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Disagree completely, season 3 was a little patchy but I think people are ridiculously harsh on it - loads of s3 episodes are up there with the best of the entire series.

Season 5 was patchier still and had a few genuinely duff episodes but it had more than enough glimmers of that old magic to make it worthwhile. And even a weak episode of Community is 1000 times better than the garbage that passes for a sitcom nowadays (Big Bang theory and the like).

I don't see the previews so I haven't highlighted that bit! I'm all up for not knowing anything about the next episode. However the name sort of gives away who the focus is going to be.

I would rather not watch the previews but have no willpower! [spoiler]My advice is look away during the credits, as this episode a certain actor appeared in the roll call, giving away their 'surprise' return.[/spoiler]

I wouldn't worry about the title thing, there's been many examples where the character(s) the title is nominally referring to that have only a tiny role in it - the season two episode 'Garden of Bones' for a start. And the titles often have quite clever multiple meanings or interpretations.

I think it's perfectly legitimate to criticise event/blockbuster/B-movies on the grounds of character, dialogue and story.

Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones were visual effects milestones and crowd-pleasing event movies that would sound goofy on paper, and they'd be very dull indeed without all those memorable character moments, tight story arcs and quotable lines.

Seems to be getting fairly middling reviews.

Great episode last night, and lovely to finally see [spoiler]Mark Gatiss[/spoiler]!. I always think Game of Thrones is at its strongest when it takes time to breathe instead of flitting between characters and locations every two minutes trying to cram everyone in, and this episode was a great example of that, consisting of just 4(?) extended scenes; Stannis, Yara/Ramsay, Dany and then the tiral of Tyrion. Outstanding opening scene - gave me flashbacks to Fellowship of the Rings.

I'm not always as convinced of Peter Dinklage's acting talent as others, but there's no denying he was on fire this ep - that last scene was spine-tingling. I predict wildcard Oberyn has a role to play here...

The only wobble for me was the scene at the Dreadfort. Ramsay [spoiler]releasing the dogs seemed a bit of an silly and unconvincing way to chase off the Ironborn, and something about the cut to them running towards the boat seemed unintentionally comical to me. [/spoiler]

The 'next week' preview suggests [spoiler]Littlefinger is about to deal out Westerosi justice to certain people who have harmed those he loved (and I think we all know who he's talking about).[/spoiler] Can't. Wait.

They also edited out most of the original episode titles, recap boxes and 'next prog' taglines where appropriate - and I know that'll annoy some purists, but it really makes the world of difference. The art looks so much cleaner and less cluttered, and pages flow from one to the next really well. And 'where appropriate' is the key bit of info there, of course.

They also edited out quite a few of the historical quotes which is unforgivable.

I actually like the coloring in the older trade, it's like seeing the painters brushstrokes.

Hmm, yeah I remember that now you mention it. I'm normally in favour of removing the titles, recaps etc but I feel like the Dante recaps were kind of essential to the flavour of the thing. That's a shame.

Cancelled. Gutted.

Though there is always a chance that someone like amazon or Netflix could fund a sixth season.

Lovely jubbly.

The new Dante design looks lovely - is that how Too Cool to Kill looks as well? Tempted to get 1-3 if the repro is that much better - those early Dante stories are some of my favourite 2000ad comics ever, and the pages in my old copy of Courtship are a bit loose. Have we seen the final covers for these new editions yet?

Also: are these US books? Can't seem to see them on Amazon.com

I'm not ashamed to say I laughed damn hard at this when I first saw it. Surely the only image format gag in all of TV history...!?!

I'm almost certain there's been at least one in one of Charlie Brooker's shows.

BBQ food cooking away.....love the smell. I always associate it with hot summer days, a few drinks and time with friends and family. Cannot wait to get mine going this year once summer properly appears 
Also agree with others on petrol and bacon.

I recommend not trying to combine the smells of BBQ and petrol.

Obvious one, but fresh coffee.

[MODERN FAMILY]

Just started watching MODERN FAMILY - an american sit-com about life in a modern family. 

There's a traditional husband and wife and 2.2 kids as one strand but also some less than traditional couples and offspring. It's done in "Office" style i.e. people speaking directly to an unseen interviewer at points but also able to cast some great glances to camera during otherwise normal scenes.

I must say, I like it. There are some great characters, some fantastically crafted gags (that aren't always obviously "set-up/punchline" or sarcastic quippery).

Some issues - everybody is very pleasantly well off and the mums are all stay at home and often "let the dads win" to keep the peace. What is this, 1970?

But other than that, I find it very smart slice of (unattainable) life comedy.

And I'm totally in love with one of the cast members. Not Sofia Vergara (who, to quote "looks like she fell off a mud flap") but the marvellous Cam. The thought of his Lion King still makes me laugh.

Right, you can all slate me now because it's so boring and traditional and not in the slightest bit edgy.

Not at all, I've mentioned many times on this thread about my love for Modern Family. A genuinely funny family sitcom with broad appeal is a rare thing.

Be warned though, it (IMO) completely goes off a cliff after season 2. Every episode from 3.1 onwards almost entirely lacks the charm and wit of what came before. Even my girlfriend, who held on longer than me, have up on it midway through season 4.

Here's our pup - she's a Bernese Mountain Dog called Freya. Can't walk more than a few metres down the street with her without getting stopped by strangers so they can tell me how pretty she is.

Unfortunately she has had to have knee surgery so is currently confined to the flat, with strictly no walks for 8 weeks!

That smell in the after a short rain shower.

Cigarette or cigar smoke. I don't smoke any more, but always enjoy a bit of second hand smoke. Smoker's breath and especially stale smoke clinging to someone who has been smoking in the rain is a horrible smell, though.