God doesn’t seem too happy about Il Papa’s unauthorized abdication right before Lent. Not much time to find a new CEO by Easter. In the words of mAdBen, “Pope is too pooped to pontificate.” It’okay. Church needs major change. Moral decay, corruption, patriarch-acy. State of the World. State of the Union. Maybe somebody up there is trying to tell us something
Slippery Soap
Fellowes’ Downton is sliding into daytime telly contrivances. This longer episode was packed with one-line zingers, though less story substance. The classes become more muddled as they all ready for a game of cricket. Bates’ whisper of “soap” to O’Brien, gives terrible Thomas a reprieve. He’ll stay around to stir the hornet’s nest, but the evil witch is finally muffled. For now. Lord Grantham’s political correctness is an anachronism at best. He’s my favorite nonetheless.
Sybil’s Tom has climbed upstairs with ease. Even Carson approves of his exemplary behavior. Edith’s editor is a younger version of her fey old beau. Is there another jilt in her future? The hackneyed wife-in-the-asylum plot. Next week season finale. Already? Too much TV. Monday workout, here I go.
Sybil’s Wake
Downton experiences the effects of Sybil’s legacy. She single-handedly shook the Abbey’s foundation, tearing down its walls of gender, class, and religion before taking her leave. LadyS was loved and respected Upstairs and Downstairs.
Dowager Countess leads the pack. Her barbs are back. It does seem a shame to waste a good pudding. Carson will be the last hold-out to tradition. Dr. Clarkson swallowed his pride to heal broken hearts. Truth is not always the best medicine.
Mad Girls
Girls. Dr.Husband discovered them a year ago. Not literally. I heard him laughing out loud as he was watching something online. He said it was an intelligent, funny new HBO show about twenty-somethings. Called Girls. Really? Didn’t sound like my kinda thing. Should have known it’d be good. Dr.H has discerning taste.
Late to the game, after all of the hype and accolades this year, I finally succumbed. Have to admit, love the brave, smart writing. Lena Dunham is quite brilliant and talented. Took me back to those days in some ways. Don’t judge. Brian Williams’ daughter in Booth’s booth was over the line. Beyond creepy. It definitely ain’t Downton Abbey. But, I’ll keep watching.
DownTon
There’s a pall over Downton Abbey as we greet Season 3. Despite our long-awaited anticipation of a lavish, happy wedding, it quickly turns into a bittersweet affair with everyone pocketing morsels of joy where they could. Shirley Maclaine pulls off the nouveau riche American pretty well and brings a level of levity to the cliché. Maggie Smith’s pallor mirrored the downbeat mood, and her jibes didn’t rise to their usual hilarity. So, the contrast of wits was lacking.
Upstairs, the men held the higher moral ground. While, it was the women’s strength of character that dominated Downstairs. In the end, it’s an uppity soap opera. There will be bumps along the road. Still, glad it’s back.
Les Enfants
Let’s try this again. Happy New Year. As re-elected Speaker Boehner cries his way into another stalemate, maybe he can pass a funding bill for hurricane Sandy victims. Les enfants terribles are still squabbling in the congressional sandbox. Same cast. Pelosi, McConnell, Reid, Boehner and their ornery obdurate brats.
Let’s focus on the positive. Adelaide Parker’s star was born over the year’s turn. Congrats to PithyV & Co. And, a special thanks to JeanJean the rescue queen. All’s well that ends well.
First Trek
Salud 2013
Happy and healthy SideTrekking in 2013. Up until midnight? Starting to party? Cooper & Griffin? Seacrest & “Clark”?
Comity Cliff
Déjà vu all over again. Ground hog day. Take your pick. Here we go, again. Over the cliff. No comity on the horizon. Just bad jokes as the tragi-comedy for the economy unfolds. Then another debt ceiling comedy show in a couple of weeks.
So, enjoy the New Year, a fresh foot of snow. Football. Movies on-demand. Surprisingly, I didn’t hate Ted . It had some tender moments. And The Guard, set in Ireland was good. Bought season 1 of Homeland for a marathon into 2013.
Sandy – Sandusky – Sandy Hook
2012 in a nutshell. Good, bad, very ugly. Here’s hoping 2013 will bring sanity, bonne santé, un esprit de corps. Bonne année.
Best ~
Giants SuperBowl Win
MadMen5-Joan’s revenge
Obama re-election team
Worst ~
Sandy
Sandusky
Sandy Hook
Best Books ~
The Cat’s Table
Gone Girl
Defending Jacob
Worst Books ~
ManBooker LongList- most
Bring Up the Bodies- especially
Great Restaurant Treks ~
Gramercy Tavern- NY
ABC Kitchen- NY
Biz Fail ~
Facebook IPO
Au Revoir ~
CaffertyFile on CNN
SuperBowl Pick ~
San Fran beats Denver-wishful
Atlanta beats Denver- realistic
Side Trek . NYC 