The Flash 'Enter Zoom' Review

Wow, what an episode.  After weeks of build up and tease, after seeing a blurry Zoom beat Jay Garrick in a fight, after hearing the creepy voice of Tony Todd say scary stuff we finally get to see Zoom in action against Barry, and it doesn't disappoint at all.

The first part of the episode was all further build up to the climatic fight, that saw some slow character moments that were able to build tension whilst managing some warm and funny beats that got to showcase the whole of the cast.

Following on from the previous weeks encounter with the villainous Earth-2's Doctor Light the team must turn to their worlds version of her, Linda Park, in order to form a trap for the evil speedster Zoom.  The warehouse scene in which team Flash try to teach Linda how to act in the part was one of the funniest the show has had, with some great visual comedy in the form of Cisco's cardboard cut outs of the group.

Having Linda take the place of her Earth-2 counterpart not only helped to complicate what would have been a pretty straight-forward plan, but also brought Linda into a more prominent role, even going so far as to trust her with Barry's secret.  Which is good for fans of the source material as she felt a lot like a throw away character in the first season.

Despite these comic elements there were plenty of dramatic beats leading up to the conclusion, including a further look into the past of the Earth-2 Harrison Wells.  We not only learn that the daughter that Zoom kidnapped is none other than Jesse Quick (please give her super speed too CW), but that Wells is not another of Zooms agents sent to kill Barry, just a desperate man willing to do anything to save his daughter.  These brief looks into Wells' past also gave us an interesting insight into the Earth-2 version of Green Arrow, who in that universe was Robert Queen, instead of Oliver.

The call backs to Barry's previous feud with the Reverse Flash also help to give a possible insight into his drive to face Zoom, that his lack of closure in not being the one to defeat the Reverse Flash at the end of season one might be leading to him making some rash choices.

After all the build up the team were ready to face off against the villainous Zoom, but nothing happened.  Their plan was a bust.  Instead Zoom lures team Flash into a false sense of security before striking, showing us all just how cunning and calculating the villain really is.

Not only is Zoom smart enough not to fall blindly into the trap set for him, he's pretty damn scary.  With a face that reminds me of a creature from my nightmares and the gravelly rasp of Tony Todd Zoom is instantly made memorable and vastly different from the Reverse Flash.

Just like with the Reverse Flash, Barry's first fight against Zoom does not go well.  Unlike that fight though, Barry was lucky to escape with his life.  Up against a foe even stronger and faster than the Reverse Flash Barry is quickly beaten into submission before being held aloft as a defeated and broken hero in front of Central City's press and police.

The season definitely hit a high point with this episode, firmly cementing the threat of their new villain, shutting down any complaints that he's just another Reverse Flash and setting up some new drama (though I doubt Barry will stay paralysed for long).

Amy.
xx


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Uber & Lyft Driver Who Chauffeurs in Drag

With ride-share and private taxi services like Uber and Lyft rising in popularity it's quickly becoming a competitive market for their drivers, some of whom are going the extra mile to stand out and create an enjoyable and memorable experience for their passengers.

One such person is Erika Simone, the drag personality of an L.A. driver who's making something of a name for herself with her flashy and fun service.

Answering the call for her service Erika arrives on the scene in her Prius, complete with sign declaring 'Driving is a Drag', with Erika decked out in her bright-yellow taxi uniform and fishnet stockings, calling out 'Hey babe, I heard you needed a Lyft!'.

When asked what made her chose to start 'Driving is a Drag' is quite open and honest that it coincided with her starting cross-dressing with the need to stand out as a business.  'I was really into cross dressing summer 2014 when I really needed to take a job as a Lyft driver to pay some bills.'  She explained.  'I was recently out of a 3 month rehab program and needed a low stress job.  After reading on a news site that there were other Lyft drivers that had dress up themes to their cars, like Batman, Big Lebowski and Harry Potter, I thought to myself...what am I going to do?'

'Then I thought, what if my drag alter ego Erika Simone went to pick people up?  I had an epiphany, and it was a big neon pink sign  that said 'Driving is a Drag', and off I went.'

Despite the obvious worries that some people could react negatively Erika went ahead with the idea, and so far has been met with nothing but positive reactions from those she has met.  'I was really worried at first that people would say nasty things, beat me up or kill me, so I went with a friend for the first few rides but quickly found that everyone loved it and told me it was the best Uber and Lyft ride they had ever taken.  I've done 1,600 trips and have only been turned down once, and the man was nice about it.'

Part of the reason why Erika has been so accepted and embraced by her fares also comes down to the fact that she creates a full experience for those that she picks up, with the car being decked out in beads, teddy bears and even comes with fun props for people to play with, such as novelty headbands complete with springy penises.

'I've had people drop their groceries because they're laughing so hard.  So many people are shocked because they've never seen a themed Lyft driver before, but then they're like, 'Fuck yeah, let's get in!'

Using her 15 years experience in the music industry to put together a three episodes of  'The Drag Car Sessions', which features bands performing in the back seat of her car.  'I have met with six different reality TV studios since March but finally found one that completely understood my vision.  This is not a TV show, but a web series for YouTube and is going to be out any minute now.  The goal is to take the web series as a package to major TV networks next year to try and sell it as a new show concept.'

Erika is hoping to use the exposure and attention from press, social media and television to franchise a party bus and limo service fronted by drag queens.  She is also aiming to create a much needed 'safe ride' solution for the transgender, cross dressing and drag community.

'I've seen many stories of Taxi and Uber drivers that still discriminate against us, leave us stranded on the corner because of how we look or actually throw us out of the back of their cab.  It's 2015 and people should feel safe from getting from A to B.  Many trans people are scared to go out and be in public and take public transportation.  This would allow them to be 100% themselves.'

Erika goes on to explain how the ever increasing presence of the transgender community has gone on to change the way she uses 'Driving is a Drag'.  'Ever since Caitlyn Jenner's story became massive global news my ride has gone from 100% entertainment to 50% entertainment and 50% education.  People ask me what's the difference between transgender, cross dressing and drag.  Many people don't know.  I'm happy to give them trans 101, if you know what I mean.'

'I've had so many trans youth contact me on Facebook and tell me that I've inspired them to come out to their families and friends and to be themselves.  Even though I identify as a man, I guess some people see me being fearless out their driving in drag and look up to me.  It's a really cool thing, it's very empowering to me.'

Amy.
xx


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David Welch Claims Trans People Can Be Cured

Pastor David Welch, one of the more outspoken opponents of the now failed Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, HERO, has further disrespected the transgender community by claiming that transgender people can be 'cured' by 'biblical therapy'.

Welch has spoken out against the transgender community, claiming that he 'felt transgender people disrespect the Christian God by wanting a body other than the one he created for them.'

He also went on to say that transgender people 'should seek Biblical therapy to settle their confusion'.

During the campaign against the HERO bill Welch was one of the more outspoken members of the anti-HERO campaign, alongside the US Pastors Council of which he is a member.  The main slogan of the anti-HERO campaign was 'No men in women's bathrooms'.

In the past Welch also said that he prays for God to 'free' Houston Mayor Annise Parker, an open
lesbian woman, from her 'condition'.

Amy.
xx


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Wikishuffle - One of The Best Podcast's Around

I don't listen to many podcasts, if anything I find podcasts to be rather annoying.  I've tried listening to dozens over the years and never stuck around with any of them for very long.  For the most part there seems to be slew of 'geek' podcasts around, shows that cover comic books, movies, TV and video games.

Now, these are all things that I like, but these are also things I read about often, so they're not breaking any news to me, and their subjects I talk about with friends, so some of those conversations I end up listening to are very familiar ones.  So to find a podcast that's different, unique and entertaining seems to be more difficult than you'd first think.

Luckily for me, I've found a podcast that I've been listening to for months (my own personal record), and look forward to every week.  Wikishuffle.

Wikishuffle is one of those little gems, where the concept is so amazingly simple that it'll astound you that no one else had done it before, and that you weren't the one to come up with the idea yourself.  Every episode the presenters press the random article button on Wikipedia and talk about whatever subject comes up.

I know what you're thinking, 'couldn't that be really dull?'  Well, they do have to cover moth's a lot, and their are some subjects that you'd never go and read about off your own back, but even these things that would never normally interest you are full of intriguing pieces of info, and a lot of humour.

The three hosts, Jack Stewart, Chris Wallace and Phil Sharman, are able to take some of the most mundane subjects and make them interesting, and more importantly entertaining.  I found myself strangely intrigued listening to them talk about Sesame Street plot lines, Vanta Black and the sexual activity of Popes.  I was even kept entertained for almost an hour listening to the life story of a footballer, but then again that particular man's life story was so crazy and unbelievable it would make an amazing film.

Not every subject that Wikipedia generates for the hosts are entertaining ones, some are over and done with extremely quickly because there's not really much to talk about, and some cover subjects that are extremely uncomfortable.  In one episode that still sticks with me vividly the brave hosts talk about the 2011 San Fernando Massacre, a mass murder of 193 people by the Los Zetas drug cartel.  Whilst it would have been easy for them to cut the segment and pretend that it never came up they plough ahead and talk about a truly shocking account with respect and reverence, something that most comedy podcasts would never do.

Informative, funny, and at times moving, Wikishuffle is one of the best new podcasts around, even received the UK Podcasters Award for Best Comedy this year.

If you want to be entertained for an hour a week, to laugh and to learn (though possibly not learning vital information, but learning nonetheless) then Wikishuffle is definitely the podcast for you.

http://www.wikishuffle.co.uk/

Amy.
xx


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Trans-Scribe

Following comments from a number of fans, and the natural progression of my journey from someone blogging for fun to a more active member of the internet news circuit it's time for a change for the blog.

This site is no longer known as 'Trans Girl Writer', but will hence-forth be called 'Trans-Scribe'.  Thank you to the fan who suggested the new name (you know who you are).  Due to the change in name the site has a new address;

www.trans--scribe.blogspot.com

The site will continue on with providing LGBT+ related news, opinion pieces and the occasional rant, and hopefully will be featuring a number of new reviews of some very interesting media pieces if all works out well with a new partnership.

I want to thank everyone for their continued support and for visiting the site in the great numbers you are.  I couldn't be doing this without you.

Thank you all.

Amy.
xx


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