MadCap's Fiction Corner - Seattle By Night: "Release of Madness" (Part 4)

There were many things that Grace Penderghast had expected when she finally did come face to face with Lamdiel. Chief among those was a very, very intense and painful death. That hadn't happened, nor had what she had expected to see when she and Sybil were brought before him. She'd pictured in her head some kind of ancient, eldritch being, something more beast than man and showing the age of centuries on his very skin. What she got, however, was not that at all. It was, in fact, the opposite.

MadCap's Fiction Corner - Seattle By Night: "Release of Madness" (Part 3)

"I can't believe we're about to do this."

"No, we are about to do this, Ginger. You will be sitting in the van and minding the alarm systems." Hugo said, grabbing the handle and sliding the side door of his van open, hopping out. "I'd stay and manage it myself, but they're going to need me inside."

"Because none of us have ever committed petty theft before." Ben commented sarcastically.

What If... Mace Windu survived his fight with Palpatine? (Finale)

And. So. It. ENDS!

All from a Twitter comment, here we are just over two years and nineteen parts later. The board is set and the pieces are ready to be moved for the final time. The battle against the Jedi and the Sith will finally come to an end - light against dark, winner take all.

Let's see how it all ends!

MadCap's Mad Rantings - "Doctor Who Gave You The Amount of Drugs You Needed to Get This High?"

Alright, so... those of you who have been paying attention know that I'm a fan of Doctor Who.

...let me give you a moment to process the absolute soul-shattering shock of that revelation that came out of nowhere.

From MadCap's Couch - Supernatural: "Malleus Maleficarum"

Desperate Housewives... well, two of them, anyway.

So...  witches!

Kind of feels like I should have timed this to be during Horror Month 2022.

Whoops!

From MadCap's Couch - Supernatural: "A Very Supernatural Christmas"

"He kept complaining about some woman named Sheila..."

Yep. Yep. Seems like it gets a little closer every year.

What If... Mace Windu survived his fight with Palpatine? (Part 19)

There has been an awakening... can you feel it?

Last time, Tarkin had approached the Jedi and the Rebellion for a truce to deal with Palpatine. Everything seems to be spinning out toward a final battle at Byss. In this corner: the armies of the Jedi, the Rebellion, and Tarkin's Imperial loyalists. In the other corner: Darth Sidious, his new apprentice Darth Abaddon, his army of sycophantic wannabe Sith Lords, and the rest of the Imperial Army and Navy.

Oh, right, and a Death Star!

Ding! Ding!

From MadCap's Couch - Supernatural: "Fresh Blood"

The time has come for another vampire episode! In particular, an almost direct sequel to Bloodlust, Hunted, and to a lesser extent the previous Bad Day At Black Rock and Red Sky At Morning given the impetus for this episode. The last, epic battle of Gordon Walker, in life... and in death.

Let's get into it.

MadCap's Fiction Corner - Seattle By Night: "Release of Madness" (Part 2)

"They retain the Maw."

"Father, we-"

"No..." The two younger Baali in the room recoiled from their sire. Aleister and Anton stood, waiting for the inevitable wrath of Étienne. The older Baali, however, merely sat in the chair, his eyes moving across the forms of his childer. Then, and rather suddenly at that, he began to laugh. "My dear boys... you did just as I expected."

"What?" Aleister asked.

"You skewered me!" Anton protested.

What If... MadCap created a Comic Book Universe? (Part 2 - The Silver Age)

Well, hey there. So... been a while since I touched this one, huh? I have to admit, ending in 1954 with Bruce Wayne now in the custody of one Lamont Cranston was not what I had in mind for where this would go. My intention was to do one section for each of the big ages of superhero comics - the Golden, the Silver, the Bronze, and then the "Modern" (or Dark Age if you're anything like me when it comes to comics).

.
..so, naturally, let's get on with the Silver Age!

From MadCap's Couch - Supernatural: "Red Sky At Morning"

Ya best start believin' in ghost stories, Winchesters! 'Cuz you're in one!

...

... oh, y'know, as they call it - Thursday.

MadCap's Fiction Corner - Seattle By Night: "Release of Madness" (Part 1)

"My ribs hurt..."

"They were just pulled apart to get at your stomach. At least the vitae seems to have healed it up pretty well." Samuel said as he chucked the gause back into the first aid kit.

"You can say that, sure." Hope replied, tone dripping with sarcasm.

What If... Mace Windu survived his fight with Palpatine? (Part 18)

The gaps between these are getting way too long.

Last time, Mace, Anakin, and Obi-Wan had been brought before Emperor Palpatine on board the Death Star. After the Sith Lord had murdered Mas Amedda right in front of them, the four engaged in a vicious duel. Palpatine was, in the end, cut down once more. However, Anakin's mission to restore balance to the Force was not yet complete. Across the galaxy on the planet Byss, Palpatine had emerged from a cloning tank in a new body with Trilla on the line to carry out the next of his orders.

So... with only three parts remaining, where do we go from here? Let's find out!

From MadCap's Couch - Supernatural: "Bedtime Stories"

Surely nothing will go wrong here!

Horror Month 2022 is over, but the spooky continues as we push further into Supernatural's third season! After some time with demons, who's up for some Bedtime Stories to start off November?

... no?

...

Well, you're gettin' 'em.

MadCap's Reel Thoughts - "Halloween" (2018)

Happy Halloween, everybody! What more appropriate a movie to have for this most spooky of days? Mind you, this film is not the 1978 original, but it is a sequel to it. And as there are no other movies by that name, we only have a slight bit of confusion concerning sequel numbering. Yes, despite the fact that this is a sequel to the original Halloween... it is only a sequel to the original Halloween.

So... Michael cutting his way through Haddonfield General Hospital and being Laurie's secret brother? Gone.

Michael coming back 10 years later to terrorize his niece? Gone.

Michael having a psychic link with said niece? Gone.

The retcon of the Thorn Cult? Gone.

Halloween Hills, 90210? Gone.

"Trick or treat, motherfucker!"? Gone... and thank God for that one!

MadCap's Fiction Corner - Seattle By Night: "A Taste of Madness" (Part 5)

Anthony's screaming continued to bellow out through the lodge as Robin continued to chant his incantation, the pain shooting through the trapped Tremere increasing by leaps and bounds. His entire body was being changed, his undead flesh being ripped apart and the vitae drained from it to make something new. He knew well this ritual and knew he had to stop it. Fighting against the pain, Anthony managed to pull from his sleeve a very old piece of paper.

MadCap's Table Top Tales - Dorian Gray Build (5e)

Here we are! The final Horror Month 2022 build! Oooh, so exciting! We've done a Vampire Champion, a sneaky serial killer who was never caught, and MUMM-RA! THE EVER LIVING!!!! With such a rogues gallery, what could I possibly choose to be the fourth and final build for this year? I mean, after a vampire, a serial killer, and a mummy. What can I possibly do to top all of that?

Ah, what the heck! Let's put Dorian Gray to pen & paper.

I mean, it's not like you didn't see the title of this post or the picture above or anything...

What If...Tommy became the New Killer in Friday the 13th? (Part 2)

It seems like, with any horror franchise, we're continuing with the sequels. Last time we visited this world, we got to see more of what would happen if Tommy Jarvis became the new killer in the Friday the 13th franchise.

Needless to say, it didn't go well in multiple instances for several individuals. Seventeen of them, in fact, by the time Tommy was finally stopped. The worst part? Things were about to get worse and very fast to boot! So what happens next? Well, take a seat and ponder the question... What If?

From MadCap's Couch - Supernatural: "Sin City"

"She asked me if I wanted a copy of the Watchtower. How could I say no, am I right?"

Alright, new series time.

Spin City was a sitcom that starred Michael J. Fox as Michael Flaherty, the Deputy Mayor of New York City. In working as a spin doctor for the bumbling mayor, played by Barry Bostwick, Flaherty often neglects his personal life and that leads to unexpected and wild consequences...

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sorry, folks. He did it again. We got him his actual notes.

... well, now I just feel silly. I knew I didn't write anything for that.

MadCap's Reel Thoughts - "Blade II" (2002)

Yeah, I know we technically covered a movie this month that's not only Marvel, but has vampires... but I don't care, it's my blog. Besides, it's been a while since we covered the first one. Blade II was the logical conclusion after the success of the first Blade film broke new ground and set up the massive success of comic book movies for years to come.

Seriously, more than twenty years later, Blade walked so that pretty much every other superhero could run.

MadCap's Fiction Corner - Seattle By Night: "A Taste of Madness" (Part 4)

"There is something you should know! She is not left-handed!"

"You know they can't hear you, right?" Grace's words went unanswered as Sybil took another few shots at their pursuers. The car veered closer and closer to the remains of the Rabbit Hutch, Samuel taking a few side roads in an attempt to foil their mirror masked enemies, who weren't letting up in the slightest.

MadCap's Table Top Tables - Mumm-Ra Build (5e)

"ANCIENT SPIRITS OF EVIL, TRANSFORM THIS DECAYED FORM TO MUMM-RA! THE EVER-LIVING!!!!"

...hehe.

Oh, bite me! It's fun! Besides, we haven't covered a Mummy yet.

What If...Sam Winchester killed John Winchester? (Part 4)

Last time we looked into a world where Sam Winchester had killed Azazel with the Colt during the events of Devil's Trap, we came to the end of the first part of the Season 2 finale. As in the original timeline, even without Azazel running the show, the psychic children were gathered up for a battle royale by Lilith.  This time, Ansem was the one who took home the gold by killing off the other kids, including Sam.

We pick up with them just after...

From MadCap's Couch - Supernatural: "Bad Day At Black Rock"

"Gordon, they called to ask about my car's extended warranty..."

Here's some new ground we haven't really covered in Supernatural: cursed artifacts! Okay, we've technically had that with the Hook Man, but I count that one as a ghost, not a cursed artifact. This is purely a story about an object that bestows great luck on its user... until it doesn't, but we'll get to that in a bit.

MadCap's Reel Thoughts - "Morbius" (2022)

...yeah, yeah, I've seen the memes. I've contributed to the memes.

The memes don't make this movie good.

Because, trust me, this movie is not good. It's not good at all. It's absolutely atrocious on virtually every level.

Bad. Bad. Bad.

MadCap's Fiction Corner - Seattle By Night: "A Taste of Madness" (Part 3)

She gazed back into his eyes as he gazed into hers. The two were silent, as silent as their pulses, silent as their hearts. The only sound around them being the hum of the air conditioning unit, the bug zapper hanging on the gutter wrapping around the roof outside. Beneath them and atop them, the soft sheets.

"I..."

"...yes?"

MadCap's Table Top Tales - Jack the Ripper Build (5e)

From one Londoner to another... one of the most famous serial killers the world over in that he was never caught. I'm speaking, of course, of Jack the Ripper. Who was he? Or was he even a he? Scholars debate these very questions and more 'til this very night and, while many theories have been proposed over the years since the grisly murders, the killer was never caught and enough time has passed that we will very likely never get a real answer.

So, naturally, I'm going to build him in D&D!

...what? It's in the title. I was probably going to mention it.

What If... Freddy Krueger had never resurrected Jason Voorhees? (Part 2)

The last time we looked into this universe, Freddy Krueger had attempted to misuse the power of the Lament Configuration and the Leviathan with disastrous results. Trapped now within the moment of his death, forever and ever, Freddy Krueger burns for what he's done... but will he remain trapped forever? Let's take a peek into the world once more and ponder the question... What if?

From MadCap's Couch - Supernatural: "The Kids Are Alright"

Lisa smiles mockingly as Dean cannot figure out why kids love Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

So, as of this writing, I have only exhaustively watched the show up until the 200th episode.

It broke me.

MadCap's Reel Thoughts - "Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood" (1988)

Okay, so... last time, we got an epic conclusion to the story of Tommy Jarvis and his trauma regarding one Jason Voorhees of Crystal Lake. This trauma, of course, was dealt with in the very best way - chaining a man to the bottom of a lake based on some New Age magic stuff you read in the book once after you accidentally resurrected him with magic lightning.

Oh, c'mon! It's how all the cool kids are doing it!

MadCap's Fiction Corner - Seattle By Night: "A Taste of Madness" (Part 2)

"I'm going to need some time to look over this." Nathaniel said as he cautiously looked over the chalice that had been moved onto another table within another room in the lodge.

"Do you have any idea what it is?" Ben asked.

MadCap's Table Top Tales - Spike Build (5e)

Building. A. D&D. Character.

...bitch.

Okay, so that's technically six words, but bite me. And now, you can! Last year, we ended Horror Month with a Champion, so it's only fitting that we start off this year's Horror Month with one! It's Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.

What If... Jamie Lloyd was the killer after Halloween 4?

In one world, Jamie Lloyd violently stabbed her foster mother, just as her uncle had did his sister on Halloween Night in 1963. In that same world, things would play out differently in universe than what was intended behind the camera. Instead of an evil Jamie taking on the mask and knife of her dreaded uncle Michael Myers, she became a mute with a psychic connection to him.

If the die was cast as originally set, however, how would things have played out? How would things have gone if Michael Myers had died and Jamie Lloyd had become the killer of the Halloween franchise.

Join me, why don't you, and ponder the question... what if?

From MadCap's Couch - Supernatural: "The Magnificent Seven"

Following a lead, the boys and Bobby were not expecting to be face to face with Amber Heard.

When we last left Sam and Dean... okay, let's be real, a lot of things were going on. In particular, Hell was breaking loose and Dean had put his soul on the line in order to bring Sam back to life. Now, we go into Season 3, which was hit with a terror far worse than anything spawned in the pits of Hell... the Writers Guild of America Strike of 2007-2008.

That's not an indictment of the strike, by the way.

Pay your writers, people. It's not that hard.

MadCap's Reel Thoughts - "Wes Craven's New Nightmare" (1994)

 

So we come to it at last. Wes Craven making his triumphant return to the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise after Dream Warriors, where he had said he was done with the series entirely, having intended for it to be the last entry.

As history shows, I believe "oops" is the correct term for what happened.

MadCap's Fiction Corner - Seattle By Night: "A Taste of Madness" (Part 1)

"Have you found it?"

She gazed around the copse, finding nothing. Just the wind blowing through the trees, and the fog pooling at her feet.

"You have to quiet your mind."

She sighed in irritation, but continued to try. Angel pushed the wayward thoughts from her mind and tried to focus on the here and now.

"Have you found it?"

From MadCap's Couch - Quantum Leap: "Play It Again, Seymour"

"Scott, honey, nobody cares that you're gonna be Jonathan Archer."

Last time, Sam had won a drag race using laughing gas in order to save the life of the sister of one Cam Wilson. This time... he finds himself standing over a dead body and holding the gun.

Let's get into it!

MadCap's Fiction Corner - "The Champions of Zobek" (Chapter 13)

His head was hung in defeat when he departed from Toph's rooms, sneaking back through the shadows to get to his cell once more. The Jedi Master would be no help, he'd have to think of something else. 

"Does he know that you're here?"

From MadCap's Couch - Quantum Leap: "Camikazi Kid"

Have I got something in my teeth?

Last time, Sam had made a small but powerful change within an Alabama community in the 1950s. After that powerhouse of an episode, Sam Beckett leaped once more and found himself in the life of a teenage boy during a drag race.

Oh, boy!

From MadCap's Couch - Quantum Leap: "The Color of Truth"

I'm actually not gonna do my joke captions for this one.
The subject matter is a little too intense.

So, when we last left Sam Beckett, he was sitting in a diner and wearing the face of a black man around a bunch of angry white patrons. I'm sure you're as absolutely terrified as I am...

MadCap's Reel Thoughts - "The Batman" (2022)

Okay, so... it's good.

It's not great, but it's good.

There you go, there's your review. Come back later, maybe I'll have something better for you.

MadCap's Fiction Corner - "The Champions of Zobek" (Chapter 12)

The device... worked.

Following Niyasa's instructions, Ziv had been able to get the device working.

"I have no idea how you just did that, but-"

MadCap's Fiction Corner - "The Champions of Zobek" (Chapter 11)

"I don't have anything to say to you."

"That's a little harsh toward an old friend."

From MadCap's Couch - Quantum Leap: "Double Identity"

... I mean, okay, he is good-looking, but...

Last time, Sam Beckett found himself helping a rock n' roll legend get his start only to then find himself under a woman and with his pants missing. Or, as Sam will eventually call it...Friday.

And then Wednesday...

and then Tuesday...

...yeah, this joke really only works if you know the time slots that Quantum Leap was originally aired in. See, kids, back in the yesteryears of television, we actually had to watch things live as they aired. Because of this, sometimes shows would-

EDITOR'S NOTE: He rambles on like this for a while. For the sake of your sanity and mine, I have edited it down. Trust me, there is no need to thank me.

- an ice cream social!

Anyway, let's get into Double Identity.

MadCap's Game Reviews - The Outer Worlds: "Murder on Eridanos"

Alright, so hype is kind of a pain in the ass.

Let me clarify that statement.

MadCap's Table Top Tales - Owen Grady Build (5e)

So, writing this out now just after having seen Jurassic World: Dominion, I'm kind of irritated with myself for not thinking of this sooner. This may be the no-brainer-est of all no-brainer character builds that I've ever done thus far.

Burt Macklin, Raptor Trainer!

MadCap At The Movies - "Jurassic World: Dominion" (2022)

Alright, so... let's pick up right where we left off before. Plus about four years.

Now, you may remember that I rather enjoyed Fallen Kingdom at the time that it came out. My opinion on it has soured a bit upon re-viewing, I'm sorry to say. I'd hesitate to call it "bad", but it's an odd duck in the Jurassic Park franchise. It's not Jurassic Park III bad, but it was still eclipsed by the first Jurassic World film in terms of scale and presentation. With Dominion touted as "The Epic Conclusion of the Jurassic Era", will it be able to surpass expectations? Let's have a look!

As always, beyond this point there be spoilers. You have been warned.

From MadCap's Couch - Quantum Leap: "How the Tess Was Won"

Well, we're four episodes in. How about a Western?

...oh, no? Nah, we have awkward battle of the sexes. That works just as well, right?

...yay?

MadCap's Fiction Corner - Fallout: "Manifest Destiny" (Chapter 7)

"General, we have Curie coming in-"

"Let her in! Let her in!" Andrew insisted to the Minuteman, who nodded, opening the door. The Miss Nanny-turned Synth looked panicked.

"Monsieur Tyler! The Brotherhood! The Brotherhood!" She gasped out.

From MadCap's Couch - Quantum Leap: "The Right Hand of God"

I aaaaaaam the greatest!

"Yer gonna eat lightning and yer gonna crap thunder!!!"

... seriously, why haven't I reviewed any of the Rocky movies yet?