The Quill #6: Bingeable TV #3

May 7, 2025

UnREAL

Unreal posterInspired by the real-life experiences of UnREAL’s co-creator Sarah Gertrude, this show takes viewers behind the scenes of reality television. Controversial to say the least, this show-in-a-show gives viewers a glimpse into what really happens when you sign-up to let someone “produce” your life. In the UnREAL world, the term “produce” is a double meaning. They say produce, but what they really mean is manipulate. They spend their time thinking of ways to get contestants to behave and react in “interesting” ways. If they want a tearful confession, they’ll comb through your mental-health history looking for the perfect bit of juicy info to evoke tears. Your parent passed away? no problem! You were abused as a child? That’s just what we’re looking for. You’re afraid of heights? In the next game we’ll be scaling walls and climbing ladders. In a place where strengths are weaknesses and weaknesses are strengths, are you brave enough to be produced?

UnREAL is the collision of whisper campaigns, prescription tampering, rigged games, affairs, death, eating disorders, addiction, mental illness, pregnancy, and more. Each episode is filled to the brim with social injustice, as it employs racism, workplace inequality, sexual harassment, verbal and physical abuse, sexual orientation, and ignites a full spectrum of emotions. The shock factor in each episode is so high that your jaw will hit the floor and stay there until the end.

Who is the star of this show? Is it Rachel Goldberg (Shiri Appleby), a woman whose male boss refers to her only as, “little weirdo” and tells her that, “she is NOT hot enough to be crazy”? Rachel is dark and broken, with unresolved childhood trauma, so she pushes the boundaries of human decency and behaves in ways she herself can’t even believe. She is the producer who will go as far as it takes to drive the narrative toward the highest ratings  or will she?

Maybe the star is Quinn King (Constance Zimmer), who is the epitome of boss b*tches. She is dark, edgy, promiscuous, unafraid, and in total control of everyone and everything around her  or is she? She pushes her producers to the edge, so they’ll push the cast to the brink. Quinn King is a shark in heels whom you’ll love to hate. Don’t believe me? Check out these quotes from Quinn and decide for yourself.

Quinn King Quotes

  • “Sl*ts get cut.”
  • “It’s not my fault America is racist.”
  • “Be a good meat-puppet and do as I say.”
  • “Starve our villain until she’s mean like a pit-bull.”
  • Cash bonuses for nudity, 911 calls, & cat fights.”

Through bribery and manipulation, Rachel and her puppeteer, Quinn, produce a salacious top-rated reality show that takes entertainment to train-wreck levels, with a musical score that matches every devious maneuver. You can’t look, but you also can’t look away.

Trigger warnings for this series include: sex & nudity, violence, profanity, alcohol, drugs, and smoking.

Available for streaming on Netflix

—Karrie Wortner

The Quill #6: Bingeable TV #4

May 7, 2025

Phineas and Ferb

Phineas and Ferb posterSummer vacation is sacred to a child. It’s a time for leisure, whimsy, and joy from everyone. Unfortunately, summer ends, and we’re forced to go back to school. But for kids who grew up in the early 2010s, summer could last forever through the small screen.

Phineas and Ferb aired on the Disney Channel from 2008-2012, and it is one of my favorite shows of all time. The show stars two brothers, Phineas (Vincent Martella) and Ferb (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), as they use their imaginations to create the best summer ever. Meanwhile, their pet platypus Perry is a secret agent and foils the plots of Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz (Dan Povenmire). The show is pure chaos from start to finish. From everything from the amazing inventions the boys make to Doof’s petty schemes to take over the Tri-State Area, the show does an amazing job of capturing a sense of wonder and pure euphoria of summer.

The best part of the show is its atmosphere. All of the characters are likeable and have effectious personalities. The dynamic duo of fast-talking Phineas and silent Ferb are nice to watch as their machines come to life. Besides them, we have their older sister Candance (Ashley Tisdale), who tries to bust her brothers every episode while navigating her teenage lifestyle. Some of my favorite moments are when the boys and Candance team up to achieve the same goal, since it shows their love for one another. While that’s all going on, we get the fun side plot of the ongoing rivalry between Perry the Platypus and Doofenshmirtz. Even though Doof tries to take over the Tri-State Area, he doesn’t hold any malice towards Perry. It gives a break from the wacky antics of the boys, while also being entertaining.

Another fantastic part of the show is the songs. Every episode gives us at least one song, and most of the time, they are great. Some of the most iconic moments from the show are from these numbers. My favorites include “S.I.M.P (Squirrels In My Pants),” where two rappers rap about Candance having squirrels in her pants; “Ain’t Got Rhythm,” where Phineas and Ferb convince a former drummer to rejoin his band; and “There’s a Platypus Controlling Me,” where Perry has Doof under control and lays down some sick beats. This isn’t even mentioning the iconic theme song sung by Bowling For Soup. I’m pretty certain that if you start singing the theme song in a 100-mile radius, most Gen Z kids will join you in harmony.

Overall, Phineas and Ferb is a modern classic that will get better with age. It was recently announced that the gang’s getting back together for Season five. So, if you’re interested, you can tune in on June 5th for the new season. And after these finals, I’m totally ready for summer vacation!

Phineas and Ferb is available to stream on Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime

—Julia Hahn

The Quill #6: Music Reviews #2

May 7, 2025

“Fireflies” and “Poker Face”

Fireflies album coverSome songs instantly take you back in time, and for me, “Fireflies” by Owl City and “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga encapsulate my childhood perfectly. I vividly remember listening to “Fireflies” at six years old during a long car ride when my family moved from Indiana to Wisconsin. The dreamy melody surrounded me as I gazed out the window, trying to process what it meant to leave behind everything familiar. This song became the soundtrack to that transition bittersweet, soothing, and enchantingly magical.

Poker Face lbum coverOn the other hand, “Poker Face” evokes a completely different energy loud, entertaining, and wonderfully chaotic. It was always playing on the radio during our trips to swimming lessons, with my sisters and me crammed in the backseat, belting out the lyrics at the top of our lungs. We might not have understood half of what we sang, but that was beside the point. It became our car anthem. Those rides were filled with laughter, off-key singing, and a unique energy that only siblings can create. Both songs carry such vivid memories they not only remind me of the past; they transport me to the past.

—Cheyenne Shull

The Quill #6: Video Games #2

May 7 ,2025

Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4 coverIn terms of video games with horror elements, there are many within the gaming community who would rank Resident Evil 4 as one of the best. Released in 2005 by publisher Capcom, this action-adventure game has horrified and entertained gamers young and old alike for two decades. But what makes Resident Evil 4 such a classic, you ask? Surely the story, graphics, and gameplay are all dated by this point; how could it ever hold up against modern gaming gems? Well, let me tell you: the game may be old, but in many ways, it defined the third-person-shooter genre as we know it today. Featuring an over-the-shoulder camera and aiming system, both of which were new to the Resident Evil franchise at the time, the fourth entry solidifies itself as the perfect blend of survival horror and third-person action. Plenty of similar games exist in modern gaming, including several Resident Evil sequels, but at the time, this was considered a groundbreaking concept. Yet despite its age, the game still holds up surprisingly well, even by today’s standards.

While the gameplay is definitely a highlight, I would be remiss not to mention the story and its protagonist as well. Players will assume the role of federal agent Leon S. Kennedy as he travels to a remote village in Spain, in hopes of rescuing the daughter of the United States President. Along the way, Leon faces several life-threatening obstacles, such as a sinister cult and creatures infected by a mind-controlling parasite. Players will aid Leon in surviving these endeavors, recovering the president’s daughter, and uncovering this mysterious cult’s plans.

If Resident Evil 4 sounds like a game that interests you, you can find it on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, or PC. However, if you would prefer a more modern experience, there is a 2023 remake that can be found on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC as well. Whether you choose the modern or classic experience is up to you, but be warned; this game is not for the faint of heart. Do you have the courage to help Leon complete his mission? There’s only one way to find out!

—Noah Spellich

The Quill #6: Video Games #3

May 7, 2025

The Call of Cthulu

The Call of CthuluThe Call of Cthulhu is a game based on the tabletop roleplaying game of the same name, which plays similarly to Dungeons and Dragons. This tabletop game, in turn, is also based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft!

The Call of Cthulhu follows a private investigator and World War I veteran who suffers from bizarre nightmares and self-medicates this ailment with sleeping pills and alcohol. This investigator, a man by the name of Edward Pierce, is contacted about the case of the Hawkins family, all of whom perished in a fire. In this pursuit, Pierce goes to Darkwater Island, a small, remote island off the coast of Boston. This place is grim, grimy, and a bit creepy. While his adventure starts off fairly mundane, occult plots are uncovered later on, with our favorite investigator caught in the middle of it.

This style of horror, survival horror similar to Outlast, isn’t for everyone. However, The Call of Cthulhu takes aspects of the tabletop game, such as skills and skillchecks to enhance gameplay. Based on your play style and what choices you make on your journey in Darkwater, your story and ending will change! This game has four different endings and numerous hidden storylines. This replayability is where the game shines, as decisions as miniscule as whether or not to drink alcohol may influence the story you experience and the ending you get. This game is about seven years old by now but is still definitely worth playing!

—Shane Ewig

The Quill #6: Video Games #4

May 7, 2025

The Dark Pictures Anthology

The Dark Pictures anthologySupermassive Games, creators of the legendary choice-driven game Until Dawn, has continued its work with a mixed bag of horror choice-related games in The Dark Pictures Anthology. The Dark Pictures Anthology is a collection of horror story-based games all within the same universe. The collection presents a wide variety of options. Are you looking for a game involving aliens? Play Directive 8020. Want to fight vampires? Try House of Ashes. How about a good Slasher flick? Then perhaps The Devil in Me will be your choice. Whatever it may be, The Dark Pictures Anthology has wide array of horror options where within the game that you do pick; you will be bombarded with the phrase “every choice matters.”

Does every choice truly matter though? When it comes to the genre of choice-driven horror games, which we see Supermassive Games constantly delving into, does everything add up? Unfortunately, not so much, but that doesn’t make the games bad. The Dark Pictures Anthology has constantly been reviewed as “mixed” by audiences. The series contains great horror elements, fun story plots, great ideas, graphic death, and the like. There is certainly a lot to praise for The Dark Pictures Anthology, from the mystery of the Curator, to the satisfaction of reaching the ending you were wanting, to the sometimes great characters. These good traits in The Dark Pictures Anthology don’t always carry over; however, while these games are fun for what they are, they also leave a lot to be desired. No matter what, it seems that there is a curse of each game having unlikeable or just generally boring characters, the situations are often interesting, but critiques often focus on poor characterization.

Would I recommend playing The Dark Pictures Anthology? Yes! I completely would; they are fun for what they are, and if you aren’t trying to be some critic about everything, then you should be able to look at a game like this, play it, and have fun with the often campy nature of things. The games are even more fun when you play them with other people. Uniquely, Supermassive Games offers a co-op and multiplayer experience to their story-driven games, a concept I haven’t seen often done before. These multiplayer experiences offer a much further depth of fun to the games unlike any other choice-driven games in the market. Perhaps your character might die because of your friend’s choice; maybe you miss a quick time event and suddenly you are ripped to shreds! Through their unique multiplayer system, The Dark Pictures Anthology provides loads of fun … as long as you have a friend. So grab a friend, and pick one of these games up! I’m certain you will feel like you’re in a horror movie right alongside your best pal.

—Alex Lopez

The Quill #6: Nerd Zone #1

May 7, 2025

Wandering Wikipedia: The Whisky War

Danish Cdr. Per Starklint hoists the Danish flag on Hans Island in 2003.
Photo from Wikimedia Commons.

This week, I was feeling a little silly, so I pulled up an article on one of the silliest wars in history: the Whisky War. (Note: The beverage’s spelling depends on its country of origin; American-produced
varieties such as Bourbon, rye, and Tennessee, as well as Irish spirits utilize the “whiskey”
spelling, whereas spirits from Scotland, Canada, and Japan utilize the “whisky” spelling.)

This was a lighthearted conflict in which no casualties were incurred. The conflict itself arose from an agreement all the way back in December of 1973 between Canada and Denmark to place a border on the continental shelf between Greenland and Canada. Unfortunately, an island by the name of Hans Island was split almost directly in half by this border. At the time, however, they agreed to settle the territorial dispute of Hans Island at a later date.

Jump to 11 years later, in 1984. Canadian soldiers visited Hans island, planting a Canadian flag, and left a bottle of Canadian Whisky. Later the same year, the Danish minister of Greenland affairs came to the island with the Danish flag, which he carefully and respectfully used to replace the Canadian flag, before leaving a bottle of Danish Schnapps and a letter saying “Welcome to the Danish island.” Thus began the almost 40-year-long Whisky War. This war was entirely peaceful, and simply involved countries arriving on Hans island, replacing their flags with all due respect, and leaving behind various items of significance, such as Danish stone cairns, Inuit cairns called Inukshuk, or bottles of liquor. (Pictured above: Cdr. Per Starklint hoists the Danish flag on Hans Island in 2003 during the Whiskey War.)

The war came to an end in June of 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The two countries came to a peaceful agreement, where they simply divided the island between the two. This was meant to show other nations, namely Russia, that disputes can be settled peacefully.

And that’s all the random knowledge we’ve got for you this week. Tune in next week for the next edition of Wandering Wikipedia.

Sylvie Cavros, The Nerd Zone Co-Editor

The Quill #6: Nerd Zone #2

May 7, 2025

Meme of the Week: The Minecraft Movie

Chicken Jockey memeWe have had a lot of memes spring up from the first chunk of 2025, and most of them have been hit or miss. Like most memes, one second a meme shows up and becomes popular, and in the next second, it’s gone like the wind. But a slew of popular memes sticking around are crafted from one particular source: A Minecraft Movie (2025).

As someone who has played Minecraft a total of two times, I don’t know much about the game. All I know is that one day, my socials were full of memes from the recently released movie. After reading reviews and getting opinions from friends, I realized why this movie has taken off the way it did. Is it because the movie was in production limbo for over 10 years? Is it because the director of this movie, Jared Hess, made Napoleon Dynamite? Or maybe it’s the next Citizen Kane? No, it’s none of those things.

The Minecraft movie is mid, but it’s a cinematic experience.

All of the major memes that came from the movie have rippled from audience enjoyment. Being in a theater filled with excited kids to watch their favorite game on the big screen can lead to very interesting experiences. When the main character Steve (Jack Black) says “Chicken Jockey!” everyone yells in unison and cheers. When a Minecraft reference is on screen, everyone is happy to see it. It’s a movie made for fans, who want to share these experiences with the world by celebrating every familiar reference.

I honestly kind of respect A Minecraft Movie for being a silly, fun time. Critics don’t like this movie for multiple reasons, such as the story and characters. But that’s not the point of the movie. This movie is a celebration of the game, and Minecraft is more popular than ever. I haven’t even seen the movie, but I catch myself quoting “I am Steve” or singing the Flint and Steel song. It’s a pop culture moment, and it’s not going away anytime soon.

Now, I’m heading to the theater to watch this stupid yet endearing movie in all its glory.

—Julia Hahn, The Nerd Zone Co-Editor

The Quill #6: Nerd Zone #3

May 7, 2025

Fantasy Fight Club: Jessie vs. James

Jessie from PokemonWelcome back to Fictional Fight Club, where two fictional characters FIGHT TO THE DEATH! Last week, we had heroes battle it out. But this week’s battle is with villains. Our first two competitors are usually a packaged deal, causing mischief wherever they trek. After attempting and failing on capturing Pikachu, these two are at their wits end and ready to take it out on each other. Prepare for trouble and make it double! It’s Jessie and James from Pokemon!

James PokemonBoth of them are goofy goobers with one goal in mind: capturing Pikachu to give to their boss, Giovanni. Even though their goals are similar, they come from completely different backgrounds. James grew up rich but neglected by his parents, while Jessie was poor and rejected from being a Pokemon nurse. Both of their motivations and charming personalities lead them to be a fun duo, but it can cause arguments and eventual battles.

Speaking of which, it’s battle time! Starting off, Jessie throws out an Arbok, a poison Pokemon. James retaliates with Inkay, a dark and psychic Pokemon. After dealing out a Poison Fang from Arbok, Inkay strikes back Hypnosis. While asleep, Inkay hit Arbok with a critical hit, leaving the Pokemon to faint. Jessie wasn’t done though, as she pulled out another special Pokemon, the ghost & fairy Pokemon, Mimikyu.

Mimikyu came out swinging, hitting Inkay with an Energy Burst. Taking a lot of damage, the Pokemon fainted, leading James to change course. He throws out Growlithe, the fire Pokemon, attacking with a Flash Fire. Both Pokemon were fighters, each dealing devastating hits one after the other, healing in between. They head towards each other in fury, crashing against one another.

After the smoke cleared, Jessie and James realized that both of their Pokemon had fainted at the same time. Before throwing out another Pokemon, Meowth, their third, came prowling in, bashing their heads together. After yelling at them for being stupid, the two of them apologized to each other. With their petty squabble out of the way, they are now off to try to capture Pikachu once again. Now, for the main event, giving it up for Joker and Harley Quinn!

—Julia Hahn

The Quill #6: Nerd Zone #4

May 7,2025

Fantasy Fight Club: Harley Quinn vs. the Joker

Are you ready to rumble?

This week, we have an absolutely iconic pair of challengers, both of which hail from the dark, gritty city of Arkham. They both

Joker and Harley Quinn

belong in a mental asylum, and neither of them know mercy.

In the red and blue corner, or perhaps the red and black corner, if she’s feeling retro, is Harleen Quinzel, more commonly known as Harley Quinn. Standing at 5 foot 7, and 140 lbs., She’s durable, quick, and insanely lethal. She’s got an entire arsenal of weapons that are always down to clown; however, her favorite is her signature  oversized mallet. If her opponent isn’t careful, he’s sure to get squashed.

In the purple and green corner is none other than Jack Oswald White, otherwise known as the Joker. While he may not have any superhuman abilities, he’s been known to be crafty and a master of chemical engineering. This is why his arsenal consists of poisons, razor-tipped playing cards, lethally strong joy buzzers, and lapel flowers that spray acid.

Now, the fighters step into the ring. Harley’s got her hammer cocked over her shoulder, and the Joker is shuffling his deck. Harley takes a swing, and the Joker lets one of his razor cards fly. Harley watches as the Joker is easily thrown against the bricks but doesn’t escape the card, and it leaves a cut on her arm. The sudden pain seems to snap them out of it for a moment, and they realize how silly this fight is.

The Joker gets up, gives Harley a hug, and says “Let’s get out of here, puddin’.” Harley agrees, and off they go. So who wins? They both do. The crazy folks deserve each other.

And that’s tonights throwdown, no refunds. Thank you for coming, and tune in next week for the next issue of Fantasy Fight Club.

—Sylvie Cavros