There were a few interesting things that happened in these chapters, but for the most part, they were just setup/exposition chapters. So far, I have concluded that Robert Jordan meant to make the Wheel of Time series so that each book was a stand-alone story. Because of this, he explains and re-explains the same things over and over again. While this might be useful if someone tried to read a single book of the series, it turns many of the chapters into exposition instead of action, lengthening the books and breaking their flow.
Continue reading "The Dragon Reborn (Chapters 14-19)"

Good news everyone, we've finally broken Joey. He did not handle the little curveball that BSG threw at him this week. Don't worry, he is a resiliant one and should bounce back just fine. This tv podcast covers episodes 17 and 18 of Battlestar Galactica Season 2.

Various topics discussed in this podcast include:
    Star Trek Into Darkness opinions - Go listen to JR Watches Star Trek's podcast about the new movie
    Joey's Culture Corner: The E-Myth Revisited
    Facebook Find of the Week: Listener Bob - Brokeback Babylon5
    Top 5 Favorite Music One hit Wonders
    The new Adobe facility in Utah is amazing
    Joey get shamed on a phone call
    A woman's right to choose or the existence of humanity?
    Cylon resurrection looks really intense
    How do the Cylons tell each other apart?
    Be unified with the group or express your individuality?
    Music Intro: I Fight Dragons

Here is the rating that we gave for the episodes in Podcast 165: 2hr 4min 48sec:
The Captain's Hand
Peter: SciFi - 7 Television - 7
Joey: SciFi - 6 Television - 7

Downloaded
Peter: SciFi - 8 Television - 6
Joey: SciFi - 10 Television - 7

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Great chapters - thanks to MG for trading me, and additionally for setting himself up so perfectly

About half of this post had to be cut because I realized it was full of spoilers. I'll save it for later.

Chapter 13 was previously accidentally left out of my post; it has now been appended.
Continue reading "Wolves and the World of Dreams, pt. 1"

Sadly these were kind of on the crappy end of the BSG spectrum. But we still managed to have some fun abusing the bad parts. Plus Joey is one step closer to his dream of world domination through Parliamentary Procedure. This tv podcast covers episodes 15 and 16 of Battlestar Galactica Season 2.

Various topics discussed in this podcast include:
    Adventures in Republican
    Joey's Culture Corner: The Paper Chase
    Facebook Find of the Week: Listener Fishhead - The worlds smallest movie
    Top 5 Favorite... whatever you want
    Take every advantage you have in war.
    Cylon Raiders reincarnate
    Joey is also wrong about not wanting to put milk on cake.
    These episodes are really bad.
    Terrorists don't behave rationally.
    Music Intro: The Future Soon by Jonathan Coulton

Here is the rating that we gave for the episodes in Podcast 164: 1hr 41min 45sec:
Scar
Peter: SciFi - 3 Television - 4
Joey: SciFi - 5 Television - 3

Sacrifice
Peter: SciFi - 2 Television - 4
Joey: SciFi - 3 Television - 3

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After dragging his feet a bit with the first two novels, Robert Jordan really seems to have a grasp on where he wants to go as we start the third book in the saga. Chapter summaries...you know the drill.
Continue reading "The Dragon Reborn (Prologue - Chapter 7)"

These chapters took so long to read. That is why it is so late in getting published. At least this book ends clearer than the first book. Continued in-attempts to make sure spelling is correct. Chapters and summary below the fold.
Continue reading "The Great Hunt (Chapters 48-50)"

Maggie Gyllenhaal is a really good actress and a very attractive lady. Both Joey and I think so. We have no idea why people don't like her. We forgot to say that during our podcast movie special about Stranger Than Fiction. Great film. Easily one of Will Ferrell's best works. Both Joey and I give it 2 thumbs up. But seriously, who doesn't like dipping cookies in milk? Duration: 1h 08m 51s

Various topics discussed in this podcast include:
    Joey's Culture Corner: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
    Facebook Find of the Week: Listener - Patton Oswalt Outlines Star Wars VII
    Top 5 Favorite cartoons 1970-1990
    We welcome creative insults
    I am not Harold Crick
    Linda Hunt is a spectacular actress
    Air dryers in the bathroom are the worst
    "Little did he know..."
    Joey hates dipping cookies into milk
    Writers block
    Facing your own death
    Music Intro - Listener Brainy Smurf's Original Composition for TrekWest5: "This is Wrong Tool"

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Sorry this is late, been trying to run a campaign for office in the UCRP. Chapters summarized below the fold, but general tone: Jordan was still thinking he'd wrap this up in three books. In some ways, I'm glad he failed.
Continue reading "The Great Hunt (Chapters 42-47): The Heron Wading in the Rushes"

Apparently these two episodes are not well liked amongst our listeners. We both felt they were pretty average. Nothing spectacular. This tv podcast covers episodes 12 and 13 of Battlestar Galactica Season 2.

Various topics discussed in this podcast include:
    Pete bought a used car
    Joey's Culture Corner: The Host (2013 film)
    Facebook Find of the Week: Listener Alex - Battlestar Galactica Opening (Friends Style)
    Top 5 Favorite Historical Figures from the 1800's
    Even in advanced civilizations, teachers are not paid well
    Epiphanies is not a well liked episode
    Never name a girl Chivon/Siobhan
    New BSG Spinoff: Doc Cottle, MD
    Music by Shayna Zaid

Here is the rating that we gave for the episodes in Podcast 163: 1hr 41min 45sec:
Epiphanies
Peter: SciFi - 6 Television - 6
Joey: SciFi - 6 Television - 5

Black Market
Peter: SciFi - 5 Television - 6
Joey: SciFi - 3 Television - 4

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A little while ago, Joey, Pete and myself got together to discuss a few things. Events then converged, and the podcast got extremely delayed. Well here it is now. Fortunately most of what was discussed wasn't too time relevant.

So what was discussed?

We spent some time breaking down the move of Dennis Erickson to be "Co-OC" of the Utes, including a little bit of time disparaging the Alma Mater of one of our own. Then we gave BYU's schedule equal treatment to what we gave the Utes schedule when it became official.

Finally we moved on to the NFL where we discussed the Blackout Haurghbowl. I unleashed my full QB rankings, and finally we spent a good chunk of time talking about our the coaching moves we were most interested in.

It's about a month late, but still worth a listen.

As always, feedback is always welcome at redblueandpigskin@gmail.com

I think I enjoy this book a little more. Maybe because I didn't bother to read all the stuff about Selene. Plus things seem to make a bit more sense, this time around. But I still don't like this book that much. Continued in-attempts to make sure spelling is correct. Chapters and summary below the fold.
Continue reading "The Great Hunt (Chapters 36-41)"

Well Joey gets a prediction correct, and he turns in to a Cylon lover all in the same podcast. What a momentous event. Also, Cain gets what is coming to her. This tv podcast covers episodes 10 and 11 of Battlestar Galactica Season 2.

Various topics discussed in this podcast include:
    Adventures in Republican: Joey running for treasurer of the Republican Party
    Joey's Culture Corner: The New 52
    Facebook Find of the Week: Listener MFJM - Luke reaches Dagobah by Jon Madsen - Star Wars Uncut: The Empire Strikes Back
    Top 5 Favorite Movie Composers
    Pete hums Back To The Future theme
    Joey nearly chokes to death laughing
    Joey and I don't find floating very relaxing
    Does humanity deserve to survive?
    Joey is starting to like the Cylons
    Music Intro: The Future Soon by Jonathan Coulton

Here is the rating that we gave for the episodes in Podcast 162: 1hr 52min 40sec:
Resurrection Ship pt1
Peter: SciFi - 8 Television - 8
Joey: SciFi - 9 Television - 8

Resurrection Ship pt2
Peter: SciFi - 9 Television - 9
Joey: SciFi - 10 Television - 9

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A lot of things happen in these next chapters, but the events seem to be beginnings, not endings, and the number of beginnings without endings is growing rapidly. It would be really nice to see some threads wrapped up instead of started up.

See below the fold for summaries.
Continue reading "The Great Hunt (30 -35"

To be honest, I had to read these chapters a week in advance, but I didn’t get a chance to write up my thoughts fresh from completing them. Summaries and commentary below the fold.
Continue reading "The Great Hunt (Chapters 24-29)"

Several brutal scenes this week. We manage to hit some really good television in spite of Ensign Ro showing up. She actually did a really good job acting as Admiral Cain. Plus loads of other good stuff too. This tv podcast covers episodes 9 and 10 of Battlestar Galactica Season 2.

Various topics discussed in this podcast include:
    Adventures in Republican: discussion on the Utah Compact
    Joey's Culture Corner: That Funny Feeling (1965)
    Facebook Find of the Week: Listener Bob - Netflix signs up Sense8
    Top 5 Favorite works of art
    Joey feels no remorse for #6
    Rape is bad.
    Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny

Here is the rating that we gave for the episodes in Podcast 161: 2hr 14min 56sec:
Flight of the Phoenix
Peter: SciFi - 8 Television - 7
Joey: SciFi - 9 Television - 8

Pegasus
Peter: SciFi - 9 Television - 10
Joey: SciFi - 8 Television - 6

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If you have something to say then we welcome your comments below, or feel free to email us at trekwest5@thehomestarmy.com, twitter us at hashtag TrekWest5, or leave us a voicemail at 801-788-4913.