STACK September 2017 Issue 155

033

m Hardy took his idea for

Taboo

to his father, writer

ips Hardy, who was initially reluctant to be involved, but

fin

ally acquiesced and agreed to flesh out the concept.

rdy also plays Thomas Delaney, an enigmatic character

o unexpectedly returns to England in 1814 to bury his

fat

her and lay claim to a piece of land on the West Coast

America called Nootka Sound. Delaney, thought to

ve been lost at sea after spending time in Africa, soon

becomes embroiled in a dispute between the American

government and the nefarious East India Company over

his inherited stretch of land. Set over eight hour-long episodes,

Taboo

features exceptional performances from its cast, a compelling plot line

with more twists and turns than a drunk on a rope ladder, and quality

production values to rival

Game of Thrones

(See page 20)

Black magic moments.

TABOO:

SEASON 1

Release Date: 06

/09/17

Format:

t's not just the zombies this show's title refers

o now: following a brutal culling by Negan in the

eason opener, and the threat of further violence by

ucille, Rick and the gang are all dead people walking.

hat is unless something can be done to break the

aviours' sadistic stranglehold and rally the surviving

ommunities into a fighting force. King Ezekiel and his

et tiger would make great allies, as would the strange

nkyard community with a gladiator zombie, which

Rick must fight in order to prove his worth. The first half

of season seven features a LOT of soul searching and procrastination,

before finally getting down to business in the last eight eps – and

adding to the already considerable bodycount of series' regulars this

year. Who will survive, and what will be left of them?

(See page 14)

You picked a fine time to brain me Lucille!

THE WALKING DEAD:

SEASON 7

Release Date:

27/09/17

Format:

Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia are an expectant

couple, Sterling K. Brown a succesful lawyer, Justin

Harley a sexy sitcom star, and Chrissy Metz is

struggling with weight issues. All of them share the

same birthday. They also have their share of challenges

– Ventimiglia and Moore have unexpected trouble in the

delivery room; Brown seeks to find some kind of peace

with the father that abandoned him; Metz's body image

impacts her enough to join a support group; and Harley,

well, being a himbo stereotype can be soul destroying.

The rhythms of life may not be as thrilling as surviving a zombie

apocalypse or a dance with dragons, but as an intimate study of a

diverse character group, this surprise Stateside smash delivers issues

that a majority of viewers can relate to.

This is real. This is love. This is life.

THIS IS US:

SEASON 1

Release Date:

20/09/17

Format:

Sam and Dean Winchester might be up to their eyeballs

theological conflict once again, but the real big bad of

ason 12 (yes, 12!) turns out to be the British chapter

the Men of Letters, who prove just as formidable

Lucifer, Crowley, et al. The brothers' dead mother

ary has also been resurrected (no character really

ies' on this show) and rejoins the "family business"

hunt alongside her boys. Elsewhere, Rick Springfield

rns up in a guest role as – you guessed it – an ageing

ck star, and there's also the matter of preventing the

birth of Lucifer's child. Things get pretty dark, but there's still room for

some of that signature

Supernatural

satire outside the main story arc,

including Hitler's soul stuck in a pocketwatch, an amnesiac Dean, and

evil invading the White House! Carry on wayward sons.

Family reunion and a bit of British bother.

SUPERNATURAL:

SEASON 12

Release Date:

06/09/17

Format:

REVIEWS

DVD&BD