Tag Archives: nemesis

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, after season 1

Posted on by Henry

What’s my verdict after finishing season one of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters? No spoilers, I liked it. I even loved some of it. But I didn’t love all of it equally—for one, I didn’t care much about the big monsters most of the time.

My lack of interest in most of the monsters turned out just fine! That didn’t detract from the show, because Monarch is far more focused on people, and humanity, than on giant stompy monsters. And it was Monarch’s focus on people that I loved.

I think there are some interesting details in why I loved the parts I loved, and what didn’t work as well for me. Come check it out.

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Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Apple TV, 2023)

Posted on by Henry

Remember how I was upset with Castlevania? Very mild spoilers here.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters shows how to give a character life after killing them in episode one. It makes that death a tragedy instead of a cheap trick, and lets us come to know the person—their strengths, their joys, and their faults—even after we know they’re dead. Even better, that character’s death and life reveal the themes foundational to the Godzilla series; after all, Godzilla stories aren’t just about giant monsters.

Don’t worry. There are definitely some giant monsters. It’s just… Monarch, like the first Godzilla movie, is really more about human drama and humanity’s hubris than about a big stompy beast.

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Flash Fiction: The Search History of a King

Posted on by Henry

Oedipus-E-Hillemacher

This week’s flash fiction challenge from Chuck Wendig is to tell a story in six to ten search terms.  I suppose I’m cheating a bit, since I’m re-telling a story, but as soon as I had the idea it stuck.  I couldn’t resist.  Enjoy.

Search History:

  • route from delphi to thebes
  • sphinx riddle answer
  • how to cure infertility
  • define hubris
  • define nemesis
  • paternity testing