Watched the niece and nephew today, and other than Benji slide-tackling Jonny (his feet went over his head, it was awesome) there was not too much to report on the Whoot front. However, once we put them to bed I was able to do something I thought I would not be able to do for quite a while. The wife and I were able to check out the first episode of True Blood season two.
There is something surreal about seeing Erik with foil in his hair rip a man in half, other than the graphic violence I thought that was a very Buffy type moment (which bodes well for this series). Erik, by the way, is a real vampire, unlike Bill who continues to be a waste of space and more importantly Sookie's time.
I wish they would kill Bill off. Bill's excuse for killing Sookie's uncle was paper thin, "I killed him because I love you", and to prove Sookie's lunacy she bought the excuse and slept with him, again. I was happy to see Sookie dealing with the death of her grandmother in a meaningful way, even if it does break the viewers bargain (see a previous post).
Jason Stackhouse remains an idiot. I wish they would simply kill him off. Speaking of killing characters off, I am thrilled that they did not kill off Layfyette, and Ms. Janette bit the big one in his place. Though I wonder how much longer for the world Layfyette will be as this series progresses, he does like to live very dangerously in a far too dangerous environment. Let us hope that Erik does right by Layfyette and makes him a vampire.
While I do still like Tara, the whole new mom relationship she is forming with Maryann is very weird and I am hoping they kill Maryann off soon or I may start to dislike Tara. I think it is the weird thing she has going on with Tara and Benedict that is really getting under my skin. What she did to Sam continues to raise questions about her character and makes me want to see her die quick.
It is odd that I really do feel like I enjoy this show as I’m watching it, even though I want to see a significant portion of the characters die.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
John Adams Episode 7
I loved this episode. I find it odd that I loved this episode, but I loved it none the less. This was the first episode of the entire series that I did not feel the need to pause and stretch during. A series can be forgiven many sins with an awesome finale and I would say this one almost manages absolution.
I was moved by the death of Adams’ daughter and brought to the verge of tears when Abigail passed away. More than anything though I loved Adams desire to fight for his reputation. It was great that by the end of his life Adams had the luxury of worry about his place in history rather than the success or failure of the republic as a whole.
I loved Jefferson and Adams reconnecting as well. When the creators depicted their time in France I was anticipating the Jefferson, Adams schism with glee. Ironically when it actually happened I, as a viewer was as hurt over it as I believe Adams was about the falling out. It was sweeter than I expected to see Adams and Jefferson open up their lines of communication so late in life.
Though they did attempt to paint John as being without blame for all his presidential blunders as no mention of “Midnight Judges” were uttered anywhere in this mini-series. Even the Alien and Sedition Acts were pinned on his cabinet and Abigail as if to say no taint should be thrown upon Saint John.
Overall John Adams is worth checking out for the history (even if it is a cliff notes version) and the window into this mans mind that it provides (even if the window is sometimes in extreme close up and other times far too blurry to get a clear look).
I was moved by the death of Adams’ daughter and brought to the verge of tears when Abigail passed away. More than anything though I loved Adams desire to fight for his reputation. It was great that by the end of his life Adams had the luxury of worry about his place in history rather than the success or failure of the republic as a whole.
I loved Jefferson and Adams reconnecting as well. When the creators depicted their time in France I was anticipating the Jefferson, Adams schism with glee. Ironically when it actually happened I, as a viewer was as hurt over it as I believe Adams was about the falling out. It was sweeter than I expected to see Adams and Jefferson open up their lines of communication so late in life.
Though they did attempt to paint John as being without blame for all his presidential blunders as no mention of “Midnight Judges” were uttered anywhere in this mini-series. Even the Alien and Sedition Acts were pinned on his cabinet and Abigail as if to say no taint should be thrown upon Saint John.
Overall John Adams is worth checking out for the history (even if it is a cliff notes version) and the window into this mans mind that it provides (even if the window is sometimes in extreme close up and other times far too blurry to get a clear look).
John Adams Episode 6
This was another flash of an episode. Time moved so quickly that really important moments were dealt with in an extremely cursory fashion. While the war with France (that never was) was the subject of this episode I felt like the background as to why it was happening was not sufficiently explained. The problem in this instance and with this series has finally become clear to me, which is terrific because I have not been able to put my finger on it till now.
A story about the time of the founding of the United States of America is extremely incomplete if you focus on a single founder. John Adams was an integral part of the creation of the USA, however, he was no more essential than Jefferson, Hamilton, Washington, Franklin, or countless other founders. Therefore, much of the picture remains cloudy to anyone who is not a student an adept student of US history.
I know this is an odd complaint coming from a history teacher but the show is asking it audience to skip some of the most interesting parts of the story. They ask this of us in exchange for a character study of one founder. Though even the character study is imperfect because we are rushing so quickly through his life that I feel we are cheated valuable insight into this mans mind.
Finally I have a major complaint with this particular episode. The way the creative forces of this series pinned one of our early governments greatest tactical mistakes (The Alien and Sedition Acts) on Abigail was extremely frustrating. Abigail up to this point has been depicted as a moderating force on her husband. To have her willingly through the Constitution of the United States out the window because some people wrote nasty things about her husband seemed out of character and inconsistent (though it did make for some humor in an otherwise very humorless series).
A story about the time of the founding of the United States of America is extremely incomplete if you focus on a single founder. John Adams was an integral part of the creation of the USA, however, he was no more essential than Jefferson, Hamilton, Washington, Franklin, or countless other founders. Therefore, much of the picture remains cloudy to anyone who is not a student an adept student of US history.
I know this is an odd complaint coming from a history teacher but the show is asking it audience to skip some of the most interesting parts of the story. They ask this of us in exchange for a character study of one founder. Though even the character study is imperfect because we are rushing so quickly through his life that I feel we are cheated valuable insight into this mans mind.
Finally I have a major complaint with this particular episode. The way the creative forces of this series pinned one of our early governments greatest tactical mistakes (The Alien and Sedition Acts) on Abigail was extremely frustrating. Abigail up to this point has been depicted as a moderating force on her husband. To have her willingly through the Constitution of the United States out the window because some people wrote nasty things about her husband seemed out of character and inconsistent (though it did make for some humor in an otherwise very humorless series).
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
John Adams Episode 5
Unfortunately John was not happy in his post as Vice President and found the position entirely mind numbing. Thus this episode as well I found slow moving and less than engaging. John found himself on the outside looking in through most of this episode and the only rush of excitement I got as a viewer was when Alexander Hamilton was introduced as a character because I knew I was going to see a duel at some point. Of course Alexander will not find himself dueling until after Adams leaves office, here’s hoping we still get to see it.
In truth the only character that really gets my attention every time he is on screen is Thomas Jefferson. In fact throughout this mini-series I keep thinking to myself; “I wish they made the Thomas Jefferson mini-series instead. As a student of history I have always identified much readily with Jefferson and like him as a person. While I can appreciate the impact that John Adams had on our early government I never really connected with him as a person. This mini-series is not helping my opinion of or relationship with him as of yet.
In truth the only character that really gets my attention every time he is on screen is Thomas Jefferson. In fact throughout this mini-series I keep thinking to myself; “I wish they made the Thomas Jefferson mini-series instead. As a student of history I have always identified much readily with Jefferson and like him as a person. While I can appreciate the impact that John Adams had on our early government I never really connected with him as a person. This mini-series is not helping my opinion of or relationship with him as of yet.
John Adams Episode 4
I like this mini-series, I really do, but I find it extremely hard to get through an episode. It is unfortunately exceptionally slow paced, for example rather than enjoying to minutia of John Adams life I recognize things like Paul Giamatti continuous choice to suck his lips into his mouth in order to achieve his faux Bostonian accent. If his insists on doing this any more I think I might have to stop watching.
It is ironic that I feel the show is so slow moving, because it covers the history of Adams’ life in huge expansive chapters. In this one episode we find John in Holland, France, England, Boston, and Philadelphia. Just traveling between these places at this period in history would take years and it seems cheap to move us along so rapidly. It is too much history per episode and it gives the viewer the impression that Adams spent his entire life doing extremely important things or wishing he was doing extremely important things.
That being said I did like this episode a bit more than the last one. At least by the end of it Adams is back in Philadelphia and can get back to affecting the creation of this new nation. I think I was bored with these episodes because Adams was so obviously bored with his life at this point. So here is to hoping Adams begins to enjoy his life from this point on.
It is ironic that I feel the show is so slow moving, because it covers the history of Adams’ life in huge expansive chapters. In this one episode we find John in Holland, France, England, Boston, and Philadelphia. Just traveling between these places at this period in history would take years and it seems cheap to move us along so rapidly. It is too much history per episode and it gives the viewer the impression that Adams spent his entire life doing extremely important things or wishing he was doing extremely important things.
That being said I did like this episode a bit more than the last one. At least by the end of it Adams is back in Philadelphia and can get back to affecting the creation of this new nation. I think I was bored with these episodes because Adams was so obviously bored with his life at this point. So here is to hoping Adams begins to enjoy his life from this point on.
What was the problem with "Kings"?
What was the problem with Kings? Why did a show that has a compelling storyline, excellent actors, and strong writing fail to catch fire? How come I am watching new episodes of this excellent drama in the summer months because NBC did not see fit to send it off during the prime TV season? I think the answers to those questions can be found in three simple places, title, times, and timidity.
The title of this series “Kings” is not a clear descriptor of the show itself. While the show follows the exploits of King Silas and his family it has only briefly shown us another King (who Silas deposed well before the chronology of this series) and hinted strongly that the character of David would one day become a King. The show is a modern day retelling of the story of King David (of biblical fame) and in the opening episode David slays Goliath (actually he blew up the super powered Goliath tank). “Divine Right” would have been a better title for this series, as Silas seems to have been anointed by God to rule and does not forget to tell everyone that on a regular basis. David, however, seems to be the one that Gods favor is tending towards as the series progresses.
The times are also completely wrong for this series. Kings is not depicted as a warning of what happens when power is collected into the hands of one man. In fact, not one character on this show is agitating for more representation in government. Everyone in this show is perfectly fine with the reality of power concentrated in the hands of one man. In a country that prides itself on its democracy (even if it takes 238 days to elect a senator) it seems like the creators of this show were blinded to democratic ideals and values.
Additionally, the timidity of the network in advertising this series was the final, actually first, nail in the coffin. NBC advertised this show significantly before it aired, but they did not tell anyone what the show was about. Since the title is so generic and does not describe the show in any way NBC needed to inform viewers as to the content of this series. Kings was completely off my radar until the premise of the show was mentioned on a TV podcast that I listen to on a regular basis. Most network TV viewers are not as gung-ho about locating new good television to watch as I am so this series was doomed from the start.
The title of this series “Kings” is not a clear descriptor of the show itself. While the show follows the exploits of King Silas and his family it has only briefly shown us another King (who Silas deposed well before the chronology of this series) and hinted strongly that the character of David would one day become a King. The show is a modern day retelling of the story of King David (of biblical fame) and in the opening episode David slays Goliath (actually he blew up the super powered Goliath tank). “Divine Right” would have been a better title for this series, as Silas seems to have been anointed by God to rule and does not forget to tell everyone that on a regular basis. David, however, seems to be the one that Gods favor is tending towards as the series progresses.
The times are also completely wrong for this series. Kings is not depicted as a warning of what happens when power is collected into the hands of one man. In fact, not one character on this show is agitating for more representation in government. Everyone in this show is perfectly fine with the reality of power concentrated in the hands of one man. In a country that prides itself on its democracy (even if it takes 238 days to elect a senator) it seems like the creators of this show were blinded to democratic ideals and values.
Additionally, the timidity of the network in advertising this series was the final, actually first, nail in the coffin. NBC advertised this show significantly before it aired, but they did not tell anyone what the show was about. Since the title is so generic and does not describe the show in any way NBC needed to inform viewers as to the content of this series. Kings was completely off my radar until the premise of the show was mentioned on a TV podcast that I listen to on a regular basis. Most network TV viewers are not as gung-ho about locating new good television to watch as I am so this series was doomed from the start.
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