The Curse of the Gorgons

[manche]

I decided that i could add the threads for the rest of episodes, even for the less favorite.

This episode belongs to worse episodes from this season in my opinion. The enemies are not very interesting for me and although they were described as quite powerful they were defeated so much quickly for my taste, especially the first sister. I also predicted that the leader of this village had a certain connection with Gorgons and i was right.

I did not completely understand why some people were turned into stone and some of them into a strange cocoon instead of it. Or the reason for this was that one of the sisters was a bat?

One of the crewmen was described as a coward again. I did not like it in the case of Barada (heart and soul) and there it was similar. I can understand that he was afraid when he saw his friend turned into stone, but the separation from the group was the most stupid mistake which he could do. It is such a typical cliche in many movies.

One interesting thing which i noticed during the work on one of my videos, when Sinbad said to the villagers that two his men died during the way, we can see Bryn smiling in the background. It does not seem to me as the right time for something like this.

The scene with Firouz in the forest, i did not understand why they did not try to cut this cocoon by one of Rongar's knives. They could not know how much time they have for his rescue.

For more positive aspects: i quite like the fight at the beginning. It was funny how Firouz did not have any interest about this fight and he was continuing with playing of his game. The common attack at the end was not bad, but why would someone gave mirrors on the rear side of shields? And I quite liked the character of Aziz.

[Doubar]

Yeah, I, too, must admit that this doesn't count to my fav eps. And that's exactly for the same reason that you named: the Gorgons. They were supposed to be mighty and dangerous but the first sister was so easily defeated. Even the second didn't stand much chance (as for the cocoon btw: yeah, I think only the third sister could turn people into stone, the second obviously made these cocoons though I fail to understand why a bat would do that *shrug*) and the third... she was more of a real threat but still.

And the lone crewman who ran away... yeah, that was a pity. I think, if I were travelling with Sinbad the very last thing I would do is run away from him and the crew when a monster is about to attack. Staying with those guys means having the biggest chances of survival; I can only imagine that the young man hadn't travelled with them for long yet and thus didn't know how capable the crew were. Just an assumption though.

[manche]

Yes, as the leader mentioned they were not able to defeat Gorgons for a few years (he did not evidently have something like this in a plan, but there were others), but Sinbad managed to do it during ten minutes. And the second sister, i do not understand the purpose of these cocoons as well. Something common with her feeding or only a way how scared villagers? The third sister really was a little harder nut, but the difference was not so big.

Your offer sounds well, but i think that this crew deserves brave people and it is not important if we talk about main characters or some minor. And this motive appeared in the second season several times (in the Sacrifice two of the sailors panicked in the lake similarly, after that it was Barada and Evan was next). They could choose a different way how presents a threat which our heroes face.

One more thing, it was mentioned there if all turned people changed back after the death of Medusa? I guess that they were not but i am not sure. If something like this would be possible, it could turn into stone one of our heroes for example and the rest of the crew would need to find a way how reverse this state. It could be a better way of the presentation such a threat than killing some unimportant minor characters. Only a small idea, please do not hit me for this.

[Doubar]

Maybe the cocoons were there to kill and sort of digest her victims so that she could eat them? I honestly don't know. I mean, obviously people trapped in the cocoons suffocated there, so yeah - I'd say it had to do with her way of eating. *shrugs*

It irked me, too, though how easily she and the first sister were defeated. Makes it seem a tiny bit impossible that nobody ever managed to do that before.

True that about the crew. And I think knowing how his journeys often go, Sinbad chooses his men wisely - thus would most likely take people who are brave and loyal. Still, even his crewmen are only human so it's possible some of them would run away even if that's about the studiest thing to do. That aside though, considering this element has been used not only once during the season I agree with you. There's other ways to show that the situation is dangerous.

One more thing, it was mentioned there if all turned people changed back after the death of Medusa?

Oh, that's actually a good question. Was that even ever answered? And much to my shame I don't know how the original legends go. Do Medusa's victims turn back if she is killed? If that were the case then it would have been a fascinating twist indeed if some of the crew would have been turned into stone. (Why should I hit you for voicing the idea? )

[manche]

If this change into the original form happened it would save one of the Sinbad crewmen at least and some villagers as well. I do not want to create an impress that i would wish this a member of the crew, but it could be really an interesting twist and the danger would be more obvious.

And good point about suffocating in the cocoons, Firouz screamed that he can not breathe when he was caught in the cocoon. According this Evan must have died in the cocoon during a few minutes and when they found him, the bones were all which remained from him. We can guess if this was the job of this cocoon or the second sister.

We can not compare the phenomenon of minor crewmembers in both seasons. We did not see almost any minor crewmembers somewhere in the action during the first season, only small exceptions were Mustapha and one man in The Isle of Bliss, who were only redshirts of the first season.

[banmaixanh]

The scene with Firouz in the forest, i did not understand why they did not try to cut this cocoon by one of Rongar's knives. They could not know how much time they have for his rescue.

I read this comment of you yesterday and I don't understand much what you talked about but today I re-watched that scene and I really broke into laughter when I thought about your comment. They had to find the way to make Sinbad become hero and sometime it's really senseless. This ep is not only one.

Btw, do you notice the scene where Dermott saw the Gorgon? My question is why didn't Dermott warn Bryn about that thing? I have to say I've never noticed but now I agree with my brother that in season 2 Dermott seems to be more stupid than season 1. And I don't know if it's my feeling only but I have the feeling like in season 1 Maeve and the crew treated Dermott as a member of the crew but in season 2 he was treated as a pet.

And one more question, do you know what is the thing that the Gorgons need to keep their strength? I mean what is in the mine? I heard in both version English and Vietnamese but can't make out what it is. I can't hear that word in English and in Vietnamese, according to my dictionary that word doesn't seem to exist.

Edit: About my third question: Is it "quartz vein"

[manche]

A similar scene was in Survival Run for example where he made circus figures on a rope. It would be safer to overcome it hanging on the rope with the usage of his hands only but this probably looked more dramatically, so it was used. And do not want to be wrong in this but I think that this behaviour was the domain of the second season more.

Which scene do you concretely mean? But I agree, Dermott did not seem to be an equal member in the second season and he looked more as a pet there. In my opinion, of course.

And the last question, in our dubbing was mentioned the material called jasper. There is the definition from the dictionary: stone that is usually red or brown and is used to make jewellery and ornaments. I do not only know for which reason Gorgons needed this metal.

[banmaixanh]

A similar scene was in the Survival run for example where he made circus figures on a rope. It would be safer to overcome it hanging on the rope wit the usage of his hands only but this probably looked more dramatically, so it was used. And do not want to be wrong in this but I think that this behaviour was the domain of the second season more.

Haha. In "The gift" if you remember Sinbad and Doubar could break the door of Rongar's and Firouz's room but it seem to be impossible when they came to Fallon's room and Sinbad had to break the window to get inside. I really don't understand why. In season 2, they tried to make Sinbad becomes more heroic and it made things become more funny and senseless in my opinion. The redshirt you mentioned above is also one of things I hate a lot.

Which scene do you concretely mean? But I agree, Dermott did not seem to be an equal member in the second season and he looked more as a pet there. In my opinion, of course.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh96rDAW1Y4
21:58', you see Dermott saw the second Gorgon there but he didn't warn Bryn.

And the last question, in our dubbing was mentioned the material called jasper.

Thank you. Now, I know what it is in Vietnamese and I was right, the word in our dubbing doesn't exist in Vietnamese. I don't know where the translators took it from. Too bad.

[manche]

You are absolutely right with this situation in the Gift and I can not believe that i did not realize it before. They got into the common room of Firouz and Rongar without troubles, later they got into the room of Jared similarly. But for Fallon they decided to use a completely different strategy. I am suspicious of the fact that the true reason for this strategy was a really dramatic rescue of the damsel in distress. There were four strong men for breaking down the door at least, maybe some of the Aiden's guards and Bryn with her magic and they had to choose such a complicated solution.

The similar heroic moment was in the castle keep where Sinbad was hanging on the rope from the window after the explosion. Despite the fact that is one of my favourite episodes from the second season, they could have chosen a different way how to resolve this situation. I can not imagine that he would manage to tie a rope in the room so quickly and that the rope would not be broken after a similar explosion.

[Eric/Deamus]

Well, in spite of all we mentioned till now -as far as i read- was only disadvantages of the S2 and that made me really laugh at its producers -no wonder the less success it made in comparison with the first one!- I add my voice to you guys at those few scenes. I noticed them all- as much as I remember because it had been a long while since I watched the series - with exception of the one you mentioned at last Manche, the one of Castle Keep, i don't remember that scene. but i remember there were other scenes in same episode that made me laugh for same reason.. the idiotic heroic show!

what you mentioned about The Gift was what i remember the most because it's one of my favorites episodes so i watched it a lot...... and yeahhhhh absolutely it was hilarious... i noticed from the first time i watched it the damsel in distress scene very idiotic and funny at same time! heheee.

Also the rope scene at Survival Run and if i remember correctly -may be i'm wrong- Zen even stumbled a little and was about to fall, so why the risk i never knew... i always escaped this scene because it made me feel idiot!! really! adding to this when he was about to shot the rope i think the trick that the rope was already kinda attached to something put my mood off. i know it's not one of the heroic mistakes but i feel like mentioning it

The Gorgons.... one of my least favorite episodes ever!!! may be because it was a very bad copy of the Medusa legend (like when they took the Minautor's and even the werewolf legends... but at least those latter were made a little better than the Gorgons!).. even the Gorgons themselves looked very bad... a simple trick like that they failed to achieve!
I fully remember the first time i watched this episode... with my family -Haha, my sister was interested in the series at that time, not as me though... and my father watched with us (for my sheer luck) just to prove to us/me it was a waste of time so he intended to pick up the mistakes! ARGGGHH *why did you remind me guys of this night?!* - so you can only imagine what my father said this night! i'll leave it your imagination! I couldn't reply for one word because the episode was seriously bad, and as a kid even I saw its mistakes.. and i remember i told to my sister 'that's just a big failure! a bad version of Medusa, please... The Arabian sailor is meeting a Medusa... and what about the bat?!!'

---

okayyy.. now enough with negative thoughts -from my side- let's remember at least what the scenes we liked the most in these episodes?

for me... i have a very favorable scene in The Gorgons! the only thing I like about it is the very first scene, the fight i keep watching and rewatching it sometimes without continuing the episode. even if there is still some exaggerations especially when it comes to Sinbad's shots!!! but i still love it, and like Bryn and Firouz the most,,, Bryn really gave one tough kick to one man! i almost pitied him.


Survival Run... I love the second scene too when Sinbad went to get the prisoner and their bickering then the explosion... like it!!!
And, did anyone of you guys noticed the similarity between her character and Maeve? and Sinbad reaction to her the whole episode and the crew's as well?

Castle Keep... well forgive my bad memory for i don't remember the character's name... but let me say there is more than just one scene i love in this one.... actually yeah, i add my voice to you Manche, it's one of the best episodes ever... so i can't mention all i liked... the first fight with the thugs and soldiers, the prison scenes, the Dermott scene when Sinbad give him the message, the crew entry scene at the end... the confrontation between Sinbad and that soldier or head soldier... while pretending the search for people in the castle... well made episode and new idea i guess.

The Gift... i like it all, except the last fight... but like ALL OF IT in so many points that needs more time to mention. another time may be.

[Eric/Deamus]

As for Dermott,, I agree too with your opinion it was really a shame they transformed his character that way because only they weren't intended to involve Maeve again, so wipe away her brother as well!!
i always and still believe Dermott character was one of the elements that made this series different from the others that were like it. he gave to the show one of the permanent real magical taste in S1. whenever you saw him in the series, you think of a cursed human not an ordinary hawk so you feel the magic included in the series story. Dumping him was one of biggest failures the S2 producers made! Well done for them
while there were still a chance to keep him in story line... he was linked to Rumina after all not only Maeve, and this dark witch was supposed to be his new keeper's sister... they could make Bryn the one who saved him saying Maeve died or something because really it's very idiot decision to keep the fans hopeful as she stays alive! if they had no intention for her to return and wanted Bryn instead of her in the female role, then just simply declare her death... so everyone knows the top from the bottom, keep Dermott as he is and make Bryn his savior in S3. i know they never made S3, but they were clearly paving for its global idea since the last episodes of S2.. so they could show Dermott more than just a pet or at least not neglecting his character like that... may be hinting to his problem in one of the episodes or scenes!


But again, on the positive side, why not mention the least scenes that made you feel that way towards the hawk? the most favorable scenes of him in S2..

for me -the little i remember- i love the scene where he stood just right by Sinbad's side at the end of the fight in the prison at the Invaders episode. it was so lovely and still prove that he still is kinda crew member.

at the end of the first episode, when he returned and perched on Bryn's arm for the first time... because the scene gives the impression there was a very deep and long silent conversation between both witch and hawk! and i totally love this thought! they were like conversating with each other... totally one of my favorite and also prove he is not a mere bird (the producers were just at the beginning )

and the last one i remember -may be there are other!- is in The Gryphon's Tale... where both Sinbad and Bryn talk to him, i think it was Sinbad who talked to him and Bryn was watching and smiling... it seemed like Dermott was mad of the captain for some reason and Sinbad tried to settle things down with or something like that.... i think it's in this episode, may be i'm wrong, but i truly love this one wherever it has been.

so what do you think? have you more?

[manche]

I do not really remember similar heroic moments in the first season. And it worked without them well.

I must say that this mentioned scene of The Castle keep was the only part which I do not really like there. The rest of this was fine (yes, there were a few things which were a little laughable, for example how easily were these pirates killed by Sinbad), the main villain was funny and quite sympathetic to me, my favourite villain of the second season after Scratch. I really like his quotes, the best was: "We will not hurt you when you do not provoke us. We are civilized people unlike the prince Armound." And I like all mentioned scenes there and how Firouz was working under the pressure.

I also like the beginning fight from The Curse of Gorgons, there I like the most how all members were fighting and Firouz was simply continuing with playing of his game without any interest. But I do not like many scenes after that.

And as you mentioned that your father does not like Sinbad, this is the same thing in my family. My father always comments that Sinbad only fights everywhere where he appears and he always leaves the room when he sees that I am watching Sinbad. But surprisingly, he likes a similar concept in Hercules which I do not like very much and I consider Sinbad to be much more entertaining.

The Gift: I like this episode but I do not really like this scene with the rescue of Fallon. She was described as a capable adventurer, so she could try to prevent herself against these dolls at least. Our boys overcame them without any serious troubles, Jared tried to protect himself although he was evidently drunk. And she was only standing there and waiting for the rescue.

The Survival Run: I did not like Dara at all and her comparison with Maeve I have never thought about it, even for a moment. She was annoying for me, maybe a little spirited as Maeve was but not in a very interesting way.

Dermott: I would add my favourite scene with him in the second season. This was in The Beast of Basra where he was guarding Doubar at the end of the episode. It was simply great.

And towards your idea about Maeve dying and Bryn becoming his savior, I do not like this thought. For me the waiting for her return was the only reason why I was watching the whole season when I saw it for the first time.

[Eric/Deamus]

Aug 27, 2014 10:23:10 GMT -5 manche said:

I do not really remember similar heroic moments in the first season. And it worked without them well.

Agree from my heart... this feature of S1 is another success element that made the show more different and attractive over the other series of its type that was very common that time. THE TEAM WORK... that was very obvious more than the sole heroic show! wasn't about the 'Sinbad' but 'Sinbad's crew',, every one has his share equally with the others with little addition on the captain parts, well because he's the captain after all.
Actually I see it worked more than well it's very lovely and unique

Well, about The Castle keep, I don't get which scene you meant Manche! I already mentioned many of them, so which one you don't like?

And now that you mentioned the S2 villains, looking at it... yeah, the villain in this ep was one of the few good ones in S2! of course Scratch is on the top of all.
For me, I add Ali Rashid (may be because he was mainly different as to be a very special villain... past enemy with Rongar with history and all) though I really don't like the episode!!! also the kid in The Beast of Dark... that was a new idea I think.. he was a complex case! so I consider him one of the good villains too.
on other side in The Gift.. the idea of the villain was good but they completely failed to present it all the way... they could make one the best villains back then... such a shame!

And I like all mentioned scenes there and how Firouz was working under the pressure.

well, best work is the result of being done under stress, it applies mainly on practical persons just like our scientist friend here.
but what attract me the more in this scene, the large confidence his friends have in him and his abilities, and how they provoke him to work like that.

As in disliking Hercules TV series .... same here *high fives* and Xena as well... the only thing that kept me curious to watch Xena was the development in Gabrielle character only, I was and still very intrigued in her character....... but the whole show.. just ugh!! For Hercules I never have the desire to watch just one single ep :/
As I said, the team work, the different and pure side of magic presented in AoS, and the funny and love atmosphere, friendship and brotherhood themes, add to that Maeve's problem and Dimdim location remained somehow mysteries till the end.... all of that make this series very different and special, very attractive over the others. And, well, I may think that it was kinda of the very few if not the only -I don't know- TV series that had an Arabian style, so it was new and different for the western audience as well, attractive for us in Arabia to see something related to us in term of culture, atmosphere and all of that..

I do not really like this scene with the rescue of Fallon. She was described as a capable adventurer, so she could try to prevent herself against these dolls at least. Our boys overcame them without any serious troubles, Jared tried to protect himself although he was evidently drunk. And she was only standing there and waiting for the rescue.

Ditto for every word... same thoughts here..

As for Dara... was that her name? I don't really remember well I don't make a comparison between her and Maeve... it just that I noticed her fiery spirit, and rebellious personnage... and add to that her daring, brave character and stubborness, independant nature.... I noticed this when I watched the ep... and make a mental note... then after while I find one fan mentioned it too in their fanfiction adding the fact that her hair color has a shade of red! Sinbad attractiveness to her was a bit different from this to other female characters in the season! he always bicker -with her yet admire her, he dislike her stubborness too much.. but respected her... he appreciate her bravness but dislike her daring nature, liked her intelligence and respected her independence but can't just tolerate it!
if you focus on all of these during the ep you may find some likness with Maeve case, and personally -I had already this idea before reading the fiction- I agree with this fan-author who said that this is the typical type of character that Sinbad like in women.. like really like, that's how and why he was so attracted at Maeve when he first met her -as it was the first time to meet this type of personna- and his reactions to Maeve was kinda of a big-scale of his own towards Dara but add to it HIS LOVE to Maeve.... why he loved Maeve is why and how she still different from Dra in many ways too... Dara character and her traits were sharper than Maeve, and there were other advantages in Maeve character too over Dara.
Sinbad liked Dara because other than it was his type -that he never ever would admit it-, she kinda reminded him of Maeve, in certain way... but still she is not Maeve... so no big deal.. he wasn't that interested...
you could see she still puzzled him even at the end of the ep...

well, at least that was what I saw, and find this fan-author agree to it too and use the idea in his fic!

Dermott: I would add my favourite scene with him in the second season. This was in The Beast of Basra where he was guarding Doubar at the end of the episode. It was simply great.

Hahahaaaa... yeahhhh I forget this one,,, I love it too... adding to the list

And towards your idea about Maeve dying and Bryn becoming his savior, I do not like this thought. For me the waiting for her return was the only reason why I was watching the whole season when I saw it for the first time.

Neither me, i don't like it either... and this was the same reason for me to watch it too... but let's talk about finding a logical solution for the show events because what S2 provided was completely wracking of S1... try to find a solution to let the show on without Maeve character with preserving his main characters -as in Dermott, Rumina- and problem or story line ... that's the only practical and reasonable solution my mind can find.
let's face it... Maeve is gone and producers won't make her return, Bryn already taking her place and proof is the storyline and plans put by Naha for S3... so at least keep Dermott/Rumina part even if it took one ep or few scenes to preserve Dermott character... not neglecting him that way and transforming him into a pet... because i don't know but they kinda undervalued the S1 audience this way. it would be more honoring if they didn't make him back... just gone with her sister in the storm, either to other realm or to death!
As a Maeve's fan I totally reject it... but as other characters' and the whole show (S 1&2 mainly 1) fan i find it kinda acceptable to let S1 be linked and continued on in S2.. think about it from this view.

[manche]

Aug 28, 2014 15:33:05 GMT -5 Eric/Deamus said:

Aug 27, 2014 10:23:10 GMT -5 manche said:

Well, about The Castle keep, I don't get which scene you meant Manche! I already mentioned many of them, so which one you don't like?

It happened shortly before the arrival to the crew to the castle. A few pirates found Sinbad and one of them threw a fuse to the room where he was imprisoned. Sinbad looked at the rope shortly and few seconds later the room exploded and he was hanging on the rope from the window. He tied the rope in the room tightly during seconds only and i cannot imagine that the rope would survive a similar explosion in one piece. They could done this situation a little differently. But the rest of the episode was good.

And agree with villains, Ali Rashid was a little interesting because of his connection with Rongar, but except of this, only Scratch and these pirates were interesting villains in this season, i agree that Mutaro was a little interesting because he was an involuntary villain maybe a little interesting was Babuck in The Gift, but he could have been presented better, he had a connection with brothers at least. And young Timour in the Voyage to hell, i quite like his character but he was not a complete villain.

The reply for the rest of this comment will come tomorrow....

[manche]

I like this tv series from similar reasons as you, the teamwork of the crew was nice and exactly, i would say that their participation on dealing with problems was approximately same in the first season, Sinbad a little more but not so much evidently. (For example in The Village vanishes, i quite expected that Sinbad will be last remaining member of the crew, if Firouz would have been there he would certainly have got the idea of using of his invention, but I am not sure if the rest of our crew would get a same idea), the first season had some goals which was interesting to watch, characters were much more interesting than in Xena or Hercules, there were too many aspects why I like this tv series more than similar tv series which were aired at the same time. I did not like them very much at this time and when I tried to look at some episodes again later, it was even worse. And this is a big difference in comparison with The Adventures of Sinbad which still has a place in my heart after so many years.

The Castle keep: Yes, it was nice how the friends encouraged our inventor. A great scene, really.

Dara: When you look at this situation from this point of view, I must admit that she was a little similar type as Maeve. Maybe for this reason he was attracted to her. Despite this, I did not like her character very much.

When we know the fact that Maeve will not really return back to the crew, this solution makes good sense and it would be probably the best way how to resolve her departure from the tv series definitely. And Dermott still would be an important part of the story and his storyline could develop more maybe even without the appearance of Rumina in the second season. I did not only want to think about a similar opportunity during my first watching of the second season. Maybe I was not sure about return of Maeve but it took me quite a long time than I understood that Rumina did not appear in the second season as well. And that Dermott was degraded on a pet only, without continuing of his story.