Book Review: The High Republic "Mission to Disaster"

A little background

Mission to Disaster is a middle-grade novel book in The High Republic series and was released not long after The Fallen Star although the storyline takes place before events in that book. As with most junior novels, it’s a gentler, shorter story with greater enjoyment on a narrative that children can engage with more.

As with all things book-wise so far, I’m consuming my Star Wars via Audible.

This book is by Justina Ireland who has written previous “junior” novels in this series and is narrated by Keylor Leigh as opposed to Marc Thompson who does most of the main High Republic Books. This means that the range of voices is considerably more limited and less distinct, but Keylor does a decent job of adding some distinction. The usual background sound effects and music are still there too but perhaps less polished and less advanced than in the other main books.

The total length of the audible book is 5 hours and 6 minutes, although that’s including the intro and credits. This is around a third of the length of the main books in the series thus also adding to that younger audience appeal. Although technically there are 35 chapters (of about but mostly 5 minutes each), there is also a prologue and epilogue.

The “Crawl”

“The Jedi think the dreaded Nihil marauders have been all but defeated. Their leader is on the run and their numbers have dwindled. Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh hopes this means she will finally have time to really train her Padawan, Imri Cantaros—but reports of a Nihil attack on Port Haileap soon dash those hopes. For not only have the Nihil attacked the peaceful outpost, they have abducted Vernestra and Imri's friend, Avon Starros. The two Jedi set off for Port Haileap, determined to figure out where the Nihil have taken their friend. Meanwhile, Avon must put her smarts and skills to the ultimate test as she fights for survival among the Nihil—and uncovers a sinister plan. Can Vernestra and Imri find their friend before disaster strikes?”

The story

Here's my overview of each chapter to show roughly how the story flows:

Chapter 1 Avon Starros is working on creating a replica kyber crystal of the one she stole from Imri. The facility she's at though is attacked by the Nihil and she is captured.

Chapter 2 Vernestra and Imri are training on a planet with Imri practising force jumps. Vern has a vision of Avon in trouble and the duo head to her assistance after getting confirmation of the Nihil attack.

Chapter 3 Avon awakes to find herself locked in a cargo hold with several other children who have been captured by Nihil. She quickly starts to work on finding a way to get a message to Starlight asking for help.

Chapter 4 Imri and Vern arrive at the port attacked by Nihil. Whilst Imri helps with the damage, Vern searches for Avon and meets up with J6, Avon's Nanny Droid, who both continue the search.

Chapter 5 Avon devises a plan with the other children which they put into action when a guard brings them food. Avon escapes the room and searches for a Comms outlet but is apprehended by a strong Nihil who takes her to meet the boss.

Chapter 6 Imri and Vern discuss options as they learn Avon was kidnapped. They leave the port with the keen J6 to head to another outpost recently attacked by Nihil and also reporting missing people.

Chapter 7 Avon is taken to meet the boss of the Nihil ship, a one Lorna Su (name sounds like anyways). Avon gives little info about herself, and Nihil boss suggests they are recruiting for new Nihil. A very short conversation.

Chapter 8 Vernestra communes with the force and hears Avon and the name of Nihil boss but no location. They arrive on Dalna and meet Jedi master at local temple for dinner and discuss reports of missing people on the planet.

Chapter 9 The captured children are brought a box of games which Avon instantly takes apart to work on a door release mechanism. Once completed she gets to the corridor outside where a Nihil is waiting and instructs her to help on a job.

Chapter 10 Back on Dalna, Vernestra, Imri and local Jedi head into town. They stop at the government building as Imri waits outside and meets Honesty who tells him there is something going on high up in the government.

Chapter 13 - Vern and Imri meet up with Honesty and his partner to discuss what the latter saw one night. They then head out in shuttle along with a few temple Jedi to an area near the mountains where a Nihil ship was seen.

Chapter 14 Avon is taken to the lab aboard the Nihil ship by the resident Doctor and is put to work on helping create Nihil gas bombs.

Chapter 15 The Jedi deal with angry animals roaming about and finding a child hiding in a building. Avon sneaks out of the lab at night to send a message of help but is caught by a Nihil.

Chapter 16 The Jedi reunite the boy with his parents who are in the government. J6 receives Avon's message. Turns out the signal is coming from the planet!

Chapter 18 Very little happens other than Imri waking up and going to where the investigation is being held and Vernestra asking him to go to Starlight to get help to repair the broken relay orbiting planet.

Chapter 19 Officials and Jedi discuss the next options and settle on all heading to a location known as a junction where they think it's most likely nihil might place explosives. It's a two-day trip though ...

Chapter 20 On Starlight, Imri greats a concerned Senator Starros over her daughter, Avon. Later, Imri has a disturbance in the force and rushes to the Vice President of Dalna's room to find they are unconscious after being attacked.

Chapter 21 Avon helps the Nihil scientist create synthetic kyber crystals, albeit secretly flawed ones. She's then taken to see the ground quake machine the scientist has been constructing.

Chapter 22 & 23  Vern, Jedi and officials experience a short ground quake before a young boy runs out on them, hungry, and tells them he knows Avon. On Starlight, Imri and a republic official are mystified over the attack on theVIP.

Chapters 24 and 25 Short chapters - Avon meets the other children again and continues to put her plan into motion. Vernestra and the gang finish quizzing the boy who escaped the Nihil before a few of them continue onwards.

Chapter 26 The Nihil scientist starts the machine with the flawed crystals Avon created leading to much disruption. Vernestra and Co arrive to see off the Nihil but the scientist escapes.

Chapter 27 Everyone, including all the children, arrives back at Jedi Temple. J6 reunites with Avon. The Jedi receive a distress call from the capital city.

Chapters 29 + 30 Vern and co arrive at Dalna city to find it already attacked and the President fled with Nihil. On Starlight, Imri convinces Jedi to take Starlight to Dalna to help with the evacuation.

Chapters 31 + 32 Starlight Beacon arrives at Dalna as more volcanos and earthquakes occur. Vernestra and Avon head in a shuttle to Starlight where Avon is still troubled by her use of Imri's Kyber crystal in the Nihil weapon. On Starlight Avon confesses all to Imri who comforts her. When Senator Starros greats her daughter, Avon suspects something is amiss as her mum seems to know a lot of information about her kidnapping adventure. Starlight Beacon arrives at Dalna as more volcanos and earthquakes occur. Vernestra and Avon head in a shuttle to Starlight where Avon is still troubled by her use of Imri's Kyber crystal in the Nihil weapon. Vernestra meets up with Avir who invites her on a mission to head to the Nihil base and end this conflict.

The end.

My thoughts

The main bulk of this book is centred on Avon. She’s an appealing character due to not only being very chatty in her thoughts and to others, but she’s also very clever and bright, as well as eternally positive. We see probably most of this story more from her perspective because of the time taken with her capture and her “aiding” and learning of the Nihil whilst she is stuck with them. Venestra and Imri are the next central characters but really their story doesn’t advance much as they play second fiddle as they learn about Avon’s capture and then look to track her down. Probably Imri gets more character development in this book due to the unique use of his force abilities to calm others and his lead in discussions with authorities on Starlight.

I really enjoyed the time spent with Avon. As said before, she is arguably the principal character in this book and is blessed with bundles of plus-points for reasons to like her. If you don’t like chatty clever children though you will probably struggle with this book because she’s just a bundle of energy and creativity to levels of, well, almost Jedi degree in terms of her knowledge of science and engineering. Her experiments and thoughts on kyber crystals along with what the Nihil are doing is a prelude perhaps to the Empire and the Death Star. She shines throughout this book and makes the time spent with the Nihil seem rather like a trip to a holiday camp. The Nihil Doctor she “teams” up with is also the most interesting Nihil as we learn more of his past, his quest for science but also for destruction. The rest of the Nihil in this group, even their leader, is really part of the furniture in terms of the story.

Vernestra and Imri are a great padawan and master team – and probably the one I personally have felt more like I have spent the most time with due to them being in multiple novels so far. We also get a chance to see Vernestra’s unique sabre whip in action! Imri is a good sidekick in many ways but he’s also hard to work out at times as he dances between playing the complete juvenile in this book to an almost elder stateman in another chapter. It’s a little odd in that respect.

It feels interesting as a general mystery story – what are the Nihil up to, who in government is turning a blind eye or working with them? This is an interesting narrative to keep us going. The inside working of the Nihil is made more interesting with Avon and the bonkers Doctor who warms to her almost like a parent would and is totally taken in yet not totally surprised when Avon sabotages matters. Can’t wait to meet the Doctor again in the future.

Pros: Avon’s personality and creativity is a blast. The Nihil doctor is intriguing and the mystery of what exactly the Nihil are doing is compelling.

Cons: It’s a simple story really but that’s no bad thing and totally understandable as a junior novel. There is though much to take from this story along the way. Imri’s characterisation I found a little odd at times.

Rating

7/10 – Despite the gravity of the situation, a fun story thanks tremendously to Avon.

 

Book Review: The High Republic "The Fallen Star"

A little background

The Fallen Star is the 3^rd main book in The High Republic series after the opener The Light of the Jedi and The Rising Storm. There are of course other books and comics in the series, but Fallen Star is like the feature films, in that it’s part of the main storyline, where all the important stuff happens (well, sort of!). For sub-plot though, I really recommend all the other books and comics to help you get up to speed. As with all things book wise, I’m consuming my Star Wars via Audible. This book is by Claudia Gray and narrated by the awesomely talented Marc Thompson who does all the various voices, adding emotion and drama, along with some good background sound effects. The total length of the audible book is 13 hours and 31 minutes, although that’s including the intro and credits. Although technically there are 35 chapters (of about 20 minutes each), there is also a prologue and epilogue.

The Story

As I was listening to the story, I tweeted out summaries of each chapter. This way I felt I could capture the most important plot points in small concise chunks. Some chapters were combined because mostly the same thing was happening, and some chapters had a couple tweets to capture the slightly busier moments.

So, what the heck happened? Well, the main characters that get the bulk of the time in this book were Jedi’s Elzar Mann, Stellen Gios, Bell/Burry, The Crew of the Vessell and the antagonist’s Nan/Chancy. Marchion Ro is of course lurking, but the story here focuses almost exclusively on Starlight Beacon and everyone who is on it during the dramatic events that entail. Think of this book as Star Wars Meets ‘The Possidon Adventure’ or ‘The Titanic’, and you’ll understand quickly what you’re likely to get as Starlight Beacon’s light is well and truly turned off.

The official summary for the book is:

Time and again, the vicious raiders known as the Nihil have sought to bring the golden age of the High Republic to a fiery end. Time and again, the High Republic has emerged battered and weary, but victorious thank to its Jedi protectors - and there is no monument to their cause grander than the Starlight Beacon.

Hanging like a jewel in the Outer Rim, the Beacon embodies the High Republic at the apex of its aspirations: a hub of culture and knowledge, a bright torch against the darkness of the unknown, and an extended hand of welcome to the furthest reaches of the galaxy. As survivors and refugees flee the Nihil's attacks, the Beacon and its crew stand ready to shelter and heal.

The grateful Knights and Padawans of the Jedi Order stationed there finally have a chance to recover - from the pain of their injuries and the grief of their losses. But the storm they thought had passed still rages; they are simply caught in its eye. Marchion Ro, the true mastermind of the Nihil, is preparing his most daring attack yet - one designed to snuff out the light of the Jedi.

The crawl to the book pretty much goes through that summary and introduces another fact that Avir Kriss is still pursing Lorna Dee. There are a few interesting wordings at the end when it refers to 'an old enemy' being unleashed on the Jedi by Marchion Ro. Sith? Or is this just referring to the leveller in some way? This isn’t much clearer by the end of the book really. However, let’s get a snapshot now of each chapter.

Chapter 1 - We get to see several different Jedi parties chasing down Nihil across the outer rim and having success. These Nihil seem to be mostly Lorna Dee ships though. Meanwhile, someone is running an errand for Marchion Ro on his ship, the Gaze Electric.

Chapter 2 - Jedi, with Starlight Beacon towed into orbit, are helping a planet recovering from the Nihil. Nihil also begin an attack on multiple worlds elsewhere designed to get the Jedi's attention. Stellan is gifted a droid, nicknamed “45” (who is an absolute blast thanks to Marc’s voice). And Nan, former Nihil, who readers will know if they have read the other secondary novels, arrives on Starlight as a prisoner.

Chapter 3 - Elzar Mann is away on another planet meditating in water. Orla Jareni is his guide. They finish their away time on this distant planet, meet up with the crew of The Vessell (there’s a one of many brilliant Geode moment here). Marchion Ro dispatches a handful of loyal nihil to perform a secret mission.

Chapter 4 - Bell and "Burry" talk about Loden as Nihil spies start secretly wrecking starlight comms (they easily arrived on Starlight in a ship claiming to have Rathtars as cargo which no one bothered or wanted to check – make note here, as one of numerous Jedi failings), Marchion Ro is ready for a new crew to arrive, and The Crew of The Vessell run into Nihil on way to Starlight.

Chapter 5 - Quiet chapter really. The Vessell tangles with the Nihil briefly by disrupting comms for a few minutes which felt pointless. On Starlight, well, not a lot happening. A few dealings with ingoing’s and outgoing.

Chapter 6 - On Starlight, Bell and Burry spar together but sense something is amiss. In a hanger bay, plenty of wounded are arriving from the various Nihil attacks on other planets, to which Indeera (Bell’s Jedi Master) also senses something is wrong but cannot ascertain what. Elzar Mann questions the prisoners ... Sort of. More Jedi begin to feel something on the edge of their consciousness that wasn't right, or missing, but do nothing about it. Nihil spies continue to sabotage Comms.

Chapter 7 - On Starlight, there's more Jedi sensing distant oddities but doing nothing. A strong hint that the Drengir are coming back comes via Stellan's dream, who dismisses it. Sigh. Briefly we see Avir pursuing Lorna Dee

Chapter 8 - Still on Starlight, The Vessell lands in the hanger bay. Some greetings aside, Leox notices a "rival" of sorts, which concerns him. Orla and Reginald (another Jedi) briefly investigate the uncertainly they are feeling but are called away.

Chapter 9 - Still on Starlight, bit of a quiet chapter. Elzar Mann meets up with Stellan Gios who is quite troubled by his dream which seems to have started to cripple him. Leox spars verbally with his rival. The Nihil spies hear about the Nihil prisoners.

Chapter 10 A remote Jedi temple is obliterated by the Nihil. Starlight Jedi begin tentative investigation into strange feelings. Leox's rival snoops about The Vessel. Marchion Ro's new crew arrive in the form of illegal Enforcer droids.

Chapter 11 Orla, Reginald, and Indeera break rules to investigate force oddities in Starlight. They head down to lower decks, to cargo hold where they split up. Reginald calls out in pain, Indeera also struggles against an invisible unknown foe, Orla later finds a dead Reginald.

Chapter 12 and 13. Geode’s flirting is lighter side of matters as Elzar Mann heads to check out poor Reginald and Indeera. The Nihil spies break out Chancey (who was captured at same time) and Nan and put them to work.

Chapter 13 Ro gets all loved up on Gaze Electric, Stellan Gios is still feeling hopelessly like a failure whilst Bell and Burry look over an unconscious Indeera.

Chapter 14 - This is when the shit starts to hit the fan! Not long after Avir Kriss returns to Starlight in the Jedi Cruiser. Explosives are laid by the Nihil spies on Starlight which explode by the reactor core. Everyone is startled. At this point Starlight is split into half and we never get to find out much about the top section where Avir Kriss is. The story concentrates on the lower section.

Chapter 15 Jedi in multiple locations all realising that Comms are down and they've no idea what's going on. The Leveller is loose too. I thought the Drengir were lurking too but turns out not. It’s all a little confusing here but there seems to be multiple creatures behaving like the leveller did at the end of The Rising Storm on Loden. Then the news comes that both sections of Starlight are stuck in gravitational pull.

Chapter 16 Chancey and Nan leave Nihil trio and try to flee station. All over station everyone starting to realise that docking bay doors, escape pods and Comms are down. Stellan Gios discovers that station is caught in gravity pull.

Chapter 17 Bell and Burry use a droid to send a Comms to nearby medical ship requesting assistance and learn of station’s dire situation. Leox and crew alert Stellan Gios that Comms aren't blocked as they thought, and he calls for help. Orla confronts the leveller.

Chapter 18 Bell and Burry use maintenance shafts to get up a level or two and meet Elzar Mann near the hub. Chaotic scenes in the hanger bay as panic starts but Geode stands tall.

Chapter 19-21 Chancey and Nan are trying to save their own skins. Later they bump into Affie (of The Vessel) who are all looking for escape pods. There's a minor confrontation before Nan and Chancey flee.

Chapter 19-21 Orla is discovered by Bell and Burry as a dead husk. Elzar Mann brings back power cells to the docking bay. Stellan Gios confronts the Leveller.

Chapter 19-21 Starlight is totally split into two by this point by another explosion. Both sections in gravitational pull although one section Stellan Gios believes might be able to avoid crashing.

Chapter 22. Stellan Gios evades the Leveller and makes it back to Elzar Mann but in a much-reduced mental and physical state. More preparations on planet below for crash of starlight, and Bell and Burry discover the husk of Burry’s master.

Chapter 23 Elzar Mann is now in charge. Bell and Burry organise a crew in bay to seal off lower deck with the Leveller in. Senator Starros (Ro’s lover and spy in the Republic) is uneasy with droids on Gaze Electric. A mutiny is growing in docking bay as top half of starlight breaks up.

Chapter 24 Elzar Mann works on getting Stellan Gios better. Avir makes contact through the force. Bell, Burry and Leox and crew continue to separate off sections of the lower levels.

Chapter 25 Elzar Mann ponders how to get through the radiation sections of Starlight. Meanwhile, Bell and Burry find themselves battling a bunch of Rathtars. Yes, one of the Nihil spies ships actually did have them onboard.

Chapter 25 & 26 Bell uses explosives to separate medical tower from starlight. Nan & Chancey give up on escape pods and lurk in cargo bay. Elzar Mann & Burry use obscure system to create path for ships through starlight.

Chapters 28 and 29 - A mutiny in the main docking bay is averted bravely by the star of the book, Geode. Elzar Mann and Burry battle Rathtars as Elzar Mann gets the cargo bay door open to allow smaller ships to escape.

Chapters 30 - Chancey and Nan head to try to fix the positional thrusters but meet the Nihil gang. Affie devises plan to use leftover power cores to power the escape pods.

Chapter 31 - Chancey and Nan battle the Nihil trio and defeat them. Elzar Mann is heading in their direction too. Bell tries to enter starlight cargo bay but ends up staying outside and giving aide.

Chapter 32 Elzar Mann has a close encounter with the leveller on route to bottom of station. Bell helps escape pods launch. Lenox has a plan to open docking bay doors.

Chapter 33 An enraged Elzar Mann takes out Chancey before Nan escapes. By this time, it's too late to use the thrusters. Ooops. Leox blows open bay door mechanism allowing ships to escape but gets caught in gust of wind ...

Chapter 34 Elzar Mann confesses to Stellan Gios. Nan escapes Starlight. Leox is alive after using a parachute to land on planet below! Stellan Gios sacrifices himself by staying at the controls to redirect Starlight from crashing into a populated area.

Chapter 35 Avir and Elzar Mann mourn the loss of Stellan Gios. The Jedi on the planet help repair Local facilities. The Nihil host a celebration of the century in deepest space.

Epilogue - Marchion Ro broadcasts his victory speech to the entire system, boasting bragging rights and that this part of system is his.

My thoughts

Overall, this book is a slow burner. It’s not really until halfway through that thing really pick up when the first explosions happen. I enjoyed the book although I kept getting a very strong sense of things being deliberately kept from us, especially concerning the … what shall we call them … the anti-force beings or animals that the Nihil brought to Starlight? At the end of Book 2 we saw one animal of sorts attack Loden, and I also had from memory that Bell was affected too, but this is not mentioned at all. It’s hard to understand the threat when it’s not overly clear enough. We know that these animals essentially turn off the jedi’s connection with the force, or mute it, but it’s inconceivable that this doesn’t get a proper investigation by the Jedi in my view. Yes, they’ve been stretched thin by going off to help planets attacked by Nihil, but there are droids and non-Jedi on Starlight? Later on though we get Jedi using force abilities and realising it’s a struggle, which is fine given what little we know, but the huge leaping about stuff with lightsabre doesn’t really seem like a struggle. All in all, I found the whole threat from the anti-force animals too vague and cryptic to comprehend. I like having this anti-force threat and it is delivering serious results but it’s far too vague to have the true impact.

That’s another thing, it’s totally unclear how many people are on Starlight. It’s hinted that lots died from destruction of Starlight but most of the time we only stay with the same few Jedi, those in docking bay, and droids in medical wing. It’s hard to fathom who else is there, and what they were doing as it appears only Stellan and Elzar mostly are running the show. In previous books it has been hard to keep up with all the Jedi but in this book when you’re on a station full of people, some text to demonstrate how busy it is could have really helped in this case. We know a lot were lost, but how many?

Nan, Nan, Nan … I find her so confusing. She loves the Nihil, hates them, wants to be with them, doesn’t want to be with them, helps being reliant on others, wants to be part of a group … she is defiantly complex but so random in what she’s thinking.

On the plus side, this is an epic story with epic consequences. Perhaps not made as dramatic as it could and should have been but nevertheless it was highly significant in the loss of Starlight. I totally buy how Nihil having the blueprints through their Senate spy could achieve this complex task of sabotage and the extra burden Marchion Ro places on the Jedi to distract them literally and through the force. I don’t totally comprehend it did get as much investigation as it did, but maybe there was more that’ll come out in the comics and secondary novels.

We get further development of Elzar with his love/hate relationship with the force and his ability to quickly tap into the dark side without a blink of the eye. He’s certainly going somewhere. Of course, his confession to Stellen is now moot given Stellan’s fate and he says he’ll tell others, but I wonder if he ever will now?

The crew of the Vessell, and Bell/Burry, were the plus points of the book for me. Geode stole the show so many times with his persona and actions. Leox is a happy go lucky positive amusing character no matter what the situation. Bell and Burry are the most Anikan/Obi-Wan Jedi pairing and work so well together in an enjoyable way.

We lost a few Jedi along the way. Stellen, a pillar of the Jedi who was very morale and abiding to the jedi Council, sacrifices himself. In a way, we never really got to know him. He was so stiff and giving out advice and orders, it doesn’t really feel like a huge loss to me. Reginald was a great funny character, like a jedi Leox, and I just knew he was doomed to die when they concentrated so much on him in beginning, however, too soon to mourn him. Indeera I didn’t feel I knew either. However, the one that affected me the most was Orla. I just loved her. She was intelligent, comprehensive and knew lots about the ways of the force. I was somewhat surprised she couldn’t fight the anti-force animals any better than anyone else. I will miss her. I don’t count Burry as dead as I reckon he did survive. I would miss him though. What’s not to like about a Jedi Wookie?????

Pros: The Crew of the Vessel, especially Geode and Leox are worth the entrance fee alone, the progression of a complex Elzar, the continuation of a deeply serious anti-force threat to the Jedi, a significant turn of events in the Nihil’s favour with the destruction of Starlight … and a big shoutout to an amazingly amusing and sarcastic “45” voice by Marc Thompson.

Cons: Strangely, the anti-force threat, despite being severe and devastating, it’s unclear what is happening, and that’s not a good thing for the story in my opinion. It’s a slow-burning first-half of the book, and somehow, the absolutely drama of the crashing of Starlight is not delivered in quite the way it could have been, especially as the only tangible danger to life comes across as limited to those in a medical bay and docking bay.

I don’t really like to rate Star Wars because I’ll watch/read it and enjoy it no matter what, but it’s always a little fun to try to pinpoint things in a review. As I never wrote a review for previous High Republic books I’ve read, I’ll quickly say that I’d give Light of the Jedi an 9/10 and The Rising Storm 7/10.

Rating

7/10 – An epic story of huge consequences in The High Republic series which shows the frailties of the Jedi at this time and the canniest abilities of the Nihil.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 19 - "Descent"

Synopsis: Evading The First Order, Kax and the gang devise a dangerous method to send a signal to the Resistance for help.

What I Thought:  There's a lot in this episode, making it probably the most fast paced of the season so far. Seems it was the whole gang arrested and not just Kaz, which leaves Bucket to do the most significant thing he's done all season, create a smoke screen and thus aide everything's escape. Well, except Tam. She's still heavily confused and not seeing the First Order as the rest do, although you could say neither is Neeku, but he's quite happy to just do what he is told or had explained to him. Tam meets First Order Security Bureau Agent Tierny who befriends her in order to manipulate information from her. It's a much deeper look at the level and depth the First Order has built up that we have a look at different divisions of this organisation. It's most certainly not all Stormtroopers, ships and Kylo Ren - speaking of which, I'm still betting on a cameo from him in the finale.

Yeager really comes alive in this episode having spent all the season doing his best not to get involved. He's certainly involved now, blasting troopers and then sacrificing himself so that Kaz can get away. There's huge flashbacks to Rogue One with Yeager and Kaz next to the transmitter. It's somewhat a surprise then after all their efforts that the Resistance respond to Kaz's message with a "Sorry", a real little twist. Given what Kaz and co have performed all season and especially in this episode, taking back the station seems like it would be no problem - except, what's to stop the First Order coming back again and again? Where will we end up after the finale? Is Synara going to rally the pirates to help? Why would they help?

Smoke bomb always works but how does everyone else see where they are going?

A new friend for Tam?

Yup, that's a transmitter alright.

Rating: 7/10 - Action packed to a level never experienced on the station before as we had the finale with the stakes amazingly high.

The Curse of Oak Island S06E03

We're now 5 years in to the Lagina brothers hunt for treasure on Oak Island. Technically you could say they've achieved this, based on recent weeks, or by using your own definition of what treasure is. Regarding the mystery of the island though, they've a long way to go to get definitive answers. However, Smith's Cove might well be the next place that actually turns up results, as the Lagina brothers see the start of their cofferdam arriving in the form of a massive crane on a big pad by the cove. A hydraulic hammer will bash 120 steel sheets into the ground around the cove, then the area will be drained and a new beach for Dan Blankenship will be created. Ok, not the last bit but it's still 3 weeks until the dam will be ready.

Part of the gang are off on a jolly to Calgary to the HQ of Eagle Canada, who are the guys that blew up the Money Pit last week using seismic charges. Have they found anything? Is the world round? Of course they have something to show. If they are paid that much money, they will find something. Interestingly enough, it's revealed now that they also blew up another area nearby to the Money Pit which is known as the Mega Bin (another name for the island for some!) which is an area where previous excavations by Dan Blankenship found evidence of tunnels. The results are in for the Mega Bin. It shows an anomaly at about 50ft deep in the upper corner of the area. Apparently this red blob, which is amongst lots of blue blobs, is a void of some sort. The Money Pit results show a void too, at 160ft, which is smack bang near where they drilled two of their holes last season ... and missed. This, ladies and gentlemen, is why you should always do your research and gain a deeper knowledge of where to drill, rather than just closing one eye and taking a chance! They believe this void might be the Chapell Vault which they were looking for last year when they found those human bones and pottery. Yet another anomaly is also found near the Money Pit which they think shows a flood tunnel. I think I might need a 3 day course to understand those charts though ...

Back at the island, Jack, Gary and Mike West (Geophysics wizard) are at Captain Anderson's lot, number 26, on the beach. Mike has one of those EM61s again on a buggy that he drags around beeping all the time. This scanner is more powerful than Gary's. You'd think there might be a "mine's bigger than yours" fight but Gary is cool with Mike's gadget that can go to a depth of 20ft. First up, they find a 1700's metal spike. Hmm. Then they find a metal hook. Naturally Gary has already put 1+1 together and believes this shows Captain Anderson using the area as a port.

Back in War Room and the gang gather to show off the seismic maps. They pick locations for the next core holes and the priority. Naturally they are going for the obvious first.

The Next Day the brothers observe Smith's Cove's cofferdam construction which is very impressive I must say. A tad later drilling equipment arrives in the form of sonic drills that literally blast everything out of their way when drilling. So, not destroying it by crushing it but obliterating evidence. Nice. Anyhow, geologist Terry Matheson, who helped them with the previous holes which missed the target, helps them choose the next hole sites. First hole is called DE6 and every 10ft they bring back samples. At 80ft deep they bring up wood which they believe is from a collapsed tunnel. Either that, or they've a big beaver problem.

Back at Lot 26, the next item to be found is mighty amazing for it looks like a long metal item with a sharp tip: i.e from a crossbow! Gary is very excited and could do with a minute to compose himself as he thinks it's very old, like Templar old, which is 12th/13th century and possibly used to pierce chainmail. Is it what it looks like though?

Lots of blobs in the Mega Bin.

Lots of wood in DE6.

An impressive sharp tip from a crossbow?

Rating 8/10 - A highly promising episode, with the cofferdam under construction, discovers on Lot 26 and targets in the Money Pit area.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 18 - "The Disappeared"

Synopsis: The First Order starts locking people up for defying them, leading to Kaz to hatch a rescue plan.

What I Thought: With a title like this, I'm reminded of the Clone Wars. In this case, the lockdown and takeover by The First Order of the station suddenly escalates from patrols ... to complete control. Races are cancelled and the Aces grounded. It's a little surprising that Doza doesn't even try to answer back to Commander Pyre, instead going into secret collusion with Yeager to find a way to get through to the Resistance. Kaz and Torra are left to attempt the rescue, taking down stormtroopers in a rather chaotic ambush, allowing the 4 prisoners to leave the station via the transporter. It's all a rather simple plan, but the propaganda, lying and oppression of The First Order is clearly laid bare as any defiance is locked down, and the Stormtroopers go around praising their own virtues.

Interesting to see the First Order BB unit going around, eavesdropping anyone showing defiance. How they couldn't see that droid, I don't know. What does The First Order gain from locking down the Aces? I'm unsure. Possibly they are control freaks? I'm not sure what the strategic advantage is, although perhaps with no ships airborne, they know they can't get attacked from within?

Clearly Doza and Yeager go back somewhat to be this able to be in cahoots? I would have liked to have seen Doza at least try to reason with Pyre. Before the opening titles he argued successfully with Pyre but almost right afterwards he said nothing when Pyre informed him that the races were cancelled!

Trouble takes a serious turn at the end for Kaz as he finds himself surrounded and arrested!

She's not happy.

Torra proves very capable with a blaster!

This doesn't look good ...

Rating: 7/10 - First Order control is complete of the station within the blink of the eye, as no one is safe, including now Kaz.

The Curse of Oak Island S06E02

Fresh with excitement about that discovery last episode, Rick and Gary drive a long distance across the island to knock up Dan's house where Marty is already gathered. Hope they've put the kettle on! Inside, they show the broach to the two non-experts who both like what they see. Gary's insight is that it's a fancy one but mine is that it's also past its best in its current form. Is it related to a treasure or just accidentally dropped on the floor by someone? We're reminded that this is the second jewel they've found, or resemblance of a jewel. Soon they'll be opening up the Oak Island Jewellers. Gary thinks it's 1700's or older. Thanks for really pinning that down, Gary. We're also reminded of James Anderson (not the England bowler) who was a pirate who once lived on the island.

Back at the Money Pit, and there's more explosions, like there's a badger being chased across the area at 100mph. More seismic scanning at its best is going on. There's been 100 in the last hour, with more being set off in the hopes of making a decent map of the area underneath. Here's hoping it's something that sort of looks coherent.

Laird drives to the Exhibition Centre, clearly having already been busy elsewhere pulling up trees as his hands are dirty. Some of the gang are there for him to look at the latest broach. Laird has never seen anything like it before, so thanks Laird. He does say that jewellery finds are rare in Nova Scotia. He thinks it might be gilded by gold.

Next day and it's off to Smith's Cove to meet two of the company's looking to splash the brother's cash like there's no tomorrow, Irving and Brycon. They plan to make a 25ft deep coffer dam but first a new road needs to be built to get that 300ft crane out to the cove. Apparently it'll take about a week to get started once road is there.

Pub booze-up next as some of the gang gather to talk about the broach and offer zero valuable insights. However, they are going to go on a jolly to Calgary, some 3,000 miles away. Well, Dave and the brothers are. Charles Lewton-Brain is a gemologist and uses a digital video microscope to examine the first "jewel" from last season which he says is hand cut, and has a refractive index of 1.7. That means it's a garnet gemstone!

Next, this season's "gemstone" which is of a softer material, and has an occlusion of bubbles, which means it's nothing special and just glass. Still, it looks pretty. Certainly he thinks it's handmade and not modern. Maybe up to 500 years old. We're told about secret societies, like the freemasons, by the narrator because glass makers used to be quite secretive with their colouring stuff.

The second "gem's" broach is looked at next and he says the wire around the outside section is super ancient. The technique used is called block twisting. Potentially it's older than 13th century which makes it that much older than anything else they've found on the island so far; yes, even older than Dan Blankenship.

Next day and the road is being made. Marty, Craig and Alex held off to Halifax to meet that Professor of Chemistry lady again and get that broach examined. She uses magnifying scope and chemical composition. Initially there's just brass but, wait for it, there's some sections of GOLD!

Gold
(Gold)
Always believe in your soul
You've got the power to know
You're indestructible, always believe in, 'cos you are.

Blimey! Actual gold? Well, I'll be blown down. It is perhaps only gold plated but could be up to 700 years old.

Later that day, in the War Room, all this info is shared and much nodding and fist pumping goes on. Ok, not a lot, but they are happy.

Rick & Dan (the other Dan) are at the Money pit to check on those seismic charges and ... it's all done. Should take only two weeks to get data processed and generate a 3D Map. Ohhh, at least two weeks goes quickly on this show.

We end up with a familiar site. The road is ready to the cove and lots of large lorries and trailers make their way onto the island.

Rick points out how much bigger the "gem" looks when magnified ...

This is ancient stuff. The thing in gold, not the pointer.

The convoy of serious money being spent arrives.

Rating 7/10 - Although this is a bit of filler episode in terms of new action, we get a lot confirmed about those two broaches and we are ready to start that dam and get that 3D map.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 17 - "The Core Problem"

Synopsis: Poe turns up, and he and Kaz go off to explore an area where the First Order have been lurking.

What I thought: Whilst we don't really learn much new that we didn't already know before, this episode in itself shows us that we're not going to have to wait too long to catch up with the events of TFA. Well, we're assuming that's the case because Poe says he has to take BB-8 on a mission to Jakku, and we all know how TFA opens. It would be a real twist in the story if this isn't the mission we see the end of in the movie. Could he have been there before? Given the devastation of the nearby star system (missing a star) and planet cored out, you'd think we're being expedited up to TFA but it could yet be a wait. We will have to see.

We don't know how Poe arrived, or how Kaz got back to the station with CP-23, his new droid, but we do know how they both exited the station, in a rather ridiculous manoeuvre: how did the TIE fighters not spot that distinctly coloured Fireball on top of the cargo ship? How did Poe hang on to Kaz's ship so much? Oh well, we just have to accept these things.

I was hoping for a little more in the destroyed Star System investigation but all we mostly got was reinforcements of things we already know, such a evidence for Starkiller base and a totally destroyed town with a sort of temple. Ring any TFA bells? I'm not sure why the rest of the intelligence was dismissed: what about all those First Order ships?

The First Order Probe droid seemed destined to stay hidden until it decided to go all macho on us and attack. Quite who'd trust Kaz with a blaster I don't know, but he single handed stopped the droid, although almost taking out BB-8.

Still, at least we're ticking off the list, and hopefully future First Order detail will continue to add to that which we didn't already know. You'd also think that the Red TIE pilot must recognise the Fireball and that can't be good for Kaz.

Looks familiar ...

Trouble lurks.

They arrived quickly!

Rating: 7/10 - The pace accelerates up to TFA, as we get a stark awakening of the threat from the First Order.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 16 - "The New Trooper"

Synopsis: Kel and Elia take down a Stormtrooper who was trying to identify them, leading to Kaz and Co trying to help them evade capture.

What I thought: Wow! That was a blast! It's been a while since we'd had this much fun but I totally enjoyed this episode, especially Kaz's antics in the Stormtrooper uniform where he looked nothing like you'd expect of a trooper. Cleverly they left his neck not fully cover by the black undergarment so he was easily identifiable against all the other troopers, but his mannerisms and voice totally gave that away regardless to us viewers. Quite how it took so long for the other troops to notice any suspicions I'm not sure, given Kaz was totally unlike any normal disciplined trooper. I'm also not sure how they knew his identification number after just mere seconds. I'm assuming there are some sort of electronic display/sensors inside the helmets which identify other troopers. Regardless, this is a fun, comical time with Kaz in the uniform, faking it totally with every other trooper, and gathering important data for the resistance at the same time. His confrontation with the First Order BB unit was typical of how Kaz does his action: kicking and falling all over the place!

Along the way we learn more important information, not least slightly more about the First Order's time on the children's planet, the recondition nature that Troopers can undergo, that there's more Troopers coming, and that, as we know, but no one else does, that there's a lot of First Order ships out there. Tam isn't convinced there's anything to worry about with the First Order, even Neeku backs her up, and although the children's story saddens her greatly, it's still quite a leap for her to just accept what they say so quickly. I guess we'll have to accept that, as we have to accept how quickly they got the Trooper redressed into the uniform and stood upright, just as the other Trooper's closed in on Kaz.

After the promise of more First Order from the mid-season trailer, and a few quieter episodes lately in that respect, the threat level is really ramped up several notches now we know more First Order are on their way.

Oooops ...

Kaz versus the BB unit.

That's a lot of red dots ...

Rating: 8/10 - A lot of First Order this episode, and some excellent Kaz antics, make this a thoroughly entertaining episode.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 15 - "The First Order Occupation"

Synopsis: Kaz helps smuggle Synara out of the station, who is being pursued by the First Order.

What I thought: At the end of the last episode it was 2 stormtroopers on the station, but clearly there are more now. All together we never see more than 4 but there's possibly a few more, given the TIE fighter circling the base and that lots of things such as platforms are under First Order control. This really does feel like the title says, an occupation. How we got to this from the last episode, we don't see, but the First Order have done their homework and already suspect Kaz (who they seem to not know even though they saw him on CCTV) then move on to Synara whom they suddenly seem to believe is the spy even though they hadn't questioned Kaz. Oh well, it still was a fun episode.

Once again Kaz is at his ridiculous best, yet even more haphazard than normal, as he must bang his head and knock over more objects than in the entire season thus far. His romantic chat-up lines need more work too, given how he totally fails to show affection in a manner any sane person would understand. Kaz and Synara in the elevator scene was brilliantly done as they stood there, trying to pass time by doing nothing in particular.

Synara escapes, thanks to Neeku and BB8 helping Kaz's attempts. Only one escape capsule left? Where's that latest health and safety report due?? Unless I'm wrong, I got a strong vibe in the closing minutes that Synara might be force sensitive. The sea monster is seen observing her, and she's also playing with sea birds whilst waiting on the water's surface to be rescued. As sure as sure, we've not seen the last of her.

Almost everyone is harassed by the First Order, including the cleaner!

LOL

Synara has a way with the animals ...

Rating 7/10: The threat and obtrusiveness of the First order feels real, yet the entertainment remains.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 14 - "The Doza Dilemma"

Synopsis: In league with the pirates, the First Order hatch a plan to kidnap Torra and gain Captain Doza's favour ...

What I thought: Ohh, I didn't quite see that happening. Sure, I knew it was all clever manipulation by the First Order, to finally get Captain Doza over the line and accept their protection, but they went one step more devious. Having the pirates kidnap Torra, and then make it look like the First Order were rescuing her rather than being part of the whole manipulation, was almost genius ... if it works. They did indeed deliver her back to her father but, although he obviously appreciate their help, he doesn't look much more convinced to accept their protection. Rather extra sneakily, the offer of two stormtrooper's for his personal protection was made as a rather generous gift that was somewhat forced and made without Doza saying anything! Looks like we've got some interesting times ahead.

Naturally there are a few people who know slightly more about the facts, not least the pirates and Synara, but also Torra who will know the First Order were there to pay the pirates although that isn't evidence enough that they devised the whole plan I guess. Kaz is now totally suspicious of Synara who seems to be really nervous when her comms belt goes off, as if that makes her look like a spy. Surely plenty of people have comms belts? And, what hold do the pirates have over her? She's almost free on the station but still feels compelled to help them? Do they have some leverage on her or is  breaking free just a step too much for her?

Kaz continues his rather comedic personality this week as he sneaks behind the pirates in a full-on classic cartoon manner, making him and BB8 look like Shaggy and Scooby-Doo. I'm left wondering also if those security droids are much use when 4 being deactivated doesn't really cause much concern, other than the head droid reporting it to Doza. "Oh yes, 4 droids are down and Torra isn't in her room.Would you like me to panic now, sound the alarm, or make you a cup of tea Captain Doza?" What good are they?

Kaz would make a great stormtrooper with his shooting skills ...

Betrayal by the First Order.

Here, have some stormtroopers on us.

Rating: 6/10: Another twist of the screw by the First Order as they now get eyes on the ground on the station.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 13 - "Dangerous Business"

Synopsis: Flix and Orka head out for a day break, leaving Kaz in charge of the shop ...

What I thought: Yes, another episode not obviously central to the overall arc as a whole but this one brings up a siematic recognition of more First Order sneaky stuff as the piece of mining equipment that the mining guild member was after looks heavily like they were using it to extract more minerals from somewhere. The presence of 4 stormtroopers on his very large vessel clearly indicated it was for them, as they guarded it. If we add this to the space station episode recently, it shows clear evidence of the First Order up to no good. Exactly what though, isn't fully clear.

This week's star of the show goes to Bitey, the pet of Flix and Orka, whom bites anything that's waved in front of his face. Somehow Kax manages to get bitten at least nearing ten times this episode without drawing blood or needing medical attention. Tetanus anyone? Given the size of the nashers on that pet, that's some pain resistance Kaz has! As one might have suspected by Bitey's continuous presence, his biting comes in handy, as a way to bring down ships. Whether the one cable being bitten would do it, or it was a combination of a chain reaction by the pet being shot and electrocuted, we'll never quite know, although I suspect the latter.

Clearly one knew that Kaz looking after the shop was going to bring chaos, and not only did he lose them the equipment, but also totally trashed it, as if a bull had gotten loose. BB8 did a fantastic amusing job of trying to defend the place, but ultimately it was Kaz and Bitey who somewhat saved the day quite spectacularly. News of this will undoubtedly spread across the station, and can only grab more attention on Kaz.

BB8 defends the shop.

Bitey does what he does best.

Abandon ship!

Rating 7/10 - Entertaining episode once again with charismatic Kaz at his outrageous best, BB8 entertainingly defending the shop, and Bitey proving to be an amusing and useful side-kick.

Star Wars Resistance: Episode 12 - ""Bibo"

Synopsis: Nekku makes friends with a smelly hungry creature which brings danger to the whole platform.

What I thought: I know what you're all thinking: this is a filler episode. Where's the First Order? Where's the season arc that we all got excited about in the mid-season trailer? Well, if that's what you're after, you'd not be liking this episode, but there's much more to this show than the overall Sequel Trilogy arc.

This was an entertaining episode. Sure, it was quite clear to see where the whole plot was going to end up as soon as the big creature turned up, but we got to see a lot of the mechanism and heart of the station, from the top boss, Captain Doza admiring Kaz's piloting skills, to the engineering section which reveals those two children from several episodes ago (Children from Tehar) have even more significance than before: the younger one is clearly force-sensitive. Was this why the First Order wanted them? Did they know this? Are they hunting down force-sensitive children much like the Emperor did?

Then there's the reference right near the start to The Clone Wars, in regard to the salved equipment that Synara trawled up. Name dropping like that is delightful. Also, great to see Synara back although still clearly conflicted as she's in league with the pirates still and potentially still assisting them although it's still highly possible she's looking for a route out and will eventually side with the platform crew.

Brilliant also to see the Aces out there. Fast they are becoming individually more interesting, especially the stormtrooper helmet pilot with the tie-esque fighter. We also get to see that Kaz is easily as skillful, if not more skillful, than the Aces.

Neeku and his smelly friend.

The children are back.

Octopus is on the menu.

Rating: 7/10 - Predictable, but enjoyable episode with Neeku in fine form throughout, and tidy pickings of extra information gleaned regarding the children.

The Curse of Oak Island S06E01

We’re back and it’s a foggy wet day on Oak Island, much like my brain is clouded when it comes to remembering what happened last season; lots of digging, chatting in the War Room, money being spent and a cross as the big find? That’s about the gist of my failing memory. However, it’s great to be back, as we can look forward to how people with a lot of money can cause a lot of destruction in a relatively small space for little reward … for another season. This is TV entertainment folks!

Things get started with the obligatory air shot of Oak Island, which is a little foggy today, as Rick and Marty drive towards the island fresh with bags of money and plenty of ideas of how to make as much of a mess as possible. We’re reminded that this is a 50-year-old childhood dream for the brothers who are hoping that this year is the year that dreams come true: much like the last 5 seasons then. Marty says he’s only 70% convinced that something happened on Oak Island, which apparently is much more than he started with, which goes to show how someone with a lot of money can soon find them parted from the $$$$s.

OMG! There’s a new War Room! Apparently, tourists have been causing havoc so a new one has been established in a secluded spot, which you’d think wouldn’t be easy on such a small island. It’s still got the same sign on the outside though (EST. 2013) but hey, who cares about accurate dates on this island? Everyone is inside, like the knights of the round table, including Dan who has rarely left the house. Pleased to see Craig Tester is still there, despite what he said at end of last series. The big three are on the table, no, not Rick, Marty and Jim, but the targets for this year: the swamp, the money pit and Smith’s Cove. The latter involves the idea of a massive coffer dam so they can find that wooden structure underneath which they think are trapdoors. H8 in the money pit is also one of the 3 where they hope a series of multiple seismic analysis will finally reveal what’s below. This feels a little familiar when it comes to wanting to find out what lies below, aside from mud and water. Also on the table is having metal detector expert Gary spend the rest of his life scanning the island, starting with lots 1-8 and a few others never previously checked before. There’s excitement at nuking area of trees in order for Gary to wield his manly detector.

The next day and there’s a trip to the money pit to map those seismic tests. In comes a geophysical company to do the dirty work. First up, a test! Blimey, that’s a change. They have mapped up where they know a searcher shaft from mid 1800s (called Halifax Tunnel) is located. If this goes well, the brothers will feel more willing to spend one million dollars on having the whole area scanned.  A series of 2ft holes along that area are filled with dynamite and then detectors to pick up the vibrations: good vibrations one hopes. This literally is akin to blowing up money.

Marty and three of the team head to Smith’s Cove to see if the winter’s storm has washed anything up. Gary is out with his detector and … he finds a modern iron spike. Next up, they find some lead! Possibly from a ship, so the hype wagon drums up to us. They all seem super excited already.

It’s the first trip to the pub of the season, as some of the gang look over the lead speculating about it, including that maybe those who lost that cross on the cove lost the lead. Hmm, maybe. Or, maybe not. They want to get the lead tested to find out its original geological location. Which, partially in my mind, might be the off the back of a nearby fishing vessel.

Next day again, and the seismic test in the money pit is almost ready, but Gary and Rick head to Lot 2 which has been a little mutilated. Apparently, this is the first ever time this lot has been metal detected. First up, there’s a massive boulder covered in moss which they clear and find a signal near. They found a massive coin from 1797! Wowzers. Now this is actually something tangible. Very handy when they have dates on them huh? Doesn’t really answer much about the mystery of island but shows people were here and pretty careless with their money in the 1790s. It could show that there was a British presence not long after the discovery of the money pit in 1795.

At the Money Pit, the test line is almost ready as they detonate about 150 small charges that will be detected. Not all at once though but one by one. Next day in War Room they look over the results. This shows the a 2D layer cross section of the area that’s like a mosaic mess of colours, but they do show that Halifax tunnel in the results.

Next day and there’s a convoy onto the island as the seismic test team start preparing about 1,000 charges and detectors to create a 3D map of the ground beneath the entire money pit. It feels strange to detonate the ground although I assume it’s a muffled detonation that’s not very destructive.

Craig, Dave and Peter are on a car ride 300 miles NW to Fredericton to watch over a test of that lead cross from last season. At a university they will laser the cross and then get its isotope that’ll tell us roughly where it came from.

Back at Lot 2, Gary and Jack the destroyer are searching the forest undergrowth. There’s nothing at all to start of with but they zero in on another boulder and, hey presto, there’s something there that’s iron; literally on the top of it and a hole on the side. Definitely manmade but when and why? Gary thinks it might have been used to put a ring and rope around to help pull something along, maybe treasure?

Back at Fredericton and the chemical analysis is on its way. First up, there’s traces of hey ho silver in it which isn’t unusual due to a lack of techniques in the past to refine better. The next main revelation is that it’s not from North America. Let speculation begin! These results are later discussed in the War Room via a teleconference. There’s still a good chance it’s Templar related, not least because it looks very similar to their crosses. There’s talk of Europe specialists to call upon next. Is this another plane trip?

Back at Lot 2, Rick and Laird join to look at that boulder, and pull back more of the moss to reveal yet more drill holes. There’s also a small triangular shape chiselled onto the side of the stone. Is it a freemason mark? Or is it nothing in particular?

Next day and more charges are detonated in the Money Pit but in Smith’s Cove the guys bring in an EM61 metal detector equipment on wheels that can go much deeper than the handheld ones that Gary uses. Poor Gary must be feeling inferior right now.

Rick, Dave and Craig are on a road trip to Irving Company, who have been the people making those big massive holes in the money pit these past few years. These guys have some proposals on how to construct that dam at Smith’s Cove. By way of augmented reality, they show how it’ll look with two massive cranes helping to construct the dam. The guy wearing the headset was totally unnecessary really and timewasting, but it seems Rick and co see enough to cement the deal. No real surprise there then? Some companies only have to sneeze, and Rick is ready to wipe their noses.

Back at Smith’s Cove and the EM61 has trawled the area and locates something metallic in one area deep below the sand although there’s not much to say what it is.

Gary and Rick head to Lot 21 which has also been a little mutilated as well. This is where Daniel McGinnis used to live back in 1700s, whom we had his descendants visit last season and tell the story of a cross said to have been found by him. First up, an old hinge. Then … it’s another jewel/gem brooch of a red colour. Ohhhhhhh, it’s beautiful.

The Money Pit gets yet more destruction by way of dynamite.

This is the result of Money Pit tests ... yeah, It makes no sense to me either.

Oh, a 1797 beautiful coin!

And a broach ...

Rating 8/10 – A very decent start to the season with concrete plans, discoveries, and more money being spent than you can possibly imagine. It all looks very promising, but then, it always does at this early stage of a season doesn't it?