Things have gotten kind of heavy around this blog lately, so I think it’s high time I post a fluffy Weekly Round-Up of stuff that I’ve been amusing myself with.
So, my fall schedule of TV shows is pretty firmed up now. The new shows that made the cut:
Hostages. It’s kind of a sub-par Scandal/24 hybrid of presidential conspiracy-theory stuff with a bloated cast, but I have my reasons for including it, namely Toni Collette, who’s compelling and kick-ass in everything she does; Dylan McDermott, whose steely glare assures my compliance in faithfully tuning in each week; and Jerry Bruckheimer, who’s directed and produced pretty much everything, but whose Cold Case was my pre-Parenthood cry-inducing catharsis. Also, Tate Donovan because he’s skeevy in everything he does. I’m not sure if that’s an acting choice or just his personality, but after this interview telling tales on his 20 years in the past relationship with Jennifer Aniston, I’m leaning towards the latter.
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Steely gaze denotes full control of the situation.
The Blacklist. This is another show I’m really only watching for an actor, in this case James Spader. Though I will always hate him for torturing Molly Ringwald in Pretty in Pink, dude is compelling on screen. I think they should eliminate all the other characters because they can’t act and just build a show around James Spader pontificating ironically. Until then, I’m just going to have to suck it up and watch this.
Trophy Wife. My favourite new comedy of the season, its comparison to Modern Family is a bit inevitable. The actors and characters are charming and refreshing, and it’s funny. Like, genuinely funny without trying too hard. Plus I love that Malin Ackerman’s character goes above and beyond the stereotypical trophy wife caricature – she’s sweet and genuine and real.
The Originals. Obviously I need a new vampire show in my life and this one has drawn me in. A spin-off of The Vampire Diaries, it’s doing a good job developing its own story and characters. Klaus and Elijah have been my favourite vamps for awhile. Giving them their own show was a smart move – it generates new audience for these screwed up brothers while giving TVD an opportunity to begin again and it’s been much stronger this season as a result. Win-win!
Sleepy Hollow. It’s a Grimm/Buffy/Supernatural mash-up with charismatic characters and an interesting story arc so far. Creepy and compelling.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Smart, funny ensemble comedy with a charming lead in Andy Samberg but surprisingly refreshing performances by the supporting cast. This kind of reminds me of The Office and Parks and Rec, in that you start watching for the big name only to be become enamored of the weird secondary characters.
I also want to give a shout-out to this season’s Walking Dead. I was a bit worried it was losing steam after last season, but so far this season has been intense. Bringing in a flu epidemic was brilliant and realistic, because in the end no matter how many zombies you get, you can still die of something as benign as the flu. Carl is getting a little less creepy, but Lizzie is completely batty, so I think that’s going to be interesting and uncomfortable to watch. I’m not sure how I feel about Carol’s transformation and subsequent excommunication, but I do believe that Scott Wilson deserves an Emmy for his bringing it as Hershel this season. I’d also like to make the case that Hershel will be canonized as a saint once the new world order is finally established (I don’t read the comics so I’m theorizing just based on the TV show). His fearlessness in ministering to the ill and his unwavering faith in the face of so much pain and suffering, even his human moment of weakness at the end of the last ep, choosing to give in to his sadness and weep rather than read the Bible, all parallel many Saints in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. He’s amazing. I just want to crawl into his lap and have him read feminist Bible stories to me.
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Saint Hershel and everone’s favourite grandpa figure.
Other stuff that’s caught my attention this week:
Lululemon’s Chip has lost his mind, blaming the size of women’s thighs on quality issues with his over-priced, going-downhill yoga pants. It’s not the size of the thighs, Chip. It’s that your company is more focused on churning stuff out at a higher profit margin for you than the quality that used to make your clothes worth the high price tag. My thighs have been pretty consistent in size over the years, thank you very much, and I can tell you that I have lululemon pants from 10 years ago that are in better shape than ones I bought last year. Pilling, sheerness, crappier quality – these things are not in our head. You are making a crappier product. Ladies, shop elsewhere.
I loved this essay by Panio Gianopoulos about his Greek dad’s emphasis on perfection and how he’s encouraging his kids to make mistakes. I’m assuming all the Greek dads read the same parenting book? Because totally relatable.
Rob. Ford. I’m not even posting any links because there are too many, it’s just too much. Toronto, I just don’t know what to tell you but seriously, take to the streets. You deserve better.
Anyone else amused and slightly terrified that that annoying song What Does the Fox Say? is now going to be an annoying children’s book? I’m preordering one for the 6-year-old.
Finally, some books for you to consider:
Someone by Alice McDermott. It’s the story of one woman, from childhood to death. Nothing that remarkable really happens to her, yet everything does. Lovely.
The Rosie Project: A Novel by Graeme Simsion. Probably the world’s most reliable narrator, Don Tillman deals with this Autism-spectrum disorder to find he can feel love for the eccentric Rosie after all. A sweet, rather unexpected love story.
The Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got that Way by Amanda Ripley. Ripley’s analysis of top-performing students and the comparison of their school systems with the US is riveting and compelling. I was pleasantly surprised to see Canada ranks among the top 5 and it helped contextualize some of the decisions I see being implemented in my own school board. I’m planning a longer post on some of her research down the road, but for now, with report card/interview season coming up, if you have kids in public school or you’re curious about educational policy in general, this is a sharp read. Then you can call me and we can talk about it!
It hasn’t been all passive entertainment for me since getting over my illness. I’ve had a few movie reviews posted up at Cinefilles if you’d like to take a look. I make a feminist case for Mrs. Bates of the Psycho franchise, and also review one of the most uncomfortable films I’ve ever watched (twice!), Shame. I still can’t decide if I like this film or not.
I am honoured to be featured on Our Feminist Playschool with an essay on trying to raise a feminist daughter. I’m especially touched that so many others can relate as conveyed to me through emails and twitter. We’re in this together, parents!
Happy Wednesday!
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
