Aloha to the National Memorial Day Concert on PBS

Last night, I enjoyed the National Memorial Day Concert broadcast on PBS.   From its website (link),

The National Memorial Day Concert features uplifting musical performances, documentary footage and dramatic readings that honor the military service of all our men and women in uniform, their families at home and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. One of PBS’ highest-rated programs, the multi-award-winning television event has become an American tradition, featuring a star-studded lineup performing in tribute to all Americans who have sacrificed for our country.

I also defer to the website for the concert's participants:

The 2017 concert will feature tributes to the last surviving Doolittle Raider, Colonel Richard Cole, and the 75th anniversary of that daring bombing mission over Tokyo, as well as the 70th anniversary of the United States Air Force and some of the most skilled aviators of World War II – the Tuskegee Airmen. The evening will also include spotlights on the healing journey of a Gold Star family from the Vietnam era, now supporting other grieving families from recent conflicts, and Captain Luis Avila’s story of courage, faith, perseverance and hope after being severely wounded in a roadside bomb blast.

I cried throughout the broadcast.  It was a heartfelt tribute to our heroes of the past ... and the present. Actor John Ortiz and actress Ana Ortiz performed a dialogue between Captain Avila (in a coma for 40 days) and his wife Claudia by his side. Their dialogue referenced the multiple therapies available at Walter Reed National Military Hospital, including music therapy.  At the end of their dialogue, the camera cut to singer Renee Fleming and Captain Ortiz (in a wheel chair) as they sang GOD BLESS AMERICA.  

This is what makes America great.

Then actress Mary McCormick shared the thoughts of a young girl, Jacke Walton, whose father, Special Forces Sergeant First Class Lewis Clark Walton, never came home from Vietnam. He was reported missing on May 10, 1971. Jacke became the voice for Gold Star Families. Her brother Lew followed their father's footsteps and enlisted in the Army. He was deployed when the call came that their father's remains had been found in December 2006 - 35 years after his last known sighting. Lew (the son) escorted Lew (the father) home.  

I found SFC Walton's obituary at this link - he was an Eagle Scout.  

Again from the PBS website (link),

Although the discovery and subsequent burial of SFC Lewis Clark Walton’s remains provided closure for Jacke and Lew, it brought fresh grief and underscored how difficult it had been growing up without a dad. The Waltons forever will be, a Gold Star family.

Jacke’s experiences prompted her to meet with recent Gold Star families – those whose loved ones had been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Grieving together them all to cope and heal.

The Waltons - A Gold Star Family

pbs.org

Throughout the broadcast, the actors and even Colin Powell invited the viewing audience to reach out to military families and veterans - mow their yards, run errands, help them write a resume, give them a job.  

The PBS website offers links on each family spotlighted, ways to help veterans, and resources for veterans to receive help:

pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert

The National Memorial Day Concert is an excellent example of how PBS offers quality programming.  Yet PBS is a target for budget reductions along with music, science, and mental health programs - all vital for our veterans, military personnel, and their families.

Likewise, the broadcast featured African Americans, Latin Americans, Gold Star Families, Disabled Veterans, POWs, MIAs, and KIAs - all who have been ridiculed by he who will remain unnamed.  

So I suggest three more actions you can take to support veterans:

Be the voice for our veterans.

Stand up for them.

And vote for those who respect the sacrifices they made. 

If you missed the concert, check your local PBS station for a rebroadcast or watch it online at this link.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to the Inspector Lynley Mysteries series - DVD Review

I recently enjoyed 24 episodes of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries series.  From Wikipedia,

The Inspector Lynley Mysteries is a British crime drama, broadcast on BBC One from 12 March 2001 to 1 June 2008, encompassing six series and a total of twenty-three episodes. The protagonist, Detective Inspector Thomas "Tommy" Lynley, 8th Earl of Asherton (Nathaniel Parker), who is assigned to Scotland Yard, finds himself paired with Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers (Sharon Small). In addition to the tensions involved in solving murder cases, the series thrives on the characters' clashes regarding personality, gender, and class, as Lynley is dapper, male and a peer of the realm, while Havers is untidy, female and comes from a working-class background.

Based on the books from American writer Elizabeth George, the series delivers an engaging story for 80 minutes with no commercial interruptions.  The series was produced by BBC, then rebroadcast on PBS as part of "Masterpiece Theater". The first few DVDs include iconic English actress Dame Diana Rigg introducing the author, series, and episode, noting the challenges George - an an American writer - overcame to find an audience of a British mystery series. Later episodes are introduced by Scottish actor Alan Cumming.  These introductions provide an extra element of "quality television" American audiences have come to expect from BBC and PBS.

Like most BBC productions, the story telling required 100 percent of my attention focused on the unfolding plot.  Turn away for one moment and the viewer might miss a subtle clue. Likewise, the British accents with regional dialects can be a challenge for American ears.  But this only adds to the authenticity of the series.

The series spotlights the ongoing class struggle in British society; the economic challenges of city living; the isolation of farming; and the social struggles of a migrating population within the British Empire.  The producers do not spare the protagonists - the series reveals their emotional baggage, too. Over time, Asherton appreciates Havers who is otherwise dismissed by her sexist peers. In turn, Havers sees beyond Asherton's "stiff upper lip" to find a vulnerable man.  The series ends with them having a mutual respect as colleagues and friends.

The series was filmed between 2001 - 2008, so plot's technology is dated.  Yet murder is timeless ... along with the allure of the British life.  An added bonus - beloved British actors make guest appearances as supporting characters.  At least three popular Downtown Abbey actors (Brendan Coyle, Bates; Phyllis Logan, Mrs. Hughes; Samantha Bond, Lady Rosamund) and Superman (Henry Cavill), appear as supporting characters. Then again, this is the beauty of BBC productions - it draws from a smaller pool of British actors who are not perfect in appearance but spot on in performance.

Asherton drives to crime scenes, including country roads,

in his vintage Bristol 410

For the month of April, I am giving away a box of books from authors attending RT. To enter the giveaway,

1. Let's chat about vintage cars - do you have a favorite?  I love the "Woody" surf car! 

2. Comments are open through Sunday, April 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I will be offline from Monday, May 1 - Sunday, May 7.

4. I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 8.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Kenneth Branagh in WALLANDER (Another BBC Drama) - TV Review

The hits keep coming from BBC .... my local PBS station is currently broadcasting WALLANDER. From PBS.com (link),

Sir Kenneth Branagh, screenwriter, director, and one of the UK’s most remarkable actors, portrays the soul-searching Swedish cop Inspector Kurt Wallander in Wallander, based on the international bestsellers by father of the Nordic Noir genre, Henning Mankell. At odds with his family, friends, and fellow police, Wallander is in his element with serial killers and psychopaths, tracking them across the seaside town of Ystad and the stark farm country of southern Sweden.

The twist - the English speaking drama is filmed in Sweden. The landscape is gorgeous but cold. The producers are not afraid to showcase the (fictional) dark side of this Scandinavian country, including clashes with immigrants. Branagh is also not afraid to show his age - gray hair and sagging body - as his character grapples with failed relationships.  Branagh tackles Wallander with the same passion as he performed Shakespeare in the award winning HENRY V (1989) AND HAMLET (1986).

I enjoyed Branagh with his then spouse Emma Thompson in the time traveling film noir DEAD AGAIN in 1991.

WALLANDER requires the viewer to pay attention from the very start.  Even though it is filmed in English, the British actors immerse themselves in Swedish culture ... and find themselves entangled in an ugly murder.  Wallander finds no reprieve off duty as the murders are often connected to his personal life.  Last week's THE WHITE LIONESS (No. 10) offered some hope to Wallander as he came full circle in solving the murder and helping an unexpected victim. 

Like most BBC dramas, just as I found myself mesmerized by the series, I learn that I only have 12 episodes to watch (3 episodes in four series).  The one bright spot in the limited run - Tom Hiddleston starred as Wallander's protege in the first six episodes.

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Sweden is home of the Vikings, Ikea, and delicious meatballs. Can you recommend a Viking Romance?  I loved Johanna Lindsey's UNTIL FOREVER with a time traveling Viking. 

2. Comments are open through Sunday, February 26, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, February 27.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Weekly Winners and VERA - a UK set mystery series.

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou - Happy New Year! We have winners at SOS Aloha - Denise, Di, and Carol win a book choice from my convention stash.

I am also a winner for discovering the UK's mystery series VERA, broadcast on Maryland Public Television (MPT).  From Wikipedia (link),

Vera is a British crime drama series based on novels of the same name, written by crime writer Ann Cleeves. It was first broadcast on ITV on 1 May 2011, and to date, six series have been broadcast. A seventh series is set to air in 2017.

The series stars Brenda Blethyn as the principal character, DCI Vera Stanhope. Vera is an employee of the fictional Northumberland & City Police, who is obsessive about her work and driven by her own demons. She plods along in a constantly dishevelled state, but has a calculating mind, and despite her irascible personality, she cares deeply about her work and comrades. Vera forms a close relationship with both of her sergeants, Joe Ashworth (David Leon) and later, Aiden Healy (Kenny Doughty).

Set in the Northeast corner of England, VERA offers a diverse landscape for murder from gritty city streets, to breathtaking North Sea beaches, to the mysterious moorland. Every scene is gorgeous.  

Vera muddles around in a wrinkled raincoat and late model Landrover, adding to her persona.  She barks orders at her large team to investigate each murder, but spends most of her time with Sergeant Joe Ashworth. Vera uses the terms "luv" and "pet" in her British accent when currying favor with witnesses. The mysteries themselves are intriguing, pulling out a few red herrings, family secrets, and unexpected villains. 

In essessence, VERA is the UK version of TNT's THE CLOSER with Kyra Sedgwick.  Vera even has her own version of Prevenza - DC Kenny Lockhart.

Added bonus - actress Brenda Blethyn starred as Mrs.Bennett in the 2005 film adaptation of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE with Keira Knightley. 

Look for VERA on your local PBS station.  Can you recommend a mystery series - book, TV, or film?  Or your favorite Jane Austen romance - book, TV, or film?   

I enjoyed THE CLOSER when it broadcast on TNT.  I adored the mini series of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE starring Colin Firth.  Sigh.  Mr. Darcy.

One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Sunday, January 8, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Monday, January 9.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

The opening credits of VERA include the Angel of the North (below). From the Gateshead council, the sculpture signifies:

(1) that beneath the site of its construction, coal miners worked for two centuries

(2) to grasp the transition from an industrial to an information age

(3) to serve as a focus for our evolving hopes and fears

Image released to Public Domain (link)

Aloha to Weekly Winners, Penelope Keith and Hidden Villages (UK TV program)

River Dee

royal-deeside.org.uk

Happy Boxing Day!  I hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas and Hanukkah weekend.  I was a winner with cat related gifts - my family knows me well!

We have winners at SOS Aloha - Catslady, Gretchen, and Marjorie win a book choice from my convention stash.

Last week, I spotlighted HIDDEN FIGURES - an upcoming movie portraying the African American women who contributed to US space program in the 60s (link).  Last night, I enjoyed HIDDEN VILLAGES, broadcast in the US on PBS. From the Independent (link),

Penelope Keith, best known for playing lofty neighbour Margo in The Good Life, has proudly outed herself as "a villager" to present Penelope Keith's Hidden Villages on More4. This leisurely three-part wander through Britain's rural communities is inspired in part by Sir Brian Batsford's cover illustrations for a 1930s book series, and, naturally, it's very picturesque. The village greens, the church spires and the thatched cottages are all here in plentiful supply ...

Balmoral Castle
visitscotland.com

We joined Penelope in Series 2, Episode 3, as she visits Royal Deeside outside Aberdeen, Scotland.   Hubby and I targeted Royal Deeside during our trek to Alba in 2008.  From the Royal Deeside website (link),

Welcome to Royal Deeside and the eastern Cairngorms National Park. We hope that once you have read these pages you'll agree that this is a very special part of Scotland.

The Dee runs west to east and is mostly bounded on both north and south by high hills with few passes. The castles of Deeside offered their owners control of east-west travellers in the valley and north-south travellers using the mountain passes.

Castles include the Queen's summer residence, Balmoral, plus several properties maintained by the National Trust for Scotland - Craigievar Castle, Crathes Castle, and Drum Castle.

This is why I love Alba.

You can watch the episode (and visit other villages) at this link.

Craigievar Castle

Youtube (link)

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about "hidden villages" - do you have any near you?  I live near Savage, Maryland - a sleepy "village" near the I-95 corridor that grew up around the historic Savage Mill (link).

Or, of course, you can leave a comment about Scotland.

2. Comments are open through Sunday, January 1, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Crathes Castle
royal-deeside.org.uk

TV Review: THE ABOMINABLE BRIDE - Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Seuss, and New Year's Resolution

This is a long post with spoilers.  But it has a great ending!

On Friday, January 1, 2015, the BBC in the UK and PBS in the US broadcast THE ABOMINABLE BRIDE starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Doctor Watson in a special holiday episode of SHERLOCK. Although SHERLOCK is a modern version of the consulting detective, THE ABOMINABLE BRIDE is a throwback to the original Victorian era. 

The title comes from a passing reference from the Sherlock Holmes short story,  THE ADVENTURE OF THE MUSGRAVE RITUAL:

Here's the record of the Tarleton murders and the case of Vamberry, the wine merchant, and the adventure of the old Russian woman, and the singular affair of the aluminium crutch, as well as a full account of Ricoletti of the club foot and his abominable wife.

I became a fan of the original Sherlock Holmes stories when I met my future husband at the Pentagon.  He introduced me to the Granada TV series production of 42 stories from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (each story is an hour long episode).  The series starred Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke in the original Victorian era.  My English granny was a fan of Jeremy Brett when he was stage star before his Sherlock success.   Hubby and I own the Granada TV boxed set - THE MUSGRAVE RITUAL is one of my favorite episodes.   

I also enjoyed Guy Riches' film adaptions of Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey, Jr., and Jude Law, in the original Victorian era.  Fast forward one hundred years to ELEMENTARY starring Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Lui - the action unfolds in NYC and Dr. Watson is a female surgeon.  I watch it Thursday nights on CBS. 

I did not care for SHERLOCK on PBS.  I thought the writers were heavy handed in bringing Sherlock to life in the 21st century London.   Plus they only gave fans three seasons, with three episodes each, over the course of 5 years.  Season Three ended with Sherlock shooting a high profile black mailer. Mycroft sent Sherlock into exiled from the UK.  Just after Sherlock's private plan takes off, Moriarty (presumed dead from Season Two) appeared on media outlets, asking the public, Miss me? Mycroft ordered the plane to turn back as only Sherlock can solve the mystery.

Still, I was intrigued by the Victorian throwback being advertised for the SHERLOCK holiday special.  I settled into an evening with Holmes and company.

THE ABOMINABLE BRIDE opens with Dr. Watson, an Army surgeon from the Afghan War, looking for rooms to share with another gentleman in Victorian London.  He is introduced to Sherlock Holmes ... and the game is afoot.  The episode jumps several years later, giving Watson time to publish serial accounts of Holmes' cases and wed Mary Morstan. Watson and Holmes are enjoying a smoke by the fire when they are visited by Inspector Lestrade with a new case of "paranormal" interest.  Earlier in the day, Emelia Ricoletti appeared on her balcony with two revolvers and committed suicide.  Later that night, as her body laid dead in the morgue, her ghost kills her husband as he emerged from an opium den.  How, Lestrade asks, did Emelia commit the crime?   Watson suggests twins ... Holmes responds, "It's never twins."

Several months later, after Emelia's ghost allegedly shot more wayward husbands, Holmes dismisses the crimes as "copy cats".  But the public's obsession with Emelia's ghost spurs Holmes to meet with his brother at the Diogenes Club.  Up to this point, the writers have interjected comedy as Holmes adjusts to Watson's marital bliss. Yet all is not what it seems: Mary engages in the suffragette movement; Watson is caught off guard by an outspoken chambermaid; and Holmes is taken back by the not-quite-right mortician (a woman dressed as a man).  

The writers take THE ABOMINABLE BRIDE to the surreal when Holmes and Watson meet with Mycroft in a private dining room at the Diogenes Club.  Mycroft is morbidly obese ala Dale "The Whale" Biederbeck from the TV show MONK. Holmes eggs him to eat more and hasten his death.  Mycroft accepts the challenge and dives into another plum pudding. as he is stuffing his mouth, Mycroft encourages Holmes to accept a case from Lady Carmichael.  Mycroft notes that he has solved the mystery but needs Sherlock to do the legwork. Mycroft adds, "It is a case we need to loose and they need to win".  Puzzled by Mycroft's comments, Sherlock and Watson return to 221B Baker Street to meet with Lady Carmichael. She reveals to them that her husband received a letter with five orange pips.  Later that night, Lady Carmichael followed her husband into the maze where he was confronted by Emelia's ghost, warning he is next.  

(THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS was a short story first published in November 1891 in The Strand Magazine.  It was later included in the short story collection THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES). 

Tyntesfield served as the film location for Lady Carmichael's house
Image by Chilli Head (link)

Holmes and Watson accompany Lady Carmichael back to her estate and promise to protect her husband. As Holmes and Watson lay in wait for the ghost, they are outwitted by someone (or something) when Lady Carmichael's husband is murdered. Holmes finds a note on the body, Miss Me?, thinking Moriarty is alive even though he died in the Reichenback Falls (as written in the original book).  Holmes' obsession of Moriarty is derailed temporarily as Mary has a breakthrough in the case, leading them to a suffragette ritual 

(The ritual includes KKK style robes.  The KKK plays a part in THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS.  Are the writers suggesting the suffragettes are dangerous as the KKK?  Or are the suffragettes the victims of gender slavery?  Much to think about ... )

The subliminal references come together:  the female mortician, the outspoken chambermaid, and even Lady Carmichael.  They are fighting a war that they need to win - equality.  Emelia gave up her life to help other abused women, disguised as her ghost, fight back.  Watson interjects that Emelia's autopsy revealed she was struggling with consumption which would have ultimately killed her.  Looking back, Emelia's first scene with blood smeared lips reminded me of Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rogue - her character also spit up blood and died of consumption.    

It is a timely storyline with women's pay gap and reproductive rights in the political spotlight.  Yet Sherlock is struggling with Moriarty's role in the mystery ...

... and modern Sherlock wakes up from his drug induced stupor when his plane touches down (taking us back to the end of Season Three).   He knows instinctively that Moriarty has returned even before Watson, Mary, and Mycroft report Moriarty's appearance on media outlets with Miss Me? Sherlock insists his "dream" of Emelia Ricoletti is a clue to solving  how Moriarty came back to life.  He and Lestrade dig up Emelia's 100 year old grave as Mycroft looks on ... 

.... only to fall back in time to the Reichenback Falls where Sherlock and Moriarty face off in the original story, THE FINAL PROBLEM.  Sherlock engages in a tete-a-tete with Moriarty, realizing that he - Sherlock - keeps Moriarty alive in his own mind, just as the suffragettes kept Emelia alive with her ghost sightings.  Watson comes along the mountain path to help Sherlock dispatch Moriarty for the final time, giving Sherlock the opportunity to recognize Watson is a true friend and partner ...

.... when Sherlock wakes up again on the parked plane, stating to Watson, Mary, and Mycroft that Moriarty is dead.  Sherlock sets out to unravel how Moriarty projected himself on media outlets after death. This, of course, will open the next season which will not broadcast until 2017. 

THE ABOMINABLE BRIDE is a mish mash of Sherlock Holmes folk lore - he is an anti social deductive genius in both Victorian and modern times.  Indeed, the plot was over the top but still delivered a thought provoking story.  The writers even portrayed Sherlock as vulnerable. His vulnerability reminded me of Dr. Seuss' OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO:

I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.

On and on you will hike,
And I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.

I don't know if the writers intended to inspire fans ... but this fan was inspired.  I have let go of my own Moriarty as my New Year's Resolution.   As Elsa would sing, Let it go!

I am giving away some "Sherlock" swag plus a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1.  Would you like to share a New Years Resolution?  Or a favorite inspirational saying/song?  A favorite Sherlock Holmes story?  Or a favorite Dr. Seuss book?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 9, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 10.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

The Abominable Bride looks like the Abominable Snowman.