James Callis on FlashForward, part 8: "I have a huge hippocamputh. FYI."

(I have huge titles. FYI. But who cares, this way people can actually find the post in a Google search.)

Picspam/Lengthy discussion on FlashForward episode 20, The Negotiation. This is probably James' last episode of FF - he's not credited in 21 anymore - and we got quite a bit of him this week!

It really looks like the person who said Gabriel is a bad guy mistook him for someone else (Dyson Frost perhaps?). He's not revealed to be a villain, and I'm so relieved. He is adorable, sweet and childlike, yet very sad. I see a lot of sympathy in James' portrayal: this is someone who was taken away from his mother into an institution, where a doctor used his abilities to his own ends, leaving trauma and an ability to see the future, which is really more a curse than a blessing. Gabriel is someone who never really felt at home in the world and who still needs very specific conditions to feel safe. Yet he's taken into FBI to be briefed in a very important case, and this is a lot of responsibility. No wonder he hangs on to Olivia.

Also, FlashForward has officially been cancelled, so there will be no more Gabriel McDow. I'm bummed, but perhaps it's for the best, story-wise; there's not a whole lot they can do after the day of the flashforwards, which is in the next episode. The show wasn't always great, but it got better, and I think James really elevated it to a new level. (But then I might be biased.)

Olivia (Sonya Walger) and Gabriel are looking at the Mosaic board, but Gabriel isn't happy. "That's not right, that's not right," he keeps saying and tries to change the places of the pictures. Olivia tells him, like you tell a child, that he shouldn't be touching it.

Mark (Joseph Fiennes) introduces himself, but Gabriel knows who he is. "You're Mark Benford, she's Olivia Simcoe." (Olivia rolls her eyes. She's really Olivia Benford.) "Go back to the drawing board, because it's wrong, see?" Gabriel shows Mark how some of the things on the board are in fact wrong. I'm not sure how that works - maybe he's seen an alternate future where the investigation went differently, and thus the board was different.

Mark wants to take a look. Gabriel seems uncomfortable with this: "That's my book. Be careful. It's my book, it's my book." He looks like it causes him anguish, but he's willing to control himself because this is important.

Mark: "How did you draw this?"

Gabriel: "[beat] With a pen. This with a red pen, because I like to use the red pen for the linesh." (he shows the lines) Olivia smiles, already looking like this is her kid doing amusing stuff. She explains that Gabriel has had multiple flashforwards, and he may have been here before. Gabriel says he was here before, "with Frost. He said to my mother he'd take care of me. He never said it was good care. It wasn't." Awww. He says Olivia did take good care, "she got me new shoes, you like them?" Mark says they're cute, but they're not shown to the camera. She apparently also got him a hoodie and new jeans, but Gabriel doesn't mention those. "And I have a huge hippocamputh. FYI." Gabriel says this very proudly, almost arrogantly. It may just be his most hilarious line so far.

Mark says Gabriel needs to be briefed about what he knows. This obviously makes Gabriel very scared indeed. Maybe it's meeting new people, or going back to those memories, or maybe he doesn't want to share all he knows?

Olivia says she has to go now, and Gabriel asks if he'll also go. Olivia says she's going and he's staying. "No, you stay," says Gabriel many times and grabs Olivia's wrist. He acts like she's his Mommy and he can't face this scary situation without her.

Mark makes the mistake of touching his shoulder, and Gabriel does the "You can't touch this!!" thing again. He looks so cute in this picture, like a crying baby. (L) (Also I love how his finger presses into the soft fabric, for some reason.)

Olivia says she should probably stay. And does. I won't go on and on about all the things that don't make sense on the show, but it bugs me that Olivia is supposed to be a very busy doctor and yet she can just stay at the FBI just like that and help Gabriel out. She never seems to be busy. (I love how Gabriel still points at his coat as they discuss this.)

Olivia suggests that she get Gabriel a soda. "Yes, can I have a soda please. With a straw." Aww!

While they're gone, Gabriel is gleefully fixing the board, making the right connections. And looking very cute while doing so.

Also: James' name and face in the same picture! Just had to include that.

Gabriel is being briefed. Everyone tries to be very friendly and calm around him, but he's still stressed and keeps playing with a rubber band. But he does recognize the people in the pictures as others from Raven River. (Apparently they also had flashforwards all the time.)

It turns out that Frost was not working alone; he had an accomplice. Gabriel has a drawing of him in the notebook, "it's a good drawing with the black pen". He calls the man "Big Guy." Asked about his name, Gabriel duhs, "I just told you: Big Guy!" (The same man is just talking to Simon in another scene, but it's kind of pointless to show a screenshot of him because the FBI is about to catch him. Also, I doubt James drew it himself.)

Talking about his friend, paraphrasing what he said in his first scene: "Technically he's dead, but he's still my friend." Note how Olivia looks at Gabriel lovingly. She wants to protect him and make him feel safe.

Demetri shows up and Gabriel panics.

Protecting himself with the hoodie! (L)

"He's supposed to be dead! You're supposed to be dead!" he shouts. (Demetri was supposed to die on March 15th, but Mark saved him.) This, of course, freaks Demetri out too.

Later on, Olivia reads as Gabriel jams to the music in his walkman. Again, just like a mother and her son in a waiting room. (Why didn't we get to know what he's listening to? I've totally decided it's MC Hammer. Can't touch this!)

Lloyd (Jack Davenport) walks in. "Lloyd! Lloyd! Llo-ho-hoyd!" Gabriel laughs. Olivia looks about to sing "Lloyd and Olivia, sitting in a tree." (Mark is watching nearby and notices this.)

I think I forgot to talk about this a few episodes ago, but Gabriel mentioned he saw futures where they were all friends, because he was their janitor. "I tried to smoke that day but I threw up." Bwah! I found that bit especially funny, but looking back, I never mentioned it in the post. So basically, Gabriel acts like they're old friends, and judging by how fast Lloyd and Olivia start liking him and trusting him, maybe that's the Way Things Are Meant to Be. I'm not sure if the show is telling us there is no free will and we just end up in the right future anyway, or what. But Gabriel seems to be right about a lot of stuff.

Lloyd seems happy to see Gabriel - or possibly just Olivia - and smiles benevolently. "I have a huge hippomaputh, FYI," Gabriel tells him, but not in the same arrogant tone he had with Mark; this time, he sounds a lot warmer. He really likes Lloyd. "Olivia, Olivia, Olivia said so." Lloyd smiles: "Well, she would know."

Lloyd asks about the briefing. "Stressful," Olivia says. "Very stresshful", Gabriel chimes in. Lloyd says he knows, he's been through it too. Gabriel sounds really cute, like a child repeating what Mommy says, but Lloyd takes him totally seriously here and doesn't go all "aww, cute kid." I love their interaction here; Lloyd's own son is autistic, of course, so it might affect his behavior. Olivia asks how it's going without Simon. Lloyd is having trouble with an equation.

Gabriel immediately seems to know what he's talking about: "Yeah the equaaaation, yeah the equaaaation. The equaaation..." Heee! I love the way he says it. He stands up and babbles about how he does the art, "you do the math." But Lloyd needs to do the numbers in the right order, and Simon's needed, "you're both part of the equation, yeah." While talking, his eyes keep averting Lloyd. He only looks at him for a moment. I think James' body language as Gabriel has been very consistent from the start, the eyes being a good example. I'm sure that's not easy to do.

I realize I've forgotten to talk about his accent in the last few episodes. The truth? I don't hear it as an accent anymore. It's just how Gabriel talks. It sounds totally natural to me. It's amusing to read the tweets about how James' accent is the best one on the show, the worst one on the show, totally British and totally American. I wonder how people would react if they didn't know James is British.

(I apologize about the underlines in the next few notes. I have no idea why Blogger does this sometimes.)

He wanted a straw so that he can blow bubbles into his soda!! It's unbearably cute! (L) All kids love blowing bubbles into their soda, I think. Olivia, unlike my mother, doesn't tell him to knock it off.

Olivia needs to go for a moment, and this, again, causes Gabriel anguish. But he sits still as Mark comes in and looks at the board with him. "What do you see?" he asks Gabriel. "Loose ends," says Gabriel. "I know the feeling," says Mark.

OK, so I don't much like Mark. He's been pretty bland and annoying and macho the whole season. BUT in this scene, I felt he was awesome. He asks Gabriel about "Olivia Simcoe" and whether, if she ends up with Lloyd... she will be happy and safe. "Yes," says Gabriel. His face reveals that he has some sympathy for Mark, even if he was pretty blunt about things before.

Mark promises that they're going to Gabriel's "new home, you'll like it there."

"I'm bulletproof now!" He's hitting his belly, which is hard now because of the vest. But he is hitting his belly.. so do I find this sexy or not? Hmm yes or no.. no. It's just cute and childlike.

Gabriel is very excited to be bulletproof, and by now, Mark's quite relaxed around him too. Everyone's very friendly with him, which is nice to watch. (It could be done patronizingly, but I think it's not; they're not talking down to him, just being a bit friendlier, adjusting to his moods.)

Also note: he's letting Vreede touch him! A propos Vreede: I feel bad that I've never credited the actor. Let's see. He is played by Barry Shabaka Henley, and the character's full name is Agent Shelly Vreede. Shelly is a male name too?

So then there's a scene where the FBI car is attacked and Gabriel suddenly jumps out and has a villain at gunpoint like he's done this all his life. My heart beat faster there. I was like, "What if he really is a villain and this is the scene that reveals it?" ... but then I noticed he has no stubble.. and it's MARK in Gabriel's clothing. Whew! That, I must admit, was really well done. They fooled me. Mark also fools Big Guy for a moment, long enough to catch him. Big Guy says, "Gabriel McDow! Welcome back into the fold." Does this mean he worked with the bad guys? Or just that they used him? I suppose either way they would have used him, since he doesn't seem capable of choosing sides. We're not given more information on this, as the FBI simply catch Big Guy and his posse.

Gabriel at his "new home" - a motel - watching cartoons. How adorable is this?! He's so into the show and especially "Doctor Evil-Kisser" - hee! that does sound fun - and he has snacks and soda. (There's chips and cola, at least. Yes, I'm turned on by that.)

Demetri (John Cho) shows up and laughs at the show, indulging Gabriel for a moment before asking a big question. Unlike before, Gabriel isn't at all shocked to see him.

"Dr Evil-Kisser!"(L) Very childlike here.

He eats a chip! James eats a chip! There's crunching, so I think he really ate it too, and... Awww! This show is totally channeling my James/food fetishes. We're like one donut away from my dreams.

Yeah, the scene... :P Well, Demetri wants to ask Gabriel if he's in any of the futures Gabriel saw. "No, you die," says Gabriel without sugarcoating it at all. Demetri asks what will happen if he doesn't die. "Yeah, that's not possible," says Gabriel in a rather mellow voice. He does look a bit sad for Demetri though, like he looked sad for Mark earlier. He's not rude, just socially awkward. He says all paths lead to the same place, mentioning Lloyd and Olivia again. Everything is going the way it's supposed to go, "even you." Demetri takes this calmly: "Makes sense." I think he really expected to die on March 15th and has gone through the shock already. This scene was very well played by both James and John Cho.

The cartoon anvils: "I aim to find that diabolical machine before it's too late!" Yeah, we get it, it's a reference to what's going on in the show.

So this is where we leave Gabriel, watching his cartoons. I feel oddly sad that we only got to see him in four episodes. This role was such a triumph. I've enjoyed every aspect of it: the funny, the tragic, the interaction with other characters. I'm still psyched that James got to play against Sonya Walger, who is adorable, and whose character in this show has been very on and off for me. Even in this episode, she's given some pretty stiff lines, but I love what she does with her expressions and gestures. She's totally maternal with Gabriel, and really makes that believable.

I just... sniff. I'm really, really attached to Gabriel, you guys. I'd say that he's my new favorite, right after Gaius Baltar. James made him so likeable. I couldn't be happier with how this role played out, and how he chose to play it. Bravo!

I'd give a standing ovation, but it's not really possible in blog form. So James, just accept my humble EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE FANGUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

James Callis on FlashForward, part 7: "I Like Tomatoes."

This is a picspam/blabber about episode 19, Course Correction. Basically we did not get a lot of Gabriel, but next week is his big episode (and his last, sniff!). However, the little glimpses we did have were hilarious and adorable.

I love when he listens to the walkman! Too adorable!

I'm really liking the Olivia/Gabriel interaction. Olivia is no longer freaked out and treats Gabriel like a caring mother or big sister. There's a camaraderie based on doctor/Mommy instincts: "This guy needs me." In other words, Olivia feels the same as us: she wants to cuddle Gabriel. (It could also be because she's in a familiar setting where she has the upper hand, not in a creepy abandoned 80's mental hospital where he mysteriously shows up.)

Lloyd happens to be in the hallway and Gabriel shows up all "Lloyd? Lloyd Simcoe! I knew it!" Olivia escorts him kindly back. Lloyd is weirded out but not particularly scared of Gabriel. He is a scientist who has a lot to do with the blackouts, after all. Also note: James in a US hospital gown! So cute!

"I need my shoes," says Gabriel.

"Your shoes didn't fit, that's why your feet were bleeding," says Olivia. Awww! (L) That's too cute. I can imagine his whole outfit has been the same since the 1980's. I don't want to ponder on his hygiene, but it's somehow adorable that he doesn't care if his coat and shoes are so tight.

"I like those shoes," he says, obviously not caring about the bleeding (and inflamed, judging by the antibiotic drip) feet.

Again, Olivia is acting as the gentle Mommy as Gabriel settles back to bed. We are not treated to a shot of his feet, and I'm kind of happy about it. Gabriel lets Olivia touch him ("Can't touch this!" was hilarious, but it's nice to see him comfortable like this too.)

Gabriel insists that it's good Olivia and Lloyd are now together, while Olivia insists they aren't, like she's talking to a silly child. "You're the best thing since sliced bread, right? You're the best thing since sliced bread!" Gabriel says, excited. I'm not sure what to make of the repetition of catchphrases like this - is it part of his social awkwardness, a routine that makes him feel safe? Or maybe it's the writers' idea of funny? I must admit I don't find it as adorable when it's not "Can't touch this!" (It could be ad libs, of course, but since these phrases are very American, I doubt it.)

The FBI agent (Vreede) shows up to bring him a burger. He unwraps it and inhales the scent greedily like he hasn't eaten much lately (possible) or he's just really fanatic about food (also possible). Gabriel demands, "Where's the beef?!" and Vreede says, "Got it right here," handing over the burger. Eh. It'd be cuter if it weren't such an obvious pun. At least they didn't have him go "Got milk?!"

Gabriel's focus is not completely on the food though, he's listening in on Vreede and Olivia, looking suspicious. Are we meant to take these moments to mean that he's actually eevil? I really hope not.

Vreede wants to investigate Gabriel at the FBI, but Olivia wants him to stay in the hospital until he's better. He also needs a brain scan. Hilariously, Gabriel mouths the words, nods and points at his head. He doesn't seem bugged that others are talking about him as if he isn't even in the room. I guess he's used to that.

James and a burger! *drools* My "James and food" fetish was very happy about this episode.

Gabriel has an amazing photographic memory, and he's drawn a very exact replica of the "Mosaic" blackboard, i.e. the FBI's clues so far on the case of the blackout. He says he was visiting there, so he saw it, and we see him (in the adorable hoodie from next episode promos) clearly memorizing the clues. Vreede realizes this is one of his flashforwards.

(Are these the same jeans? The other ones were baggier, I think. Maybe they gave him a whole new wardrobe. Except for the awful sweater.)

I'm trying to decipher his expression. Is he really supposed to be a villain? Are we going to find out, in the next episode, that he only pretends to be a good guy? But I see no reason to believe that he isn't really a savant - he does have photographic memory, he does have recurrent flashforwards, he was at Raven River. So that part at least is true. But is he pretending to be less high-functioning than he really is? Why would he memorize the clues like this? Is he working for someone? Maybe someone's abusing his skills to their own ends. We'll see.

There's been some discussion on the terms. Someone corrected me that he's not an "autistic savant" because autistic and savant are not the same thing. Others say "idiot savant", which sounds inaccurate to me if he's actually highly intelligent. But eh, if someone knows more please enlighten me. I'll just say savant from now on.

Edit: ah, thank you Wikipedia. Savant syndrome - not the same as autism (although they often overlap). I'm not sure how the show deals with these terms though. It could be that he's depicted as an autistic savant specifically.

Whether or not he turns out to be a villain, let's just enjoy the Gabriel we know and love for as long as it lasts. Possibly the funniest scene so far - he suddenly goes "Oh no! OH NO!" and picks at his burger. "I don't LIKE pickles!"

"I don't like lettuce!!" (He looks terrified! (L) I must admit the lettuce looks old and weary though.)

"I HATE ONIONS!!!!" (Begone ye foul demon!! This goes in my gallery of Best Expressions Ever.)

(instantly calms down) "I .... like tomatoes. I like... like tomatoes."

This is Gabriel. It's hilarious, but it's also kind of sad - he has to have it just so because this brings him safety.

This whole guest spot has been such a triumph for James. We'll see what next week brings!

James (Callis) Talks About Eureka!

There's a new interview of James at Sci Fi Wire! He talks about Eureka and a bit about BSG. It's here.

OK, so more comments. The hair is quite short, and as usual, it will probably take a while to get used to that. I seem to have this "standard James" image with medium length hair. I will say that short hair makes him look a bit more boyish, which is cute. But - we have chest hair! I realize I haven't seen those in ages. Gabriel is always wearing so many layers of clothing. Good to see you again, chesties!

He's looking a lot like he did in 2007, some time before I became a fan. It was a good year, 2007. (I can be calm about this. I won't go on and on about his weight. I can just not... I can... I... OMG GUSH HE STILL LOOKS CHUBBY!!! (L) (L) (L) Sorry. Sorry. OK, calm again.)

What strikes me about this interview - and really, most interviews with him - is that he's so honored to be a part of BSG, and he's honored to be a part of Eureka. There's a deep tone of gratitude when he talks about these shows, and that's beautiful to hear. He never gives himself much credit, even if he does say he's proud to be in BSG (but he also says he can hardly believe he was involved). Oddly enough, he says he was proud to be an actor on BSG, when before it ws "Um, I'm involved in the production in some way." I'm not sure if that's just a joke, or a reference to some of the um.. less fortunate shows he's had to be on in the past (cough Soldier Soldier cough).

"It would seem that Battlestar is so huge in people's consciousness that a lot of people don't want you to go on from that. They just want you to be what you were.. forever."

Thank you! I mean, I'm proud of BSG and Gaius Baltar, and I'm glad people remember James from that. BUT not every role he does is exactly like Gaius Baltar. The very first news on Eureka were like "James Callis plays another doctor". In the responses to his FlashForward role, there are many people saying: "Hey, he's playing a crazy guy again, just like Gaius Baltar." Um, but Gaius isn't crazy, is he? I mean he had visions that turned out to be real. And he did pretty well considering that he had an enormous guilt to carry, plus the apocalypse weighing on him and everybody else. Furthermore, Gabriel McDow isn't crazy either. Autistic is not the same as crazy.

Similarly, Mason Duryea on Numb3rs: "Oh, he's playing another guy with a cult. Typecasting." Well, no, because Gaius didn't brainwash his cult members, he didn't even want a cult, he didn't use the cult to commit crimes, he never kidnapped anyone, etc. The connections people make with his new characters and Baltar are often shallow. Another problem might be that Gaius was so many things - angel/farmer/scientist/doctor/prophet/cult leader/womanizer/father (sort of)/pilot/prisoner etc. - that you could relate almost ANY character to some side of his arc. But it's kind of offensive to imply that he's just constantly playing the same guy. I do wonder if it annoys James. He doesn't seem particularly annoyed when he talks about it, but I can imagine there's frustration behind this comment. (It definitely annoys me, in case you didn't notice.)

He seems excited to be a part of Eureka, a show he has a lot of respect for:

"The show is very smart, very clever and funny, very different to Battlestar and I'd be very different in it."

Mmh. Well... Maybe I should give season 3 a chance. Maybe it really is clever and funny. *fuddles* OK, moving on.

So who is Dr Grant?

"He's a scientist, he's nothing like Gaius Baltar, let's put it that way. He's positive, he's a good guy, he means well, he has a rather ardent crush on Allison Blake who's played by Salli Richardson."

Awww, he sounds really good. I'd love to see James as a simply well-meaning good guy who also gets to be smart and funny.

Then he mentions the "triangle drama". Ooh dear.

"It seems that Sheriff Carter has watned to tell Dr Blake for some seasons that he's crazy about her. Only I ask her to dinner first. Tough. Sorry about that, Jack."

Hee. But... I don't think that's a real triangle drama. If someone's unable, for years on end, to tell someone they like her, then they have no dibs on that person. I hate this premise above all, because the concept that a couple is destined to be together and are just cruelly separated by circumstances or shyness or whatever... I mean, NO. Just because he's the male lead and she's the female lead, doesn't mean they have to be together.

That said, I do enjoy the idea of James as a romantic interest, especially a friendly romantic interest who just has a crush on someone. It sounds sweet and more like his real personality.

"It should be fun, it should be positive, and if it's not, then you know I don't quite really know what you're doing or what we're doing."

I hope it will be fun. But even if I don't love it, I promise I won't sit around griping about everything I find annoying about it (like I may have already done above, ahem).

Um, also something (being on BSG? filming in Vancouver?) is "better than a slap in the belly with a wet fish." Um, what now? :D :D Is this a real British phrase? I know my Mom likes to say "I'd rather do that than get spanked"*, but this one's even sillier. I'm not sure what he's talking about here - maybe he's so touched to be in BSG that he has to be a little silly for a moment.

Speaking of silly: people are carrying gigantic crates behind him.

"That's my lunch in the background. Enormous, I'm very, very hungry. Just round here, thanks!" *mischievious look at the camera*

Heee! :D (L) Very James moment there.

You know, he must be quite stressed lately with the hectic filming schedule and three kids and all that. It always surprises me how relaxed he is. Maybe this life really suits him and he's just happy as can be.

*=no, she doesn't mean it naughtily. I doubt she realizes you could. You don't know my Mom.

Gabriel McDow. And the Man Behind Him.

Zap2It has a new James interview: James Callis: The Man Behind Gabriel McDow! I must say I really like this title, and it makes me all proud again that James got to play this particular character.

He says he was "looking very rough". Well, I wouldn't say rough so much as ludicrous... but it does fit the character. Shocker: the outfit and accent were HIS idea.

"I was a very different kind of character," Callis says. "I was very protected by the glasses and the baseball cap and whatever it was. Initially they said, 'It's just you, wearing a mac, and we love the way you talk.' I'm like, 'That's going to seem so odd.'

Okay, so the outfit is silly, but it really fits the character. He's not supposed to look like he's all there, and James in a mac would look... just like a normal guy in a mac? He can do a lot with his facial features, but nothing wrong with huge jeans, tiny coat and TAPED WALKMAN. I can't get over that walkman. The accent has divided opinions, but I personally am impressed with his work there.

What impresses me the most is that he got the role on a very short notice, deep-thought it over and decided what works and doesn't work for the character. This is why they want him. I'm so proud of him.

"I've seen videos of Kim Peek, the guy who 'Rain Man' was based on. He's the original savant. These people, they're truly brilliant, but they're slightly askance."

As I expected, he sounds intrigued by this kind of character. As am I. There's something fascinating about autism, because you can't know how these people experience the world.

Apparently they all want James at the same time, so that he didn't really have time between this and Eureka:

"Pretty much," Callis says, "'Eureka' was the same thing. 'Do you think I could have some time?' 'Nope, that's it, Monday morning.' There's a lot of crazy push and pull. It's exciting.

"I would have done more ['FlashForward'] episodes if 'Eureka' hadn't come along. They wanted me to be in a season arc and maybe longer."

*groans* OK, I'll get over it. I really like him on FF and wish he could have done more episodes, but there's still hope of a second season, and James thinks Gabriel could return. I'll probably like Eureka a lot once I see him on it.

He's been working hard for a long time, and many actors never reach a level where there's push and pull in all directions. It's great that his talent has been acknowledged at last.

Then on the latest FlashForward episode: he was fabulous! (L) (L)

A GUSHY PICSPAM

Episode 18, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. (Spoilers)

Gabriel shows up at Olivia's house. No one knows how he got there. Spooky...

Long story short: he tells her she was supposed to be with Lloyd, not her current husband. Gabriel's been watching her for a while and trying to stop her. He seems well-meaning, but acts all kinds of creepy.

Later, we find out he's an autistic savant who was used in experiments. The patients got flash forwards, and Dyson Frost asked them to write down everything they remember of the future. He (Frost) used this information when he caused the global blackout. Frost is now dead, but what does Gabriel know that can help the investigation?

He was listening to his walkman!! It's unbearably cute and funny!

I love his tummy! (L) OK, I know, he's slouching in a thick coat, but still. *snuggles so hard* The little boy look is also... (L)!!! What an adorable character.

Gabriel reminiscing stuff he's not supposed to know about. Creepy... yet somehow cute.

Olivia (Sonya Walger) realizes Gabriel knows a lot about her life. Understandably, she runs away, but Gabriel still has some things to say...

"The truth of the pudding is in the eating!" Um, Gabriel, maybe you should try and sound less crazy, if you want her to believe you.

How would you feel if you found him in the pictures of your old scrapbooks? It's like that scene in The Grudge where it becomes apparent that Kayako is in every one of Peter's photos. Actually, this is creepier, because Kayako was not looking straight into the camera with craazy eyes. *shudders*

So Gabriel has been involved in Olivia's life for a while. Is he a benevolent guardian angel who needs to set her life straight? Or a bad guy who's trying to destroy Olivia's life? We don't know.

Olivia unwisely goes to investigate Raven River, the mental hospital in Arizona that Gabriel keeps mentioning. Of course, he's there as well, and tells them about the experiments. (It's a bit nightmarish how he keeps showing up - how did he get to Arizona AND her house? He looks like a hobo - but you kind of expect it so he can deliver the necessary exposition.)

"Lloyd and Olivia sitting in a tree, K-I-I..." (they cut him off there - our savant can spell, right? Right? :D)

"Kitty likes tuna". Gabriel stops to contemplate on the more pleasant memories of his flashforwards. And ends up looking like a happy James again. It's a bit odd to see him smiling in this benevolent, childlike way, because it resembles his own smile so much.

When he was done, Dr Frost wanted to have them killed. Gabriel doesn't tell us how he escaped though - perhaps the memory is too painful. Note James' expression. Beautiful.

"Dyson Frost" is a name Gabriel does not want to hear. He looks like a scared child. Don't worry, Gabriel! Let me hold you! *snuggles* (I know, he'd just go "Can't touch this!" :D)

Dyson Frost is dead. "The early worm catches the bird! I have waited..." Slightly creepy reaction. But he seems too hapless to actually kill anyone. Honestly, I can't see this guy as a villain. He's not a villain, right? Right?

Gabriel tells Olivia he needs to correct her course, because she's going the wrong way. (Actually, next week's episode is called Course Correction, so maybe we'll see more of this storyline?) "Harvard was a fork in the road", he says. Olivia was supposed to go to Harvard and be with Lloyd, not go to UCLA and be with Mark.

While I find this idea of parallel realities and possible futures very interesting, I also have a problem with it. There are two children involved here: Olivia and Mark's daughter Charlie and Lloyd and his ex-wife's son Dylan. Were they not supposed to exist? Or would Lloyd and Olivia have produced the exact same children, only with each other? Only that's not possible if Charlie has half Mark's genes and Dylan half Lloyd's ex's... Am I already thinking too hard?

Either way, very intrigued about what else Gabriel knows and if Olivia can really correct her course. Can't wait for next week!

Kitty Likes Tuna.

Aka "James Callis in FlashForward, part something", but I'm tired of having such long titles.

Tonight: more James Callis on FlashForward! Are you excited? I'm excited. Here's a preview clip with James. There are more clips here, and James also appears briefly in the fourth one. (I'm not commenting on that one because he's so briefly in it, and I don't really understand the significance - I think he was predicting Olivia's future in some way and she's only beginning to realize that he knows stuff.)

In the first clip, Gabriel is leading Olivia and, um, an FBI guy into a warehouse, saying they did the experiments here. He talks awkwardly, like he's scared of the memory.

"I never knew where I'd end up. Sometimes it was a short.. trip... I was eating a tuna sandwich... Cat jumped on the table... Kitty likes tuna. (smiles) Sometimes it was a long...trip... He watches from there. (points)"

I love the way he talks, because it's so childlike. You're telling a story and get sidetracked on a cute detail - kitty likes tuna - and smile a bit, then remember where you are and resume telling the story. He sounds like he's scared of the doctor who was watching.

Other brief notes:

-It BREAKS MY HEART to see Gabriel scared and sad. The closeups of his face are especially endearing. (L)!!!

-His accent has been praised and bashed. I think it's partially that Gabriel talks very awkwardly. His speech patterns are not the typical American speech; he stutters a bit, pauses, and emphasizes things differently than others. "I never knew where I'd end up" sounds totally American, while "This is where they did it" sounds kind of Irish. But it might be because he's just recalling it and there's pain in his voice there. In other words, it could be intentional, not James lapsing into a British accent. Either way, this is a really demanding role, so for his accent to sound better while doing it is quite an achievement. Respect!

-Love the luscious hair billowing out of the cap.

-The cap is in fact not the same blue as the coat - it is green. So they don't go together. They're just the same faded shade so they look like they do. Bwah!

-The chubby is beginning to show here, maybe because there were closeups this time. Whew! I was worried he'd only look chubby to me, and only in the promos and not on the show. I feel less nuts now.

James Callis on FlashForward, part 5: Muy Caliente.

(callis.. caliente.. callisent.. no... I know, my titles suck, but you gotta have a title.)

Look how pretty!!!! These are from The Negotiation, so a few weeks away. Different coat, longer hair, no cap = gorgeous. Also, he's listening to the walkman, which is somehow hilarious. I wonder what he has on the tape? MC Hammer?

His expressions are soo... *hood on, points with a crazy look* *excited little boy look* *huddles sadly like he needs Mommy to comfort him* (L)!!! (Tell me, how can this guy be a villain? Was that someone's misinterpretation or is this all an act and he'll turn out to be some evil mastermind? I can't decide if that would be a huge disappointment, since I already like Gabriel and feel for him, or epicly awesome since he'd get to do two characters in one. But we'll see.)

And: he is chubby! I knew it! He is SO CUTE right now, I could just eat him. Hope he kept it on for Eureka. (L)!!!

I'm not sure if I can handle all the cute at this point. And such a great role so far! It's all too good to be true.

Major thanks to M for finding the photos.

"Emissary From Another World". Read It.

A while back, Robyn E. Kenealy contacted me about a Baltar/Six novel she had written called Emissary From Another World. I read the whole thing and it's brilliant, just brilliant. It's a fantasy of what Gaius and Six's life may have been like after the finale - but it's written in a painfully realistic way, with lots of emotion and deep thought. It really goes beyond fan fiction. Gaius Baltar is not an easy character to write about, but I think Robyn has him to a T - pompous, guilty, lecherous, ridiculous, childish, caring, cowardly, brave, he's everything he was on the show.

I told her to send it to a frakking publisher (although I'm not sure how it would work if Gaius Baltar is a registered trademark of Universal or whatever). She prefers to publish it pro bono in blog form, with some selected illustrations. So here it is.

Do read it if you like Baltar, or Caprica Six, or good fiction. It's going to be published one entry at a time, so it's a bit like a diary blog for Gaius. If you can imagine him writing one in the New Earth while living a rustic farmer's life. (OK, it doesn't make sense, but even Betty Draper from the 1960's has a Twitter account, so let's allow modern-day artists some levity with medium.)

Robyn discusses her obsession with Baltar in the "About this project" section (note the hilarious ad for Baltar's self-improvement classes!)

I’m still not entirely sure whether this identification with Baltar is the epicentre of my obsession. I know it has something to do with it, but I can’t help feeling more. In short, something is happening here, and I don’t know what it is. All I know is I wanted to write about it. And I didn’t want to write against it, I wanted to write inside it. I wanted to see how I was putting this obsession together. This seemed like the right way.

Actually, some of this comes close to what I'm doing with this blog. (especially if you substitute Baltar for "James Callis".) I can't write as James, and I have to be careful because he's a real person out there somewhere. But I'm writing from inside my own obsession and fantasy about him, hoping it will be relatable to others too. Now I brought it back to me and my own fandom, but Robyn's writing will do that - she always makes me deep-think myself and my own mind.

Or maybe it's because fandom really has a common thread of living inside a character or (the fantasy of) a celebrity? Gaius is especially good for this, because while he's difficult to write about, he's very relatable as a character. Few (if any) of us would like to be him, but many viewers grew to like him and see a reflection of ourselves.

James Callis on FlashForward, part 4: It Was Frakking Awesome.

OMG, this is awesome! Many loving thanks to Nicole.

Quick bulletin points:

-He is adorable. I just want to cuddle and snuggle him. Look at Gaby-Waby trying to save the day - he is so gonna fail!

-The verdict is still out on autistic savant/Asperger's, but either way he's doing a great job portraying it. And funny. "Can't touch this! Can't touch this!" How does he do this?

-The outfit is hilarious, but him wearing it and being all fateful and frakked up is even more so.

-That is a decent American accent! He doesn't sound fake at all. Awesome!

-This really is unlike what he's done before. I'm so excited!

He is going to be in four episodes, so three more to go. He'll be more prominent next week. Can't wait!

Edit: So um... I'm not sure if I should be timid and try to not gush too much, or be just like before? I feel a bit timid still, but then, that may just be my own bullshit. James didn't ask me to stop gushing. Everybody else is gushing... So frak this. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Fangush!!!! (L) (L) (L) JAMES!!! (L) :D :D :D OK, I feel better.

Somebody make a fanvid of "Can't Touch This" with Gabriel. Please.

I hesitate to say way too much before we see more of Gabriel McDow, but I'm totally having multiple FanForwards over this. (Sorry for the pun, couldn't resist.) I was sure I'd be a little disappointed after the hype and expectations, but it's quite the contrary. I'm beginning to feel more and more excited and can't wait for next Thursday. There's something different about this role.

For one thing, I'm really surprised he's autistic/Asperger's/remains to be seen. We knew he was quirky and socially awkward, but I didn't realize it was in this way. This is truly something new for James, and I'm just proud of how we'll he's portraying it. After seeing the photos, I was very amused indeed, but also a bit worried they might just do a really broad nerd stereotype. But this makes the outfit totally appropriate, even serious - yet he's still also hilarious and adorable in all the right ways. It's just so good.

A very good sign: I'm already fascinated with this guy. I want to know more about his condition and how he sees the world, in a way that isn't only related to the plot. I hope they make something of it and give us some view into Gabriel's head. I'd also be very curious as to what kind of background work/mental preparation James did to get into this character. As Gaius' narcissism and Guy Curran's (Going Wrong; I'll write about it someday) obsession were fascinating, this is fascinating in a psychological way. It may be one of those characters who stay with you.

Jessika Borsiczky, a producer of FlashForward, is on Twitter and she just came out as a total James fangirl. Eeee! She promises that James will be doing four episodes all in all, and that episode 20 is his biggest one. Also that "he steals" the next episode - as if he didn't already!

His American accent has improved since I last heard him use it. It's always been OK, but sounded like he's putting it on - it hasn't sounded very authentic. This time, it sounded authentic to me. It might have to do with the rhythm of his speech here and the way he talks dramatically, but I wouldn't guess by this that he's British. I'm so proud of his development as an actor. *gushes even further*

More fan reactions at Nicole's LJ here and here.

Last night, I had to go to bed not knowing what his role was like. Had a nightmare where he was in a church, looked more like Sylar with a very calm/evil expression, said dark stuff about God and painted a childlike altarpiece that was yet somehow very frightening. Then he turned into an old, fat, bald guy. (Serves me right for joking he'd be bald for the role!) All through the dream, I was wondering, "Why did people say he'd be adorable/funny? This is frakking depressing!"

All I'm saying is, it's not easy being a fan who lives in Finland. Without illegal downloads, I'd have to wait two weeks to see this. Thank gods for copyright law infringements!

(Um, I'll have to see more of him to determine if he's actually chubbier or not. Maybe the coat is just tight enough to make it look so. I'm sure no one really cares though, but it's important for ME as the foremost expert on the topic. Either way: ADORABLE.)