Review of ONCE UPON A TIME EPISODE Child Of The Moon

In Storybrooke, Red faces her first full moon since the curse was broken and magic was reinstated into the world. When a man is killed by a wolf, she believes it was her even though nobody else does.

The Storybrooke element of this episode is almost painfully thin and flimsy. Uncomplicated doesn't even begin to cover it. Fortunately, we have the flashbacks into the magic realm where Ruby finds her real mother and a way to control the wolf. Admittedly, this story introduces the mother only to get rid of her again in very unlikely haste, but the conflict between two sides of a character is earnestly played, even though we have seen it all before elsewhere.

King George's revenge on Charming is nicely duplicitous and all in all this was a solidly entertaining episode.

Review of The Name Of The Doctor

Trenzalore is the most dangerous place in the universe for the Doctor, the one place that he must not go. Clara, the impossible girl who has been in his life forever, must go with him there when his friends are taken prisoner. Someone has a dastardly plan that might end the Doctor before he even began.

We've been critical of these last set of episodes, and of Steven Moffat's reign in charge if truth be told, but the man does know how to write a good episodes and with The Name Of The Doctor, he remembers that fact. 

True, we don't get to know the Doctor's name (which is a promise broken) and true it features the Keystone Cops trio of Vastra, Jenny and Strax (look, if the BBC haven't commissioned a spin-off yet, just give up on it will you?), but those quibbles aside, there was very little you could say was wrong with this episode.

The atmosphere of impending doom was brilliantly portrayed, with Matt Smith's Doctor breaking down into tears and showing real fear at what lies ahead for him at Trenzalore. Richard E Grant is back again as the Great Intelligence and this time he is given something to do. His plan really is nasty and, more importantly, it is the cause of Clara.

Yes, Steven Moffat has made good on his promise to explain Clara and it is an excellent explanation that has been carefully crafted and starts delightfully here with Jenna Louise Coleman appearing alongside almost all of the previous Doctors. The tease of this leads onto the revelations about what happens after a Time Lord dies and how the Great Intelligence intends to strip away the Doctor's entire lives.


Add to that a wrenching goodbye to River Song (as if she will ever really be gone) and some killer one liners and this is the best episode of DOCTOR WHO since ... well since The Doctor's Wife.

But even that wasn't enough. In the dying seconds, the conundrum is set up for the big 50th anniversary episode and now we just can't wait for that to roll around.

We haven't had much cause to say it recently, but Bravo, Mr Moffat, Bravo.

Need To Know Your Superman Comics?

Just in case you hadn't noticed, there's a new Superman film coming out soon entitled Man Of Steel. Exactly how many times a single franchise can be rebooted in TV in films is a good question, but Superman is giving it a good go in finding out with the likes of Lois and Clark and Smallville joining the big screen interpretations.

This, though, is as nothing to the number of incarnations of your friendly neighbourhood Kryptonian that have appeared in comic books over the years.

DK books have produced this glorously visual book (because gloriously visual is what they do) to show you just what you've been missing if you haven't been getting your dose of Clark Kent's alter ego from DC's comic books.

Now we know more about the Lego video game Superman than we do about the comic book one, so we're not best placed to tell you just how much of this information you need to know, but there certainly seems to be an awful lot of it stuffed in between the beautiful comic book imagery from the earliest days of the man you'll believe can fly (sorry, we never did) right through to the latest reinvention.

Superman: The Ultimate Guide To The Man Of Steel is a lovely, lovely book to look at (gold edged pages and all!) for anyone who is a Superman, DC or just plain comic book fan. Heck, we even loved it without any reference to TV and movies!

It's out now.

Review of GRIMM episode One Angry Fuschsbau

Monroe calls in Nick when it becomes clear that a Wesen lawyer is using pheremones to get a killer off the hook. Juliet gets closer to regaining her memory, but gets a few too many at once.

The main storyline here is a bit too predictable for its own good. The killing at the start is brutally matter of fact and then there is a very smart heist sequence (heisting the lawyer's sweat no less). Matters are not helped, however, by the comedy frog injection sketch (and there's a set of words we never thought we'd see together).

Juliet finds a whole new way to come apart at the seams and it is just unbelievable that her so-called friends and lover would take so little interest in that.

Patchy, but just about gets by.

Review of ARROW's penultimate episode Darkness On The Edge Of Town

Oliver learns the truth about his mother's involvement with the Undertaking and goes after Tommy's father, but is he outmatched?

The penultimate episode of the first season on ARROW pays off in spades on the promise that it has shown at times. There is a light and frothy heist segment, a dark and devious kidnapping and torture segment and a kick-ass face off between the Hood and Malcolm Merlyn that leads to the big cliffhanger.

Squashed in amongst all of this were flashbacks to the island subplot that, quite frankly, we couldn't care about any longer and more love triangle angst that is less annoying than it has been to date.


All in all, this episode is amongst ARROW's finest - assured, smart and nicely balanced.

Win a copy of the STAR TREK VISUAL DICTIONARY

The Sci Fi Freak Site has three copies of STAR TREK THE VISUAL DICTIONARY to give away in a competition.

Not the most comprehensive, but certainly one of the most illustrated books on the Star Trek universe, it has loads of pictures culled from all the live action TV shows and the the films.

If you fancy getting your hands on a free copy then head over to the competition page, answer the question and email in the answer. 

Job done and this little beauty could be on its way to you.

Sorry, but the competition is only open to people with UK addresses.

Science Museum Goes All Sci Fi Again

Don't you just love British museums. Well when they do things like free nights of Science Fiction related stuff then we do! This Wednesday, the Science Museum will be going all Sci Fi for one evening only. Check out what's happening:

'Aliens, super heroes and creatures from outer space are the inspiration for this month’s Lates with MasterCard – which looks at the incredible world of science fiction. Come to the Science Museum on Wednesday 29 August, 6.45-10.00pm for an evening of mid-week entertainment, live music and fun activities in the museum after hours.

We Have Met the Future and it is Us, Lecture Theatre Talks, Ground Floor,  7.10-7.30pm, 8.30-9.00pm

Ever since the Frankenstein Monster disappeared over the curve of the planet, science fiction has taken the world as its stage. In the end, what Science Fiction talks about is the fate of the world. It might have been an American geek project once upon a time, but now everyone seems to write it. Because Science Fiction is about how everyone lives today.

The (alternative) history of SteamPunk, Lecture Theatre, Ground Floor

Talks: 7.45-8.15pm, 9.15-9.45pm

Alex Fitch explores the continuing fascination with Science Fiction set in the Victorian era, but still being written today, and how it has influenced literature, film and fashion, with links to the 19^th Century technology on display in the Science Museum.

Alter Ego, First Floor opposite Agriculture gallery -  All evening

Have you forgotten your sci-fi costume at home and are feeling a bit left out? Fear not! Pick up a pair of our special pants to decorate and showcase your sci-fi skills. Finish the look off by painting your face to complete your avatar.

Event costs £1.00 to take part.

Photo Me Retro, Second Floor next to Oramics exhibition – All evening

Visit Fishee Design’s retro photo booth and have your photo taken with a range of superhero-inspired props and masks to complement your fancy-dress finery. All the photos are edited in a comic book style and will be shared via the Facebook page the following day.

Total Redraw, Watt’s Workshop, Ground Floor - All Evening  

The films ‘Total Recall’ and ‘Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind’ implants and erases memories. If you had the chance to save one of your memories, what would it be? Come and draw your favourite memory with artist Kimbo Silver.

The Quantum Workshop, Launchpad Briefing Room, Third Floor, All Evening

Quantum physics talks about being in “two places at once” and teleportation. What a strange theory, crazy physicists! University College London are bringing you a real experiment that will probe Nature’s guilty little secret, to convince you that this is science fact, not science fiction.

Other activities being held on the evening include…

Talkaoke, All night, First Floor

Talkaoke is a mobile talk show where the conversation can go anywhere! But it all starts with scientists from King’s College London talking about their research into athletic drug testing. Discuss controversial issues, what’s legal, what’s illegal, and how can they be sure?

Speed Dating, Launchpad City, Third Floor - 8.15-9.30pm

This could be your chance to meet the person of your dreams... or possibly nightmares. There’s also a free drink thrown in for all daters.

Limited numbers, buy tickets early to avoid disappointment. Charge £10, free to members. Tickets can be purchased from the main ticket desk on the ground floor.

Silent Disco, Exploring Space, Ground Floor, 7.30-9.40pm

Whether you’re practising your moves or just in the mood to slam dunk the funk, grab a headset, select your tunes and dance until you drop. The Science Museum does not accept responsibility for the quality of some of the moves you will see this evening.

Punk Science, IMAX Theatre, 8.30-9.15pm

Punk Science: episode IV "A New Hope and Milton"

A long time ago in a museum far, far away...Two talentless losers created a show about science fiction, so set your faces to stunned and prepare for the usual mix of shocking demonstrations, music and comedy. Remember, there is only one chance to see them this month.    

Places limited to 400 visitors per session.

The Pub Quiz, upper level Energy café, Ground Floor Mezzanine, Ground Floor, 8.00-9.00pm

Come to our Pub Quiz. It’s now an institution, with fantastic treats for the winners. Losers get directions to a library for extra swotting.

Places limited to 70 visitors. Charge £2, free to members.

Launchpad, Third Floor – including science shows - 7.30, 8.00, 8.30, 9.00pm

You remember it well from when you were nine... and if you don’t, now’s your chance to realise what you missed. Exercise your mental muscle through interactive science fun with no kids between you and the big red buttons to press.

Cockroach Tours, meet at the front of Making the Modern World gallery, Ground Floor. Times: 7.30-8.00pm, 8.45-9.15pm.

Put yourself in their shells. Take a Cockroach Tour of the Science Museum and get a quirky and inquisitive take on the human race.

Who Am I? Gallery Tour, First Floor, 8.15-8.45pm

Do our genes define who we are or does nurture still have an important effect? Join us on this tour to see how genes impact on our whole lives and beyond!

Suitable for deaf and hearing visitors

Challenge of Materials Gallery Tour, Challenge of Materials, First Floor, 7.15-7.45pm

From a bridge made of glass to rubber that mimics plants, explore the materials that surround us on this tour of the Challenge of Materials gallery.

Suitable for deaf and hearing visitors

Fly with the Red Arrows in Fly Zone, All night, charges apply

Discover the thrill of flying in the cockpit of a Red Arrows jet in our breathtaking Red Arrows 3D flight simulation theatre.

Half-price Lates special offer – £3 per ride. £5 combination tickets available for Red Arrows 3D and Legend of Apollo 4D. Members go free.

The Lates VIP area, Cosmos and Culture, First Floor, All Evening

All night

Calling all Science Museum members and Corporate members. Visit our VIP members’ area, where you can pick up your free drink and sugary treats, and enjoy our giant games.

For priority member queues you must arrive at least 10 minutes before the event starts (limited allocation). Please note we are currently not accepting new members

For further information visit www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/lates or call 0870 870 4868.'


That's a whole lot science fictiony goodness for not a lot of dosh.