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Post by tzigone on Apr 22, 2015 6:12:59 GMT -5
"The Trickster" - he's a Native American trickster god. Maeve calls the Trickster "Coyote" (must have learned about him from Dim-Dim) and Rumina calls him "Eshu" (another trickster god, Yoruba, like Olokun, according to Google) and IIRC, Maeve says he has many names.
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Post by tzigone on Apr 20, 2015 20:07:46 GMT -5
This is actually one of my favorite eps. Though mostly for the story once it gets started, not for the setup. I can't figure out if Sinbad is playing captain or daddy to Firouz when he gives him a "mission" to go after Doubar. Makes Firouz fell okay about going after them - and he was certainly welcome. Don't think he was just trying to get rid of Firouz there, though. I was actually surprised by Doubar's "gibberish" and "heathens" comments - for such a well-traveled man, he's very narrow-minded in regards to other religions and languages (not that he's ever commented on anyone's religion in any other eps, and we know he meets "homage to the spirits" types and likely-Christians). And I have to groan whenever threatening someone to speak your language actually works. I do like how he figures after the fight is a good time to sit down and have a friendly drink. More and more I like the idea that how he and Mustapha became friends. And we really do get some insight into Doubar's insecurities, here. As I've said before, I'm very interested in when Sinbad's changing perception of Dermott. Here at first he makes flippant comments to Dermott, but doesn't really seem to be trying to communicate. Only after Dermott continues does he ask if something's wrong and start to seem to be operating in a two-way conversation instead of just talking at the bird. And then Dermott puts an image in his head and he's all "lead the way." And then when Sinbad finds the other, I'm again unsure if he's in captain-mode or dad-mode...really, though, I do think the rest of the crew should be portrayed as competent professionals in the own right. "We have different mothers" - corniest of jokes, but it gets a chuckle out of me every time. Scratch-as-Sudra is a really bad actor. Good think the good guys are such straight-forward hero-types that they never consider a damsel-in-distress might be a bad guy. "That's convenient" (in regards to Scratch being responsible for the evil that men do) - I absolutely love that line. Very in keeping with my way of thinking, where gods and devils cannot be praised or blamed for the actions that people take. I really do like how Firouz is trying to figure things out - it's in his nature. I like that about him. And I like the later part when he admits the helmet might distract him, too. And we get a Doubar-backstory. I don't think it means the same thing to Sinbad - I think he was too young to remember. But even with the devil tempting him, child-Doubar would not let go of his brother to save himself. Just because there's temptation doesn't mean you give in. Though his view of Scratch there is interesting - saying Scratch twists mens' thoughts. Normal fear for his life is twisted into an urging to sacrifice a loved one to save himself. Then we meet the wind-worshipper. I just really like him. He's just entertaining and engaging. And even after the attack, Sinbad stills asks for the helmet (and will later offer it back) rather than just taking it. Good guy Sinbad. This scene brings me to the other point that I've mentioned before - I can't perceive any of the characters as monotheists, even if they were raised Muslim & Christian - they all accept other gods with no qualms at all. And frankly, they meet several over the course the series (Poseidon, Coyote, and Olokun). By the way, am I only the geeky enough to enjoy looking up all the gods mentioned in this episode...yeah, I thought so. Really love how desperately Sinbad does not want to leave Doubar behind. The others are pulling him away...do they think Doubar has already been eaten (before the proper eating we see)? I like how Sinbad looks at Sundra after she calls Dermott a "feathered freak" - Scratch broke character there. Wonder why the hate for Dermott? Dim-Dim is amazingly powerful, since he literally chained the devil. On the other hand, a minion blew him away with breath. Guess he had to time to prepare for the first one - like I used to hear at the end of G.I. Joe - "knowing is half the battle." Or else he somehow allowed that to happen in the first ep because he knew it was for some reason needed for the greater good. So, how did Scratch escape - last we saw him, he was bleating as the cave crumbled around him. Did the collapse free him - the our crew inadvertently free him by breaking those skulls. Now that I think about it - did they ever learn that Scratch was free in "The Vengeance of Rumina" - I mean, if I did a post first season AU, could they still not know that he's alive and free?
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Post by tzigone on Apr 13, 2015 12:49:50 GMT -5
It is interesting. Doubt I'll ever figure on when/why they attacked Rumina, though. Didn't end well for them.
Hope you'll chime in on other ep discussions, too. I'm going to get back to them as soon as I have home internet again (just moved - not hooked up yet).
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Post by tzigone on Apr 3, 2015 13:23:44 GMT -5
Was rewatching this ep again today and for was looking at the skeleton warriors and for the first time I really thought about the horned helmets some of them are wearing...so are they dead vikings? I wonder what viking mercenaries were doing so far from home. Also, I wonder how long ago that army that Rumina slayed attacked.
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Post by tzigone on Mar 27, 2015 12:51:45 GMT -5
I can see the swords, but I have no idea of the names of the different types of swords. I've seen Sinbad's referred to as a scimitar a few times, but don't know if that refers to all curved blades (which several of them have, right?). And are there subcategories that would more accurately describe the swords? Is Maeve's a broadsword or a longsword (I can't recall if she used a two-handed or one-handed grip most often)? Any sword aficionados here than can help me out?
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Post by tzigone on Mar 23, 2015 6:18:51 GMT -5
I'm not sure if Dermott was physically closer in one case than the other, but even if he was, from a writing perspective he still came to Sinbad (the crew) in both cases and it would have been completely possible for him to be 2 feet away from Sinbad instead of 6 feet away. However, I had something of an epiphany since my original comments and realized the obvious - the purpose of the boy within the narrative wasn't to pass along the message, but to show Eyolf being "good" by not harming him.
Well, certainly that's what Rumina thought. And I don't really like the idea of Sinbad having magic, myself. But I don't really agree that it was just the stones. From a writing perspective, Firouz's line about only magical people being able to use magical tools would not have been included if they didn't want the audience to at least suspect that Sinbad had magical abilities; especially given things like us seeing Genghis Khan's sword being wielded by someone with (as far as I recall) no other obvious magical abilities, so the audience would not have been thinking in those terms. I then couple that with Sinbad being able to communicate with Dermott. Within the first season, at least, we only see Dermott communicate mentally with magical people (Caipra and Maeve). In the second season, there's Bryn (haven't watched in long time; can't remember if there are others). And, though Dermott is certainly not a normal animal, we've also seen that magical people communicate with animals - Maeve and Vincenzo. So I think it is, at the very least,heavily implied that Sinbad acquired at least some of "the gift" when he acquired his bracelet.
I'm more judgmental than you. Killing innocents to save yourself will make me consider you a bad person. You kill someone for their organs because you'd die without them, then you're bad. Plus, it wasn't even to save their lives, but to leave the populated island where they could have survived. They weren't on short-time, and could have tried to figure out another plan.
I think all of them think of him as crew pretty quickly (initially perceiving him as Maeve's pet/familiar). Actually, what I'm trying to do here is track when Sinbad changes from seemingly just thinking of him as smart bird to thinking of him as more to (IMO) thinking of him as human by season's end. I want to timeline that out, and that's why I comment on Sinbad's perception here. And do any of them ever really think about their shifting perception? I don't think the others view Dermott the way Sinbad does, but he's gotten more hints of Demott's true nature.
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Post by tzigone on Mar 21, 2015 20:35:20 GMT -5
The opening seems a bit contrived to get the message to Sinbad and the others - seems like Dermott could just project the message into Sinbad's head (like he does in the very next episode). Sinbad's magic-credentials have already been established in "Little Miss Magic." But I still really enjoy Eyolf moving the kid out of the way over and over. Sometimes I think it should bug me how the others treat Doubar's eating/belly, but since he's good with it, I'm good with it. I like when how the crew leave they're commenting on how Maeve's going to be causing trouble for her abductors. They aren't freaked-out-worried at this point or anything. Concerned, and acting on in, and in a hurry, but in good spirits. It is strange how she gets all friendly with the one of the guys who kidnapped her was going to turn her over to either death or slavery. Maybe it's her, and not Jial who has Stockholm syndrome. Seriously, though, the entire crew was remarkably friendly and helpful to the kidnappers who took one of their own, who were willing to sacrifice an innocent for their own benefit. To me, Maeve seems unfamiliar with Norsemen, so I'm putting her leaving Ireland before 795 (really, Viking raids picked up a little later, but that is generally considered the beginning of the Viking Age in Ireland. In other eps, Doubar seems the one more familiar with the west, but in this case it's Firouz who's familiar with Norsemen. I don't really think that means anything, just noting it. By this point, Sinbad definitely speaks to Dermott as someone he expects to understand him. Some of what he says here could be the flippant, talking-to-an-animal-but-really-talking-self stuff, but not all of it. Particularly when he tells Dermott to help him search for his men. Which Dermott apparently didn't do, since he's nowhere around when Sinbad is cutting loose. Guess he decided they were hopeless and he'd go check up on sister instead. Maeve's float-y spell doesn't seem very effectual for battle to me; it takes way too long, giving the other person time to react (not that Eyolf did). I gotta call it one of the weaker works of magic in the show; it's not visually impressive, it's not humorous, and it's not effective. Firouz and Doubar totally know how Sinbad feels about Maeve. But we knew that ages ago. I liked Doubar's speaking for his own self bit, too, about how they better not have hurt her. Maeve seems to have very little respect for the Norsemen's attitudes toward Thor, for their faith or belief. But since it's all just justification for what they're doing to her, she has a point. Thor didn't personally tell them these things, either (I thought?); it's just what they have to believe to deflect that they decided to meet the demands of a tyrant. So I'm not sure if that attitude of Maeve's can be extrapolated to all religion. Certainly, she didn't act like that towards Poseidon, but then that's a god, not religion. Now Rongar will laugh at Sinbad about his jealousy over Maeve. He didn't do that back in "Still Life." I don't know why Maeve and Sinbad act that way sometimes. Even to each other. Certainly, I think each is well-aware of their own feelings and not in denial. But to everyone else...deny, deny, deny.
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Post by tzigone on Mar 14, 2015 18:59:42 GMT -5
Sinbad calls Dermott "featherbrain" in this one - I see this occasionally in fic and wondered about the source. Is this actually the only time it was ever used on-screen?
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Post by tzigone on Mar 14, 2015 8:57:24 GMT -5
Does anyone really enjoy this ep? It bugs me. I don't mind Firouz falling for the scam at first (it happens to most of the crew at one time or another, as has been mentioned), but it's when he accuses Sinbad of jealousy that he bothers me and seems out of character. That's different than just saying they disagree. To be fair though, he does not believe them traitors when he's told that. And I can understand how he could feel quite unappreciated, given how no one ever wants to listen to him when he talks about his sciency stuff. Sure, Sinbad often appreciates it in action, but whenever Firouz tries to share his enthusiasm by discussing his projects (or even just wants to explain them), he finds little in way of an audience ("mumbo jumbo", as Doubar called it). And he truly does believe a world of science would be better. Which is kind of true, given science led to germ theory and advancements in sanitation and and antibiotics and electricity and so on. Also advanced chemical weapons and really big bombs, so good and bad. But Firouz, being the kind of person he is, mostly sees the good applications.
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Post by tzigone on Mar 10, 2015 19:22:36 GMT -5
This normally is a mid-tier ep to me, but I really enjoyed it this time around. Personal headcanon - Sinbad has no musical talent. Just like the idea of him not good at something (particularly something Doubar can do) and this one is convenient since he seems to be he only one not participating. And I thought it was Firouz whistling at the end. They need timber; guess Maeve can't conjure anything that big. She did conjure firewood last week. One thing missing is Sinbad's reaction to winning a person. We get to see the reaction shot when that happens on most shows. It would have been interesting. I'm not sure whether or not it would have given us his perception on slavery or having her around, since he's got to know that game was "lost" on purpose. When we rejoin him, he's just accepted her there like it's normal. He's not reassuring her he won't do anything horrible or will free her or take some place safe. He's not accusing her of being part of the plot. He's just chatting, asking questions. Now, Serendib. I know it's been discussed before that she's a natural talent v. Maeve's learned skill, but she seems to be something really special/powerful for Rumina to take so much interest. How old do you think she's supposed to be? Sinbad seems very much to classify her as a "non-adult" (at least until she's "grown up a lot" at the end of the ep. Actor ages are no help, even if I knew hers. So 15-18, maybe? How long do you think she's been Rumina's prisoner? She can't remember ever having been given a gift before, so she must have been very young. Time moves strangely in the City of Mist, we know. When we saw, it was moving more slowly than the outside world. But could it move more quickly as well? Explaining how Rumina (who seems quite young to me - mid-twenties at latest) could have put Serendib her as a young child. Do we think that was pre-series-start or after? I mean, do we think all previous spells we've seen from her qualify as "small"? What do you think of Serendib's keepers? How did they get this job? Were they hired or just "drafted" and forced to go along or die? Why did they lose her to Sinbad - was it an attempt to help her escape Rumina? Or did they have more negative motives? You know the character bit/conversation between Sinbad and Firouz was a little odd (but I liked it). Firouz has known him for years, but just randomly decides to compliment on his "sense of purpose" today. I liked what Sinbad said. It's just a matter of being willing to try something (actually sort of reminds me of a leadership observation in the miniseries V from the early 80s, now that I think about it, but that's another story). Also it fits in with what I said on another thread - Sinbad isn't a long-term planner. He's very in-the-moment. But that works very well for him. I also like how when the "wind" kicks up, Sinbad grabs Firouz to keep him in place. I really liked Sinbad's response of "After the thing that took the girl!" - it's so his nature. He's going to try the rescue. But I liked everyone else, too. At first it seems like out-of-characterness because they (heroes, all) are trying to talk him out of a rescue. But they aren't. They're bring forth relevant questions - questions where knowing the answers would greatly improve their odds. I will agree with Doubar, though, that this wasn't one of Sinbad's more detailed plans. When Rumina gets Serendib, I just adore her "Who told you that?!" in response to Seredib calling her evil. I love offended she sounds. It's just funny to me. Doubar and Maeve are bit vain, aren't they - both of them primping in the mirror instead of focusing on the action. And then they know it's Rumina. I love how Sinbad reacts to that. And then Rumina goes on about their kids (by the way, any idea why she thinks a son would be stronger than a daughter?) - really quite creepy. And Sinbad isn't exactly flippancy and light when he says not to be shy about rescuing (and he expects that of them - which really just shows that he knows them because almost anyone who knew them would know that). I still like Doubar's lines about not leaving without his little brother, though. So, about Sinbad and the stones. I perceive it as Sinbad having some magical ability. I think that was what was indicated by Firouz's words to Maeve later. But Rumina comments on the pebbles - she seems to think it's them or what Serendib did to them rather than Sinbad having magical ability. I can't think he had it all along - Dim-Dim would have trained him, I think. Right now I'm attributing it to his missing-time and braceletness. I'm saying he and the others were imbued with trace amounts of magic when whatever was done was done. My explanation only has to be first-season compliant for me, because I disregard the second season, but if there's any conflict within the first season, please let me know. Also, I'd love to hear other ideas on this. Lastly, can anyone explain to me why they're keeping the City of Mists? I always feel like I've missed the explanation. I get keeping it going long enough for everyone to get out, but why after that? There's no one but the three there. It makes more sense to me that those three move somewhere else.
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Post by tzigone on Mar 4, 2015 20:57:49 GMT -5
I'm curious as to if anyone here remembers their impressions of the episode after the first viewing? Particularly if you watched it when it was initially broadcast (or initially broadcast in your country). Does anyone remember the promo? Did it hype the bracelet? Because, while the episode is alright, I can see it being a major letdown if you were expecting something arc-based (as much as was common the time-period) or significant or dramatic. This is just routine villain-of-the-week with no real standout moments to me. Alas, I cannot remember what I thought of it when it originally aired.
Doubar had a better sense of Sinbad's old friend than he did. I also like how he gave Sinbad a weapon and threatened Kalel. But about that fortune: what happened to the one the Caliph promised? And they're broke again later after this fortune (or at least, don't have money with them). I'm starting to think Sinbad might not be great at money management.
I also liked Dermott provoking the others to go back up while she made her play.
"I lied" - nice delivery.
Tetsu really irritated me with his "Don't worry about me/my dreams" bit - he's killing innocent people (who are only trying to defend their homes) and will kill this one and yet he thinks his victims' thoughts will be all about him and how he deals with guilt - talk about self-centered.
Maeve is really, really, bad actress here. Admittedly, she's just trying to get the guy's attention (figuring on being invited in based on looks; and he said later he knew she was a warrior) and doesn't need him to believe her, but she should stick to magic and stay off the stage.
Nice that Rongar came up with a plan, but did he have to carry that toy around for the entire ep to do it?
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Post by tzigone on Mar 2, 2015 13:10:44 GMT -5
You guys are doing a fantastic job; can't wait to see what happens next. Can't wait to see how the rest of the crew reacts, and the M/S fallout and why Maeve doesn't want them to know she knows Bryn and so on. I need to reread the last setting, though; somehow I lost Dermott in the action and don't know where he is.
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Post by tzigone on Mar 2, 2015 13:00:46 GMT -5
Good catch. There's definitely something there. Telephone/electrical lines seem likely enough.
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Post by tzigone on Feb 28, 2015 20:59:11 GMT -5
This isn't one my top five eps, but neither is it in my bottom five (of season one). A solid showing, definitely. Probably in my top half of eps (never bothered to rank them). I like that scene, too. Don't remember most of season 2 (and the more references I see , the happier I am about it). I did try watching "Hell House" with the understanding of it as a "fix it" ep, but I couldn't stand it. With only season 1 in my head I just kept thinking "Who the hell is this guy and where is Sinbad?" I kept wanting to say "that is so out of character!" except that I didn't watch the 20 eps before it and I know his character is different in season 2. I did like the scene with Doubar and Mala and I liked Doubar grabbing and hugging Sinbad at the end, but that's about it. I'd probably split the difference on this. I think that they (the main characters; we know nothing of the others) regard her as an equal member of the crew at this point. As you said, Doubar's nodding along with her statements. But, she's certainly faced some opposition or different views in the past (including from members of this crew). I think she's a bit oversensitive about it here. And I do wonder if ties into her currently feeling the more feminine/lady-like aspects of herself have been neglected for too long (I wouldn't be surprised if it's been since she started her quest) and yet being determined to focus on being one of them and treated samely. Toss in that Sinbad himself may be what's evoking her desire to be flattered and such and that she doesn't like that...I don't know. Just an idea. Not at all set on it. I will say that I'm unsure if Maeve or Firouz routinely have any sailing duties on the ship. They can pitch in when things get rough, but I don't recall them doing any routing ship-stuff. I think they're there for inventions and magic and usefulness in battle. But, not apparently, to the rest of the crew. I'm guessing they were still on the ship with Dermott while the important people got to live it up in castle. Then again, they do see a lot less danger than the main characters (though still a fair bit). Also interesting is that Dermott did not come ashore with Maeve this time. He generally does. I hadn't thought about it before, but I wonder if it's a plot-device to keep Maeve on better terms with Vincenzo. Note that when flies in (because he sensed Maeve's druggedness), he didn't fly to Maeve. He flew directly to the fire where the alchemy was done, the source of the danger, didn't he? That's not the only time in the series that he's shows a strong sensitivity in regards to magic. I don't know if that's because he's cursed or if he was always that way, but I find it interesting. Anyway, if Dermott had been there and had sensed issues with Vincenzo, she would have listened to him. I know the Queen appeared in her bath, but Maeve said she "tried to" speak with her, so I'm going to interpret it as though Maeve either couldn't understand her words, or was so shocked that a woman's face appeared in her bath that she didn't process what was said. I like that a lot better than her hearing the warning and ignoring it. As has been mentioned previously in the thread, it was nice to see that even though Maeve dind't agree with Sinbad's thoughts, she was still willing to help him and distract Vincenzo and such. One thing I really, really liked was how Sinbad behaved in his jealousy. I hate it when grown characters on tv shows start acting like childish, petty, spiteful jerks because they are jealous. Sinbad was better than that. He was reasonable in telling Maeve that suspicious things were happening, and yes, he warned her against Vincenzo because he thought he was dangerous. I thought it was made clear that Sinbad's jealousy of Vincenzo and his suspicion of Vincenzo were two different things. He was jealous before he was suspicious and he would have been suspicious even if he wasn't jealous. I really liked that. None of that, of course, means he has to admit he's jealous - to Maeve or anyone else. Another nice bit was that Sinbad really does seem to have a legitimate appreciation for fine art. He noticed it, was in awe of it. No one else really did. I can understand how Nissam ended up attacking Sinbad, even if it wasn't the smart thing to do. Spy to see if he's good or bad, then freak out and attack when caught. Luckily for him, Sinbad listened to him instead of skewering him. As mentioned by others, Maeve's makeover certainly made an impression on her crewmates, especially Sinbad. Personally, I did not like her new look and really hated her hair. One thing though: does anyone have a scenario for the how the army got turned to stone? I mean, he have had to have done it one-by-one, right? Do you think he threatened the Queen to get them to all allow that or had he already transformed the Queen or what? And I'm guessing he had them moved to the caves, rather than doing the deed there? I suppose he didn't display them because they weren't beautiful in form and yet didn't destroy them because they were still his "art"? But how'd he know about the caves? And taking them all through that little door might have been a pain for whoever had to do it. Tidbits: "What on earth are you all doing in there?" - I laugh out loud with that one every time; the delivery is fantastic. When Sinbad makes his rebuttal about "any member of his crew" Firouz and Doubar laugh at him. Rongar is in the background, so it's hard to tell, but he doesn't look to be smiling or anything like that. Do you think that's because of his opinion on Vincenzo being a threat or just because he's not yet comfortable laughing at his boss to his face? Also, before Sinbad tell Doubar that the statues are real people, Rongar is touching one and touching his face; think he already figured it out? The king and his army sure made it back to the castle quickly after the curse was broken, didn't they? Sinbad had only just made it downstairs. Actually, they came down the stairs too. Glad I'm not trying to work out the layout of the castle. Lastly, it's said to be very hot in this ep. But next ep, it's cloak-wearing and breath-seeing cold. Since we know a year passed in the first season, I'd put a little extra time between these two eps. Though, of course, it could just be a hot/cold day whichever time.
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Post by tzigone on Feb 28, 2015 14:26:10 GMT -5
Or we can speculate that Caipra wanted from Sinbad to believe in the magic of Maeve as well (the support of her closests would help her to believe in her magic as well) and she did not want to create something as doubts in his mind. Moreover, she helped Maeve but I have no doubts that Maeve had her share in breaking of this spell as well. Well, I think it's indisputable Maeve did part of it (the light came from Maeve's hand). But I can't agree that she was trying to avoid doubts in Sinbad's mind. She didn't put forth any effort to convince him or try to alter his belief, really. She just brushed it off. Plus she said "I did nothing. It was all Maeve." which, from an audience perspective, is just blatantly false. More importantly, it's false from Sinbad's perspective and she can't reasonably expect him to actually believe that. I think I'll just take it as a sideways way of saying "don't mention it" even if it seems an awkward way of saying it. edit: On rewatching; the light did only come from Maeve's hand so now I'm wondering how exactly Cairpra's part actually does play in. While I don't think it the case, I do actually think it arguable that it was all Maeve. Amazing how perceptions can change.
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