TVSquad

(S04E07) If you ask me, this season is what Season Three should have been. In Season Two, Maia had visions about a war, about something coming, and then Season Three was a fundamental disappointment. However, it seems that Season Four is going to deliver. Juicy Tidbit: The title of this episode comes from William Blake's poem "Jerusalem." See what you can do with your English degree?

" And did the Countenance Divine/Shine forth upon our clouded hills?/And was Jerusalem builded here/Among these dark Satanic mills?" Very nice tie-in to the episode. Poetic even.

HBO is developing a very topical mini-series about the Third Crusade, the 12th century battle where European Christians attempted to reconquer the Holy Land occupied by Muslims. It's an exciting story that includes death, love and betrayal-- all important elements in great storytelling (a synopsis of the Third Crusade is at Wikipedia). HBO and co-producer Channel 4 will tell the story through the eyes of the leaders on both sides, Saladin and Richard the Lionheart.

Writing the series is Kario Salem, who wrote Don King: Only in America and The Rat Pack for HBO. The series is Salem's idea-- he pitched HBO with a 100-page, thoroughly-researched outline. HBO agreed to the project, but asked him to cut it down from his projected ten hours to eight. Salem will write the first four hours and Don McPherson will write the final four.

No air date has been announced.

William Shatner is making great use of his summer break from Boston Legal by promoting peace and therapy. He spent Memorial Day promoting horseback riding in Jerusalem. He's part of an American organization called Ahead for Horses, which believes that horseback riding is therapeutic to physically and mentally disabled kids. Shatner launched a new fundraising effort in Jerusalem to bring 30 riding programs to the country. He needs $10 million to do it. During a press conference, Shatner said he thinks the project can become a small part of the peace process because, even though it's in partnership with the Jewish National Fund, it is open to all citizens of Israel.