This Week's Reviews
Black City Demon
Having barely escaped with
his life after helping defeat an attempted coup in the land of Feirie, you’d be
forgiven for thinking Nick Medea might seize the opportunity to take a
well-earned break.
Oh, if only being the
Guardian of the Gate between realms was ever that easy.
Not only is it necessary for
Nick to increase his efforts – balancing the investigation of paranormal events
during the upheaval caused by a gang warfare laced prohibition, against warding
off repeated incursions from the Wyld – but, it seems, he also has to contend
with a full-on attack from an incubuslike creature founded on the mortal plane
that’s set its sights on subverting all life on both sides of the Gate.
Who could this illusive
monster be? Why is it so determined to strike at supposedly undefeatable foes?
And how do these events tie into a horrific spate of murders committed more
than thirty years previously?
One thing’s for sure, life’s
never dull for Nick and the gang who once again get caught in the middle of a
titanic battle that threatens the very fabric of reality.
Hold onto your hats. This is
urban fantasy at its best, where fact, fiction and dark humor are plausibly
woven together in a way that’ll guarantee you’ll want to take a second look at
those shadows lurking in the corner.
Superb stuff, and
tremendously good fun!
When They See Us
This miniseries is based on
the events of the 1989 Central Park jogger case and explores the repercussions
in the lives of 5 young boys – Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam,
Raymond Santana and Korey Wise – and their families when they are arrested,
brutalized and subsequently imprisoned for a crime they did not commit.
The true assailant was
eventually identified in 2002 after coming forward. DNA and corroborating
evidenced proved that person to be the true offender. Alas for the five boys,
they had already served lengthy prison sentences and were looked on as pariahs
by many in their communities until the state withdrew all charges against them,
removed them from the sex offender registry, and awarding them considerable
damages
A happy ending, do you think?
Far from it.
What’s particularly powerful
about this show is the way it captures the essence of the time. Those boys were
innocent. The cops knew it, and yet, they went out of their way to secure a
conviction at all costs. Systematic racism. Psychological and physical abuse
amounting to torture. Bending – and in many cases, simply breaking – the rules
and due process. And don’t forget, we’re talking about boys between 14 and 16
years old. Not only were they innocent, but one, Korey Wise, wasn’t even there
in Central Park.
And once they were in the
system, it got worse. Parents were unable to visit their sons because they were
incarcerated hundreds of miles from home. And in Korey’s case – he couldn’t
apply for parole as that would mean admitting to a crime he never committed and
accepting he did wrong. A terrible injustice. I don’t mind admitting I was
spitting bricks through many parts of the show.
Because that’s the thing.
This wasn’t just a show.
“When They See Us” is merely a frank portrayal of the true life discrimination
suffered by five boys who last a major part of their young adult lives because
of a corrupt and unfair system. No amount of compensation can ever redress the
balance.
But people can. The question is: will we?
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