Legacy of the Force

I didn't know how many people were so outraged about the new cast for Law and Order Criminal Intent.  On the USA forums, there is tons of outrage and many are refusing to watch next week's show.  And then there are rumors that Goldblum and Burrows are having problems making this new team work, and then there is word that Erbe may even return after they made her leave.  So much speculation. 

Okay, enough of that for now.  For now I wanted to do my review on the Legacy of the Force series that I just finished reading not too long ago.  This series takes place after the time of the New Jedi Order Series and the Dark Nest trilogy.  It is a 9 book series, a lot smaller than the 19-21 book series that NJO offered. 

Spoilers!!!

Mainly this series consists of the downfall of Jacen Solo, later to be titled as Darth Caedus.  When the planet Corellia refuses to accept terms by the Galatic Alliance government, they rebel, causing a new civil war.  The Jedi get involved, then the mysterious Sith Lady, Lumiya, makes contact with Jacen, and tells him of the way to bring peace to the galaxy.  The sith way. 

He uses the sith way to help him imagine a galaxy full of peace, and a safe place for his lover, Tenal Ka, and his secret daughter, Allana solo. 

From the beginning you begin to see his rise to fame from just normal Jedi Knight to colonel, head of Galactic Alliance Guard, to Joint Cheif-of-State.  Within each book, he falls closer to the dark side until he reaches the climax point, and kills Mara Jade Skywalker, Luke Skywalker's wife, after she discovers what he has become. 

That then makes things personal for Luke and his son, Ben.  They are focused on finding Mara's killer, while having to face the opposition of Jacen's guard, and fighting a war and trying to maintain a Jedi Order.  Ben is certain that Jacen is the killer, while Luke is too consumed by his grief to see the truth.  Later on closer to the end, Ben has the necessary proof to show Luke and is able to point the finger at Jacen. 

By this point, Jacen is now Joint Chief-of-State, and has proclaimed himself Darth Caedus.  The Jedi have lost whatever control that they had on Jacen, making him almost unstoppable.  Jaina, Jacen's twin sister, then realizes that she is the one that must bring him down, and she cannot do it with the Jedi techniques that she is so used to.  So she travels to the world of Mandalore, and seeks teachings from the Mandalore, the one and only, Boba Fett. 

After training and regrouping with the order, Jaina and her family team up with the Madalorians and other parsts of the galaxy to take down Jacen Solo once and for all.  And after a very grusome battle, she finally defeats him and kills him.  They are consumed by brief, but there is a shining star left that ends the story nicely.  We see that Allana Solo has survived the final battle and is put into Leia and Han Solo's care.  The one happy thought of a very heartbreaking tale. 

Overall, I thought the story was great!!  It shows you that even the best can fall for what seems like the right reasons.  You get to see the Jedi at it's peak in years, and you get to see them struggle to maintain what they have fought for for so many years!!  A very nice series to read, although I think you need to read NJO and Dark Nest before you can dig into this one. 

Well that seems to be my review for today.  Stay tuned for my opinion of yesterday's American Idol results, and the continuing controversy of the Law and Order Criminal Intent series!

-Tyler

Loyalty Part II

Hello guys!!  It has been quite some time since my latest post.  And my, how much I have missed blogging!  I actually would have done it sooner, but this hotel in San Diego won't let you have the internet in the room for free.  You have to pay a freaking $10+ a day just to use it.  Fortunately, I found out a little less than a hour ago that they serve free internet in the lobby.  And that is where I'm at right now. 

Major spoilers!!

I could write about so many things right now, but the main thing would have to be about the second part of Law and Order: Criminal Intent.  We saw Goren and Eames leave the show last night, and pass on the torch to Goldblum's character.  I made sure that we got to our room on time so I could watch it. 

I could talk about the episode forever, but I thought I would just hit the highlights.  The beginning was a great farewell to Captain Ross.  I really didn't expect them to show the funeral, but it was nice to see them say goodbye to him for the last time. 

The next part is when Eames is given the chance to become captain.  And until the very end you think she will come through.  But her having to fire Goren seemed too hard for her, leading her to decline on the offer.  I don't understand what diffrence it made, he was going to get fired one way or the other.  But of course Eames wasn't returning so there was not other way around it. 

As for Goren, I thought this episode really didn't give his moment to shine.  Specific episodes in season 7 really made him shine, which makes you think that this wasn't the best way for him to exit.  Season 7 had the best storyline for Goren to exit.  And the finale in season 7 would have left us knowing that he would be able to start fresh, and leave Major Case behind.  I felt that him getting fired really didn't tie up the loose ends that he had with the squad such as his nephew, Donny.  It was a disappointment when we didn't find out what happened to him in season 8.  Now we don't know if we ever will find out. 

Now the final scene, where Goren and Eames say goodbye is the climax of the entire show.  This was the point where the Goren/Eames shippers could have had what they have wanted, if the part was written just a tad diffrently.  We see Goren kissing Eames on the cheek for actually a long moment, then leaves the scene.  To me, it felt out of place, and really didn't fit the relationship that Eames and Goren have had for 9 years.  And then at the end, when Eames declines on the position as captain, you start to think that she is not taking it for love of Goren. 

Ah, I really have to stop talking about it.  It really was a hard episode ot watch and say goodbye.  On the other hand, we saw the partnership of Nichols and Stevens form up.  I felt that the relationship was awkward to start out, like we saw with Det. Logan and Wheeler.  But towards the end, it sorta started to grow on me.  Saffron Burrows character seems like a person that is worth watching at the moment.  I look forward if those two can really carry the torch. 

Overall, I thought the episode was really well.  But at the same time, it was a make it or break it moment for the new cast.  They have me sold for now, but whats to say that they have the other Goren/Eames fans sold.  If they fail to keep the attention that the show has been getting for 9 years, I'm afraid that it may be the end for Criminal Intent. 

So there was my full in-depth review of the show.  I really hope you enjoyed it!!  Stay tuned tomorrow for a review that I have for the Legacy of the Force Series that I just finished reading!!

-Tyler