tv: Being that I was not writing this post last summer when Awkward premiered on television, it is fair to say that this may be a statement of the show to date as a whole. This may be followed at some point, at least during the season finale, by a critique of the show as it is in the present.
Awkward is the story of a more or less invisible, this could be anyone, miss-not-super-popular girl named Jenna Hamilton who finds herself a lot more visible after an accident is misinterpreted as a suicide attempt. Her new found fame garners her a lot of theretofore unknown attention and fame (as much as one can be famous or infamous in high school). The perception of her throughout her high school spirals out of control as people damn her and praise her for her actions both before and after the not real attempt to end her own life. And of course, no one will listen when she says they don't know the truth. This situation is the first in a plethora of situations that are described by the title of the show.
The real drama of the show is in the love triangle built between Jenna and the two guys fighting for her affection. One is Mattie, the uber-jock super good looking dude who happened to steal Jenna's virginity at summer camp and not want to let it go despite the fact that he won't publicly show his affection for her because it could ruin his rep (god that run on made me sound like a teen in the middle of this show.). The other is Jake, Mattie's wacky friend who is just hip enough and cool enough to not quite make sense as Mattie's best friend but make sense as the actual right guy for Jenna. The three of them jockey for position in each other's lives, constantly making mistakes that lead to each other's successes more than helping their own causes. Awkward.
The other main drama of the show is a letter that was written to Jenna basically damning her individualism and telling her she would never be happy unless she found popularity, presumably through boys cheer leading and tighter fitting clothes. Not only is the motive a source of stress for Jenna as she tries to convince everyone that her accident was an accident. But the question of who wrote the letter and why continues to linger.
Ok, enough of catching up on what is up with this obviously teen-dramatic show. The show actually is really good. Jenna is both a role model for young girls trying to find their own look and voice and a cautionary tale of how easy it is to pile up the mistakes along that path. The love triangle is great. Not because of the "who do you root for?" aspect but because it is presented in a totally realistic way. There is the one person who you have a closeness and compatibility with. Then there is the person who was your first; a connection so intrinsic that it is never, and I mean NEVER, forgotten by pretty much anyone. After all, everyone remembers there first. Being stared in the face by that everyday as you walk halls and go to class and have to see your significant other is a horror that is hard to qualify unless you are going through it(which don't forget, no one is unless they are in high school, so don't judge the drama). And that is where the triangle lies. Lingering emotion and memory against the present and real.
The show's gimmick, and title, is ultimately the template for everything that happens in the show. When you are a teenager, life is awkward. Sex is awkward. Relationships are awkward. Friendships can be made awkward. Family is awkward. And no matter how smart or funny or cool or hot or popular or unpopular you are, that is how it feels.
I have heard statements comparing this show to Freaks And Geeks. I am not prepared to go that far. Judd Apatow created something special with a cast that is now looked at as the best in the world. Lindsay Weir, Jenna Hamilton is not. But it is damn good, and damn funny. And since I feel like I have to mention the second season, after all its premiere is why I am writing this, if you don't believe me just watch the countdown segment at the New Years Eve party. Funny, quirky, well shot, well acted, and relatively real (it is TV after all, it can't be perfectly real). But it is certainly not awkward.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
nba finals wrap up
sports: The 2012 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder ended up being as entertaining and exciting as they were billed to be. With four of not only the best, but most exciting and electrifying players in the world, this series had the makings of a classic knockdown drag-out battle. While the 4-1 victory the Heat earned doesn't reflect that notion, the fact that all but one of the games was close and decided on very few key plays, usually at the end, showed that this is what these two teams were ready to give us. The Thunder fought valiantly. But in the end the entire Heat team just brought too much to deal with. And their top star, Lebron James, showed his best when it mattered most.
The Miami Heat did everything they were supposed to do. Lebron James came through in every possible way. His defense was spectacular, guarding all five positions in the finals. His scoring was unstoppable. His ability to set up his teammates was also an invaluable skill. Dwayne Wade looked comfortable in his role as number two. This was a key component to the success of the team given the confusion seen in the past with two alpha dogs fighting for their opportunities to take over games. Arguably, though, the biggest part of Miami's success was everyone else. On a team with two of the biggest stars in the game, the Heat's supporting cast and coach have been second guessed a lot. In these playoffs we saw some of those role players really step up and make significant contributions we never saw in the past. The ability for Shane Battier to score fifteen plus points in consecutive finals games, or Mario Chalmers to score 25 in game four, or Mike Miller's seven threes in the closeout game of the series were at times the difference between winning close games and losing them. The two people who have taken the most criticism (besides James of course) might deserve the most credit. Erik Spoelstra did a magnificent job making adjustments throughout the series to get the most out of his defense from game to game, particularly denying passes to Kevin Durant. He also was, finally after nearly two full seasons of struggle, able to get his team to play the game that suited them best. The fast breaks and one on one situations stopped. The most unstoppable on Earth player finally stopped settling for jumpshots. The flash and highlight real passing tricks morphed into an inside out game revolving around James' size and strength and their great spot up shooters. The other huge component was Chris Bosh. This guy does deserve a ton of credit. After all of the "big two" jokes, all he did was not complain and show up and play great. Bosh was solid on defense and crashed the boards in a way one doesn't normally see with him. HIs biggest contributions though came courtesy of Wade. Wade has been slowed by injury and wear and tare over the years, making it hard for him to eplode to the basket. He and Bosh adjusted by implementing a pick and role game that, while not as sophisticated as other pick and role games, emphasized their athleticism and freakish talent. Seeing Bosh step up as role player earned more respect than any of credit as a superstar he had when he joined the Heat.
As far as the Thunder are concerned, it just wasn't their time. Kevin Durant gave an all time great performance in the second half of game one where he appeared to be the most pure embodiment of scoring. Russell Westbrook poured in 43 of the most relentless and fearless points in recent finals history. These performance we overshadowed by shortcomings that lead to their losing in five games. Scott Brooks had trouble finding a lineup to keep on the floor, particularly late in games, never running the same guys out there two nights in a row. James Harden, sixth man of the year, and third in the Thunder's big three was a total non-factor in the series. Also, a sometimes stagnant offense, that when not running the fast break, comprised mostly of one on one attacks, yes those same one on ones the Heat were less guilty of in these finals. In the end, the difference between the two teams was samll. But watching those games and watching the Thunder fail to adjust from game to game showed that they were just the second best team on the floor. Their youth was apparent. Their lack of deep playoff run experience in their stars was at times noticable. And certain huge errors, whether it be in unsophistocated offensive schemes and questionable coaching, or not getting Durant the ball late in games, or a couple of mental errors (I love Russell Westbrook and think he maybe had the best finals of anyone on the Thunder but his foul against Chalmers at the end of game 4 not only essentially ended the series but also may have been the biggest big game late game mistake since Chris Webber's timeout in the NCAA championship) ultimately showed that this was a team with the talent of a champion but not the fortitude or will of one.
I had said in my finals preview that these finals were going to be about ascension. Ultimately I think I was right. Kevin Durant stepped up in game one with his heart stopping performance. But ultimately the series belonged to Lebron James. With the Heat needing to win the series or be faced with the title of failures, James stepped up and played his best, maybe that we have ever seen from him. He attacked the basket at every opportunity. He was a machine at the foul line, in one game going twelve of twelve. He played in the post like someone who had done it his whole life instead of for one year. His passing game was smart and efficient and he kicked the ball constantly to wide open three point shooters. He even had that signature "glory" moment where, after being helped off the court by the training staff, he re-entered the game clearly still in pain and drained dagger three in game four to ice the game for the Heat. We saw the most talented player in the game become the best. I have often referred to James as a bull in a china shop, lacking basketball moves and elegance. In this series he was the definition of elegance and in the post especially showed his basketball skills and moves. He ascended to the place where people have for years assumed he should have already been. It took time, but seeing him get there was a pure joy.
Durant will have his chance to get there. This finals felt more like round one of heavyweight fight for the ages than just another final. The Thunder are so young and so talented and have, along with James, the other half of the two best players in the game. They will be back and Durant will have his own chance to ascend. This seems even like a chance for a real long term rivalry. He just was forced, this year, to step aside as James seized the moment.
The Miami Heat did everything they were supposed to do. Lebron James came through in every possible way. His defense was spectacular, guarding all five positions in the finals. His scoring was unstoppable. His ability to set up his teammates was also an invaluable skill. Dwayne Wade looked comfortable in his role as number two. This was a key component to the success of the team given the confusion seen in the past with two alpha dogs fighting for their opportunities to take over games. Arguably, though, the biggest part of Miami's success was everyone else. On a team with two of the biggest stars in the game, the Heat's supporting cast and coach have been second guessed a lot. In these playoffs we saw some of those role players really step up and make significant contributions we never saw in the past. The ability for Shane Battier to score fifteen plus points in consecutive finals games, or Mario Chalmers to score 25 in game four, or Mike Miller's seven threes in the closeout game of the series were at times the difference between winning close games and losing them. The two people who have taken the most criticism (besides James of course) might deserve the most credit. Erik Spoelstra did a magnificent job making adjustments throughout the series to get the most out of his defense from game to game, particularly denying passes to Kevin Durant. He also was, finally after nearly two full seasons of struggle, able to get his team to play the game that suited them best. The fast breaks and one on one situations stopped. The most unstoppable on Earth player finally stopped settling for jumpshots. The flash and highlight real passing tricks morphed into an inside out game revolving around James' size and strength and their great spot up shooters. The other huge component was Chris Bosh. This guy does deserve a ton of credit. After all of the "big two" jokes, all he did was not complain and show up and play great. Bosh was solid on defense and crashed the boards in a way one doesn't normally see with him. HIs biggest contributions though came courtesy of Wade. Wade has been slowed by injury and wear and tare over the years, making it hard for him to eplode to the basket. He and Bosh adjusted by implementing a pick and role game that, while not as sophisticated as other pick and role games, emphasized their athleticism and freakish talent. Seeing Bosh step up as role player earned more respect than any of credit as a superstar he had when he joined the Heat.
As far as the Thunder are concerned, it just wasn't their time. Kevin Durant gave an all time great performance in the second half of game one where he appeared to be the most pure embodiment of scoring. Russell Westbrook poured in 43 of the most relentless and fearless points in recent finals history. These performance we overshadowed by shortcomings that lead to their losing in five games. Scott Brooks had trouble finding a lineup to keep on the floor, particularly late in games, never running the same guys out there two nights in a row. James Harden, sixth man of the year, and third in the Thunder's big three was a total non-factor in the series. Also, a sometimes stagnant offense, that when not running the fast break, comprised mostly of one on one attacks, yes those same one on ones the Heat were less guilty of in these finals. In the end, the difference between the two teams was samll. But watching those games and watching the Thunder fail to adjust from game to game showed that they were just the second best team on the floor. Their youth was apparent. Their lack of deep playoff run experience in their stars was at times noticable. And certain huge errors, whether it be in unsophistocated offensive schemes and questionable coaching, or not getting Durant the ball late in games, or a couple of mental errors (I love Russell Westbrook and think he maybe had the best finals of anyone on the Thunder but his foul against Chalmers at the end of game 4 not only essentially ended the series but also may have been the biggest big game late game mistake since Chris Webber's timeout in the NCAA championship) ultimately showed that this was a team with the talent of a champion but not the fortitude or will of one.
I had said in my finals preview that these finals were going to be about ascension. Ultimately I think I was right. Kevin Durant stepped up in game one with his heart stopping performance. But ultimately the series belonged to Lebron James. With the Heat needing to win the series or be faced with the title of failures, James stepped up and played his best, maybe that we have ever seen from him. He attacked the basket at every opportunity. He was a machine at the foul line, in one game going twelve of twelve. He played in the post like someone who had done it his whole life instead of for one year. His passing game was smart and efficient and he kicked the ball constantly to wide open three point shooters. He even had that signature "glory" moment where, after being helped off the court by the training staff, he re-entered the game clearly still in pain and drained dagger three in game four to ice the game for the Heat. We saw the most talented player in the game become the best. I have often referred to James as a bull in a china shop, lacking basketball moves and elegance. In this series he was the definition of elegance and in the post especially showed his basketball skills and moves. He ascended to the place where people have for years assumed he should have already been. It took time, but seeing him get there was a pure joy.
Durant will have his chance to get there. This finals felt more like round one of heavyweight fight for the ages than just another final. The Thunder are so young and so talented and have, along with James, the other half of the two best players in the game. They will be back and Durant will have his own chance to ascend. This seems even like a chance for a real long term rivalry. He just was forced, this year, to step aside as James seized the moment.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
girls finale
tv: Given that the HBO show Girls just wrapped up and I have not written about it since the pilot aired, I have quite a lot to say about it. In the ensuing nine episodes the show has gone through an amazing evolution. It debuted with a wonderful pilot that gave the viewers fun and real and interesting characters. It also gave a great mission statement for the show from the voice of Hannah played by series creator/writer/director Lena Dunham (wow, what a hard working girl!): "I may not be the voice of my generation but I may be the voice of a generation." The universality of that statement, which I commented on in my post about the pilot, was very telling. The show was never intended to be about girls in this age, but girls actually at the age at which they are portraying. Though the show through its first few episodes struggled at times to find its voice and style, in the end, it has done that. Dunham has shown in the relationships of the friends of Hannah, what being a girl in her early to mid-twenties trying to become a woman is like. And she has done this in a truly hilarious way. And watching her organically find a way to do that has been lots of fun, not to mention the fun of the show in general.
The best perspective of this, however, has been Hannah's boyfriend Adam. He has provided, no doubt, the ultimate look into this universe. As a guy, seeing a true male perspective, and not just a funny-neurotic dude, like common friend, Ray, he has given a totally brilliant view into the world of these girls. Adam started out as just some shirtless, sex crazed dude who Hannah was more or less degrading herself as she slept with with who was no doubt totally bizzare. His turn started with a moment in the streets of New York where he asked Hannah if she wanted him to be her boyfriend. He said of their relationship that he didn't know if that was what she wanted because all she seemed to want was to show up at his place and complain about her day and then have sex, but if she wanted more then he would be open to that. All of a sudden the motivations of the first handful of episodes got turned on their head. All of a sudden Adam's thoughts not only existed but mattered because they challenged, if not debunked, those of our main character. From then on he continued to interject his perspective into the insanity of the girls world by simply pointing out how insane they are.
The climax of the shows season finale was when, after having heard Adam offer to move in with Hannah after her best friend Marnie moved out, Hannah buckles and asks her now gay ex-boyfriend to move in with her. Adam becomes wildly upset at the thought of his offer not being taken seriously. This is followed by a huge fight in which the shows only unrealistic quality is show; that of the total self-awareness of the characters, in which they discuss Hannah's fears and insecurities. This unrealistic quality is not a drawback. It is what often drives the shows often near genius dialogue. But this self-aware argument did happen.
The end of the season finale was a little odd and open-ended as Hannah falls asleep on the L and ends up chilling on the beach on Coney Island, leaving the viewer not knowing where things are headed , as she clearly doesn't know (and is afraid to address, given the discussion with her and Adam) either.
Girls has not been perfect through its first season. It clearly struggled to find its look. But when it did, it really started to click. The stresses on the core group of characters has given the show something to deal with moving forward. Adam has given the show a great perspective and insight from an outside and sometimes alien person that has been invaluable to the series development.
The only question now(and it is not one of criticism but merely a question), is what this show will become. Will this show have an overreaching plot that will drive the show? Will this be more of a snapshot of life at a point in time with no real endgame but just simply to be enjoyed? Or, and I can't believe I would suggest this because I think Lena Dunham would hate me forever, will it be more like Entourage? Could we just have a good damn time watching the lives of these girls and be presented with a goal and end game closer to the end of that game(if you don't know what I'm talking about, watch the first episode of season six of Entourage; the first glimpse of story after five years of party)? Whatever the answer to that question is, the drama of the girls will surely continue, and the outside look of the guys, whether its Adam, or the newly attached Ray, will surely keep us all remembering that the drama, while fun, is no big deal, and always hilarious.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
nba finals preview
sports: The NBA finals are finally here. They begin tonight between the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The storylines are plentiful and the match-ups are total chaos. It is the team supposedly of the now, the Heat, against the young up and coming super fast and high flying Thunder. It is Durant, arguably the best player of the next ten or twelve years against Lebron James, arguably the best player right now. The question has to be: can the future beat the present and thus become the present?
The main story of these NBA finals has to be Durant vs. James. They are easily the two best players in the league right now. Statistically they have been nothing short of historic, scoring around thirty points per game in the playoffs this year. The question in this match-up is two fold. The first is in the basic match-up. James has a clear size and strength advantage that he can use to get to the basket whenever he wants, not to mention his jumper has been outstanding in the playoffs (see his 73% performance against the Celtics in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals if you need proof). Durant however has been able to seemingly score at will against anyone whenever he wants. Not to mention the fact that he has been unbelievably clutch. Durant has hit some stunning shots in crunch time in these playoffs, not to mention his 18 point fourth quarter against the Spurs in game four is one for the ages. And that has always been the big knock on James. He is great statistically, but past that there isn't much to say. He is arguably, so far in his career, the Dan Marino of basketball. He is statistically an all time great while no winning any titles. This year in the post season though he has proven himself to be a bit different coming up with huge, if not historic, performances when his team needed them most. Given the fact that the Heat won those games by large margins has left people in doubt about James's ability in the clutch. But watching him in must win games, close or not, has to have left little doubt this year about his evolution into the player people wanted to see him be. Just because he wasn't draining buzzer beaters doesn't mean he hasn't been great when needed, considering the injury to Chris Bosh during the series against the Pacers and his outrageous and previously mentioned games against Boston in an elimination game.
The other individual match-ups in this series leave nothing but intrigue. Russell Westbrook against Mario Chalmers should be nothing short of a nightmare for Miami. Despite the fact that Thabo Sefolosha has been a defensive stud these playoffs, shutting down Tony Parker in the conference finals, and Dwayne Wade has not been his usual stellar self in the playoffs, it is hard to believe that this match-up wouldn't favor the Heat heavily. The second unit of the Heat will have to contend with sixth man of the year (and starter on literally any other team in the league) James Harden in a nightmare that will make subbing out for James and Wade even harder than it has been so far. But the biggest question in the series will be between the biggest men in the series. Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka have proven themselves to be world class post and help defenders, blocking shots and clogging the lane. Their biggest challenge, though, will come in the series against the Heat. They presumably will have to stay tight to the lane to keep James, Wade, and Chalmers from getting to the basket. They will also have to deal with Chris Bosh. Bosh is a rather nontraditional big man who can stretch defenses with his range and handle the ball on the perimeter. This could - not will, but could - force the Thunders post defenders out of their comfort zones, leading to what could be the key match-up of the series.
Despite all I have said this series is all about the drama of stories. It is about ascension. Will Lebron James ascend to becoming the star we have all thought he would be? Will he finally become Peyton Manning instead of Dan Marino, to continue that metaphor? Will Kevin Durant assume his role as the leagues best player on its most exciting and potentially best team and win a title at such a young age that a seemingly endless future will be filled with Thunders' titles? Will we get to see a series for the ages between the two best players in the league? This prospect is something we haven't seen in the finals since Magic and Bird. And maybe the most important story is that things have worked out the way we thought they would. Despite the strike shortened season full of injuries and time management and unexpected success (the Clippers, I know Paul and Griffin, but come on, THE CLIPPERS!) and failures, (the Bulls going down in a heap do to health issues that could have future repercussions. Which by the way, unexpected success, the 76ers!) it is the two teams in the finals that everyone predicited in before the season started?
Most people picked the Thunder and the Heat to be here at this time of year. Despite all the ups and downs, despite all the injuries, despite all of the unexpected, the two teams we all thought would be here (unless you are a Bulls fan) are here. Even when there is a strike things seem to work out so that the best teams at the beginning are the best teams at the end. That is definitely something to expect in basketball. Now the only question is whether youth will prevail. Is the future team the present? Can the best player of the future beat the best of today?
The main story of these NBA finals has to be Durant vs. James. They are easily the two best players in the league right now. Statistically they have been nothing short of historic, scoring around thirty points per game in the playoffs this year. The question in this match-up is two fold. The first is in the basic match-up. James has a clear size and strength advantage that he can use to get to the basket whenever he wants, not to mention his jumper has been outstanding in the playoffs (see his 73% performance against the Celtics in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals if you need proof). Durant however has been able to seemingly score at will against anyone whenever he wants. Not to mention the fact that he has been unbelievably clutch. Durant has hit some stunning shots in crunch time in these playoffs, not to mention his 18 point fourth quarter against the Spurs in game four is one for the ages. And that has always been the big knock on James. He is great statistically, but past that there isn't much to say. He is arguably, so far in his career, the Dan Marino of basketball. He is statistically an all time great while no winning any titles. This year in the post season though he has proven himself to be a bit different coming up with huge, if not historic, performances when his team needed them most. Given the fact that the Heat won those games by large margins has left people in doubt about James's ability in the clutch. But watching him in must win games, close or not, has to have left little doubt this year about his evolution into the player people wanted to see him be. Just because he wasn't draining buzzer beaters doesn't mean he hasn't been great when needed, considering the injury to Chris Bosh during the series against the Pacers and his outrageous and previously mentioned games against Boston in an elimination game.
The other individual match-ups in this series leave nothing but intrigue. Russell Westbrook against Mario Chalmers should be nothing short of a nightmare for Miami. Despite the fact that Thabo Sefolosha has been a defensive stud these playoffs, shutting down Tony Parker in the conference finals, and Dwayne Wade has not been his usual stellar self in the playoffs, it is hard to believe that this match-up wouldn't favor the Heat heavily. The second unit of the Heat will have to contend with sixth man of the year (and starter on literally any other team in the league) James Harden in a nightmare that will make subbing out for James and Wade even harder than it has been so far. But the biggest question in the series will be between the biggest men in the series. Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka have proven themselves to be world class post and help defenders, blocking shots and clogging the lane. Their biggest challenge, though, will come in the series against the Heat. They presumably will have to stay tight to the lane to keep James, Wade, and Chalmers from getting to the basket. They will also have to deal with Chris Bosh. Bosh is a rather nontraditional big man who can stretch defenses with his range and handle the ball on the perimeter. This could - not will, but could - force the Thunders post defenders out of their comfort zones, leading to what could be the key match-up of the series.
Despite all I have said this series is all about the drama of stories. It is about ascension. Will Lebron James ascend to becoming the star we have all thought he would be? Will he finally become Peyton Manning instead of Dan Marino, to continue that metaphor? Will Kevin Durant assume his role as the leagues best player on its most exciting and potentially best team and win a title at such a young age that a seemingly endless future will be filled with Thunders' titles? Will we get to see a series for the ages between the two best players in the league? This prospect is something we haven't seen in the finals since Magic and Bird. And maybe the most important story is that things have worked out the way we thought they would. Despite the strike shortened season full of injuries and time management and unexpected success (the Clippers, I know Paul and Griffin, but come on, THE CLIPPERS!) and failures, (the Bulls going down in a heap do to health issues that could have future repercussions. Which by the way, unexpected success, the 76ers!) it is the two teams in the finals that everyone predicited in before the season started?
Most people picked the Thunder and the Heat to be here at this time of year. Despite all the ups and downs, despite all the injuries, despite all of the unexpected, the two teams we all thought would be here (unless you are a Bulls fan) are here. Even when there is a strike things seem to work out so that the best teams at the beginning are the best teams at the end. That is definitely something to expect in basketball. Now the only question is whether youth will prevail. Is the future team the present? Can the best player of the future beat the best of today?
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
game of thrones finale
tv: The end of season two of Game Of Thrones has to, much like the first season finale, be taken as a piece to a much larger whole. After the penultimate ninth episode, Blackwater, an epic hour long battle for Kings Landing between the Lannisters and the armies of Stannis Baratheon in which we saw the Lannisters maintain control of the iron throne, there was still much more to be resolved, including the aftermath of that epic battle.
The world has continued to grow in season two spanning the size of a true world with more and more people wanting to get involved in the war to lay claim to the throne. Theon Grayjoy is holding the Winterfell hostage for his home island of Pyke. Rob Stark is still making his way through a seemingly unending battle to Kings Landing to avenge his fathers death (the shocker at the end of season one). Daenerys Targaryen is still in search of her way into the fight with her dragons in toe. Arya is still lost midst the fighting. And the last Stark in Winterfell, Bran, is now on the run.
With all of that to deal with combined with the fallout of the Battle of Blackwater there was no surprise that the final episode ran long. And in a similar way as in season one, they set the stage for everyone moving forward. Season one was a bit different in that there was a central conflict, between the Starks and Lannisters, followed throughout that seemed to be the stories main theme. This story was turned on its head in the final two episodes with major revelations for most characters and the death of the then main character, not to mention bringing dragons into the mix. In season two viewers were more prepared for this by the scope of the series to accept change. Still we were left with a similar sentiment. That sentiment isn't that of the traditional cliffhanger of a 24 or Lost where you are pulling your hair out wishing you could see the next scene. It is more that of a longer and larger story. It is not a wondering filled with stress or questions. It is simply knowing that something awaits you: that there is more.
And the biggest way Game Of Thrones has shown that there is more is by giving something new to await in the next season. In season one it was dragons. They were nothing but a bedtime story of a descendant of Daenerys who had formerly ruled from the iron throne thousands of years ago but had not been seen since. This season it was the white walkers. The white walkers opened the series with bloody mess of terror but was believed by most to not really exist had not been seen except by those that died at their hands in a least a thousand years. In the final scene, hearkening back to the reveal of the dragons, we have now seen.
The role of the white walkers, however is still very yet to be determined, much like the fates of our characters. Rob is still waging his war. Tyrion Lannister is still urging to play the game of thrones at which he is so very good. The loss at Blackwater has not at all deterred Stannis Baratheon or his red lady who are planning another, and surely terrifying attack. The other Stark children continue to scatter even further to the wind. And John Snow is lost above the wall.
The first season of Game Of Thrones was all about setting the stage. You were given the names of families and settings and the moment at which things would teeter off of the fine edge of a knife that peace had been sitting on into total war. In the end a greater purpose was revealed. The end game was shown to be larger and theretofore untold to the viewers. Season two seemed more to be about the characters. Now that we knew the board on which the game was to be played and why it was being played, it was time to learn about the actual players. In season two we seemed to see the true colors of our characters start to be revealed. Not the notion of good and bad, because everyone seems to have shades of both, but their reasons for being part of the game and their potential roles in that game.. And in that we have learned a lot about what we are watching. We also still have been given only pieces of the whole. The board is useful. The pieces with which we play the game is necessary. To know those pieces intimately adds advantage. But with a board and pieces one still cannot see the outcome. And that is where we seem to stand.
Despite its differences and development, seasons two ended much like season one. It ended satisfying the appetite of all who watched while forcing the same essential questions. What the hell is going to happen next? What is this story really about? No one can say. It appears we have watched two seasons of set up.
The world has continued to grow in season two spanning the size of a true world with more and more people wanting to get involved in the war to lay claim to the throne. Theon Grayjoy is holding the Winterfell hostage for his home island of Pyke. Rob Stark is still making his way through a seemingly unending battle to Kings Landing to avenge his fathers death (the shocker at the end of season one). Daenerys Targaryen is still in search of her way into the fight with her dragons in toe. Arya is still lost midst the fighting. And the last Stark in Winterfell, Bran, is now on the run.
With all of that to deal with combined with the fallout of the Battle of Blackwater there was no surprise that the final episode ran long. And in a similar way as in season one, they set the stage for everyone moving forward. Season one was a bit different in that there was a central conflict, between the Starks and Lannisters, followed throughout that seemed to be the stories main theme. This story was turned on its head in the final two episodes with major revelations for most characters and the death of the then main character, not to mention bringing dragons into the mix. In season two viewers were more prepared for this by the scope of the series to accept change. Still we were left with a similar sentiment. That sentiment isn't that of the traditional cliffhanger of a 24 or Lost where you are pulling your hair out wishing you could see the next scene. It is more that of a longer and larger story. It is not a wondering filled with stress or questions. It is simply knowing that something awaits you: that there is more.
And the biggest way Game Of Thrones has shown that there is more is by giving something new to await in the next season. In season one it was dragons. They were nothing but a bedtime story of a descendant of Daenerys who had formerly ruled from the iron throne thousands of years ago but had not been seen since. This season it was the white walkers. The white walkers opened the series with bloody mess of terror but was believed by most to not really exist had not been seen except by those that died at their hands in a least a thousand years. In the final scene, hearkening back to the reveal of the dragons, we have now seen.
The role of the white walkers, however is still very yet to be determined, much like the fates of our characters. Rob is still waging his war. Tyrion Lannister is still urging to play the game of thrones at which he is so very good. The loss at Blackwater has not at all deterred Stannis Baratheon or his red lady who are planning another, and surely terrifying attack. The other Stark children continue to scatter even further to the wind. And John Snow is lost above the wall.
The first season of Game Of Thrones was all about setting the stage. You were given the names of families and settings and the moment at which things would teeter off of the fine edge of a knife that peace had been sitting on into total war. In the end a greater purpose was revealed. The end game was shown to be larger and theretofore untold to the viewers. Season two seemed more to be about the characters. Now that we knew the board on which the game was to be played and why it was being played, it was time to learn about the actual players. In season two we seemed to see the true colors of our characters start to be revealed. Not the notion of good and bad, because everyone seems to have shades of both, but their reasons for being part of the game and their potential roles in that game.. And in that we have learned a lot about what we are watching. We also still have been given only pieces of the whole. The board is useful. The pieces with which we play the game is necessary. To know those pieces intimately adds advantage. But with a board and pieces one still cannot see the outcome. And that is where we seem to stand.
Despite its differences and development, seasons two ended much like season one. It ended satisfying the appetite of all who watched while forcing the same essential questions. What the hell is going to happen next? What is this story really about? No one can say. It appears we have watched two seasons of set up.
Friday, June 1, 2012
nba lottery (fixed)
sports: I am not about to say that the NBA draft lottery is fixed. It just seems to damning to even consider such a thing. After all, the lottery was put in place to give every team that doesn't make the playoffs a fair chance to improve and compete. Also, it would be a bigger scandal than Tim Donaghy fixing games with bad calls. The past two seasons, though, certainly raise a fair amount of suspicion given the storylines of the two teams that have won the number one overall pick.
This year, despite being historically bad, and by that I mean having the worst winning percentage in NBA history, the Charlotte Bobcats failed to obtain the number one pick. They did get the second pick. It seems, however, that the drop off between potential great Anthony Davis and all around solid players like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Thomas Robinson exists. So while Charlotte can improve, they are not getting the necessary talent to build and grow from the cellar dwelling team they are.
Instead the top pick went to the New Orleans Hornets (Freudian slip as I almost typed Charlotte, I love irony on accident). While the Hornets landing the top pick doesn't have the conspiracy of possibly the Nets - giving Jay-Z and the Russian mob the top pick so they can move the Nets to Brooklyn in style instead of while sucking and not being able to retain their only star, Derron Williams, because they suck - it is pretty heavy handed top pick team. For the past couple of seasons New Orleans has been owned by the league itself. It was sold recently to the owners of the Saints, the New Orleans football team. On top of the seemingly sweet welcome to the league present the league gave the new owner there is another factor. The NBA was suppose to be acting as an impartial party as owner of a struggling franchise in New Orleans. Then, before the start of this season, it inexplicably vetoed a three way trade that would have sent Chris Paul, then playing for the Hornets, to the Lakers. The Hornets would have received a handful of role players from the Houston Rockets as part of the trade that would have made the team instantly younger and better and would have given them pieces to build around for the future. Instead David Stern vetoed the trade and allowed Paul to go to the Clippers while New Orleans got a few decent pieces such as Eric Gordon and Chris Kaman who would need a ton of help moving forward. What a better way for Stern to say sorry for his insane veto on a trade, that made sense for a team that the league itself owned which clearly played into the factor of the veto, than to award them the top pick in the upcoming draft.
On top of all the insanity i just spouted about the Hornets, you also have last years number one pick. That went to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Granted, the Cavs really seemed like they needed the help after a season where they set the record for most consecutive losses. The failures of the Cavs last season were totally overshadowed by the fact that they had gotten screwed in such unimaginable and painful ways by Lebron James the previous off season when he had "The Decision" and bailed not only on his teammates but his home state where he was building something special to play in Miami. After the punishment Cavs fans got from James, they had to have walked around sore and unable to sit down for a week. Just a classless screwing in a bad place for all. Then, bad season or not, the Cavs get the top pick in the draft and the chance to rebuild all that James left in total shambles. David Stern: "Sorry you had to go through that Dan Gilbert."
Look, I stand by what I said at the beginning of this post: I am not saying the lottery is fixed. But if you are a conspiracy theorist, these past two years have certainly made you have a ton of fun. They have also looked bad for the league. Not bad because teams that needed help didn't get it. Lord knows, New Orleans and Cleveland need(ed) all the help they can get. But in a league where there have been referee scandals and the term "star treatment" is a common phrase, having two straight years of surprisingly convenient and apologetic top picks just gives people (like me obviously) something to talk about.
This year, despite being historically bad, and by that I mean having the worst winning percentage in NBA history, the Charlotte Bobcats failed to obtain the number one pick. They did get the second pick. It seems, however, that the drop off between potential great Anthony Davis and all around solid players like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Thomas Robinson exists. So while Charlotte can improve, they are not getting the necessary talent to build and grow from the cellar dwelling team they are.
Instead the top pick went to the New Orleans Hornets (Freudian slip as I almost typed Charlotte, I love irony on accident). While the Hornets landing the top pick doesn't have the conspiracy of possibly the Nets - giving Jay-Z and the Russian mob the top pick so they can move the Nets to Brooklyn in style instead of while sucking and not being able to retain their only star, Derron Williams, because they suck - it is pretty heavy handed top pick team. For the past couple of seasons New Orleans has been owned by the league itself. It was sold recently to the owners of the Saints, the New Orleans football team. On top of the seemingly sweet welcome to the league present the league gave the new owner there is another factor. The NBA was suppose to be acting as an impartial party as owner of a struggling franchise in New Orleans. Then, before the start of this season, it inexplicably vetoed a three way trade that would have sent Chris Paul, then playing for the Hornets, to the Lakers. The Hornets would have received a handful of role players from the Houston Rockets as part of the trade that would have made the team instantly younger and better and would have given them pieces to build around for the future. Instead David Stern vetoed the trade and allowed Paul to go to the Clippers while New Orleans got a few decent pieces such as Eric Gordon and Chris Kaman who would need a ton of help moving forward. What a better way for Stern to say sorry for his insane veto on a trade, that made sense for a team that the league itself owned which clearly played into the factor of the veto, than to award them the top pick in the upcoming draft.
On top of all the insanity i just spouted about the Hornets, you also have last years number one pick. That went to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Granted, the Cavs really seemed like they needed the help after a season where they set the record for most consecutive losses. The failures of the Cavs last season were totally overshadowed by the fact that they had gotten screwed in such unimaginable and painful ways by Lebron James the previous off season when he had "The Decision" and bailed not only on his teammates but his home state where he was building something special to play in Miami. After the punishment Cavs fans got from James, they had to have walked around sore and unable to sit down for a week. Just a classless screwing in a bad place for all. Then, bad season or not, the Cavs get the top pick in the draft and the chance to rebuild all that James left in total shambles. David Stern: "Sorry you had to go through that Dan Gilbert."
Look, I stand by what I said at the beginning of this post: I am not saying the lottery is fixed. But if you are a conspiracy theorist, these past two years have certainly made you have a ton of fun. They have also looked bad for the league. Not bad because teams that needed help didn't get it. Lord knows, New Orleans and Cleveland need(ed) all the help they can get. But in a league where there have been referee scandals and the term "star treatment" is a common phrase, having two straight years of surprisingly convenient and apologetic top picks just gives people (like me obviously) something to talk about.
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