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Thug Notes — Moby Dick
Deadlands TV — Through the Xbox
Microsoft announced yesterday that it will make original programming for the Xbox, that they’re calling “Xbox Originals.” Some of the programming looks like it might be interesting (though even with Ridley Scott and Steven Spielberg on board, do we really need TWO Halo projects?), and other programming, meh.
One exciting project is a show based on the “Deadlands” RPG. Yes, that’s a tabletop RPG, not an MMORPG. For those unfamiliar with the setting, it’s a mix of magic and steampunk in a Wild West setting. The Civil War drags on, and a mineral called “ghost rock” that burns hotter and longer than coal fuels the devices of mad scientists. The town drunk might actually be an intelligent zombie using alcohol to slow his decay, and the cardsharp in the saloon can use playing cards to cast magical hexes. You’ve got spiritual revival among the indians, gunslingers, railroad robber barons — fun for the whole family.
There are some other interesting projects in the Xbox pipeline — “Signal to Noise,” “Humans,” and “Winterworld” all look good — but hopefully a Deadlands series will renew interest in this classic tabletop RPG.
Comedy of Errors
Medieval Kings Had Clean Ears
Archeology suggests that medieval kings had clean ears. Please make a note of it.
ÃrstÃðir’s “Heyr Himna Smiður”
ÃrstÃðir sings Kolbeinn Tumason’s “Hear, Heavenly Smith,” a very early 13th century Icelandic hymn (though the music was composed by modern musician Thorkell Sigurbjörnsson). Check out how casual they are — the one singer doesn’t even put down his beer the whole time.
Here’s an English translation (from Counterpoint Cafe):
Listen, smith of the heavens,
what the poet asks.
May softly come unto me
your mercy.
So I call on thee,
for you have created me.
I am thy slave,
you are my Lord.
God, I call on thee to heal me.
Remember me, mild one,
Most we need thee.
Drive out, O king of suns,
generous and great,
every human sorrow
from the city of the heart.
Watch over me, mild one,
Most we need thee,
truly every moment
in the world of men.
send us, son of the virgin,
good causes,
all aid is from thee,
in my heart.
Kid Beowulf and the Blood-Bound Oath (Scene 5)
Nerf Herder’s “Mr. Spock”
Is there anything geekier than a band with a Star Wars allusion name singing a Star Trek song? Even if you’ve never heard of Nerf Herder before, you’re familiar with their work; they did the opening theme for Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
So, yeah, you need to know Nerf Herder.
Happy St. George’s Day! And Sad Shakespeare’s Death Day!
If you like slaying dragons and Elizabethan theatre (and I know you do), today is both St. George’s Day and the anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. You might consider doing your Google searches on the UK page, which has as its doodle St. George slaying the dragon (though why Google would position itself as the dragon rather than the saint is unclear). In 2009, Google attempted a St. George & the Dragon / Romeo & Juliet mash-up, though usually they have preferred non-Shakespeare depictions.
As You Like It
Indiewire on Adventure Time
Indiewire has a VERY SPOILERY review of the Adventure Time Season 6 premiere.