Strike:The Cuckoo's Calling 1.1 1.2 1.3

                                           
Cormoran Strike (Tom Burke) may seem like a different and new kind of detective/PI but under the surface and visibly too it's nothing that we haven't seen before.  Modern day 'Sherlock' too!  Now I know I tweeted that as well but it sooo was!!  There were many scenes/locations, sets, which were too similar to say it wasn't just a coincidence, even the end music was almost similar sounding too.

We've got a regular cafe where he hangs out: aka Speedy's.  Then there was that restaurant too, especially similar to the one where Sherl and Watson first went to when they were chasing the taxi in the Pilot A Study in Pink.  Then there was the coat, yes no detec is complete without obligatory overcoat, do they still call them overcoats.  Even his office screamed Sherlock and he even sleeps on the couch there too, which is actually meant to be a camper bed as his sister referred to it.  Still there was a couch involved.

Then we frequented Belgravia/Westmister where we chanced upon Irene Adler's house, or close enough to be the same from the outside.  As well as Lula's apartment which was akin to the one in The Blind Banker when the man supposedly was meant to have committed suicide too.  Of course Lula didn't kill herself, why would she, she had so much going.  Not to mention meeting Tony (Martin Shaw) in a restaurant, Sherlock as waiter with 'tache sprang to mind.  Then the CCTV footage when Corm when to the apartments again, that was definitely Sherlock many times over. And let's not forget the swimming pool and his first encounter with Moriarty!  Do I call this a Cormoran v Sherlock review or something?  Ha.

It has its quirky moments and the number of times he removes his prosthetic leg and how it pains him still, so it doesn't come in handy for chasing people, re Rochelle.  Well he shouldn't have shouted to her when he found her.  If she was hiding, why make a phonecall and speak that loudly anyway!!  As well as requiring several meals a day.  He eats, whereas Sherlock didn't, not in the early days at least and yes I was going to call Robin (Holliday Grainger) a "Mrs Hudson" cos in many ways, she is (and she pouts plenty).  Especially when she made the coffee and cleaned up the place.  She is a PA after all and not a fellow detective (yet).  Just to make it topical, Corm is the son of a rock star and his mother committed suicide.  Thou it's not spelled out straightaway.  Not even when Uncle Tony remarks about it, trying to threaten him to get off the case.  Mentioning his lack of funds, his leg and his mother too.  he's not too bothered about derogatory remarks made towards him, but no one says anything bad about his mother.

Also he has an ex-fiance, Charlotte, who keeps calling him.  That introductory scene with Robin when he nearly dropped her down the stairs, was going to say she was standing too close to them from the outset! Huh, predictability!  Corm is hired by John (Leo Bill) brother of an old friend of his (small world) to tie up loose ends and ensure it was suicide, but obviously it won't be.  Robin is a uni drop-out, as is he and she searches Corm on the Net for his background.  Turns out he was in the Royal Military Police.

Lula (Elarica Johnson)was a model, had everything going for her and everyone knew her.  Leaving Corm with plenty of suspects, of course there is one that stands out and many of us have seen this but a lot haven't.  So I'll leave my theories and deductions to the third ep, but pretty sure who it is now.  JK Rowling as Richard Galbraith really needs to come up with something that hasn't been done before.  Doubt many would've watched this if it hadn't been for Tom Burke (Athos from The Musketeers) playing the title role!)

Episode 1.2

This episode also included the introduction of Corm's half sister who wanted to take him home with her and well, 'mother' him in many ways, as if he can't cope with the real world, it's not exactly like he's got some from of disorder.  Aside from his debt and the pain, he was managing quite well.  Also bringing up the subject of their mother and how it perhaps wasn't suicide.  But she does get to give him a lift, as he questions the people who worked with Lula, including fellow model and friend, Ciara (Amber Anderson).  Whom he then had a one night stand with, whilst finding out the Guy Some bags also contained hidden pockets beneath the lining, thus giving ample opportunity to hide anything really. Giving him the idea of the will in the next episode.  Of course the leather gloves were another clue and Evan (Bronson Webb) just happened to have some, before he found out Corm was accusing him and lost it.

Of course at this point, Corm still suspected Tony as the killer, as he took photos of him with Tansy (Tara Fitzgerald) who's unhappy in her marriage to a movie producer.  Yes the suspect list was plenty in this, but the killer would be much more closer to home.  And how they kept returning to the vacant apartment and the flowers, in the police photos but then went missing from her place.

Robin heads to the dress shop Lula frequented with her friend Rochelle (Tezlym Senior-Sakutu) and Robin managed to try on a bright green dress when Corm happened to turn up!  He later buys it for her as bonus when he gets into the money.  Robin acting like a model too in that mirror.  Finding out that one of the shop girls taped their conversation until Lula found out.  Also how Rochelle knew what was going on and was actually blackmailing the killer who killed her too.  Corm being too late to save her and scolding his hands in the boiling water in the bath tub to boot.

As for the part with the CCTV footage, strange the killer didn't know it was there, well obviously he did cos he wore the hoodie, but still didn't manage to disguise his posture and of course the shoes. Yes you fool, your lanky body and your shoes gave you away!  There another suspect caught before the end of the show by yours truly.  But why did Corm imply he knew who it was, when clearly he didn't until the last episode, unless he was cunningly keeping it under his coat until he got evidence and found the will..  It was John after all, her adoptive brother.  Obviously he had no brains, why bring Corm in to investigate when the police had already ruled Lula's death a suicide.  He wanted the will no doubt, cos he didn't want her share left to her real brother.  Again about money.  Especially since Lady Bristow (Sian Phillips) was about to cark it.  Reminiscing about the movies and her love for Lula and her other son.

Episode 1.3

Not only was the motive money but turns out John wasn't loved by his mother, not as much as his brother was, in terms of being the favourite and continually berated for his looks etc.  Thus leading him to also kill his brother and keeping the bell from the bicycle.  Corm gently telling him that leather is porous and forensics will make light work of it.  Before John starts a fight with the bottle he bought for him.  Knew Robin would return anyway.  See in series 2, she again comes to his rescue of sorts, as she nabs the culprit in that too.

As Corm's search leads him back to Guy (Kadiff Kirwin) the fashion designer, as he recognizes his hoodie and gloves which haven't been released yet, but Lula had them.  Apparently Tony always suspected something wasn't quite right with John, but he didn't want to hurt his sister, not in her condition.

We also got some insight to how Corm lost his leg in Afghanistan after being ambushed.  Which seemed quite preventable, how were they duped by that broken down truck.  Showing also how he was going to be shot by the boy with the gun, who hears the helicopter, winks at him and runs.  Corm was former military police so his background would've kept him in good stead as a PI, not much else he could do.   Particularly with his famous father and his mother being a model too.  Having his own personality, especially the hangovers, which were frequent, and his love for food, we saw him eat quite a bit.  Tom Burke really got into this character and brought him to life like an impressionist painting, keeping you guessing and working out what he's really like; lots of layers, secrets and personal traits we have yet to learn about him.

Stephen King's "Gerald's Game" Review & Comments with Some Spoilers & Q&A

Beware SPOILERS

                                                              
Some of the more harshest critics will say if you've read one Stephen King book, you've read them all and if you've seen one adaptation you've seen them all.  Not the case at all, each one is different and each actor, director, brings something of their own to the adaptation.  The same can be said for Gerald's Game.  A couple attempt to kick start their marriage by heading out to a remote cabin, obviously Gerald (Bruce Greenwood) having other 'things' on his mind.  Cue not rabid dog but rather feral dog who Gerald almost runs over on the road.  Better for that roadkill to have gotten it first.  As the dog later returns to wreak havoc and tears strips off Gerald!!  Ugh, not giving too much away. But Bruce, erm, you didn't deserve that.  Then again perhaps Gerald did in some ways.  Though Gerald wasn't particularly evil, or morose, cynical in some respects, but not such a bad man, as man and husband's go.

Jessie (Carla Gugino) is more down to earth and some may even say, a little on the plain side and boring too, not in terms of looks but how she carries herself.  But Carla is striking an din the role too, also several references to her slip.  However he does comment she has a good heart when she feels for the dog, to the point of feeding him Kobe steak!! "All the way from Kobe"  Gerald interjects!  And the man didn't even get to eat a hearty meal!  Hey Gerald you're a lawyer why skimp on the cost of the steak!!  It's only 'meat.'  That'll come to haunt in a plot twist of sorts.  Couldn't help but think that in some ways this meat reference was directed to Jessie's predicament and her being handcuffed to the bed, only served to be treated as nothing but meat too.  Objectified and object of affections, but still relevant especially with reference to Gerald's joke.  personally I did think they were lucky to get 11 years of marriage.

Things hot up but Gerald needs help with his libido, correction, not his libido but close enough, and Jessie later comment about his "five inches" which had the audience in rip roaring, riotous laughs! So their kinky handcuffs went astray as poor Gerald suffers a heart attack, later we're told it was a long time coming.  Considering he was a lawyer.  Thus the handcuffs and erotic thoughts left on the bed with the insufferable dog causing no end of trouble!  Even Cujo is alluded to, which is what I also thought!! Heck should stop all these pre-empting thoughts I get! No film would be complete without it! And as I used to remark with other shows, if you get a mention of another character or protagonist in a book, film, etc, does this mean that character is actually real!!  (See my Supernatural book for further explanation if you want.  NB Am not plugging here but since everyone does it, why not!!)

This gives rise to her hallucinations and willing Gerald to be alive, but alas he wasn't to be that lucky and how their marriage had problems, but they were happy after all.  Even when she overheard his crude joke about what women are good for: " A lifesupport for F**ing C**nts."  Which she was angry about, but she did hear it.  Most likely some men are like that but she didn't think he was. Perhaps the operative word here was 'life support' cos that's what she needs, she needs to stay alive, so she can get angry and motivate herself into thinking of how to escape her plight and her cuffs!

Lots of flashbacks then and interjecting with each one who appears to her giving her clues as to how she should escape.  Also she had to be one who was abused by her father on the event of a solar eclipse.  The allusion being her life was eclipsed ever since!

Some touching imagery, but also some foreshadowing to, such as how her father found her attractive after she began her period, thus the sanitary towels she used at the end! No not for that!! Then the 'moonlight' man and how he came a collecting for 'Bag A Bones' another book reference.  However having nothing to do with the other book.  As well as the almost-Barlow like appearance from the scary monster at the side of the bed.  Again another shock and awe moment for the audience.  Maybe it's just me but I don't do that kinda stuff, with the gasping and the 'oohs and aahhs'.  It just interferes with the enjoyment and maybe I'm desensitized to the horror aspects of it, which doesn't mean I don't get sacred but when it calls for it!  If that makes sense!

Jessie explains everything in a letter at the end and how certain monsters are real, not the ghosts or demons but the living monsters that can haunt those with less than happy childhoods or lives during their adult years.  A little more reference to the monsters in the closet or under the bed aspects of Cujo with Tad and Vic, once again.  But as said, monsters come in all shapes and sizes and to survive means having to deal with them...!

An excellent adaptation, if a little gore infested for those green at the gills, but don't worry you won't lose your food over it or anything, and really it's not even stomach churning at all!  But some of you will be shocked out of your seats, if you're that way pre-disposed!  Bruce as always was superb; no other words to describe his portrayal (well there are, I'm biased anyway) but yeah he is and was an excellent choice to be cast by Stephen King himself!! As explained director Mike Flanagan at the Q&A afterwards.  It was only about 20 minute so didn't get to ask any questions, but most of them were answered anyway! Such as the casting question.

Also how Mike handcuffed himself as well and didn't last 5 minutes in them, so it was kudos to Carla that she was willing to endure this and they were physically painful and grating on the skin.  Henry Thomas being cast as her father in the film and how some were shocked at Elliott's (from ET) loss     of innocence.  But Henry wanted to play that role, having a daughter of his own, which again may shock some die hard fans.  But it's all par for the actor!

Trevor Macy, the producer also explaining how that dialogue that Bruce got as exposition was straight from the book in its entirety!
The adaption took a long time as there was much of the rich writing was no character to put these words up to," in the book there were other characters Jessie conjures and they're not unknown and they wanted to stay within the couple and live with the marriage.  Brought this out in the adaptation and Bruce's monologue is verbatim and he just left it like that and needed to be filmed."

Mike: "other adaptations were being considered and the changes like Jessie fighting robbers, something to remove her off the bed and they didn't want that."  Trevor didn't read the book until later and not when it came out and was 'compelled' by it.  "Using masochism as a producer and getting into the production."

Adapting King's work and prose Mike as a fan doesn't want to change anything or cut it out...see some choices made in other films and he gets angry he doesn't like changes, he agonizes over it cos not want to make changes making readers angry...was a fun, read book twice and underlined every bit into the movie verbatim.  The epilogue more 'polarized' and fans were divided on if they liked the Joubert twist at the end.

They had to pitch to King for the rights to get anything of his.  Trevor: took 6 months to make a script, "he was very supportive and he cares about his adaptations, writer, producer cast involved in everything.  King suggested Bruce Greenwood in first place."

"Then we submitted first cut and he loved it."  Mike has not spoken or met King, but it was great getting the tweet from him; was a fan moment for him!
"Jessie's role would either attract actresses to the part or drive them away and Carla just wanted to be a part of it.  The movie would turn on whoever pulled it off and it was the performance of her career." She was a  consummate advocate for the filming.
Area 65 65 mm sensor akin to David Lean filming.  Such as for Occulus  which was shot from beginning to end and the shots dictated everything.  "The camera had to float, moving eyelines and film could've been still and Micheal and he made a shot list."

2.3:91 shot needed that shot cos needed both her hands on screen. saw it with audience and Mike said how it was great to see the audience squirm (barring me and sis!)  Also how he couldn't believe the silence in the audience too!

On a question from the audience about the music for the film.  Mike: they're not brothers and they're name isn't Newton, he couldn't recall the story behind this name, which they've said numerous times! They've scored everything Mike's done, from Oculus onwards.
Trevor added that their pitch was that 'there'll be less than 10 mins of score so won't get paid too much, so they didn't have to write so much.'
Their names are Taylor Stewart and Andy Grush.
I didn't know they also worked on some eps of The Mentalist, amongst their wide and varied CV.

Aside from those two late comers who were plonked in front having no disregard for the audience or those already there!  They saw five minutes at the end!  It's good that theatres have a policy of latecomers not being admitted cos for some it does detract from the action.  Especially for those with short attention spans! Nonetheless luckily we had the entire row to ourselves!!

Strike: The Silkworm 2.1 2.2

                                               
Obviously no book would be complete without JK Rowling writing about writers, the pitfalls of publishing and amassing enemies even within the fellow authors fraternity and sisterhood.  Corm (Tom Burke) can now take on Robin (Holliday Grainger) as an assistant as he's cleared his debts and the phone hasn't stopped ringing off the hook with clients and cases (Sherlock again anyone?) Especially with the publicity he must've got solving the supermodel, Lula's, murder.  He's approached by a woman named Leonora (Monica Dolan) who wants him to call her husband, write Owen Quine at some retreat cos his daughter's missing him.  He's gone missing before but always turns up.  However he's not there.  She leaves the money for him anyway even if he refuses it.  Then decides he will help her after all.

He meets with Liz (Lia Williams) Quine's publisher who claims to be suffering from a bout of flu, as well as some silly moments with her dog and assistant (they're not called 'ass of an ant; for nothing Will & Grace!) Apparently he's got a first in English.  Agh how difficult is it to get a first in English or History come to think of it!  She tells him about Quine's book and how it alienated everyone, she shouldn't have given it the okay for it to be published but she read a few pages and did that.  Now his friends and fellow authors are up in arms over it.  But she's not very helpful, purposely.

Calling it here but she was my suspect, she wasn't helpful and also she's been paying money to his family, but I doubt it would be out of the goodness of her heart, especially when Corm later finds out what Quine wrote about her too.  Calling on Leonora he finds her coping with their daughter, Dodo and how someone left a manuscript  of his new book, Bombyx Mori.  (The silkworm named for the larvae of the moth Bombyx Mori).  Which he borrows but doesn't get through reading it.  As we get flashes of what it's about, and the title character I take it, being killed off.  Robin skips to the end of it and invites him for drinks with Matthew (Kerr Logan) her fiance and also invites him to their wedding.  Though they don't really have much to say to each other.

After Corm finds his DB in a house he shared/owned with Fancourt (Peter Sullivan) Leonora is arrested as she had access to the keys.  Seems strange she'd kill him cos she knew about his affairs and she'd always take him back.  Also how her daughter needed him and loved his stories. Ridiculous bit that was, writing backwards like Yoda.

Robin later receives news from Matthew about his mother passing and is given time off by Corm but instead decides to drive him to Devon since he can't drive himself and to meet with Jerry (Dominic Mafham) who he knew for a long time.   Apparently Robin is very handy to have around since she's done an Advanced Driving course cos she was bored and drives through the fields like some kind of a super rally driver, cos she'll miss her train and won't make the funeral, leaving him to get back somehow in the rental.  Which we don't get to see.   Robin is in tears when they stopped over since she wants to be a PI, it's all she's ever wanted and was upset when he announced in front of Matthew that he was looking for a partner since the workload was too heavy.  She wants to be considered and he say if she's keen he can sign her up for a surveillance course.

Other suspects included Andrew Fancourt, another author who is still reeling over the suicide of his wife,Ellie (Tamara Topolski) who wanted to be writer but he blames Quine for it in many ways.  Liz is in love with Fancourt, but he doesn't want anything to do with her and she wants to apologize for the manuscript being published.

Episode 2 continued in much the same way with Corm going back and forth between potential suspects and we get to meet his brother, Al (Joel Batey) who's an american Dj, keeping it in the usical family tradition, as they have lunch in the restaurant where Quine and Liz had a fight publicly, where it appeared they were feigning it for the publicity.  As for his disappearance, he got that out of Agatha Christie and her own mysterious disappearance.  Corm gets a lawyer friend for Leonora, but she angrily loses the plot not trusting her.  She also tells Corm not to relapse where his ex Charlotte is concerned and she also sends him some photos.  Seems she's the one who's relapsing and can't leave him alone.

Matthew finds out she missed the funeral arrangements cos of work as she admits it wasn't Corm's fault she didn't go.  Also how she studied psychology just to be a PI and nothing else.  He wants her to be happy, but says he shouldn't come to their wedding.  Corm has lunch again with Liz where he mentions the restaurant fiasco and how Fancourt wanted nothing to do with her, and she bursts into tears saying he was cruel to bring that up.  Leaving him to foot the bill, no doubt.  But this is where I actually confirmed my suspicions of her being the killer.  A the party where Corm's been invited to, did you like the views of the London skyline in the night, Robin gets Fancourt to speak with Corm, where he tells them more about his wife.  Aided by Robin getting the MSS pages from Dodo after exchanging her necklace for her to steal.

Jerry gives him the MSS to read as he gets him on side by having wine with him, cos it may be early but he likes it.  Having the MSS checked and compared to other ones, Corm finds that it was written by someone else.  Cos Jerry tells him Quine didn't use semi-colons in his work for the 20 odd years he's been editing his work.  Seems Liz wrote Bombyx and attributed to Fancourt's wife killing herself.  Which she denies and makes a run for it, pursued by Robin.  It was the motive for bumping Quine off since he knew this MSS led to Ellie's death, and he was blackmailing Liz.  See I said she wouldn't pay his family out of the goodness of her icy heart!

Corm gives Robin a note saying if she can find it, he'll pay for the surveillance course.  These eps weren't as good as the other three intro eps, quite boring in places and only Tom kept the interest going, giving a good portrayal of the title character.  Otherwise it wasn't anything to write home about, or to write at all!  Ha.  Couldn't help but think it's all been done before.
As well as Robin giving Corm Cornish fudge and beer for his birthday, of course she'd know when it was, she spent that much time Googling him!  Shall I add ogling him in the process too, cos obviously and unashamedly there is chemistry between them, but let's not go there.

Series 3 returns next year!

Longmire 5.1 "A Fog That Won't Lift" Review

                                                 
The season 5 opener was a particularly good one for many reasons and still manages to entertain and keep up the thrills as in past seasons, a shame then that season 6 will be the last of this amiable Western series which ticked all the boxes as far as police shows went.

Cady (Cassidy Freeman) finds Walt (Robert Taylor) passed out on the floor and he asks where she is, Cady thinking he's talking of her mother and tells him she's gone, of course he was referring to Donna, but she wasn't to know that since he hasn't told anyone about it, other than Vic (Katee Sackhoff) but then Vic was only being nosey cos of her feelings for him.  Of course in other ways, Cady saying that she's gone could also refer to Donna since she is gone.  She grabs the sheet from the bed to use it to stop his bleeding, however she wasted all that time instead of calling for help first. She also calls Henry (Lou Diamond Phillips) but he's too busy with  Mathias (Zahn McClarnon) who takes his blood sample just to prove that he was the one involved int he shooting last season.  Hey he couldn't do that, it's illegal and seems Henry didn't have much of a choice.  Henry doesn't answer the phone.

Vic arrives at the hospital and finds Walt alone, so she takes 'liberties man' by kissing him!  I should say snogging!! What! She can't do that, he's not in his right mind, saying she's kissing him once "before he dies."  He replies he's not dead, well obviously!!  Hey I wrote a similar scene once back in 2000 where the hero gets kissed by his unrequited love when he's lying on a hospital bed!!  Wowie deja vu or what?!  Cady walks in and tells him he was shot and he can't recall what happened, as he's also got concussion; though we do get some flashes over the course of the episode.  Walt  now mentions Donna and how he wasn't alone, but Vic tells him she's not here.  She's missing and she calls Ferg (Adam Bartley) to mount a search for her and if she'd have known she'd have done it sooner.

Walt gets out of bed against doc's orders and everyone else's orders and goes to find Walker Browning (Callum Keith Rennie) whom he handcuffed to the bed.  But he's gone and the nurse tells him Sheriff Wilkins (Tom Wopat) released him.  Of course it wouldn't be Walt.  Notice Walt's gown was open in the back when he was in bed and then it was done up when he got up.  He checks himself out and they end up at the office, where he tries to dress himself, Vic having to help him with his pants, yeah she would!  Okay Walt any excuse to go shirtless!! for a while longer!!  (Rob!) Then they end up at his house: a CS.  His Bronco's missing as his rifle so he was shot with it.  Vic finds Donna's clothes: evidence, including her bra and dress.

Walt and Vic head to the next county where he confronts Wilkins about releasing Walker and he tells him it was in his jurisdiction, then head to Donna's clinic.  But they need a warrant for her files.  Walt faints and Vic thinks he's feigning it so the nurse leaves to call for help the and Vic makes a mad dash to throw the files out of the window!  However then realizes he's not pretending as he comes to a while later!  On the way back she tells him they should be checking out Donna cos it doesn't have to be about him and especially as he flashes around her driving licence pic, but no one's seen her.  Vic tells him to pop a pill and he throws it out of his mouth, could've done that later.  She stops the truck and makes him swallow the same pill, again, eeww!  Telling him she kissed him cos it was her way of moving on.

Ferg tells them he found the Bronco nearby his house and there's no blood, but there's no evidence of Donna either.  Later he tells Vic about the blonde hair he found in the back and it couldn't be hers cos Vic wasn't in the back.  She gives him one of her own hairs for analysis as they check out the files. Walt walks in and asks what they're talking about.  Cady also finds out they don't have legal permission for the files and Walt already faces a civil suit, so they need to get themselves permission from the court and get a special master appointed.  Reminding him of what he told her about getting evidence another legal way.  Ferg thinks it might be Zach since he's been drinking and no one's heard from him.

Vic takes him to Henry's where he passes out and after going to Donna's house, they find an intruder and the other files.  He's Andrew Price (Sterling Beaumon) and claims to be her son.  But doesn't have ID.  At the station, he tells Walt he must be her boyfriend and he's not her type.  Also he should look into her exes.  Ferg is told to lock him up.  Walt takes Henry to the oil field but the rig's been removed and he comes across Doug (Kelly Mower) there who was told to clear everything away. Walt wants to find the rig but Henry is called by Mathias who tells him he needs Hector's help and if he doesn't get it, then he call the sheriff.

Cady tells Walt about her job with Nighthorse and Walt's not pleased as he's using her against Walt. But she wants to use it to help people since it's funded by the casino and mom would've wanted that too.  She tells him he's hurt in the same way he hurt her with news of Donna.  Oh Cady he's old enough to make up his own mind in seeing whomever he wants and he lost her a long time ago.  He needs a life of his own too and not one of loneliness.  It's not like he will ever forget her.  Vic checks Donna's calendar and finds that one man, Duncan Butler (Mac Brandt) missed four appointments and when they speak with him find he's got an alibi, for both days.  At the office, Walt gets a call from forensics who tell him about the blond hair!  Yeah the hair he wasn't meant to know about.

As I said plenty going on here to continue the season with and setting up plots for the rest of the eps. Including Henry being 'blackmailed' by Mathias into helping him, for his own purposes though.  But guessing truth will out with that too as far as Walt is concerned.  Walt having flashes of his time with Donna, short as it was, but get the impression, there's more going on here with Donna than meets the eye.  Perhaps she and her life wasn't as clear cut as she seems and probably has many secrets.  I means she didn't tell him about Andrew, even though she knew about Cady.
Hopefully Vic is over him cos as I said, didn't want that relationship, they're not right for each other.

Victoria 2.4 "The Sins of the Father" Review

                                              
Victoria (Jenna Coleman) gives birth to her second child, a boy as Albert (Tom Hughes) refers to him as the heir, the Prince of Wales, when he breaks the news to everyone. Victoria can't bring herself to look at the baby and is terse with Vicky too.  Of course no one really knew of post-natal depression back then however, true to life, Victoria wasn't very amiable towards her children, though as we know she had many.  She's not interested in doing anything and is withdrawn, not wanting to attend the opening of the tunnels running under the Thames.  She's impressed by the model but will keep it for later.

Albert receives word of his father's death from Coburg, who carked it "doing what he always liked" as Earnest (David Oakes) later tells him.  Victoria wants to travel with him but he doesn't want to take her, especially after her 'confinement.'  But she's adamant they've never been apart since their marriage.  As Albert sings to her in German, a song about a better world, well I would've translated it here but sure no ones really interested. He also wants Lehzen (Daniela Holtz) to get to the bottom of which of the palace staff told the paper about Jones and breaking into the palace, before he returns, otherwise the entire staff will be replaced, as trust is paramount.  He also mentions privacy and how important it is to them.

Albert arrives at Coburg and he and Earnest share some of their memories together, such as Albert climbing that big tree and their father not wanting him to do it.  Albert is saddened he didn't part on good terms with his father and later Leopold (Alex Jennings) tells him about his mother and how unhappy she was, particularly with his father's dalliances.  After Leopold's wife, Charlotte died, they comforted each other, yes in that sense of the word and he he later had to leave for Belgium.  So yes Albert is Leopold's son (in this version!)

Earnest tells him how Leopold is trying t marry him off too, as they speak of their cousin and how his "pimples have abated."  To a Princess Alda, who is right prim and proper, so boring.  she doesn't want to ride, hates their roads, their wine.  Later he and Earnest get drunk in the local inn and Earnest tells him she's "a thistle" and he's not going to marry her, cos Leopold wouldn't marry a thistle either. Albert is drunk saying how life needs balance and everything needs to be in perfect equilibrium and he breaks the glasses he's piling onto one another.  He wants to tell Earnest about Leopold, but he prefers not to talk about him.  Albert wants to wear armour when he returns to the castle for his projection and asks why Leopold told him.  Answering he was comforting him and no one should know of this.  Albert angry that's he's a fraud and he is also a bastard and has illegitimate children now.  He leaves the next day and Earnest catches him before he leaves.  Albert telling him to come to England soon.  perhaps the funniest line in this ep was Albert reminding us how "the British press, they already draw me as a sausage, can you imagine if they found out?"

At the tower, there's an explosion in the armoury and Peel (Nigel Lindsay) urges Victoria to see the wounded and offer her condolences.  She refuses but must do her duty.  Upon returning she tells the Duchess of Buccleuch (Diana Rigg) that she was also crying for herself.  Everyone's noticed her being 'out of sorts' and the Duchess tells her that she too felt unhappy after the birth of her daughter, Mary and she had an entire estate to run, whereas Victoria has a country.  She thinks things will be different tomorrow.  As Victoria goes to the opening of the tunnel.

Lehzen suspects Francatelli (Ferdinand Kingsley) of selling the story to the papers as she sees him with a gold pocket watch, as does Skerrett.  But Skerrett (Nell Hudson) knows it wasn't him since it was Eliza (Samantha Colley).  She's her cousin and her I was thinking she was her sister.  What was I watching all this time, ha!  She wanted money for her daughter and she's not sorry that Skerrett may lose her job over it.  Skerret has no choice but to confess to Victoria after Lehzen suspects Francatelli and a search of his room reveals gold sovereigns.  She admits to Victoria that she told Eliza about it and how this job was hers.  Victoria has no choice but to fire her and forgives her but she says Albert wouldn't be so forgiving.

Albert however upon return wants Skerrett to stay and gives her a better room since she's the best dresser Victoria ever had and he realizes that sometimes circumstances beyond their control leads them to such things, especially since Albert is an impostor too.  Victoria was to be given a tiger cub by the Sultan of Brunei and instead the Duchess asked for a puppy.  The glint in her eyes as she plays with the puppy, which she can't do with her children.  Also seen by her mother. Who tells her babies are easy to love.  Victoria tells Albert how she feels and how she also feels like an imposter and she's just a little girl wearing a crown.  Albert tells her he needs her more than ever now.  But doesn't reply to her.

Elsewhere there's a dent in the works between the burgeoning friendship and relationship between Drummond (Leo Suter) and Lord Alfred (Jordan Waller) as he finds out Drummond is to be married, as Wilhelmina (Bebe Cave) pines for Earnest still and Earnest looks at the lock of hair the Duchess gave him.  Broken hearts all round then still.  As well as adding weight to allegations of Albert's true birth, dramatic licence indeed!

Victoria 2.3 "Warp and Weft" Review

                                               
Victoria (Jenna Coleman) is told of the weavers at Spitafields from a visit from a Mr Bascombe (Jacob Krichefski) and how their silk is infinitely superior to that of the foreign variety and she plans to throw a ball in honour of their work and how it should be recognized throughout the country.  Albert (Tom Hughes) and Peel (Nigel Lindsay) raise their objections to this as it will only cause anger to the people.  Peel recalling the French Revolution and Marie Antoinette with her quote of "let them eat cake."  Victoria however is adamant and goes along with the suggestion put forward by Drummond (Leo Suter) seconded by Lord Alfred (Jordan Waller) who once again just can't keep their eyes off each other.

Victoria is also troubled by Dash not being well, as she's told the Spaniel is old.  The same being said of Lord Melbourne (Rufus Sewell) who is told by a his London doctor to put his affairs in order. This coming as a blow to him.  Victoria also telling Albert he can have full reign over the affairs of the palace if he can make improvements and it will get him out of her hair and also he can show Vicky his talents.  He sets about with the windows of the palace being filthy and how Penge (Adrian Schiller) is in charge but has done nothing.   But Penge shows him the windows inside the palace which are his responsibility are clean and the outside windows are the responsibility of the forestry keeper.  As well as Albert also being worried that a boy could get into the palace unnoticed and could have stabbed them in their sleep, or even Vicky.

Emma (Anna Wilson-Jones) visits Lord Melbourne and finds out his true condition but he will be coming to the ball as he replies with "why shouldn't I?"  Why shouldn't he get his final pleasures at life.  As well as the House raising questions about the ball and how it will only seek to anger the ordinary people who can't find enough food to eat.  As Skerrett (Nell Hudson) is also told this by her sister, Eliza (Samantha Colley) as Skerrett tells her that the Queen is expecting again and she's fitting her gowns.  Victoria plans a costume ball and for the occasion and she she has a crown made just for Albert, not a real one of course.  Victoria thinks Albert would make a fitting Edward III, as they visit the church where he is buried and is told of his mercy towards the six elders who put themselves forward for execution but how Queen Phillipa begged him to spare their lives, as she was with child. Victoria thinks that a fitting story.  Peel begs Albert to convince her not to throw the ball, but he can't get her it change her mind.

As Wilhelmina (Bebe Cave) still pines for Earnest (David Oakes) telling him of Robin Hood and he decides he will go as him to the ball.  However at the ball, Earnest sees Harriet (Margaret Clunie) and is still in love with her.  Noticed by Wilhelmina.  He wants to write to her, but she says it will be a waste of time as they will go unread and she on her part cannot forget their tryst.

As per the French Revolution and the Court of Louis, there is food in abundance as the crowds gather outside the palace gates, demanding blood.  Lord Melbourne thinks he should go as Dante, ascending to heaven "or to the other place" and as they share a dance, he is out of sorts, which Victoria notices. Emma saves him by telling Victoria that Albert wishes to see her.  As Victoria sees the crowds outside from her window.

Emma also tells Victoria she must leave to be with her sister on the pretence of being there for Lord Melbourne.  Albert tells Peel he should have listened to him but he can't resist Victoria. Though he had a crown, it is not one that is accepted by people.  As Earnest also tells him that crown is heavy for his head.  Peel shows him the new Parliament building and how work is stagnant since no one can agree on a plan, but he suggests Albert become Patron since he will be neutral.  On a visit there he sees Melbourne and finds out his real condition.  As Melbourne looks at the ceiling that he ordered to be saved from the fire.  Albert tells Victoria of Melbourne's health and she pays him a visit. Taking along with her a wooden bird in a cage which whistles to Mozart.  After seeing the canaries at Spitafields, where she finds that the ball did some good, as they have orders coming in.

Victoria is saddened at seeing Melbourne like this and she misses their talks.  Saying they should go riding when he gets back to London.  He also misses their talks where he learned a lot from her, which she finds surprising.  As she leaves him, almost in tears.  Yeah practically the entire nation was in tears at that point!  Since she knows it will be the last time she sees him, but no hugs on their part, merely a handshake.  As she returns home she finds Dash dead and as she cries for her beloved dog, you know she's also grieving for Melbourne, as he plays his final turn on the music box, slumped in his chair.

Albert finds discrepancies in the household accounts and agrees to raise the wages of the royal staff as long as the bill goes down, which Lehzen (Daniela Holtz) thinks is an interesting idea and Penge tells him he's hit "the nail on the head."  Earnest leaves and gives Wilhelmina his Chopin music, telling her she shouldn't just limit herself to Chopin, also the Duchess of Buccleuch (Diana Rigg) won't like it if she did.  Seems plenty of pining and leaving going on in this episode.  As Victoria realizes her subjects are unhappy and more to he point do not have enough food.  Even if their 'leftovers' were distributed to the poor, that wouldn't have helped much, as she saw this food on the ground.  As the ball apparently descended into a farce between the 'haves and the have nots' but there would be no breaking down the palace gates, this was civillized England after all!  Thus the title which was fitting showing the weaving of the people and royalty and how different those peoples' lives were in reality.

Many of course sad to see Melbourne go, as in real life he died from complications from a stroke.  As Victoria spoke for Dash, she also spoke for Melbourne too with the juxtaposition of Dash's passing and that of Melbourne, both meeting their demise alone.  The most saving grace of this episode of course was Melbourne's descent into his final days.
"Reader If you would be beloved and die regretted Profit by the example of Dash."

As for the Place of Westminister, a Royal Fine Arts Commission presided over by Prince Albert and a Select Committee headed by Peel, which looked towards the decoration internally.  Many paintings were painted in oil canvas and with Albert's death in 1861, most of the scheme lost its appeal, however most of the paintings had been commissioned by then anyway and were already being created.

Victoria 2.2 The Green-Eyed Monster Review

                                             
As the title suggests this episode, the ugly monster rears its head in Victoria's life, perhaps more as a result of her insecurities after having a baby and then finding out she's pregnant once again.  As she tries to determine and find a balance between her duties as a Sovereign and as a wife and mother. Sovereign was the word this episode as it was mentioned more than her being Queen! As she likes to use a lot.  This time Albert (Tom Hughes) finds his interests leaning more towards the Royal Society as his fascination with mathematics peaks and the new invention of "the engine."  Yes last series it was steam engines, this time round it's computers.  As he leaves Victoria (Jenna Coleman) to meet Charles Babbage (Jo Stone-Fewings) and Lady Ada Lovelace (Emerald Fennell) and is most suitably impressed with the engine, rather more so than the woman herself.  Though he'd be more interested in Lady Lovelace's mind more than anything else.

His father, the Duke of Coburg (Andrew Bicknell) asks him for money to repair the roof back in Coburg, didn't he ask for that last time round too, but he's been squandering the money on his "h-hobbies" as Albert puts it (hobbies in place of whores which is what he really wanted to say.)  The Duke emphasizing that people visit the court and want to see where the 'King of England' was born, with Albert adding he's not the King.  No he is a Prince and King Consort which of course no one would know the meaning of.  Victoria throws a party for the Royal Society and in particular wanting to meet Lady Lovelace as she fears Albert is enamoured with her.  With the dancer Marie Taglioni performing and there's a rendition of Othello too.  Which the Duchess of  Buccleuch (Diana Rigg) takes particular offence to even though Othello was written as a Moor by Shakespeare, as Peel (Nigel Lindsay) tells her.

Wilhelmina (Bebe Cave) continues to be enchanted by Earnest (David Oakes) and listens to him playing Chopin, with the Duchess catching her out saying she's all red like a strawberry.  Now how did we know the next scene would involve a mention of strawberries, well it could've been worse, they could've actually shown some!  As Skerrett (Nell Hudson) tells Francatelli (Ferdinand Kingsley) the Queen wants some of his strawberry tarts as she's particularly in the mood for them, as we know why, she has craving for tarts (oops!)  He isn't happy being back as he tells her he had no choice being ordered back here.  That's it's some small mercy being the Queen's favourite he supposes. Skerrett is sorry as she had no idea he was forced back.

On the occasion of the invite at the palace, Victoria also renews her acquaintance with Lord Melbourne (Rufus Sewell) and invites him as well.  To the chagrin of Leopold (Alex Jennings) and also Albert who tells Victoria she already has a Prime Minister and can't be involved in politics with him.  Melbourne tells her about Lady Lovelace and that she is Lord Byron's daughter.  Byron of course having a sore spot still with Melbourne as his wife ran away with him.  As Victoria wasn't aware of Ada being his daughter.  After she embarrasses herself when Albert explains to her what Pi is and that it's not used for cutting pies into pieces per se.  Wasn't Ada's addition of using it to calculate apple pies and the circumference of Victoria's skirts a bit snide under the circumstances, as if she was ridiculing her.

Leopold has words with Melbourne and he must leave to attend to his library.  Telling Leopold that he was called by his Sovereign and one does not refuse her.  Victoria arrives to see him going and he was leaving without saying goodbye.  He must attend to his orchids as it is orchid season and won't be staying in London.  Victoria also having trouble with her corset now and can't be pulled tightly in. As she realizes for sure now that she is having a baby.  She sends for Albert to come to the palace after he is at dinner at the Royal Society and is speaking on their behalf.  But he refuses and she sends Brodie (Tommy Knight) again with another message and Albert sends him back asking if she commands him tor return. When he comes home, she refuses to repy and invite him into her chamber.

Then rides off to see Melbourne the next day and tells Duchess Buccleuch, on purpose that if Albert asks where she is, that she's at Brockett Hall.  Albert however is not concerned and he doesn't ask where she is.  He's more interested in engines and machines.  However Leopold is, as she tells him where Victoria is.  She just felt compelled to tell him considering she wasn't taken with Victoria as it was a personal visit and not one of state or duty.  She asks Melbourne about marriage and he isn't an expert on that but he tells her Albert was made King Consort for a reason and not cos he was interested in taking over and becoming a King.  Adding, "a man who is intent on flirtation does not tend to resort to mathematics."  She is still the Sovereign and they are still her subjects.
Melbourne is unwell and has leeches applied to his right arm and is told they will help him with use of the left side of his body more, as Victoria sends him letter after letter.  Finally he sends a reply back to her telling her that Albert loves her.

As Victoria visits the Royal Society she finds that Ada is leaving as her boy has fallen out of a tree and she has three children.  Which surprises Victoria.  However she would've preferred to be a man and Victoria agrees, now easing her mind with having nothing to worry about.  Ernest tells Albert he should give their father the money and send him home, but he doesn't want to on principle.  Earnest can't mess around here anymore and Albert doesn't want him to leave, but Leopold tells Albert about Victoria having a baby before he leaves with the Duke of Coburg.  Also telling Victoria's mother (Catherine Flemming) the news.  Albert asks Victoria why she didn't tell him and she replies she was going to the other night, but he didn't return to the place.  As she sits by the gazebo where he kissed her and they make up.

Elsewhere there's an intruder in the place as he roams around freely stealing food and wine. Cleary (Tilly Steele) thinks it's a ghost and she has to keep her rosary away from Penge (Adrian Schiller) who doesn't like Papists.  Finally he's found in the wardrobe and makes a run for it. However he's cornered and particularly by Duchess Buccleuch, who else.  Also there's a hint of a possible relationship between Lord Alfred (Jordan Waller) and Drummond (Leo Suter) as he offers him a light for his cigar, saying he never goes anywhere without his tinderbox.  Well they did share longing looks.

Victoria doesn't want another baby so soon as that would mean more confinement and being slowly driven away from her duties as she fears Albert would take the reigns and desires nothing more than to have greater responsibility.  Shown by her outrage at being treated like an ignoramus and having her husband explain to her what mathematics involves.  As she led a sheltered life and didn't get to learn much.  Which she confides in Melbourne, whilst still harbouring feelings for him.  The highlight of this episode for most fans of course would have been the return of Melbourne and how he treats Victoria still with reverence and managing to hide his feelings as she is his Queen and he merely her subject.  That much was clear in the greenhouse, like Victoria's intrigue over why the Goddess of Love should have a plant named after her, the Venus Flytrap.  No prizes for guessing why that line was uttered.