The Eternal List

My eternal Top 5 of everything.

TV Shows

Let’s start off with entertainment. I don’t watch that much TV anymore. Sometimes I think they run out of ideas. Seriously. However when I watched it actively, or when I get my hands on something over BitTorrent, I certainly have a look. If it really stands out, it probably ends up on this page from now on. It better be good if it ends up here. So the Top 5 in reverse order.

5. The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

Fresh Prince Titlecard

Will Smith’s breakthrough. At first I thought it’s a comedy show like no other. Well technically, it is. But I think there’s a certain different aspect to it… Will plays Will, who moves to Bel-Air to live with his wealthy relatives, the Banks family. Two worlds collide. Will is a laid-back teenager and lives live to the fullest. Phillip Banks (Uncle Phil) is in a civil rights movement. The styles clash, life tells a tale. There have been many many episodes that are quite strong and serious in nature, unforgettable episodes. The one I remember the most is when Will’s father, Lou, who abandoned him a long time ago, wants to take him across the USA in his truck – but then bails out in the last minute and once again runs away. Most moving episode ever.

Moving on.

4. Scrubs

“I can’t do this all on my own, though I’m no… I’m no Superman”. Yeap. Shortest intro-song ever. But it works, right?

Life in the Sacred Heart Hospital: Cox is a prick, Celso is mean. As we know. But deep down, they are all good people. Some have issues showing that. JD and his crew fight their way through. I don’t have to tell you the details. Enough said when I tell you that I think it is a fantastic show, incredibly hilarious, awesome gags – and sometimes there’s a deep story to it too. Like for example the episode “O brother, where art though?” carries a deeper meaning. If you see it, you’ll know what I mean. TV greatness, without a doubt.

Scrubs on number 4. Let’s go ahead! But now it’s getting more serious.

3. MillenniuM

“MillenniuM” Titlecard

The year is 1996. Frank Black, a former FBI agent, specialized on serial killers and mysterious cases, moves to Seattle with his wife and daughter. However he believes that his ability, or the “gift” as he refers to it, could still be of use. This ability allows him to see into the mind of a killer, he can see what the killer sees at the moment of it happening. This provides him with insight, he can solve cases. The MillenniuM Group approaches him, telling him they are a group of former FBI agents, doing some freelance stuff for the FBI. Consulting mainly. As we follow Frank through the last three years of the last millennium, we are about to uncover a shocking truth about what is really going on.

A very interesting, incredible story told in a unique way, kept down to Earth and very real. This becomes visible in the episode “The Mikado”, when Frank is after a guy who kills victims on the Internet, live and in front of audiences. There was even an episode, “The Hand of Saint Sebastian” – which was filmed in my hometown! Anyways, a great show with deep stories and destinies. It is made by Chris Carter, who also made the X-Files. Think of “MillenniuM” as a much more real show.

Which brings us to number 2, another amazing story, told in an amazing way.

2. Babylon 5

Babylon 5 artwork

Jumping ahead around 250 years from now. We have made contact with aliens. We found out that space is filled with interesting species. But it happened as it had to: the Minbari engaged into war with us, which lasted for 10 years. Then they surrender. Why? Well I cannot tell you. So to end the despair and sadness of war, it was decided by the 5 most important races to build a neutral forum in space, in a neutral place. The Babylon project is born. The first 3 stations were destroyed after completion. Sabotaged. The fourth? Well… see for yourself. Number 5 should be the last one. This time it completes, it goes online.

This is the story of the last of the Babylon stations. The year is 2258. The name of the place is Babylon 5.

In the next 5 years we see the events unfold on and around the station, with its people, characters, their lives. And if you asked me, I’d really want to meet Delenn one day, not only because she’s really beautiful, also because of learning from her. About life. Receive wisdom from the Minbari. I’d wanna meet Londo. And G’Kar. Talk to them about everything. It’s a story that captivated me so strongly, it was unbelievable. On the day when I got to the last episode I did an entire Babylon 5 marathon, watched my favorite episodes again – before finally reaching the last episode “Sleeping In Light”. I think I was always remember the last moments, when the lever was pulled and the lights finally go dark on the station. Great story, even bigger finale – unforgettable.

What’s left? One more. Another larger than life story, unforgettable and incredibly told. Something to keep your mind cranking for years to come. It’s my number 1.

1. Madlax

The writers over in the Bee Train studios in Japan have pulled off many good animes. “Noir” for example. They are pretty big in business and Anime fans just love their stories. However there’s one that just stands out of them all, and this one is arguably the best writing they ever did, as well as producing.

Two lives. One destiny. Madlax and Margaret Burton

It’s around 2011, and war rages on in the country of Gazth-Sonika (which is based on the Gaza Strip). Madlax, a skilled mercenary with a somewhat troubled past plies her trade with supernatural skill. Dances among bullets. 98% of all missions a success. In the country of Nafrece (rearrange the letters, and you get France – except one “e” too much), Margaret Burton lives a tranquil life with her maid Elenore Baker, and her former tutor Vanessa Rene who has moved back to Nafrece. Although these two, Margaret and Madlax, have seemingly little in common, you are soon to find out there’s something greater going on. Much greater. You will not believe your eyes.

There are two scenes toward the end of the show, but especially one scene of those two, that really made me cry. Long and loud. Believe me… TV doesn’t get much stronger, touching, and moving than THAT. It is the most powerful moment I have ever witnessed in a TV show. If you have seen it, you know what I mean. If not… who doesn’t cry at this is just heartless. It’s an unforgettable moment indeed.

It is only one season and 26 episodes. As we progress through the show the plot gets incredibly deep. I had to watch the entire show twice to notice everything, to see the Full Circle. To understand. And yet, after having seen it twice, the story of how these destinies come together is cranking in my head. And it will for a long time to come.

This has been by far the best thing I have ever seen as a TV show. You should watch this right now. Buy it. Torrent it. Watch it. Make up your mind. Elda Taluta.

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List of animes watched

Madlax – 10/10 – Unforgettable
Akira – 10/10 – Unforgettable
Appleseed – 8/10 – Excellent
Appleseed: Ex Machina - 8/10 – Excellent
Bleach: Memories of Nobody – 8/10 – Excellent
Cowboy Bebop – 10/10 – Unforgettable
Cowboy Bebop: Knocking On Heaven’s Door [MOVIE] – 9/10 – Outstanding
Death Note – 9/10 – Outstanding
El Cazador de la Bruja – 9/10 – Outstanding
Ghost In The Shell [MOVIE] – 10/10 – Unforgettable
Ghost In The Shell: Innocence [MOVIE] – 9/10 – Outstanding
Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex 1st and 2nd GiG – 9/10 – Outstanding
Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex – Solid State Society [MOVIE] – 9/10 – Outstanding
.hack//SIGN – 9/10 – Outstanding
.hack//ROOTS – 9/10 – Outstanding
.hack//G.U. [MOVIE] – 9/10 – Outstanding
Kiki’s Delivery Service [MOVIE] – 8/10 – Excellent
Macross Frontier – 9/10 – Outstanding
Noir! – 10/10 – Unforgettable
Only Yesterday [MOVIE] – 9/10 – Outstanding
Princess Mononoke – 9/10 – Outstanding
Sky Blue, 2142 A.D. [MOVIE] – 8/10 – Excellent
Spirited Away [MOVIE] – 10/10 – Unforgettable
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time [MOVIE] – 8/10 – Excellent
The Vision Of Escaflowne – 9/10 – Outstanding
Vexille [MOVIE] – 8/10 – Excellent
Yugo, The Negotiator – 7/10 – Pretty good