Category Archives: Convention

Vikings at San Diego Comic Con International

Vikings Cast at San Diego Comic Con International 2014

During the panel for the History Channel’s Vikings there was a lot of talk about the strength of the female characters, the intensity of the battle scenes, and the fact that a period of history rarely seen on TV, and cultures and places rarely portrayed are being brought to life.

Ragnar Lothbrok was a real person, written about in poetry, with a variety of legends having risen up around him.  It may be hard, in the case of Ragnar, to know the precise truth of his life, but knowing what we do about the time in which he lived, the History Channel’s show Vikings offers compelling entertainment, and an exciting glimpse into this period from the past.

Cast of the History Channel's Vikings at CCI in SD

The cast, which is working on Season 3 in Ireland, flew to San Diego for Comic-Con International, and talked about the experience of recreating both Norway and England from Centuries ago.  In season 3 more characters and, by the sounds of it, cultures and regions will be explored by our adventuring characters.

And as an added bonus for attending the Vikings panel, we received a Vikings Comic Book (published by Zenoscope) that I am looking forward to reading!

Resurrection on ABC

Resurrection Cast Signing at the ABC booth

Resurrection Cast Signing at the ABC booth

Resurrection is one of those TV shows where you watch the entire season, pretty sure you have an idea what is going on, fairly certain you understand where the twists and turns are leading, and yet, even as the final scene unfolds, and you realize you really have been following along and seeing what problems season 2 will leave the characters to face, Jacob grabs hold tightly to the man who has been standing up for him all along, Agent Bellamy (played by Omar Epps) and you realize there are even more layers to this story, and yes… you do wish you had read the book The Returned by Jason Mott, because while it may not answer any of your questions, it just might give you an idea of what some even better questions to be asking.

Four members of the cast of Resurrection, Omar Epps, Frances Fisher, Devin Kelley and Kurtwood Smith charmed fans at the ABC Booth during San Diego’s Comic-Con International.  Barely able to see the convention hall floor, they remarked it was clear they were in the midst of an amazing event, and they were curious to see more of it, but it was equally clear to those of us lucky enough to get a chance to go down the line that while they were at that table we were the focus of their attention.

And a quick moment of clarification… several fans I bumped into at CCI mentioned having really enjoyed the french version of this show, and thought perhaps it was better… sad to say, a quick tour of google tells me that while there was a French movie with a similar premise, and it is indeed evolving into a French TV show, it is NOT based on the same book, and is not the same show/story.  The two have similar names, and similar story-arcs by the sounds of it… but Resurrection is based on Jason Mott’s book The Returned, and the french movie/show is not.

Orphan Black

A few photos from the Orphan Black panel for the CloneClub members out there to tide them over until I have time to write up my article about the panel and post it.

Rest assured, the panel was amazing.  Tatiana Maslany was fantastic, Jordan Gavaris is eloquent and well spoken especially when it comes to the tough questions.  And Dylan Bruce has a fantastic sense of humor, and a very simple motto when it comes to his character Paul – Don’t Trust Him!

Orphan Black Cast

Kristian who plays Donnie got some great laughs, especially when he discouraged murder as a way to build a bond in a marriage and help strengthen a relationship.  It is clear from the way all of these actors interact that they are friends as well as co-workers, and truly enjoy working together.

There were some fantastic laugh out loud moments during the panel, but there were also some more serious moments, all of which drove home why this show is such a fan favorite, and why the CloneClub has so many dedicated members.

VIKINGS! On History

History Channel‘s Vikings panel was great fun, not only because it was vastly entertaining but because everyone on the panel was very informative and interesting.

For those who are not familiar with the show, as it enters it’s third season here is how the press release describes the show:

VIKINGS, Season 3 is currently in production and is slated to premiere in 2015. VIKINGS tells the extraordinary tales of the lives and epic adventures of these warriors. The drama portrays the world of these Dark Age raiders, traders, explorers – not from an outsider’s view, but, through the eyes of Viking society. VIKINGS centers on Ragnar (Travis Fimmel), a restless young warrior and family man who longs to find and conquer new lands across the sea and claim the spoils as his own.

Travis Fimmel (Warcraft) continues to lead the stellar cast as Ragnar, along with Katheryn Winnick as Lagertha, an Earl and fierce shield maiden; Clive Standen as Rollo, Ragnar’s impulsive brother; Alexander Ludwig as Bjorn, the intelligent and bold warrior son of Ragnar; George Blagden as Athelstan, a young and not-so-innocent monk; Jessalyn Gilsig as Siggy, beautiful wife of the late Earl Haraldson; Linus Roache as Ecbert, King of Wessex, a man of strength, knowledge and undisguised ambition; Gustaf Skarsgard as Floki, a ship builder who designs the new generation of Vikings ships and Alyssa Sutherland as Princess Aslaug, Ragnar’s new wife.

Joining the cast for season three are Lothaire Bluteau (The Tudors) as Emperor Charles of France, a powerful man who views battling the Vikings as spiritual and earthly; Kevin Durand (The Strain) as The Wanderer, a mysterious man who is not what he seems; and Morgane Polanski (The Ghost) as Princess Gisla, the elegant, self-possessed daughter of Emperor Charles and his most trusted advisor and Ben Robson (Dracula: The Dark Prince) as Kalf, Lagertha’s trusted second in command

As was mentioned on the panel, Lagertha is a powerful woman, living in a complex and violent world.  A time that has not often been shown on television particularly is being explored and they are bringing to life locations and cultures in such vivid culture and with such beautiful effects that as you watch the show you do  not feel a though you are watching a show that uses visual effects.

Ragnar Lothbrok was a real Viking, around whom legends evolved and swirled.  A man with multiple relationships and children it is easy to understand how he captured the imagination of these storytellers and how this fantastic television show has come from the myths, stories, rumors and legends that grew out of his life.  We may never know the truth and details of the real Ragnar Lothbrok, but it is fun to imagine History Channel’s Vikings is giving us a glimpse into the time in which he lived, into the struggles of his era, the complexities and politics of his age, and all the while they are showing us the beautiful, seemingly pristine world in which they lived so long ago.

If you are looking for a show that is equal parts fight and drama, consider flipping over to History Channel and giving Vikings a try, this is an engrossing tale that keeps you coming back from one week to the next, forever curious to know who will react how, and what twist awaits you around the next bend in the plot.