Better Call Saul — Recaps Coming

Kay Gardella Memorial TV Review Blog,

If I had a basement, or even an extra-bathroom, I’d pull a Stephen Colbert — kidnap Vince Gilligan and force him to write more Breaking Bad episodes.  (Ha-ha, no I wouldn’t. I’d rent it out on AirB&B in order to pay for cat food.) Fortunately, such desperate measures aren’t going to be necessary because as the world now knows, a prequel will soon appear. And lo and behold, I will actually get paid (all the Friskies I can eat!) to write recaps for Happy Nice Time People!

This is going to be a major challenge. HNTP likes snarky recaps. It’s hard to snark when you are awestruck, and I happen to think Breaking Bad was the best television show ever on television. I am primed to be a total and complete fangirl.

From articles I’ve read written by my betters, who actually get an advance look, it sounds like winner.  The show begins with Saul, after the death of Walter White, looking back on how he came to be managing that Cinnibon in Ohio. The idea of a prequel is intriguing. There are rules that will need to be followed and art doesn’t always follow rules. While Gilligan knew exactly where he wanted to go with Breaking Bad, there were changes made along the way. The character of Jesse, who became absolutely integral to the show’s success, was supposed to have been killed off by the end of the first season. And we never knew what might or might not happen to other characters. In the case of Better Call Saul, if there’s a familiar face from BB, we will know that character has to survive until BB begins. Mike is in the trailer, which is awesome. But what if Jonathan Banks bails after the first season? Will we get to see Gus again? Maybe finally learn more about his mysterious Chilean background? But are some mysterious better left unsolved? This isn’t simply knowing the journey of one character, but knowing the fate of several. So with outcomes never in doubt, the journey will be everything.

I can’t wait till Sunday.

(You may have noticed there are no ads — other than “My Picks” and no donation buttons. How do I make a living? I don’t. This blog is a labor of love. But if you appreciate anything you see here, a great way to thank me would be to check out one of my 99 cent novellas — this one or that one. OR if you really want to make sure I have time to continue these informative and entertaining posts, you could buy one of my acclaimed novels for less than a grande at Starbucks — this one or that one.)

Corpse Goes Crunch — The Americans Recap, S3 E2

Kay Gardella Memorial TV Review Blog

This week on The Americans, no one is killed unless you count killing a corpse that is already dead, and no one is tortured except maybe Nina who is stuck with a new roommate and that can be the worst!  You can read my entire recap over at HNTP or  you can just go there and check out their various and sundry offerings. Or stay here and check out my various and sundry offerings. OR GO LOOK AT THIS REALLY GREAT NOVEL WHAT I WROTE!  OR THIS ONE!

Are You Afraid of the Dark? — Iolanta/Bluebeard’s Castle at the Met Opera

Idiots at the Opera, , , , ,

We caught last night’s “double-bill” performance from the cheap seats – or rather standing room. We “won” the rush ticket draw for the premiere on January 26 what got cancelled due to the subway closings in preparation for the blizzard that wasn’t. We were really looking forward to a romantic walk home, maybe stopping at every open bar, diner and Dunkin Donuts on the way, but it was not to be. We tried rush a couple more times but didn’t win, so we went with the next best thing. And while we really don’t mind standing – the better half wants a standing desk at work – when a well-heeled couple asked if they could trade with us at half-time because they were leaving early, we didn’t refuse.

So what did we think?

First Iolanta: When a humongous holographic deer was projected onto the stage it looked like a great start. But the setting and stage direction, which at first seemed beautiful, began to grate. Iolanta lives in a house within a secluded garden. The house has a wall with a door. but otherwise it’s only a framed room. It seemed in the beginning there was a rule, and characters could only enter or exit through the door, so I “imagined” the clear walls were glass, as other characters could see through them, but Iolanta couldn’t hear through them – unless they were speaking to her directly. But then about halfway through people could walk in and out through the frame. As in many operas, conversations take place in front of a character on stage who is not supposed to be able to hear what the Continue reading Are You Afraid of the Dark? — Iolanta/Bluebeard’s Castle at the Met Opera →

You See What I Did Here

writing/blogging/publishing related

Simmons was drinking alone and waiting for opportunity, which soon arrived in the form of a slim dark-haired beauty who brushed past him – deliberately he thought – then sat at a stool one over from his.

The first thing that struck him was her scent, probably some fancy perfume – fresh, floral but not heavy. It reminded him of something, but he couldn’t place it. Subtle. She looked his way. Their eyes met briefly, and she turned her head.

“Could I buy you a drink?” He asked.

“I suppose,” she said, in a tone that implied surprise at finding herself in a hotel bar in midtown at two in the morning on a weeknight, as though the whole concept was somehow amusing.

He took in more of her as the bartender came over. Her dark hair had a hint of auburn, more visible when the light hit it or when she moved her head. She wore it loose, below her shoulders, slightly unkempt, but in a way that seemed deliberate. Bedroom hair, he thought. She was leggy, though not exceptionally tall. He didn’t know much about clothes, but sensed her black dress wasn’t cheap. Nothing about her seemed cheap, but he knew she was a whore nevertheless.

“The lady’ll have …” he looked at her, waiting.

Continue reading You See What I Did Here →

Downton Abbey — Season 5 Episode 5 Stupid Games

Kay Gardella Memorial TV Review Blog, ,

In this week’s episode we bid adieu to two characters that won’t be missed, but helped make Robert look good. There’s an actual physical altercation. Rose meets a fellow. Mrs. Drewe almost explodes. And cocktails! Please go over to Happy Nice Time People now to read my recap.

(Hey, feel free to come back later and look around this blog. Also please check out my sexy, post-modern vampire tale here, or any of my other books.)