Some people love fantasy. Then there are people who are so utterly enmeshed in it that they’ve gone so far as to bring it to an academic setting (where it belongs – am I right?). One of those people is Philadelphia’s very own Dr. Donald Riggs, who will be teaching a course this summer on A Game of Thrones at Drexel University.

The course, simply titled “A Game of Thrones,” will explore the differences and similarities between the first book in the series and the first season of the HBO series based on it. It will be offered through the Pennoni Honors College on Thursday afternoons from 2:00 to 4:50. It promises to be just as epic as the tale it focuses on.

Dr.  Riggs

This is not the first time Dr. Riggs is teaching a class this rad. He often teaches whole courses on Lord of the Rings, and, in fact, he’s also teaching a course this summer on The Hobbit. Several years ago, he ran Tolkienfest, an entire day of celebrating the work of Tolkien, here at Drexel University.

My favorite class I’ve ever taken with him was centered around Dune (yes, it was glorious). I’ll be sitting in on as many Game of Thrones classes as I possibly can this summer.

For more info, visit Drexel University’s official website.

Blood is the price of freedom. This is one of the core principles that drives Spartacus: Vengeance, the sequel to Starz’s explosive Spartacus: Blood and Sand. We recently had a few words with the lovely Katrina Law, whose character is Mira: a slave, a rebel, and a fighter. Here’s what she had to say!

 ———————-

A lot has happened in the past year and a half since Blood and Sand! Can you tell us about what it’s like to jump back into the role of Mira after fighting her way out with the rest of the gladiators?

Katrina Law: Jumping back into the character of Mira was a bit like re-learning to ride a bike. It took a while to remember the accent and her mannerisms and her point of view of the world but it all came back very quickly. This year, you watch Mira go from meek house slave afraid of punishment and death to fierce rebel slave that almost seems to invite death at every turn. She is free and she really, really likes it.

I think she is an interesting one to watch because she isn’t flawless. She makes huge mistakes, she stands up for what she thinks is right, she is passionate, and she is loyal almost to a flaw. I also think the most interesting thing to watch is how she starts off desperately trying to prove her worth to Spartacus and ends up proving her worth to herself.

Anyone who has seen Spartacus: Vengeance can see the transformation Mira has gone through since she’s met Spartacus in the previous season. She’s been a slave for her entire life, and now she’s an important part of the rebellion. It’s very exciting to see her share of the action when it’s time to rumble with the Romans.

At this point in the story, what fuels Mira’s passion? How is Spartacus’ own vengeance affecting her feelings towards him?

KL: At the beginning of the rebellion I think Mira was very naive in thinking that if they could all just run away, they could be free and happy and that maybe even she and Spartacus could go off and start a family. She very quickly learns that in order to be free you have to fight for it. She has spent most of this season trying to figure out her relationship with Spartacus and how she can be of use to the rebel slaves. Mira really hit her stride when she was taught to shoot a bow. Her sense of pride in herself and her self worth started to sky rocket. I also think that is when most of her anger and her own issues of vengeance started surfacing. I think Mira has fully come to realize how terrible her life has been under Roman rule and I truly do think that if she could she would kill them all.

When it comes to Spartacus and his vengeance, I don’t think Mira ever fully understood. I think in her mind she has suffered just as many loses if not more and she has found a way to move on. But out of an almost blinding love, she was willing to support him and stand by his side. She sees the bigger picture a lot of the time and has had many a moment where his singular desire to seek his personal vengeance at the cost of the rebel camp has infuriated her. I think the divide between Mira and Spartacus is becoming wider as each episode goes on. Mira wants to be free and happy and she sees Spartacus as wanting to live in the past.

When Felicia Day’s The Guild first arrived online in 2007, I don’t think anyone expected it to become the web sensation it did. The story of a group of people who play “The Game”, a MMORPG where they all work together as the Knights of Good and what happens when they actually have to meet in the real world struck a nerve in the geek community. Day just “gets” what it means to be a geek and a gamer and that showed through in the show. Now, season 5 has arrived on DVD and all I can say is “Huzzah!”

In season 5, the Guildies go on a road trip to the MegaGame-O-RamaCon and all hell breaks loose. Codex has to figure out a way to save “The Game”, Vork comes face to face with a boyhood crush, Zaboo becomes the power behind the convention (with the help of a couple Master Chiefs) and we all find out Tink’s real name.

One of the really nice things about The Guild on DVD is that you can marathon all the episodes back to back, so that season 5 feels more like an epic movie when you watch it than a web series. Day somehow can make a geek laugh at him or herself while not making them feel like the butt of a joke. I think its part of what has made her and The Guild so popular.

Add in the plethora of guest star cameos (including Brent Spiner, Nathan Fillion, Erin Gray, Wil Wheaton and more) and you have all the signs of the most ambitious season yet.

Then there are the bonus features, which include interviews, making of features, audio commentary, a blooper reel and more. Even if these weren’t on the disc, I would still buy it, it’s that good, but they make for some nice extras once you finish watching season 5.

The Guild Season 5 may go down as the best season yet. And thanks to New Video, you have the chance to see for yourself. They have given us a copy of The Guild Season 5 on DVD to give away to one lucky Geekadelphia reader!

Just leave a comment about which member of The Guild is your favorite and we’ll pick a random winner at the end of next week. Please make sure to leave an e-mail address with your comment and DVDs can only be sent to addresses in the United States and Canada.

The Trailer Park Boys is one of those cult phenomena that either you know about and are a rabid fan, or you’ve probably never heard of. The Canadian mocumentary TV show spanned 7 seasons and followed the misadventures of a trio of ex-con trailer park residents that dealt drugs, loved kitties, robbed convenience stores, and couldn’t seem to stay out of jail.

Since the show completed its run the trio started another show The Drunk and on Drugs Happy Funtime Hour and still occasionally tour in character as our favorite residents from Sunnyvale Trailer Park. Their newest tour “The Ricky, Julian and Bubbles’ Community Service Variety Show” will be stopping at our very own Keswick Theater Wednesday, May 9th at 7:30pm.

I am a huge fan of the Trailer Park Boys and can’t wait to see what the live show is all aboot. Tickets for the show range from $28 to $40 and can be ordered online at KeswickTheatre.com, or you can pick them up at the Keswick box office, Monday-Saturday, noon-6pm and via all Ticketmaster locations.

Leah Cevoli, producer, actress and resident Geekadelphia crush (you might remember her from a little thing called Robot Chicken) is asking for support for her latest project, JEDI CAMP.

The proposed series, starring Cevoli and Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Camden Toy, sounds almost too cute to be real.

“The six-episode web series will follow a group of young Star Wars fans who embark on an adventure filled summer at the first ever sleep-away camp for Jedi. Throughout their summer, they’ll learn the ways of the Force and be tested by the Dark Side. When the youngest camper, Lucas discovers he has the Power of the Force, it enables him to conquer his fears and defeat his bully,” the producers explain.

The fictional series will feature many young and talented actors, with a heartwarming message about the implications of bullying, though the show’s message and content will appeal to all ages.

Jedi Camp is currently up on Kickstarter.com and has just one week left to reach its $8,500 goal. They’re about a quarter of the way there. To donate, head to Kickstarter and pledge your support to help back this project with The Force plus some cash (otherwise, all donations are returned if the fundraising level is not reached).

His name was Colin, these are his papers…

The dream of the ‘90s will be alive in Philly this Sunday when Portlandia: The Tour rolls into town. While there’s no word yet if show masterminds Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein will attempt to pickle a cheesesteak or the Liberty Bell, it’s a safe bet that they’ll be showcasing the offbeat humor that has made the IFC sketch series such a breakout hit.

What can attendees expect? Live tunes from Brownstein (cross your fingers for some Sleater-Kinney jams) and Armisen (who along with bringing the funny on Portlandia and Saturday Night Live is also an accomplished drummer whose indie cred was cemented when he performed with Les Savy Far a few years back), as well as performances from some surprise musical guests.

So far dates on the tour have included everything from full-band renditions of Portlandia’s signature tune, The Dream of the ‘90s is Alive in Portland, to a spirited cover of Salt-n-Pepa’s immortal classic “Push It.” In other words, anything goes.

Along with the music, there will be sketches featuring some of the series’ hipster-baiting characters and video clips aplenty. The 8pm show sold out so quickly that the Troc added a second performance later in the evening. If you go, just remember to save your ticket stub so you can take it home and make it all crafty like by putting a bird on it. Fred and Carrie would want it that way.

Portlandia: The Tour
Sunday, February 19th, 8 & 10:30pm $30

The Trocadero
1003 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
www.thetroc.com

While Geekadelphia’s Jo absolutely adores the BBC’s Doctor Who (as you’ve likely noticed from her frequent giveaways and smokin’ TARDIS dress) I’m a big fan of the BBC’s underdog series, Primeval.

The premise behind the show is pretty ridiculous, even for BBC standards, but undeniably entertaining. Glimmering portals (known as Anomalies), are opening through out England, letting prehistoric (and sometimes mythical) creatures into our time. A ragtag group of scientists, soldiers, government officials and students are assembled to lead the charge against the time altering threat, with dramatic and action packed results.

I’ve been subscriber to the show since it popped up for sale on iTunes, and was thrilled when the BBC sent me Volume 3 of Primeval on Blu-ray to scope out and giveaway.

Trailer for Season 1, so you have an idea

I’d dish out details on the plot, but for those of you new to the series… well, spoilers! So let’s just talk about the release.

Volume 3 of Primeval isn’t packaged the way you might think, giving you all of season 3. Nope, instead, you’re getting all of season 4 and 5, thirteen action packed episodes in total. The digital transfer is fantastic. As someone who’s used to watching the series in standard definition via iTunes, the HD Blu-ray quality looks just great. And the special features are nice too, giving you a great making-of entitled New Dawn: Making the New Primeval.

All in all, this is a great box set for fans of the show. High resolution, excellent making of documentary, and two full seasons in one nice package. And hey, if you’ve never seen the program, enter in the giveaway and catch up on the show. You’ll love it, promise.

So about that giveaway! I’m giving away Volume 3 of Primeval on Blu-ray to one lucky commenter. Leave a comment about your favorite prehistoric creature, I’ll choose one of you at random and send you your copy. Good luck!

Our favorite omnipotent being is coming to our beloved Brave New Worlds comic book shop in Old City. John de Lancie, an actual Philadelphia native, is best known for portraying Q, the all-knowing and all-powerful being from the Star Trek universe. He’ll be at the store signing autographs (for $25) on Saturday the 21st.

I might be there to geek out and harass him with questions such as, “Have you seen the hysterical stuff that George Takei posts on Facebook?”, “Wasn’t there a TNG episode where Riker manages to seduce a female Q or am I just making that up?”,”Wasn’t Janeway the absolute worst captain in Starfleet history?”

Head over to Brave New Worlds, and stock up on comics while you’re at it. Meanwhile, ask de Lancie about his guest appearances on Law & Order: LA or Torchwood: Miracle Day and voice work for Cartoon Network’s Young Justice. Actually, ask him how he felt about being a villain on “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.” I really want to know about that.

Q is Coming
Saturday, January 21st, 2012

Brave New Worlds
45 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
www.bravenewworldscomics.com

Hello Whovians! BBC America has released Doctor Who Season 6 Part 2 on Blu-ray and they’re giving Geekadelphia full access. Season 6 was filled with twists and turns, and viewers learned the secrets of River Song. It was truly a monumental season, and Season 7 is sure to be another good one.

This Blu-ray is a great addition to any Whovian’s collection. Season 6 is one of the most beautifully shot seasons Doctor Who has ever seen, and you definitely should own it on Blu-ray. The High Definition really enhances your Season 6 experience. Some of my favorite episodes like “The God Complex”, and “The Wedding of River Song” are really worth the Blu-ray quality.

Not only does the Season look exceptional in High Definition, but there are a few special features that you have to check out. The Monster Files delves into the world of The Anti-Bodies and The Cybermats. I especially enjoyed learning what went into the modernization of The Cybermats, and the different mechanical variations they used on set. If you’re into learning about the creatures of Doctor Who you need to have this Blu-ray!

BBC was not only nice enough to let us review this Blu-ray, but they gave us two copies to give away. That’s right! We have two copies of Doctor Who Season 6 Pt 2 on Blu-ray to give to two lucky readers. All you need to do is comment below with where you think The Doctor and River Song would go for their Honeymoon. The two best answers will get a copy of the Blu-ray!

Contest Closed! Thanks for playing.

As you all clearly know, I love me some Halo. And if my full suit of Master Chief armor doesn’t hammer home that message, I really don’t know what will. The games, the novels, the movies (Legends wasn’t bad!), the comics… I just can’t get enough. And that includes the hilarious Red. vs Blue series.

Red vs. Blue: Season 9 continues the story of Red vs Blue: Revelation, and breaks the same rules that RvB:R did… we’re introduced to a story being told without the traditional Halo engine, and instead, are treated to pre-rendered CGI.

And while the story this series tells gets a little confusing at times (there are two distinct story arcs through the twenty episode series, one of which goes back and uses the Halo engine), the Rooster Teeth crew continue to deliver a hilarious narrative that Halo fans everywhere will love.

The DVD has all the usual suspects that Red vs. Blue releases tend to include. Hilarious director’s commentary, outtakes and deleted scenes, cast interviews, and the PSAs that Rooster Teeth is celebrated for. Since you can watch the series for free online, it’s a must to include this sort of stuff for fans. And they give you a lot of it, especially with the behind the scenes videos.

The folks at New Video Group were kind enough to send over a bunch of copies to giveaway. I’ve got three copies of Season 9 up for grabs here. Just leave a comment about your favorite game in the Halo series for a chance to win. I’ll pick one of you at random next week and drop a copy in the mail.

Be sure to scope out Rooster Teeth’s website for more information on Red vs. Blue. Old episodes, hilarious comics… they do some great work, those guys.