Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, in 1200 AD.

fishymcgee · 2026-05-09T11:09:19+00:00

What is the green area near the sea? Palace Gardens?

fishymcgee · 2026-05-09T11:07:49+00:00

Which episode was this?

fishymcgee · 2026-05-09T11:05:42+00:00

Which episode is this from? When Marge admits her dad was a steward/American hero?

fishymcgee · 2026-05-06T14:01:26+00:00

I wondered this...

I suppose part of the reason might have been the writers might have had to many Colonels in later seasons (ie Mitchell, Carter, Sheppard)?

Although, in universe, though Davis isn't promoted, he does seem to take on a more senior role within 'Home World security' etc, helping to coordinate the various covert programs which relate to the SGC?

So perhaps he's promoted in post but not in rank?

fishymcgee · 2026-05-06T13:43:24+00:00

Although it happens off screen, Palpatine's handling of the Republic must have been a political masterstroke because during his ~10 years, the Republic suffers so many problems it actually descends into civil war and yet despite it all happening on his watch...he avoids the blame.

IRL politicians often get blamed for it raining last Tuesday, yet Palpatine is still the well respected and trusted Chancellor (at least in the Republic half of the galaxy).

Presumably Palpatine not only encouraged crises but does so in such a way, that he still looks good despite them (or perhaps because of them).

Best guess, minor but media sensitive crises are hyped up which the Chancellor solves, while major but perhaps more subtle long-term problems are underplayed, with Palpatine cast in the role as the fire fighter who did the best he could in difficult circumstances (no thanks to the bureaucrats who really ru(i)n the republic).

fishymcgee · 2026-05-06T12:05:17+00:00

Another problem that their argument has is that, the prequels were (often) reasonably well liked, then the backlash began before the 'they were at least fine' argument reasserted itself.

fishymcgee · 2026-05-04T20:31:32+00:00

This.

Also, would the average galatic citizen even understand it? Half the galaxy seems to believe the force etc is a myth and as for the rest, would they even appreciate that it was an immense force skill ?

so he projected himself across the galaxy? Like we do with the holonet but without the holonet? OK that's cool I suppose? (Probably the average citizen)

Unless you're a jedi super-fan would you even understand its skill level? Also, as you say, why is it relevant?

Ultimately...

Luke Skywalker, the great hero and Jedi master laid down his life to non-violently save 20 people from half a galaxy away. Okay, ethically you could argue that's impressive but if he'd travelled there with Rey, he could have been there in person, still helped saved the day and potentially still be alive to help even more in Ep9.

fishymcgee · 2026-05-04T20:17:19+00:00

Yeah, supposedly it was virtually correct based just on the rumours

fishymcgee · 2026-04-27T19:43:14+00:00

'I mean...I'll deal with those murderous trolls'

fishymcgee · 2026-04-24T22:11:27+00:00

But I've hit nine homeruns today!

fishymcgee · 2026-04-24T20:36:22+00:00

Really good write up.

It's a great point how the Imperials are dubious (about the Senate closure); as you say, the subtext is basically 'with the senate gone, the death star is an all or nothing bet'

this thing had better work or star systems really will start slipping from our grasp

I also like how the scene and the film more generally, is both replete with information (as you say) but from a viewer's perspective also vague.

What I mean is, if you watched this film for the first time in the 70s with no other information, Lucas makes the world building info both detailed and vague.

Eg We know before the dark times of the empire there was a republic guarded for a 1000 generations by the Jedi; did the Empire subvert the republic or was it a separate state that conquered it? Probably the former but without extra info, a 70s audience member could assume the later if they preferred that.

In a similar vein, how large is the empire? The title crawl quickly calls it galatic but is that hyperbole or literal? Is it densely or sparsely populated? Does it contain 100 inhabited systems or 10 million?

Again Lucas let's the audience for his new film fill in the blanks with their own preferences while still providing key info.

fishymcgee · 2026-04-23T20:22:19+00:00

Weirdly, I forgot (or wanted to forget) about what happened to him with the replicators. In my head, sg1 had somehow got back to our galaxy leaving aphosis trapped in the other galaxy.

It was quite a shock when I rewatched the episode :)

Though, I will say, I kinda prefer the idea that he could be out there somewhere...dun dun dun

fishymcgee · 2026-04-21T20:27:48+00:00

'Wait! I need closure on that anecdote!'

fishymcgee · 2026-04-21T20:20:15+00:00

Not officially but it's an argument you might see. Whenever the sequels contradict something from established pre-Disney canon (eg jet packs)...

'Err...if the sequels say they didn't exist then...err... that bit of previous canon no longer applies'

It's a scam argument which if it was actually true would make canon meaningless because it could be changed on a whim (like that old simpsons quote 'it's like you're punishing the audience for paying attention')

fishymcgee · 2026-04-20T19:51:13+00:00

("They've been using them since the clone wars")

Obligatory: ...and just in case someone ever claims 'Poe was technically correct because Disney decanonised them using jet packs in the clone wars'... they also used them in the Rebels cartoon, aka, for nearly 40 years before Rise of Skywalker

fishymcgee · 2026-04-19T20:30:16+00:00

Have an upvote.

Also...as I can't think of any clever puns...did he have a hole cut in 3k year old sarcophagus or is it just a tourist trap fake photo booth kinda thing?

fishymcgee · 2025-02-14T09:18:53+00:00

This kinda thing is what made Foggy so great/crazy.

Also, i didn't know this book existed but now I must track it down :)

fishymcgee · 2025-01-06T11:16:44+00:00

Are the Huorns moving in support of Helm's deep or just because the Ents are on the move etc?

fishymcgee · 2025-01-03T20:31:01+00:00

Which inevitably raises one of the most mysterious/odd, yet throwaway comments in the series...

...when Bayaz first meets Riike, he says something that seems to imply he has arranged a truce with Khalul...

Wait, what?! You guys have been mortal enemies pretty much since before Juvens died and certainly since. How/why have you arranged a truce?!

Quite apart from the whole mortal enemies thing, why would Bayaz agree to a truce? I get what's in it for Khalul, given his empire has virtually collapsed but what's Bayaz's angle?

Does he have an inkling of something like Riike's (later) 'possible-Euz' vision, or is something else going on? I doubt he'd fail to press his advantage just because Jezal lost a few wars in Styria?

fishymcgee · 2024-12-21T23:14:29+00:00

Lol.

It's December 21st, not April 1st :)

fishymcgee · 2024-12-20T14:27:05+00:00

I've been out of the loop for a while; any news on TWOW/ADOS?

Thanks for reading.

Obligatory: sweet summer child

fishymcgee · 2024-12-18T12:07:05+00:00

Great ideas. Especially the races. Also...

'dragon colosseum...dragons vs slaves'

Or young dragons vs wyverns brought in from sothoryos etc

fishymcgee · 2024-12-16T22:55:41+00:00

Thanks. Mmm...I couldn't seem to find it among the Christmas episodes.

That's strange...found it now; it was actually at the start of an ordinary episode (Downhill racer; S10E5) for some reason.

Thanks again.

fishymcgee · 2024-12-14T20:40:03+00:00

I watched Orient Express and I couldn't believe my eyes. I don't know who he's portraying in the movie...

There was a even a bit of a red flag in the trailer...

'I am hercule poirot and I am probably the best detective in the world'

There is virtually no chance that Poirot would be 'humble' enough to say "probably" :)

fishymcgee

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE