Saturday, April 13, 2013

Of Endings and Beginnings and Cliffhangers

I started a new temp job last Monday, one that's supposed to last two weeks, but I suspect it might last longer. One reason is because I didn't start to do what they actually hired me for until Friday because of corporate slowness. But all's well that ends well. The people there are very nice. I'm working at National Elevator Inspection Services, and it's been interesting so far.

This morning I watched two season finales - Californication and The New Normal.

First, Californication. ***SPOILERS AHEAD*** It's been quite the season. Becca dropped out of school
and decided to become a writer. Hank began to work for spoiled rock star Atticus Fetch and hooked up with a Muse by the name of Faith. Charlie pretended to be gay to get a client. Hank was in rehab (which is where he met Faith). It's been a wild ride, but everything came together in the finale. Hank went to the Greek with Atticus for his concert, where he (Atticus, being an ordained minister, thanks to the Internet) married Charlie and Marcy, and Hank camethisclose to asking Karen to marry him, but the moment passed. But he realized, while on the tour bus, where his heart lies, so he got a ride back, and knocked on Karen's door... and there is the cliffhanger. Damn. Have to wait until next season now! I sincerely hope Karen takes him back, and I'm so happy he left Faith. No offense to her, but I love Hank and Karen together. I think they're meant to be.

I had mixed feelings about The New Normal, I have to admit, and mostly because of Nana, but also because I felt that they were too stereotypical, and trying too hard to be funny. But over the course of the first season, a lot has changed, and I think the show has grown and developed and I really love it. ***SPOILERS AHEAD*** In the two part season finale, we watch David and Bryan plan their wedding, which isn't easy as they have rather divergent tastes. The task is compounded when Bryan's mother arrives, whom he hadn't really planned to invite, and she seems to take David's side in everything. They end up making their choices from a hat, but it all seems to go Bryan's way. They still haven't agreed on a name for the baby. David wants to name him Julius, after his grandfather, and call him Julie, while Bryan wants to name him Thomas. His mother questions which last name they'll use which opens another kettle of fish, esp when she points out that with Bryan's first name choice, he'll either be Tom Sawyer or Tom Collins. Then Bryan's priest tells them he can't officiate at the wedding, because of church policy, which saddens Bryan. Shania decides she wants a new name, so everyone please call her Sarah. The wedding day arrives, and the two mothers decide to walk their sons down the aisle, Clay proposes to Goldie, and Nana wants to talk to Goldie about Brice. But before the I do's can be said, Goldie's water breaks, so it's a mad dash to the hospital, where the baby arrives. Looking at a ultrasound of the baby, David and Bryan find his name, and he becomes Sawyer Collins. Nana, in a surprising turn of events, advises Goldie against accepting Clay's offer, and thanks her for bringing her to California and a new life. Shania - who has gone back to being Shania - runs away, and they find her on the beach, and in her inimical way she makes Goldie see what is important. And then David and Bryan actually do get married, and the priest shows up and officiates. By the end of the first season, I actually like Nana now, and I love Bryan and David together, and hope there'll be a season 2.

The Borgias starts a new season Sunday, and I can't wait. From what I've seen in promos, this is the season when Cesare and Lucrezia get together. 'Nuff said.

Hannibal began two weeks ago, starring Mads Mikkelsen as Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Hugh Dancy as Will
Graham. I had to watch this, of course, as Lecter-obsessed as I am, although I admit to being apprehensive, as I have very high standards where Hannibal is concerned. I don't think Manhunter measures up, and the last time I tried to watch it, I ended up turning it off half way through it. But I was very pleasantly surprised. In fact, I enjoyed NBC's take on the character (which, alas, I cannot say for A&E's Bates Motel which I've already stopped watching). You may remember Mads as Le Chiffre, in Casino Royale. He plays Hannibal very well, and very interestingly, and not in imitation of Anthony Hopkins, but every bit as effectively.

I like Dancy's Will Graham, but Mikkelsen is undoubtedly the star of the show, and I find myself looking forward to seeing him appear in the story. In a twist from the original, Jack Crawford is being played by Lawrence Fishburne, and the Tattler reporter, Freddie Lounds (last seen in Red Dragon, tied into a wheelchair and flaming) is a woman, and just as despicable as her male counterpart. I'm not sure why the change, but maybe we'll find out later.

I watched the first two episodes and enjoyed them. **SPOILERS AHEAD*** In the last episode, they ran across a killer who buried his victims alive and used them to grow mushrooms. It was fascinatingly macabre. I love watching Hannibal and Will working together, also enjoy watching Jack and Hannibal have dinner. So much undertone! And no, not sexual. But we, who know and love Hannibal for what he is, can smirk when he cooks for Jack, knowing that we know what they're eating, even if Jack does not.  I recommend giving this series a try.


All for now, busy day - editing and writing. And errands to run.

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie



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