played for each episode, and yes, Everybody Hurts. Sometimes. 

Russell T Davies makes excellent dramas. Dramas that kick you where it hurts. That tug at the heart strings. That take the air from your lungs. That shock you where no other drama can, and he does it with feeling. Like Years & Years, where the stark reality of life and death are played before your eyes. It’s a Sin, does exactly the same. It reaches parts of you, that you’ve kept buried for years, and brings it all up to the surface. It keeps you awake at night, staring at the ceiling, playing over the last few episodes, picking out moments from your own memories, of a time long since gone, but not completely forgotten. 

You remember those characters, through friends of your own, and although you never shared a flat with any of them, you remember those that were close, and those who were not as close, but equally missed. You remember the friendships forged and those who never reached the address book. But you remember, all of them. 

AIDS began in 1981 and in its lifetime, it has taken the lives of more than 25 million people, with 65 million people infected with HIV since the beginning of the epidemic. We lost not just friends, and relatives, but actors, singers, cinematographers, writers, tennis players, and not to mention famous ballet stars. There are over 200 celebrities listed on IMDB who lost their lives to HIV and AIDS related illness since it began. 

Back in 2007, Russell T Davies and Benjamin Cook corresponded over emails for the duration of a year. They produced two big books called The Writer’s Tale. And The Writer’s Tale: The Final Chapter. It was the final year of RTD’s tenure as showrunner for Doctor Who, and during this time, Ben, and indeed us, the readers, learnt a lot about Russell. The one thing in particular that I discovered is that he doesn’t get rid of a single…story…idea. 

In one particular email, he spoke about a story, which would become a semi-autobiographical drama involving a group of boys who all move to London, to find fame and fortune and over the course of a few episodes, their lives would change forever. He talked about it in some detail. The story ideas are those that come from family and friends and close associates, and indeed in some part, come from the writer, and Russell had expressed that his story was about his life moving to Manchester. The gay scene in the 80s and all that went along with it.

When I caught up with Nathan Sussex, during one particular lockdown special, he mentioned his role in the new upcoming drama series which was initially titled ‘Boys’, where he plays a small character role. Then, a few months later, advertised on the telly one evening – It’s a Sin was announced, and in there, a quick glimpse of Nathan, in a bar, huddled with a group of guys at a table, with Olly Alexander, parading into the bar with his friends, pointing out the whole AIDS epidemic as something not to worry about. It’s wonderfully played out and hooks you in from the off. 

As with Years and Years, also an idea that was talked about in 2007, Russell throws NOTHING away. And maybe that’s an idea for all of us. 

Ideas – keep hold of them – you never know when you could use them. 

It’s A Sin, has a wonderful cast – from Olly Alexander, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Callum Scott Howells, Neil Patrick Harris, Lydia West (from Years and Years), Omari Douglas, Nathaniel Curtis, Keeley Hawes and Shaun Dooley, and not forgetting Susan Brown. 

It shares the highs and lows of the five young people, from their initial journey to London, to where we finally see them, and it makes you laugh, and it makes your heart ache and at the very final episode, it makes you cry. There are some seriously poignant moments in this drama series. 

Nobody really knew about the disease when it first happened and how it would affect people. It reminded me of that episode of Eastenders when Arthur’s Son Mark, played by Todd Carty told his parents about his HIV/AIDS, and how his Dad reacted. It was reflected in the episode, when Lydia’s character is paranoid over the pink mug Gloria drinks from that she thought could be infected with AIDS and so paranoid one night gets out of bed, after scrubbing the cup severely earlier on in the episode, chucks it in the bin, then retrieves it and smashes it completely. 

Without fully being aware of the facts and how to deal with a situation, none of us react how we should. It says an awful lot about how some of us have reacted during this pandemic. 

What It’s a Sin did show, was that, unlike all the images we’ve come to associate with AIDS in gay people, those mole-like marks on the body, there were other associated illnesses that I wasn’t aware of, such as the epilepsy that poor Colin was afflicted with, and there was me thinking that he was going to get into bother for the posters he was creating in the shop he worked at. 

Also, what I wasn’t aware of, but I think I’d read somewhere quite recently, was that, those who had been infected by AIDS had been kept isolated in locked hospital rooms, where a guard stood outside and they weren’t allowed out for any reason at all, and nobody was allowed in. It was treated like a tropical disease, that could be passed on to others, and not just if you were gay. 

What a horrible existence – and what a way to die – neglected and alone. Thank god, that was challenged and changed. 

Every character was played exactly as you would have expected them to play if this was a documentary and you were watching it for this reason. The reaction of Gloria’s parents when they found out the truth, and how taking him home, wasn’t exactly the best choice in the world. In fact, when all the boys went home, you knew you’d never see them again – and perhaps their legacy was frowned upon at that time – I wonder if those remaining family members feel a sense of shame for how they reacted back then? 

I was 15 in 1981. There were no computers back then. No mobile phones and definitely no social media, and if I remember correctly, only three channels to choose from on the TV, till 1984 when Channel 4 broadcast some cutting edge dramas and its first soap opera. 

My only regret about this series, is that Neil Patrick Harris wasn’t in it for long enough. He played the ‘quiet gay’ who didn’t publicise his sexuality at work, as that would have lost him his job. His grasp of the English accent was flawless. But he was important for the Colin character to evolve. 

Brilliant cast. Brilliant storyline. Perhaps, stock up on hankies before you give it a watch, if you haven’t already.  

And Russell, do allow me some time to recover before you produce another first-class series, where we know I’ll need a year’s supply of hankies and perhaps somewhere quiet to cry.

 

Beyond The Hub Designated Survivor by DJ Forrest

 

Designated Survivor is a political drama series that spanned 3 seasons, with only 10 episodes in the final season rather than the 20 or so episodes in the first two. It was written by David Guggenheim (younger brother of Marc (Arrow) and Eric (Hawaii 5-0) and starred Keifer Sutherland as the new POTUS and Maggie Q as the FBI agent and Kal Penn as his Press Secretary. 

A bomb explodes on the night of the State of the Union where all the President's Men and indeed women are residing, including the President himself. They are all killed. This leaves only the designated survivor, Thomas (Tom) Kirkman, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He is quickly sworn in and assumes the role of President without having the faintest idea how to be one. During the first season, he makes many decisions, not all comfortable ones and perhaps not all good ones, but with a dedicated team behind him, he soon finds his feet and settles comfortably behind the desk of the Oval Office. 

By the second series, Tom seeks council with the 44th President Cornelius Moss, who at first seems to be helping Tom in his position. So much so, that Tom gives him an active role in his administration. But when it begins to turn sour, a huge wedge is driven between the two men, and Moss is fired from his role. It also ignites Cornelius' decision to stand again in the coming elections, for a 'better President'. However, after a dirty tricks campaign, administered by campaign manager Lorraine Zimmer played by Julie White, left a foul taste in the mouth, when it seemed that Kirkman didn't respond in the way that the team felt he should have, close friend and colleague, Emily Rhodes took matters into her own hands. 

Maggie Q plays Hannah Wells (one of my favourite characters in the series) who we may all remember from the series Nikita, is now an FBI agent, dedicated to her job, perhaps a little too dedicated, and enacting her own levels of justice on those who wrong her, but her heart has always been in the right place - to protect and serve her President. Right up to the end. 

Kal Penn plays Seth Wright, the White House Communications Director. He doubted Kirkman's role as President, saying as much to the man himself, unaware of who he was in the other cubicle (at the time) but soon became one of his strongest supporters. He was promoted to Press Secretary and in Series 3 promoted further to Communications Director. 

An interesting factoid that I've only just discovered, is that Kal Penn is not just an actor but was also a former White House staff member during the Obama administration. Or to give him his full title, White House Office of Public Liaison. In 2009 he was offered and took the position of Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs. He has been a strong supporter of the Obama Administration and full supporter of the Democrats, even supporting Bernie Sanders for the 2016 Democratic nomination and campaigning for Hillary Clinton. After remarks by Chump, Penn and other members of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities resigned in 2017 after the Right Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. 

But what has all of this got to with Doctor Who and Torchwood, I hear you scream. Well I'm coming to that. Patience! 

I was searching for a boxset to watch over the next couple of months, to break up the general 'sod all to watch on freeview' of an evening, and 'remind me why I'm paying for a TV licence, again?' when a suggestion came up after watching 'Homeland' for the past 7 seasons over the course of about 2 months!!! 

Designated Survivor had been saved in My List for some time before I decided to give it a go. A family member told me that it was worth a watch, so one bored evening, with 'sod all on the telly' I tried out an episode. Three episodes later, I was hooked. It felt very much like The West Wing, and had a group of likeable characters. Kal Penn I felt I'd seen before, and had, from 'House'. Keifer obviously from all those 80s classics such as 'Lost Boys' and 'Stand by Me' and not forgetting 'Young Guns'. 

There were several people during the season to get excited about, especially for the Torchwood fans and most especially because we've now reached the month (Issue 88) where we're covering The Blood Line, and not only hear the voice of The Cousin but actually see him too. Yes, Chris Butler plays a devious role in DS, but actually, I quite liked him in this. He came over far more charismatic than the Cousin. He drew people in, but his deceit came at the end, when his ruse was discovered. 

From Doctor Who we had Kevin McNally who played Hugo Lang in The Twin Dilemma. During the first season of DS he played General Harris Cochrane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who was like all these old Generals you see at the first sign of enemy attack, or enemy threat, is to strike first and to hell with the casualties. He hated Kirkman's responses to attack and was determined to take matters into his own hands. He was eventually removed from office and was tagged by the Police, not to leave his home after curfew. Eventually, the real perpetrator was uncovered, but the damage had already been done. 

Dillon Casey also made an appearance in Series 2, when Hannah Wells began to work closely with a British double agent. It was great to see Casey back on the telly again, and he was in more than just a few episodes. 

There are many interesting faces and I'm still working through it all for an article in the coming months. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Designated Survivor, and it showed the level of work a President has to face on their first day, let alone their first week in office. I doubt Chump ever did anything as worthwhile short of throwing his toys out of the pram when he didn't get his own way. 

One of the things that I am most happy about these days is that there is a definite shift in the way trans people are portrayed on the television, and more so because, often they are played by transgender people, and not just an actor pretending to be trans. You can only really understand the suffering of a trans person, when you’re actually really in those shoes, and not just slipping them on for a few days filming. Jamie Clayton played Sasha Booker in the third season of Designated Survivor. Sasha was Kirkman’s sister in law. Kirkman used the correct pronoun and treated her like the woman she really was, and admitted that there were still some things he still couldn’t get his head around but said it in such a way that she was relaxed around him, and to be fair, he came across as a very loyal man who deserved to be a President. Very Obama! 

Just in the fight for the Presidential seat, when he had initially brought Sasha in as a voice for the people, he changed his mind, and felt that the trans issue would damage his chances of becoming President during the final campaign. Perhaps that’s true – perhaps it’s easier to set that president aside and fight for trans and gay rights once you’ve got your foot firmly inside that door. One thing throughout the series that did change though for Kirkman. Instead of making all his speeches personal – at the final stage, when dirty dealings had been brought to his attention, and ideally those people should have been brought to task and fired, he put it all aside and became a politician. 

All in all, it was still a great series and well worth the binge watching! Now, what else can match that? 

 

 

Beyond The Hub Enola Holmes by DJ Forrest

 

It makes a change to see a much light hearted and entertaining story about the little sister of the Holmes brothers, that is rarely heard of, given that, for much of the series of Sherlock Holmes, it took some time to realise that he even had a big brother, let alone a kooky sister who they barely even spoke about. 

Enola which when read backwards spells Alone, is a child brought up by her Mother, and barely saw her brothers. Naturally, the age difference between her and her brothers is massive and you could expect to see Mycroft despairing at the laughter and gaiety of a young girl, more of a tomboy in nature, causing chaos and mayhem around the old family estate. 

In the New series of Sherlock, we learnt about Mycroft, his big brother, and a little of the sister, who was locked away for her own good, and who was plotting on getting rid of Sherlock once and for all, or so I was led to believe. 

In the Netflix film, Enola is 16, lives with her eccentric mother in the country at the family estate, with a housekeeper and a series of women who frequent the house, who have in some way taught Enola how to protect herself in times of great need. 

Enola played by Millie Bobby Brown of the Stranger Things series, who is also one of the producers of the film, engages you with her character throughout, talking to the camera as if she’s really talking to you, explaining the facts of the situation. 

Enola learnt to read ALL the books in the library at a young age. Learnt how to use weapons, and how to play a mean game of tennis – indoors, and uncovered great secrets about her mother, (that had been kept hidden from her, throughout her childhood) when she woke up one morning to find that her Mother had vanished. 

Mother, played by Helena Bonham Carter, without giving too much away of the plot, is planning on something hugely explosive, and requires hush hush talks in study rooms, away from prying eyes and 16 year old girls. Of course, Enola, unaware of what is afoot, begins to learn something about secrets and how to look for them after speaking with her brother Sherlock under the shade of the old tree on their property. She goes in search of clues in her Mother’s study and uncovers quite a few things which take her to London, on board a train, which brings her more trouble than either of the Holmes’ brothers could muster between them. 

And that’s where it gets interesting; not that it wasn’t interesting before, but for a Woody, I grew extremely excited by the lead baddie in this story, who appears more than once in the film. Not a blink and you’ve missed him, although I did have to rewatch the trailer a second time and freeze frame it to be absolutely sure of my facts before screaming: IT’S OWEN!!! 

Yes folks, Burn Gorman plays another convincing baddie, and plays him well. He suits the bad boy role and Linthorn is indeed a nasty piece of work. I can’t really tell you too much about his employer, but his role in the piece is to eliminate the young Tewkesbury played by Louis Partridge, for reasons that are later explained in the film. 

I have to admit that I quite enjoyed watching the actor who played Lestrade, because unlike his character in the present day Sherlock, this character was much more entertaining and had a touch of Inspector Clouseau about him.

It has a great cast who suit the roles perfectly. Henry Cavill plays Sherlock and Sam Claflin plays Mycroft, along with Ellie Haddington playing Miss Gregory, and Frances De La Tour as the Dowager. 

Everything about this film is uplifting and exciting and fresh and with a flavour of the great British countryside, which for me is enjoyable. The steam train scenes were wonderfully put together and tight as the corridors are between carriages, the angles of the filming for the scenes when young Tewkesbury is hanging off the door has you on the edge of your seat as to whether he’ll make it back onboard the train before it reaches the bridge.

I loved every inch of this film and I can’t rate it highly enough. You have to watch it. It’s one of those Saturday afternoon, or rainy day films. A pick me up film. A tonic. A laugh. An edge of the seat bit of excitement. Oh and did I mention – it’s got BURN ruddy GORMAN in it?

 

 

Beyond The Hub The Sinner by DJ Forrest

The Sinner developed by Derek Simonds from Petra Hammesfahr's 1999 novel, was the basis for the first series which came out on 2nd August 2017.

Bill Pullman plays Detective Harry Ambrose who investigates the crimes committed over three seasons and is very meticulous about his job. You really, really would want him on your team if you were in the position of at least two of the 'guilty' characters in the three seasons.

Each story is not as clean cut as you are led to believe. Underneath each of the crimes, there's another story, the back story that begins to unfold as you work through the eight episodes of each season.

But it's not just the 'criminals' who are the Sinners, there's also Harry Ambrose's back story and the secrets that he hides beneath that shaggy beard and those eyes that you're not entirely sure, despite knowing that you want him on your team, that you completely trust him. But then again, nobody else in the Police department wants to help you, and he leaves absolutely no stone left unturned.

Having just watched Miracle Day series again, and then watching The Sinner, it's interesting to see those eyes in action. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but there's a sneakiness behind them. As I say, you're not entirely sure you can trust those shifty eyes but there's an interest in him. You want to know more about Ambrose, although come the third series, when he reconciles with his ex wife, he's playing a strange game with another woman, which leaves you to wonder, just what is going on inside that head of his? Was that why things didn't work out with his ex in the first place?

I have to point out, that Netflix, in its wisdom, had muddled up all the seasons, so that the car accident story in Series 3, was the first series it aired on its channel, so I'm now reviewing this whole programme backwards.

Series 1 - 2017

Cora Tannetti has a stable home, a loving family, a cute little son, called Laine. She works, so her mother in law minds the child. Although, every so often, she shuts herself off from her husband. She swims out at the lake into the 'restricted' area, and tries to drown herself, but eventually swims back to shore. She uses a knife to slice pieces of pear for her son, and hears a young couple on the beach, laughing and chatting, although the young bearded man continues to ask his girlfriend to turn off the music, seemingly quite insistent.

Cora strides over to them both and without provocation, stabs the man repeatedly in the neck and chest, screaming at him to "Get off her" to the shock and horror of everyone around them. It's a mess, and you know he's not going to survive (not a spoiler). Taken away by the Police, and standing in the court room, she pleads 2nd Degree Murder but the judge takes a different stance and orders a competency evaluation, and Harry Ambrose steps in to conduct it.

Cora suffers flashbacks, and certain ones seem to be so severe that she wakes up terrified. She sees a foot crush a woman's chest and the crack wakes her up, gasping for air. In several visits by Ambrose to the prison, Cora tells a series of different events that don't tally. The score marks on her arms make many believe she's a heroin addict, except she doesn't know how to shoot up. She says she aborted her first child after stepping in front of a truck but no history of a woman coming into the hospital match her description. Ambrose has a difficult job trying to find some truth to her stories, until he begins to dig deeper.

Harry Ambrose is a detective, and a good one at that, but his private life is a shambles. When he works on a case, he's focused solely on that, and if out for a walk in the woods with his ex wife, he would go off on a tangent, when something in a clearing piques his interest, and he discovers it's another part of Cora's story, that is coming to light.

It makes you wonder sometimes how our minds work. Little inconsequential moments in our life, suddenly interfere with a major event and it's only when it’s all pieced together, does it all make sense. Such as the discovery in the woods, which led to further discoveries later on.

It's a very intricately woven story, and takes a while to unravel, but when it does, you're blown away by it.

Series 2 - 2018

In Keller, many secrets are buried deep, and only resurface when trouble comes calling. Harry Ambrose returns to his home town when a young boy has been charged with murdering his parents. Thirteen-year-old Julian, was travelling to Niagara Falls when the murder took place. He poisoned his parents with jimson weed in their tea, but their reactions to the poison shocked him. He thought that they would just lapse into a deep deep sleep, instead of writhing in agony on the motel room floor.

When Harry Ambrose and his team investigate the crime, they notice that nothing has been packed for Julian. If they were indeed going on holiday, where are his clothes, his belongings. The deeper into the story involving the 'parents' and Julian, the more Ambrose begins to discover.

Helping him on this murder case is a young police woman, with a history of her own, and all connected with Mosswood Grove, the Utopian commune where many disappeared to but never came out, including her high school friend Marin, who was desperate to get away from her abusive mother, and strike out on her own.

Julian was the only child born in Mosswood Grove commune, and Vera Walker was the only person to take care of him throughout his childhood years.

Ambrose faces a lot of old memories about his time in Keller, where he grew up. Staying with an old friend, it soon becomes clear that a lot of old feelings still run high, and Harry takes the step, or leap of faith, to deal with some of them, when he takes a private class with Vera Walker in a way of trying to understand their way of life. 

A lot of fingers point out in all directions in this case. Mosswood Grove were always at the centre of anything sinister. For all they knew, Mosswood could be the next Waco. So, it was labelled as an area that nobody went to, for fear that they would never return. But in videos of certain rituals, many of the male residents of Keller, were part of something quite violent and grim at the Grove, which leads Ambrose down a dangerous path, and where old friends became enemies.

It’s a seriously interesting case and I watched practically the entire season back to back in one day! I do that sometimes!

Third Series 2020 – also the first series that aired on Netflix that I saw.

Jamie Burns is a school teacher. He's good at his job and dedicated to the kids in his care, concerned as ever for their futures. When an old college friend reappears in his life, it sets off a chain of events that escalate violently to its bitter end.

In the world of Netflix, this was my first introduction to The Sinner, and out of all three seasons, this was perhaps the most avidly watched season. It was also the most violent.

After Jamie's college buddy returns into his life, things begin to change for the school teacher, and putting to bed one problem, opens up a series of more problematic issues. In the old classic 'I see dead people', Jamie sees Nick everywhere he turns, to the point that he begins to scare his partner, currently pregnant and carrying his child. His work life is affected, and as Harry digs deeper into Burns' story regarding the accident, a lot of things begin to irritate Ambrose. So, he digs deeper, forcing Jamie to suffer repeated panic attacks, which escalate throughout the series.

There are some people who you think are part of the main story but are only on the outskirts of it.

Throughout the different seasons, Ambrose's personal life is revealed but because I saw it back to front, (thank you Netflix), I saw a side of him that was trying to reconcile with his ex wife, rather than the other way around, and he was practically beating himself up towards the end. Whichever way you end up viewing The Sinner, it's a fantastic series, and one I can't wait to watch for the fourth instalment out in 2021.

Bill Pullman is brilliantly cast in this and I couldn't help but notice a slight similarity in the way he approached an awkward situation. It's his eyes. It's the way he sideways glances. As much as you would want someone like Ambrose fighting your corner, leaving no stone unturned, you're not entirely sure you could fully trust him...they do say your eyes are the gateway to your soul, and Ambrose's soul has been most definitely damaged over the years.

Beyond The Hub Un Bore Mercher/Keeping Faith, Series 2 by DJ Forrest

Un Bore Mercher returned to our screens on May 12^th, 2019 with a continuation of the story arc from the first series, only with a dash of a murder trial of a young disabled woman, Madlen Vaughan, played by Aimee-Ffion Edwards, accused of killing her husband. As with the first series, the twists and turns appear to connect with not just Faith’s husband, Evan, but with a blonde bombshell who is still ruffling feathers, and is determined to get what she wants, in whatever way she can.

Gael Reardon returns but not as you remember her, and she’s a lot feistier than her predecessor. The actress who played Gael in the first series was unable to continue as the character in this series, and so in to take her place is Anastasia Hille, who really turns on the Reardon charm, and I’d be more inclined to mistrust this Gael than the previous. In fact, I wouldn’t want to bump into her in a dark alley, or one in daylight – she's scary!

Things have changed in the police house too. Matthew Gravelle does not appear in this series, sadly. I miss him! And in his place, demoted down to black uniform and riding a push bike, is Susan, his former boss, who in the last series we saw carted off for all manner of offences against Faith in the previous series. Could this be a better Susan we see? Will we be able to trust her judgement? Will Faith trust it?

Demi Letherby is one to watch. I just love her performance as young Alys. Although we’re not sure who was driving the car in the episode of the ‘hit and run’ it’s fair to say that, the Reardon’s are not far from the scene.

This season we see that Evan is not as squeaky clean as he first appears to be. His dealings with the Reardon’s have driven a wedge between his family, to the point that eldest daughter Alys is just not ready to have him back in her life. Everything is happening too fast for her to cope with. The memories of the first season where she was held at gunpoint, still fresh in her memory.

Happy to see that down and out, ex-Army, Arthur is part of the family now, by managing the children while Faith works. Evan also has no qualms about the young man looking after his family, but he draws the line at Steve Baldini, and strong threats are issued when they meet at the hospital.

Whereas the first season centred around Faith’s search for the truth of her husband’s disappearance and the fake identity he had used, for whatever reason, she was still trying to uncover. Series Two explores more of the continued relationship that Gael Reardon has with Evan Howells and how she manipulates both to get what she wants.

Although, new Police involvement, by DI Laurence Breeze played by Rashan Stone, blows trouble back towards Faith and her family, and the knowledge that the secret deals in garden centres, and watches handed over to jewellers hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Season 1 set the scene for Evan’s disappearance, and Faith’s search for the truth. Season 2, has discovered the truth and the lies, which continue to grow throughout, and by so many, and leaves Faith reeling from it all, feeling extremely exhausted and unable to hold it all together. 

You feel for her character, not just because it’s Eve Myles playing the role, but because Faith has been a character you’ve seen go through the mill and come out the other end, a far stronger person for it. But by god, what a struggle she’s had.

Keeping Faith is a brilliantly well casted series, full of terrific background scenery, and aerial shots. Full of Welsh accents and Welsh language. Full of tension and high drama, and laughter and silliness, and fun, and sadness, and edge of the seat stuff and oh, so many familiar faces, and finger pointing at the screen, and whoops of delight.

I’d love to see a third series but I guess we’ll have to wait and see if that is at all possible.

Beyond The Hub Blended Snail Milkshake Anyone? by Djak 'Bushtucker' Forrest

This year (2018) John Barrowman became a contestant for the reality show ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here’ and I have to admit, I had a few reservations.

‘I’m a Celebrity’ has a bit of a reputation for rebooting a failing celebrity’s career, and most of the time, even after a reboot, the celebrity would disappear, never to be heard of again. Although Peter Andre did reappear for a few years, made another album, married Jordan, and became a household name, he seems to have dropped off the radar again.

John Barrowman, although has been active on social media, has been attending tons of Conventions right across the globe, has been recording regular Torchwood audios for Big Finish, and has written a new series of books with his sister, Carole, hasn’t been on the television since CW Arrow or Legends of Tomorrow as Malcolm Merlyn.

However, that being said, John is not failing in his career, but his lack of TV presence would perhaps say otherwise.

I had reservations too regarding the location of the ‘camp’, and the whole set up, after reading in a newspaper article years ago that the location wasn’t really in the ‘jungle’ as we were led to believe but at the bottom of the garden of a large hotel complex. Further reading in another article, led me to discover that the celebrities were in no real danger from any of the ‘risks’ in the said jungle and that it was so safe that even young children could do the bush tucker trials. Obviously, that’s not to say that they couldn’t fall and slip and sprain their ankle at any given moment during a walk in the ‘jungle’.

OK, perhaps I shouldn’t believe everything I read in the tabloid newspapers, but reputations are a hard thing to break, and nothing in the show convinced me otherwise, until now.

In 2018, a whole new bunch of celebrities from the world of sport, music, soap operas, dramas and reality shows were flown in and ejected out of a helicopter to begin a three week stay in the Australian Outback.

Joining John in the jungle were Emily Atack from the Inbetweeners, Fleur East from the X Factor, Malique Thompson-Dwyer from Hollyoaks, Sair Khan from Corrie, Nick Knowles from DIY SOS, Harry Redknapp – Football Manager, James McVey from The Vamps, Rita Simons from Eastenders, Anne Hegerty from The Chase, and Noel Edmonds who appeared mid way in and seemed to be the series’ wildcard.

Edmonds’ the highest paid celebrity to join the series was reported to only be in there to stir up trouble in the camp and to come out about his mental health issues. However, quite the opposite occurred. Many were surprised about his appearance, but he seemed to fit in quite well, and where the presenters Holly and Dec were making out that Edmonds was stirring up the camp mates, I found him to actually be a breath of fresh air and loved every minute of his appearance in the series even though I was sceptical at the time, and was only disappointed that he was voted out first – although I think he was glad in a way to be heading home to his wife.

On Sunday night (30^th November) John fell just outside of the camp and sprained his ankle and spent the night in lockdown at the local hospital. Thankfully he’s back in camp now but many of us were worried he might have damaged his ankle far worse, given how prone to injuries he is with his feet – can I bring your attention to the flip flop incidents. Going over on your ankle seems the norm, John.

The weird thing is, that prior to John having the accident, I’d had one of those thoughts about John falling. Jeez, can I see the future now? I wonder if I can see the winning numbers of this week’s lottery ticket for Saturday???

Although some may say that the Bush Tucker Trials are far tamer than in previous years, I think it takes a cast iron stomach to be able to sustain a milkshake diet of blended snails, animal penises and cockroaches.

Each of the contestant’s bar Anne who on medical grounds has been unable to attend many of the trials, have managed to claim most of the stars which feed the camp at the end of the day and they have been some gruesome of trials. I dare say I could manage some of the ordeals but not with the Huntsman spiders. Any spiders are an ordeal to overcome and I don’t personally think I could. And as for drinking a cocktail of blended body parts – I’m a Whovian Get Me Out of Here!

What I did notice was that during this year’s group of contestants, that despite a few small outbursts, by Rita and Harry, this group are all working together. They love each other as family. Unlike previous contestants, this group aren’t working against each other. There are no bitching contests, no little groups who despise another little group. I think that’s why I’m enjoying this particular series. Everyone has made lifetime friends with one another, and if every other series can be like this, I might be lured back to watching it without wondering what the other channels are offering by way of entertainment. So perhaps it’s been a good thing that John Barrowman joined the show as a contestant. It’s been an absolute hoot – and if he can win the contest, then even better.

So, all in all, despite my initial reservations, watching John in the Jungle has been a most pleasant experience. Although, there are still some things that still bother me I think I’ll save those for another time. With only a few days left in the jungle, how long John can stay remains in the lap of the voters.

So, keep voting and KEEP JOHN IN THE JUNGLE.

Milkshake anyone?

Beyond The Hub Acursian by DJ Forrest

Starring John Barrowman

Written by John Barrowman, Carole E Barrowman and Erika Lewis.

Art by Beni Lobel

Concept and Character designs by Tommy Lee Edwards

Music by Matthew Brind

Legendary Comics

Cover Images Kind permission from Beni Lobel and Legendary Comics (Thank you)

Every time I hear Acursian I keep thinking of Gwen Cooper shouting 'Code 3 Incursion' during the Torchwood episode – Cyberwoman.

The story thus far…

Chapter One

The intro music eases you into the chapter with what feels like a Torchwood episode.  It does have a Torchwood feel to it, I have to admit, not helping any by the fact that the artwork for Barrowman lends a striking resemblance to Captain Jack Harkness; in civvies!

Birds swoop manically in the sky above a busy city. A bird of prey, a raven and what could either be an egret or a stork fly together plotting the death of the main character while other birds circle behind them as back up. The birds descend and transform into beautiful women in various guises. They each have a mission - to find their talismans, but time is heavily against them, and the risk to their own world and that of this one, are fragile to say the least.

John Barrowman plays Charlie Stewart, a man of wealth as an attorney at law, with a beautiful family. He wants for nothing. Everything is at his fingertips. And goddamnit the illustrations of Barrowman's naked character cause you to linger perhaps a little too long on them and not on the story.

Chicago: The Night Before Charlie's Birthday

As with any story, you need a reason for why Charlie Stewart is the target for all the bad things that can happen to a good-looking rich boy. Enter left, the old guy in the long coat, entering the castle. He looks as old as his clothes, from a time long gone. He barges past the young girls waiting to get in to the party inside and dashes into the castle and into a room with a heavy wooden door and slides home the bolts. He knows what he's looking for. The music kicks in as the swirls of light wrap around him as he breaks a seal with a candlestick!!! and retrieves one of the talismans that the ‘fates’ are in search of. Of course, as with any rescue, there has to be an altercation, and someone will always come off worse and that's when things begin to change for Charlie.

Lurching from one disaster to another, Charlie does a Barrowman when he tries to shut the garage door – yes, he splits his pants!!! It doesn’t end there though, after catching his crotch on the gear stick and breaking the car door, every bird in existence it seems decides to crap all over his convertible. You should see my car after the starlings have camped out on the phone wires overnight.

Chapter Two takes us back to the Isle of Shadows and sets the scene for where the ‘fates’ originate from. The girls are younger but are still able to shapeshift and fly around the island before meeting their mother in the garden of their home. A Kelpie is squirting water from its mouth like a fountain and a young boy plays with two purple pups while the larger dog Effie looks on. He seems happy with his animals but there's a burning conflict between him and his sisters. A rage that begins to rise in Effie too almost as if she is his daemon.

The Queen insists that Bregan, her son, keep his dogs away from the talismans currently on the altar. He doesn't seem to understand the power with which they possess. She informs the daughters of their role in the universe and what their talismans are for.

We learn of Bregan’s role in the universe and given his attitude towards his sisters and the Queen, it’s not long before we see evidence of his hatred towards them.

Putting aside their rage for the time being, the Queen organises the family for the Hunt. This tests them all including Effie in their hunting skills – chasing a warthog through the forest. Effie's pups are caged while the hunt is on. When Effie is wounded and the only way to remove the poisoned horn from the warthog is to use the dagger on the altar, Bregan manages to cause a split in time throwing life back a few months to before the pups were born. Naturally Bregan is raging. Honestly that boy deserves a swift kick up the arse, a spell on the naughty step and bed before Doctor Who and no Playstation for a month.

Back in present day and Charlie is still the clumsiest person out and slips and slides, falls and hurts himself on a regular basis from now on in. To make matters worse, the fates have also hypnotised his wife into returning to her old job, giving up charge of her son to Charlie’s long time friend Nate. Not something she would ever normally think to do.

Jock Stewart has passed out in the taxi and wakes up, too late to save his son from the curse that threatens his very livelihood.

Chapter Three

With luck hardly working in Charlie’s favour, this episode sees Charlie lose his memories – thanks to those pesky birds which kind of shoots the Fates in the feet don’t you think if you’re trying to extract information about the whereabouts of Jock Stewart. Another thing that bothered me was that, if they could mess with memories, why couldn’t Ceillech see into Charlie’s mind to locate Jock Stewart for herself without putting Charlie through the whole rigmarole in the first place?

Ceillech and her sisters inform Charlie of the curse they have placed on him. They want to know the whereabouts of his father because then they might be able to find their talismans. Wanting nothing more to do with the girls, Charlie returns to the office where he’s promptly arrested for the missing pension funds. Oh, it’s always the pension money isn’t it?

Chapter Four

The story is finally coming together now. The characters are in place and it starts to make sense from here on in.

The Isle of Shadows Present Day

Time has moved on and Bregan is much older and locked in a cell for crimes against the Isle of Shadows, his family and the Kingdom. His rage still continues, and he prays for release. The big lug of a bloke Aeron, who stabbed Jock with the dagger, has returned to the Isle of Shadows with news of the Acursian heir.

The chapter slips back to the Isle of Shadows Past when the winged walking dead creatures decimate the Isle in search of the talismans and power over the universe. Given that Bregan is locked away, they clearly don't have that power just yet.

At Thunderton house, Elgin, Scotland in the year 1746, the young Bonnie Prince Charlie - embraces the morning and spies something disturbing over in yonder forest.

Chapter Five

My name is Charlie Stewart. I am the Acursian. A world of Celtic myth and Scottish magic have crashed into my life and now every move I make ends in disaster. My job, my wife, my son, my work, even reality itself are all in danger, unless I find a way to reverse this ancient curse...

...And you thought your family was fucked up...

If you hadn’t sussed the connection before, now you’ll begin to see the link. We’re back in the year 1746 and Bonnie Prince Charlie has gone to investigate the strange lights in the forest which he discovers as the three Fates, jumping from one world into another, only this time hoping to hide their talismans from their avenging brother, Bregan. Unfortunately for the girls, someone is watching them. In much the same way as there’s always someone walking a dog when there’s been a murder!!!

Back in Present Day and Charlie is absolutely overwhelmed by all that he’s lost, although Nate thinks that all his Christmasses have come at once when Charlie’s expensive clothes disappear.

Isle of Shadows - Aftermath of Bregon's Coup

Aeron has let Bregan down, and a blood oath binds him until the talismans are retrieved and brought to the brattish young man.

Bonnie Prince Charlie has found the prize possessions and buries them somewhere safe and hopes to bargain with the Fates in order to fight for Scotland and kill the English.

Back in Nate's apartment (present day) and an almost naked Charlie is being harassed by an impatient Stork. There's a few comedic moments before she enters through the window. This time, instead of trying to humiliate him, she wants to help him. Suddenly he's not the only one who is confused. She explains to Charlie that the curse has been upon his family for centuries. The curse that can only be broken by a Stewart. They have to find his Dad.

Chapter 6

Scotland 1746

Bonnie Prince Charlie seems to know a lot about the Isle of Shadows. If he needs to win the war against the English, he may need a certain God of War at his side. You can see where this is going, can’t you?

Back on the Isle of Shadows and it seems that Connell could be playing with fire when she comes upon her brother after the Kingdom is in ruins. Connell was the one I had some confusion with. Just how big is this family, and are there more than three Fates?

Back in present day Earth, and Charlie and his friends arrive to see his father lifted into an ambulance. We discover who has been feeding Bregan with information about the Acursian heir, just as the dagger is removed.  With the fight for the dagger, a lot more than a few hours are pushed back. How much more can Charlie lose before it’s too late to stop the curse?

Chapter 7

There’s no time to mourn for lost lives as Police officers in full battle gear exit armoured vehicles and seal off the area. They need to call an ambulance but there’s a familiarity about the young woman officer who has an interest in the dagger lying beside a body.

Culloden Moor morning April 16th 1746.

This time the music accompanying this chapter remains for some time, even after scrolling up and down the page - unless it's on a timer.

As Bonnie Prince Charlie's aide Ogilvy informs him that they are outnumbered and outmanoeuvred and that it's better to leave fighting for another day, Bregan enters with Aeron, demanding to know where his talismans are, and are in possession of a familiar woman known to the Prince. After much bargaining for their life and that of Ogilvy, Charlie agrees to a blood oath that will seal his fate for the coming centuries if he can only win against the English in battle. So you can only imagine that along the way the Bonnie Prince Charlie did an awfully big Bad.

Present day morning and the Stork sister Corra discovers that not only has the dagger been used, but the staff also, throwing time back more than a few minutes. Time didn't just hiccup, it full on burped! Because time has fallen back so much, Charlie hopes and prays that he still has a wife and a son.

Chapter 8

Life has changed and possibly forever unless Charlie can retrieve the dagger and help the Fates locate the final talismans and put the world back as it was before all hell broke loose. Nate is a wanted man after being spotted hiding Charlie in an alleyway. Corra is suspicious of Charlie’s friend Nate, but before she can find out further, the Police arrive and arrest Nate. So, who is he and why didn’t he disappear when all of Charlie’s other possessions and connections disappeared?

The story and the artwork are fantastic. I did get a little lost regarding certain characters, especially Ceillech and Corra, and further confusion with Connell, but all will be revealed I’m sure before the end of the story. I was disappointed that Barrowman didn’t continue the narration past the trailer. I liked the music but it only tended to play for a short while, or during a certain part, and if you were perhaps, as I was for the review, scrolling up and down the page, it would tail off, or stop abruptly, or play for a certain scene, or as I found, when I strayed too long on a certain chapter, kick in with the end credit music before I was even half way through.

Web comics are not as engaging for me. I prefer graphic novels that I can sit down and read away from the computer. The constant scrolling became frustrating when for much of the time I was facing a white screen before I saw any artwork.

But I do have one question, that I wonder if it will be answered – if John plays Charlie, who does Carole play?