The End Of The Year Is Nigh

Believe it or not, when I posted my brief and innocuous Christmas message last week, I received a complaint from one reader that I hadn’t produced something more substantial. The fact I’d provided a 2000 word story about Christmas a few days previously didn’t seem to placate this guy.

So it’s really entirely his fault, the moaning bastard, that I’m about to inflict a full-length End Of Year blog post on you. I’m planning on listing my own 2011 highlights, then outlining the best cultural “stuff” I have enjoyed during the period. If that floats your boat, read on.

The first episode of Sherlock series 2, previewed for The Digital Fix!

Link: The first episode of Sherlock series 2, previewed for The Digital Fix!

Severed baby’s foot now found on spike in suburbia. Police await arrival of nappy-clad spleen. (Taken with instagram)

Review of Christmas Doctor Who now up on Dork Adore! Who feels festive? (Seriously, hope Christmas was good.)

Link: Review of Christmas Doctor Who now up on Dork Adore! Who feels festive? (Seriously, hope Christmas was good.)

Merry Christmas!

I did consider doing a whole blog post, rambling for a few hundred words, but I’m not sure there’s audience or need for it on Christmas Day, really.

Stil, to anyone reading, hope you’re having a good time with whatever combination of turkey, presents and crackers you’ve ended up with. If you’ve had a crappy year, you’re not alone, but that’s the beauty of the bright colours and big garish ideas. Distraction, if only for a day.

If you do want season-themed internet content, I posted a festive short story a few days ago, so give that a look. Otherwise, have a great one, and I’ll be back here before you know it. That Doctor Who Christmas special won’t review itself, y’know.

Merlin finale review up on Dork Adore already. It's a sort of Christmas present.

Link: Merlin finale review up on Dork Adore already. It's a sort of Christmas present.

On The Digital Fix, I preview tonight's Outnumbered Christmas special. Only one TV blog left before Christmas! Regular readers can probably guess what it is.

Link: On The Digital Fix, I preview tonight's Outnumbered Christmas special. Only one TV blog left before Christmas! Regular readers can probably guess what it is.

Stairway to heaven. (under construction) (Taken with instagram)

Festive Friday short story time: "Clear Present Danger"

Hello!

I’ve been away from the Friday stories for a while, mostly due to MA deadlines, but I really wanted to do a Christmas Friday story. Especially since I wanted to do one last year, but was stopped by having to voyage pointlessly back to London to replace my smashed glasses. (Don’t ask.)

So, here it is! To make up for last year (and because I ran over quite badly), it’s longer than usual. Ta-da.

I preview tonight's Rev. Christmas Special for The Digital Fix. It's pretty festive.

Link: I preview tonight's Rev. Christmas Special for The Digital Fix. It's pretty festive.

A lookback at the whole of Misfits series 3 for The Digital Fix, including the usual pining after Rudy.

Link: A lookback at the whole of Misfits series 3 for The Digital Fix, including the usual pining after Rudy.

Black Mirror review now up on The Digital Fix! And yes, this has been a very hectic TV blogging day. Hopefully you found at least one that mildly interested you.

Link: Black Mirror review now up on The Digital Fix! And yes, this has been a very hectic TV blogging day. Hopefully you found at least one that mildly interested you.

Today on The Digital Fix, I ask the question: What was your favourite West Wing Christmas episode?

Link: Today on The Digital Fix, I ask the question: What was your favourite West Wing Christmas episode?

A thoughtful lookback on the second series of The Killing (Danish edition) for The Digital Fix. Death & jumpers aplenty.

Link: A thoughtful lookback on the second series of The Killing (Danish edition) for The Digital Fix. Death & jumpers aplenty.

Final Misfits review of series 3 now up on Dork Adore. Who lives? Who dies? Other stuff?

Link: Final Misfits review of series 3 now up on Dork Adore. Who lives? Who dies? Other stuff?

The x-ray reindeer cookie. (Taken with instagram)

Gingerbread TARDIS - complete. (Taken with instagram)

Gingerbread TARDIS in progress. (Taken with instagram)

New raft of "humourously" captioned photos on Facebook!

Link: New raft of "humourously" captioned photos on Facebook!

And if you’re a particularly big fan, there’s even more in this other album as well.

Review of the penultimate series 4 Merlin episode on Dork Adore!

Link: Review of the penultimate series 4 Merlin episode on Dork Adore!

Welcome, street-people, to the Hotel Elephant. (Taken with instagram)

Notes on a verse-novel lecture. (Taken with instagram)

Misfits vs zombies in the latest Dork Adore episode review. (A few days late, sorry. I did post a podcast, though.)

Link: Misfits vs zombies in the latest Dork Adore episode review. (A few days late, sorry. I did post a podcast, though.)

Audio still up on the old Tumblr site.

The new podcast from the Television @ The Digital Fix people, featuring, terrifyingly, me talking about Christmas television in my post-cold voice. Features Doctor Who, obviously, and a few other things.

Feel free to give it a listen above, or you can download it for yourself here.

Last review of Him & Her series 2 for The Digital Fix. Including finale preview. How exciting.

Link: Last review of Him & Her series 2 for The Digital Fix. Including finale preview. How exciting.

Slightly exciting bit of blogging today, I've reviewed the upcoming Girl With The Dragon Tattoo movie for Dork Adore, some time in advance of release. Go read.

Link: Slightly exciting bit of blogging today, I've reviewed the upcoming Girl With The Dragon Tattoo movie for Dork Adore, some time in advance of release. Go read.

Review of the second Black Mirror on The Digital Fix, in which the concept starts to... perhaps unravel a bit?

Link: Review of the second Black Mirror on The Digital Fix, in which the concept starts to... perhaps unravel a bit?

The office Christmas tree is up, tiny atop the printer. Fa la la la la etc. (Taken with instagram)

The Digital Fix team review the X Factor final LIVE! As you can imagine, this is among the happier moments of my life.

Link: The Digital Fix team review the X Factor final LIVE! As you can imagine, this is among the happier moments of my life.

Another review of Merlin, this time filling in for the regular reviewer on The Digital Fix.

Link: Another review of Merlin, this time filling in for the regular reviewer on The Digital Fix.

My latest Merlin review on Dork Adore, featuring the worst deer pun in the world.

Link: My latest Merlin review on Dork Adore, featuring the worst deer pun in the world.

The Digital Fix team covered the X Factor final first night in a glorious live stream format. Behold.

Link: The Digital Fix team covered the X Factor final first night in a glorious live stream format. Behold.

Police baffled as another baby’s hand is found on a spike in suburbia. (Taken with instagram)

Review of both the new Misfits episode and the attached mini-episode thing "Erazer", up on Dork Adore.

Link: Review of both the new Misfits episode and the attached mini-episode thing "Erazer", up on Dork Adore.

Review of last night's Black Mirror debut episode on The Digital Fix. Pig sex finally hits the mainstream.

Link: Review of last night's Black Mirror debut episode on The Digital Fix. Pig sex finally hits the mainstream.

A short review of last night's X Factor, now up as part of The Digital Fix communal support group thing.

Link: A short review of last night's X Factor, now up as part of The Digital Fix communal support group thing.

Latest Dork Adore review of Merlin, in which Elyan gets his moment in the spotlight and... um, does nothing with it.

Link: Latest Dork Adore review of Merlin, in which Elyan gets his moment in the spotlight and... um, does nothing with it.

Mum has been trying to sell this… thing on her bazaar stall for 4-5 years. Anyone want it? Only £3. (Taken with instagram)

And on The Digital Fix, a general mid-season review of The Walking Dead Year Two to date. I think I've definitely covered it now.

Link: And on The Digital Fix, a general mid-season review of The Walking Dead Year Two to date. I think I've definitely covered it now.

Review of the Walking Dead mid-season finale on Dork Adore. Wow.

Link: Review of the Walking Dead mid-season finale on Dork Adore. Wow.

Tiny Christmas Skittles. (Taken with instagram)