What I Watched: Well, I’m late to the party, as usual. Season one of Justified was darn good, and I am looking forward to watching the additional seasons two through six. The Guardian loves it:
Justified: television’s best kept secret. It’s a compelling and complex series that seems to be going largely ignored. All round, it’s proved to be quite a breath of fresh air, if an alarming one – this is behaviour more at home in the 1870s. Or possibly the 1970s. Expectation-wise, it’s put the cat among the pigeons: Givens’s superiors don’t know quite what to think of him, and neither as it turns out, do we. Nor seemingly, do the writers. Each week, they try something new with Givens. They give him a partner. They take him out of state. They have him spend time broodingly on his own or with his ex-wife. None of this, however, is a problem: as with its lead character, the more it tries to fit in, the more unpredictable Justified becomes. So hats off. Or as seems more likely, as it turns out, on.
What I Read: The first two books of the enjoyable Kier and Levett Mystery Series, although by the time this post is published, I will have read book three as well. Author Deb Marlowe who states that she writes passion, history, and mystery, and says that she adores history, England and men in boots – As do I, Deb, as do I. Here are the Amazon blurbs:
A Killer in the Crystal Palace: London, 1851, and the Great Exhibition is on. A soaring success despite months of dour predictions, it is the event of the year, on front pages and wagging tongues the world over—and Miss Kara Levett is thrilled to be in the middle of it. The daughter of a baron and an exhibitor herself, she happily demonstrates her elaborate automatons and case clocks to the crowds. But her situation grows perilous when a man is murdered in the Crystal Palace and she becomes the prime suspect. With the unexpected aid of Mr. Niall Kier, a reserved Scottish blacksmith, artist and fellow exhibitioner with secrets of his own, Kara begins the work the Metropolitan Police show no inclination for—finding the true killer. Together, Niall and Kara dig up international espionage schemes and sordid family secrets, and chase clues from Victorian high society to the London slums, all while trying to stay ahead of the villains who seek to make her the next victim.
Death from the Druid’s Grove: October 1851. After millions of visitors and months of success, the Great Exhibition is winding down. Mr. Niall Kier and Miss Kara Levett are busy with the celebrations planned for the last weeks—and with all the commissions their involvement has brought them. Their artistic works stall, though, when the closing ceremonies are interrupted by a murder. Suddenly, a friend is under suspicion and the murder has been linked to the Druid’s Grove, the secret society in which Niall is a member and Kara has just been inducted. They dive in, hoping to quickly clear their ally’s name, except nothing is simple in the Grove and no one is exactly who they seem to be. Niall and Kara put their talents and resources to work once more, but they find that old, sinister secrets might be behind the present-day bloodshed. As they investigate, it appears someone might also be digging about in Niall’s mysterious past.
Murder on the Mirrored Lake: Old secrets dragged into the light . . . can turn deadly. Someone wants Niall Kier’s secrets exposed—even if they lead to scandal, unrest . . . and murder. Miss Kara Levett has discovered a talent for unearthing secrets and truths, but she’s vowed not to turn it on her friend—and more—Mr. Niall Kier. His secrets are his own, until he chooses to share them. Unfortunately, someone else is not so patient. Niall needs to find who is digging so furiously into his past—and why they are so eager to unleash the scandal that could follow. But when a woman is murdered at the lake that Kara has dedicated to her women’s club, it is discovered that the victim was connected to a woman from Niall’s past—and Kara dives into the enquires. After all, she’s made no promises in that direction. It soon becomes clear that the tangle of clues and conspiracies are related, and when their friend is abducted and held for the ransom that can prove Niall’s past, they must work together—to save their friend, to protect Niall’s secrets . . . and perhaps, even the nation.
What I Listened To: STRFKR – Running Around (Skeletron Mix); Arc De Soleil – Loop Drive; and Jaakko Eino Kalevi – I Forget (very retro).
Thank you for playing Brain Drain! How are you, dearest ones? Darling DeadSplinterites, what’s going on? Please do share with us!
I enjoyed watching Justified several years ago. Looking forward to the new series.
Watched: A Man Called Otto. I guess this is a remake of a European film, but it’s very well done and as usual Tom Hanks is great. Mrs. Butcher has this thing were she expects certain actors to only take certain roles that fit her image of them. Not me. I liked watching him in a role that’s not his typical nice guy. Otto is a cranky old bastard, but he’s also funny as hell.
Listened: The Jondo Trio
Excellent, another Justified fan!
Helllo Timothy Olyphant!!
I like his voice, it is so soft and calming. Twang-lite.
I read a book called Fifteen Postcards that I got for free that day Ellie made a link to free kindle books. It’s a cute little time travel story, engaging enough to keep my mind off Fritz and pretty quick and fun.
Hooray! I will post the next free link in December.
I watched the first episode of The Great British Baking Show. You can tell they’re trying to make it less gimmicky, which is the right decision. The technical challenge was fun to watch.
But I have to admit I fast forwarded through a lot of the final show stopper. I just don’t find the sculpture challenges very interesting because the novelty wears off fast and the baked goods themselves always seem weak. I’d rather just watch them make cool cakes that are obviously cakes.
I am up to date on the Great British Baking Show. Cookie (biscuit) week was fun. The custard cream cookies looked yummy, at least Pru’s version. And I like the new host, she comes off as supportive and kind. And just by being there, in comparison, she shows how annoying Noel is.
I’m not sure why he’s lasted so long. I thought Sandi did a great job counterbalancing his worst tendencies, hopefully Alison can do that too.
@Elliecoo Justified is a great show. And of course, I love that they used my sleepy little city as Raylan’s home base. Nice set of tunes as usual.
Watched – I’m not a fan of superhero shows. They all seem drearily alike. But someone recently recommended Legion to me. I’m so glad I gave it a chance. The first season was incredible and I’m looking forward to watching more. I’m not familiar with the comic and went in completely blind. It feels more horror adjacent than sci-fi. I love the weird use of typecasting. Aubrey Plaza plays her usual quirky misanthropic character but with far more malevolence than we’re used to. Jemaine Clement is a caricature of cool and obliviousness, a role he can play in his sleep, but the amusement turns deadly serious.
Read – Kicked off October with some extreme horror, Maeve Fly by CJ Leede. Maeve loves Los Angeles, her job as a Disney Princess, and her grandmother, a cold former starlet, the only person who sees and accepts her for who she is. It’s a fun slasher that takes aim at Hollywood, friendships and rivalries between women, and stereotypes of women as kind and safe. Feminist horror is having a moment but given that our newsfeeds are full of stories about mothers like Lori Vallow Daybell, Ruby Franke, and the Harts it doesn’t have as much impact as it would have say a decade ago.
I listened to this Nick Cave song that has been making the rounds online. I can’t wait for the new LP.
…legion was interesting & definitely off the beaten path in terms of things that overlap with marvel content…but I dropped off it before it concluded so I’d be interested to know what you make of the later seasons should you find you stick with it longer than I managed
…it was very much one of those things where I wondered if a familiarity with the elements they drew from comics was a help or a hindrance since a lot of the performances are fantastic but overall…it wasn’t enough for me to stay the course?
I have that problem with books adapted for television shows. One series that did it pretty well wash Bosh. One that was a good television series adaption but totally irked me was Phryne Fisher. In the book she was a semi-concubine to a local tong leader, independent and by choice, and an acquaintance of the police detective. In the show they made her the love interest of the white detective. Bah humbug.
I’ll let you know what I think of the later seasons.
And another vote for Justified! I will give the Nick Cave a listen, thank you very much.
I read The Bayou Book Thief by Ellen Byron. It’s a cozy murder mystery novel that I think one of you recommended? I’m new to the genre. It’s a quick low stakes read about a woman who opens a second hand cookbook and antique cookware store inside a manor turned museum. Warning: it may generate an urge to go antiquing, garage saling or peruse Goodwill online.
Muhahaha! Your PSA is much appreciated.
…if the “new series” of justified is the city primeval one, I certainly enjoyed it when I stumbled onto it…though I wasn’t entirely sure I’d understood where it sat in what you might call the character’s timeline…there seemed to be a bit at the very end that should have helped but I’d need to maybe rewatch the main show to be sure if it pegged it as a prequel or teased the possibility of a return to harlen
…I kind of leant towards the latter interpretation but that’s probably because I’m as much of a sucker for an elmore leonard joint as some are for anything with mr oliphant front & centre
…speaking of which…deadwood was also fun…& he was in that…much like capt pike was pretty good in hell on wheels…but I must have a weakness for cowboy-adjacent stuff…wound up watching a thing on netflix called the song of the bandits…which might be both shorter & not as slick as deadwood or hell on wheels…not to mention set the other side of 1900 on the other side of the world…but is basically a korean western in a bunch of ways right down to the protagonist having a six-gun & a winchester?
Boom! I, too, like Elmore Leonard, as did my father.
I’ll have to check that out. I’m also drawn to westerns, I grew up watching them with my father. But only certain types. I tried Yellowstone and it was awful.
Dancing With The Stars is back!
Which is fucking fantastic because I needed ridiculous glitter tripe in my life again!!!
Glitter tripe, LOL.
im sure this will shock you…..but i didnt watch or read anything…..
oh wait no i lie….i watched the first and so far only episode of mf ghost
what can i say….im from oppo….initial d is my bread and butter…so i couldnt ignore a sequal
had to find a whole new place to stream freebie anime for it too
so i did
https://loveanime.me/ ( i run an addblocker…its fine with it on…no idea what happens without….so you know…click with caution)
they have a pretty good selection tho….finally got to find out how my footie anime from a couple years ago ends
such a bouncy theme tune
aaaand listening to poison the preacher – hazardous vegetation
…I…have actually read what might have been the whole run of initial D…& a few of the MF ghost ones…& even watched the slightly patchy live action movie that tells the first part?
…it was…or at any rate came off as…a little lower budget than luc besson’s taxi…but very much reminded me why I probably like the third installment of the fast & furious franchise more than any of the others…with maybe an exemption or two after they jumped enough sharks to get statham & the rock in the mix?
lol ive read initial d
and watched it too…..it is slow moving
the races are good tho
you know……shitty 90s graphics aside…..and eurobeat is catchy
you know…realism aside
drifting is slower than grip
that does remind me of that tom cruise movie tho
edge of tomorow
i was so looking forward to seeing tom cruise get brutally murdered and dismambered and shit
but no….we get a fade to black
goddamnit…do all you need is kill justice and brutalize tom cruise you pansies
https://ww6.mangakakalot.tv/chapter/manga-vk961319/chapter-1.2
gib cruise gore…i need it
…on the other hand in smoking aces they fairly riddle ben affleck with the proverbial hail of gunfire…like the song says…you can’t always get what you want…but if you try sometimes…you just might get what you need…or at any rate a passable surrogate thereof
…which reminds me…for…reasons…of executive decision