The Transmission Special Report: Thursday Half Day

This special Thursday edition covers the first official day of Comic-Con… but we only spent half the day there. We saw some sights (including breakfast in Old Town and dinner on the San Diego waterfront), but still managed to get into the DHARMA Initiative recruiting booth. We wrap up by setting the stage for the next two days.

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Whew

The “Dexter” panel was a lot of fun. Michael C. Hall was great, Julie Benz was too, Kristen moderated well, lots of audience questions.

The Season Three trailer was a hit, they were buzzing with the Emmy nominations, and hints were dropped of a big twist in the premiere.

We like what we’ve seen a lot. Though to be honest Jen gets freaked out and can only watch now and then. We’ll definitely get the Season 2 DVDs out in September.

The panel ended with Mark Ecko (?) talking about the “Dexter” game. Exclusively for iPhone/iPod Touch. Not everyone was happy to hear that. But imagine “stabbing” someone with your iPhone? It’ll also be serialized, ARG style.

Afterward, things wound down. The expo floor was being cleared. None of the night programs inyerested us, so we just struck out into the city.

The sun was setting and we followed it west. At that hour, any city is pretty, but San Diego looked great. The air was cool, locals were out walking their dogs, and we walked pass reflecting pools and sculptures.

I’ve wanted to see the waterfront since we arrived, so we walked to Seaport Village. Picturesque, golden, peaceful. Hungry, we ducked into the nearest restaurant: Harbor House.

We splurged and started with the oysters. Then, peppered ahi salad and a roast beef sandwich. With lemonade. Romantic. Delicious.

After sunset, we walked to the nearest trolley station, passing the half-operational “Top Gun” bar, Kansas City Barbeque. After nearly getting hit by a trolley (those intersections are confusing!), we headed back to Mission Valley.

Well, we’re still en route. Green line, Santee-bound.

Man. This was a half day. Half Comic-Con day. Take it easy day. And I’m exhausted. Friday and Saturday may kill us.

Descent

When we arrived at the Convention Center, we got in at Gate A, and stepping into the expo floor… it was almost calm. Huge crowd, but lots of space, and I was starting to feel relieved. Perhaps somehow Preview Night was just unusually frantic.

Then I realized we walked into the comic book end of the hall.

Sure enough as we pushed into the center, it was wall to wall people. Hogs masses trying to move past or each other, gridlock at every row, people futilely trying to clear space to take a photo or watch a presentation.

It was as crazy as everyone warned.

And it’s only Thursday.

People were handing things out everywhere. And people were in costume everywhere. Overwhelming.

We hit the booths we had to hit to pick up stuff for friends back home, then headed back to the DHARMA booth. There was a second set of appointments to give out at 1 p.m.

There was a mob waiting. They weren’t allowed to have a line, so, a mob. The crew seemed nervous.

By magic (not really), we got the second and third slots. We saw Jay Glatfelter fight his way through, nabbing the 5 pm slot. In a flash, they were booked up.

Jen took the Ganymeade (?) test, I took Amalthea.

What was your first live concert? What is the sound of terror? What was the first album you bought? Who is your constant? What is the sound of red? When were you last truly happy?

Word association for photos: a tree-lined road at night. Skeletons. A child in a sprinkler. Little red riding hood in bed with the wolf.

We both passed and got our super secret access cards. the cards are for Phase II of the ARG, though apparently our tests (which were videotaped) could turn up at the Saturday panel (and be published or “otherwise exploited” by ABC.

Exploit me!

At the DHARMA booth, we met a woman from Mexico. She’s going to camp overnight to get into Hall H for “Heroes” and “LOST.” I’m worried.

Out of curiosity, we picked a panel at random: “Middleman” with former “LOST” scribe Javier Grillo Marxuach. Big crowd, a top show on ABC Family. Funny!

The “Dexter” panel was three hours away, but the line for Room 6CDEF was already wrapped around the building. Since rooms aren’t cleared we weren’t sure what our prospects were. So, we joined the line.

After about 40 minutes, the “Red Sonja” panel ended and a crowd flowed out. After that, the line zipped ahead. And we found ourself in the “Street Fighter IV” panel.

Huge, enthusiastic crowd. Video clips with loud applause. Some poll where “Cami” won. I don’t have any idea what’s going on. But it’s exciting to be around people excited about something.

And I had time to blog!

“True Blood” is up next, then “Dexter.” What’s “True Blood”? I guess I’ll find out!

Meandering

Taking our sweet old time today. Slept in, for one… didn’t get out of bed ’til almost 9 a.m. It was odd to not have little people jumping on our heads for not waking up by 7 a.m. Showered, then headed out.

The first people we saw? Two dead ladies. Welcome to Comic-Con!

We decided to visit Old Town, a historic district halfway between our hotel and SDCC. Pretty, Mexican frontier town on another gorgeous day. It was kind of like a living theme park… a real town but impeccably maintained. We ate at the Coyote Cafe, where the peeling paint and exposed red brick was painted on. But, the food was good.

We walked through the historic state park, checked out old offices and schoolhouses, and walked past a Chuck Jones gallery and dozens if shops and restaurants, most blaring Mexican music onto the street.

Now we’re finally heading to Comic Con, to hopefully not get trampled on the expo floor. I have a couple of booths to somehow find to pick up stuff for friends. We may then hit random panels… As the only one Jen highlighted was for “Dexter” late this afternoon.

I hear there’s now an animatronic dinosaur at the DHARMA booth, too.