The Revolutionary Boys With The Way They Talk...

I'm late to the party, but I've caught up to the zeitgeist and discovered the musical Hamilton that was just awarded the Pulitzer prize in drama.  And by discovered, I mean waking up to it on loop in my brain, watching all related Charlie Rose interviews and having my kids bop along in the car as I turn it down on those tricky PG-13 parts.

It is amazing.

It's the story of the American Revolution, centered on the character of Alexander Hamilton, and never has a founding father seemed so real and relevant.  It has all the big themes-- love, loyalty, legacy, jealousy, betrayal and forgiveness.  It's told through the language of hip hop and I LOVE IT.  It's not my lane of music typically, but it's weirdly perfect to re-imagine the founding of our country.

If you are curious, dial up Amazon or Apple streaming music and listen to "My Shot", "Ten Duel Commandments" and "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story" and I promise you'll want to listen to all 44 songs.  And if you feel the need to deep dive into the story further (I did), here's a link with lots of related video clips.

Secondly, the AMC series Turn  (Mondays at 10 PM) began its third season last night.  We've been invested in the series from the start.  It is based on the book Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy ring. What I like most about the series is that it shows there are people of integrity and of dishonor on both sides of the fight. I actually feel pretty ambivalent about main character, Abe Woodhall, because his personal life seems like a soap opera and he can't make his up about to whom he will be devoted.  I admire the British leaders John Andre and Major Hewlett as they are honest in their dealings and respectful of women and servants under their command.  I appreciate how it shows that there is good and bad on any two sides of a debate, and only winning casts one side as righteous.

Okay, class, that's your viewing and listening assignment for the week.  Let me know what you think!

Downton Down Low: Hour Two

Tom and Henry (aka Hot Husband) are opening a car shop and it's so middle class. But Mary's so happy to be in the family way she gamely pronounces her pride in him.

Rose dropping some wisdom on Robert about marriage.

Daisy's gonna attempt a blow out to get Andrew's eye back on her.

Dinker needs a new hobby. She's hilarious.

Aughh! No! Daisy cutting her hair! By herself! Aww y'all. Poor Daisy.

Anna playin' beauty shop. Match number 3 is about to go down. Andy plus Daisy. "Let's not be out of step anymore." Sweet and understated.

And Tom! Flirting!

And Lord Merton's not at death's door. Happy Days!

Edith finally gets her moment in the sun. :) :) :)

Here comes Barrow to the rescue... Carson doesn't have to leave and we're all better people. Let's hold hands and pause for quiet reflection.

Baby's a comin! Baby's a comin! And Mary knows how to take off a shoe! Who knew!

Oh my. Even Mrs. Patamore's getting some action!!! The wish fulfillment is coming fast and furious as we have a  few remaining minutes.

And guess who catches Edith's bouquet?  Her editor! Tom finally gets to be interesting again!

Beautiful Anna has a son.

Cora and Violet have made up! It's a New Year. Edith's off on honeymoon! God Bless Us, Everyone.

And snow falling. Perfect note.

Cheers and Ta, Downton. Thanks a lot.

Downton Down Low: Hour One

I said NO DYING, Mr. Carson.

I think Dinker and Spratt should be under cover lovers. Though on second thought, maybe not. 

Hey now, Mr. Moseley! A new job offer and living situation! Lock Miss Baxter down.

Daisy. Clueless as always.

Hark! Is Mary planning to help Edith? She has an idea.

Prediction: Carson has hand tremors and Barrow will  realize his dream of becoming a full butler.

Oh, dang. Er'body gonna get married. Go on, Mrs. Crawley.

Daisy thrownin' shade at kind Andrew.

Oh! Set up! Edith's gonna get her man!!!!!!

And she's mad. Ooh, make him stew. Well played.

He's about to cry. Cmon, Edith.

Aww. He got me too.

"Edith's going to be happy. Hoorah." Yay!

Nice send off for Barrow.

One more grand house party for Downton gang as they meet Edith's future mother in law. 

Sad face. Mr. Carson seems to have Parkinson's.

Awkward mother-in-law exchange alert.  Classic piece of work trope.

 Wait. Nope. Lord Merton's daughter-in-law deserves that title. 

C'mon Papa Carson. Give Barrow a hug. 

Dang, Edith. You're a risk taker.

Nothing like a good looking lad swinging a hammer. Live a bit, Daisy. The writers are tying up each loose end in a pretty bow.

3 snaps, Bertie. Way to be a man.

New buddy cop team: Violet and Isobel! Down with uppity daughters-in-law!

Barrow snuffing out 3 sad candles at an empty table. Metaphor.  He must find his way back to the Crawley family.

Yay Bertie's mom. All's well that ends well. 

Here goes The Dynamic Duo!!! Springing Bertie out of the clink!

Hug it out, girls. Sisters gotta hug. 

A glittering gala of a wedding. You're a delight. And Rose's back! 

Downton Abbey: Stone Cold

So I've missed the last 3 or so episodes of the show and since there's only one left, I decided to finish strong and tune in.

It was Crazytown.  My reaction to tonight's episode in list form:

6 Reasons I Had To Admit To Myself That Downton Is A Soap And I'm Not Truly A Patron Of The Arts

1. Suddenly Tom Branson is a yenta, inviting Henry (Hot Car Guy) to throw him in Mary's path.
Why is Tom so boring?  Do we really believe he missed Downton after trying America?

2. Mary is stone cold.   Ruining Edith's relationship with Bernie by trotting out Edith's secret over morning coffee? Right as they are announcing their engagement?  LOW BLOW.

3.  Mary admitting that she can't be a "car crash widow" again to Violet in an anguished tete a tete in her bedroom.  I almost thought she'd throw herself on the bed and call out to her dead beloved...

4. But wait!  She visits his grave! And presses a kiss to it.  And wants his forgiveness. (And can I say that I kinda wonder if I'd be the kind of dead spouse who would be like, "Sure, honey!  It's fine! Move on!" ? But I'm no Mathew.)

5. Mary calls Henry back, confesses her love, and they are married 5 minutes later.  Edith attends the wedding, is the complete bigger person, and seems okay with being the beloved maiden aunt to the three Downton children. If Edith doesn't get her happy ending, and Mary gets to act a fool and commit her own series of indiscretions and ride off into the sunset with Hot Car Guy, it has all been for naught.

6. And Thomas attempts to take his own life?  Tucking that storyline in between Mr. Moseley turned Mr. Holland (which was actually a very sweet moment) and Mrs. Patamore fretting that her B&B will be know as a house of ill repute is a lot of ground to cover in 75 mintues.

I imagine I'll have to catch up on the episodes I missed in the next two weeks, and don my Nanny's old mink stole in honor of the last Downton episode March 6.  Here's to Downton in all its silliness! TTFN :)

Grease Is The Word.

The Grease Live Musical was so good I'm still happy about it 2 days later.

I really think the local gyms should create a "Musical Theater for Moms" (With Unfulfilled Drama Dreams) exercise class because I will happily sweat to those oldies.

Things I Loved About Grease Live:

1. The excitement of a live production

2. Ana Gasteyer as the principal.  So much goodness.

3. Praise Hands for Aaron Tveit who played Danny.  I now know he also played Enjolras in the recent Les Miserables movie and I want to personally congratulate him on being both incredibly talented, artistic and masculine.  The storyline of Grease is  pretty formulaic and a less-than-ideal roadmap for our daughters and their romantic aspirations, but at the end of the day, GIVE ME A MAN WITH TENDER FEELINGS AND A LEATHER JACKET. Mercy.

4.  Julianne Hough totally rose the the vocal challenge of the role.  She is so beautiful.  Again, blah, blah, blah. beauty comes from within, but really, can you imagine being as blindingly beautiful as the actors who played the lead roles?  I think that would be fun for a day.  I don't think I'd mind someone overlooking my beautiful soul for awhile.

5.  Boyz II Men doing "Beauty School Dropout".  That was so perfect.  I'll be singing it for awhile.

6.  Fox made a very savvy move and cleaned up all the cringe-worthy innuendos in "Greased Lighting" as they rightly knew their audience (women who grew up on Grease) would be watching with their own kids. Upon hearing the family-friendly lyrics, said demographic would download the album and the broadcast and have maybe already listened to the soundtrack on loop and re-watched the musical.  

7.  The whole "Greased Lighting" dance number.  The physicality of that number (look at me using that groovy showbiz lingo) was astounding.  

8. The joy of the actors performing at their very best.  You could hear the actors whoop a bit in sheer excitement on certain songs.

9.  Ending with a live carnival for the final song.  I almost thought they'd be able to get Danny and Sandy to fly away in their car.

10.  The little sly updates to dialogue, like when Frenchy tells Sandy that "We (women) have to be our own people... like they teach us in Home Ec."

Do I like TV too much?  Does it consume a bit too much of my mental energy?  Yes and yes.

But Grease Live was a shot-in-the-arm of infectious musical joy and I'll take it.


Did you watch?  What did you like about the production?

Let's Get to the 25th Already!

Hi, my name is Melissa, and I was hiding from my kids on the stairs scrolling Instagram.

Monday and Tuesday were filled with moments of discipline for each child as 1) it won't stop raining and 2) that makes for a lot of togetherness and 3) children like to antagonize and 4) it was an amateur move to try to wrap presents for others while supervising children.  I wrapped about four in the space of four hours.

We have made it to December 23rd.  We are coloring and snacking and movie-watching and paper roll sword playing and I'm in a better place.

Presents wrapped, house cleanish, clothes washed, Santa gifts on-go to assemble.

Now we are twiddling our thumbs, ready for the big day.

Here's a hodgepodge of holiday goodness and fun finds for your time off:


Man in the High Castle on Amazon streaming
This is sci-fi intrigue set in post-war 1960s America in an alternate reality in which the Allies lost WWII and the United States is ruled by Germany and Japan. I don't know where to start here: you can watch it as a couple; each character is multi-faceted and more keeps being revealed; it plays with reality and feels a bit like Lost as it presents possible outcomes and a blurry line between the natural and supernatural. Plus the lead character is really cute and I like his hair. So he's a Nazi. He has Resistance leanings due to meeting a love interest/new Resistance member. And I'm betting he's Hitler's son. We are hooked and eagerly awaiting Season 2.

My daughters in their Christmas program












  Shameless Overshare 

Our Christmas Letter


2015 At a Glance

It’s always a bit baffling to reach the end of another year at what seems like a breakneck speed.  2015 has been a year of new adventures for our family.  This summer, Alex, in a true act of Dad heroism, took us to Disney World for five sweaty, tiring, but absolutely memorable days.  We visited each park and dined with princesses, kissed Mickey, and rode our fair share off iconic rides. I’m a self-proclaimed sucker for all things Disney and am campaigning for a return to Orlando for a certain young man’s eighth birthday.  In October, we had another amazing experience traveling to Europe following a work conference Alex was selected to attend in Flims, Switzerland.  Our parents each took turns manning the battle stations on the home front with the kids so I could join Alex for four days in Paris and on to Amsterdam to meet up with an old friend of Alex’s and stay with his family.  It was everything we could have hoped for in an overseas trip-- beautiful scenery, delicious food, unexpected discoveries, and best of all, time together and with friends. I’ve said it was once-in-a-lifetime, but I’m hoping we’ll push ourselves to travel more as the children grow older.

The kids are now 7, 5, and 3 respectively. Jeremiah is a first grader in an autism classroom.  He is an affectionate, loving young man who likes to draw, print, bike, and play on his IPAD.  Sometimes his noisy sisters overwhelm his ears, but he is the first to give a hug when needed.  His mom (without any overstatement) is his #1 fan and as for Dad, Jeremiah adores him beyond good sense.

Sarah is going on 6 this January and bounds into a room with energy and sparkle.  She is in Kindergarten at brother’s school and brims over with new information.  She loves fashion and crafts.  Frequently, she helps Mom create new desserts to try.  We call her our cruise director and believe she is the most lovely 5-year-old in existence (all apologies).

Our youngest, Rachel, is the family mascot. 100 percent sass, this little girl selects her outfits (as there are several changes) daily, complete with accessories and makeup-- no lip balm, but red lipstick, please.  Not much makes her mom happier than taming her bedraggled hair with a bow and acting as consultant on her sartorial choices. Rachel tolerates too many hugs and kisses and longs to be “like Sarah” in all things, especially big kid school.  As her middle name suggests, she is an absolute joy.

As for us adults, Alex continues to work as a Programmer at Silvervine Systems.  His team indicated to me that he is the Eeyore of the group as he is on the look-out for potential problems that could arise in any project.  He is a wonderful father to our kids and a supporter in all ways to me as his wife.  I’m very proud of him.

I’ve renewed my contract for my 8th year as an at-home Mom and though each year brings changes to my role, I’m enjoying this new stage.  I’ve become more involved in the kids’ school, and work with 8th grade girls Sunday school--whom I constantly admonish to be nice to their mothers--as well as teach choir to Rachel’s age group.  I blog, attend bible study and a Mom’s group, keep the domestic wheels running, and think wistfully about exercise as I either read or binge Netflix in my off-duty time. We just ordered an elliptical machine, so hello, New Year’s Resolutions!

In closing, we are just plain thankful to have you in our lives and pray this Christmas season and the new year to come are marked by the greatest of these: love. 

*

And from Ann Voskamp's Unwrapping the Greatest Gift  December 23rd reading:

"He came as a Baby because He was done with barriers. He disarmed himself so that you could take Him in your arms.  God came as a Baby because he wants to be unimaginably close to you. What God ever came so tender that we could touch Him? So fragile we could break Him? Only the One who loves you to death. Only the God who had to come to get you, to free you, to be with you....
Christmas isn't about getting something big and shiny. It's about God's doing whatever it takes to be with us-- and our doing whatever it takes to be with Him. (emphasis mine)

He doesn't care if your list is checked or your halls are decked.  He doesn't care if you've spent 25 days preparing your heart or  a lifetime far away from Him.  He cares about you, about us.
He made a way for us, by his righteousness alone.  Isn't that really the best news?  I get swept along in the craziness each year, and I always arrive back to wonder seated in our Christmas Eve service--  Son of God, Love's Pure Light.

Merry, merry Christmas, dear friends.

Downton Abbey: Finale Live Stream-of-Consciousness Tweet/Blog/Passing Thoughts

Here we go!

#DowntonAbbey finale in less than an hour. Go do something jolly with your hair to celebrate! @downtonabbey_official #downtonnight

A photo posted by Melissa Young (@thejaybirdblog) on Mar 1, 2015 at 5:00pm PST

* Thomas:  Meow.  To Mr. Bates, offering to cut off his right arm if it would help Anna: "We can't have you wobbly at both ends."

*  I have to say I'm impressed at how Robert has mellowed.  He's at peace with Edith's decision to bring her child home and allowing her to do it on her own terms.

* Love Cora's hat on the train.

* Uh-oh. Robert has unexpected pain.  This doesn't bode well. Especially since his dog was sick too.  Downton Abbey country song, perhaps?

* The silk wallpaper is fab at Atticus' family home.

* Ooh.  This valet is giving Thomas a dressing down.  He's actually sticking up for Tom.

*  Violet's reuniting the Prince and Princess.  Awkward.

* Gauntlet thrown on the restorative broths.  Simmer down, Spratt.

* Atticus' mom, Lady Sinderby, is a class act befriending Tom.

*  Anna's confession.  Ugh.  Childhood victimization.  I'm surprised Anna doesn't wear an actual halo over her softly lit, tragic countenance.  She's a fighter.

* Mrs. Hughes and Carson's date/investment property outing :)

* First Violetism of the Night:  "The presence of strangers is our only guarantee of good behavior."

* Upstairs-Downstairs intrigue to take the butler down a peg!  Don't mess the Crawleys.  #teamchauffer

*  Well, the Princess is a peach.

*  Dowagers!  Russian Princesses!  Let's get ready to ruuuuuuumble!

*  Mrs. Patamore is a doll and I love how she puts Carson in his place like a little boy when she has the remaining staff, even the kitchen maid, Daisy, sit at the same table.

* The scheme to embarrass the butler goes awry and embarrasses everyone.

* "So tomorrow we say goodbye..."  Wouldn't it be awesome if Violet and the Prince broke out into "Summer Lovin'" in some alternative universe?

* "This was my last immoral proposition from a man.  Was I wrong to savor it?"  Mild laughter with misty eyes.  Master class delivery.

*  Robert has chest pain.  NO MORE DEATH SCENES!

* Edith should wear her hair down more.  It's pretty with curls.

* Edith wanting a FATHER's FORGIVENESS.  That's a powerful thing.  Downton is deep.

* Kitchen intrigue!  Sneaking in a broth!  So many plots to keep track of!

* Classic Mary romance set-up... Aggravated at the neighbor set to come over for the shoot, upsetting the party count.  From the previews, he's our new Charles Blake.  Hottie-Boom-Body Part Deux. (Oh, y'all. And he has piercing blue eyes. And Edith's talking to the estate's agent!  It's rainin' men. Halleluyer.)

*  Have I mentioned I love Mrs. Hughes?  Caring for her sister and not able to retire? "I've enjoyed our little dream."  Please, Carson.  Snatch her up.

* Oh my word.  Does Lord Sinderby have a second, secret family?  Downton bringin' the hushed scandal.  (Yes.  The little boy is named Daniel after Lord Sinderby.  Lovely Rose saves the day.) Stop it with the children not knowing who their parents are.  For real.  Live in the light.

* Edith in coral!  Gorgeous!  Get 'em girl!

* Bates makes a false confession.  Molesly going to save the day.  Reminds me of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.  This is his moment.

*  Mr. Talbert, you've piqued Mary's interest. And then he jumps in the car, James Dean style.  Charles Who?  (We'll always have your hair, Charles.)

* Little poppets decorating the Christmas tree.  Wish we could watch DA when it airs in England.

* Baxter and Molesly: Crime Solvers!  Like an English "Hart & Hart" episode.

*  They having a moment for Sybil.  Sweet to see Mary and Edith putting aside rancor for a millisecond.

* Ooh, Daisy giggling at the new footman.  Cheeky.

* Violet and Isobel  girl-talking about their loves-gone-wrong.  (Robert's sloshed).

* That Tom.  *He's* a jolly good fellow.

* It's the Sweeney (Crawley)  Sisters!  Clang-clang-clang went the trolley!

* GALLANT gesture alert.  Carson bought Mrs. Hughes a house. NO WAY!  HE IS DECLARING HIMSELF!!!!!!!!  She's smiling!  I can't handle it!  "Of course I'll marry you!!!!!!!!"
Hurrah for taking chances!

credit: dailymail.co.uk

* Robert's gonna cry.  God bless us, everyone.

* No. Bates walks through the door at "O Come Let Us Adore Him."  Christmas miracle: Check!

*Reunited and it feels so good!  Anna + Bates = Happy Christmas

To continue with the faux British-isms, I'm knackered.   Pure wish fulfillment.  Jolly good fun and see you in 2016, DA friends!

Downton Abbey, Episodes Pure Confection and Enough with the Fated Bates, Already

Mary, Edith, and Tom: Take note.

Hey college friends who like my Downton posts!  Y'all are too sweet. I've been off my DA game.  Two weeks ago Alex was travelling and I was in a mood.  Case in point: I decided I deserved a Birchbox subscription as a belated Valentine after two weeks of barf.  This past Sunday was the Oscars.  I made it to 11:00 before I clicked it off, deciding sleep would be a wise choice.  With all this winter rain and gloom, I'm in bed by 8:30 and dozing off with the lights blaring at 9:00 p.m. if I'm not careful.  So, no Downton Sundays.

I did, of course, watch both episodes and have some thoughts.  This won't be a play-by-play recap as the next one comes on Sunday, so the bloom is off the bud of the snarky rose.  Let's jump in:

Mary, Mary, quite Contrary:  I think Mary needs a bit of a time-out.  As much as I'd like her to end up with a nice man (like Charles "The Fox" Blake), she has been a very unsympathetic character of late.  She's always been a bit of a mean girl, but the writers are quick to bring us back in, usually with a tender moment between her and Carson. Last week was no exception.  She sees Lane Fox and Tony together and happy, and while glad to be off the hook, she seems at a loss.  Mary: The Heiress Who Cried Wolf.  If she was a modern day character, it'd be best if she told any prospective suitors that she really needs to focus on her child/her career/herself/it's not you, it's me.  I think Tom has the right idea with moving to America.  All the young adults of Downton would be well served to leave their mama's house and forge a new path.

Which brings me to Edith.  Oh, I was so disappointed that she decided to move back home and pretend she was only Maribel's caretaker and godmother.  Live in the light, Edith.  It was a bold move to assert herself and get her child back.  She needs to go the whole way and just "live her truth" to pull an Oprah-ism.  Get a little home, run your publishing company, get a good nanny and raise your child.  Be happy.  The end.

I was so glad to see Rose and Atticus marry and the  family back the couple.  So sad that her mother tried to ruin the couple's happiness in her misguided attempts to protect Rose.

Lastly, the Bates.  Oh, the Bates.  Whatever will happen to the Bates?  Especially when the death penalty is concerned. (Name that movie.)  It was a great dramatic twist to have Anna suspected of Greene's murder, but the tragic-lovers bit is wearing thin with me.  It stretches plausibility that Bates would be suspected, only to have never carried out his original intent and then have Greene's victim suspected of the murder.  I won't hazard a guess as to how this will unravel, but I know there's no way Anna's character's going anywhere.

I liked seeing Daisy, Ms. Baxter, and Mr. Molesly form a group friendship as well as Thomas stepping in and helping the new servant not get swindled by Ms. Dinker (what a name).

I believe this Sunday will be the season finale and you can bet your pearls I'll be watching--and blogging--promptly.  Cheers!

Downton Abbey: Season Five, Episode FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! (5)

Hey there, DA friends.  It's Tuesday, so it's already been two days since the last episode aired and I'm going to lose all my blogging cache and personal investment if I don't put down a few thoughts before the next installment.

I had a wild hair to put on an English-style head adornment and make a video blog (a vlog, as the internets calls them), but my youngest began throwing up at 3 a.m. Monday, and in the car, and my son is losing a tooth and having tummy troubles, so I didn't get around to it when it was 9:30 and I was folding Mt. Santized Sheets and wearing my UF sweatshirt, baggy middle-aged jeans and greasy hair.  I thought it might even be fun to thrown my now clean pink robe over the whole thing and go ahead and stick the feathery concoction in my hair, but then I remembered there are things you can't unsee and maybe it'd be best not to humiliate myself on the youtube.

Basically, I wanted to do this.

Still.  I think the idea has potential.  Maybe for the big finale.

Sooooo.  THE FIGHT!  Rumble in the jungle (gilded bedchamber!)  I mean, whoa.  That was pure soap how the audience saw Robert climbing the stairs, just back from his trip and Mr. Bricker has sauntered in to Cora's dressing room, all slicked back hair and silk smoking jacket like Pepe Lepew.  It's nice to see Cora get more of a story line in this episode because she's mostly set dressing in this series.  She seems vapid and obilvious (the scene where Edith, Violet, and Rosamund are discussing what to do with Maribel while Cora walks in unexpectedly made me sad for her as a mother... how can you not see your child is that unhappy?) but in a previous episode where she talks about growing up in America and how different her life is as a great Lady made her more interesting.  She's had some great lines over the past few seasons, particularly when Sybil died and when she comforted Edith after being gilted.  My favorite of her lines: "I'm an American. Have gun, will travel" when the estate is in danger of being lost after Robert (surprise) has lost all the money she brought to the marriage really made me root for her.  Obviously, marriages are made up of two flawed people, and Cora and Robert are no exception.  I've always enjoyed how the show underscored that there is real affection and tenderness in the marriage that has weathered years and tragedy.  It will be interesting to see how THE FIGHT impacts their relationship.

Now, we return you to THE FIGHT after that short character and marital anaylsis.  It was all kinds of awkward to see Robert full-on lunge upon Bricker and pummel him.  Dudes were rolling on the ground.  Poor Cora is ever the put-upon lady, telling them to hush while she dismisses Edith at the door:"It's nothing, poppet," she assures her, sensitive to her baby but clueless that her child HAS A CHILD and is confused and miserable.  These few episodes have highlighted that Cora and Robert are drifting and though I'm sure they will stay together (tradition, status, and mutual affection), it was sad to see Cora trying so hard to draw Robert out at the cocktail party and him stonewalling her.  It was so stereotypically English to see him totally retreat after the scuffle with an "I'm going to sleep in my dressing room" as if he had a headache and had not put the beat down on a rival for trifling with his woman.  No more was said about it immediately, which honestly might be wise, but a radio silence in a marriage is never a good thing.

So many more plot points to recap, so many child-rearing details to attend to, so I'll meta-recap:

Mary's Love Life:  Charles Blake continues to be in Mary's vocabulary, yummy.  He casually invites Lane Fox to dinner with Mary to encourage Miss Fox not to be stupid, that she still loves Tony, and to just go pick up the pieces of his broken heart.  To which she retorts that she doesn't need Mary's leftovers and that Tony dumped her flat the minute Mary crooked her finger.  To which I say,  two snaps, Miss Fox.  I like you.  I think you and Mary could honestly be great snark sisters were it not for your mutual involvement with one Mister Tony Gillingham.  Drat.  As to Mr. Blake,  he is, in my estimination, playing out that classic maxim from Men Are From Mars, Women are From Venus:  He's emotionally snapping away like a rubber band, acting like just an amused third party at the Mary-Tony shenanigans, but makes himself indepensable to Mary, making her, ultimately, choose him.  Just a guess.  He's not Mathew, a paragon of virtue and Mary's One True Love, as any Downton romantic would espouse (like me), but he is all kinds of cute and smart and I believe, kind, and Mary will meet her match in him.  Stay tuned.

Edith's Situation: Edith is sick that she has been effectively shut out of her child's life and as the episode ends, we see her phoning London, a clue that she plans to run away with her child.  And maybe magically Griegson will find her and they'll elope, tra la la la la, all's well that ends well.  I hope, anyway.

Bates and Anna:  They are hoping to have a child.  Anna has such a pure heart.  I really admire her character.  The pressure is being applied from Scotland Yard and while I don't think we'll see another trial/prison sentence, their fate is precarious.

Molesly, Ms. Baxter, and Barrow:  I also really enjoy Ms. Baxter.  She is a survivor.  Her friendship with Molesly continues to grow.  Barrow is tormented by the treatment he is undergoing (which has interesting parallels to the recent movie, The Imitation Game).  Barrow is such a complicated character.  He makes it so hard to pity him for long.  He is so unhappy and unloved that he the only sort of pleasure he finds in life is by making trouble for his rivals, in this case, Mr. Bates.

Isobel and Violet and their suitors: Violet has been searching for information on the Prince's missing wife and has news of her location.  Isobel and Lord Gray grow closer and she is close to a decision.  Even Dr. Clarkson admits they seem well suited.  DOUBLE WEDDING, folks!

Lady Rose meets a nice, cute, and (obviously) rich young man who happens to have Jewish ancestors.  That's sure to make for another intersting dinner party.

Lastly, Tom and Miss Bunting.  She loves him, she knows she can't have him, and she leaves.  He admires her and kisses her goodbye.  Tom's a good guy.

Thanks for reading and TTFN, dear DA friends!

Downtown Abbey: Season 5, Episode I'm Finally Interested Again

 I was worried.  I watched episodes 2 and 3 the day after it aired.  Something was bad wrong.  I was at the point where I began to think Mary really was a bit of a ...  very cold and spoiled woman.  I stopped wanting to follow around the head cheerleader of the show.   She and Tony decide to "get to know each other better" in episode 3 and then, they, you know, get to know each other and when she gets home she can't be bothered to make a decision. Enter Charles Blake. OBVI.  Hottie-boom-body got a new haircut and cleverly informs Mary that Tony's kinda cute but shallow.  He is so throwing off the "I don't care, woman" vibe and she takes the bait. In tonight's episode, she meets up with Charles for dinner where he again metaphorically toss his bangs and feigns disinterest.  Mary goes to deliver the "It's not you, it's me," speech and Tony's not having it.  She is a LADY and they are just going to work through this.  Good on ya, fella.  A smart man would run, but Mary's suitors are nothing if not persistent.  Soapy fun. If you need a reason to waste more time on the internet, google "Charles Blake Downton Abbey tumblr."  Good fun with gifs.

Onto my favorite part of the night: Isobel. Isobel and her beau, Richard Gray are so adorable.  I must have shouted that ten times to no one in particular as her suitor impressed upon her that no, he did not need looking after in his later years.  No, he was not bored.  He just plain loved her. Romantically.  It hit that sweet, poignant note that has been missing this season; the note that keeps the show anchored in more than melodrama.  And let's not forget Lady Violet almost running away with a Russian prince when God was a boy.  I mean.  These ladies are feisty.

Edith inches closer to learning whether or not Michael was killed by a gang of thugs (the Nazis) and Cora gets some unexpected attention from an art historian.  Robert preens like a wounded peacock and becomes enraged at dinner when Tom's teacher friend, Ms. Bunting, challenges him about wanting to keep the staff in serfdom from cradle to grave.  Looks like Tom will be making a choice this season about the direction his life will take.  My bet is on America and a new start, but I can't imagine the actor would want to be written out of the show.  We'll see.

Bates and Anna still tiptoe around the matter of Mr. Greene's death.  It's apparent that Anna is afraid to ask Mr. Bates directly if he had anything to do with it.  You can't unring a bell and you can't go back from asking your husband if he murdered a man to avenge your honor.  I really want Anna and Bates to just be happy, the end. They deserve it.

Lots of downstairs plot to keep track off: Ms. Baxter, Cora's maid, is so kind to Mr. Barrow, who has been nothing but nasty to her.  It seems she recognizes a hurting person and doesn't want to kick him when he's down.  He's had some mysterious medical procedure, which from the magazine article she peeked at, might suggest some type of reparative therapy.  Daisy is gaining confidence in herself through her studies and suggests writing a letter of protest on Mrs. Patamore's behalf requesting that her nephew Archie be included in the war memorial despite his deserting the army.

All in all, a much better night of Downton and I'm happy to say I plan to watch each episode the night it airs until the finale on March 1.  Cheers, Downton.

Burnin' Down The House: Downton Abbey, Season 5, Ep. 1 Recap

Photo source PBS

A blog first: a request for content!  My friend asked if I would be blogging Downton this season, so I jolly well shall if my public (of one) asks.

If you enjoy a extra heaping of snark sauce, I usually read this recap  after each Downton.  My thoughts...

You know Downton has used up its good graces with outrageous plot twists when a fire seems "meh" to you.

Servant (Jimmy) and the aristocrat in flagrante delicto? Done.

Thomas being Thomas? Yup.  Part bully, part pimp, all parts obsequious. And always with enough derring do (pulling Edith out of her burning bedroom) to save his job.

Mary playing the Ice Queen?  Yadda yadda yadda.  And hey, Tony Gillingham.  I see what you're doing there.  Mary, maybe Lady Grantham never thought she needed to have this talk with you, but cows and milk, darling.  Your rendezvous with not remain secret.  Paging Mr. Pamuk. Remember?  Dead men tell no tales, but spinster sisters do.  Does anyone else hope Charles Blake returns?  Mary needs a bit of  a struggle to know her own mind.  Plus he is hott with two ts.

Poor Edith being poor Edith, as ever.  And not the first "fallen" woman on the show who must conspire to stay in her child's life. WHERE DID GRIEGSON GO?  Is he dead?  Give us some closure so we can make like Elsa and let. it.go. already.

Baxter is suspicious of Bates, as is Gillingham, as are we.  Have we cleared up why his limp seems to be gone?  Do you think he is essentially a good character?  Could he really have killed his wife after all? Inquiring minds want to know.

Tom is still in aristocratic limbo, not sure of his place in society, especially in terms of courtship.  I don't really feel swayed by his new possible love interest.  She's not as obnoxious or obvious as Edna from last season, but I'm not sure if I like her yet.

Rose is now the dutiful stand in for the youngest Crawley daughter, and I'd rather see her as the rebel.  Who knows what kind of sheneginas she'll get into this season.

Isobel has two potential suitors this season, which is okay by Violet as long as she stays in the middle class where she belongs.  I really enjoy the Violet character and how everything she does is for the good of the family.  I can't really believe she'd prevent a romance for Violet even if it would upset their unbalanced social dynamic.

I miss this Mrs. Hughes/Mr. Carson tenderness and hope that is continued in later episodes. They are my favorite couple in the house.  I doubt in that time anything would ever happen romantically as it would disrupt their posititions of authority, but I think it is the most genuine friendship of affection and respect.

Love that goes the distance is Hughes & Carson, as fun as it is to see Mary & Gillingham flirt with mischief.

True love waits, people.  At least for this retreat-going, cheesy-books-with-cheesier-chapter-titles-reading (Boaz, not Bozo) and married-to-my-own-hybrid-of-cute-and-steady-man kind of woman.

That's my humble recap.  It may be a well worn road, but I love to travel it.  Hurrah for the retun of Downton Abbey!

Hello, Yeah, It's Been Awhile

(Not much, how 'bout you?)

It's July...  mid-July even.  We've done some things and been some places, but I've not been inspired by the Blog Muse to write, but I hate to leave this space languishing any longer.

Here's some plausibly entertaining things that I've been up to this summer:

1) Streaming TV (of course)  I've completed 5 seasons of the sleeper series Friday Night Lights that ended a few years back. I've thoroughly enjoyed it as evidenced by the fact that I've watched about 76 episodes, each 44 minutes in length over the last 7 weeks.  It's good to have ambition.



You don't have to appreciate football or the Lone Star state to be hooked on this series.  At the center is Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) and his wife, Tami (Connie Britton) who guide the team and students of Dillion, Texas.  Almost every football player or student that interacts with the Taylors are missing something in their own family dynamic.  One player is loosely watched by an older brother, his parents having abandoned the family at different points; the new QB1 (I now know that's a thing) is also missing a mom and dad figure while taking care of his grandmother with early dementia.  Several times throughout the show you can't help but want to take these fictional characters under your wing and say "You belong here...It's gonna be okay."  A new saying for Sarah from the show is "Go, Baby!" in her four-year-old country twang.  Did I cheer for the Panthers to win State?  Oh yes I did.  I clapped my hands like it mattered.  And my affinity for 'ball sadly diminished after I snagged a husband who really likes it.  All Fall, All Ball.  I'm sure if I was as supportive of Ball as Tami Taylor was, ours would be a stronger marriage.  You can put me your prayer list concerning this need in my marriage.  I covet your prayers.  Ten Years tomorrow :)

2) Books (ditto)

Some good beach reads this summer:

Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers
The One and Only by Emily Giffin
The Girls of August by Anne Rivers Siddons
Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner
Restless (non-fiction, so not a typical beach read but I read it this summer so I'm counting it) by Jennie Allen


3) Hold on to your hats: A 10K
Mid-thirties rite of passage--check.  My "training" consisted of running maybe 12 times with my handy app, but hey, I ran 3 times one week and completed the Peachtree Road Race (ran 2, walked 4).  That's more movement than I've clocked in some time, so I'm proud.  The race was a throng of humanity with over 60,000 runners on July 4th.  Great atmosphere for a casual runner.  So glad I did it.

4) I Enjoy Satire:

Here are a few clips that nail the self-obsession of the "Tens" so far  (which I participate in as I am writing a blog).





Hope you are passing away these lazy days of summer in equally productive ways!

The Most Awesome Awesomeness the World Has To Offer

Hiya, Blogosphere! What's shakin'? Remember when I got all ambitious and started blogging recaps about my fave PBS shows (inquiring minds NEED to to know moi's thoughts on Downton, m'kay) and then totally stopped? Yeah. Sorry about that. I realize not reading my deep insights into Sherlock's latest derring do may have left a few of you bereft. (I kid.) Season 3 was just crazy by the way... um, no more psychological intrigue. Just case solving, please. And really no more face licking criminal masterminds. ew. But thanks for bringing back Moriarty. He's crazy smart/scary.

Okay, so, the awesome awesomeness.  I've got a backlog of AllTheDeepThoughtsandFeelings posts that require way too much thoughtful analysis to process coherently in written form at present, so I'm gonna jump back in with some newly rediscovered passions.  Brace yourself.  I'm a dynamo.

1.  BOOKS

A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet: Southern Stories of Faith, Family, and Fifteen Pounds of Bacon by Sophie Hudson

"You may have picked up on the fact that I tend to operate at extremes. I'm either fighting my way through vehement opposition or trying to convince everybody I know that I have singlehandedly discovered the most awesome awesomeness the world has to offer," Sophie Hudson declares in her pitch-perfect memoir.  A mama/teacher blogger, Sophie caught my attention a few years ago, though she's been around awhile... like she's tight with Pioneer Woman and Beth Moore.  So basically, a member of the Christian Woman's earthly trinity.  What I loved about this book is the way she has a ear for family conversations.  Though hers is steeped in the South, all families have their peccadilloes.  This recalled conversation could have taken place, verbatim, in my Mamaw's den with the his and hers Lazy Boy recliners with protective towels covering the headrests:
 "Mama and Chox took care of most of the talking during our thirty-minute car ride, focusing primarily on a little conversational segment I like to refer to as People We Know Who Have Died.  The best part of  any People We Know Who Have Died conversation  (PWKWHD for short) is the inevitable constructive criticism/evaluation of the funeral service centering on.... people's funeral fashion choices....If you show up in jeans, I guess the good news is that they actually won't talk about you at all. Because as far as they're concerned, your ancestors are to blame for that one."

This writer is my lane of funny.  She deftly balances humor in her slice-of-life observations with honest poignancy.   When she includes Scripture to highlight a recollection, it doesn't feel forced.  She's the just-a-shade-of-a-season-ahead-of -you friend who shoots straight.  Highly recommend.


When Calls the Heart series by Janette Oke and Where Courage Leads
by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

 I picked up this series after getting wrapped up in the TV series of the same name.  These stories are in the vein of Christy and Dr. Quinn.  I'm a premature Granny, I suppose, but I love 'em.  In fact, my new friend in Bible Study, who is probably in her late sixties to early seventies, is a fan. She's quite a spitfire, so maybe being a bit of a Granny's not the worst thing ever.  A little clean living, a dose of chaste romance, and a whole lot of sound theology is a good mix.  Sweet and fun.





This book, written 30 years later by the author and her grown daughter, is even better and the basis of the new Hallmark series.  The plot and dialogue are much more sophisticated and satisfying.  Another Lis must-read.











Austenland by Shannon Hale

I've already plugged the movie once in a short post, but I'll say if you like Austen, read this.  It's just fun.









The Honest Toddler: A Child's Guide to Parenting 
by Bunmi Laditan

HT (Honest Toddler) and his mama are straight up legit.  If I could build my own peer group of role models (Beth Moore), mentors (Sophie Hudson, PDub) and mama friends, Bumni Laditan would be in my playdate group. I love her "voice".

HT on "tantrums" or "loud responses" in HT approved language:

"Homework: Go to the grocery store with your child at five thirty P.M. When the loud response starts, scream, "EVERYONE SHUT UP, I NEED TO HELP MY CHILD." Then open four large bags of chips and a juice box. Let your child feast."

Since I just got each of my kids their own jumbo Panera chocolate chip cookie so I could enjoy my own bagel in peace and not share, and since my middle child will have a LOUD RESPONSE if I split a cookie, clearly I'm winning at this whole thing.

I read aloud a post of HT's to my husband at least once a week.  Check it out.


2. THE LIBRARY
Did you know you can check books out for free?  Place holds online?  You can. There's this place called the library.  My county has terrific branches.  We've started stopping in about every week lately.  The librarians/media specialists are always in fancy hats leftover from storytime; they plan activities for all ages of the population; it's a thriving place.  I love a culture of learning.


3.  THE HALLMARK CHANNEL & MY CURRENT TV FAVES

When Calls the Heart series

I mentioned the book series above, so all I can say is: Mounties=swoon.  Dudes, I know you can't really ride in to literally save the day anymore.  But like Brad Paisley encourages, women want someone whose "still a guy."  I'm just sayin', there was a gentleman in my age range that I saw recently wearing THE SAME EXACT SHOES as me.  Granted, they were TOMS, and yes, obviously TOMS makes Men's and Women's shoes, but it was a wee bit of odd.  TOMS wearing men, not trying to question your manhood; just be sure to wear 'em with flannel.  No belt. Shirttail untucked.  Let's go for rugged or sophisticated, but please pick a lane.  I believe the wise Cher from Clueless said it best: "They thrown their greasy hair in a backwards hat and we're expected to swoon? As if."


4. THE BIG STORY

What's in the Bible DVD series

Oh, I loved it.  You will not waste a cent on this.  If you take any of my suggestions, please take this one.  It is on the money and then some.  A three-year-old and a seminary student alike could learn something from this.  It's deep theology, bible history, and entertainment.  The entire series walks through the major points of the Bible in 13 DVDS.  I will be collecting them.  I think this is a great tool to come alongside parents trying to seize opportunities to show that the Bible is living and active and God is very much living and active in our world. Love, love, love this!  Perfect for the upcoming Easter season.





5. HAPPY LITTLE MOMENTS

Back to the opening quote about going back and forth from "vehement opposition to... the most awesome awesomeness...."  That seems to sum up parenthood for me.   The vehement opposition would be all the energy-crushing repetitiveness and responsiblity that caring for little humans necessarily entails.  But the little moments of love: the most awesome awesomeness.  Today, we were finishing up one appointment with some time to kill before another.  In our little town, we could cross the grass to the drugstore to pick up some much needed kiddie toothpaste.  The dogwoods are in bloom; I'm holding my toddler's hand as the bigger two (okay, slightly bigger) walk in the store, and I think something like "I'm happy."  Of course, we enter sans buggy cart, one's beelined for the candy checkout, the other's jonesin' for a princess toothbrush and the toddler's thoughtfully rearranged the mouthwash section.  But.  I was happy.  The contentment of ordinary days.

Thanks for reading and holler if you take me up on any of these suggestions!

Downton Abbey: Episode "Everybody Needs a Hug"

Also, "Hooray for Decent Men"

Credit: pbs.org/masterpiece

Hugs to Jack Ross, Tom, and Molesley.  Jack is a black jazz singer who is in love with Lady Rose.  Mary visits him to presumably talk him into breaking off their secret engagement, but he beats her to the punch.  He loves Rose too much to see her shunned by society.  Tom takes up for his new family when a new friend and possible love interest feigns contempt for his mother-in-law.  Go get 'em, Tom. Favorite line of the night: "I don't believe in types. I believe in people."  Oh, Tom.  You're growing, like a flower to the sunshine.  Hugs.  And Molesley, Mr. Eeyore.  He has a friend, Ms. Baxter, someone who doesn't think he's pathetic, and so, at last, he isn't.  He wings a hammer at the bazaar and hits the bell.  Now, I'm thinking Baxter rigged it, but he has someone who believes in him.  I think we all need to join hands and sing Climb Ev'ry Mountain.  Go on, I'll wait.  (A dream that will need all the love you can giiiiiiiiive...)

I'm so glad we could share that together.  Also, Daisy and Alfred.  Oh my word, give him a hug.  Her sweet father-in-law encourages her to end things well with Alfred because you don't have many loves in your life.  She brings back a treat basket for him, admits she did love him, but now they must move on.  He admits that he couldn't see her clearly and probably made a big mistake.  Oh, go for it, you crazy kids.  But it's probably good they both stretch their wings and grow, much like our flower bud, Tom.  I really hope Alfred is not written out of the show.  I'd love to see a romance blossom downstairs.  Also, Mrs. Patmore saying Daisy was like a daughter and she'd never been prouder.  I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect har-mo-ny.  Hugs.

Which brings me to our unlucky-in-love lovers, Anna and Bates.   So basically Bates killed Anna's attacker Green, though we never see Green die or what Bates did in York. Nor do we EVER see any bad news related (hello, Granny Dowager, I'm pregnant, right?) or the actual event in which everyone is most interested.

So Edith and Aunt Rosamund and the Dowager Countess, who is the only person it seems with any intuition about anything.  The old girl's a like dog on the hunt.  But you have to admire how she does so only to protect those she truly loves.  Where is Michael Gregson?  Will Edith give up her baby only for this man to mysteriously return?  Do we really believe no one finds it odd she'll be gone for 4 months to Switzerland to learn French besides Granny?

Really.  It's a lot to keep straight.

Better end with Mary and her trio of suitors.  My money's on Mr. Blake (fire and ice, not to mention last week's mud scene), but Gillingham is so sweet and dreamy.  Though their romance will probably be nipped in the bud due to the fact that Bates killed his valet and Mary asked Gillingham to fire the valet the previous day.  And ol' Evelyn Napier.  He's just kinda... there, while his hottie friends keep popping in to woo Mary, the most alluring widow, ever, apparently.

It's part inane, part moving, always clever, and not a little ridiculous.  Three Cheers for Downton Abbey.

Sherlock & Downton: Besties Go To Claires For A BFF necklace & Don't Cross Bates

Ah, TV.  You're a giver.  I overindulged in my addiction of choice (as opposed to copious chocolate eating) Sunday night, starting with the Grammys, a bit of rapid tweeting with friends, then onto Downton, thinking an extra hour up was totally justifable, then inevitably, sitting through the 2 hour Sherlock telling myself I'd stop at midnight. Riiight.  In all fairness, I caught up on my rest the night before thanks to a super helpful stomach bug.  It all evens out.

This format of the last two Sherlock installments has been very different.  The Sign of Three split its focus between John's wedding day and several unsolved cases that end up being related. And of course last week's episode focused on Sherlock dealing with reaquiting himself with his old life while solving keeping Parliment from blowing up.

More importantly, Sherlock is really quite likeable.  And I'm not sure if I don't like the abrassive Sherlock more.  The Best Man's speech?  How he really didn't understand important things like love and beauty and commitment and John did?  I think he mists over at one point. How he solved murders but John saved lives?  And putting John and Mary's happiness over his need for routine?  Awesome, but where do we go from here?  Also, he seemed a tad disappointed that the maid of honor found a guy to dance with and didn't need him to sniff out a man for her anymore.

I'm all in for the last in the series and I'm sure I'll have to rewatch all 3 to stave off the Sherlock sized hole in my entertainment schedule.

Onto Downton...

This week's episode felt like a placeholder to move the series along.  The gist:  Lord Grantham helped a landowner keep his farm.  More guys are into Lady Mary.  Tom wonders if he should go to America to give his daughter a better start, though I doubt he will. I felt like they were just giving the character something to say.  Violet thinks a new gardener stole her letter opener (yawn).  And the Doctor and Isobel are so going to happen.  Downstairs, Alfred tested for an opportunity to become a trained chef and narrowly missed, pleasing Daisy who really likes him.  Thomas continues to be oily and brings in a friend to turn the other staff around to liking him. Bates learned the truth about Anna's attack and is quietly planning his revenge (he's scary).

The last Sherlock and the next Downton resume February 2nd.  For some more blogging fun, head over the the Pioneer Woman's blog under Entertainment for BigMama and BooMama's take on the respective series.

Sherlock Recap: The Empty Hearse

I won't go into a play by play because I do have a bit of a life and responsibilities, plus a great one can be found here.  My impression:

*Completely satisfying overall.

* Sherlock comes back as a quasi-leading man.  He's always so curt and dismissive,  but upon rising from the faux ashes, he's debonair, dashing, kissing Molly (!), and playing jokes on Watson.  I guessing tracking down terror cells gives you time to miss your friends.  And get buff.  Dude has guns in the opening sequence as he's being tortured.

* Sherlock has a "mind palace" similar to the brainy character from Community.  I've not read Doyle's short stories, so I must assume Community is paying homage to Holmes.

*Sherlock has very normal parents!  Mycroft is the smarter of the two!  And Sherlock points out that Mycroft's own shortcoming is his isolation, his loneliness.  Might Sherlock be open to a companion, dare I say a romantic entanglement, especially since Watson is to be married?  Prolly not, but they do like to tease us.

*Didn't you love how Sherlock congratulates Molly on her engagement?  He's always belittled her crush on him.  It was nice.


And on to Downton:

*A succinct plot summary can be found here.

* Love the friendship of equals between Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson.  Her giving him that framed picture of his long-forgotten sweetheart.  I wonder if their relationship will remain just that or ever move beyond.  Mr. Carson reminds me of the main character in The Remains of the Day who chooses being married to service rather that taking a chance on his own life.  I'd love to see Carson move out of the shadow of the Great House and live for himself.

*Speaking of Mrs. Hughes, she's kinda like a Big Momma.  Everyone runs to her skirts, even the former hot-head, Tom.  Didn't you love her dressing down Edna?  Girlfriend told her.  Two snaps, Mrs. Hughes.  Don't leave the door hit ya, Edna.  Though I daresay (as Mrs. Hughes would say) that the trollop will make a reappearance, make no mistake.

*Ah, Mary.  Ever the beauty.  Her new love, Lord Gillingham, is lovely.  (I sound like Andie McDowell from Four Weddings and a Funeral.   I have watched way, way too much television in my life).  When he says she'll be in his prayers always, after having turned down his proposal? SWOON.  That is romance, young people.

*Edith "as obvious as a bucket," according to Mary, crosses the point of no return with her not-quite fiancé, Gregson.  Sisters, Sisters. There were never such devoted sisters. Her aunt warns her that though times have changed, not everything does.  I think the guy is on the up-and-up.  Her character seems destined for disappointment, but I hope they cut her a break and don't make this man some double agent or swindler.  He seems fairly noble. Aside from putting her in an awkward position and cheating on his wife.  Details.


Did you enjoy last night?  Any predictions for Sherlock or  Downton Abbey?

Turn on the Telly...

To the BBC! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!  (Name that movie reference.)

It's a double header tonight on PBS: episode 3 of Downton Abbey and the return of Sherlock. 

From http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/sherlock/

I am so happy.

If you have some time this afternoon, find the series here or on your streaming source of choice. Watch The Reichenbach Fall to set-up the return of Sherlock.

All I can say is it will amaze you.  The psychological intrigue, the twists, the unexpected depth of relationships-- it's all there.  I wouldn't call myself a mystery lover, but everyone loves a good story and this is one.  

Watson to Sherlock: "You... you told me once that you weren't a hero. Umm, there were times I didn't even think you were human. But let me tell you this, you were the best man, the most human... human being that I've ever known, and no-one will ever convince me that you told me a lie, so there. I was so alone, and I owe you so much...."

This is one of the last lines of the episode, and I won't give away why this quote is so powerful if you aren't familiar with the details of the stories.  But whoa.  That's what being human is, right?  To connect.

I rewatched this episode, which runs about an hour and half, this weekend.  I felt all the feelings, just like the first viewing last year.

If you need a story to get lost in, this is the one.

Oh, yes, and Downton's back.  It leads in Sherlock, which begins at 10.  I'm hoping for lots of jazz, doing the Charleston, and Rose behaving badly (just not too badly).  I'm hoping Tom mans up and checks Edna's advances, and that Edith doesn't forgo her virtue to a married man.  Put a ring on it, fella.  When he's speaking the Deutsch and his marriage is legally over.

Wishing you a wonderful day of rest and relaxation.

Recap tomorrow!

Not So Much with the Tender Moments

Ohhhhkay. Downton Abbey, episode 2, Season 4.

If last week's episode reminded us of the good in humanity, this one was quick to point out the darkness.

If you haven't watched this episode and want to get into the series, I'd skip it.

I enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the house being filled with guests and seeing Lady Mary smile again.  Edith's gentleman friend found a way to make himself useful to Lord Grantham.

The darkness I referred to is the assault on the housemaid, Anna, the kindest and most sincere character on the show.  And while I understand that characters must go through trials and that the show is always reminding us that the fantasy of the upper class being isolated from life's realities is sputtering, it was hard to see.  Obviously, we viewers are emotionally invested in Anna, making her victimization all the more cruel.

So I understand that the writer/creator of the show, Julian Fellows is an artiste and must allow life to happen in his world. But I really don't want to deal with life at 9 p.m. on Sunday.  I want happy.  I can handle war and death and unexpected pregnancy and petty jealousies-- yes.    But not evil.

The incident was handled off-screen, but still powerfully horrific.  Anna's cries and screams could be heard as the renowned opera star sung an aura dedicated to love.

The English major in me appreciates the contrast, but it really filled me with dread.

I hate that this character in particular has to face the fall-out of such violence.  Like Mary losing her husband and the good he saw in her, Anna will inevitably lose her some of her faith in others.

And I don't like that.

It's masterful writing.  It's true to life.

Unfortunately, we will in a sin-sick world.  Even beautifully gilded fictional ones like Downton Abbey.

***

Oh, can we talk about our homegirl, Edna?  SIMMER DOWN.  And don't slip Tom a mickey in his drink.  Also, Tom?  Haven't we covered the whole "I'm an outsider" bit?  Remember when Mrs. Hughes bucked you up with her speech?  That you belong?

Say it with me: "You're good enough, you're smart enough, and gosh darnit, people like you." Especially a particular lady's maid.

Please, please don't get entangled and become Edna's baby daddy.  That would be all kinds of awkward.  Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.

***

If you watched, are you in for the rest of the season?  I'm still in.  I'm guessing they'll have to bring back some levity after such a heavy beginning.

Til next Sunday...

Leave a Tender Moment Alone

from pbs.org/masterpiece

Can we talk about Downton Abbey's season premiere?

Yes?

I'll start.

I made a celebratory dip to mark the occasion and settled in to watch.  I think Carson would approve of my sense of decorum and style as I watched the proceedings. Couch, robe, tortillas chips on a plastic plate.

Some recaps I've read dismayed over the lack of "a bang" for the anticipated episode. 

I really enjoyed it. The show is what it is: dignified soap. It has crazy twists: Mathew's miraculous "I can walk!" moment as he rises from his chair like the Phoenix comes to mind. Sudden endings, like Sybil's death, moments after giving birth and Mathew's own departure in a wreck after just seeing his newborn son. Edith's being jilted at the alter. And the always precarious financial state of the Crawley family fortunes.

But what keeps millions coming back, like me, are the touches of authentic emotions--those tender moments.

To wit:

When Mathew's mother, Isobel, obviously devastated, tells Lady Edith, "When you lose your only child, you're not a mother anymore...You're not really anything." Heartbreaking.  And later, to Carson upon helping a sick man getting back on his feet, "You see, I didn't know I had any kindness or energy left. And that's something, isn't it?"  Isobel has always seemed capable and well-meaning, but a bit annoying in her good deed doing.  The small smile she gives Carson after having found some way to be useful-- masterful. True.

The father-daughter dynamic between Carson and Lady Mary:

Both Lord Grantham and his butler are stanch traditionalists and don't intend on changing.  However, Carson can change.  After all, he was Charlie the Entertainer once.  Carson is able to comfort Mary, whereas her father, while obviously loving her, maintains his position as Lord of the Castle, keeping Mary carefully  cocooned from any thing could upset her--having a say in Downton's running, thus upsetting him.

My favorite line, Carson holding Mary: "You cry, milady... You have a good cry.  That's what's needed now. And when you're ready, we can get to work.  Because you are strong enough.  You are strong enough for the task."

Men and fathers, take note.  Charlie Carson's got "How to Comfort and Encourage Your Emotionally Fragile Wife/Daughter" mastered.  I'd copy that verbatim and hand it to my son on his wedding day. That was worth the price of admission here.

I could go on with Edith's transformation into glamour girl (kissing a man in public! So wild!)  But this keyboard keeps erasing my text and it's almost time to resume mom duty.

If I've convinced you, watch the episode here.  If you already watched it, what did you think? 

I may give DA recaps a go, so I'll try to see you back here next week.  I think my diction will be increasingly formal for these!

Pip pip, Cheerio, TTFN.