Sherlock: His Last Vow

:::Yes, I did burn what I was crockpotting bc I couldn't spare the time to turn it down during the episode.
:::That buxom Scottish vixen. I felt bad at first, then terrible, then not so bad anymore
:::I TOLD YOU Mary was a bad guy, or rather I hoped she wouldn't be...and she technically wasn't?
:::If I ever get shot I don't think my mind palace will save me, but perhaps my love for Martin Freeman will.
:::People are arguing that CBS's Elementary is more human and likable and has more room to grow, but if getting more glimpses into Sherlock's crazy childhood mind palace sociopathy and then having him kill a man to make John's life better isn't human I don't know what is. And then accepting an assignment whose goal is to kill him isn't loyalty and love, I don't know what is.
:::I have a TV with bad sound and picture so I understood almost nothing that was whispered, nor could read anything Magnussen remembered so I'll definitely have to rewatch this.
:::So...Sherlock's no longer "The Virgin"? I mean...
:::Will The Woman come back? Her episode might still be my favorite...for entertainment value. This one ranks second for emotional damage after Fall.
:::I felt bad for Martin, I mean John...so so bad. I was absolutely heartbroken, but then somehow everything turned and I don't feel bad any more? Well done boys.
:::Martin Freeman is perfection. I know Cumberbatch does well too, but I mean, come on.
:::A real Cumberbatch Christmas!
:::I thought the Rolodexes were fishy...
:::Will we ever know what "Red Beard" is?


I have no idea how this show can sustain itself bc the stakes don't seem to be able to get any higher, but I have faith in Mark and Steven.

Call the Midwife

I watched this whole series for you yesterday!

Call the Midwife is a BBC drama that premiered in 2012 and was overshadowed by Downton. I've known about it for as long as it's been out, but was one that was focused on Downton. Now I've got some time off of Downton, with some hard feelings, so I've given Call the Midwife a go.

Tellyspotting article here. 

It's about nuns delivering babies in London's East End in the late 1950s. I can see how it might not attract as many viewers as Downton as I feel it's a show women would like more. I'd be interested to know of any men's opinions on it versus Downton. There are many many many birth scenes that while not full on, can get pretty graphic. As would be expected many possible pregnancy complications are tackled and either overcome....or not. I cried every episode. It's a beautiful show with likable characters, touching plots and high production value.

Venessa Redgrave does the voice over for the main character Jenny, as she looks back on her life. Her commentary provides the insight and "moral" of each episode. The season starts with her saying that all babies are born out of love or lust and that she was to learn of the passions and loves that brings life into the world. The rest of the season follows this theme as different kinds of love are examined. It's a great study on love (which of course has been popping up in my life so much recently...)

Series 1 is on Netflix, six episodes of 52 minutes. I think it's also available on PBS's website. Series 2 premieres on PBS this Sunday. It's not a Masterpiece series oddly enough...It's on after Doc Martin but before Masterpiece.

Mr. Selfridge is premiering on Masterpiece this week too...and I'm not so keen on watching it. I'm not sure why, but we'll see. I never got into Upstairs Downstairs either...things I'm sure I'll amend someday like I have with Call the Midwife.

Also, the actress that plays Nurse Jenny Lee looks like my beautiful friend Elizabeth, especially with her hair short now. 

British TV Recommendation: The Big Fat Quiz

I was going to do an entry on all the wonderful British game and chat shows, but that's a lot and I don't have it in me, so I'll do one at a time as part of a "British TV Recommendations" series. I've already told you to watch QI and The Graham Norton Show, so do it!

The BBC loves to showcase funny people. I can't really think of an equivalent type of show here in the US (but now that Who's Line is coming back (which was originally British...)) . They have numerous and sundry programmes where their wittiest and driest comedians answer informative questions for hours. It's great. 

Today I recommend The Big Fat Quiz of the Year. You may guess that it's annual, and you'd be right! (The British are also big on Christmas/end of the year specials). It's been around since 2004 and has  three other specials focusing on the 80s, 90s, and 00s.

2012: These two ordered a pizza, no joke. 

Hosted by Jimmy Carr, the show is essentially a 90 minute pub quiz with three teams of two. I've watched three, or four? so far and it's just a riot. David Mitchell, Jonathan Ross, David Walliams, Noel Fielding, Jamie Oliver, Alan Carr, and Richard Ayoade among many other tried and true TV comedians participate. It's rather a boys' club (as they all are) but includes one girl a show. The whole thing is usually just mayhem. It professes to be a family show, but there can be quite a bit of language and adult subject matter discussed. Read this article if you want more info ab its content. 

Rikki Sixx has the episodes on YouTube. 

Start here:

Downton Abbey 3:7

:::Violet's travel suit in all that velvet with that hat was killer.
:::All of the bagpipes!
:::Dear Isobel, no one wants your advice, and your dinners with just Branson are awkward.
:::I hate all new maids. It should have just stayed as Anna and the ginger whom I can't even remember the name of now...
:::Bates got some Altoids for the smoker breath.
:::"My basic fact is that I love you". MUCH better line than any of Matthew's in this episode about seeing someone naked meaning you know how golden their soul is.
:::They are wearing deerstalkers to deer stalk.
:::I want a fancy man. Taking applications.
:::Deerstalker Trail: "You have shot 1400 lbs of meat, but the pack horses can only carry 200 lbs."
:::Lighthearted picnic Bates was nice. Am I the only one that thought Anna dancing was not enough of a payoff for all of that surprising? I mean, I thought she was pregnant, or at least going to get Bates drunk to get her pregnant.
:::There are so many guns and swords in Scotland...
:::Ivy and Daisy being friends, how nice.
:::Carson and a baby. DEAD.
:::Bates watching Anna dance, he's finally got the twinkle back he hasn't had since like episode 3 of season one.
:::I can't tell you how many proposals I've had to turn down because they just wanted me for my cooking.
:::Oh Branson, I will cradle you when you cry...But not in an awful Edna way...and not while I look at you, bc you one ugly crier son!
:::Cora's coat when she's leaving the castle. got to be kidding me.
:::Oh Thomas.
:::As Alicia says, MEN HOLDING BABIES IS POSITIVELY PORNOGRAPHIC! Yes.

So...I knew that Dan Stevens didn't sign on for a 4th season...so I knew he was going to die, and so the entire episode I was waiting for it. So, yes, I am in shock, but not that bad. Sorrynotsorry.

Downton Abbey 3:6

:::I haven't been able to watch the opening without imagining a Swiffer since the BBC's very first spoof of Upstairs Downton Abbey.
:::If my husband had just gotten out of jail we'd make out HARD CORE in the backseat. No doubt. If I had a husband we'd just make out all the time, never mind jail time.
:::I feel like Robert never gets to finish his breakfast. He's always outraged enough to leave in a huff, caring his letters.
:::Way to tell Alfred, Daisy! I also love that tallness is such an asset to footmen.
:::Whenever I put lotion on my hands I always try to ring them like the fine ladies do on Downton. It's always a good filler action for the end of a conversation with Anna or the beginning of one with Matthew.
:::There was definitely a sexy saxophone going into the Thomas/James scene.
:::What was Thomas' thought process with the peace offering toast the next morning at breakfast?
:::I recognize the newspaper man...
:::Tom's brother looks like a mix of Tom and Toby Jones.
:::Pffft...Matthew, you can make me as untidy as it pleases you.
:::Also, Matthew does not look like a good kisser.
:::I was confused by the mourning dress in this one. Is there a different code for evening dress? They went into half mourning quite nicely, but I feel like in general things got a little muddled.
:::Violet to Isobel "I know how you hate facing facts". THANK YOU! This sums up my beef with Cousin Isobel. She lives in her own little self righteous world. And however much Violet wanted Ethel away for the sake of the neighborhood, it really was a good move for her, sparked by Violet's seeing Ethel's misery.
:::Cora's black embroidered day dress was to die for.
:::Family outing to the dodgey nightclub! Shotgun!
:::Get it done, Matthew! You sort out Rose.
:::Also, I zoned out during Violet's explanation of who the heck Rose is, so I'm still a little fuzzy.
:::Rose's wig=not great.
:::Edith's emerald and ivory ensemble is pretty fabulous. She looked down right pretty in that scene.
:::And by "that scene" I mean the Mr. Rochester/Bertha defense. Old hat, Mr. Fellowes.
:::The village team had rather the handsome ginger bowler.
:::Only the British would play their national sport in sweater vests and white shoes.

Gregson is Yates in Mansfield Park!

Downton Abbey 3:5

Is it me or did NOTHING happen this week?

:::Robert is being kind of obnoxious, which is nothing new since the maid last season.
:::Cora is just wanting someone to blame and so Dr. Clarkson's chat at the end was good.
:::I feel like Robert would be much more open to Matthew's help if all of the things weren't happening at once. Remember he was very keen on getting Matthew involved at one point. I think he's too used to his own way and is upset that the end of the War hasn't restored it to him.
:::Violet talking about hearts was amazing.
:::Mr. Carson telling Mrs. Hughes he knows she'll never desert him was nice.
:::Yay Ethel, you can cook.
:::Ivy, oh Ivy...
:::Alfred, oh Alfred...
:::Daisy needs to work the farm and get a better life. Mr. Mason was really right about everything he said, as long as he realizes farming will change as well.
:::Mary and Matthew say they need to work on their relationship, but I doubt their actions will agree.
:::Was it just my TV, or did the lighting during Mary and Matthew's pillow talk make them look dead? Like straight up Sybil post seizures blue? Oh! Too soon?
:::My mom doesn't know the whole Thomas and O'Brien story and was very upset O'Brien told Thomas that Jimmy has a crush on him. The evil never ends.
:::Can you really employ Thomas for however long Bates has been in jail and then just kick him out? I don't know what to do about it, but I feel like it's a really bum deal.
:::Yeah...there was a lot of talking this episode. Next week should have some ACTION!

A great week for New Girl and LBD

FINALLY! Nick kisses Jess (woof!) and the Lydia fiasco is unveiled on Lizzie Bennet Diaries, meaning Darcy gets to comfort Lizzie!

Good week.







Seriously though, Nick's kiss is phenomenal. Manhandler.

Case Histories Series 2

I think just Martha and I ever watched this show. It's awesome. I've blogged about it before (here and here). Well, Martha, this one's for you.

I finally got around to checking on the filming of series two. Seems like it filmed last October and is going to air on BBC1 this year. I'd guess we're looking at a fall PBS premiere.

Since Sherlock hasn't started filming series three yet, and we're most likely looking at a 2014 release, I'd say ya'll that didn't watch Case Histories the first time around might want to get on board to keep some amazingly written and acted British mystery solving in your life.



The trailer's got Johnny Cash. You know this is good. 

Downton Abbey 3:4

I feel bad writing anything this week, but you'll see that when the comments kind of just stop.

:::Ivy is the new Daisy. Daisy is the new Mrs. Patmoore. Mrs. Patmoore is nicetimes?
:::Breakfasting in bed is awkward.
:::Sybil's hair is a disaster (sorry! I wrote it before she went into labor!)
:::Isobel. Martha doesn't know why I dislike Isobel and I was trying to examine my aversion to her this episode. While she has sometimes, and a lot of the times been right in the causes of her selfrighteousness she rarely thinks through what she's trying to do, and almost never thinks about the feelings of others involved. Yes, she loves charity and helping, but when she wanted to keep Downton as a hospital did she think about how the family felt? They of course didn't feel the way she did, but if she would just stop to think about someone else's side she might not come off so horrible to me. The same thing happened last episode when she refused to at least humor Ethel about giving Charlie up. Mrs. Hughs was very right in consoling Ethel. Isobel was very little help because she didn't feel that Ethel had done the right thing, and refused to concede any type of support in the matter, even though that's her schpiel. Now she's hired Ethel, bc Ethel needs a job, without thinking it through. Mr. Carson's opinion about the feelings of society towards Ethel might not be just, but they are true. Mrs. Hugh's recognizing that Ethel is not suited for the job is also something that Isobel ignored considering when she hired her. So I guess my beef with Isobel is her holierthanthou attitude that disregards the feelings and attitudes of those she's being holierthan.
:::Matthew's eyes are very very blue in the breakfast room.
:::Oh hey, Timothy Piggot-Smith.
:::"Let me just change out of my tux and deliver a baby. Oh wait, no, I'll just take off my coat and roll up my sleeves."
:::Jimmy's got a nice stink face, I'll give him that.
:::Don't let Sybil sleep!!!!

And that's when I started to weep softly and for a long time. We all know that this family is super dysfunctional and now the only rational character (ok, rational is debatable) is gone. It's all going to fall apart as a moral that "reality" is not all cupcakes and roses. Matthew and Mary are going to divorce. Bates is never going to get out. Mrs. Hughs is going to die of undiagnosed cancer. Everything will be terrible.

:::Also, don't feed the baby honey. That's a super bad idea.

and Maggie Smith is a goddess. 

Downton Abbey 3:3

:::Bates doesn't need his cane anymore! Watson.
:::Whenever Isobel says "Sorry to push in" she's sorry she's not sorry.
:::OMG, Matthew, you can't just ask someone why they're not breakfasting in bed!
:::I breakfast in bed when I get married?
:::Seriously, Thomas is giving off the thickest serial killer vibe recently...
:::New footman, not handsome. Weird looking. Baby face with cheekbones makes for some weird old/young weird weird weirdo face. I guess he's 1920s handsome? I'd take Douglas Fairbanks any day.
:::NO touching, Thomas! You'd think he'd know by know that his gaydar is broken.
:::Lots of weird pauses and glances with the Isobel/Ethel interactions. My money's on Isobel having been a prostitute, got preggers with Matthew, married his dad then BAM! then somehow her life turned out fine? BUT Matthew's not a Crawley and can't inherit! Oh no! But yeah...that whole thing was filmed very strange. I hate Isobel. She's such a Harriet Jones recently.
:::Oh LOOK! Now everyone knows Branson is a giant douchebag, even Sybil (Please Sybil, tell me you've figured it out by now).
:::I realized that letter writing will never completely die out bc prisoners only write letters right? Or do they even have email these days?
:::Dear Alfred, Idk how I feel about you still. Idk how I feel about Daisy liking you. Idk how I feel about you hitting on Ivy from the get go. You are a puzzle to me. I do know I love your ginger hair and your height, but you really do look like a kicked puppy.
:::I vote Matthew and Mary are going to divorce or something catastrophic is going to happen. They make very little effort to see each other's points of view and/or work together in any way. Why did they get married? Why do they love each other? Why did they ever like each other? I seem to remember some amount of unadulterated jealousy turning into an inexplicable dining room make-out. I'm not knocking the choice of make-out local, but I'm really starting to wonder if the wool's been pulled over our eyes for two and a half seasons and these two are actually a terrible terrible couple.
:::Mrs. Hughs can make me all the toast. 

Downton Abbey 3:2

Great article about the girls' wedding dresses, and $200,000 tiara!

:::Mary is SUCH a pill! I think she's forgotten lame, barfy Matthew on his deathbed too quickly.
:::Oh Thomas. What a life you have lead/are leading. Of the all the characters over these 8/9 years I think he and O'Brien are the only ones that actually look like they've aged it. Maybe Mrs. Hughes, but she just up and got sick so it looks like it now.
:::Those hairs are shellacked.
:::Sneaky sneaky Carson. He's had his sneaky footman days I'm sure.
:::I think the gentlemen's makeup is a bit heavy handed lately. Sir Antony looks rather a doll.
:::And why can't Sir Antony keep his hand in his pocket or something? It's so bizarre all strung up that high and in a black sling. He didn't use to have it that way right after the war did he?
:::Dear Isobel, the prostitutes don't care.
:::All prostitutes have frizzy hair. Even Ethel after her client left had the frizzy hair, like they do it up special.
:::Matthew in his grey suit with blue shirt and tie. Perhaps the best ensemble he's every worn? Besides the uniforms?
:::Oh Season 3, you keep tempting us with Robert's slow unbuttoning and losing his shirts. Just release a steamy Lord Grantham calendar and be done with it!
:::The Swires have been ever so helpful and convenient through all of this!
:::All of the hats!
:::I will be Edith. I will find some very old man to devote my life to.
:::When I have all of the wedding things on I will run up and down stairs to billow so nicely.
:::Dear Edith: If your heart really did break that badly there should be less noise and more drooling. Try some hyperventilating, reducing yourself to a crumpled mass on the floor, and when you do start being able to make noise, ensure it's gaspy and/or dragon-like. Just me?
:::I loved the manshake between Matthew and Lord Grantham after they struck their deal. Oh no, hands were not enough, shoulders must be clasped as well.
:::I just think O'Brien or Thomas will just stab the other with a pen knife one of these days.
:::Why does Daisy like Alfred? Sure, he's ginger, whatever, but they seem to have no interaction other than she asking him about being "modern" and "outspoken". You missed the boat with William, Daisy, time to look outside the kitchen for love. Footmen won't do you any good.
:::All of the amazing 20s fashions. woof.
:::FYI: Alfred is 6'4". I know you were wondering.

Downton Abbey 3:1

Where to begin?! Kind of surreal to be watching new Downton!  and on a real TV too! Two hours is quite a lot to respond to! I thought about writing notes as I went, but that's like only looking through your viewfinder at the Eiffel Tower.

the turbans, feathers, and fur were astounding. 

:::Still dislike cousin Isobel.
:::Still love cousin Violet.
:::Alfred is so tall!
:::You can tell Shirley MacLaine's maid is British. Note to American accent attempters: Learn to say your R's, then pull back!
:::Poor Brendan Coyle has to film in that jail all the time!
:::Thomas and O'Brien's relationship has been more of a roller coaster than any other pair in the whole series I think. Disagree, I dare you.
:::Branson is still a twerp. Wah wah wah, I'm Irish. You might not like your in-laws, but at least be polite.
:::SO glad the visiting duke or whomever got so mad at his son for roofy-ing Branson. One of the highlights of the episode.
:::Teared up when Mary came down in her wedding gown, almost as much as when Kate Middleton got out of her town car. I'm such a cry baby about wedding dresses.
:::YES! They got married! And now Mary can ruin everything by being a pill! I get her side, I get his side. I don't know whom I side with, but I'm usually on Matthew's side.
:::Dan Stevens gained back any weight he took off for season 2, schade. And I was getting so accustomed to his jawline.
:::At first before we knew they'd lost all the money I thought Lord Grantham was still mixed up in that nasty maid affair. BOO!
:::Isis (the dog) is such a great character.
:::Matthew needs a haircut. Is it just me, or has he reverted back to the season one doughy/disheveled Matthew?
:::I don't know what I think of Alfred. I want him to get along well, but I don't like the American maid, so does that mean I don't like that they're together? I dunno, haven't decided...but Shirley's leaving so maid will be gone soon.
:::I don't know what I want for Daisy.
:::I'm not sure how I feel about a lot of things from this episode. I think I'll get more and more upset at Mary for harping on Matthew. I think that ginger maid from last season is going to upset me. I think Bates might get in trouble with his cellmate. Finally showing some guts.
:::So many pretty 1920s things.
:::Just let Edith get married and be done with it! Gutsy though to have all the youngsters married.
:::I can't put my finger on what's still missing from these episodes that series one had, and I don't know if we'll get it back. It might just be the loveliness of a new world that is now familiar. Perhaps a move away from the big house will be something like a new world.
:::Please please please make all the handsome well dressed men hold Sybil's baby when it comes!

And with that, I just want to put a plug in for the "Secrets of Great British Homes" or something like that...it's a series they're showing the hour before Downton about the great houses of Great Britain and their "secrets". Of course the premiere was Highclere Castle which was very interesting. Hampton Court and Chatsworth will be featured. I'm excited!

Doctor Who in the nuttiest of nutshells

Ok, here are the BASICS.


(2009 intro music is my favorite: kind of weird, but they PUMPED UP the cellos for this one season and then took them back down when Matt Smith came, so sad.)

Doctor Who is the longest running Sci Fi series ever. It started on the BBC in 1963 and ran through the 80s, had a break with a movie in there somewhere then was revived in 2005, starting the "new" seasons. We're currently in the 7th new season.

William Hartnell as the First Doctor

The Doctor is a Time Lord, a race that polices time throughout the universe. He travels in his TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimensions in Space) which is stuck camouflaged as a blue police box. A Time Lord's greatest tool of self preservation is "regenerating", essentially getting a new body and personality when he is injured enough that he can't heal his current body, yet has enough time to regenerate before he dies. This is how there have been 11 actors (that get progressively younger and more attractive...until Matt Smith) to play The Doctor (pretty ingenious).

The new seasons start with the Ninth Doctor (Season 1). In the first episode he picks up Rose, a 19 year old Londoner who shares his travels with him. He usually travels with human companions to temper the spacey-wacey timey-wimey-ness of it all. Rose is my favorite. Christopher Eccelston plays the Ninth Doctor, Billie Piper (the UK's Brittany Spears) plays Rose.

Christopher Eccelston: The Ninth Doctor

The Tenth Doctor (Seasons 2-4, one non-season of 4 specials) is played by David Tennant which is the reason I started watching. He's with Rose for a season, then there's Martha, then Donna (Catherine Tate, currently on The Office as Nellie), then he travels alone for a season.

David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor with Rose and the TARDIS

The Eleventh (5-7) and current Doctor is Matt Smith who travels with Amy Pond and Rory Williams.

Amy Pond and the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith, literally no eyebrows)

The show is a who's who of British actors and historical figures. We've met Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, Richard Nixon, Madame de Pompadour, Van Gough and Shakespeare. We've traveled to Pompeii, New New New New...New York, The end of the universe, and lots of other places.

Villains from the past episodes that are good to know are:
The Daleks: The Doctor's greatest enemy: genetically engineered hate machines in salt and pepper shakers
The Cybermen: upgraded humans
The Master: A Time Lord from the Doctor's growing up days.
(Really since I didn't grow up with these guys, I don't get what the big deal is most of the time)

Cybermen

Something of note: The production value in the first couple of seasons is pretty cheeseballs, but the content is there. If you'll stick it out the production gets loads better and the writing just gets more and more phenomenal. That being said, it's the episodes with the commonest and least fantastic villains that really get you.

Episodes that are absolutely fantastic and if nothing else you should give these a try:
Season 1: The Empty Child & The Doctor Dances
Season 2: Tooth and Claw (Queen Victoria!), The Girl In the Fireplace, Army of Ghosts & Doomsday
Season 3: Human Nature, The Family of Blood, & Blink (You HAVE to watch Blink!!!!)
Season 4: Silence in the Library & Forest of the Dead
Season 5: Vincent and the Doctor & The Lodger
Season 6: The Impossible Planet, & Let's Kill Hitler

But seriously, if you're not sure about this series watch Blink, it actually has very little to do with the Doctor and doesn't give anything away about the rest of the season. It's just a marvel.

To be honest I haven't been the same Doctor Who fan since David Tennant left. I still can cry and cry when I watch some of his Rose episodes and some of his last. Steven Moffat is the current head writer of DW and the creator and writer of Sherlock. He wrote almost all of the episodes I've suggested. He will MESS YOU UP!

So there you go, it's all on Netflix. If you want a personal guide to which season I think is best for you let me know!

Avatar: The Last Air Bender

Apparently everyone and their mom loves this show. Friend Martha has tried to get me into it for years, and I have vague memories of my ex and my brother talking about the final episode back in 2008. So, what got me to watch it? I traded Avatar for Doctor Who with a friend (who has yet to start Doctor Who...), and it's wonderful! Avatar's great because the story's super compelling, the values are wonderful, the characters are charming and the dialogue can't be beat (My first girlfriend turned into the Moon...That's rough buddy).

So, in case you're in the like 3% of people that don't now what this show is:
Katara and Sokka live in a world where the four elements can be bent/controlled by members of the four respective nations. Long ago the nations live in peace, THEN everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. The Avatar can control all four elements, but he disappeared 100 years ago. In the first episode Katara and Sokka find Aang, the last air bender and current Avatar in an iceberg with his flying bison Appa. Later a lemur bat named Momo comes along for the ride.

Katara, Sokka, and Aang travel the world so Aang can master the other elements; water, fire, and earth. Katara is a water bender. Prince Zuko is the banished prince of the Fire Nation and believes capturing the Avatar will restore his honor. He is accompanied by his uncle, Iroh. It's all super great. You should watch it. It's on Netflix. It's funny, it's action-packed, it's heartwarming, and it's twisty and turny. There are 3 seasons, or books, one for each element Aang has to master.

I've watched so much of it lately when I flung my blanket on my bed the other day in my brain I was like "yeah! airbend!!!"

Meanwhile, I might have to do a Doctor Who primer to drum up some interest...

Downton Abbey Prequel

DA writer Julian Fellowes has said he hopes to write a prequel to the series following Lord Grantham and Cora's courtship. He says it will wait until the series is over and might be in book form before being adapted for television.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19755983

If they do this I hope they get it right. I think once upon a time I figured out that Mary was 28 by 1920 so she was born in 1892 so we're looking at the early 1890s for the story. Push it back to the 1880s? Pretty please? Interested about casting. Probable filming in America, pretty please with sugar on top?

Downton Abbey Series 3 Trailer!!!

THIS.IS.HAPPENING!!!!

Uh uh uh....I can't take it! Buuuuh!!!!

September 16th is the UK premiere which means September 17th is the day I start cutting people's fingers off if they spoil things for me, seriously. SERIOUSLY.

Anyway, new characters, maid/footman romance? Another boy for Thomas? Edith and the one armed man will get together, duh. Matthew and Mary WILL get married! Bates is still in jail. Ethel's boy is bigger which means, I don't know what it means, I'm just beside myself!

Case Histories II

I should probs read the books

I don't think many of you watched Case Histories as faithfully as Downton or Sherlock, but you should! I wish Jason Isaacs the best, but when I wasn't so into Awake and it was cancelled my only thought was "Yay! They can make more Case Histories!" And they are! I don't know if this has to do with Awake being cancelled, and frankly I don't care. I'm excited for more Jackson Brodie and to see what happens with a certain former colleague. I don't really think you can watch Case Histories legally online anymore, but you should find it legally somewhere. I'm debating making an Amazon purchase...There are no dates for series two, but let's hope it'll be so much sooner rather than later!

Tellyspotting article here
my previous entry about Case Histories I

Elementary: more info

This one's for tkangeroo, which is pretty funny because I found this video this morning and thought ab blogging ab it but didn't have enough time.



Elementary, mentioned previously, is America's answer to Sherlock starring Lucy Liu as Joan Watson and Johnny Lee Miller as Holmes in present day New York. Sherlock is brilliant and I kind of want to hate Elementary like you're supposed to hate your best friend's enemy, but I'm hesitant to do so yet. I think that having Watson as a woman, while novel, misses the boat on one of the best bromances in history. If you watch above clip Lucy explains that Joan is the emotional side to the story, like this is novel somehow. That's Watson's job. Sherlock does seem to have sharper edges in this one, tattoos, six pack and addiction and all, but we'll see if that translates to the incredibly steely and detached yet arresting likability of the character.

Elementary will be on CBC on Thursday nights at 10pm/et

Sherlocked: Scandal in Bulgravia

UG. just ug. really? REALLY?!!!! ug. and woof also. and just ug.


BEST EPISODE EVER!

Remember when Mycroft yelled at Mrs. Hudson and they all yelled at him? I rewound immediately to watch it again.

Remember when I knew it was her measurements? 32x24x34, she's a very slight woman.

Remember when EVERYTHING?!!!

Remember how Stephen Moffat is my hero?

Remember how my heart broke for Sherlock like every 2 minutes, esp when she said she was gay even though I knew she was lying or bi?

Remember how it's been far far too long since I've heard 90 minutes of Benedict Cumberbatch's inappropriately terrific voice (and that's putting it politely). 

Seriously, THE BEST time for British television ever.

I am Sherlocked. I am Sherlocked!!!

I have to make I am Sherlocked t-shirts.

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

Have you seen this show? Bc it's the BEST. My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding is on TLC and follows Irish travellers and Romany gypsies throughout ceremonial times of their lives, confirmation, weddings, and festivals. It's GREAT. Things you should know:

Modern gypsies are like old-timey gypsies only they live in trailers (caravans).
Some modern gypsies still rock a huge barrel wagon.
Some gypsies ride their wagons but have their wives drive their cars to them so they can make them dinner.
Some gypsies are loaded. Paddy that's on the show buys a new car every year.
Some gypsies live in houses, I'm still not sure how that works.
Gypsy men make their living by traveling around and doing roofing and pavement work and the like.
Gypsy women stay home and clean, all day long.
Gypsy couples meet at wedding receptions and are strictly chaperoned until they get married.
Gypsy girls don't drink until they're married.
Gypsies tend to marry very young.
Gypsy women have THE BEST style, which is really why you watch the show. Wedding dresses, confirmation dresses, party outfits for toddlers, it's all great!

palm tree bride and friend for bachelorette party

the "royal wedding" episode

confirmation

"Spanish" inspired dress

bride and her best friend/maid of honor/cousin

receptionwear

a limo is always the wrong choice

gypsy beauty pageant

aaaaaaand the cat dress.

  Season 2 has been running on TLC on Friday nights. My Big Fat AMERICAN Gypsy Wedding starts this Friday. I don't think it'll be as great as the UK version, but you know I'm still going to devour it!