Masterpiece Theater

[Greg]

I did read that the characters from THTF are historically accurate.

[Drunk Monk]

Twas Marley's Buffalo Soldier that woke me to black cowboys many years ago...



But we're chatting about this on the wrong thread now...

[Greg]

What's your point?

[Drunk Monk]

I dunno, man. 

Just that Vevo hates the D00M4M with their YouTube blockers?

[Greg]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's Vevo that's messing you up.

[Drunk Monk]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's Vevo that's messing you up.

[Greg]

That does feel good.

[Drunk Monk]

Grantchester season 6 finale: Leonard’s story comes to a pleasant conclusion of herb tea and cinnamon buns. Geordi’s life is screwed. Will presses onward being too righteous and handsome. 

It was another Ep surrounding an interracial marriage that seemed anarchic for 1950’s England. Looks like the new black curate is here to stay too. I’ll be curious to see if Leonard carries over to next season. I hope so because he’s a great character but they left it at cinnamon buns.

As for the murder, I should’ve foreseen the mcguffin - it was obvs in hindsight but I was too caught up in the drama of the characters. The murders are peripheral to their story arcs. 

Still a good show despite the rough start this season. We’ll tune in for next season.

[Greg]

I might be watching some Masterpiece Theater in the New Year. I hope they cover the entire adventure in one season. Although the show already has been picked up for a second season.

[Drunk Monk]

I hope they cover the entire adventure in one season. Although the show already has been picked up for a second season.

Um...yeah. Keep those hopes up, bro.

How could it possibly best this?




Random trivia - Before Coogan was cast, Rowan Atkinson was to play the role. Jackie and Mr. Bean. Oof.

[Drunk Monk]

Around the World in 80 Days
S1E1: Meh. Kinda what you'd expect. Doctor Who is a serviceable Fogg. I do like how Passepartout is shaping up. He's more than a manservant, which is good. And there's a girl, Abigail, a plucky reporter. She's okay too. Inclusive leanings for both of them. Tennent may play the buffoon, and they'll get all the heavy lifting done. That's my call for how this show might go. 

However it feels improbable so far, like Masterpiece trying to do a historical action comedy and getting muddled. One thing I really like about Masterpiece is the settings are usually good. Here they all look like sets. The ol' deflect a bullet with a flask trope plays out. The liberte martyrdom was overdone. The balloon escape was just a silly deus ex inflatable machina. Stacy was thinking they'd be too cold and I was like, wait, you accept that they can just fly this newfangled balloon over Mont Blanc without any idea how to work it? 

I'll keep watching but I'm going to give the premiere ep a 'not D00M recommended' rating.

[King Bob]

Weren't you satisfied with the Coogan/Chan masterpiece?

And there's not much flying with a balloon - the wind blows you. All you can do is change altitude. There are different wind currents at different altitudes but that's about it. If you are interested in the subject, I recommend Falling Upwards by Richard Holmes. I read it but unfortunately did not review it here. Eventually I will re-read it and then I can post a review.

[Drunk Monk]

I was quite satisfied with Chan as Passepartout. There were some fine cameos in that too - the governator, Sammo, and my good friend Daniel Wu. 

I remember LB took a balloon flight for some anniversary. He hated it. He was so tall that his head was on level with the burner which was really loud and hot. He said he singed his eyebrows.

[King Bob]

I always enjoy Coogan, although the movie was a bit of a mess. Not a Wild Wild West level of mess but still a mess.

[Drunk Monk]

That movie was a total mess. But so many of Jackie's movies are messes, especially lately. I'm accustomed to that and have come to expect it. Tidiness is not what I watch Jackie for...

Here's some trivia - that project was originally supposed to have Rowen Atkinson as Fogg. Imagine. Jackie and Mr. Bean. 

I sure hope there's some sword fights in this new Masterpiece version. I do like Dr. Who. HP factor 1: Barty Crouch...JUNIOR!