Doesn't this article kind of contradict itself? Adam says it's a good idea if you're traveling internationally. Having an unlocked phone, yes, but buying the unlocked version? In the section about being "contract-free" it outlines better ways to get an unlocked phone, so the real answer is "no, buying it unlocked is not a good value when there are other alternatives." Unless you really, really don't want to buy one that's unlocked by someone besides Apple.
No, AT&T won't unlock it for any reason (that I've ever seen). Not when you're traveling, not even when you complete your contract period (which is the biggest BS in the whole situation, when the contract's done you should own it free and clear and be able to use it however you'd like).
I really loved the first dozen or so. David's trademark humor and in-jokes were a lot of fun and they had some fantastic characters: Soleta, Lefler and McHenry not to mention Calhoun.
But the last few have really just not done it for me. It feels a little like they're just set-up for a longer range epic but I'm not getting drawn into it on the individual novel level the way I once did. Thallonian politics and battle scenes don't interest me unless they're driving to a more compelling conclusion.
I have huge respect for David's work, but this one left me with a feeling of "what was the point of that story?"
But the last few have really just not done it for me. It feels a little like they're just set-up for a longer range epic but I'm not getting drawn into it on the individual novel level the way I once did. Thallonian politics and battle scenes don't interest me unless they're driving to a more compelling conclusion.
I have huge respect for David's work, but this one left me with a feeling of "what was the point of that story?"
They're using "original" to mean "not shown anywhere else before" as opposed to using "original" to mean, you know, "original.'
As characters go, I think Ronon made me laugh the most because his comedy was so incredibly dry.
Ronon Dex: We need to split up. I'll take Sheppard, you go after Weir.
Teyla Emmagan: Why?
Ronon Dex: I know how he thinks. I don't have the slightest clue how she thinks.
Lt. Colonel John Sheppard: Where're you going?
Ronon Dex: To get some food.
Lt. Colonel John Sheppard: Well, in case you forgot, McKay and his sister are still missing.
Ronon Dex: What, you want my help dissecting corporate structures? When you find someone to point a gun at, you let me know.
Ronon Dex: We need to split up. I'll take Sheppard, you go after Weir.
Teyla Emmagan: Why?
Ronon Dex: I know how he thinks. I don't have the slightest clue how she thinks.
Lt. Colonel John Sheppard: Where're you going?
Ronon Dex: To get some food.
Lt. Colonel John Sheppard: Well, in case you forgot, McKay and his sister are still missing.
Ronon Dex: What, you want my help dissecting corporate structures? When you find someone to point a gun at, you let me know.
I had the same thought about seeing people's reactions. I guess the best counter I have is that we don't know how many there are. The Doctor and gang had higher than typical interactions with them, because that's what they do. There may be a relatively small population of them spread across the globe so the average person might never see them, unless one of the Silence needs them for some reason.
I'm so glad I got behind on this and now know I don't need to continue past the first episode, which smacked highly of a low-grade Heroes episode (if such a thing is possible).
@ubikblack: I would agree with that - he probably still thought it would get him off the island, but for whatever reason, he's unable to use it himself (same way he couldn't use the sub or any other mode of transport).
@donlphi: The Zune and the iPod don't count? They may not be the direct manufacturer, but they are certainly in those lines of business.
@sandie75: comment of the day, as voted by me.
@SharpnPointy: Sometimes when I'm not watching Doctor Who I collect trolls.
:My troll collection = my troll collection + 1:
@ktoth04: Sounds like two different episodes (he got his hand cut off in Christmas Invasion but there weren't any Daleks in that one).
It's always a bit campy. Well, usually. And some episodes are clearly better than others. My recommendation to friends is to just let it flow and don't over-analyze it. It's great fun, light-hearted and optimistic and to me, a nice departure from most of the TV we see in the US.
It takes getting in the right mindset to look past things like having trash cans as the villain, but it's worth it.
I think word of mouth will help it along for the full run.
Hindsight being 20/20, I have to agree that a lot of the marketing does make it look a bit like SpyKids instead of the brutally dark comedy it is.
Outside of the red band trailer, which was primarily seen by the "already sold" core audience, I can see why it didn't have huge mass appeal.
Hopefully it'll gain some steam over time, but "yay" for Dragon!
3D is like early color films. It's here to stay, but audiences won't be fooled by the shlocky execution. Not every movie will be done in 3D, but like a film with a $100M budget, you only do that if you know it can deliver the goods. Not that many won't TRY to deliver crap, but it won't work in the long run.
Damned sorry to see you go Graeme - you've been a mainstay of my weekends (and more).
Good luck to you!
@Shelby Babb: Nielsen considers time-shifting, but it's not the same for many advertisers and it's a different rating system (Live plus 7). If I'm launching a film on Friday, I want to have people watching my ads on Wednesday, not 10 days later.
Added to that, most time-shifted shows also enable people to skip the ads, so a show that's time-shifted to higher viewership isn't as valuable as a show that gets strong ratings during its initial airing.
@riller101001: It's a fair guess that sci fi suffers more from time-shifted viewing than other genres (younger, more tech savvy audience). And while all that extra audience is nice, it doesn't deliver the advertising eyeballs that network commercial time requires (when they want them). Bad for us...
@JohnMora: Uh...
@Ruthless, If yøu let me: I'd be up for an evening thing on a Saturday. The 20th would work.
#lameetup
@4th_Dimension: Which, ironically, is in stark contrast to the brilliance of Annalee's recaps.
Oh, Heroes Recaps, we will mourn you. Unlike the show that spawned you.
