Grey's Anatomy returns Thursday, November 8 with "Beautiful Doom," an installment that will find a young woman in peril after getting trapped under a car and Meredith Grey desperate to save her life.

This case, clearly, hits close to home for the show's titular character.

This is just half of the Meredith & Cristina-centric episode, which features the two friends continuing to cope with life after the plane crash and their ever-growing responsibilities at their respective hospitals.

As Meredith juggles taking care of Zola during the aforementioned crisis, Cristina assists Dr. Thomas on a challenging heart surgery, as seen in ABC's first Grey's Anatomy promo for the show's return.

Click to enlarge images from "Beautiful Doom" and comment below:

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/10/greys-anatomy-photo-preview-beautiful-doom/

It’s rather surprising that Grimm, a show that plays with Halloween on a weekly basis, could not pull off a very compelling Halloween episode.

Sure, "La Llorona" as a person with the screaming, bleeding eyes, creepy factor identity as a ghost is totally working for her on Halloween, but her story did not offer anything very compelling. Her only real purpose, it seems, was to get Juliette involved with the family so the Grandma could tell her she has a choice to make. 

Which is a great launching pad as Juliette heads off on the next part of her journey this season; however, Juliette’s “choice” isn’t really hers to make. Since the beginning of the season, Juliette’s choices are really just symptoms of her current ailment. 

With Juliette’s memories of Nick still completely gone, it’s hard to see how any choice Juliette ends up making will have any honesty whatsoever because those decisions will be made under false pretenses. 

Sure, Juliette can try her best to make the right choices, and I believe she knows what the “right” choice is, but, on the other hand, I also have a feeling that she might want to see what the “other” choice might bring about. Especially when this obsession Renard has with her, at times, looks like a two way street.

Aside from Juliette, “La Llorona” didn’t have much to it, nor it did it push anything else along that was mildly interesting aside from Monroe. Even then, Monroe seems to be lost in the wild while Rosalee is off helping her family.

To be frank, aside from the one scene with Juliette tonight's episode ends up being one of the most boring episodes of Grimm I have ever watched, and that disappoints me the most.

Other thoughts:

• Ever since Hank got in on the action the Grimm-pedias have English descriptions.
• How many children cases in a row are we going to get?
• Juliette lived in Spain, which borders France, could she have had a royal encounter?
• At least Monroe got to scare off some no good kids!

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/10/grimm-review-one-of-two-choices/

When I used to have a life, Halloween was one of my favorite holidays. With the costumes, crisp air and crunching leaves what isn't there to like? Now that I don't play with costumes, I get to live vicariously through television. "Real Estate" was an extraordinary haunted house story wrapped inside of a Halloween celebration and I loved it. Haven made me so happy!

The best thing about the episode was that it put all members of this extremely talented cast together for the majority of the show. When I interviewed Kate Kelton, she said this type of episode is done as a cost saving measure, because it is low on production costs. If it costs less to have them all together, then I'm all for more of these brilliant ensemble pieces. Did I mention it was directed by Jason Priestley? Apparently he enjoyed his turn as Chris Brody so much in season two that he can't stay away.

There was a lot of going on with regard to Nathan and Jordan this week. Seeing the look on Audrey's face when Nathan took Jordan's hand was like the worst Halloween nightmare come true. Just by showing up, Nathan was outed, and that house played tricks on everybody so that nobody knew who to trust. I love whodunnits where everyone becomes a suspect!

Since she was the odd woman out, Jordan was the main WHO that everyone thought done it, however. That just gave way for Nathan to grow ever closer to her. Don't get me wrong, I want he and Audrey to be the end game, but having this roadblock in the meantime is a worthy sidebar. It's better than putting Duke in the middle, because the three of them are too important to the main story to be at each other's throats.

Speaking of Duke, when he saw the gun on the floor, I expected it to fly across the floor when he bent down to pick it up in a classic haunted house trick. How easy am I? Every character had great quotes to deliver this week, and Claire was at the top of the list with a lovely one about Duke, in particular. Check out the Haven quotes to relive the best of them.

Iain Glen (Jorah on Game of Thrones) added a classy take on the Holloway house as the house itself. Once Mr. Holloway, his trouble was that he became the house. In lesser hands the speech he gave about becoming one with it and watching his family die could have been silly. Instead his presence was a powerful foe for Audrey and for Lucy as well. Audrey chose to make the same choice Lucy did in letting him rot in that house, but Dwight blew that sucker to the ground.

As the haunted house continued to get the best of our Scoobies, Nathan was clearly upset when he found Jordan at the bottom of the stairs. Whether he was meaning to or not, he's beginning to have real feelings for her. He was telling the truth when he told Audrey he trusted Jordan, and there was more to it than that. Audrey's continual rebuffing wasn't helping her case, and when he leaned in for a kiss with Jordan at the end, he sure looked engaged to me.

As she flashed back to Lucy in the house, Audrey recalled enough to finally discover who The Colorado Kid was, and found his Missing Persons report. His name was James Cogan. For a while, as they showed only his sideburns, he reminded me quite a bit of Nathan. For those of you who thought perhaps he might be Nathan's birth father, the glimpses we saw tonight sure swayed me in that general direction.

What did you think of the episode? Did you have as much fun with the entire group in one location as I did? This season just gets better and better. I can't wait for next week!

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/10/haven-review-holloway-house/

Must every time the phrase "The Bullet That Saved the World" is uttered be in reference to a blonde Bishop? It seems a bit unfair that the entire fate of the world weighs upon the shoulders of the Dunham line, and perhaps solely because of what was done to it at the hands of Walter Bishop, but it would be difficult at this point to make a case against it.

It was the proverbial game-changer episode, as was hinted in the set interview with Joshua Jackson in September. The season was fairly lackluster up to this point, and it was an aggressive move. Sadly, the Bishop clan is rarely torn asunder by catastrophe, but instead their resolve is recharged and it's a signal to viewers that anyone in their way better hold tight because there will be hell to pay. The first time they were faced with this situation, when we weren't looking, they had hope. This time, there is only vengeance.

To ensure the most pain was received by the death blow, there were some meaningful moments between parents and child. We learned how Etta found the bullet necklace and why she wore it. She didn't fully understand its meaning, but knew enough that if it was retained it was for a purpose far greater than she could comprehend.

Seeing Broyles was great. Considering how difficult his life must have been over the past 21 years, they aged him subtly. Was anybody else confused by the original conversation between Broyles and Windmark? Twenty one years of studying the resistance and the Observers had no idea about the original Fringe team and the members that created it? That made no sense.

Were they so certain of their success that they erased the images of their foes from two decades earlier? If so, then that arrogance might hold the key to their defeat. It turned out Broyles didn't know that Windmark knew all along he had been friends with the original Fringe team.

Wasn't it wonderful to see Broyles and the group back together again? If only Astrid could have been there. Etta also got to see, so briefly, their two worlds touch. For mere minutes the team Etta had heard of for years was together again as they spoke about the plan. What a shame that it was the last reunion she would encounter. 

Not only was it an obvious sensational ploy for Peter to buy her the necklace on the very day she died, but also for the Observer in the pawn shop to read his reasons for buying it and for Windmark to want to understand why they would out themselves for something so inconsequential.

Naturally, Etta chose the most dramatic way possible for Windmark to interpret the meaning of love; by reading her. The one thing she had spent a lifetime hiding she allowed just moments before her death. Clutching her mother’s bullet in one hand and covering her wound in the other, Etta found herself destroyed by love. 

Olivia died inside. Her eyes went cold. You could see it happen. If there is a God, the Observers had better start praying, because Olivia will do nothing to stop now. She had her daughter ripped from her hands once, and didn’t know if she was alive or dead. This time she’s certain. There will be hell to pay.

The bitch of it is it will be hard to outsmart someone who can be at death’s door one second and out of harms way the next. Olivia, and her past with cortexiphan, has to be the ticket, together with Walter’s plan.  It will be interesting to see whether Peter blames himself for Etta's death since the Observer grabbed the image of Etta from his head.

If so, it could play out the opposite of the first time Etta "died." Olivia determinedly searching for a way to bring down her daughter's killers, while Peter second-guesses his choices in fear of what he might let on since the Observers can so easily read his mind. 

The Bishop family story is tragic from beginning to end. Even if they find some peace by saving the world, the tragedy will remain.

Other Thoughts:

• I've been wondering where Lance Reddick and Blair Brown stood the season. if the special appearance designation is any indication they won't be on many episodes.  The only positive to Etta dying is that it might free up salary and space within the scripts.
• Etta left the plan in Broyles hands. Will it be safe with him with Windmark onto his meeting, and knowing he can probably hide his feelings?
• If this is really a three chapter final season, I can't even stand to think what the third chapter will bring.
• Do you think they will take a chance and go back to the re-ambered lab, or was that the last we've seen of the former Harvard University? 

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/10/fringe-review-bishops-blondes-and-bullets/

The Reagan family has 115 years of police history sitting around its dinner table.  It's a family that has had to weigh the "Risk and Reward" of the job on more occasions than they probably remember. 

So when Frank told Danny to do whatever it took to find Detective Mulrow, he didn't give that order lightly.

Was it the right call to make?  Obviously it achieved the desired result.  A decorated detective's life was saved but the risk of taking Abdul out of prison and placing him in Danny's custody was huge.  So many things could have gone wrong. I kept wondering if that was Omar's goal to begin with so that he could break his brother out of prison.

Danny's ploy of turning Sayid over to Malaysian special forces was well played and the detectives from Vice looked menacing enough in their big, black SUV to pull it off. 

As much as Frank Reagan's the moral compass of Blue Bloods, at times his choices are questionable.  There's certainly an argument for both sides here. 

Frank's position is to uphold the law. When he bends it or breaks it, or allows others to do so, how can we trust in that system?

At the same time don't we all want to believe that there is someone in charge that is willing to do whatever it takes to keep us safe, whether that's an entire city or just one innocent man.  Wasn't that why 24 was such a hit after 9/11.  The audience found comfort in the thought that Jack Bauer was out there willing to do whatever it takes.

Out of that 115 years of NYPD experience, 60 of them belonged to Henry Reagan. I loved the idea of having him ride along with Jamie, I just wished we had seen them do more than deal with a pizza truck dispute.

When Henry agreed with Jamie's partner about hauling the bickering brother and sister off to jail, it obviously irked Jamie. Again, I had to agree with a partner. The brother and sister were like a couple of bickering children only their petty dispute was ending with 911 calls.  At some point they needed to learn that there would be consequences or as Henry put it in this Blue Bloods quote…

 Sometimes a kick in the ass is worth a thousand words. | permalink

When Jamie accused Henry of believing he was a bad cop I had to roll my eyes.  At what point does Jamie Reagan stop sounding like a belligerent teenager?

And I had trouble believing that after multiple visits to the scene that one stern talking to by Jamie was all it took to resolve this family feud.

So, did you enjoy Henry's ride along? Was Jamie right to take offense or was he far too sensitive when it came to Henry's comments about his partner. And did you agree with Frank's decision to do whatever it takes?

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/10/blue-bloods-review-whatever-it-takes/

Division's quest for The Dirty Thirty hit a bit of a snag this week. It came in the small package of a kidnapped girl.

Instead of just tracking down a rogue former agent, the team had to contend with a young girl who was programmed to be just as lethal as they each are. This case was wrought with ties to the agents' past lives and the old Division.

Nikita and Alex's early days at Division were reflected back at them through Liza. All three of them were trained to kill and forced to forget their families. By saving Liza, it was if they had saved themselves.

After Nikita shared her secret hiding place with Liza and returned her necklace, I was shocked that she attacked her guard and escaped. I really shouldn't have been though, because the psychological damage from Division training runs deep.

Liza had to return to Wade, because it was what she was trained to do and she also feared for her family. Wade was obsessed with righting his previous recruit's failing by having Liza kill the Pakistani, Saeed Tamir, now. That would restore his perfect training kill rate.

Liza left a clue that led Nikita to the kill location. Liza's moves were quite impressive in the bathroom and into the air ducts. Between taking out the Division guard and her movements on the mission, she was like a mini-Nikita. Wade may have been delusional, but he was a good trainer.

In the end, Nikita was able to break through Wade's control and convince Liza to turn off the bomb detonator. Liza still had a connection to her family through the necklaces she shared with her mother. 

Just as Nikita had saved Alex, they now saved Liza. It was touching to watch them return Liza to her family. Though, Liza was right, she would make an excellent agent. I wouldn't be surprised if that's where she ends up in the future. Though, this time on her own terms.

While Nikita was rescuing Liza, Michael was able to take out Wade. 

The Dirty Thirty update: Two down, 28 more to go.

This mission wasn't without controversy. After Liza escaped, Ryan listed both Wade and Liza as targets, which upset both Nikita and Alex. This was a bit surprising, because Ryan had always seemed to be a sympathetic guy. Has the pressure of Division already corrupted his moral center?

Luckily, Nikita was able to convince Liza to stand down, because I don't think Nikita has it in her to kill a young girl. It would be like putting a bullet in Alex's head or even her own.

"Innocence" reminded me a little of one of my favorite movies, The Professional. In the movie, Mathilda (Natalie Portman) sought out the professional hit man, Leon, to train her to get revenge on her parents' killer. This episode turned the premise on its head, but there were similarities between the girls, their training, and abilities.

Overall, this was an entertaining episode that pulled in aspects of the old Division into what they are doing now. If all the take-downs of The Dirty Thirty are wild, twisted rides like this one, we are in for an outstanding season.

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/10/nikita-review-innocence/

Gather around, TV Fanatics! We're back with a new edition of the Private Practice Round Table.

This week, staff members Christina Tran and Carissa Pavlica are joined by readers Caitlyn, Beina and Jarrod as they analyze the challenging evening that faced the doctors on "You Don't Know What You've Got Till It's Gone."

What was your favorite quote or scene from this week's episode?
Caitlyn: "We are badass. We are a badass family unit." I loved how Cooper reassured Mason that he and Charlotte are staying together forever. We all know it as an audience and Mason should know it, too!

Jarrod: Amelia's “And if I let myself drink, I would never stop. You ask me out and you look at me like we're the same age and we could have fun. And I might have made the same mistake if I were you, but we're not the same age; I'm about 100 years older than I look.” Her character has come so far and always remains strong no matter what. Season five was truly a journey for her and this season just seems to once again allow her character to continue on developing. Well done to the writers!

Beina: My favorite quote was "I'm not opposed to angry sex." Jake and Addison are a cute couple even when they just talk about the rain.

Carissa: Amelia talking frankly about her baby and why she couldn't have drinks. She is a lot like me. There is no beating around the bush, just the facts. It happened. It was horrible, and it's why she will never take another drink or do another drug. Wonderful scene.

Christina: Charlotte: “Damn, Sheldon. You look like James Bond.” Sheldon: “Which one? I was always partial to Sean Connery.”

There's a new doc in town. What did you think of James Peterson?
Caitlyn: I actually really liked him! He might've disagreed with a few of our beloved doctors but not to an extreme point. Seems like a good guy and doctor. I'm looking forward to seeing him with Amelia in the future.

Jarrod: At first I found him really arrogant, but as the night went on, I got to see a compassionate doctor and interesting guy underneath that ego. What I think for Dr. James Peterson in future? A relationship with Dr. Amelia Shepherd. That's what I think!

Beina: I still don't know what to say about him, he seems a smart doctor but I didn't understand why he had to give credit to Amelia for the diagnosis during his first day at work. Was it just an attempt to hit on her? I didn't like it.

Carissa: He's hot, and full of himself. He found out just a bit from Amelia in terms of how much he has to learn from his new employer, but he will be surprised at how little he knows in the whole scheme of things. Overall, he's a good addition and livens things up a little when they really needed the new blood.

Christina: I liked him; however, with only nine episodes left, I don’t think we need him. There are enough stories to tell.

More interesting couple of the week: Jaddison with their disagreement or Stephanie's "damn" speech to Sam?
Caitlyn: Jaddison, for sure. I always like seeing more of their dynamic than with another, and I always get more convinced that they're right for each other. But Stephanie's "damn" speech to Sam was still great. Got to give credit to her for that!

Jarrod: I'd say both. It was good to see Jake and Addison finally come to a disagreement about something; however, Stephanie's "damn" speech to Sam was basically music to my ears. I like her and Sam, and I'd ship them in future, but for now he needs to sort himself out.

Beina: Jake and Addison's disagreement was tender and more interesting to watch!
Carissa: Jake and Addison will always be the more interesting of a couple no matter what they do. Since the moment Jake hit town he was the end game for

Addison, and even Charlotte and Cooper can't touch them. Sam and Stephanie didn't stand a chance in terms of being interesting.

Christina: Jaddison all the way! Here’s a thought: What if Naomi returns and reconnects with Sam?!

The missing child storyline was...
Caitlyn: Really, really intense. I felt like the rest of the episode got faster once they realized she was missing. My only hope was that we could've seen how the characters reacted as parents to the situation. Most of them have kids and I thought we'd get to see sweet moments between them towards the end.

Jarrod: I don't think I can offer any insight. I'm not a parent, nor have I known anyone to experience such a heartbreaking experience. It'd be different if their child died - you know the outcome and would eventually come to terms, but to know your child is gone and out there? You're stuck holding onto hope they'd come back to you. I'd honestly rather not think about it seeing as it's possibly the saddest story out there in PP history.

Beina: Very sad, I can't imagine how it might be to lose a child so suddenly. Sometimes these situations can end well; sometimes they have a horrible outcome. I don't know how this situation will evolve, but I hope to find out in the next episode.

Carissa: Sad. When we've just had another kidnapping and murder here in Colorado that resulted in a freak of a teenage boy turning himself in as the doer, any of these storylines just depress me. I'd rather they just stay off of my entertainment programs for the time being.

Christina: Pick any synonym for “heartbreaking.” Private Practice has always had a knack for telling the harder stories.

St. Ambrose and Seaside Wellness are shutting their doors after this final season. Who would you most like to see return?
Caitlyn: Naomi! I think it'd be great to see her again happy and well. And this time, she'll get to be really happy for Addison since she's with Jake now. I also know who I want to meet - Charlotte and Cooper's triplets!

Jarrod: A tossup between Amelia and Sheldon. I enjoy both of their characters beyond words and it's shame that they originate with the show from the beginning. I'd love to see Amelia journey off to Seattle Grace-Mercy West, but the tone of the shows are much different and I'd feel as though the character would get horribly underused. Nevertheless, with 9 more episodes to go, it's one hell of a journey to venture out on.

Beina: Naomi, but I'd like to see Addison's father and brother, too.

Carissa: Seaside Wellness. There are enough hospitals on television, but not nearly enough small clinics that deal closely with patients like Seaside Wellness. I'll miss it.

Christina: I love the way everyone answered this question. I actually would like to see Naomi so that I could see Betsy. After all the heartache she’s been throughout the years with her parents dying, I’d love to see how she’s doing.

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/10/private-practice-round-table-you-dont-know-what-youve-got-till-i/

The Vampire Diaries heads in two very different directions on next Thursday's "The Five."

1. To the 12th century.
2. To college.

And in the following sneak peek at the episode, we see Bonnie, Elena and Damon arrive on the campus of the latter, with Bonnie aiming to assist her friend and Damon aiming to... take aim at some coeds.

Check out the clip now:

 

Vampire Diaries Clip: Visiting Campus

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/10/the-vampire-diaries-sneak-peek-a-campus-visit/

What is the deal with Connor? Just how much of a bad ass is Jeremy? Is Rebekah beyond redeemable at this point?

In the latest edition of The Vampire Diaries Round Table, staff members Matt Richenthal, Dan Forcella, Miranda Wicker and Eric Hochberger gather around to breakdown "The Rager," answering all these questions and more.

Won't you pull up a virtual chair and join them?

-------------------------------------------

What was your favorite scene from the episode?
Matt: Elena's keg stand. That was damn impressive. She's taking the wrong approach to this vampire thing. Forget learning how to subside on human blood in a calm manner. She should be winning state gymnastic titles for the Mystic Falls Timberwolves.

Dan: Damon and Klaus: Vampire Vampire Hunter Hunters. I loved seeing these two team up to take down the big bad hunter. It may not have been as brotastic as Damon and Ric, but it came in a close second.

Miranda: It feels too easy to just say Damon shirtless. But yeah, probably Damon shirtless. Followed closely by, oh yeah, Damon shirtless. And then Damon swooping in just as Elena's about to KILL MATT to save the day. If only he'd been shirtless.

Eric: There was a shirtless Damon? Didn't even notice. I was too busy getting giddy over the return of Phoebe Tonkin. Honestly, could there have been a better werewolf for Tyler for play around with in the Appalachians?

Did Tyler really cheat on Caroline?
Matt: Not to go all Ross and Rachel on you, but weren't they on a break? I'm pretty sure typical dating rules don't apply when one goes into the mountains to break a sire bond.

Dan: Have you seen Phoebe Tonkin? Yeah, he probably did.

Miranda: I feel like there's a joke about animal instincts and urges in here somewhere, but no, I don't think he cheated. I think they have a bond because of what he went through and it makes him uncomfortable, but Caroline is still his number-one girl.

Eric: No man should have to choose between Candice Accola and Phoebe Tonkin. Like Klaus and Dan, I'm going to assume the worst in our boy Tyler. He's a hybrid. Not Superman.

More shocking development: Jeremy actually being a bad ass, Klaus saving Connor's life or April apparently living alone?
Matt: While he official bad ass-ery may still be in question, I'm giving the nod to Jer. I wasn't bored by him for a change! I was surprised he played such a vital role in the Connor sneak attack and especially intrigued by the possibility of him working on his status as a hunter. What's next, TVD? Bonnie smiling?!?

Dan: Jeremy is not a bad ass. Like was mentioned during the episode, him saying that he was made the whole thing null and void. He can put on as much weight as he wants, Jeremy will always be a little twerp.

Miranda: Jeremy stepped into bad ass territory when he chopped the hybrid's head off with a meat cleaver, and the only adults living in Mystic Falls are the Mayor and the Sheriff, so the only possible answer here is Klaus saving Connor's life. Damn Klaus, always having all the answers.

Eric: Damon nailed it. If Jeremy has to label himself a bad ass, he still ain't one. And we all know The Vampire Diaries no longer kills off its bad guys. So clearly the biggest shock belongs to April. But it wasn't April living alone or drinking massively underage at a party. It was the fact the party was in the middle of the day during the week. Pretty sure I didn't discover day drinking until college.

If Stefan were to write a book, what should he title it?
Matt: Salva-BORE: Why Good Guys Rarely Win.

Dan: The Rippaahhhhhhhh.

Miranda: Funsucker: How To Be the Most Boring Vampire Ever in 164 Years or Less.

Eric: Rippah to Boring: In One Season or Less. Honestly, though, I wouldn't waste my time writing it if I were him. Much too small of a target market. New Vampires? Well, if you insist on it Stefan, I'd either start with a blog or go the self-published route on Amazon before I dare faced a publisher.

Do you feel any sympathy for Rebekah?
Matt: Yes, and that's not all I'd like to feel when it comes to Rebekah!!!

Dan: How much sympathy is the better question, and the answer is "loads of it." I don't care how much evil someone has inside of them, when Rebekah puts on the pouty face, I'm a sucker every time. I hope that everyone comes around on her and she becomes part of the gang. Oh, that will never happen? Well, a guy can dream.

Miranda: Not in the least. Sorry, Dan. Can we dagger her - again - and shove her back in a coffin already?

Eric: I'm torn. Pros: Poor girl had quite the scary cray cray for a brother in Klaus. And, let's be honest, who hasn't wanted to kill Matt or Elena once or twice these past few seasons? Cons: She killed Alaric. Okay, you're right. Bitch must die.

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/10/the-vampire-diaries-round-table-the-rager/

How I Met Your Mother is set to stage a Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunion.

The CBS sitcom announced via Twitter today that Seth Green (who appeared on that cult favorite opposite Alyson Hannigan) will guest star on an upcoming episode as Daryl LaCoutre, a college classmate believed back in the day that Lily and Marshall were his best buds.

But when this married couple comes across the character 12 years later, awkwardness ensues when they scarcely recall anything about him.

Hannigan and Green portrayed the on-screen couple Willow and Oz for nearly three seasons on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Source:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/10/seth-green-to-guest-star-on-how-i-met-your-mother/

Beautiful work by Vancouver based graphic designer,  Sophia Ahamed. The first image is from her series titled SKELETAL SYSTEMS that explores the emotional value of human and animal skulls. The second two illustrations are from a similar series titled Of Flesh and Bone—the third image is a self portrait of Sophia. Her explanation of capturing what is under the skin is quite nice:

 The title of the series “Of Flesh & Bone” simply states that no matter who we are or what we are, we as human beings are built the same. We have all gone through moments of happiness, of loss, of despair and of triumph. It is said that what we truly desire in life in happiness. But only through pain can we begin to understand what happiness really is and allow our selves to feel it without hesitation.

Science has given us the ability to understand our own minds and bodies. Art has given us the ability to communicate these findings with others. I hope to create a different kind of healing process, one that stems from the artist and to the viewer. This illustration is a part of a series of several portrait drawings.

View more of the two series on Sophia’s Behance portfolio!

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/streetanatomy/OQuC/~3/G-m1cGb8_58/

My Portrait With Center of Face Gouged Out. 30″ x 22″. Acrylic on 140 lb Arches Watercolor Paper. ©2012.

My Portrait With Left Side of Face Removed. 30″ x 22″. Acrylic on 140 lb Arches Watercolor Paper. ©2012.

My Portrait, Shirtless, With Right Side of Face, Neck, And Chest Area Flesh Removed to Expose My Insides. 30″ x 22″. Acrylic on 140 lb Arches Watercolor Paper. ©2012

At the Edge I, 30″ x 22″, Watercolor on 140 lb Hot Pressed Arches Watercolor Paper. ©2012.

Removal of Portion of Skull to Reveal Brain. 30″ x 22″. Acrylic on 140 lb Arches Watercolor Paper. ©2012.

Gouged is such an intensely fantastic word isn’t it? This is the latest work by Los Angeles based painter Billy Reynolds.

Billy says that his anatomically inspired subjects (most are self portraits),

Captivate, by reverberating between the familiar and the odd, between the beautiful and the perverse.  I present a stark reality, however sexy or unsettling. I look at the beautiful exterior of the body.  And I look deep within the body, reminding you how delicately put together your body is, by taking the body apart and showing you.

I like this quote by Tom Neely who interviewed Billy back in 2007 which pretty much captures the essence of his paintings,

He doesn’t make pretty art to hang over your couch—he makes paintings that would make people wonder about you if you did. But Billy’s paintings are as beautiful as they are disturbing, and you should hang them over your couch because great art should provoke something in you.

Billy works in oil paint which he says offers “unlimited possibilities” and “is always waiting to offer more to you every time you go to it.”  He used to create every piece of work twice, once as a physical 3D model, carefully constructing every detail, and second as an oil painting, meticulously worked up with layers upon layers of oil paint.  Recently he’s switched to digital and no longer sculpts each piece. But he says that he will always paint traditionally.  There’s no replacement for that.

See more of Billy’s incredible anatomical work at billyreynolds.com!

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/streetanatomy/OQuC/~3/Rp_PboqsOdE/

Nike has these beautiful workout tights for women in the two above colors plus a khaki and black option. They are described by the company as tights meant for a woman who,

On the outside, she might be the girl next door, but on the inside, her body has survived grueling workouts, often pushing through pain, broken bones, pulled muscles and harsh tears.  With images of X-Ray bones digitally printed on the outside, the exclusive print tight gives a glimpse of her inner toughness…They are not to be worn by the timid, the weak or the wallflower. They are for the woman who wants to let people know she’s not just an average girl – she’s an athlete.

These are some cool looking tights and I like that they come in different colors, wouldn’t mind seeing more colors in fact.

[via Super Punch and Nike]

Source:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/streetanatomy/OQuC/~3/1jOlrociso4/

Morbid Anatomy Presents This Week and Beyond at Observatory: Morbid Anatomy Anthology publication fundraising party with mini-lectures, cocktails, giveaways, screenings, music and delightful co-editor Colin Dickey! Thematic Halloween edition of our popular Anthropomorphic Insect Shadowbox class! Sugar Skull workshop! Observatory annual Day of the Dead Party!

Hope to see you at one or more of these great events.

"The Morbid Anatomy Anthology" Publication Fundraiser Party
Fundraising Party for "The Morbid Anatomy Anthology" with contributor mini-lectures. complementary artisinal cocktails, music, and giveaways from Kikkerland
Date: Friday, October 26
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: $20
Presented by Morbid Anatomy

We are very pleased to announce the forthcoming Morbid Anatomy Anthology--a lavish, illustrated book which will immortalize in print some of the best of the Morbid Anatomy Presents lecture series from the past 5 years. The book, to be co-published by Morbid Anatomy and Strange Attractor Press, will be edited by Morbid Anatomy's Joanna Ebenstein and author, polymath, and many time Observatory-presenter Colin Dickey.

Tonight's party-- the proceeds of which will go towards the printing and production costs of The Morbid Anatomy Anthology--will feature 15 minute mini-lectures by 4 contributors to the volume: Mark Dery, Colin Dickey, Shannon Taggart and Joanna Ebenstein. There will also be a Midnight Archive screening, complementary artisinal cocktails and music provided by Friese Undine and giveaways of wonderful anatomical cutting boards from Kikkerland.

ABOUT THE BOOK
The Morbid Anatomy Anthology will cover such topics as anthropodermic bibliopegy (ie. books bound in human skin), 19th Century "Diableries", Henry Wellcome's collections of preserved human tattoos, 19th century death-themed Parisian cabarets, extreme taxidermy, popular wax anatomical models, collecting death, the Anatomical Venus, Santa Muerte and Death in Mexico, "artist of death" Frederik Ruysch, macabre collections, and much, much, MUCH more.

The rogue scholars, artists, writers, museologists, morticians and scientists whose works fill this volume will include Morbid Anatomy Library Scholar in Residence and star of TV's "Oddities" Evan Michelson; Mark Dery, cultural critic and author of the upcoming The Doubtful Guest: The Mysterious Mind and Legendary Life of Edward Gorey; Paul Koudounaris, author/photographer of Empire of Death; Stephen Asma, author of Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads; Caitlin Doherty of Order of the Good Death; Carl Schoonover, author of Portraits of the Mind; Mel Gordon, author of The Grand Guingol; Kate Forde, curator at The Wellcome Collection; Pat Morris, author of Walter Potter and His Museum of Curious Taxidermy; Ronni Thomas, creator of The Midnight Archive; John Troyer, deputy director of the Centre for Death and Society at the University of Bath; Artist Zoe Bellof; Photographer Shannon Taggart; Mark Pilkington of Strange Attractor Press; Ross MacFarlane of The Welcome Library; Joanna Ebenstein of Morbid Anatomy; writer Colin Dickey; and many, many more.

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Anthropomorphic Insect Shadowbox Workshop: Special Halloween Edition, with Former AMNH Senior Insect Preparator Daisy Tainton
With Daisy Tainton, Former Senior Insect Preparator at the American Museum of Natural History
Dates: Saturday, October 27 (Special Halloween Edition!)
Time: 1 - 4 PM
Admission: $65
***Must RSVP to morbidanatomy [at] gmail.com to be added to class list
This class is part of The Morbid Anatomy Art Academy

Today, join former AMNH Senior Insect Preparator Daisy Tainton for a special Halloween-themed edition of Observatory's popular Anthropomorphic Insect Shadowbox Workshop. In this class, students will work with Rhinoceros beetles: nature's tiny giants. Each student will learn to make--and leave with their own!--shadowbox dioramas featuring carefully positioned beetles doing nearly anything you can imagine. Beetles and shadowboxes are provided, and an assortment of miniature furniture, foods, a
nd other props will be available to decorate your habitat. Students need bring nothing, though are encouraged to bring along dollhouse props if they have a particular vision for their final piece; 1:12 scale work best. 

Daisy Tainton was formerly Senior Insect Preparator at the American Museum of Natural History, and has been working with insects professionally for several years. Eventually her fascination with insects and  love of Japanese miniature food items naturally came together, resulting in cute and ridiculous museum-inspired yet utterly unrealistic dioramas. Beetles at the dentist? Beetles eating pie and knitting sweaters? Even beetles on the toilet? Why not?

Image: "Suicide Beetle," By Daisy Tainton, Teacher of workshop

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Sugar Skull Decorating Workshop and Lecture: El Dia de los Muertos in Context -- How the Day of the Dead Exemplifies the Greater Culture of Death in Mexico
Workshop and lecture with Dru Munsell
Date: Monday, October 29
Time: 8:00
Admission: $50
Produced by Morbid Anatomy
**** Class size limited; must RSVP to morbidanatomy [at] gmail.com

Mexico possesses a rich and complex relationship with death that extends far beyond the Day of the Dead holiday and its iconic sugar skulls. Indeed, from Mexico's indigenous Mayans through her occupations and revolutions, death has taken a leading role in the formation of the country's varied culture, causing scholar Claudio Lomnitz to even name Death as the symbol of Mexico's national identity.

The lecture portion of this workshop seeks to facilitate a deeper understanding not only of Southern Mexico's sugar skulls and El Dia de los Muertos as a whole, but also framing what is often thought of as the Mexican version of Halloween within the greater context of a culture that has blended indigenous practices, colonization's Catholic religion, and the subsequent revolutions and violence, recognizing death as a necessary part of life not to be ignored or feared, but embraced and celebrated.
For this workshop, each attendee will be provided with a blank, undecorated sugar skull, fully assembled, dried, and ready to decorate. Royal icing in bright colors as well as other traditional decorative materials such as sequins and colored foils will be provided. Each attendee is encouraged to bring any personal decorating items they wish to use if they are making a skull for a specific departed individual, though smaller items are recommended. Traditional themes and patterns will be discussed, as well as decoration application techniques. At the end of the workshop, each person will have their own large sugar skull to take home. Because of the drying time involved with the royal icing, it is advised that skulls be left at Observatory to dry and set, and that finished skulls be picked up at the annual El Dia de los Muertos party. Extra blank skulls will be available for purchase for those interested, as well as directions for making the royal icing recipe that is recommended for skull decoration.

Dru Munsell is a biological anthropology degree candidate at Columbia University specializing in forensics, pathological human anatomy, and cultural fetish and taboo. She examines these topics in her thesis on the intersection of science and spectacle as literally embodied by both the "born different" and "working acts" of sideshow and circus performance. Dru currently works as an intern for the Morbid Anatomy Library as well as a scientific consultant, archivist, transcriber, and Jane-of-all-Trades for James Taylor's Shocked & Amazed: On and Off the Midway. After completing her studies, she plans to either work with the governmental agency, DMORT, doing body identification at scenes of mass death with a particular interest in the mass graves of post-colonial revolutions and genocides in Latin America, or running away and joining the circus.

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Annual Observatory Day of the Dead and Halloween Costume PartyMusic, Performance, Costumes, Tequila, Traditional Altar, Sugar Skulls, Death Piñata, and tacos provided by our favorite local taqueria Oaxaca!
Date: Saturday, November 3
Time: Doors at 8:00 PM, Performance at 9
Admission: $15
Presented by Morbid Anatomy and Borderline Projects

Please join us on Saturday, November 3 for the annual Observatory Halloween/Day of the Dead costume party! This year we will welcome back the ghosts of the dead in the tradition of our favorite holiday--the Mexican Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead--with Aztec dances and chants, traditional foods and drink, tacos catered by local favorite taqueria Oaxaca, episodes of The Midnight Archive, tequila, music, sugar skulls, our beloved La Catrina, a Day of the Dead Altar honoring the late Chavela Vargas and Neil Armstrong and, as always, an opportunity to strike a mortal blow to our beautiful piñata of Lady Death herself! There will also be, as always, the opportunity to don--and admire other!--amazing Day of the Dead-themed costumes.

The year's iteration will include:

ENTERTAINMENT!

• Cetiliztli Nauhcampa: Aztec dances and chants
• Borderline Projects's Salvador Olguín with a brief lecture on the origins and significance of Day of the Dead celebrations
• The Midnight Archive: Screenings of The Midnight Archive, Ronni Thomas' web series based on Observatory
• Music: Halloween music for the all night dance party

FOOD AND DRINK!

• Event will be catered by local favorite taqueria Oaxaca!

TRADITIONAL DAY OF THE DEAD ATTRACTIONS!

• Day of the Dead Altar honoring the late Chavela Vargas and Neil Armstrong.
• Special appearance by our very own La Catrina
• Pan de Muerto: Indulge in this traditional dessert called Bread of Death
• Piñata: Dash death to smithereens with our annual death piñata!
• Sugar skulls: Decorate and eat or bring home your own Day of the Dead sugar skull
• Offerings to the Departed: In some places in Mexico, people leave small, coffin-like figures out for the souls of the departed. Guests are invited to leave their own offering; they will be available at the installation.

For photos from last years' party, click here. Hope very much to see you there.
Image: Rebeca Olguín

NOVEMBER EVENTS

November 8: *** POSTPONED; STAY TUNED FOR NEW DATE A Dark Day in New York: Dispatches from The New York Grimpendium: Lecture and launch party for book of death-related sites and artifacts in New York, with J.W. Ocker 

November 13: The Abuses of Enchantment: Illustrated Lecture and Book Signing with Mark Pilkington, Author of “Mirage Men: An Adventure into Disinformation, Paranoia and UFOs” 

November 19: From the Akashic Jukebox: Magic and Music in Britain, 1888-1978: Illustrated Lecture and Rare British Occult Recordings with Mark Pilkington of Strange Attractor Press.

 You can get a full list of upcoming events by clicking here.

Source:
http://morbidanatomy.blogspot.com/2012/10/morbid-anatomy-anthology-fundraiser.html