elisi's humble abode

Radio Times: The Stolen Girl review: Denise Gough and Holliday Grainger show how thrillers should be done
Yes it's shlocky and full of twists and bonkers cliffhangers - but we wouldn't have it any other way.

^The reason I highlight this show is that my middle daughter* has a minor part. :)

The show premiers today on Disney+

(I am completely unspoiled, like COMPLETELY. I know nothing about the plot, all I have seen is that headline.)

*Impish Girl, who is now 23 years old! Since graduating she has done a play and a musical, but this is her first TV role.)

ETA: We have watched 3 episodes so far. It's a very typical sort of mystery thriller, and so far Impish Girl's role has been about 10 seconds long. *g*

It's not a 'omg watch this' kinda show, but if you're into that genre - go for it. Plenty of twists.

Musk responds to backlash over gesture at Trump rally: "Frankly, they need better dirty tricks. The 'everyone is Hitler' attack is sooo tired."

From this week's Private Eye, presented without comment:



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We have been watching S4 of The Boys very very slowly because it's so grim. But the satire is also SO on point. A couple of days ago we watched episode 6, where (spoilers) a presidential candidate tells a room full of billionaires the following:

"The truth is America is not a democracy. The word "democracy" makes people feel safe. But the founders never trusted the masses, because the truth is, the masses are f*ck¡ng stupid. Anyone who owns a "Live, Laugh, Love" mug shouldn't have a say in how a country is run. People are a labor force that need a kind, but firm hand. There are no nations. There's Apple, Exxon and Berkshire Hathaway. Corporations are the real superpowers here. You should be able to operate without any regulation or restriction whatsoever. After all, you're billionaires. You are smart enough to know what's best. Bottom line? You support me, and that is what you'll f*ck¡ng get."

It'll be interesting to see if S5 (the final one) will be allowed to air [uncensored]...

Doctor Who: Lovely 🚪🪑🌟

Wallace and Gromit: Iconic

I'm terrible at updates, but let's try!

- First of all, today is Impish Girl's Birthday. (As well as being Juneteenth of course - happy Juneteenth! <3) She turns 22, but we had to have all the celebrations yesterday because today (and for the next few days) she is in Manchester for her first proper acting job in TV! She has 1 line, and a few scenes in the background, but it's a proper big TV thing (like... BBC or ITV or Channel 4 or something, she's not allowed to say beyond 'TV') and they've put her up in a hotel and done costume and hair/make-up etc. She is Quite Overwhelmed, but we are sure she will have a great time. Also, one heck of a birthday story to tell. ^_^

- I've lost touch with the Ao3/OTW mess and just hope they manage to sort it out. I remember the Before and really want the whole idea to work, because the basic concept is good and important. However, by now it all seems a bit like this, what with the various infighting between those trying to hold the OTW to account:



- Sidebar: Speaking of Monty Python, then this is a very nicely considered short video:

John Cleese & Recontextualizing Art
(The comments also make sure to point out that Eric Idle is supportive of trans rights! <3 Delightful interview here, talking about Stan/Loretta at 11 minutes in.)

- Anyway, I have created a Squidgeworld account (if nothing else just to make sure no one takes my name) and it's always good to have a back-up. But ugh, so much work if/when I decide to upload stuff.

- Have also set up a Squidge Images account (not sure if the platforms are linked at all, or if the name is a co-incidence?), because at some point LJ will stop adding paid time to my account and I need to think of somewhere else to store images. And it's difficult to find a good place. :(

- I also checked in with the Teaspoon and uploaded a fic - and then got the message about a moderator going to check it and omg I had completely forgotten that was even a thing!

- magnavox_23 has icons for OFMD icons ep 6

- TV watching... We are currently watching two shows which are complete opposites:

Show 1) Shiny Happy People, which I knew a bit about, having read a few articles etc, but is still just... *hands* Cults are scary, yo.

Show 2) ANNIKA. This on the other hand is a delight. We tried it on a whim a week or two ago, as it looked like Scandi Noir but set in Scotland, and we generally like Scandi Noir. Except - it's not Noir! Annika is funny! Now it's a detective show, so there are murders and all that, but the throughline isn't grimdark, but oddly light-hearted. It's difficult to explain, although one part that I remember particularly is in the very first episode when Annika goes to meet her new team for the first time (she has just been promoted). She turns to the camera and says: "They were going to send me on this management course, but I went on holiday to Spain instead. Kinda regretting that now." Also all detectives should have teenage daughters!

In short, there are some shows that are just amazing, some that are brilliantly written, some where the actors are outstanding etc etc. This is a show where I just want to hang out with everyone: it's a comfy happy blanket [with murders].

Also ( Casting spoiler )

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ETA: OMG!

Boris Johnson denied special access to parliament as MPs endorse report which said he lied
MPs voted by 354 to 7 to back the report's findings.

So, there is a new Scandi Noir Crime drama show - what sets this one apart is that it's set in the Faroe Islands! And it is made there too, it's not just some foreign production company wanting a fancy setting.

I give you: TROM (on BBC4).

It's genuinely authentic, except for how it'd never happen in the Faroes. I was reminded of the Author's note from Murder Must Advertise:

"I do not suppose that there is a more harmless and law-abiding set of people in the world than the Advertising Experts of Great Britain. The idea that any crime could possibly be perpetrated on Advertising premises is one that could only occur to the ill-regulated fancy of a detective novelist,"

It's a bit like that, except for how murderous conspiracies are just NOT A THING. But then if you can't suspend disbelief then crime dramas are probably not for you. *g* (How many murders in Midsomer??)

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And speaking of the Faroes, two songs/videos I've been meaning to share:

GRIND by Lív Næs

Video description: Whaling in the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic where I live, has been practiced since about the time of the first Norse settlements on the islands. My grandfather (age 93) Johannes Andreas Næs, formerly known as "Flóvin Flekk" wrote this poem in his earlier years. The poem is describing our old tradition about whale hunting. Poem, music and video is not inclined to criticize or stir up anything. Its written with verbs in present participle about an old Faroese tradition which still is a huge part of our culture.

Hamferð - Deyðir varðar (live during the solar eclipse in The Faroe Islands, March 20th 2015)

Video description: Video and music recorded live on March 20th 2015 during the total eclipse above the village of Kvívík in The Faroe Islands.

The most amusing thing of this whole 'SHINY NEW DOCTOR EVERYONE IS EXCITED' is scrolling through Twitter and seeing all the people deciding they want to get back to the show, but have heard it's rubbish now, and receiving endless reassurances that 'RTD Is Coming Back, Everything Is Going To Be Amazing Again' and just...

*hands*

I REMEMBER LAST TIME. Fandom hated him. Moffat might as well have been the Second Coming. I wonder how long it'll take for things to turn again. (Not that he cares. *g*)

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ANYWAY. If anyone is missing Moffat Who, and timey-wimey shenanigans, they should watch Russian Doll. We finished S2 last week and I'm beginning to recover. Darcy described it as 'Catharsis in a Rubik's Cube', which is absolutely spot-on and genius.

Stay far far away from spoilers, just jump in. It's clever and smart and has awesome female characters and there is zero hand holding.



Oh and S2 might make you cry. It might not seem like it, because there is a LOT going on, but once you realise what it's actually doing it's packs a punch (softly, beautifully).

Warning: The whole thing is basically about trauma (childhood/inter-generational), so please be aware in case that's a trigger. ♥

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ETA: Tumblr is reading Dracula (it's a thing where you get emailed a bit every day? Because the book is mostly in a diary format). It's hilarious! Tumblr + Dracula = pure delight

I'm sure you've all seen this now, but it's still just such a wonderful thing:

Endurance: Shackleton's lost ship is found in Antarctic

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And actual, proper good news:

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori on way home to UK

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I read this article:

What we can learn from Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s TV presidency
Before he became an international symbol, he played a common man whose outrage over corruption elevated him to high office.

And decided to check out 'Servant of the People' ('In the show, Zelenskyy is a humble high school teacher whose rant about corruption goes viral on YouTube and propels him to the presidency') and it is genuinely entertaining and extremely watchable. In the US it's on Netflix, in the UK it's on Channel 4, not sure about elsewhere. There is a DISTINCT sense of disconnect watching this comedy (political comedy, it has teeth even if most of it is just funny) and knowing the current reality. But if you are looking for something to watch - look no further. I have only seen one episode so far, but am already attached to the characters & the world.

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Actually, speaking of TV, there's this:

Faroe Islands crime drama Trom a first on BBC Four
BBC Four has acquired highly anticipated crime series Trom from REinvent International Sales
"The Faroe Islands are a fascinating setting for a crime drama and we are truly delighted to be the UK home of the first ever Faroese original drama series - it will be a unique experience for BBC viewers."

This is going to be FASCINATING to watch.

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In more personal news, I finally managed to import my LJ!! :) (The DW team have been working on some fix or other, and it seems to work.)

The view from across the pond, in case any Americans are wondering how we feel about your Independence Day:


(x)

(I.e. couldn't care less, FOOTBALL!)

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Re. our new Health Secretary, then this tweet says it well. I just. *hands* Also (from Sky News): COVID-19: Sajid Javid's approach has party support - but scientists are getting worried.

If you need a laugh, let me recommend this: The Saj on CCTV, power stances and smoothies.

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But nevermind the football or hurtling towards a 4th wave before we're even halfway through the 3rd. promethia_tenk made a vid!

All the Good Girls Go to Hell
Fandom: Shadow and Bone (Netflix, only 8 episodes!)
Summary: Rough Work if you can get it.
Spoilers: Everything aired so far (S1)

This is a show I don't think I had ever even heard about two months ago, but Promethia has been a very vocal cheerleader, and I can confirm that it's a very rewarding show with some truly amazing characters & many MANY ships. So go forth & watch and then enjoy the vid. Trust me! This was Promethia's initial pitch to me, which covers the basis:

( Shadow & Bone, what's interesting about this show? Cut for lengthy enthusiasm & very basic spoilers )

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( Daily Dimash: Tu vas me détruire )

I feel very out of the loop. But I have this week off work, so I am trying to do things like clean the house and catch up with stuff and Darcy thinks we might even go away - like, overnight! - one day.

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I feel I should talk about what I've been watching, because I have been watching stuff, just nothing that's caught me, fannishly. We re-watched the whole of The Bridge (the original Scandinavian one) and it's basically brilliant and I love it so much. Saga is the best, and there is a ton of meta in there too. I will try to make myself write it up.

( Nattering about The Boys )

Currently we are watching The Killing (the original Danish one - not very keen so far, I am SO OVER murdered young women), and Shadow and Bone which is interesting Fantasy and comes with a warning that it might cause obsessive fannishness. :)

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Now, since I have the week off I think I'll declare it Igor Krutoy Week, and post one of his compositions every day. He is a Ukrainian and Russian music composer, performer, producer and musical promoter, and his work is just... ♥ ♥ ♥

I've posted a few so far, but they all require a lot of work hence the gaps. But he is doing a lot of work with Dimash (and has written a fair few songs for him, since Dimash is basically a composer's dream), so you will often see Igor at the piano when Dimash is singing. (Follow the tags, or check out the masterpost.)

Daily Dimash: The Love of Tired Swans

I will post several performances, and almost did an eeny-meeny-miny-mo to choose which performances to put outside the cut. But this one has the best subtitles (turn on closed captions!) which is important because the lyrics are gorgeous, matching the melody beautifully. It's very distracting trying to post this, because all I want to do is watch. <3 This song is originally one of Krutoy's instrumental compositions, which now has been rearranged for singing. (Turn on closed captions for lyrics. I also chose this one for the ending - Dimash picks up the song again to get the audience to join in, and Igor's 'Oh heck, best get back to the piano' is one of the most aumising moments I've yet seen in a performance. Also just the way he interacts with his audience/the Dears is ♥ Literally just one of the nicest, most humble creatures on this planet.)

Dimash Qudaibergen, Igor Krutoy - Love of Tired Swans ~ New Wave 2019


And today you get another video outside the cut, because a very clever fan edited together one of Dimash's performances with Lara Fabian's and created a stunning virtual duet. (They need to do this for real once the pandemic is over!)

Dimash Kudaibergen & Lara Fabian - The Love of Tired Swans:


( More under cut, including the official music video which is a whole different experience again! )

I love this show SO MUCH.



It's funny (VERY funny, especially if you are familiar with the world it depicts, the actors and directors and writers etc etc), it's clever, it's touching, it's silly, DT & MS are beyond delightful being the daft BFFs we love so much (bitching and making up and generally being amazing, conveying entire conversations in a single look or raised eyebrow or facial expression), EVERYONE is great (ye gods the guest stars! If you haven't watched yet, don't spoil yourself, trust me) and everything is wonderful. (ETA: Spoilers in comments!)



(The music is wonderful too - snippets of the soundtrack here.)

But above all that, there is something about it that is both incredibly specific and also very difficult to explain. There are the obvious zoom jokes and all the little details that show how life has changed. But also the 'action' is interspersed with more general shots... Empty streets, NHS rainbows, rolls of toilet paper, wide shots of the countryside, bathed in sunshine... And it's like an encapsulation of lockdown. March/April, when time seemed to both slow down and speed up. The tone, or mood, of the whole country.

We watched the last three episodes last night, and those moments struck me like a sucker punch. I can't even really formulate why, just that it was a very very specific moment in time and this show manages to capture it within all the other things it does. Staged somehow is Britain in lockdown. It was living history, a pandemic sweeping through the nation (and we locked down too late, the death toll climbing daily...), but it felt mundane. (Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives.)

Lockdown when Boris was sick, before Cummings made a travesty of the rules, before the BLM protests and all the rest of the madness this year has brought (so far). Those quiet, endless weeks. Maybe the show didn't strike anyone else like that, and I didn't even know that it had become such a specific moment in time already. But for me, that's what it hit.

ALSO IT IS VERY VERY FUNNY, and David Tennant and Michael Sheen are my darlings forever. I have a feeling I will be watching it repeatedly. A lot. It's so pure, and joyful; something properly GOOD to come out of this whole sorry mess of a year, like a warm blanket to wrap up in - oh, like people get a blanket when they're in shock. 2020 is a shock, and this show is our blanket.

ETA: Re-watching, and I feel I must re-iterate two things: The odd, languid pace, and the fact that it is VERY VERY FUNNY; I literally can't stop giggling.