Evaluating DC's TV Series Programming

PART 1: The Dominance of DC Over Marvel in the Small Screen

Through the years, Marvel has not only been taking the lion share in comic book sales most of the time, but they have been also kicking DC’s butt in the market that really matters: the big screen.  To be fair with DC, they do make the better direct-to-video animated movies (I think “Hulk vs. Wolverine” is the only Marvel animated film that I get to really enjoy).  But the money in direct-to-video is incomparable from the money earnings from theatrical blockbusters, which will come from ticket sales to merchandising.  So unless DC ever figure out how to create an engaging and profitable cinematic universe as Marvel’s, Marvel, which has a clear plan already until 2018, will continue to be the winners for a couple more years.    

However, DC has been clearly more productive over Marvel in the small screen.  Not only does DC make more good-quality animated TV series (Marvel had produced great animated TV series, too, but DC has three for every good one Marvel makes; also, for every good Marvel animated series, there are two bad ones) but they also have the most success in producing noteworthy live-action series, both in volume and value. Up until now, Adam West’s campy Batman series from way back in ’66 is still beloved by many.  There was the delightful Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman in the 90’s, which Marvel had no answer.  Then, there’s Smallville, which despite its many flaws had its awesome moments as well, which, again, Marvel had no answer.     

In the present, Marvel now has Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which had weak early episodes but eventually improved into a must-watch show.   In fact, despite the lack of a legitimate superhero presence, AoS is as intriguing as DC superhero shows, Arrowor The Flash.  However, though S.H.I.E.L.D. is a concept originally from the comics, AoS is nonetheless more of a spin-off of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) rather than an avenue for Marvel to freely render their comic book universe into the small screen.  Hence, in this case, DC is having more success with Arrow and The Flash in translating their comic book universe into a TV universe. 

In terms of quantity, there are four ongoing DC TV series right now.  Three of which have just premiered this fall of 2014.  Clearly, DC went into “aggressive TV series production” mode, probably to keep a foothold in their dominance of the small screen.  

Sure, several Marvel shows are coming up; there’s the Agent Carterseries, and then a couple of Netflix TV series featuring Marvel’s street-level superheroes like Daredevil and Luke Cage (which I presume will also take place in the shared MCU).  However, a lot more DC shows are also rumored in production.  It’s as if that for every one that Marvel plans to make, DC has two.  And I’m quite excited with some of the titles being mentioned.  Maybe not all of them will rock.  But considering the fact that I like 3 out of the 4 DC TV series right now, and my dislike for the 4^th one is not because it sucks (I will be discussing this later), it’s presumable, based on historical data, that all will at least be watchable and entertaining enough. 

The advantage that Marvel has here is their TV series will exist in the same universe as their movies.  Again, the potential awesomeness in crossovers alone is worth being excited about.  If it works, Marvel’s approach of expounding one shared universe instead of establishing several universes for their properties will pay big dividends.     

Nonetheless, even if not all of DC shows exist in the same universe, as long as they can be individually enjoyable, or at least adequately fun, it’s still going to be DC’s win due to the sheer volume of their properties that they manage to get on screen.     

 

PART 2: Pros and Cons of Each Present DC TV Series

Constantine

PROS:

→ Matt Ryan nailed John Constantine.  

→ It’s turning out to have the same charm and humor that made Sleepy Hollow a regularly entertaining supernatural/horror/fantasy series to watch.

→ It has been made apparent that this show will feature many of DC’s supernatural characters.  

CONS:

→ Charles Halford’s Chas doesn’t give the same vibes as the Chas in the comics, who was a great supporting character.  

→ It’s not “R”, hence, Constantine is restrained in bringing into the small screen many of the things that made John Constantine an awesome character and Hellblazer as one of the most well-written comic book series ever.  It feels too tame to give Constantine and Hellblazer justice.       

→ Its primary setting is in the US instead of England.  Ugh.  

The Flash

PROS:

→ It got me to finally check Arrow out.  

→ Grant Gustin is the greatest Barry Allen version of any medium, including comics, ever.  As I’ve explained in my post after watching the leaked pilot months ago:

The Flash’s Barry Allen is “Peter Parker-esque” – it’s as if there’s a lot of Parker’s trademark geeky charm, strong sense of moral responsibility, and bearing in The Flash’s depiction of Barry Allen – making this version mightily interesting.  If this is sustained through the show, there’s a chance that this Flash could become my favorite speedster.   

→ Jesse L. Martin as Detective Joe West and Tom Cavanagh as the mysterious Dr. Harrison Wells are consistent in providing the strongest performances in the show.  Because of the magnificent acting from these two, we can always expect compelling scenes whenever their characters are part of the scenes.  

→ Clever premise of how super powers became possible.     

→ It has massive potential.  The fun and intrigue it creates offset the aggravation that any weak writing brings.  It hasn’t been a strong series so far, but it has made itself as something worth being patient about.  

CONS:

→ There is lack of chemistry between Barry Allen and Iris West.  And, no, It’s not the race difference.  There’s just no “spark” between that makes me care for them as a couple (to be fair, I also feel no interest rising from Oliver Queen’s parings in Arrow).  In fact, the whole Barry-Iris angle feels like a distraction to me.    

→ Aside from Barry, Joe, and Dr. Wells, the other characters are not easily likable.  They might grow on me eventually.  But, as of now, I can’t bring myself to be invested in them. 

→ When Arrow’s Felicity Smoak visited, that was the highest point of the show so far.  And it’s just a bad thing that for The Flash to have its best episode, it has to rely on a character (and the writer/s that probably came with the character) from another show.  There’s no interesting female character in The Flash so far. Moreover, Felicity’s effortless chemistry with Barry also emphasized Barry’s lack of such with Iris.     

→ The Flash suffers from uncreative and dumb writing half of the time.  Most of the episodes have plots that are generic or Smallville-like.  And there are many dialogues that are excruciatingly cheesy.         

Arrow

PROS:

→ This is easily the best among the current line-up of DC TV series.  It’s not perfect, but it is engaging and well-plotted most of the time.

→ It nailed what Green Arrow should be, a Batman analogue that happens to work with bow and arrows. 

→ Since a Batman TV series seems to be impossible at this point, I’ll take Arrow.

→ Oliver’s lateral pull-up/climbing exercise is awesome.  First time I saw such thing.    

→ The charming Felicity Smoak.  Could be the most likable character in the series. 

→ Interesting supporting and recurring characters. 

→ It is bringing as much of the DC Universe as it can possibly can to the small screen, without making it too crowded. Amanda Waller (which I hoped would have the original fat appearance). Suicide Squad.  Deathstroke.  Huntress.   League of Assassins.  Ra’s al Ghul.  Etc.  Just awesome.    

→ Superman as the Atom.  Brandon Routh’s charming portrayal of Ray Palmer is as fantastic as Emily Bett Rickards’ Felicity Smoak. 

→ I appreciate the unique narrative style:  flashbacks that reveal the happenings during Oliver Queen’s five year-hiatus from Starling City running alternately with the present narrative.  This definitely enhanced the storytelling, and made the whole show more intriguing.  

→ Great development of the character from vigilante to hero.

→ It spun-off The Flash.  The implication?  The creation of a big DC TV Universe.  I really hope The Flash is not the last spin-off happening from this shared universe.  If many other non-Batman-Superman-Wonder Woman (since these three are likely reserved for the movies) superheroes pop out in Arrow and The Flash, or have their own spin-off shows, and they form a Justice Society of America (since the Justice League of America is likely to be exclusive for the movies), it’s going to be the best thing to happen in TV ever.           

CONS:

→ It’s not a Batman TV series.  This show’s existence sometimes drives me crazy since that there is no Batman TV series instead.   

→ It kind of annoys me that the promotion for Arrow seems to always involve Stephen Amell being shirtless.  To be fair, the man is pretty.

→ I feel that there is lack of usage and variations of trick arrows.  

→ It’s not always good.  The plot kinds of feel tiresome sometimes.  Only sometimes.  I can’t really explain it much, only that I feel that it’s not fun sometimes.  Again, only sometimes.  Can’t stress “sometimes” enough.     

Gotham

PROS: 

→ Strong, winning performances from Ben McKenzie as James Gordon, Donald Logue as Harvey Bullock, and Robin Lord Taylor as Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot.  

→ Beautiful production value.

CONS:

→ It’s not a Batman TV series. 

→ My dream prologue Batman series is that of young Bruce Wayne traveling around the world as he acquires the skills and trainings that would prepare him as Batman when he returns to Gotham.  The existence of a Gotham TV series means that my fantasy Batman prologue TV series hasn’t happened, and has no chance of happening in the near future. 

→ The fine production value means much effort is exerted in creating a good Gotham setting and mood.  Thus, it frustrates me that such effort is not applied on a straight-up Batman TV series.  Too much Batman allusions are being done anyway, why not make the whole thing centered on Bruce Wayne/Batman then?   

→ Right from the start, I never got sold with the whole premise of the show.  I gave it a chance.   But I gave up on the third episode.  The whole thing just reeks of gimmickry to me – pretending that making it centered on James Gordon is a creative concept, when the reliance of adding too much Batman Easter eggs is very much apparent as gratuitous and having no confidence on establishing something original.      

→ I understand why this show might work on others, but it’s not my cup of tea.

→ I might get into this series in the future, especially if the kind hype is created wherein it’ll make me feel that I’m missing out of something awesome and important.  But with lots of great TV series to choose from each week, I have no problem of not getting into Gotham early.  I don’t think I will be missing out much.

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My Slogan: 'Keep Calm and Press On'

This post is to officially announce my life slogan. 

“Hakuna Matata” has always been my motto since I was able to understand what a motto means.  During the time I was about to get to my silver anniversary – a notable life milestone – I contemplated if there’s a need for me to change my motto as I move forward with my life, but I arrive at the conclusion that there’s no need; “Hakuna Matata” is still appropriate at this point in my life. 

So with “Hakuna Matata” already at hand, why is there a need for a life slogan?  Well, basically, a motto is different from a slogan.  A motto is a brief statement that serves as the guiding principle or philosophy that one has to live by.  A slogan is more of a catchphrase that pushes an agenda or cause.  Therefore, the purpose of a life slogan is to promote in my life the cause that I have to live on and to pump me up as I progress with my life. 

If it’s still not apparent from the title of this post and the T-shirt I’m wearing in the photo above, my life slogan is “KEEP CALM AND PRESS ON.” 

“Keep Calm and Press On” is just another play with the “Keep Calm and…” meme, in which particular revisions are made on the original “Keep Calm and Carry On” slogan done by the UK government during the financial crisis back in the late 2000’s. Nonetheless, “Keep Calm and Press On” is almost similar in function as the original “Keep Calm and Carry On.”  Both basically mean that in the presence of excitement and difficulties, we should just remain calm and just continue moving forward.  It gives an optimistic message that no matter how hard and chaotic the situation is now, we will get through it.    Somehow, we’ll manage.  Somehow, we’ll overcome.

However, even if the implication of my life slogan is virtually similar to the original UK slogan, I still prefer to use the phrase “Press On” rather than “Carry On.” “Press On” alludes to what the Apostle Paul has stated on Philippians 3:7-14:

    But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
     Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Despite the tremendous amount of hardships and struggles that he had undergone in his life, Paul remained enthusiastic, resolute, and kept moving forward.  Why?  For he understood the great value of this future prize that God has set for him in Heaven, and that no earthly pleasure or glory can ever come close in matching that.  So he worked hard for the glory of God – storing riches in Heaven that will last for eternity – rather than seeking earthly pleasures and glory that are all temporary anyway.  In everything, he gave it his all, no matter what.  He knew that every sacrifice, every pain, every drop of effort, is going to be worth it; the glory and happiness that he would receive as reward far outweigh the sufferings that he experienced in this world while working for God’s glory.

Paul doggedly pressed on towards an upward prize, and didn’t get distracted by anything that this temporary world gives, whether temporal enjoyment or suffering.  Thus, by pressing on towards the Prize, his life became meaningful.  So for my life to be meaningful, I should follow the example that he has set.

I definitely won’t be able to do it with the same extent and quality as Paul’s, and there are times I completely forget about it that I ended up being a hypocrite.  But I just have to keep on trying; rise up each time I fail, and move forward again; don’t panic; and do the best I can and be the best I can be.  

This is what “Keep Calm and Press On” reminds me of.

Everything in this world is temporary.  Both earthly pleasures and pains will pass.  Therefore, I should not focus on the things of this world   No matter how bad my problems are, I should not let myself be drowned in them and despair – be calm.  And no matter how delightful earthly pleasures and personal glory are, I should not ground my ultimate satisfaction in them, pursuing them instead of heavenly rewards. 

My focus should be on the Prize.  If it’s for the glory of God, then I should go all out.  No holding back.  And no matter how hard the circumstances are, I should keep moving forward.  Even crawl if I have to.  Press on towards the Prize, no matter what. 

For the pains and the pleasures of this world are nothing compared to this immensely glorious Prize that God wants me to enjoy in Heaven.  Everything is going to be worth it.

In the Bible, the “crown” has several times served as symbol for heavenly rewards.  If the crown on top of the art design of the “Keep Calm and Carry On” campaign is any indication, then it’s definitely meant to be tailored for the context of my life’s slogan.

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Analysis of Christianity Part 5 - "Onward, Christian Soldiers"

(Previous: Part 4 – “Salvation and TULIP”)

It has been more than two years (!) since I last wrote an installment.  I think it’s time to pick this series up once again…

“Onward, Christian Soldiers” was one of my fondest hymns when I was a kid.  The analogy of a Christian as a soldier excited me.  However, I never really understood what it really signifies.   It merely appealed to me in a romantic sense then.    

Nonetheless, the message of the hymn is a truth: We Christians are soldiers, and we are at war.  The Bible has several times made allusions of Christian life to being soldiers in a war (the most famous one is probably when Paul urged the Ephesians to “put on the whole armor of God… to stand firm”).

* * *

It is a dangerous misconception to think that once someone becomes a Christian, he or she would be free from problemsand turmoil.    In fact, it’s quite the opposite.  The world is likely to be hostile to someone who doesn’t conform to its philosophies.  A Christian’s life is a constant war zone. 

Don’t get me wrong.  Surrendering one’s life to Jesus will surely bring peace.  But that kind of peace isn’t due to being exempted from life’s hardships.  A Gospel who teaches that believing in Jesus would make all financial, relationship, and health troubles disappear is a false Gospel. 

The peace that a Christian possesses in his or her heart is not due to whatever the condition around him or her is.  A Christian has peace regardless of the bad things happening to him or her because his or her peace is grounded in God – a God whom he or she knows is in control no matter what, who only mean the best for His children. 

Besides, what better “peace” is out there than the knowledge that you are saved from the terrifying fate of the pouring out of the wrath that God has reserved for sinners.  A Christian enjoys the best peace there is, even though he or she is in a battle-filled life. 

* * *

So what is this war all about? 

I can think of three main “fronts” that we Christian soldiers are fighting in.  The first “front” is our internal, moral and spiritual struggles wherein we have to discern and do the right thing, and avoid sin.  The second “front” is evangelism, or the sharing of the Gospel.  And the third “front” is fighting for our faith and the truth; to demolish the shallow, erroneous philosophies of the world as well as the harmful false doctrines that can arise from our own ranks.  

I will have a more elaborate discussion of these three “fronts” in three separate installments in some future time.  For now, just let me state that these three “fronts” are, in a way, actually interconnected with and affects each other – belonging to the same “theater” in the war, if you will.      

* * *

Actually, this war is sort of paradoxical since the war is actually won already.  Regardless of the battles we have fought, won, and lost in our lifetimes, the victory is already assured by Jesus when he died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead.  It only happens that the victory party is yet to come, which would be on Jesus’ Second Coming. 

The battles that we have in our lifetimes, even though victory is guaranteed, are nonetheless important.  It is part of the Christian sanctification process.  To test our faith, like Job – akin to gold being purified with fire (1 Peter 1:7).  Moreover, think of these battles as opportunities for us to earn medals, which will be awarded to us in the Second Coming.  Picture Jesus pinning these medals on us as he deliver these words of commendation: “Well done, good and faithful soldier!”               

* * *

The Devil – master deceiver that he is – tricks us Christians into believing that we are living in “peace time”, which prompts us to become passive, smug, and lazy.  Then when the Devil goes on an offensive, we are caught off-guard and hardly put up a fight – easily succumbing to discouragement and/or sin.      

Therefore, it is important that we be ready for battle always.  To be like the Minutemen of the American Revolutionary War, ready for combat at a minute’s notice.  Hence, like soldiers, we need to prepare and toughen up.  We should embrace willingly whatever training God will put us into.  We should always put on the “full armor of God”, as what the Apostle Paul coined it (Ephesians 6:13-17), with no complains of its weight.  And, most importantly, we should always heed the battle instructions from our Commander – who has already given us victory and is worthy of our absolute obedience – which we can receive by regular Bible meditation and prayer. 

      

(Prayer is pretty invaluable in a Christian’s battles.  While we are in the trenches and foxholes, and the Enemy is pounding us with a battery of temptations, deceptions, difficulties, and doubts, prayer serves as our radio to the Command Center.  Through it, we receive intelligence and encouragement.  And also through it, we can ask for air support.  So, prayer shall be the topic of the next installment: “Part 6 – Livin’ on Prayer”)       

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