October 2020 review

October had a stronger non-wargaming focus for me than usual, as we're starting our large scale terrain project.

But, we've had some milestones this month. The 300th review in German went online (256th in English) and we're at almost 1,000 posts (times two due to the bilingual coverage) on here as well. This month marked another Throwback, this time covering Spiel in Essen along with the spiel.digital and my Parking Lot Theory on sorting project.

The remaining schedule for 2020 is more or less limited to further sorting of the project and preparing the studio for a move. I hope that I get around for some painting, as gaming or so is pretty much done for this year. But I had the chance to be a bit creative with Halloween and some proper family time, carving a pumpkin jack-o-lantern with my daughter. First time doing that, and without a Halloween party or St. Martins parade, I had the need to keep up a bit of the holiday spirit. Probably will give the German version of a ginger bread man (Weckmann) a try.

I managed to close further gaps in my collection, the last Blood Bowl team from 3rd edition, Athelorn Avengers, Salute miniatures and the very first Space Marine. I have narrowed down the search quite well and put up a wanted list shortly.

As for my Middlehammer Imperial Fists, I came across a Predator Annihilator. I thought it was a Space Wolves exclusive in the early editions, but it seems that I mixed up the Leman Russ Exterminator with the Predator Annihilator (I only associated the old RT Predator and 1997 Predator with 2nd edition). The turret looks a bit wonky upfront, so I'll move it further towards the back, as the old RT model and Deimos pattern by Forge World does. It will need a box on the turret and maybe one of the additonal armour kits. I am still looking for the Imperial Fists Captain, if you have one and are willing to part from it, let me know!

Let's head over to the streaming section.

I finished the Season 2 of The Boys - Oh boy, what a gory mess. Highly recommended. Some truely w-t-f moments, and I suggest adding Screen Crushs additional coverage for all the easter eggs and such. As The Mandalorian season 2  started up last week as well, with a great cameo by Timothy Olyphant that made so much sense. I mean Mandalorian is so heavily influenced by the western genre, this actor, with his roles in Deadwood and Justified, is a great fit.

With only eight episodes, the Season 11 of Archer is already done. But - Spoiler - Archer wakes up from his coma and reconnects with the agency. Quite entertaining, missed a bit of a cliffhanger in the end and I'm looking forward to the show being picked up for a 12th season.

I was a bit surprised, that Netflix, who covered Fargo for the last three seasons, didn't do so for the Season 4 of Fargo (yet?). Interesting cast choices, Chris Rock performes quite well in this serious role and the story has a good pacing, yet missing a bit of the holy shit moments from the earlier seasons. But well, there are still three episodes to go. Staying with Netflix, they released a german production, Barbarians, the story of Arminius and the defeat of the Romans at the Teutoburger Forest. Did David Schütter visit the Till Schweiger school of mumbling? Overall okay, just don't expect too much from it. Beside the known story, it is a bit too foreseeable for my taste. On Netflix as well, Star Trek is back on this month, with third season of Star Trek Discovery. Doesn't really feel like Trek yet, the whole time jump is a bit weird. As for Star Trek Enterprise, still not really feeling it. Gave a few more episodes, as some of the trek series take some time to pick up, but ENT ... not really feeling it.

On Amazon you will find Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, uff, a bit too forced and not really funny. Especially if you have seen Who is America, this is nothing new and rather boring. And Primal, a well made animated series without a single word of dialogue about a caveman and a dinosaur trying to survive.

The latest episode of the german podcast Krauthorn went online, very interesting episode on Dune and its influence on sci-fi. Give it a go.

Let's see what November has planned for us.