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.

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.

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 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 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 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 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.

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?

MadCap's Reel Thoughts - "Star Trek: First Contact" (1996)

Alright, so now that we're back on the horse...

Last time, we had a so-so adventure link the past and the present together sort of, but not really. Captain James T. Kirk got his last big hurrah until it was time for Captain on the Bridge and bridged he was. Oh, also Doctor Loomis from the terrifying Rob Zombie timeline was trying to get into a mystical Hallmark dimension using missiles, no doubt because he was trying to escape being pulled back into the Rob Zombie timeline.

It also occurred to me, since doing that review, how little Picard actually cared about the people who had died under his command as well as how absolutely crap the man is at using the resources allocated to him.

MadCap's Fiction Corner - "The Champions of Zobek" (Chapter 10)

image credit to Andreas Flouris

"In this corner! She comes from the planet of Concord Dawn! A warrior who has won many, many matches in this very arena! Mona Awaud!!!" Pirc's voice chirped over the intercom system. The crowd was going nuts, clearly looking forward to the match to come.

From MadCap's Couch - Quantum Leap: "Star-Crossed"

Hey, baby, I'm Jonathan Archer.
Don't you wanna say you hooked up with Jonathan Archer?

Well, looks like we're picking up right where we left off. Last time, Sam Beckett had scored the winning run and brought the Waco Bombers to a victory before leaping into the body of a college professor in a room full of nubile young students. What's he going to do next?!

... get your mind out of the gutter.

... I mean, it is the 1970s.

What If... Mace Windu survived his fight with Palpatine? (Part 17)

So, unlike last time, I have actually watched the first two (and will have watched the third by the time this goes live) episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

... yeah, it's alright. Some issues, but nothing that completely takes me out of it.

Also, last time, the Jedi had managed to spring the trap and get to Mas Amedda, who revealed to them the terrible truth they had already known: somehow, Palpatine has returned. Mace, Anakin, and Obi-Wan were all brought to a new Death Star orbiting the forest moon of Endor, where they encountered a much younger, more able Palpatine. And it is here that we picked up with our story already in progress...

From MadCap's Couch - Quantum Leap: "Genesis" (Part 1 & 2)

Alrighty, well... Twitter has spoken (not that I gave it much choice) and here we are to jump into a brand new series! After four series worth of watching and reviewing the adventures of a man who travels haphazardly through time and space, setting right what once went wrong and hoping that each leap would be the leap home (despite the fact he blew it up), I have decided to take the bold next step and... watch and review the adventures of a man who travels haphazardly through time and space, setting right what once went wrong and hoping that each leap would be the leap home.

But the American version!

What If... Mace Windu survived his fight with Palpatine? (Part 16)

What's that? I'm doing this just because the Kenobi series came out with its first two episodes (which I have not watched at the time I'm writing this) and am trying to appease the algorithm?

Why must you be so cynical? It's so uncivilized!

MadCap's Reel Thoughts - "Star Trek: Generations" (1994)

Okay, I'm going to level with you all, I am really not looking forward to dealing with the Next Generation movies.

They're all honestly range in quality from "ok" to "very bad". There's only one that's good.

It isn't this one.

MadCap's Reel Thoughts - "The Eternals" (2021)

So... most of you who know me will know that I can be very opinionated about a lot of things. I am a person who either really, really likes something or I utterly despise it. There is rarely, if ever, any middle ground.

So, this is going to surprise many of you... as it surprised me when I got about halfway through it.

I do not have strong feelings about The Eternals one way or another.

MadCap's Fiction Corner - "The Champions of Zobek" (Chapter 9)

"You are... out of your mind."

"Pretty sure I have to be at this point, yes."

"Nobody sees the Grand Champion unless they're fighting him." Ziv told him. "And you don't fight him."

"Why not?" Calen asked, arms crossed over his chest. He hadn't sat down since being returned to the cell, although it had already been several hours. Soon enough, it would be lights out. Calen also pointedly tried to ignore the redhead in the cell across from them, who very clearly was now observing him and attempting not to be discovered as she did so.

"Because he doesn't lose." Ziv said. "Anyone who has gone up against him has died."

"Well, I'm not stupid enough to try and fight a Jedi Knight."

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

Well, it's been a while since we were off to the races with a 5e build, so let's do us another one! After watching Moon Knight, I struck inspiration... so, obviously, this is gonna be a Darkhawk build!

... just kidding.

Seriously, do any of you know who Darkhawk is?