Sylvia Plath, on being a writer and an introvert:

We stayed at home to write,

to consolidate our outstretched selves.

- Sylvia Plath.

On this day in television history - Blade Runner: Black Lotus (TV series & books):

Blade Runner: Black Lotus

Season 1. Episode 1.

Episode entitled: City of Angels.

Released November 14, 2021.

Developed by Kenji Kamiyama, Shinji Aramaki.

Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, Shinji Aramaki.

Written by Brandon Auman, Margaret Dunlap, Eugene Son, Alex de Campi.

Based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick.

Opening theme: Feel You Now by Alessia Cara.

Music by Michael Hodges, Gerald Trottman.

Cast: Jessica Henwick, Will Yun Lee, Wes Bentley, Barkhad Abdi, Charles Halford, Elias Toufexis, Jason Spisak, Zehra Fazal, Anna Vocino, Shinshû Fuji, Takayuki Kinba, Takehito Koyasu, Tony Nakajima, Arisa Shida.

Blade Runner: Black Lotus

Season 1. Episode 2.

Episode entitled: All We Are Not.

Released November 14, 2021.

Developed by Kenji Kamiyama, Shinji Aramaki.

Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, Shinji Aramaki.

Written by Brandon Auman, Margaret Dunlap, Eugene Son, Alex de Campi.

Based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick.

Opening theme: Feel You Now by Alessia Cara.

Music by Michael Hodges, Gerald Trottman.

Cast: Jessica Henwick, Will Yun Lee, Brian Cox, Wes Bentley, Barkhad Abdi, Samira Wiley, Gregg Henry, Ray Chase, Sunil Malhotra, Jim Pirri, Laura Post, Jason Spisak, Stephen Root, Shinshû Fuji, Takaya Hashi, Takako Honda, Takayuki Kinba, Takehito Koyasu, Tony Nakajima, Arisa Shida, Masane Tsukayama, Kazuki Yao, Hôchû Ôtsuka.

Recommended reading:

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

By Philip K. Dick.

Filmed as Blade Runner (1982), directed by Ridley Scott.

ASIN: 0586036059

Published by Voyager.

First published 1968.

Paperback.

ISBN-10: 0006482805

ISBN-13: 978-0586036051

Description:

21st Century Bounty Hunter.

Through the mean streets of a grim 21st century megalopolis, bounty hunter Rick Deckard stalked, searching out the renegade replicants who were his prey. But this assignment involved Nexus-6 targets and as a result Deckard quickly found himself involved in a nightmare kaleidoscope of violence and subterfuge – and the threat of death for the hunter rather than the hunted…

“A marvelous and complex book, simply written but leaving all kinds of resonance in the mind.” – Brian W. Aldiss.

The Art of Blade Runner: Black Lotus

By Roland Kelts.

Published by Titan Books.

Published 2022.

ISBN-10: 1789097142

ISBN-13: 978-1789097146

Description:

The Art of Blade Runner: Black Lotus is a study and celebration of the artwork that went into making the first ever Blade Runner animated series. Concept art, sketchwork, pre-viz, animation tests, final frames and more, are paired alongside interviews with the masterminds behind the show to give fans the full story of Black Lotus.

Respected co-directors Shinji Aramaki and Kenji Kamiyama provide an exclusive, in-depth interview that explores their relationship with the Blade Runner universe, and their intimate analyses of and inspiration behind the characters. Alcon producers describe the creative journey, that spans many years prior, behind what they envisioned for the story, how Black Lotus would fit in the wider Blade Runner narrative, and who they wanted the protagonist to be. The writers explain how they conceptualised the characters and the voice actors share their personal journeys and light-hearted anecdotes on how they brought those characters to life. The lighting and animation team also share how they captured Blade Runner’s cyberpunk visual and auditory palette in a new medium for the franchise: anime.

Written by Japanamerica author Roland Kelts, this book is illustrated to the brim with concept art that is beautifully vivid and presented in a gallery format throughout the book; organised chronologically by character, location, and event as they are introduced in the show. Readers will be able to breeze through this companion guide as they watch the show for a deeper, richer, and more personal viewing experience. At the back of the book, you’ll find never-before-seen sketches of the Black Out short films that accompanied Blade Runner 2049.

Blade Runner Black Lotus: Leaving L.A.

By Nancy Collins.

Illustrated by Enid Balam and Marco Lesko.

Published by Titan Comics.

Published 2023.

ISBN-10: 1787737381

ISBN-13: 978-1787737389

Description:

[An] enjoyable spin-off in the Blade Runner universe. Fans who can’t get enough antics of rebel androids will appreciate this unexpectedly colorful trip back into the film’s conceits. – Publishers Weekly.

Black Lotus offers plenty of potential and compelling characters to start this journey as a fun ride. – Set The Tape.

It’s a post apocalyptic thriller at its finest. – Get Your Comic On.

A Cowboy Western feel, and Collins expertly establishes the supporting cast with distinctive voices and clear motivations. – Comical Opinions.

If you liked the anime, and are itching to see where the story goes from there, check out Blade Runner: Black Lotus. – Comics Beat.

Based on the all-new acclaimed Anime series: Black Lotus.

This officially sanctioned graphic novel heralds an all-new saga in the Blade Runner franchise, one whose ramifications will ripple throughout the Blade Runner universe.

Set in the year 2032, Blade Runner: Black Lotus features an all-new cast of characters and introduces Nia Wallace, heir to the Tyrell empire and future creator of the JOI hologram and the Replicant Love, as seen in the smash hit 2017 movie Blade Runner 2049, directed by Denis Villeneuve.

Revealing a world of Blade Runner not previously explored, this all-new graphic novel collects together the four-issue mini-series and features a new type of Replicant, not seen before – the deadly Nexus 9.

On this day in music history - A Celtic Dream, by Michele McLaughlin (2008):

A Celtic Dream

Album by Michele McLaughlin,

released November 14, 2008.

Track list:

Summer Solstice; Slainte; Celtic Dream; Irish Rain; Across the Burren; Finn McCool; Lament; North Sea; Druid’s Prayer; Clurichaun; Glenveagh Castle; Causeway Coastline; For the Lambs; From Where We Came; Carrowkeel.

On this day in television history - Pushing Daisies (2007):

Pushing Daisies

Season 1. Episode 6.

Episode entitled: Bitches.

Released November 14, 2007.

Directed by Allan Kroeker.

Written by Chad Gomez Creasey, Dara Resnik Creasey.

Series created by Bryan Fuller.

Music by Jim Dooley.

Narrated by Jim Dale.

Cast:

Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Chi McBride, Jim Dale, Kristin Chenoweth, Ellen Greene, Swoosie Kurtz, Christine Adams, Mark Harelik, Lydia Look, Jessica Lundy, Joel McHale, Jenny Wade, Ed Brigadier, Field Cate, Samantha Hanratty, Sy Richardson.

On this day in the Star Trek universe:

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987 & 1992)
Star Trek: Enterprise (2001)

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Season 1. Episode 8.

Episode entitled: The Battle.

Released November 14, 1987.

Directed by Rob Bowman.

Written by Herbert Wright, Larry Forrester.

Created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by Ron Jones.

Cast: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Denise Crosby, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Wil Wheaton, Frank Corsentino, Doug Warhit, Robert Towers, Michael Bailous, James G. Becker, Dexter Clay, Jay Crimp, James Davison, Jeffrey Deacon, Susan Duchow, Schae Harrison, Tim McCormack, Lorine Mendell, Susan Raborn.

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Season 6. Episode 9.

Episode entitled: The Quality of Life.

Released November 14, 1992.

Directed by Jonathan Frakes.

Written by Naren Shankar, L.J. Scott, Brannon Braga, René Echevarria.

Created by Gene Roddenberry.

Music by Dennis McCarthy.

Cast: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Ellen Bry, J. Downing, Majel Barrett, Lena Banks, Joe Baumann, Michael Braveheart, Tracee Cocco, John Copage, Hal Donahue, Keith Gearhart, Grace Harrell, Melanie Hathorn, Christi Haydon, Jana Karson, Ian Ray, Gina Saadi, Dee Giffin Scott, Sissy Sessions, Virginia Simonson, Deni Tyler.

Star Trek: Enterprise

Season 1. Episode 9.

Episode entitled: Civilization.

Released November 14, 2001.

Directed by Michael/Mike Vejar.

Written by Michael/Mike Sussman, Phyllis Strong, Stephen Beck, André Jacquemetton, Maria Jacquemetton, André Bormanis.

Created by Rick Berman, Brannon Braga.

Based on Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry.

Opening theme song: Faith of the Heart, performed by Russell Watson.

Closing theme: Archer's Theme, by Dennis McCarthy.

Music by Jay Chattaway.

Cast: Scott Bakula, John Billingsley, Jolene Blalock, Dominic Keating, Anthony Montgomery, Linda Park, Connor Trinneer, Diane DiLascio, Wade Andrew Williams, Charlie Brewer, Carlo Antonazzo, Jane Bordeaux, Solomon Burke Jr., Evan English, Glen Hambly, Linda Harcharic, Jubin K, Patricia Kuhlkin, Lena Milan, Hugh Aodh O'Brien, Mark Watson.

On this day in television history - Space 1999 (1976):

Space 1999

Season 2. Episode 13.

Episode entitled: Catacombs of the Moon.

Released November 14, 1976.

Directed by Robert Lynn.

Written by Anthony Terpiloff.

Series created by Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson.

Music by Derek Wadsworth.

Cast:

Martin Landau, Barbara Bain, Catherine Schell, Tony Anholt, Zienia Merton, James Laurenson, Pamela Stephenson, Jeffery Kissoon, Lloyd McGuire, Brendan Price, Alan Hunter, Nova Llewellyn, Glenda Allen, Melita Clarke, Jenny Cresswell, Harry Fielder, Quentin Pierre, Robert Reeves, Saul Reichlin, Pam Rose, Felicity York.

On this day in television history - M Squad (1958):

M Squad

Season 2. Episode 8.
Episode entitled: The Merits of the Case.
Released November 14, 1958.
Directed by Don Medford.
Written by Jack Jacobs.
Music by Irving Gertz.

Cast:

Lee Marvin, Paul Newlan, Paula Raymond, John Hoyt, Francis De Sales, Hugh Lawrence, Howard Ledig, Charles Victor.