Highs and lows - separating the good from the bad

If I wanted to be evil, I'd tell you something like guess what? I just got signed with Random House for a six novel contract! And then follow it up with April fools!

But I won't, because that would be silly. Plus, when it happens, I want to be believed, not have everyone put it down to a trick or joke or something. So I'll just move on and talk about other stuff, because Random House hasn't signed me. Yet.  *grins*

There's a great new series on History Channel that I look forward to every week. It airs on Sunday nights

but I record it and watch it Monday mornings. It's called Vikings and stars that gorgeous blond Travis Fimmel. I always thought Travis was hot, but he's matured into a very good-looking man. He plays a Viking named Ragnar, married with two children, and he has a brother Rollo (standing to his right, in the picture). He lives in a village presided over by their chieftain, the Earl, played by Gabriel Byrne. The Earl is not a nice man. He tells them where to raid, and takes his share of their booty. But when Ragnar says they should go west, rather than east, the Earl says it can't be done and won't listen. So Ragnar has his friend Floki build him a boat, assembles a crew, and heads west, proving the Earl wrong by sailing to England. They raid a monastery, bring back the spoils, including some monks as slaves, but the Earl confiscates most of it. Ragnar ends up with one of the monks, Athelstan, as his slave. Athelstan speaks their language, having traveled some. I really really enjoy this show. It's doesn't sugarcoat the Vikings, it presents them as they were, and I definitely recommend it, even if some claim there are historical inaccuracies. Floki is played by Gustaf Skarsgard and yes, he's one of those Skarsgards, brother of Alexander and son of Stellan. Great pedigree, and Floki is a very interesting character.

Recently, A&E premiered Bates Motel, a series which looks at the life of the young Norman Bates, of Psycho fame. I was confused as to why they updated the time frame of the series, since Psycho was in the early 60's, and I assumed this would take place before that. But they moved it to modern terms, perhaps thinking the audience wouldn't connect if they didn't. I watched two episodes and decided I couldn't connect, not for that reason but because I didn't find it particularly interesting (if you watched Deadwood, Dan shows up in the first episode as a former owner of the motel). So I've already stopped watching it. Ditto with Cult. I watched that basically for Robert Knepper, but after two episodes even he can't keep me watching. The main character is played by the actor who played Alaric in Vampire Diaries, and this is also a CW offering. Note to self: Stop watching the CW, it never ends well.

Hannibal premieres Thursday night on NBC, and we'll be watching, and hoping. I have to say I'll be really critical if they don't do this right, since I am a huge fan of the books and the movies and won't tolerate anything second-rate or half-assed. The previews aren't enough to tell me what it's really like, so we'll just have to see. I'm still unhappy with them over what they did to Awake and Do No Harm.

Grimm is back on Friday and doing well. I love this series so much!  *SPOILERS AHEAD*** Nick found out about Juliet and the Captain, and Rosalie is helping everyone to get back to where they were. Juliet is having hallucinations as her memory returns, and Monroe accidetnally let it slip about the trailer, so she insisted on going there. Meanwhile, the Royal Family is trying to get the key and things are really heating up.



Once Upon a Time is leading up to the season finale. ***SPOILERS AHEAD*** Mary Margaret is torn

apart by her part in the death of Cora, Neal's fiance is in town and she is not what she appears to be - she knows about the magic in the town, even though she pretends not to. She knew August from before and she is involved with Owen, who is searching for his father. August was changed back to a real boy, but unfortunately he was unable to warn about her. I'd love to see Hatter come back, but I suspect Sebastian Stan is busy filming the new Captain America.  I wonder if Bucky will show up in the Avengers films at some point?

Not much going on with the cooking shows - still watching Chopped and Restaurant Impossible. Chopped All Stars starts soon. Watching Kitchen Nightmares and Hell's Kitchen. Oh yes, new season of Hell's Kitchen started. ***SPOILERS**** There was a very obnoxious woman named Gina who had a puppet she annoyed the others with. I was hoping she'd get sent off by Chef Ramsey, but she didn't. However, she did just up and quit one day, next best thing. Usual fights and stupidities and yelling from Gordon. So far entertaining.


That's about it for now, back to my writing. I'm finishing Trapped in Time for eXtasy, and I want to work on more Stan and Ollie.

Have a great day!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

Disappointment in an Unjust Decision and AHS Nears an End

****SPOILERS AHEAD**** Since Top Chef Seattle began, there is one chef that has been my consistent favorite. While I like Stefan, and I didn't mind the now departed John, I felt the best chef there was Kristen. Well, as of last night, she is no longer a contender, and while it's partially her fault (but mostly Josie's), there has been a grave miscarriage of justice here. Last night on Top Chef was the Restaurant Wars that was set up last week, with Kristen and Sheldon as the two executive chefs. It turned out to be boys vs girls, with the boys one chef short after last week's elimination. Sheldon set up a Philippine restaurant, while Kristen went with her own version of classic French. The reason for her elimination is the pedantic chef Josie, who skated by on the backs of her fellow chefs, although she is possessed of mediocre talents and an abrasive, annoying personality. I could not believe they would eliminate Kristen over Josie's stupidity, but then again, Kristen should not have been so passive and put blame where it needed to go. My only hope is that she will return via Last Chance Kitchen. Otherwise, my hopes lie with Stefan now.

One episode left and then American Horror Story will be history. At least this season's, that is. Much as I loved the first season, I loved the second season just as much, if not more. I would gladly own both seasons in a heartbeat.  ***SPOILERS*****  Wow, so much has happened. People come and gone. Dr. Arden dead - threw himself atop Sister Mary Eunice's body as it was being rolled into the crematorium. Dr. Thredson, aka Bloody Face, dead, but survived by his child with Lana Winters. Kit ended up with two children and two women - Alma and Grace. Jude is still an inmate at Briarcliff, waiting for Monsignor Timothy to release her. But wait, he's a Cardinal now, has been for two and a half years, and she's still there. And that's not everything. Next week is the season finale. I suspect it will go out with a bang, not a whimper.

Hawaii 5-0 is excellent, as ever. Although apprehensive when I first learned of the remake, I had to give it a try because of Alex O'Loughlin, and I'm glad I did. It's well written, well acted, and better than the original. This week's episode was no exception, with Danny's nephew visiting from Jersey adding to the fun. The only complaint I have is in the relationship between Steve and Catherine, because I really don't like her, and I can only hope that goes nowhere. Also, the less seen of his mother, the better. Okay, I do have a complaint with the way CBS airs the show. It's often hit or miss and has no rhyme or reason. Good thing it's really good, so I make the effort to watch it.

I'm still watching Chopped and Restaurant Impossible, that goes without saying. We just got caught up with a series we recorded and never watched: Chef Wanted, with Anne Burrell. While it was enjoyable, I felt it was just another version of Chef Hunter, and they could save paying Anne Burrell's probably higher salary and keep the original show, which was just as good. We have a few more cooking series to catch up on - Around the World in  80 Plates, $24 in 24, and Baron Ambrosio. Will update when I can.

We're behind an episode on Person of Interest, due to a DVR mishap, but I'm still loving it, and especially look forward to watching Mr. Reese's fight scenes. So sexy! No new episode tonight, though.

Californication began its new season. ***SPOILERS**** As you may recall, Hank was drugged by his crazy ex, Carrie, just when happily ever after seemed to be within his grasp. This season begins with him awakening in the hospital, very much alive, with Carrie in a coma. He becomes wracked with guilt that he drove her to it and goes on a killer binge. Finally, the people in his life who love him tell him enough is enough and get thee to rehab. One of the funniest scenes involves Hank going to see a Johnny Depp lookalike movie star (played by Tim Minchin). I love these series, can't wait to see where this season is headed.

New shows coming up that I plan to watch:

The Following with Kevin Bacon starts on January 21, looks interesting. Riddle Street, on BBC America, also set to record. In March, I believe, is a series that is a prequel to Psycho, Bates Motel. And in June, Showtime has a series starring Liev Schrieber that I plan to try, Ray Donovan. Will keep you updated as I begin to watch them.

All for now, back to work!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie