Don't cancel the Mentalist CBS!

I'm a latecomer to the Mentalist party. I'm a reverse hipster sometimes. I start liking things after the big hype dies out, instead of before. (Same thing happened to me with Doctor Who.)

I've seen it pass before on television and sometimes I let it play because I wanted to see the show that played after it. Of course, barging into a show halfway hardly does it any credit. I didn't really know what was going on, so I dismissed it until later.

Some time ago, when I didn't know which series to watch, I asked via Facebook and my friends came up with some interesting suggestions, among which, The Mentalist.

So off to the Media Market we went and got the first season. After a few episodes you got a good sense of who the main character is, Patrick Jane.

Ex-carny, ex-con-artist who's wife and daughter were killed by the infamous serial killer Red John. This was after a television appearance where Jane claimed to have psychic insight into the killer's mind. When he came back, he found his wife and daughter murdered with a bloody smiley on the wall. Red John's signature.

After a spell in a mental asylum, Jane gets involved with the CBI, California Bureau of Investigation. He helps them solve murder cases in exchange for information about Red John. He keeps close tabs on the investigation and this storyline is the main theme for well into the sixth season.

The search came to an end in the middle of the 6th season which is still airing. We get to know who he is and I have to admit, it left a hole at first. Things changed quickly and I admit taking a longer break from the Mentalist. (I don't handle change too well)

Earlier this week my husband and I decided to watch the rest of the episodes. After getting used to the initial changes we spent time watching at the edge of our seats and having a lot of laughs too.
The new characters just work and this show deserves another chance.

I don't pretend to know anything about how tv ratings work and what makes a show viable for more runs. (My first guess? Money, but here's me hoping there is at least a little more to it.)

A lot of tension got relieved once we knew who Red John was and at first it left a gaping hole. It must be difficult to find another way to approach this series. I mean, Jane's sole purpose in life just got fulfilled. All characters needed to find themselves again, decide what to do with their lives.

At first the new direction was met with some skepticism, but it works. It just does. Especially the last episode proved this to us. Season 6, episode 16, Violets.

You can meet the newer characters in a different light and the energy between the new team members is just right. If you haven't seen the episode yet, please stop reading if you don't wish to be spoiled.


So the episode starts with a big Art heist. While trying to protect a certain painting with sentimental value, a man gets shot by the robbers. In order to catch the killer, Jane and the FBI team tackle things a little differently this time around.

Jane sets up an unusually elaborate con to trap the killer. It's hilarious, it's exciting and it had the freshness of the first season. Give this show another chance, it this episode I saw so much potential!

Plus characters in fancy dress! What's not to like ;)

Elder Scrolls Online- An Impression and my kingdom for a mini-map!

So last weekend it was time for the Elder Scrolls Online (ESO from now on) Beta.  It was my third one and I got to play with the same characters. Which is a bit bittersweet. I've grown to like my characters, but they will be wiped come launch day.

As to be expected in a beta, the game is not perfect yet. There are several glitches. Bosses that don't spawn and getting stuck in a conversation are the most important ones. I did my part and reported those. Bug fixing wasn't the main goal however.

This was a stress test and I have to say, since last tester weekend, the log-in problems were minimal. I had no queues this time to get in. The only thing that remained was the lag in major cities, but that's to be expected. Many people in the same locale is bound to give some lag.

Let's talk about my impression then, all technicalities aside! I'm a long time Elder Scrolls fan. I started with Morrowind. Oblivion is still my favorite game, but I also love Skyrim.

Spoilers ahead, so if you want to start without any prior knowledge, stop reading now.

As in good ES tradition, you start in a prison cell.  The first voice that greets you is the Prophet's. Voiced by Sir Michael Gambon, what a start! The second voice you hear belongs to the wonderful Jennifer Hale as Lyris Titanborn. She is my favorite voice actress ever. Bastila Shan, my Commander Shepard, Samos, the list is endless!

This is her, in the back. In the first area, Coldharbour, which serves as a tutorial.

Click for full size, to really do it justice.

The scenery is impressive, throughout this game. It truly feels like a single player ES game, with the added perk of socializing.
Here are some more pics!

Beautiful Carpet detail.

Elves know how to build.

The sun!

My fierce Redguard Dragon Knight.

Red Plumbob? :D

Elven architecture.

So focused while blacksmithing.

Beautiful vista and Altmer.

Just wow!

A cave full of bats? Is this Pokemon? :D

Inside someone's mind. This was such a great quest!

The quests themselves were pretty awesome too. Full of tough choices and not a single moment I felt like "Fetch me 20 of this and those." Sure, there were some retrieval quests, but the story, the atmosphere, it all makes sense.  It makes for very good immersion.

The crafting system is also something else. You can dabble in all of the professions, you are not restricted to one or two. Takes a bit of getting used too, but pretty easy once you get the hang of it.

I liked the combat. I heard comments that it was too sluggish, but I'm not buying this game for the combat.  I'm in it for the adventuring!

A comment that I have is that the spells and abilities bar could be a little bigger. Five spells and your ultimate ability just isn't enough. It would also be nice to be able to click your abilities during combat rather than pressing your numerical buttons at the top of your keyboard. 

And the most important thing. A mini map floating in a corner somewhere please! I'm not good with roads, not in real life, not in games. A mini map would save a lot of time while questing.

Lastly, I love, LOVE the multiple quest tracker. It was easy to use and I just loved it.

I can't wait for the next beta and the launch. Keep it coming!

Game slump?

Hello again!

I know it's a luxury problem, but it's a problem nonetheless. I'm experiencing game slump. Having plenty of good games on your computer, but not finding the drive to actually play?

Can anyone relate to that? My husband is currently in one of those spells too. I find myself doing more arts and crafts at this time while re-watching Doctor Who.

I think all I need in the near future is Elder Scrolls online and the Sims 4. I can't stress how much I look forward to those two titles :D I'll be sure to share my thoughts right here! :D

My journey through Doctor Who and a build to go with it! The Pond residence.

Hello friends!

First of all, I'm late to this party, not even fashionably late, more like nearly a decade late. The cliche stands however, better late then never I suppose!

(If you are here for the build, feel free to skip the long, loooooong intro, go on. I won't be cross ;) Also, SPOILERS! If you still plan on watching, please skip.)

It started around November last year. Which is only about two months ago from this point, but it just sounds so dramatic.
 I saw people on my facebook getting all worked up about the Doctor Who anniversary special and about a Fez, come on, a Fez?

Sure, I knew about the series. The iconic Blue box I knew, I've seen it pop up now and then. A lot of my close friends also loved the series and so my husband and I decided to see what the hubbub was all about. One of the benefits of watching a series late. None of the waiting and internet theorizing/flaming/praising. A fresh start with a fresh pair of eyes.

The first (new) season was good, not great. We liked the Doctor and Rose well enough to keep watching and the special effects reminded us of shows like VR troopers and more nostalgia. Also, it acquainted us with the terminology. Such as TARDIS, Timelords and Gallifrey.

Then it was time to regenerate. We knew different men had played the Doctor, but now we saw how that worked. We were a bit wary for this new face.This time the Doctor was played by David Tennant and that's where we really hit it off with this show. He was funny, charming and I thought he had great chemistry with Billie Piper.

But another harsh lesson learned in this series is that companions don't last forever either. It's about the same principle as Game of Thrones, don't get too attached to anyone. There the comparison stops tho. There is considerably less blood and gore in Doctor Who. ;)

We were hooked. Properly hooked. The stories could be chilling (Weeping Angels anyone?) and heart wrenching, but also incredibly funny. This series has made me experience a range of emotions as only Battlestar Galactica has before. All of this served with a side of Sci Fi. Also shows us the good and less good sides of humanity.

After Rose, there was Martha. A good character, but poor girl. She was in love with the Doctor, while he mostly pined for Rose.

After Martha settles into her own life, it's Donna's turn. Now she's one of my favorites and the Doctor Donna combination has to be one of my favorites too. They meet in very special circumstances. She's sassy, spunky, with her heart in the right place tho. She offers the Doctor some resistance and makes him a better person in general. Also, she's not a size zero, but a normal woman. One of the things I love about this series.

 

Now let me emphasize how much we loved David as the the Doctor. We knew his end was near and he did go out with bang. I won't lie, I cried, a LOT during his regeneration and we were even more skeptic towards the 'new' kid. 

Time for Matt Smith. Bless him, he is adorable and eccentric. The first time I started to like him felt like a tiny betrayal towards David, but then I realized. I love both my kids equally, and if there ever was a third, I'd love him/her as much. Love isn't finite.

I love them both, for the different things they bring to the character. Eleven had big shoes to fill and as the episodes progressed, we saw he did a really good job!

The Doctor and the Ponds is another favorite. Right up there with Doctor Donna. The dynamic between these three is just adorable and awesome.

At the Ponds' exit, I was too shocked to cry. It more felt like my heart was being ripped out. 

I like the latest companion, Clara, but she has the tough luck to follow an act like the Ponds and the chemistry between her and the Doctor isn't as compelling as that of Amy and Rory.

Of course, that's just my opinion. I haven't mentioned the many, wonderful side characters. I cordially invite you to look at the series yourself to get to know them too. It's a great ride :D

SO! Safe to say I'm suffering from serious withdrawal and a major hole to fill after this! I haven't seen a new episode with Peter Capaldi yet, but I'm soon off to London, where I will buy ALL the Doctor Who stuff (that my money can allow, but shhht.)

What we also love about this series? They are so wonderfully inclusive. Gay marriage and couples are often shown and mentioned and you know what? Nobody bats an eye. Life choices are respected implicitly and that my friends, is beautiful. 

Two new Whovians into the fold. OH YES!

Without further ado tho. Here's my new build. The Pond residence. The house of earlier mentioned Ponds ;)

Download me!

Oh happy day! Elder Scrolls Online Beta!

First of all! I hope you all had lovely holidays! Mine were good, albeit a little hectic and tiring. No rest for those in retail! So the hubby, kids and I spent the holidays happily, but tired at family. New Year quietly at home with a good glass of champagne, watching Doctor Who!

So it has also been a bit quiet in gaming for me, but no more! Because I will be getting catapulted back again by the Elder Scrolls Beta test weekend! Also to top it off I got invited into joining Retrokings.nl as their first Retro Queen as they say. It's a site specialized in older games, but also boardgames and movie reviews. That was quite an honor!

It is good to be a gamer and a geek friends! Extremely liberating!

Dear (performing) artists and bands. Belgium loves you, even though you may think they don't.

Dear performing artists and bands,

There you are, up on that stage, rocking it out and you find your audience mellowly clapping along and basically being rather quiet.

Chances are you are in Belgium. Are we dispassionate? Do we even want to be there? The answer to that is NO and yes! We didn't brave horrible traffic for nothing. Since we also bought the tickets, that means we really want to come.

Belgians are a special kind of people. Why don't we sing along at the top of our lungs? Because we don't want to disturb you. We're rather listen than risk drowning out your voice, just imagine!

That's just the way we are. Very individualistic, we never want to disrupt or disturb, a bit apprehensive, but overall quite adaptable and friendly. We just feel bad about imposing, being too loud. Sometimes to the point of being a bit awkward.

So yes, we love you, in our own special way. Mostly quiet indeed, but never mistake it for lack of appreciation!

 

YES WE ARE!!

Inn to the Future, my latest build.

It's a futuristic resort, for a luxury retreat :D

Download me!