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[personal profile] shadowkat
Watching the new version of Upstairs, Downstairs on PBS, not so bad. I find the old lady sort of intriguing. Reminds me a bit of Godsford Park. But not nearly as good as Downton Abbey. And yes, I apparently have a weakness for parlour dramas or costume dramas, not to be confused with historical dramas...historicals have famous people in them and seem to have little to do with actual history so much as what we sort of wish it was. Not a fan of historicals. Prefer actual history. Possibly a side-effect of having a father who was a historian, albeit a frustrated one.

After checking out the cost of subscribing to HBO and HBO on Demand, they don't have an HBO on Demand or HBO only option, damn them, I chose to pass and wait for all of this to come out on DVD.


Difficult day. Did not enjoy church, felt oddly disconnected. The attempt to connect to other people often feels thwart with the obstacles of my own and their baggage. If we could just dispense with the baggage or throw it to a valet or bellboy to carry somewhere else...life would be so much simpler, I think.

Otherwise, lovely outside - if a bit windy.

Yesterday - watched both The Good Wife and Justified . Enjoyed both, but The Good Wife was more fun and had better details. Justified felt a bit off in places...not quite sure it hangs together as well. That said, there is a rather brilliant scene in Justified between the two old women, Mags Bennet and Helen Gibbons, about how they've kept the peace in Harlan between their families all these years and must continue to do so. And I continue to adore Olyphant's Raylins and Walter Goggin's Boyde. Although will state Boyd's Ava is more appealing than Winona, who grates on my nerves. She's so jittery.

The Good Wife had a rather clever political joke inside it - that I realized, after reading my livejournal correspondence list (flist), really did not translate across the pond. The actor, lobbyist, former Senator, and Republican Presidential Candidate - Fred Thompson (who played the District Attorney in Law & Order for about 15 years), basically played himself on The Good Wife.
I howled with laughter when I figured it out.

This is one of the few shows that having a legal background and a knowledge of local midwestern politics makes the show actually more interesting and not cringe-worthy. I can't watch 85% of the criminal procedurals and legal procedurals on tv because I know too much about the process not to roll my eyes heavenward at the idiocy. Here, I grin at the accuracy. And the critique. This show is so detailed. You have to rewind to catch certain bits.

Also it's detailed analysis of how power works in the US, and how women struggle for it - is dead on. The acting is pitch-perfect. America Ferrara demonstrates her versatility - she's unrecognizable from Ugly Betty. And Julianne Marguiles' understated performance continues to resonate long after she's left the screen. So, she didn't get an Emmy, she got a Peabody.

And I hate the fact that I have to wait three weeks before the next episode.

Date: 2011-04-18 01:29 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] empresspatti.livejournal.com
And I hate the fact that I have to wait three weeks before the next episode.


TGW - I honestly thought it was the season finale. It is by far my favorite show on tv.

Date: 2011-04-18 07:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] petzipellepingo.livejournal.com
Watching the new version of Upstairs, Downstairs on PBS, not so bad. I find the old lady sort of intriguing. Reminds me a bit of Godsford Park. But not nearly as good as Downton Abbey.

Yes, not as good but then it's early days yet and I have hopes for Eileen Atkins' character.

Date: 2011-04-18 02:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shipperx.livejournal.com
I missed the first ep of Upstairs, Downstairs. Damn. Was interesting in this week's ep though. And, yeah, I think Downton Abbey was better. But this is still interesting.

Date: 2011-04-18 02:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dlgood.livejournal.com
I guess Fred Thompson isn't very well known outside of the US...

Date: 2011-04-18 03:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] louise39.livejournal.com
I have 'The Good Wife', 'Upstairs, Downstairs' and 'The Game of Thrones' recorded. I am so excited! My husband wants to watch with me so tonight will be some good TV.

Date: 2011-04-18 04:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shadowkat67.livejournal.com
Really not known at all, apparently. Can't say I blame them - it's not like we know all of their political candidates, actors or government officials. Just the heads of state, which Thompson really isn't.

However...that doesn't quite explain why a couple of people inside the US had no idea who he was...I was admittedly more obsessed with the 2008 election than most people were, but still..

Date: 2011-04-18 04:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shadowkat67.livejournal.com
I'll have to patiently wait for Game of Thrones to come out on DVD, I'm afraid -- unless I cave and decided to splurge sometime this week on the service. I'm one episode behind on Upstairs, Downstairs - the opener was quite enjoyable - not as good as Downton Abbey, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Date: 2011-04-18 04:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shadowkat67.livejournal.com
The first episode just sets everything up - who the people are, hiring the help, getting the sister and mother-in-law set up, etc. It was entertaining, the plot didn't quite work in one spot - they had a footman get arrested for brawling and it felt a bit rushed and out of the blue - so much so that it was hard to care.

Date: 2011-04-18 04:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shadowkat67.livejournal.com
I thought it was the season finale too for a moment there - because it brought two major plot points to a head - which season finals often do. But then I read that the Good Wife's Season Finale is actually on May 17. Which is four weeks away.
So I'm guessing we'll get another episode May 3, one on May 10th and one on May 17th??? I really hope so. That means only a two week wait. This is when I wish I could just watch it all on DVD. ;-)

Agreed. By far my favorite show as well, nothing else comes close. I like all the characters, the plots, the story, the dialogue, and the details. Hasn't had a weak episode in my opinion all year.

Date: 2011-04-18 04:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shadowkat67.livejournal.com
True. It's basically just setting itself up. Should give it some time. Plus it was interesting, as interesting if not more so than most American TV show pilots.

Which one is Eileen Atkin's character? The old woman or the sister?

Date: 2011-04-18 05:28 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] petzipellepingo.livejournal.com
Hallam's Mother.

Date: 2011-04-18 05:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] empresspatti.livejournal.com
Just goes to show - WOMEN MAKE FOR BETTER TV!

In case I haven't mentioned it - I luff your meta.

Date: 2011-04-18 11:04 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shadowkat67.livejournal.com
Thank you. Although not sure the above was much of a meta. ;-)
Or did you mean generally?

Date: 2011-04-18 11:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shadowkat67.livejournal.com
Ah...the older woman, yes, I like her quite a bit - she's interesting. There's a few rather interesting characters in there.

Date: 2011-04-18 11:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] empresspatti.livejournal.com
Generally - always. Your LJ is a treat.

Date: 2011-04-19 04:14 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shadowkat67.livejournal.com
Thank you so much!
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