The Theft- Part III (Volume 2)

 “Now, now I don’t think you should be surprised. Holding a gun does not make you invincible you see. As for my fancy tricks, these are some things I picked up in the army”. “I’ve fired three, you fired one now how many are left Mr. Accountant?” “Help! Somebody Help!”, Stu screamed. Piper heard these noises regained some of his senses but couldn’t scream for help. That kick in the jaw made him bite his tongue too severely. “Scream all you want, nobody’s gonna come and help you at this place and at this hour. In fact, that's the reason you chose this place, wasn’t it?” Stu suddenly realised his error and how he chose the perfect place for their grave. But how could he know all this? And how could he turned this way as they’ve been following him about a week now. Everyday he used to go into the same building, come out of the same building. Always alone. Considering his clothes and home, he should be making a decent enough living with just enough to spare everyday. They deduced he was living alone, no girl no family as such. All this while lying on the ground like a fish out of water, Piper saw a file in front of him. It was among the documents that fell out when they emptied Joe’s bag. Once again he couldn’t believe his eyes. The file had pages with the photographs of the two of them and some information he couldn’t clearly read but now it was obvious this guy was up to something. He wasn’t just another random victim. And at this moment thinking about their past actions and watching over Joe and his routine, it suddenly hit Stu, a revelation.

Where are the car keys? When they both took his belongings they didn’t snatched a key chain of any sort. He wasn’t carrying one. But then why? Why was he in the parking lot without his car keys? Now it was clear to the thugs that this wasn’t a robbery, at least not as they wanted it to be. It was a trap, a carefully laid out trap. And we foolishly walked right into it. Piper was almost passed out, Stu was on his knees, the gun now in between his eyes, held by Joe who was once an humble office worker now embodied reaper of death himself. “leave me please, please don’t kill me, I beg you, please just take everything back, we never meant to harm you, we’re sorry, we won’t steal from anyone ever, police, police call the police please”, Stu mumbled words, pleading to save their lives. Don’t be so dramatic now. It’s my turn. We’ve plenty of time and no one will disturb us here. So where were we? Yes, a little chat. You know I always love good company. People who can patiently listen. And don’t gossip about anything you tell them. It’s hard to find such trustworthy audience. Now do you promise not to tell anyone? Stu nodded. Let’s start from the beginning. There was this beautiful young maiden who gave birth to a fairly strong baby boy. Oh wait, maybe that just too back, you folks won’t be interested in that far backstory. So let’s just start from when I got to know you. You see my mother died at an early age and my father disappeared so these very fine folks raised me as their own child. They even gave me their surname and let me keep my mother’s name so folks like you can call me Joe Claire Acorn. They fed me, educated me and helped me all they could till I got recruited in the arm forces. But then I ran away, it was too disciplined a life for me. I wasn’t cut out for taking orders. Few odd jobs here and there as a security guard or a private eye and such. But then even the poverty didn’t suit me. So I became what an ambitious man with my skill set can become- A professional magician. Except I made people disappear so they’d never return to tease my clients. 

I think now you’re getting the wind of it. See you’ve upset many people. Many of them are rich. And some of them happen to know me. It was only a matter of time before someone reached out to me. And how could I deny, especially you boys. You had me curious the moment I saw your partners face. You see sometime in the past he was wanted for allegedly killing his wife with a shovel in front of her child. People feared the trauma might spoil the child. Even to the extent that the child may become a homicidal maniac. ”Do I look like a homicidal maniac to you?”. Stu shook his head sideways. Nah, you’re right. I might be a little funny in the head but see my choice of career. Its completely apt to my interests. “what you say? Eh dad? Piper! Wake up Piper!”. Well that’s if you’re my dad, are you? It doesn’t matter now. No hard feelings man. We got along just fine in the end. And that's all that really matter. Piper died of a heart attack due to the shock he suffered when the bag caught his eye and was marked in bold letters-“Belongs to Joe Claire Acorn”. Now Joe got close as he suspected that Piper might be dead already. “What do you think Stu? Is he dead? I guess there’s only one way to be sure.”, said Joe as he shot Piper in the eye. “holy god! Man….you…you..killed him….he’s dead”, exclaimed Stu. “Help! somebody help please!” another attempt in vain. Oh don’t be such a drama queen. Stu fell silent. Eyes widened. He hoped he’d fainted so at least it’ll be painless. You see what a fateful night that was. One night when we all met. The situation seems more fitting rather now. There was one corpse then and one corpse now.

I want to tell you something. Don’t feel bad about it but you have to die now. And believe me, I am killing you only because I need to. Remember death comes to us all, don’t fear it. It follows you every day of your life waiting for your luck to run out and catch you in its tender arms. When you finally come face to face with it, you must embrace it. It was your true friend. Always by your side. In life you were poor, you were rich. You were a man, you were a woman. You loved someone, they loved you back. You hated someone, they hated you. You got help and you aided another life. You were a criminal, you were a friend. You were free, you were caged, you were young , you were aged. But now nothing matters. No man is immortal, in death we’re all equal. You will remain alive in my memory and that’s all that matters. People die but memories remain. Joe had a knack for digressing from the task at hand and go all out philosophical in a minute. By the time this sermon was over, Stu was almost unconscious. Hardly hearing a word. “Wakey! Wakey! You can’t die as yet. Just a few bruises, some loose tendons and only three bullets, except that you’re the picture of health”, said Joe kneeling down and shaking Stu by his shoulders.

“Just let me go!!!!!”, Joe screamed with all his remaining strength

“oh come on now, this story’s extended too much already” laughingly said Joe and shot him right in the head, between the eyes. “Just so you know, it was nothing personal. All in the line of duty”

Joe picked up his things, including the weapons of crime to carefully destroy them later and also the watch which he liked so much. (the last owner didn’t mind Joe taking it after he got his arm back). Although he still heard the droplets, noise indicated something thicker than water but he didn’t wonder much about and exited the parking lot.

Joe was long gone. Faded into the darkness of the night outside. Rain had stopped.

(looking at the corpses of Stu and Piper)”Looks like I’m finally gonna have some company down here”, said the Guard with the open wound on his hand.

The author thinks he should seriously stop hanging around like hobos in strange places.

The Theft Part III (Volume 1)

Just don’t kill me. Please don’t kill me. I don’t want to die. Here, take everything. “Quit your mumbling!”, Stu shouted. In the next few seconds, things were crumbled, pockets were emptied, pendants and rings were snatched. Even the slightest noises echoed in the parking. Joe had no jewellery, some important client documents which were of no value to the two robbers except the wallet which appeared to be quite swollen. Everything was going smoothly despite the fact that it was a robbery attempt in the middle of the night. No one was hurt, guns were pointed in places other than Joe’s head. As they snatched the briefcase, those no value documents and some photographs fell out. Not much heed was paid to them. Now the wallet was opened, Rs. 5000 in 500 rupee notes. Joe realised that it wasn’t such a nice idea to visit the ATM today. Generally he carried his debit card and a little change to give to beggars and tip the waiters (and have a little boy-ishy fun once in a while). Stu started counting the money. Piper stared into the eyes of Joe as he’s trying to remember where he’d seen that face. Maybe someone he robbed before. They were in no hurry to leave the place. After all they’d be going to just another desolate and almost as boring a place after this and frankly their shed was just two blocks away. They’d moved into this area recently and Joe was the first victim so it was quite impossible Piper had seen that face but he was having a hard time believing this. He contemplated about how he should go on about this. ”I’m not asking a girl out”, Piper said to himself. So after concluding that putting more stress may fry his brain, he just let out ,” Do I know you boy?”. Stu almost completed counting the money and it took him a little while because he could not help but admire the watch he just snatched. “An actual treasure. What would that imbecile know of this magnificent creation of man?” Stu was willing to trade all of his share of the loot just for this watch. And why wouldn’t he? It was the dazzling white dial inside a glowing circle of rose gold that is Patek Philippe’s 175th-anniversary Grandmaster Chime. Such a timepiece was a luxury he doubted how could their victim afford. It was far fetched even for the owner of this building. Such exquisite case, dials, movement, crown and bezels. All so much, it was hard to believe human hands can craft such perfection with complete absence of sharpness anywhere, truly a work of art. A limited edition gem. Stu knew all this to the very last detail. Back when he was an accountant, he used to wish for a timepiece like this but he knew it was impossible to earn enough ever. It wasn’t just a watch, it was a dream. An unfulfilled dream only till now. He got this watch when he least expected it. He almost found it to be an insult for such a watch to be acquired by theft. What was even harder for him to believe was how could Joe own it. It had to be a gift, it had to be. Or maybe our poor victim might just not be as innocent as they think him to be. Here, he felt satisfied if they’re stealing from an undeserving thief. Although he had to know. Just as then, Piper asked him,” have we seen this chap somewhere?”. After this sentence was the first time when Stu actually noticed the face of the poor victim. Not that he recognised him but there was something about him, the face wasn’t completely new. Now, what really surprised both of them now was the man’s lips. A smile. Joe was grinning, pulled his head up and the smile grew with it. The two men were now confused. Joe’s smile was growing bigger bigger and bigger. Finally he burst into laugh. Maniacally in front of the robbers, he laughed for a while. “poor lad lost his mind I suppose”, said Piper. “c’mon man its just 5000, you can very well earn them again”. Now slowly Joe’s laugh faded, he wiped off a tear from one of the eyes and still kept on smiling while he said,” Just 5000? My dear fellas, its not just 5000”. Joe continued,” if I count you both then I think it should add up to 10,00,000.” The two thieves were completely lost by this time. Stu again pointed his gun at him hurriedly, right between the eyes. “you see the irony here, the victim is holding the gun. There is very little purpose of the weapon you’re holding now. It’s almost useless now and sincerely sir what’s a weapon if it loses its sole purpose? If you keep holding that gun that way, I suspect you’ll only end up hurting yourself Mr. Johnson.” Stu was transfixed,”No more puzzles you worm, now shut up and tell me how you know my name?” Piper was just as shocked by the sudden surge of boldness in their typical clerk. He was no less shocked as even working 5 years with Stu he wasn’t aware of his identity beyond the name he told. Now Piper wondered more deeply about where he’d seen that face. Who was he? An old enemy perhaps. But who? Sure both of them hadn’t been ideal members of the society till now but they didn’t remember any office worker who’d hold a grudge against them. “perhaps you could talk some sense into him Mr. Reynolds”, Piper Reynolds’ eyes widened. “I see you’ve been holding that stick for quite some time now, put it down and let’s all have a friendly chat”. Just then Piper swinged his big rod towards him, supposedly to hit him in the head to make him unconscious. But here Mr. Clerk put his skills to use and showed the thugs what they’re dealing with. He ducked down and up in an instant, frighteningly close to Piper, punched in the side of his ribs, hard enough to break. Snatched the rod, hit him with it in the stomach then on the toes and finally a kick to his jaw to drop him on the ground face up. All in a split second. Stu fired a shot in panic without properly aiming at Joe. Joe hit his elbow with rod, then the fingers and shifted the rod to his left arm and snatched the gun with the right. Fired three rounds, two in the legs and one to the left arm. Joe dropped the rod, Stu can’t feel his right arm, Piper is lying on the ground half conscious.

Keep on reading to the second and the final volume. There lies the end. And below is the customary complement clip.

Movie Review: INTERSTELLAR

I’ll Be Back

This was the movie of the year. Don't know about other people but I’m a big Christopher Nolan fan. This (and the final hobbit part) was the movie I’ve been waiting to see all this year and since word got out about Nolan’s next project. This was the one movie I couldn’t possibly miss.

I was excited to see what Nolan could present about space and time travel which is a subject which always fascinated me. Time Travel, Space Shuttles, strange planets, unexplained wormholes, what there not to like? A science fiction drama set about space exploration ‘interstellar’ will blow you away. This was Nolan’s first movie of such kind and he established a new territory.

This year’s been a fine ride for the genre with some great movies like- Guardians of the Galaxy, Edge of Tomorrow and now Interstellar, the grandest experience of them all.

The movie starts with Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), an engineer who used to work for NASA but is a farmer now growing corns as the world faces a catastrophic food shortage and named his daughter after Murphy's Law played by Jessica Chastain (adult Murph).

The earth is a barren planet now, continuously losing its habitability. The crops are dying, oxygen levels decreasing and more species of edible plants are becoming extinct due to virus and decay. The atmosphere on earth is more volatile now, characterised by violent dust storms and disturbed levels of natural forces like gravity and magnetism.

Amidst one such dust storm, Cooper notices a pattern of dust in his daughter’s room which he presumes to be some kind of signal and decodes them as coordinates of some place and starts heading there with his daughter. The coordinates turn out to be of some secret facility built and kept confidential by the government and run by NASA officials. Cooper finds an old colleague Dr. Brand (Michael Caine) there who explains him about the situation humanity is currently in which is even more dreadful than what people believe. He tells them that humans do not have enough time left and very soon they’ll die of suffocation. Then he presents him two solutions- Plan A and Plan B to supposedly ensure mankind’s survival. Plan A is to help Dr. Brand solve a lifelong equation to harness the power of gravity by going in the wormhole and send the data to him so he can shift the remaining humans to a new habitable world by carrying them all on a space station. Plan B ensures the survival of humankind but not the safety of living humans. Plan B is to go to a habitable world and start a human colony there by the fertilised eggs the explorers are carrying. Dr. Brand asks for cooper’s help to pilot the Guardian and help them save humans. Cooper agrees and goes onto a voyage from where he might not ever return. Before an emotional separation from his daughter, he gives her a watch to compare time when he gets back. All this is paced up by the stellar music from Hans Zimmer. Till the departure from earth and any actual revelation, the background score and the performances are the things which holds pace of the movie as strongly as its meant to be trying to avoid any dull moment which might crop up. The chasing of the droid scene and the mixed score with announcements and loud noises where you can hear the countdown when Cooper’s leaving his house are some things not to be missed.

Then the ultimate journey starts. The one which will decide the fate of mankind. And here starts the ballad of some grand tones. Loud noises, suddenly everything silent showing the incapability of sound to travel in space till the very first docking onto the Guardian and its spinning to create artificial gravity through centrifugal force. It's just all so very powerfully dramatic.

After waking up from hibernation (from nice liquid filled pods) the crew, Cooper, Dr. Brand (daughter of Dr. Brand, Michael Caine), Romilly, Doyle and two artificially intelligent robots, TARS and CASE enter the wormhole near Saturn to travel to the three habitable lands as per the received data from astronauts sent earlier.

Sometimes interstellar gives a very surreal feel. Showing the amazing spectacles within the boundary of reality or what can be called as extended reality as the events are theoretically possible but have never been observed. Their travel through the wormhole is as breathtaking as it should be. Travelling in the wormholes to commute with hints of extra-dimensional species and all space around them being turned to some liquid are scenes which are understandable from a science fiction point of view. The inside of a wormhole is liquid-isy because of the popular belief that time is a flowing river. It even reminds of Cowboy Bebop where they use gates similar to wormholes shown in the movie.

The movie feels very inspired from other works in the genre. You can see glimpses or plot devices somewhat similar to movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Gravity, Contact, Alien and Nolan’s very own Inception. Probably the most influenced movie ever made by Nolan but it still presents an unprecedented epic experience. Also there are some trivial yet interesting things in Murph's bookshelf like The Stand by Stephen King which is also set in a post apocalyptic world and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, suggesting the mystery behind the bookshelf.

The twists and turns as the plot progresses after reaching the first planet are to die for. The thrill that builds up when cooper tries to stabilise the Guardian with his shuttle, the massive (real massive) waves and the character of Dr. Mann (Matt Damon) and his cynical plan are things which make Interstellar such interesting.

Where Interstellar lacks is the emotional connect with the audience. People can't identify with characters' feeling's and their deaths. Despite great performances, fantastic mysteries and just the correct amount of tragedies, the movie never appeals to the human soul in it. It remains as cold as Mann's icy planet (like Hoth from Star Wars) and barren as the earth in it from start to end. Yes, it will give you some very memorable moments but nothing to hold on to them. Led just a little down by trying to force love angle in it.  

Thus, a movie so good and engrossing, pulling you deeper and deeper into its mysteries. With a little digression to love and its connect from the actual theories and story but nevertheless an amazing flick. I won’t say Nolan outdid himself because he’s made it a standard now to make such good movie one after the other on a diverse topic. My advice- Don’t miss this one for the world. (but remember to brush up on your astronomical physics a bit or just read Kip Thorne’s book)

At the end you'll discover, the time travel which already took place before you saw it and the circle of time.
This time Nolan didn't leave any loose end (except fate of Dr. Brand which isn't much of a thing to ponder over). Completing the story from start to finish very very satisfactorily. Afterall, the story is a circle and you don't make a circle without completely closing it.

After coming out of the theatres you're bound to talk and discuss the plot and the scientifically accurate yet unbelievable events. And you'll look down to try to understand the power, functionality and enigma of the most fundamental force of all- Gravity ; the flow, repetition and varied existence of Time; the infinitely extending and thus infinitely filled with probability of uncertain events and even tearing through itself- The Space. Gravity-the medium, Time- the room and Space- the gate for the unknown dimensions.

For further exploration of this massive spectacle, please read my next post- Thematic Analysis of Interstellar which will disclose ,in detail, each and every strange phenomenon that occurred, the significant purpose of every event that influenced the story and the philosophy behind it.

The Theft- Second Part

The Theft (Part II)

23 July 1999, exactly 15 years ago from this day, a little boy’s mother was murdered in cold blood. Rain pouring all over. Similarly cold night. The boy was sleeping in his bed. 10 year old little lad, still suffering from the consequences of a tiny bladder. He was often teased about this fact, in the school and at the home. He felt embarrassed every time he found his mom mention it to anyone. They’d always say,” isn’t he too old to pee in his bed” or “you should seek a doctor, maybe he’ll prescribe something”. His mom always laughed it off. She knew he’ll just outgrow it.

That night was different, this time the boy had woken up in time and was delighted about the fact that his bed wasn’t wet but he heard some kind of noise which frightened him. Still he had to answer nature’s call. The boy hurriedly stood up from his bed. Walking in darkness wasn’t his strong suit either, so he slowly walked to the door, using the light from beneath the door as a beacon. There, he reached the door, pulled the handle down and the door slid itself outside because of yesterday’s oiling. It was the same reason behind it being so noiseless otherwise the creaking sound in the middle of the night would’ve woke up the neighbours. The earlier vague sounds now became clear. It was a woman, his mother yelling at someone.

The voices scared the boy, but he had to pass the living room in order to get to the other side of the house. So he started walking downstairs. Very slowly, silently. Just when he reached around the wall, a glass smashed. The boy froze right where he was. He was at the bottom of the staircase, just behind a wall from where he could see the corner of the living room and there stood his mum arguing with the tall man. There was water all over the floor. She was cornered, looking terrified as almost about to cry. The little boy had never seen his mom crying or scared. He could not see the man’s face as he was facing towards his mom. “No, I don’t want to see you, not ever again. Go away!”, she said. The man punched the wall, clearly agitated. But went away silently, nicely closing the door on his way out.

Claire took a deep breath. She was relieved at last. Now her eyes fell upon the little kid behind the wall. “Go back to your room, boy” she said firmly. “I just wanted to go to the toilet”, he replied. “Hurry up and go back to sleep, there’s school tomorrow”, she said. Just when the boy was about to move his little feet, the door opened suddenly with a loud thud and that tall man returned with a shovel held up high in his hands. Hit Claire on the back of her head, she fell on the floor but he was still angry so he kept on hitting her head. Just there, right in front of the boy, he bludgeoned his mother to death. When he finished, he threw the shovel there, gave the boy a dreaded look and went away again nicely closing the door on his way out.

The boy just stood there, his mind went blank for a while there before he started crying. Hearing all the noises, the neighbours came running and Mrs. Acorn screamed at the top of her voice before fainting as she gazed upon Claire’s body.

The boy remembers it all to this very day. After 15 years, just like it was last night. He remembers Mr. Acorn running and picking him up, trying to calm him. Calling the emergency number for reporting a homicide and an ambulance for his unconscious wife. The sirens after the local police arriving. The boy couldn’t help but notice a bald guy in one of the police cars but he wasn’t the one who killed Claire. The good policeman Mr. Moe with a big hairy moustache trying to get an idea of what happened here from the 10 year old, traumatised and unfortunate witness who wished it all to be just a nightmare. Although everyday was a nightmare after this incident. And the boy may not think of that night all the time now but he never forgot the pain. The horror still lingers in his heart. The fear which later turned to hatred and now, all those years later, he yearns for revenge.

It was a regular day at the Hooper and Looper accounting firm. People working with the same dedication as always. Everything normal till the office attendant came to Stewart’s cubicle. Stewart Johnson ‘Stu’ as his mama and friends called him. He was told to meet the manager as soon as possible. “You fraud”, exclaimed the manager as soon as he saw Stu. The manager accused him of embezzlement and stealing their clients’ money. “It was not me”, Stu cried. “I know money’s missing and I know it was you!”, the manager yelled. Stu’s pleading and arguing was doing no good to the situation. The manager was convinced that it was Stu who stole the money. Stu knew that his suspicion was also justified as his father was really sick recently and he asked the manager for an advance but even that wasn’t enough to get him the treatment he needed. How could he convince the manager that his estranged cousin won it big at gambling, gave a loan to Stu and died of drug overdose the week after. Stu was the obvious suspect. The manager gave him two options- to confess and resign or he would call the police. Stu had no choice. He knew the police won’t believe him either and he’ll end up in jail. So, he chose to confess to a crime he did not commit and promised to resign the day after. To Stu’s utter despair, this was exactly what the manager expected. That sly crook recorded the whole conversation and called the police immediately after Stu left his office. The police came and arrested Stu in front of his colleagues and dragged him to the police vehicle. “Hire a good lawyer”, officer Moe told Stu in a condescending voice.

They were on their way to the police station when there was a call on the radio asking anyone in the area to immediately report to a crime scene- homicide, female, mid-thirties, bludgeoned to death.

Instead of solving the mysteries, this part created some of its own.Who was this kid? Will he avenge his mother? And most of all- the fate of Joe? All of this will be sorted out in the next and final part of the series.

Till then, enjoy this video:-

1st Short Story- The Theft (Part I)

This time you've got yourselves a short story and as an added bonus- a great short film 'Steadfast Stanley' too.

Although I like including numerous characters with rich back-story and lots of details but I'll be limiting myself due to the confinements of a short story. So, put your reading glasses on, here it begins-----

The Theft (part-I)

It was night time. Almost past midnight. Joe was walking home. The way was eerie. He exited his office building and just reached the parking lot. There were cars all around. With the big office came the trouble of having a really large parking lot, that too underground where the slightest noise echoed like on solitary mountain peaks. Maybe it was the whimsy of the architect to annoy Joe. Seemingly, Joe was the only person there. Or as he wondered while strolling through the modern marvel of complete blandness. Every wall was the same as the one he passed before when he again wondered, “did they even employ an architect to think this thing through or just made walls as they were in the building beside this one”. The emptiness reminded him he was supposed to cross a guard on his way, but then almost no-one had ever seen him around. Although there were rumours of a 100 year old corpse with an injured hand but Joe knew his colleagues were just trying to make fun of an old man. After 12 hours a day work, who knows what story a tired mind of an office worker can conjure up. Just then, he thought he heard footsteps.

Stu and Piper were there. Carefully following his every move.  Joe almost had no idea of the presence of his unknown companions. He kept on moving at a swift pace. The night was windy. They could hear strong breezes on the outside. It was a hot day of July yet the night was unusually cold. Sounds of water droplets echoed. Some car’s oil was leaking or maybe a tap on some undiscovered corner on an invisible wall was dropping water drops, just in the right rhythm of Joe’s footsteps. A three-eyed crow or maybe a raven caught Joe’s eye. But disappeared into the same nothingness from whence it came just as quickly it appeared.

Joe was moving. Stu and Piper were moving. Clocks were ticking, except Piper’s. He wasn't wearing one. It used to give him nasty marks on the skin.

Stu and Piper were now moving faster, almost running, as to move past Joe. Their intentions were about to become clear. A shot was fired in the air as they both jumped right in front of Joe. Before he could even have the chance to catch a breath and think about running or something else, Stu pointed a gun at him, right in between his eyes. From the look in the eyes of Stu, Joe understood that he’s used it before and enjoyed killing and will not hesitate in pulling the trigger on the smallest move. Piper was standing right next to Stu on the right with a big unshapely rod in the hand. The rod like the one’s from which you hit a guy and he loses all his memories and lives forever with a short term memory loss. Joe thought about the gun in between his eyes, it was a Smith & Wesson 4500 pistol, thug material.

“Gimme all ya money”, exclaimed Stu.

......what will happen to Joe next? Will they leave him alive? Are they all what they seem? And amidst all this, where is the guard? All these questions will be answered and the curtain will be lifted revealing the truth, in the next part of the story. Very soon..........

Pilots

This time it’s about the pilot episodes. These are the first episode of a show. They are generally named ‘pilot’ but can be named anything, the makers find suitable. These are the episodes first screened to the channel people on which the makers are planning the show to be aired and they approve the show for airing based on the pilot.

Now I can recall almost all the pilots I’ve seen in the recent times or maybe of every show I’ve ever watched. If I had to choose my favourite one then it would be difficult to describe.  There are so many good which started out even better or worse. But if it had come to it then I guess I’d place the pilot of House of cards and Fargo at the top. Of course suits, Breaking bad, True Detective, Game of thrones, House MD and Sherlock too had top of the line pilot episodes but then as I said if I had to choose something.

This idea about pilots came to my mind when I recently started watching suits. Must admit, the pilot had me impressed. It showed all what show was offering- style, clever writing, witty references, likable characters and top notch story telling at swift pace.

There are pilots which never really make it to the tv screens, generally because the network drops them after the show getting picked up or the makers feel that they can do better and change the first episode even after completely making one.

Some very popular examples are the pilots of game of thrones, Sherlock and firefly.

Yes, yes we’ve all seen the first episodes, but hey interesting fact- game of thrones first episode actually contained the back story of Starks and Robert’s rebellion but the makers thought of getting rid of the entire back story sequence. They even changed some actors from the pilot to the series. But no complains as the one they did show was also as spectacular as it could be. Bit confusing but enough material to keep fans hooked and eventually develop the biggest fan following than any other show on the planet.

As for Sherlock, they made two episodes on the same story but with just a few events taking place a bit differently. Search for Sherlock’s unaired pilot and you’ll know what I mean. It can be called as a dummy episode for the real pilot but with just few improvements. If they hadn’t thought of perfecting it, then also it would’ve worked just fine.

The story with Firefly is a bit different. It was a show which received undeserving hatred by the fox network on which it aired. They showed the episodes in random sequence rather than in which they were made. But firefly being a unique show with each episode having different themes had little effect of this incoherence. So basically the first episode was intended to be watched sometime later, but anyway we love that show. Fan’s (including me) are still angry over the network for cancelling such a brilliant show so early.

House’s pilot showed what it’s each upcoming episode offered us. House’s mind, tension, and thrill with just overflowing emotions. Fargo’s pilot set the tone for the dark, quirky, and frozen world created by the Coen brothers and very faithfully succeeded by creator Noah Hawley. As for House of Cards, Frank was let down and clearly showed his intentions for the elaborate plan he’d now set in place to acquire his position of power with his perfectly equally conniving wife. And turned out to be a really enjoyable anti-hero.

The pilot which almost ruined it for me was Hannibal. It almost made me not watch the show so greatly focused around the curiosity of Hannibal Lector.

Breaking Bad’s pilot showed equal promise as any other drama show but carefully hiding the fact that its almost nothing as compared to what we’re about to experience as one of the best shows ever made. After the pilot, as the show came up to speed, it got better and better with every passing season. Finally creating history with its last season which undoubtedly will remain the best last season of any series till maybe Game of Thrones come to its conclusion.

True detective’s pilot was very vague and mysterious, just as the show itself which took its time to unfold but in a commendable manner.

Very recent pilot I watched was of Gotham. As the series just premiered, I can’t say it’ll be good or bad but honestly I’m on it just because of batman (which isn’t even there). All in all, it only felt like a mediocre show to me. Nothing much extraordinary there, so I’m a little sceptic about its faith.

Pilot episodes carry a significant amount of responsibility. Finale’s are also important but you’d only watch a show to its season’s end if only you liked the pilot.

 Then there are all so many left- Mad men, Homeland, Dexter and many more. And I haven’t yet started on anime.

So when next time you are intrigued by a show, don’t just make up your mind after the pilot, try watching few more episodes. I know, then you’ll be obliged to watch it whole considering how far you’ve already come so whatever you decide. I’ll give some key things to look for in the pilot- Performances of each actor, method in which they’re introduced, are they being too mysterious or too smart or obvious for the character and after all how they ended the first episode. The impression it leaves on you should be lasting. Making you hungry for more. 

In the day, the writer only thinks of informational stuff. At night, he's too lazy to get up from bed when inspiration strikes.

Yesterday’s Horoscope

Where is my crystal ball?

Yes, you read right, I’m a fortune teller from the Middle East. Now let’s get down to business, which is the prime purpose of this blog (no it's not, fun is). I can’t remember where’d I keep my crystal ball? Maybe I should try finding it around my tarot cards. Oh wait! But I can’t find them without my magic 8 number ball, but then it should be the right day with the correct alignment of stars to spin that ball.

Okay enough of the mockery, now some less amusing talks. So do you read your horoscope? I’m not saying you’re superstitious. I’m not saying what you should do. It’s all a matter of belief. Some of us do some might not.

So whether you believe in astrology or not, I’m still glad you’re reading this so keep on.

Now if I prove it to you that a person who believes in astrology and the one who doesn’t are actually not much different than each other, you’d probably laugh but keep reading and see me try. So for convenience sake bifurcate the process into steps. 1^st- you read your horoscope. 2^nd- you try to connect the events written with your life. Now it also depends whether you’re reading it in the morning or in the evening. If dusk being the case then you might have a clearer idea of how your day was and it’s less likely that you’re going to believe your horoscope.

The real trick lies within the 1^st step. More accurately, within the words written in your horoscope. They are written so beautifully and in such a manner that they present the facts which are vague in their literal sense yet a drop of human connection makes them seem real and most of all- probable. See this excerpt from a horoscope of my own zodiac-“Business meetings progress well because the different parties involved appreciate the deeper concerns and issues at hand. Spare the time for your family now. You have been tolerant and understanding but now things are starting to go too far.” Now break it down to parts and try making sense. If seen completely on the surface, then it’s got nothing to do with me. I got no business meetings nor is there any uncertain progress. And for the tolerance part, we all can relate to it. It’s such a common thing. We all consider ourselves very controlled and calm whether it be in actual practise or not but we’re just like that. We all have some people or situations which annoy us and have been constantly annoying us from some time now and any point in time can be called as when it went too far.

So now you know it all just depends on how you perceive your life and how much do you think about the events that occur in it. If you view it from a general perspective then you might be able to connect. If you look closely and think clearly then you know, to quote Sheldon Cooper, “its Hokum”.

All those who have faith in astrology might just consider me now a nihilist. Who knows? They could be right. Difficult to judge a skeptic’s faith, isn’t it?

"The author's a part time snake-charmer too."

Here it all began......

This is the first post on my blog. Yes, on popular demand, finally started writing a blog. Another reason would be that i understood the meaning of 'micro' in the micro blogging site twitter. The 140 character limit is really restricting. But no, i won't whine more about the character limit on twitter like every twitter user.
Coming to the actual creation of this blog, it wasn't as easy as i thought it would be. Of-course being a google service the actual work was handled quite conveniently but the time was eaten up by the customization. It took time to decide and apply changes. What i like, what my reader's would like, how cool is that and all. But then it all sorted out eventually as I made it a point to be more focused on the content of the blog.
The story lies behind the name of the blog. It may seem simple and very direct but it wasn't the original thought. Originally i thought of some really cool or dark or surreal almost Gothic kind of titles but decided to stop on this one because this one directly indicates that the blog is just entirely about my thoughts with maybe some facts and does not limit me to anything. It also came up as a better option because some more specific topic would've inadvertently led the readers to some conclusions about what this blog might be about and distract the one's not into it. The last reason almost feels like a disadvantage but nonetheless, i like it. It even reminds me of  "John Watson's Blog" from Sherlock. The name gives off a very personal vibe, which is a good thing locally but a demerit from a global point of view. It suggests that you have to personally know the person first to actually enjoy this blog. But i assure you, and if you already know me or read my twitter then you'd probably know that how 'impersonal' and generalized and engaging things are going to be here.
Anyway, my favourite titles were (copyrighted)- ascension into life, discovery of life, dawn of the dark (this one is maybe too cheesy) and I live in an igloo.
So from now on, i'll just write random thoughts here. Feel free to comment but reverently, take part in the poll, +1 it, follow me on twitter or whatever you like. I'll try my best to write atleast one post every week.
There'll be reviews on popular episodes, shows, movies, places; short stories, paradoxes, philosophies, conspiracies, unproved theories and all diverse things happening around me.
I'll also take requests, just write it in the comments and i'll write about it.
And at the end, a thanks to all those who motivated me to write this blog........
Also, just be frank, tell me just about anything you feel like saying.