Author: Lee Hurtado

So, Ten Years Ago Today, This Happened…

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…and we’ve been running ever since.

After too long away, Doctor Who returned, with a new generation of actors, directors, and writers to bring sci-fi’s most unique hero-of-sorts on his way. And generations new and old were swept up in the terror and wonder of all of time and space, all over again.

Today, the adventure shows no end in sight. And I’d like to think we’re all a little better for it – at least I believe I am.

(h/t to that FX genius “John Smith,” whoever he may be…)

Thank you for coming back, Doctor. Here’s to many more ahead…

‘The Universe Owes Me’

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Look back to all the Shakespeare you had to read in school, and you’ll find that all his villains had the same basic motivation. From Iago to Richard III to Cassius to Lady Macbeth, all of them felt wronged, cheated, denied their rightful greatness by a cruel, unjust universe. And all of them got pretty ruthless in their efforts to claim it.

That same motivation, that Shakespeareanity, is at the heart of Better Call Saul. And in its first season, everyone – from writers to actors to directors and cinematographers, is just RUNNING with it.

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An IOU

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Sometimes life gets in the way. That should go without saying, but I think it’s good to say it anyway.

That’s what’s happened to the blog. I’ve been caught up in work, looking for more opportunities to better use my education and to move my writing career to the next level. So I haven’t focused as much on this website.

I apologize for the radio silence (but not for “Radio Silence,” because Thomas Dolby is awesome). I know I’ve promised a few people a few posts, and you will have them in time.

Until then, thanks for your patience and support.

“Be seeing you…”

Somewhere Between In Over His Head And Already Drowned

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Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould and Bob Odenkirk are making this really hard for me.

I’m a writer. I have a decent grasp of English vocabulary. But there are only so many ways you can write, week in and week out, about the continued, consistent excellence of Better Call Saul.

And the hardest part is realizing that it’s only getting better.

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The Hope of Art, Chapter 2

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One of the highlights of last fall was being able to help out with Up in the Air, Monarch Academy‘s first art exhibit. The reception was a huge success, raising money and (much more importantly) awareness for the school’s awesome students.

So I’m thrilled to spread the word about their latest artventure.

Texas, Our Texas! opens on Sunday (February 22) at the Institute of Texan Cultures. This exhibit will spotlight the students’ visions of our state and all the different things that make up its culture, from slogans to symbols and so much in between.

There will be a reception with the artists on Sunday, April 12 (it’s also a free family day), and the exhibit will run through May 30. So I hope you’ll visit the Institute soon and see what Nikki‘s students have been up to. And of course I hope you’ll spread the word.

Thanks as always for your support, and hope to see you there!

Three Days in a Pocket Universe

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That looks innocuous enough, doesn’t it? Just a confirmation that I’d registered to attend Gallifrey One (one of the most famous Doctor Who conventions) in 2015.

I was excited, of course. A chance to spend three days in Los Angeles, surrounded by creators and stars and fans of my favorite show? How could I not be excited?

I really had no idea…

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On My Way To All Of Time And Space

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A postcard from GallifreySo I’m packed. I have my boarding pass for the flight. I’m as close to prepared as I can be.

Tomorrow is Los Angeles. Tomorrow is my first Doctor Who convention. Tomorrow is Gallifrey One.

So much to do. So many people to meet. So much to discover. And I’m excited. I haven’t been on a vacation like this in too long a while. I don’t quite know what I’m getting into. But it’s going to be a lot of fun.

I’ll try to post updates here when I can, but I’ll probably go to Twitter and Instagram first, so if you don’t already follow me there, that’s where you can best find me.

Take care, everyone. I’ll see you when I get back.

Until then…

Jimmy McGill And The Ugly

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I’m really just speaking for myself, I know, but I think one of the great hooks of Better Call Saul is the appeal of looking for that moment, or that series of moments, that shapes the hapless PD Jimmy McGill into the sharp manipulator Saul Goodman.

And one of the great hooks of watching the premiere was seeing the moment when Jimmy hatches his first Goodmanesque scheme, his first plan to gain him notice, money, renown, respect.

So, of course, one of the great hooks of watching the next episode is seeing how that plan turns out.

It doesn’t go very well.
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The Joy of Casting

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Casting Call - Joy the ButterflyNikki recently posted this casting call on Instagram and Facebook – Morgan’s Wonderland is looking for performers to play the park’s ambassador, Joy the Butterfly.

It’s a great opportunity to join us in the Wonderland, TX family, so if you’re interested, please e-mail Nikki for more information. And please share this with any and everyone you think would like to be a part of it.

Thanks as always for your support!

How Jimmy McGill Broke Bad

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There’s always a risk you take when you try to build a supporting character into the lead.

As a rule, supporting characters exist to allow us to better understand the “hero” of the story. As a rule, they don’t have quite enough story of their own. As a rule, they’re not designed to carry their own shows.

But when you’re talking about Vince Gilligan, when you’re talking about Bob Odenkirk, when you’re talking about Better Call Saul, the rules don’t really apply anymore.

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