Category: Geeky Sunday

SGS: What’s Your Cup of Coffee?

Posted on by in #FanCastleSunday, Geeky Sunday, High Castle

Today’s prompt was a labyrinth of discovering scenes I enjoy in a genre that is not my cup of coffee. Thank you, Heather, for this exercise in critical thinking! I tend to forgo romance in fiction for something else (almost anything else, which shows you just how much it isn’t my flavor!). 

Seriously Geeky Sunday is brought to you by the creative Heather at geeking-by.net!

July 5th – Romance is in the air

July 6th is International Kissing Day so today we’re diving into the world romance this week.

Who is your favourite couple?

John/Helen from The Man in the High Castle

What is your favourite romantic scene?

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, romance is not my cup of coffee. When I know a long, drawn out romantic scene is coming, my first instinct is to skip it because I’d rather have 5 minutes of plot than 5 minutes of nothing (it’s just boring to me; there is no other way to put it 😉 ). 

However, there are rare times when I appreciate these sorts of scenes, and Ed/Jack in The Man in the High Castle is one of those times. I was happy Ed found someone and could be happy in that world. He was the nicest character (along with Thomas) and deserved nothing but the best and to live out the rest of his days with Jack in peace. 

What is the perfect fictional place for a romantic date?

Since Disneyland isn’t fictional, I’m going to have to put my thinking cap on. 

It would have to be exploring Westeros on the backs of dragons from Fire & Blood by George R. R. Martin. Imagine the wind against your face as you laugh with your significant other, soaring through the air. You gaze down at Riverrun and Winterfell as the air grows colder, but your blood is fire, and you don’t feel it. You eventually make your way to The Wall and cross over beyond it. The pair of you find a forgotten field, blanketed with snow and let loose dragonfire. 

Soaring over the East coast during the Great Polar Vortex of 2018
Some romantic scenes are adorable, and then some are just plain awkward. What’s the most awkward scene you can recall?

99% of them are awkward. I’ll have to go with any time Gale tries to hit on Katniss in the Hunger Games trilogy. He is the stereotypical “nice guy,” and it’s just creepy. It is obvious she feels she has to kiss him because of it. I’m going to prove my point by this excerpt…I mean, look WHEN he decides to pull his creepy “nice guy” stunt.

What is your favourite wedding scene?

We skipped most of the Pam/Jim wedding episode in the Office if that provides a hint of things…none of them? 😉 Okay, okay, I’ll play nice! I have literally been sitting here for ten minutes trying to think of one. It’s time to write my own.

Pick a fandom and play kiss/marry/avoid!

Now this is a fun one! I feel like I’m young again! And thank you, Heather, for changing the last one to avoid. 

I’ll pick Babylon 5

  • Kiss – Psi Cop from that fun Psi Corps commercial
  • Marry – Bester (this should not surprise anyone)
  • Avoid – Sheridan

SGS: The World of Tomorrow!

Posted on by in Geeky Sunday

It’s time for another Seriously Geeky Sunday brought to you by the creative Heather at geeking-by.net!

Today’s prompt was so much fun to dig into because Retro Futurism is one of my all time favorite aesthetics. Kid me’s vision of 2020 would have looked like a mixture of this with flying cars:

June 28th – Technology

June 23rd is Alan Turing’s birthday, and Turing was a British computer scientist who developed the Enigma machine during World War II. His work in computer science was groundbreaking and he theorised about artificial intelligence. Today we’re thinking about technology in fictional worlds:

What is the weirdest fictional technology item you’ve seen?

The stove pipe reporter’s hat from Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

What is the most disastrous technological innovation?

Single use plastics like packaging, beer pong cups, and shampoo containers. I feel like they’ve made us lazy, and when we’re done with them, we just throw them away without a second thought. They’re piling up with no end in sight.

I hope they come up with a biodegradable alternative soon, I mean the year is 2020, but then again the year is 2020

The other disastrous innovation(s) is weapons of mass destruction. I don’t need to go too deep into that one for obvious reasons. 

Who is your favourite robot/droid?

Data – Not only is he a walking computer with all the intelligence the universe has to offer, but he is kind, friendly, and has a deeply human side. It made me so happy when Q gave him the gift of laughter for saving his life. 

What fictional futuristic item do you think will become real one day?

Starships – SpaceX is developing one this very moment! 

What futuristic vehicle would you love to take for a ride?

A flying car.

I’ve been fascinated with them ever since I can remember. I used to hope that the year 2000 would bring us flying cars, but it’s 2020, and I don’t see it happening anytime soon. 

I am pleased that they are working on self driving cars! I’ll settle for that. 

If you could have any character/celebrity be the personality for a supercomputer, who would it be?

Data from TNG because he wouldn’t play pranks or get snarky (let’s just say that the supercomputer would be smashed to bits if it played pranks on me or got an attitude….lol).

SGS: Fictional Fathers

Posted on by in Geeky Sunday, High Castle

Today is Father’s Day in the US. This is your reminder to call your dads 😉

June 21st – Father Figures

As it’s Father’s Day today, we’re celebrating the father figures in our fandoms. The good, the bad and the downright bonkers ones.

Who is your favourite fictional dad?

This should come as no surprise to anyone. Can I get a drum roll, please?

John Smith from The Man in the High Castle.

He loved his children and was willing to do anything to protect them. He was active in their lives, and can I just mention a certain scene in Season 4 where I always burst out laughing?

Jennifer has a male friend over and puts on an “illegal” record. Loud music permeates through the apartment as the two start dancing. Her sister Amy runs out of her room, and the two girls start screaming at each other. The friend follows them into the hallway, and the front door opens to reveal Smith walking into the apartment in the midst of the chaos. 

Who is your favourite evil dad?

John Smith. Yes, he is evil. 

Who is your favourite father figure/mentor?

Captain Sisko from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

I have always thought of him as a father figure. The bond between him and his son Jake was strong and unique. Sisko was always there for him. He always had something intelligent to say when Jake had questions (the scene where Jake says the Bajoran religion is stupid comes to mind. Sisko explains why they worship the prophets so that he can understand where Bajorans coming from).

Who is your favourite unconventional father/mentor?

Haymitch – is a father figure (in a way) to Peeta and Katniss. He’s ill tempered and brash, but he cares about them and does what he can within that dystopian world to ensure at least one of them survives.

What is your favourite child/father scene? 

The scene in High Castle Season 2 where Smith takes Thomas to the lake with intentions of euthanizing him (sickening, I know). Thomas starts talking about normal worries and woes of teenage life, and the camera zooms in on Smith. You can see him make the decision to protect his son with the sudden, determined intensity in his posture. He wants his son to experience those teenage problems, teenage love, and life itself.  

What is your favourite quote from a fandom about fathers/by a father?

I don’t have a favorite quote, but I do have a favorite episode based around a son’s love for his father (and vise versa). 

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Visitor

I confess that it honestly took me forever to watch this episode because I knew I’d become a basket case, overwhelmed with emotion. When I finally watched it, I was glad I did. I know I’ll need a tissue box if I explain it, so I’m linking wikipedia’s synopsis.

I just got teary eyed trying to find a good screencap!

SGS: Captains

Posted on by in Geeky Sunday, News

Be Kind & Code

There’s still a few days left to get your awesome t-shirt! It’s for a great cause!
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It’s time for another Seriously Geeky Sunday brought to you by the creative Heather at geeking-by.net

June  14th – Captain, My Captain

It’s Captain Picard’s birthday in two days and so today is dedicated to all the iconic captains in your life.

Who was the captain of your childhood?

I am an 80s child, so it goes without saying that it was Captain Planet! Captain Planet was serious business in the neighborhood for us kids. We’d pick a power, make tokens out of grass, leaves, and twigs, and fight evil! I think I always picked wind or water, but my memory fails me–however, I still remember the song!

Captain Planet, he’s a hero!
Gonna take pollution down to zero!

When you think about captains who is the first one to come to mind? 

Picard, thanks to a certain friend of mine 😉 

Who is your favourite fictional captain? 

Does Bester count? I mean he is the commander of the Black Omegas….Okay, I’ll pick an official captain. Since I can’t decide which Star Trek captain is my favorite (they have so many good qualities in different ways), I’ll go with another show. 

Camina Drummer, Tycho Station’s Belter head of security who later becomes captain of the OPAS Behemoth. She’s fierce, but she is loyal to those who deserve it. She doesn’t take crap from anyone. 

As a side note, I want to say that I love the chaotic dynamic between her and Klaes Ashford!

Who is your favourite crew? 

Hands down, DS9 Seasons 1 – 6 with Sisko, Kira, Jadzia Dax, Odo, O’Brien, Bashir, and Worf! The TNG crew comes to a close second in my book! They cared so much about each other and were like family.  

What is your favourite ship? 

The Rocinante from The Expanse – she is badass, highly maneuverable, and did I mention badass? I realize these are completely shallow reasons 😉

The last fandom you experienced has suddenly been cast at sea/into outer space. Who is the captain and who are their crewmates?

I’ve read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and am now working my way through rereading the original Hunger Games trilogy, so here is my Hunger Games crew!

  • Captain: Haymitch
  • First Officer: Peeta
  • Chief of Security: Katniss
  • Science Officer: Dr. Gaul (as long as she follows Federation law and does no harm). She’s highly intelligent and a capable scientist. 
  • Doctor: Prim
  • Chief Engineer: Plutarch Heavensbee (what I said for Dr. Gaul goes for him too).
  • Helm/Pilot: Gale
  • Counselor: Tigris (from the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)
  • Chief Administrative Officer: Effie

And because I’ve done something like this for The Man in the High Castle in the past, here is some old crossover fanart:

SGS: Warriors

Posted on by in Geeky Sunday, News

Before I dive into today’s Seriously Geeky Sunday prompt, I want to share a good cause!

Be Kind & Code

Let’s help empower African-American girls to become tomorrow’s programmers!

If you can’t participate, that’s okay! You can help out by sharing this fundraiser on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

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June 7th – Warriors

On June 6th 1944 the Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy the start of a pivotal attack that was pivotal in ending World War II. Every story has monumental battles and warriors who fight for what they believe in and that’s what this week is all about.

What is the most pivotal fictional battle you can think of?

The Battle of the Pelennor Fields and the Battle of the Morannon from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. These are pivotal battles not because of their splendor on screen or in the books, but because of all the little things at play which turn the tide, most notably Frodo making it to Mount Doom where the ring is destroyed and Éowyn disguising herself as a man and killing Witch-King of Angmar.

Who is your favourite warrior?

Katniss Everdeen – I am rereading the Hunger Games trilogy, so she is fresh on my mind, but she has always been my favorite warrior type character ever since the books came out! She’s resourceful, smart, is badass with a bow, and has heart. As I said in my last post, I’ve held onto my Mockingjay necklace & pin all these years and still wear them! 

Runners up include Juliana Crain and Bell Mallory!

Is there a fictional warrior caste do you admire?

The Minbari warrior caste from Babylon 5. What’s there not to love about spikes and black leather? 😉 On a serious note, I’ve always admired their stoic appearances and ability to get the upper hand. They don’t mask who they are under false pretenses. 

The same goes for the Jem’Hadar from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. 

What is your favourite quote about battles?
 WAR IS PEACE
 FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
 IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.
 ― George Orwell
If you could join a fictional fighting organisation what would it be?

Does the Psi Corps count? Because obviously I pick the Psi Corps, ha ha! Okay, okay, I’ll pick a fighting organization. I have to go with The Jedi Order. This dates back to when I was a child. I wanted to be Luke Skywalker so bad that I begged my dad for a “light sword,” and he made me one out of thick pieces of cardboard. I think I was the happiest 5 year old on the planet when he gave it to me!

I’ve always been fascinated by their powers, robes, and, of course, light sabers. 

You’re able to learn one battle ability or spell for a day; what would it be?

Hands down, the ability to cast a Dragon Slave like Lina Inverse!