Hex Picks: TV Shows with Amnesia

Our month of TV picks continues. Like last week, we all chose shows that used a similar plot device - this week it was memory-loss.

This is something that always hits quite close to home for me, and I used this as a chance to write myself some therapy! The specific device I've written about is something that genuinely upsets and disturbs me whenever it appears, yet it's also one of my favourite things on TV. To find out what it is, and which programme it's from, click the... um... click... errrm...

...what was I saying?

Hex Picks: TV Shows with Parallel Universes

We're trying something a little different with Hex Picks this March. Instead of our usual cycle of books, films, games and comics, we're giving the spotlight to TV programmes. Specifically programmes that all feature a specific plot or device. I'm not sure exactly how much mileage there is in this approach but, hey, we're gonna give it our best shot.

This week's common thread (because I honestly hate the word "trope") is shows that cross over into a parallel universe. We've got examples where that's a central element of the series' plot, to examples where it's basically a gag. Click below to check 'em out!

Hex Dimension: Is Marvel teaming up with a Sony a wise move?

This week, a miracle happened. Marvel Studios finally struck a deal with Sony Pictures, allowing Spider-Man to at last appear onscreen with Marvel's other characters. But, perhaps more importantly, that deal establishes that this will be a new version of the character rather than the current puffy-haired, promise-breaking iteration. And, more important still, Marvel will be the ones with creative control, rather than the aimless executives at Sony. This is great news.

Following our reaction piece regarding the Star Wars trailer, Hex Dimension have written a similar piece about this Spidey news. Rather than just squee about how great the news is (like I did above), I tried to find a more interesting angle to look at this from. I think I found one - and you can find it too by following the link below.

Hex Dimension: Spoilers, Bodies, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer

I am, as you probably know, the kind of person who cries during films. A lot. I'm emotionally very vulnerable to swelling scores and good composition and whatever it is that Pixar always do. But thinking about it, with one single Donna-Noble-shaped exception, I don't think I've ever felt the same level of emotion about televison.

Last week that changed, drastically and painfully. We're currently binge-watching Buffy for the first time, and something happened that completely flattened me. It was just one episode - just one - but I felt numb and drained for days afterwards. Chances are you know exactly the episode I'm talking about - it's the one that stabs you in the heart and twists the knife.

It is, quite honestly, one of the best episodes of television that I've ever seen. And because it is so good, and because I'm still reeling from the power of it, I just had to write down my feelings about it. The team at Hex Dimension have very kindly let me post my thoughts over there, and I'm really pleased with how it turned out. It ended up being quite a personal piece, I think, but in this case that feels like a positive. In fact, I don't think there was any other way to write it.

So, whether you know what I'm talking about or not, I hope you'll click this image and join me in celebrating this amazing show.

Hex Picks: British Films

A lot of the stuff that we consume - whether it's written or visual or interactive - comes from America. They make more stuff than us, so that's just the way it is. But this February sees Hex Dimension trying to shed a little light on media from our own home shores. All our Hex Picks will be - to some extent - British, and it feels good to be giving them some recognition.

This week is movies (or "films", as we call them over here). There's everything from ultraviolent drama to gonzo comedy, and it's a pretty spectacular list of great films. I chose probably exactly what you'd expect me to choose - but it's one of my absolute favourites and I totally stand by it. So, for the good of the Commonwealth, click below.

Hex Dimension Review: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

I've been shocked and surprised at the general response to Peter Jackson's final Hobbit film. I liked the first two more than most (but less than some), but I can definitely understand the issues that a lot of people had with them, even if I don't entirely agree.

But this one? This one I loved. From start to finish, there and back again, I loved every single second of it. To see Five Armies facing the same kind of backlash as the first two feels like absolute madness.

To find out what's different this time, and why it worked so well for me, click below for my full review!

The Companion Piece 14: Last Christmas

Christmas is a weird and chaotic time of year. I spent this one juggling two different families, various unexpected houseguests, and a truly terrifying amount of cooking and baking. Thank gods, then, for Doctor Who - the one reliable constant amid all the baubles and madness.

It looked for a while like this latest Companion Piece was going to go horribly wrong. We set a time and a date, and then Christmas got in the way and I ended up stranded in a location with no internet serving food and quite possibly baking again. Big thanks to Emily and Paul B for running the show without me at the last moment - you guys rule!

If you click the link below, you can read all our analysis of Last Christmas. You might be surprised to see that my name and comments are in there too. I'll leave you to figure out exactly how, but suffice it to say the explanation involves timetravel, Santa, and the fact that you're actually still dreaming...