The Walking Dead - "Wildfire"

Andrea (Laurie Holden) mourns the death of her sister as Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn) tries to comfort her.
Photo Credit: AMC

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'The Walking Dead'
Season 1 - Episode 5
"Wildfire"

It's becoming harder and harder for me to separate my feelings about this show and those I have for the comic book series. I understand that as a television show, 'The Walking Dead' will handle events from the source material differently and at times add or subtract elements. The ending of "Wildfire" was a very big divergence from the original comic book series, and not in a way that I'm too excited about.

Cultural Wormhole Presents: X-Nation Episode 6

In this installment of X-Nation, Antony, Elizabeth, and Paul take a look at the latest X-Men news in the X-Buzz, and review November’s X-Books in the Month in X. They also make a special announcement about the Days of X-Men Past segment (plus they add one more to the blooper reel).

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Download: X-Nation Episode 6

Month in X: Wolverine #3, Daken: Dark Wolverine #3, X-23 #3, New Mutants Forever #4, X-Men Forever 2 #11, X-Men Forever 2 #12, X-Men: To Serve and Protect #1, X-Men #5, Generation Hope #1, X-Factor #211, X-Men: Legacy #242, Uncanny X-Force #2, Uncanny X-Men #530, New Mutants #19

Stargate Universe - "Visitation"

Col. Young (Louis Ferreira) questions Dr. Caine (Tygh Runyan) about his mysterious return.

Photo Credit: Syfy

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Stargate Universe'
Season 2 - Episode 9
"Visitation"

I was not expecting "Visitation" to be my favorite episode of the the second season of 'Stargate Universe'. Caine and his preaching really got on my nerves last season when he and a few others decided to leave Destiny and stay on a lush planet in the appropriately named "Faith". However, my curiosity was piqued during TJ's dream journey back to Eden in the season premiere. It certainly opened the door that Caine and the others may be making a reappearance in some form or other.

The Walking Dead - "Vatos"

Rick (Andrew Lincoln) explains to the others why he needs to rescue Glenn.

Photo Credit: AMC

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'The Walking Dead'
Season 1 - Episode 4
"Vatos"

"Vatos" is a bit of an odd episode. Rick, Gleen, T-Dog, and Daryl's venture back into Atlanta seemed complicated enough. Their goal was to find Merle and Rick's sack of guns, all the while avoiding getting chewed on by zombies. Then the Vatos show up.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) are on the run in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

Review by Paul Steven Brown

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Directed by David Yates
Screenplay by Steve Kloves based on the book written by J.K. Rowling
Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint

It is impossible to review this seventh Harry Potter film like a traditional standalone picture. The previous six films have been leading up to it and what was released this weekend is only the first half of a story that was cleaved into two films. There are a ton of characters that get little to no reintroduction. Going in, the audience is expected to have seen the other films or have read the books.

Fringe - "The Abducted"

Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) has a bad hair day and plays with needles.

Photo Credit: FOX

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Fringe'
Season 3 - Episode 7
"The Abducted"

"The Abducted" is the penultimate episode of the current "Olivia Swap" arc that has been the driving force of the third season of 'Fringe'. We'll have to wait two weeks for the conclusion, due to the Thanksgiving holiday next week, but eight episodes seems about the right length. This has been the best season of the series to date, and I'd hate to see the creators deflate its power by milking a strong idea too long.

Stargate Universe - "Malice"

Dr. Rush (Robert Carlyle) attends to a restrained Dr. Park (Jennifer Spence).

Photo Credit: Syfy

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Stargate Universe'
Season 2 - Episode 8
"Malice"

Anger is a powerful emotion. If produced due to tragic events, it can cause someone to almost become a different person. With the death of Ginn and Amanda at the hands of Lucian Alliance creep, Simeon, We get to see some very unpleasant sides to Eli and Dr. Rush.

The Walking Dead - "Tell It to the Frogs"

Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) lays down a few new ground rules for Shane (Jon Bernthal) now that Rick is back.
Photo Credit: AMC

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'The Walking Dead'
Season 1 - Episode 3
"Tell It to the Frogs"

Last week's episode of 'The Walking Dead' veered more towards what is expected and common for zombie movies. This week's "Tell It to the Frogs" brings the program back in line with the character drama strengths of the premiere. Other than the horde that was scratching at Merle Dixon's roof top door, the rest of the humans only had one zombie run-in back at camp. Most the episode dealt with Rick's reunion with his wife, Lori, and son, Carl, and the tension between the various personalities amongst the survivors. I love some intense zombie action, but 'The Walking Dead' is at its best when dealing with the living and their personal struggles in a world gone to hell.

Fringe - "6995 kHz"

Fauxlivia (Anna Torv) watches as the excavation crew uncovers something very important.
Photo Credit: FOX

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Fringe'
Season 3 - Episode 6
"6995 kHz"

'Fringe' has been on freakin' fire this season and tonight's episode was a bit of a game-changer as far as the overall mythology is concerned. We've been told that The Machine that Walternate had Peter working on is a piece of "ancient technology". Now we have our first clue as to who created it. Apparently, there was a race of people that lived on Earth before humans, created or tapped into something called "The Vacuum", and were wiped out completely and thoroughly, since there is nary a trace of them anymore.

Stargate Universe - "The Greater Good"

Col. Young (Louis Ferriera) and Dr. Rush (Robert Carlyle) explore the second ship to cross Destiny's path this season.
Photo Credit: Syfy

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Stargate Universe'
Season 2 - Episode 7
"The Greater Good"

Rant #1: Before I begin the actual review, I've got to comment on Syfy's awful spoiler problem. The spoiled a couple of things on 'Caprica' with the commercials and this problem seems to have infected 'Stargate Universe'. The ending of "The Greater Good" was an intense cliffhanger. Instead of waiting in anticipation for next Tuesday, the people that edited together the preview for the next episode completely gave away the resolution. Way to be sloppy, there Syfy.

Cultural Wormhole Presents: The Merc Report Episode 2

Spinning out of X-Nation, The Merc Report is your monthly review of the many Deadpool comic books published by Marvel Comics. This episode Corwin Crowl takes us through the Month in Merc for October 2010.

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Download: The Merc Report Episode 2

Reviewed this episode: Deadpool MAX #1, Deadpool Pulp #2, Deadpool Corps #7, Uncanny X-Force #1, Deadpool Team Up #888, and Deadpool #28.

The Walking Dead - "Guts"

Glenn (Steven Yeun) and Rick (Andrew Lincoln) make a run for it.
Photo Credit: AMC

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'The Walking Dead'
Season 1 - Episode 2
"Guts"

I'm amazed at the level of gore that this show is getting away with even at 10 PM EST on basic cable. Zombies getting their brains blown out is one thing, but "Guts" took gross to a whole new level. I don't think I've ever seen anything as stomach-turning on HBO as the scene where Rick, Glenn and some other survivors chop up one of the undead so they can smear themselves with... well... guts. I almost shared Glenn's reaction to the situation.

Fringe - "Amber 31422"

Lincoln Lee (Seth Gabel), Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), and Charlie Francis (Kirk Acevedo) go over a case with their superior Phillip Broyles (Lance Reddick).

Photo Credit: FOX

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Fringe'
Season 3 - Episode 5
"Amber 31422"

One of the aspects of the third season of 'Fringe' that I've really enjoyed is the development of the Alt-Fringe world. Sure, the various historical differences are fun, but it's ways that day to day living is effected by the unique conditions and technology "over there" that I find the most compelling. Between things like the "Show Me" identification cards and abundance of public surveillance devices, there's clearly a more omni-present feel to that world's American police and military forces.

Stargate Universe - "Trial and Error"

Sparks ignite between Eli (David Blue) and Ginn (Julie McNiven) as Greer (Jamil Walker Smith) watches on.

Photo Credit: Syfy

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Stargate Universe'
Season 2 - Episode 6
"Trial and Error"

I apologize if I begin another 'Stargate Universe' review with a comparison to a Star Trek episode. However, unlike last week's "Cloverdale", the latest 'SGU' hour was really good and the comparison is a positive one. Even the title "Trial and Error" reminds me of the classic 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' repetitive reset episode "Cause and Effect". And like the Enterprise, the Destiny was the victim of multiple destructions.

The Walking Dead – “Days Gone Bye”

Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) wakes up to a nightmare.

Photo Credit: AMC

Review by Paul Steven Brown

‘The Walking Dead’
Season 1 – Episode 1
“Days Gone Bye”

I enter my viewing and reviewing of AMC’s newest series ‘The Walking Dead’ in an interesting predicament. I’ve been reading the series for a few years; not monthly, but I make sure to get the latest trade paperback collection the day it hits the shelves at my local comic book shop. Now, I face the challenge of reviewing episodes of a television series based on a comic that I’ve really grown to appreciate. To that end, I’m going to do my best to address ‘The Walking Dead’ in the context of the television series, with as little as possible reference to the comic book series.