Thoughts on Downton Abbey, Season 3, Episode 1

09 Jan 2013 5 Comments

by smkelly8 in Review, television Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Season 3 Cast

Season 3 Cast

I can’t recall anticipating the return of a television show more than I have Downton Abbey‘s Season 3. Perhaps Sherlock, when it comes but that’s way off in the distance. I’ve re-viewed several of the episodes from the previous seasons when they were re-broadcast and noted little details that I’d missed.

At last on the 6th, we got to meet Cora’s mother, the brash American, Mrs. Martha Levinson, played with great panache by Shirley MacLaine. Talk about a bull in a china shop and someone to set Violet’s teeth on edge. How did Cora develop such grace? Her father must have been more reserved.

Julian Fellow’s story drew me in as I wanted to tell Branson, the ex-chauffer to lighten up, put on the Downton clothes and make his case by drawing on people’s sympathy rather than jumping on a soap box every chance he got. I did feel sorry for him when Sybil’s old suitor sneered at him and slipped him a mickey.

Another great story element was the announcement that Lord Grantham has lost his fortune, well, Cora’s fortune. That news, hushed up as it has been, charges every scene with tension. What will all the characters do when they find out? For now only a few know.

Thomas never ceases to devilishly plot and this time he got on O’Brien’s bad side. By making her nephew get in trouble by marring Mathew’s dinner jacket, Thomas became the victim of O’Brien’s prank of hiding all Lord Gratham’s good shirts thus adding to the ruin of the episode’s most significant social event and making the Lord look like a waiter or a Chicago bootlegger, take your pick.

We got glimpses of Bates in jail and Anna trying to do a bit of detective work to get him out. We also see that if he doesn’t keep his cool with his cellmate, Bates may get himself into further trouble.

As usual, the two hours went fast and tantalized fans with great character development and plot points. It looks like Edith’s going to marry Sir Anthony, the old geezer she’s so fond of. He’ll treat her well, it seems, and she is keen on him, but generally when the groom’s so luke warm, that doesn’t bode well for a marriage. Time will certainly tell.

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Satire: Whedon for Romney

01 Nov 2012 4 Comments

by smkelly8 in opinion, politics, satire, YouTube find Tags: , , , ,

Don’t worry it’s satire. Though most Democrats can tell. We’re bright like that.

I laughed out loud. I hope I’m still able to laugh next Wednesday.

In the Thick of It

31 Oct 2012 1 Comment

by smkelly8 in politics, Review, satire, television Tags: , , , , , , ,

 
If, like me, you love political satire, love VEEP and In the Loop, watch The Thick of It on hulu.com

It’s directed and devised by Armando Iannucci, who created VEEP and In the Loop. It’s a smart send up of the finagling and incompetence that rears its ugly head daily in the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Strong adult language and deft, sophisticated barbs so beware.

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The Queen of Versailles

05 Aug 2012 3 Comments

by smkelly8 in film Tags: , , , , , , ,

I haven’t seen Keeping of with the Kardasians or The Real Housewives of Anywhere, but I imagine that The Queen of Versailles is one or two steps above them. American, opulent and way overstated, The Queen of Versailles is an anti-Downton Abbey.

This Sundance award winner documents the riches to rags story of the Siegels a nouveau riche  couple with 8 children building the biggest house in America. Mr. Siegel made his fortune in the time share business and got caught in the banking scandal of 2008. For most of the film, we see how this couple deals with the downward spiral.

Their goal is to keep the time share dynasty afloat and to stay one step ahead of the bankers, whom David Siegel sees as Shylocks and Jackie compares to vultures. Apparently, they’re blind to the irony. David’s fortune was also built on overselling to customers whose desires outstrip their ability to afford. Still since David really is anguished and is working hard to fix his problem concerned that his 7 children with Jackie will have to actually go to college and train for eventual careers. (I do admit that I was smirking as I wrote that last sentence.)

The family seems to be living in a fog and  always has been. Real conversations between them are few and far between. They talk towards each other and deflect a lot of what is said. Everyone ignores the real problems, just as they ignore the dog droppings that are in room after room of their garish mansion.

Enthroned, David and Jackie Siegel

The most genuine people are Jackie, Victoria, age 14, David’s middle aged son from his first marriage and David. Victoria’s endearing when she goes to bat for her mom, telling her dad that he ought to snap out of his funk for a few minutes for dinner since she and her mother went to the trouble of making it. The subtext is clear. You need to consider us more than the finances and the Shrek movie you’re watching in your man cave.

Interestingly, everyone’s more honest and authentic (as much as these folks can be) when they talk to the documentary maker. Victoria sees that her mom was a trophy wife in this May December relationship. She doesn’t put down either parent for that, but calls it as she sees it.

Jackie has charm and generosity that carry the film. I liked her in spite of myself. Yes, she goes way overboard; yes those boobs must be fake; yes, she needs to get with it and start saving and get her life together, but she’s likable and funny. She gives her high school friend whose suburban track house is in foreclosure $5000. Her comments could win Emmy’s if they came out of the mouths of sitcom characters.

Typically, I’d have nothing but contempt for these sorts of people, but they are just so hopeless and a few are funny, that I sort of like them. This may be wrong-headed, but I blame the system more than the people in this film.

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My First Kindle Publication

13 May 2012 3 Comments

by smkelly8 in bad jobs, commerce Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I’m testing the world of Kindle publishing with a humorous short story based on my time in Indonesia. It’s something of an anti-Downton Abbey as three expat teachers try to deal with a powerful maid. It’s just $1.23 and free for Amazon Prime Subscribers.

If you’re interested check out “Mierna’s House.”

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Your Education in Hock

27 Nov 2011 1 Comment

by smkelly8 in education Tags: , ,

By MARTHA ANN OVERLAND

In this era of rising tuition, many people are asking, “Just how much is a college degree really worth?” Pawnshop owners in Vietnam know exactly what the going rate is.

“For a university degree, I pay about 800,000 dong [$50],” says Trinh Thi Tinh, whose pawnshop deals in everything from mobile phones to motorcycles in a crowded university.

From Chronicle of Higher Education

#134 The TED Conference (via Stuff White People Like)

04 Jun 2011 1 Comment

by smkelly8 in Uncategorized Tags:

My online writing course tipped me off to this pithy blog. I’m sure to be a regular visitor.

#134 The TED Conference One of the easiest ways to create something that white people will like is to create something that will allow them to feel smart but doesn't require a large amount of work, time, or effort. There is, however, a catch. Whatever it is that you create cannot be a shortcut. You see white people like the idea of getting smarter quickly, but they don't like the idea of people thinking that they are lazy. It is a bit of a paradox, but it does explain w … Read More

via Stuff White People Like

For a Chuckle

26 Apr 2011 1 Comment

by smkelly8 in education Tags:

One of the funniest things I’ve read on higher education for a while:

RateMyProfessor’sAppearance.com
By Kerry Soper

Let’s be honest: Most of us are never going to see one of those red-hot chili peppers next to our names on RateMyProfessors.com. Who knows why? Certainly it couldn’t be that extra 15 pounds, rapidly graying and/or receding hair, weird teeth, or consignment-quality wardrobe. We may get raves about our senses of humor, our knowledge of an arcane field, or our ability to be “fair” in our grading, but most of us will never have the satisfaction of being considered caliente.

It is unfair that only the few youthful, freakishly good-looking faculty members among us get all of those chili-pepper accolades. So I propose that the following consolation icons be included on the site’s menu:

The Pizza Slice. This is for faculty members who make an effort, however misguided, to appear youthful and hip after passing the 40-year mark. Students are saying, “Yes, it is embarrassing to observe a middle-aged man (or woman) in expensive jeans, funky shoes, and trendy shirt, but it seems to make you happy—so go for it. Better that you be delusional and cheerful than depressed, grouchy, and fully aware of how old and pathetic you actually look.”

The Espresso Cup. The student here is saying, “I can see that you have a coherent style going on there: an array of black and gray clothing that has a vague, critical-theory hipness to it. And good job on finding the right kind of severe glasses and retro haircut to fit the look. Personally, I find this aesthetic dull and pretentious, but it is fun to see you strike self-conscious poses at the whiteboard, like some kind of morose poet in a Sears catalog for existentialists.”

The Lump of Tofu. With this icon, the student is suggesting: “I gather from all of your references to vegan dietary ethics and your frequently expressed contempt for the eating habits of our fast-food nation that you’re taking good care of yourself nutritionally. That internal health may not be reflected in your sallow complexion, bird’s nest of unkempt hair, and lethargic demeanor, but I’ll take your word on this one, nevertheless.”

The Half-Eaten Protein Bar. This is a student’s way of saying: “You may not be an especially attractive human being, but it does appear that you spend a lot of time at the gym attempting to get into shape. Good job, in other words, for trying. Yes, you may have weird hair, lame clothes, for more

From http://chronicle.com/article/RateMyProfessorsAppearancecom/124336/

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