To Boldly go.....to the internet - Star Trek Discovery

I recently finished watching season one of Star Trek Discovery and thought I would share a few thoughts I had about it without giving too much away!

Die-hard original series fans might not find it enjoyable, but I did.  Our main character, Michael Burnham, is an orphan who was raised on Vulcan by Spock's parents.  Some fans might have trouble imagining that Sarek and Amanda have an adopted daughter, but I didn't.  Remember when Spock suddenly had a half- brother?  Sometimes you have to rewrite history a little to get a character where you want it to be and since it is a brand new one, it's not so hard to accept. (as opposed to the JJ Abrams disaster with Uhura and Spock being an item, among other wrongful changes - I hated that SO MUCH)

I had a slight issue with changing the appearance of the Klingons yet again. Also, although it was neat to have the Klingons speaking their language, with subtitles for us humans, I had to keep rewinding to read what I missed because I was doing something!

It took a few episodes to figure out where in the timeline this edition falls, which was about 10 years before Kirk and Spock take the Enterprise out to the final frontier.  Christopher Pike is the captain of the Enterprise.

There was very little humor, however, I think that once the characters are well established that could change.  I think viewers need to get to know the quirks and habits of each individual before they can appreciate a humorous comment, so if the show survives more than 2 seasons, maybe we will see some.

One thing that is different is It's more of a continuing story than a different one each episode, like in the former shows.  I liked the story arcs for the most part, though sometimes I was a little confused. Some good twists and not to much gory stuff to see.

Michael Burnham is a complex woman, with Vulcan sensibilities and human vulnerabilities.  We see the story play out through her eyes. Sonequa plays the part very well. The series introduces a new species called Kelpiens, one of which is the First Officer, Saru. It could be interesting to learn more about them. Captain Gabriel Lorca, played by handsome Jason Isaacs - I really wanted to like him, but he just wasn't Captain-y enough for me! (Could it be, I just see Lucius Malfoy no matter how hard I try?)  I definitely need more time to bond with the gang and ferret out my favs.  However, that might not be easy!

Capt. Lorca, Michael Burnham, Saru

The show is only on CBS All access and has a monthly fee, one with commercials and a larger one with no commercials.  I watched season one for free due to a holiday special for one month free viewing.  I really dislike the idea of paying for a streaming service that has commercials when I'm already paying for cable TV (can't get but one station with a digital antenna).  The commercial-free offer is a bit too steep for my fixed income.  What's a gal to do?

Bottom line for me is, I would like to see season two and see if I can learn to love the show like I did the others.  Perhaps once the season is over, I'll try to sign up for a free week and binge it.

One last thing.... I've seen a lot of negative comments about the opening titles for the show, but I LOVE THEM !!

See it here: Star Trek Discovery - Main Title

Poldark, season 3 PBS

It's been awhile!  I figured with Season 4 right around the corner (overseas, anyway) I would post my thoughts Season 3 on PBS.  As usual, it was a very good presentation covering The Black Moon and The Four Swans.

The series opens with Elizabeth on a run-away horse.  Of course Ross saves her from going over the cliff and she does not appreciate it.  George is his usual pompous self, reminding all of us how much we hate him. lol  I got the impression that Lizzie was attempting to abort her baby.

Early on, we are introduced to three new characters -  Demelza's brothers, Sam and Drake and Morwenna, Elizabeth's cousin.  Drake (who is really cute, btw) comes to tell Demelza that her father is dying.  Demelza wants no part of it, but in the end, blood wins out and she goes to his bedside.

Drake, Morwenna, and Sam

Dwight and Caroline are secretly married with Ross and Demelza as witnesses.  Shortly after the ceremony, things are happening over at the Warleggan's.  Elizabeth has 'fallen' down the stairs!  She started having labor pains, pretty much confirming the baby daddy is Ross.  In desperation, to keep George from finding out, she throws herself down the stairs, to make it seem like the labor starts from this.  Dwight is called from his honeymoon bed to help her.  An eclipse of the moon starts as the baby is born. Aunt Agatha says it's a black moon and a bad omen!  Baby Valentine is born, with both mother and baby surviving.  Caroline's Uncle dies under the black moon.  Dwight has to go back to the navy.  Sigh... an unhappy night all round, except for George who believes he has a Warleggan heir.

Drake and Sam start working for Ross, at Delmeza's request.  Sam is a bible-thumper determined to save all the souls in the county.  Drake is not so concerned about that - he meets Morwenna and sparks fly, however Ross has forbidden them to have anything to do with Trenwith and the people who live there!  We learn that Demelza is in the family way again.

Word comes that there has been a skirmish on the seas and rumor has it that not only Dwight's ship went down, but also Captain Blamey's!  Ross takes off to confirm the rumors.  Sam and his followers have the audacity to attend George's church and he does not like it.  He bans them from it, causing even more discord between the two families.  Word comes that The Esmerelda, Cap. Blamey's ship, has put into port and all is well for Verity.  A short while later, Ross gets word that there are hundreds of English prisoners in a convent turned prison in France and he decides to go and see if he can get a list of prisoners.  This is an extremely dangerous mission, nearly costing Ross his life, but he prevails.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch,   Demelza gives Sam a building on Nampara land for his church.  George is made a Magistrate, a position Ross had turned down, and in true fashion, wreaks havoc for the poor offenders.  He's such a dick.  Drake and Morwenna grow closer.

Ross returns and Dwight's name is on the list of the prisoners!  They are all relieved.  George and Elizabeth and Valentine go to London and leave Geoffrey and Aunt Agatha with Morwenna.  I think it is so sad that Elizabeth will not even try to bond with her son, Valentine.  She is having trouble coping with the secret until a doctor gives her some magic powder to calm her nerves. lol  Back in Nampara a baby girl is born - Miss Clowance Poldark.  

The oily and odious Rev.Whitworth is introduced - he is so well played by Christian Brassington. . George wants to arrange a marriage to Morwenna. Ross, Demelza, and Caroline devise a somewhat dangerous plan to smuggle food for the starving poor people.  Meanwhile, back in France, Dr. Enys is suffering greatly in the horrible French prison.

While Aunt Agatha is planning a 100th birthday party, Ross leaves on a dangerous journey to France to rescue Dwight, along with some of his friends from the mine, including Zacky Martin and Cap't. Henshawe and stowaway, Drake.  It's edge of your seat excitement as they manage to get Dwight and another man, Lt. Armitage to safety.  It is not without casualties though - Drake is injured and Captain Henshawe is killed.

Drake is nearly caught pranking George with toads. Poor Morwenna is forced to marry the horney Reverend.

Luke Norris does an outstanding performance as Dr. Enys struggles with what we now call PTSD.  Poor Caroline doesn't understand; Ross tells her be patient and enlists the help of Lt. Armitage.   There is a lovely, tender scene with Carolyn and Dwight sitting in the garden, where he tries to tell her why he is not himself.

Dwight and Caroline

Morwenna is living a miserable life with Rev.Whitworth.  He arranges for her sister to come and stay with them.  Lt. Armitage starts paying special attention to Demelza.  She in turn starts falling for his charms.

George essentially kills Aunt Agatha when he tells her she is not 100 and there will be no party.  She plants doubts about Valentine's parentage before she dies, setting the stage for a lot of heartache to come.  Ross is furious when he finds out George orders a paupers burial with no headstone. He digs her grave and vows George will pay. Later, he runs into Elizabeth at the church and has a heartfelt conversation about their relationship, what happened the night of his infidelity, and the baby.  He kisses her several times, more as a goodbye than an "I want you", however Prudie sees them.

Armitage is really putting the moves on Demelza and she is falling for it hook, line, and sinker.  Through this whole series, Demelza has voiced her feelings that Ross can do whatever he wants, so why can't she? I think this is meant to give the viewers some insight as to why she finally gives in to Armitage  Prudie tells her about seeing Ross kiss Elizabeth at the graveyard and I think that is a turning point for her.

Ross becomes acutely aware of her feelings for the lieutenant when she sings at a party and only has eyes for him.  It was really heartbreaking to watch that scene.  I could really feel his pain when he spoke with Demelza of it later on that same evening.  Demelza tells Ross she will look at him like that again and to be patient with her as she has been with him.

Ross, watching Demelza sing to Armitage

Dr. Enys orders Reverend Ozzie to refrain from relations with Morwenna until she has time to heal from her difficult birthing.  He turns to her sister for 'comfort' who turns on him telling him she's pregnant with his child and cons him into giving her money so she can marry a librarian who will make an honest woman of her, as the saying goes.  Old horn-dog goes to Morwenna and says she must resume her wifely duties.  She says no and threatens to kill their baby if he touches her.

Lizzie reads George the riot act for allowing his suspicions to ruin their marriage and happy home.  She swears on the bible that she has never given herself to any man except her first husband and him -  he is doubtful, so she then tells him she's leaving him.  George loses it and swears he will never question her faithfulness again and begs her forgiveness, which she gives to him.   Meanwhile, Ross has this epiphany during a confrontation with Tholley and decides if he's asked again to stand for public office, he will not refuse.

A disquieting ending as Demelza returns home after her affair with Armitage. They both look so sad! They embrace, but it is not a hopeful one.

A long post, but dang, a lot happened this season!!  I'm looking forward to season 4, which will probably get here sometime in the fall. 

Confessions of a TV junkie....

I admit it.  I'm a TV junkie.  Having grown up with television as part of daily life, it's no surprise.  I don't remember when my parents got a TV, but I do remember sitting in front of one every Saturday morning, bowl of cereal in hand, watching Rin Tin Tin, Sky King, Ramar of the Jungle, Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, The Little Rascals, and The Three Stooges - not to mention all the cartoon shows and local heroes like Johnny Ginger, Jingles, Poop-deck Paul and my favorite, Soupy Sales, who were on every day after school.

Poopdeck Paul, Milky the Clown, Captain Jolly, Jingles, Johnny Ginger, and Bozo

As the years went by, and I was allowed to stay up for some night time TV, it was all about the cowboys - Cheyenne, Sugarfoot, and Bronco Lane were my favorites - possibly my first celeb crush was Ty Hardin as Bronco Lane...or maybe Fess Parker as Davey Crockett.

Ty Hardin and Fess Parker

 Then the teen/pre-teen years of Dr. Kildare, Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin, and Captain Kirk at the top of the list.  

Richard Chamberlain, David McCallum, Robert Vaughn, Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner

As I matured (somewhat anyway) and settled into marriage and motherhood, the TV obsessions kind of took a back seat, but never completely left as they lay in wait for me to have the freedom to indulge again. lol

Fast forward to recent years - me, a retired little old lady and what happens?  POLDARK.  Holy moley, that show awoke the kraaken!  I mean, I've always had my list of current favorites, with Sean Bean at the top for a long time (the Sharpe series reeled me in), but the Aidan Turner obsession was one to behold.  I put that past tense because, though he's still numero uno, I'm no longer watching him practically non-stop like I was with Being Human, The Hobbit, Poldark and anything else I could get my eyes on with him in it.

Which leads me to the reason I started this post - my latest obsession:

OMG.  I love this show so much! I have a post on this blog from when Lucifer first aired saying I think I will like this show.  However, it was on at the same time as another favorite show and with no DVR or Hulu, it was somewhat forgotten.  I'm a fan of Tom Ellis from his Miranda days, when he played Gary, so about a week ago, while browsing Hulu (thank you Alex) I found all 3 seasons, up to the current episode available and starting binging.  Now, I'm driving my sister/roommate crazy with Tom Ellis this and Lucifer that.

This show has everything I love about a TV show.  Good writing and good casting with well-defined characters that you come to know and love.  Lucifer has left hell and moved to Los Angeles where he falls in with a police detective and helps to solve crimes in his own unique way.  It's very much like Castle in the early years with a strong supporting cast that becomes like family to the viewer.  The dialogue is witty and the acting top-notch.  Tom Ellis says so much with a single look.  I can't get enough of him. Like Castle and Beckett, his relationship with Chloe Decker is intense and at the same time fun.  You can tell by the number of you tube videos that a lot of other people feel the same way I do about the show.

It will be interesting to see where the writers take the story.  I sincerely hope they don't ruin it by putting Lucifer and Chloe together as a couple with engagement or marriage as a goal.  That's what led to the demise of  Moonlighting and Castle as far as I'm concerned.  They need to keep their relationship like Sam and Jack on Stargate - ever present, obviously in love, but not ever saying I Love You out loud to each other,(except in dreams, aternate universes and such - lol).  Also the writers need to never forget the importance of the supporting characters in Luci's life - Mazikeen, Trixie, Ella, Dan, Charlotte, Amenadial, and Dr. Linda.  Remember on Castle, when after they got engaged and she went to the FBI and Esposito, Ryan, Lani, Martha and Alexis were hardly seen??  I hated that season so much and almost quit watching.  At any rate, if you loved Castle, you will most likely love this show too.

My favorite episode is in season one A Priest Walks into a Bar - I just love the piano duet with the priest and the one at the end with Chloe.  I love that it shows Lucifer, who is definitely a fish out of water in his human form, coming to grips with the fact that despite the polar opposite of devil and priest, he finds he really cares about Father Frank in a way he never knew he could.  It also brings him closer to Chloe who teaches him the value of friends in a time of need.  My other favorite episodes have scenes with Trixie, Chloe's Adorable-with-a-capital-A daughter and Maize, the demon who escaped hell with Lucifer and is his bodyguard of sorts.

There's a lot of videos on You Tube if you want to see what it's about.  Just search 'Lucifer or Tom Ellis'.

Aimee Garcia (Ella), Keven Alejandro (Dan), Lauren German (Chloe), Tom Ellis,(Lucifer), Tricia Helfer (Charlotte), Leslie-Ann Brandt (Mazikeen),  D.B. Woodside (Amenadial), Rachel Harris (Dr. Linda), Scarlett Estevez (Trixie)

And for your viewing pleasure: 

Lucifer and Father Frank piano duel

Poldark - PBS, season 2, revisited!

With season 3 of Poldark starting overseas, I decided I would re-watch season 2 to try and figure out why I found it less satisfying than season 1.  Don't get me wrong, I still loved it, but just not quite as much as the first season.

I've come to the conclusion that the friction between Demelza and Ross, even before his great transgression, seemed to trump everything else that happens.  As Demelza points out, the bloom of new love has faded and she is having doubts as to whether or not Ross still loves her.  She's quite snarky is several scenes.  Now, Demelza is supposed to a spirited, street-wise, feisty kinda gal but she was closer to being menopausal in some of her scenes.  Let's face it - married couples argue and go through hard times and one would expect that the Poldarks are no different.  What strikes me is how much these argumentative scenes stuck in my mind so much more than the affectionate, loving ones.  Why was that?  The stocking scene was so sweet, sexy, and loving - as was the tub scene, but they did not have as much impact as the snarky ones for some reason.... at least for me. 

Another thing that stands out is how dense Ross is regarding Demelza's insecurities. Really, there was a least two times I wanted to smack him. lol  When Demelza says 'Elizabeth looked good tonight' and he looks up with a little half smile and says Yes, she did - really Ross, you couldn't throw in a 'BUT she doesn't hold a candle to you, my love' or something like that? His block-headedness really hurts her.  He was like that in the first season too, so it's not like he would change.  Still I really feel for Demelza at those times.

Ross' infidelity was a major story point in this season.  It has been discussed to death all over the net - was it rape or not?  I felt the show made it seem less like a rape, more like a half-hearted attempt to not give in to passion on Elizabeth's part - an angry desire to have her before George does on Ross'.  As expected, his actions nearly destroy his marriage and it's hard to watch the struggle to keep it from falling completely apart.  The final episode leaves us hopeful.

I took more time paying attention to Dr. Ennis and Caroline's story and have to applaud both Luke and Gabriella for their great acting.  They really bring the characters to life.  In fact, everyone in the show is so good.  Great casting, costuming, sets, music, directing, and a GREAT story - oh, and George gets the snot kicked out of him - what more could a viewer want?

What I enjoyed most was the transition of Francis from a self-centered fop under George's control to a kind, loving father and husband.  I love the scenes of him with Geoffrey Charles out in the fields, and the big one where he tells George in no uncertain terms to stay out of his home and his life.  It was wonderful to watch Kyle; witness how good an actor he is!  His heartfelt conversation with Demelza before he dies is just so well done and is truly my favorite scene. As much as we all love Aidan's portrayal of Ross, it is Kyle's portrayal of Francis that really shines for me this season.

I have to be patient until October gets here so I can watch season 3.  I know it will be worth the wait.

Housebound, and ready for spring......

I've had a sinus issue for a few days now and have been laying low.  I should be packing for my move coming up soon, however, I did this instead:

I have thrown out so many photos in my desire to downsize all my stuff as much as possible.  It's a challenge for sure.  I hope you can see the vid on your phone if that's what you are using - if not, find a pc !

Happy Spring !!

Put a little love in your heart.....please!

The Golden Rule - most of us have heard of it, some of us practice it, even people without religion in their lives have to admit it's a simple blueprint for getting along in this world.  So what has happened to it?  Where has the concept of live and let live gone?

I've been thinking about this lately as I see things on the internet, largely on Facebook.  Social media and the anonymity of the virtual world has given the world a platform for expressing the most heartless, sometimes shocking, often cruel thoughts that enter their collective heads.  Proudly proclaiming their disdain for what they call 'political correctness', they spew their dark side without a care for what they are saying or who they may be hurting.

"The term political correctness (adjectivally: politically correct; commonly abbreviated to PC,^... P.C., or p.c.) in modern usage, is used to describe language, policies, or measures that are intended to avoid offense or disadvantage to particular groups in society."  ~Wikipedia    

The idea of being politically correct has become a negative thing - perhaps due to some people taking it to a ridiculous extreme.  In my mind, however, being p.c. is just an extension of the Golden Rule.  Do Unto Others...  It's not that hard and if anyone took a moment to apply it to their lives, this world would be a happier, kinder place.   Plain old-fashioned courtesy, respect - things you learned in Kindergarten!  Just because you think it, doesn't mean you should say it. 

I've seen a lot of posts on Facebook about what a crappy year 2016 was and how they are glad to see it go.  I can't say it was great for me personally, but I don't have much hope for 2017 to be better.  With the election of an mentally unstable person to our highest office and his choice of cabinet members, I am very concerned about my future, as well as the whole nations.  What concerns me most are the probable loss of affordable health care for thousands of my fellow Americans, cuts to social security - without it, I'll be homeless, the Twitter-in-chief getting us into a world war, and the most pervasive side effect I've ever seen, that being the demise of the Golden Rule particularly at a time when the world needs it most.

 Let There be Peace on Earth and Let it Begin With Me

 

Poldark - season 2 finale

The weeks just went to fast for season 2 of Poldark!  I'm looking for ward to getting a copy of the DVD with the uncut version.

Overall, I was pleased with the progress of the story and how it stayed close to the books in most areas.  I did feel there was something missing though, which was inevitable due to the story line.  That being affection between Ross and Demelza - you know the hand-holding, hugs, easy banter, etc.  Even before the extreme lapse of marriage vows,  there was a lot of angst what with the trial, the death of Francis, the troubles at the mine.  Now I'm not forgetting the lovely, sexy stocking scene or the bath, (was wishing I was Demelza for those! lol)  It's just the little everyday signs that say 'I love you, value you, want to be with you'.   I missed seeing that.

I had a lot of anxiety watching this last episode, especially when Ross dons his uniform - I know from the books he does not go off to war, but wasn't sure if the script would reflect that.  Happily it did and even more happily we got to see Ross in his army duds and luckily I didn't keel over from that vision.

Also I was wanting, as I'm sure most viewers were, to see some sort of reconciliation between Ross and Demelza and was forced to wait until the final five minutes!  That should not surprise me, but I was worried it might not happen and I'd have to wait until next season.

Really, Ross can be such a dumbbell.  There were a number of times when he and D verbally sparred over his affair, where she expressed her feelings of inadequacy, that Elizabeth was his ideal, that she could never be as good as her and he never once gave argument or denied that was not true. It wasn't until she was packing her bags that he FINALLY tells her that his true; real; abiding love is for her and her alone.   That simple statement went a long way towards healing their breach.  What took him so long??  Oh yeah, the writer.... had to keep us on the edge of our seats.

I was happy to see Dr. Enys and Caroline get back together.  George was his usual weaselly self and Aunt Agatha drops a bomb on Elizabeth when she suggests the baby might come sooner than March.  Oh-Oh!  We vets of the soap opera world know that any time there is illicit sex, a baby comes along, so no surprise there.  What will George do when his son arrives looking a lot like Ross?  Ha!  I hope we'll find out before the series ends.

Sigh.... a long wait for season three.............

  

Just shoot the bastard...... please !

(all pictures are screen prints from episode 9)

Poldark episode 7, PBS Detoit

I held off commenting on last Sunday's airing of episode 7 of the Poldark series here on PBS.  I wanted to think about it for a bit and I wanted to find out what was cut from the final scenes first.

 

Having read the books, I knew that at some point, Elizabeth would agree to marry the upstart George Warleggan and that Ross would have a melt down and take his anger out in a most unbecoming way. 

In an earlier post about the book, I was really hoping Debbie Horsfield would not make Ross look like a rapist and yet, after the show was over, I was thinking that was too much the other way.  The look of desire on Elizabeth's face practically challenged Ross to take her. She didn't seem to fight him off all that much while in the book she clearly says No and even slaps him before he carries off to bed.  That had me wondering what was cut.  

I posted on facebook about it and one of my fellow fans posted a link to You Tube showing the scene and I have to say, it was much more forceful, more in line with the book.  I have to wonder why our area PBS felt it they had to show the watered down version (with a viewer discretion warning at the beginning)  Maybe because of the time slot at 9 p.m.?  Over here, racier things are usually shown at 10 p.m.  - I'm talking about network TV not cable, where anything goes.  At any rate, I can remember seeing more shocking things on I, Claudius years ago than what was in this episode!  Go figure.

Was it rape or not?  This has been heavily debated all over the net and basically, it's up to the reader/viewer to decide if it is or not.  For a lot of us, No means No, however Elizabeth's protests, which at first seemed sincere, died quickly and she was clearly wanting him as much as he wants her. 

Does that make it OK? Of course not as we see when Demelza knocks him on his butt when he comes home the next morning.  

So Ross has fallen from grace.  Can he get back his self-respect and his true love?  Well, I know since I have read all the books, but for those who haven't - my mips are smealed.  LOL

Here is a link to the uncut scene for those who want to watch it.:

Can You Offer Me Anything Else?

 

One last thought, even if Ross would leave Demelza for Elizabeth, would she have been happy being penniless?  I don't think so.  Demelza came from nothing and knows how to survive hard times.  Elizabeth is used to a certain standard of living.  Ross could not give this to her - George could, and even more.  So even though she denies it, George's money has to be a large part of her decision to marry him.  I don't really fault her for this, but I do for keeping Ross dangling on the edge of her feelings instead of cutting him loose completely.  If she can't have him, then nobody else should.  I hate that.