STACK #145 Nov 2016

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DVD&BD REVIEWS

Darkness falls. PENNY DREADFUL: THE FINAL SEASON

The etiquette of war. OUTLANDER: SEASON 2

Release Date: 23/11/16

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Release Date: 02/11/16

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Sadly, Penny has been dropped by Showtime and it's dreadful that one of the best horror series on TV has come to an end after only three seasons. In this last hurrah, Dracula's seduction of Vanessa Ives triggers the end of days. As darkness falls over London, Victor Frankenstein enlists the help of fellow doctor Henry Jekyll to find a cure for Lily, who is becoming increasing more unhinged. Elsewhere, The Creature attempts to reconnect with his family and Ethan Chandler returns to the American West, where he discovers his Apache

Oops, we spilled some Doctor Who into our historical drama. Not to worry, for it worked a treat. Outlander , based on Diana Gabaldon’s novels, is one of those rare shows that captivates people of any age (our mum even has a mad crush on Jamie: “I wouldn’t mind having known him when I was 21 or so.”). This second season sees our time travelling heroine in an increasingly bigger pickle; beyond the issues back in 1700s Paris and trying to infiltrate the Jacobite uprising, there’s the return of the despicable Randall and the

heritage and the pivotal role he must play in the oncoming apocalypse. John Logan's high concept period saga brought horror literature's greatest creations together in a manner that wasn't contrived, and Eva Green's tragic clairvoyant Vanessa was its bloody heart and soul. SH

Battle of Culloden to deal with. Then there’s the more complicated stuff, like making sure that your husband from your own time actually gets to be born someday and explaining how you’re pregnant to another man. “But it was hundreds of years ago, honey, honest!” AF

Rise of the Sun King. VERSAILLES: SEASON 1

PC Park. SOUTH PARK: SEASON 19

Release Date: 02/11/16

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Release Date: 02/11/16

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This lavish British-French-Canadian production could easily be seen as the Gallic Tudors, and although the French monarch here, Louis XIV, didn’t have quite as many wives as Henry VIII, he had an equally colourful life by all accounts. The focus is on the eponymous royal chateau, which the young king (played by former Vikings star George Blagden) is determined to transform into Europe's most magnificent palace. However, his nobles are restless, with a number of them actively plotting to overthrow him. He also has a love/hate relationship with

Over the past eighteen years, South Park has prided itself on being as politically incorrect as possible, which is one the reasons we love it. So when the school gets a new frat boy principal, who tries to force his PC values on the students, the you-know-what is headed for the fan. Moreover, the arrival of grocery giant Whole Foods and new hipster district SodoSopa threatens to gentrify the town – but not if the boys have anything to do with it! This is the first full season to use a serialised format, and the PC arc takes aim

his gay brother Philippe (Alexander Vlahos), whose wife is one of the king’s many mistresses. All this makes for a juicy historical romp – and the fact that the Sun King ruled for more than 70 years means there's plenty of material for future seasons. JF

at everyone from Donald Trump to Caitlyn Jenner. The insidious nature of online advertising is also taken to ludicrous – and brilliant – extremes, but you'd expect nothing less from Trey Parker and Matt Stone, whose sharp satire remains as caustic as ever. SH

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