TV<\/strong><\/p>\n Finally got around to finishing a couple of TV seasons that I’d left half done for some reason.<\/p>\n Lost In Space Season 1<\/strong> – visually spectacular, good characterisation, tense. So if it was so good, why did I pause half way through and not come back to it for about 2 months? I’m not 100% sure, but I think it had to do with the Dr Smith storyline. Waiting for the other shoe to drop and people to work out what she was up to created a tension that took the edge off the show for me. However, when I got back into it it was a good run to the end, and it was an intriguing cliff hanger.<\/p>\n Shadowhunters Season 3<\/strong> – don’t generally love the angel\/devil based urban fantasy (I love urban fantasy, just not the Christian element) but I remain vaguely interested in this one. Not enough to watch religiously (pun intended), but every now and then. I could make some comments about world building, but honestly I think I like it mainly because I can switch my brain off and just watch along.<\/p>\n The Magicians Season 3 –\u00a0<\/strong>now this was excellent TV. I’ve liked The Magicians all the way through, but I thought this season stepped it up a notch. It goes without saying that Margo and Elliot steal the show as always, but using a portal fantasy setup to allow for the meta-examination of the tropes of fantasy makes this show stand out for me. If you haven’t been watching, definitely go back to season 1. But put it this way – any show that uses misheard request to result in “trial by wombat” is always going to have my vote.<\/p>\n Also watched the end of The Flash<\/strong> and Supergirl<\/strong> (my daughter loves both). I’m less of a fan these days, I think the characters on both shows (as well as Arrow<\/strong>) makes questionable ethical decisions, at least from a utilitarian point of view. Still, it is a good experience sharing with my daughter.<\/p>\n Next month, I watching along with Gotham<\/strong> (bonkers!) and looking forward to watching the next season of Luke Cage<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Books<\/strong><\/p>\n The Stars are Legion<\/em> by Kameron Hurley. Do you ever get the feeling that you’re just not smart enough to understand a book? The Stars are Legion<\/em> has got a lot of love from a lot of people whose opinion I respect, but\u00a0I didn’t fall in love with it myself. Didn’t hate it either, my reaction was more of the “meh” variety. I appreciated aspects of the novel, what it was doing with gender etc. But it didn’t grab me me by the throat and I had to drag myself through. Just goes to show, all the novels aren’t for all the people!<\/p>\n Autonomous<\/em>\u00a0by Annalee Newitz – I know I’m a bit late to this particular parade, but I liked this novel. It had that William Gibson\/Bruce Sterling kind of feel which conjured up that warm, snuggly feeling you get when you are reminded of your teenage reading habits. Some really interesting comments on the long term impact of intellectual property law taken to an extreme. Some great characters as well – I like a novel that can write from the perspective of both the protagonist and the antagonist and still make both have sympathetic elements (as well as non-sympathetic ones).<\/p>\n Next month I’ve got Alan Baxter’s\u00a0Hidden City<\/em> on my reading list, not sure what else yet. As always, happen to entertain any suggestions in the comments.<\/p>\n Movies<\/strong><\/p>\n My 10yo daughter has fallen in love with Oceans 8<\/em>, and has insisted on seeing it three times at the movies. So I actually got to go and see it one of those three times. Does a great job at replicating the feel of the first movie, but still being a very fresh take on the theme. Script was tight, acting great – a fantastic movie, but if my daughter’s experience is anything to go from, particularly good for any young women in your orbit.<\/p>\n Speaking of heist films, I also saw\u00a0Solo<\/em> towards the start of the month. I know it hasn’t received as much love as previous films, but I really liked it. It was good to see another aspect of the Star Wars universe, and I thought the plot was good for the style of film (fast paced). There were enough nods to the history to keep fans happy, but I think a non-fan would also get a lot from it.<\/p>\n Next month, it’s Ant Man and the Wasp<\/em> on the radar. I’d also like to see\u00a0The Incredibles 2<\/em>.<\/p>\n Writing<\/strong><\/p>\n