u/Watchhistory

The conclusion of this episode shows Margaret having a vision of war, seemingly a dreadful battle. She sees one of her sons in desperate circumstances. I wasn't able to make out which son. Has anyone else been able to make out the features?

Of course, in a desperate battle, nobody's face is going to appear in its familiar lineaments.

A clue though, already in this season we see Margaret visiting Bobby in prison. However, he tells her his plans for the future is to continue on his religious path once he's paroled, so maybe not?

Though, somehow, they being Brackenreids, that both John and Bobby enlist would be a reasonable action for them both, right?

Into season 16, many of the Big Bads return. For many, season 16 felt too dark and twisty, with too few of the more summery episodes. Nevertheless, everyone at levels of mature life they'd not been before, there is real character movement. And even while they take on more responsibility, as Higgins does, as George, for Reasons, is absent for a great deal of it, Higgins does remain Higgins. However, hope this does not spoil much, but it took this long for me to 'get' that by now, Higgins and Crabtree are now 'family' having married into the same family! Which is rather delightful to contemplate.

Season 17 continue the tense danger to Julia and Susannah, and Murdoch too. Later, we should not be surprised in the least when, receiving the opportunity, Julia takes Susannah and moves to England. The scene in the second episode of the season 16's 2-parter conclusion, when she comes to consciousness locked inside a box barely large enough for she and Murdoch to have been lying down, was an understandable expression of what the first of the many true traumas she experienced once she hooked up with Murdoch that she's experienced. This first one may well have been the worst of them, which is referred to in season 16 more than once by Julia herself, of being buried alive -- and that was before she was married to Murdoch, long before she had Susannah.

Some of this is difficult to watch, but for authentic reasons of the show and its characters, and is true to them. Difficult, painful, yet it remains of the highest quality.

The two lead actors are charming, they are enjoyable to watch. The supporting cast that appear to be regulars at this point (1st case, first 2 episodes), are sufficiently engaging too.  But why did they bother calling it Tommy & Tuppence? This isn't Agatha Christie's novel and characters in the least. Set in 2026 it is so entirely not 1920's, post WWI London!

There's also a voiceover that I keep thinking is Lady Whistledown's from The Bridgertons. Yes, I know it is Tommy's aunt, played by Imelda Staunton, but still, so not Agatha Christie's work.

The thing is, other than the time period in which the Tommy and Tuppence adventures is set, I never liked those characters, Agatha Christie's or not. But I do like these two Tommy and Tuppence characters. So far, I find this series much more engaging that than the others. This never happens with 'adaptations and updates'. After all, one of the primary reasons I read and re-read works from the past is the when in which they are set. That is one of the most interesting aspects of reading works that aren't of our time. Trying to make them of our time destroys the works' accomplishments.

The two lead actors are charming, they are enjoyable to watch. The supporting cast that appear to be regulars at this point (1st case, first 2 episodes), are sufficiently engaging too.  But why did they bother calling it Tommy & Tuppence? This isn't Agatha Christie's novel and characters in the least. Set in 2026 it is so entirely not 1920's, post WWI London!

There's also a voiceover that I keep thinking is Lady Whistledown's from The Bridgertons. Yes, I know it is Tommy's aunt, played by Imelda Staunton, but still, so not Agatha Christie's work.

The thing is, other than the time period in which the Tommy and Tuppence adventures is set, I never liked those characters, Agatha Christie's or not. But I do like these two Tommy and Tuppence characters. So far, I find this series much more engaging that than the others. This never happens with 'adaptations and updates'. After all, one of the primary reasons I read and re-read works from the past is the when in which they are set. That is one of the most interesting aspects of reading works that aren't of our time. Trying to make them of our time destroys the works' accomplishments.

I guess this proves most certainly this is really and truly not Agatha Christie's work, and thus should have a different title and the characters should have different names.

Who thought adapting this book series by Stephen Booth would make for enjoyable screen watching in our era of endless revelations of horrors committed by the powerful and obscenely wealthy? Body after dead body. Nobody likes each other, or has any fun. The book series really concentrates on dead bodies of young women and girls.

There is neither oxygen nor sunlight in this show, judging by the first episode -- and the book itself on which it is based. So not only is it dreary, it's claustrophobic too.

This is not what I am looking for these days.

Through the CVS vaccine dashboard, I scheduled the vaccination yesterday morning for 2:30 PM at my local CVS. I picked yesterday because I knew the young Asian pharmacist who has been administering all my vaccinations there for the last 3 years was on duty. She is so good; the needle is not felt, and the arm/shoulder is not sore.

After making a nice dinner and clearing it away, I settled to watch an episode of a favored television series. By the end of the episode I was starting to feel fatigue. Got into bed with my latest novel, and progressively was more fatigued. Gave up at midnight and went down. Suffered mild hallucinations, sort of sleeping not sleeping for a couple of hours, but nothing at all like what I experienced in earlier years of covid vaccinations. Went to real sleep by 2:30 AM, woke at 4:30 AM starting to feel the body aches and pains, but nothing like earlier years of vaccinations. No fever no body chills -- those first 3 or 4 shots, I felt so cold my teeth chattered, and my body shook.

Got up to make tea and toast at 9 AM, so I wouldn't put Acetaminophen on an empty stomach -- took care of the aches. Still very tired, but otherwise 'normal. I will probably be entirely normal by 5 PM, after I take another nap.

Back during lockdown and the first years after that, my reaction was miserable and tended to last about 36 hours. It was also so hard to find a place to get the vaccination, get an appointment, and then we stood in line in the cold, etc.

This is nothing, it's as easy as peasy.

Everybody get your vaccination, please! Your loved ones will be grateful. People still die from covid.

I'll get my flu shot next month!

Lucy Lawless directed this episode. It is superior the preceding two episodes, one is pleased to say. There is more to it, so to speak, than the two others.

People seem to believe this is a Saudi funded sorta propaganda film. It appeared for theatrical release here in the US out of seemingly nowhere, earlier this year, and disappeared just as quickly. No one knew anything about it.

We were curious, though it seemed as though the shout lines did not jibe that well with the trailer.

>Defying a ruthless emperor, a princess flees into the Arabian desert, hunted by mercenaries. Forged into a warrior and aided by a legendary bandit, she unites warring tribes for a last stand that will change history.

Suppose now we'll find out the answers and whether or not it is worth watching.

I love that the Slayer's human, 2nd boyfriend (Marc Blucas, season 4), grew up to be congressman John Sampson. That he was a former Delta Force operative, and now has encountered another superhero makes perfect sense, considering Riley's early life. Wonder when and why he changed his name to Sampson . . .

Myself, I call Episode 8 the most outright bonkers of them all! I'd forgotten about this one all together, like it seems I've forgotten everything else despite watching it all before -- other than the cray-crays, which are the only parts of this series this viewer positively dislikes because They Always Come Back. Even if it take years, they come back! Argggggghhhhhhh! The horror! The horror!

I'm not joking concerning the horror.

However, back to New South Mimico -- it was shot almost entirely outdoors in the beautiful grounds of somewhere, in the flaming glory of autumn leaves. It's breathtaking to look at. Particularly now, when almost everything coming into our screens is so flat, dark, monochromatic, plain.

This show is brilliant. I know I said that before.

I really see it though, having this incredible opportunity to watch it all from start to finish, each episode back to back.

In my summer's rewatch from the movies through the entire series, last night I concluded Season 13.

For many of our characters, Season 13 brought back figures and events in their pasts, usually in manners that are not only painful, but dangerous. Perhaps, as a consequence then, It also features many of the characters 'letting things go,' forgiving, via compassion and empathy, providing understanding.

What are let go range from professional errors and mistakes, to personal matters such as hiding information of one's past from one's partners, to potential and real betrayals, as well as legal matters, such as viewing homosexuality, which was a crime at this time, as nobody's business.

There was another crime that got swept under the rug, due to moral and humanity considerations, which is perhaps the most surprising, considering both Murdoch's and Dr. Ogden's suspicions, >!involving Violet Hart's killing of a man who was blackmailing her for her past, trying to force her into giving him substances such as cocaine she uses in the morgue lab, and then attacking her when she refuses. !<>!Brackenreid, with the agreement of Murdoch, decide to let it go and give her another chance. One wonders indeed, if Brackenreid's mixed race daughter helped him along that path with Violent Hart.!<

Beginning season 14 tonight

So much is going on, starting with >!Brackenried's daughter creating a bridge with Margaret!<, whew!

Followed by some solid evidence >!Violet Hart is not exactly as what she appears to be, suspicions of which we've begun sharing with Murdoch and Ogden!< ever since she first appeared in Season 11, episode 3. >!Still, we have no idea why she's being shady, or what her objectives are, beyond, her telling another character that she want to be control. We thought first she wanted both William Murdoch and the morgue for herself, but she's got the morgue and she, like we, can see Murdoch's not going there. !< She's thinking bigger than the morgue, right?

Character continuity conytinues in Ep 14, "Rigid Silence"with Chief Constable Giles,>!still in prison (recall his interactions with Crabtree while he was serving his sentence!<).

Last night my rewatch arrived at Ep.15, airing February 10th, 2020. "The Trial of Terrance Meyers." is the 13th appearance of Meyers on MM. The US state department fanatic, Clegg, returns as well, continuing his schemes for the US to take over Canada. And like so many of the supervillains of MM, >!he's supposedly DEAD. How is this possible?!< :)

I am looking forward particularly to viewing how scenes in season 14 are shot, since March 2020 marks the recognition of global covid pandemic. So many challenges for the writes, the crew and the actors. For one thing, though due to chronology covid wasn't a consideration yet, when "The Trial of Terrance Meyers" was produced, it shows one thing that can be done. They used a format of many cuts from the previous 12 episodes in which Meyers featured, plus the court-like, enclosed set, little action, so the actors were few, didn't need much interaction.

What a brilliant show.

This is a new addition to PBS Passport Walter Presents. I began watching last night. Shot in/around La Grande-Motte,a commune in the Hérault département in Occitanie in southern France, near Montpellier, on the Mediterranean. I am certainly here for the location. This is the same location as another French police series, Candace Renoir, who moves to the city Montpellier at some point. Great location.

The characters are good to look at -- no insta faces here, so they are all individuals. So far the crimes are interesting, but nothing is too deep or gruesome. Excellent escapist crime entertainment in a gorgeous location, with a good cast of regulars. Montpellier is home to astonishing buildings -- it also is home to one of the oldest universities with a school of medicine in the world.

Like the older Candace Renoir, Coastal Unit is in French with English subtitles. In everyday French, À priori,means "at first glance", "presumably", or a personal bias/preconception.

In other regions such as Greece and Moldava, it is a white wine, it's a red one in California. But evidently the drink of choice in the local cop shop of the show is Pastis,

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This is a new addition to PBS Passport Walter Presents. I began watching last night. Shot in/around La Grande-Motte,a commune in the Hérault département in Occitanie in southern France, near Montpellier, on the Mediterranean. I am certainly here for the location. This is the same location as another French police series, Candace Renoir, who moves to the city Montpellier at some point. Great location.

The characters are good to look at -- no insta faces here, so they are all individuals. So far the crimes are interesting, but nothing is too deep or gruesome. Excellent escapist crime entertainment in a gorgeous location, with a good cast of regulars. Monpellier is home to astonishing buildings -- it also is home to one of the oldest universities with a school of medicine in the world.

Like the older Candace Renoir, Coastal Unit is in French with English subtitles. In everyday French, À priori,means "at first glance", "presumably", or a personal bias/preconception.

In other regions such as Greece and Moldava, it is a white wine, it's a red one in California. But evidently the drink of choice in the local cop shop of the show is Pastis,

>"... a spirit and apéritif traditionally from France, typically containing less than 100 g/L sugar and 40–45% ABV..."

https://preview.redd.it/kqyjftb3m1hh1.png?width=480&format=png&auto=webp&s=3fef580e38c9b87e28f7c515a9cf1fe583d12c5a

This series went up March, 2025, but I bumped into it only last night.

What was I doing back then? Hmmmm. Thiefinchief just got sworn in, making this series feel really not the thing, I am guessing. And now, well, with the entire complex turned into a junkyard trailer park, and we've gotten hardened to insanity, maybe now now now. I dunno.

The series possesses very high, expensive production values and cast. Al Franken plays a senate hearings chairman that is investigating the murder investigation! All the more something we couldn't harden our inauguration feelings into suspension of disbelief in March 2025?-K

The Residence is a Benoit Blanc-Knives Out type murder mystery comedy set in the White House in a nebulous era, political parties are never invoked, much less by label. Shondaland production, she can't quite quit Scandal, can she?

Who is writing, who can write the Murdoch-Ogden Police Detection Handbook, runs throughout these episodes. This arc* provides the lighter material alongside the murders that take place. However the murders and the quest to provide the proper and correct Police Detection Handbook are connected in terms of, well, who is providing the story. Everybody is writing a book, telling a story, >!including o yes! Ruth Newsome! A book Ruth of course has forgotten she wrote, just as she forgot the pen name under which it was published, but!< a book Julian and the doctors have all read when younger - it is a hot read!

Murdoch is impossible as a writer. He has no sense of structure and pacing, or how to make his innovations readable. Julia takes hints from >!Ruth!<, >!then turns the work over to George Crabtree, who of course, is the expert published writer. One does wonder though, just how expert he could be with a single sensationalist book to his name. But he does give really good advice. His ability to give good writing advice has advanced greatly since his novel, but he hasn't written anything else since. Which is the case with many who have written a first book... they just don't ever get around to writing another one.!<

Then there is the writer who is a journalist, Louise Newsome. And she, like George, are killer typists. That electric typewriter prototypes are now being developed, so many decry the degradation of the art of writing -- it makes it too easy! Just as other journalists decry the sort of journalism that Louise Newsome performs as degrading the great profession of journalism.

Then comes the eternal question and controversy that is still comes up in our times: "How much credit should the ghostwriter and the line editors receive for a published work? Should their names be included as authors?

The writers of Murdoch Mysteries have surely over the years the series has been running discussed all these matters frequently and in depth -- including, of course the perennial issue that every writer ends up having to deal with which is the readers demanding to take over the work they have created. In this case it is the show's writers who are lambasted, scolded and told what they should write instead of what they have written, right down to being told characters shouldn't exist, should be different, should be killed, etc. This by the way by viewers who have never written anything themselves. And yes, Doyle, Sherlock Holmes and Watson are invoked in the course of the arc.

So 'writing' is the arc of a series of episodes of Murdoch Mysteries in season 12. It's concluding screen shows us George Crabtree at a typewriter, typing out a title which is ... >!Murdoch Mysteries.!<

Of course. I love this arc so much. This conclusion is in form and mode so what the Murdoch Mysteries writers do! Which has helped keep this series running so successfully for so long. They never just leave things sitting, just be, or unchanged, they freshen things up.

* To be clear, "arch" is an engineering structural element employed in building material edifices, from gates to roofs to bridges. An arch is a curve that spans empty space while being supremely load bearing.

In storytelling, the correct term is narrative "arc." This a construction throughout the time and space that a thematic line, a storytelling line exists within a plot. A storytelling arc can run across not only several episodes but continue as characters move into new plots in successive works.

In