Vanity Fair Chapter 6 "In Which A Painter's Daughter Meets A King" Review

Becky (Olivia Cooke) meets with Lord Steyne (Anthony Head) [or Stain is more apt] and he gives her a diamond necklace to wear for her audience before the king.  Of course there's a price to be paid for this and she also gets money to pay for the rent and servants out of the bargain, which she hoards away into her box and doesn't pay them.  Along with all the shawls she has and even gets a new dress made for the occasion, as well as feathers as the king loves those.  But Arabella (Felicity Montagu) does not leave her side even when Becky hints at making dresses out of curtains.  (Many will see this as a reference to Gone With The Wind and how Margaret Mitchell was said to have based that on Vanity Fair.  Of course there were similarities between characters, I tend not to agree and she also denied that too.)
Obviously Rawdon (Tom Bateman) is too trusting of her and can't see that she has all this money and is a devoted father to Rawdy (Rafferty Railton) whom Becky can't stand.  In stark contrast to Amelia (Claudie Jessie) who dotes on Little Georgie (Arthur Bateman) no matter what she must do for him in terms of making ends meet and selling her shawl to buy him things.

Amelia's mother (Claire Skinner) is upset at how Amelia accuses her of being a murderer when she gives Georgie awful medicine for his upset stomach.  Her father (Simon Russell Beale) has gone from selling coal to selling cheap plonk and they are paid a visit by the Reverend Binny (Oliver Lansley) in order for Amelia to send Georgie to school.  Naturally she refuses and says she will home school him, as well as having bought books for him already.  Meanwhile in India, Dobbin (Johnny Flynn) bought the cheap stuff by the crateful and Jos (David Fynn) is very vocal about this.  Mrs O'Dowd (Monica Dolan) wanting Dobbin to meet her sister-in-law, Glorvina (Alison Pargeter) a plump woman whom Jos appears to take a liking to, or not and refuses to take her off Dobbin's hands and dance with her.

At dinner, Sedley can take the quarrelling no more and confesses he does get money from Jos for the coal and wine but he lost it to investors.  prompting Amelia to give up Georgie in order to support her family in light of her mother's outburst of how Georgie could have had a gold pocket watch.  Jane  Osborne (Ellie Kendrick) takes him away and he tells her he may see her for a visit soon.  In contrast Becky can't stand the sight of Rawdy and she listens to Steyne when he says he should go away to school and be well looked after.  She tells Rawdon he can come and visit on Sunday.  She also sends Arabella away to some respectful family.  All after Pitt (Martin Clunes) dies whilst chasing after a servant in the snow and as if to add insult to injury, Rawdon is once again left with £100 from him.  Bute (Mathew Baynton) getting everything.  With them both having to go the house and all Becky manages to salvage is an old dress along with a few other things in her chest.
Martha (Sian Clifford) dismisses the servants and comments how it is awful being rich.

Becky meets Lady Steyne (Sally Phillips) and once again Becky spoke of being a painter and opera singer's daughter and is going places. She mentions how Steyne should be entertained politically and finally gets her audience with the king.  That she now thinks will open doors for her in society and becoming a social climber.  Later she meets Steyne for their rendezvous and he can't wait to get his claws into her.  Rawdon plays the piano when she gets home and he tells her next time she will go to parties and accept invitations only with him and he will escort her  Becky feigning the party being dull.  She gets another invitation and can't find anything to wear slapping Rawdy as he's playing with her feathers. When next they dine with Steyne, Becky is shunned by the snooty wealthy women and that includes Lady Bareacres (Elizabeth Berrington) who turns her nose up at her and walks away.  Lady Steyne asks Becky to play for her and remarks on how they envy Becky's youth and pity her.  Becky commenting how she also has brains.  As the men hear the piano play Steyne enters the room remarking on how he thought his guests would applaud the fine piano playing.  Which they are forced to do.
When they leave, Rawdon walks back home and is 'arrested' by his creditors having to spend the night there.

Meanwhile Becky entertains Steyne and ignores Rawdon's letter of bringing him the £70 for the dressmaker's debt and asking her to give them time to pay.  However she doesn't come and he is forced to write to Bute for money.  He pays his debt and asks if Rawdon contacted Becky first, but she didn't come.  When Rawdon gets home he hears the two in the parlour and he loses his temper.  Becky arguing she's innocent and Steyne throwing back in Rawdon's face how he gave her money and jewels and how Rawdon pimped her out.  Rawdon strikes him and throws the necklace at him as Steyne calls her a whore.  He searches the room and finds her box with her hoarded wealth.  He shared everything with her and she had more than enough to get him out of debt.  He will send some money to Arabella and send the rest back from whence it came.  Becky saying she believed she did love him once.

As we know it was nothing but lies from her even when Rawdon said she'd have been better off  marrying his father who died without even seeing his grandson.  Rawdon now being indebted to Bute but also finally realizing how wrong he was about her, when she couldn't even love her son.  In sharp contrast to Amelia and how she lost everything but retained her dignity and self respect.  But then it's what they say, or I did, if you have no respect to begin with...

How Becky kept mentioning Steyne being in charge of the powder closet!!  Which Rawdon confessed he didn't even know what that was.  Becky still did not heed Lady Steyne's advice when she told her how "children grow old, friends grow cold and husbands endure."  They stick by; which is all that Rawdon's ever done for Becky and at the cost of alienation from his family and the life of comfort he was used to.  Thus becoming a true friend, man and husband under the circumstances, as he could have remained the womanizer he was reported to be and kept his allowance and would've also received an inheritance twice over!

Great episode out of all of them and how secrets were out for Sedly, for Becky too as Amelia and Rawdon were left heartbroken for their respective losses!  A bit of a Jekyll and Hyde moment for Rawdon and I thought that when he was standing on the steps as they left Steyne's place how he reminded me of the characters (when Tom starred in the ITV drama) and sure enough he changed as soon as he arrived home and found them together! 
Final ep next week when things will finally fair (no pun) in one direction or another.

Paranormal Lockdown UK 1.6 "Newsham Park Hospital" Review

This ep was shown as there were technical issues with 1.5 thus out of order, but will be aired next week.

Newsham Park located in Liverpool, was originally built in 1874 and was specifically for the purposes of housing orphans of seamen lost at sea.  Leading to all manner of cruel punishment and a tough, harsh life for these orphans even having to endure separation and being sent to the punishment floor if they spoke out.  Queen Victoria visited the orphanage twice and a Royal seal was awarded after a visit there.  The hospital was also opened by the Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Victoria's son who was also a sailor.  It then became a  hospital in 1954 and housed some of the more criminally insane including allegedly Ian Brady, one half of the Moors Murder duo.  It then became a psychiatric hospital in 1992 until finally being closed down.

Reportedly one of the most sinister locations in England.  A place Nick and Katrina had been researching for a while and wanting to get in there to investigate.  With so much going on behind closed doors there was bound to be plenty of activity, including demonic rituals carried out here in the chapel and other areas.  The original owner commenting on finding bones and teeth.  Katrina also found a makeshift Ouija board on one of the original tables.  Thus giving it all sorts of energy and allowing anything evil to come through.


They were led on a quick tour by historian Paul who showed them where the orphans would eat their meagre meal and where there have been reports of footsteps, running and shadow figures.  There where also shown a slab where DBs would be laid and some investigators even used a Ouija board on it.  Was that really necessary especially since it's widely accepted you can never tell what will come through and also if the session isn't properly closed.  One reason for the so-called evil activity of the place.  The basement boasts of light anomalies and also a headless man in white.  Perhaps this was the man they got coming through on the Geoport whilst they conducted an experiment using the Hazer, which omitted smoke and the LED light panel, when a voice came through saying, "I lost my head...saw."  Nick thinking it could have been accidentally sawn off like during an autopsy or an accident.  They also got the name "Sid" coming through twice.

Nick used the EchoVox to scan through voices phonetically, as well as using a thermal camera.  With hardly anything coming through they went to the third floor and Nick saw a shadow figure here and heard footsteps as well as a banging door.  Putting it more down to children rather than anything darker.  A lot of running around was heard but again nothing was caught on camera, which is getting to be commonplace now.  You'd think with so much technical equipment they would catch something on camera.  Sadly not even Rob caught anything this time!  The only word Nick heard was "abuse."

Nick chose to spend the first night in the morgue (again) and didn't get anything except for a banging sound which he thought was a chair.  Swearing he doesn't want to spend another night in a morgue until he dies!  They investigated the tower which had a lot of bird droppings which made Katrina swear and it was painful to climb the stairs.  Either it was dangerous or she said it might be environmental factors which made her feel uneasy.

In the basement they set up the hazer and lasers and a still camera taking stills every five seconds.  Nick had some responses here, re the losing head comment and the light panels were going on and off quite frantically, more so than they've done before.  Both thought they saw something trying to manifest in the smoke and a white outline was seen in a photo taken by the stills camera.  I kept looking at the left side of the door and was sure there appeared to be something there, but perhaps it was just the smoke.  See pictures below where they saw a white figure. Personally it wasn't really that apparent anything was actually there.
In the first pic below I can see two faces one on the left corner behind the door and one in the right corner behind the right door, looks almost bearded the one on the right, a kinda laughing Nick to me!!  Ha. The arrow was where I kept looking.

Though I do have to ask why when they were reviewing the evidence the next day, they sat with the windows behind them cos there was quite a bit of light and reflection from the windows reflecting off the computer screen.  So it was hard to see if there was anything actually there.  Nick said the experiment was being carried out for the first time using the hazing machine.  It was a first for the UK but the haze generator has been used before in Paranormal Lockdown episode 3.8 Beattie Mansion when Elizabeth Saint came in to help them with it and she saw a dark figure break the laser beam.

Nick slept on the floor above and Katrina in the main hall but nothing happened during the night.  However before Nick went to sleep and after he set up his cot, an orb could be seen appearing from the left side of the door.  Also there were orbs in the main hall where Katrina was sleeping, just before she speaks to the camera.

On the final night they investigated the punishment hall where footsteps where heard and a child's voice came through saying, "I want my daddy."  Sadly many of the children were never to leave here or see their parents again which broke Nick's heart in particular.  Another voice said "let me out".  They seem to capture this phrase quite a lot and have done so in 4 out of 5 of their investigations at least.  "He's coming back" was also heard on the Geoport and it could be a child waiting for someone to return for them.

They decided that the activity isn't dark or as evil as people have said and mostly children, aside from the basement where they do believe something dark lurks there.  Ah well if nothing else be amused at Nick's pronunciation of NewSham as "Newshim."  And Rob got beeped before the first ad break, so much for letting the expletives remain!  HA.
Next ep is the one originally scheduled for this week  Skegness Hell House.

Vanity Fair Chapter 5 "In Which Battles Are Won and Lost" Review

                                                 
As the war rages on, Becky (Olivia Cooke) is out to make money however she can and in this instance it's by selling Rawdon's (Tom Bateman) prized horses, as they haven't been requisitioned since she's hiding them away in a stable.  Watching Lady Bareacres (Elizabeth Berrington) sitting in a carriage without any horses tethered to it.  Jos (David Fyn) is also in search of horses as they fear the French invasion.  However Amelia (Claudia Jessie) is overcome with George's (Charlie Rowe) departure with worry for him.  Obviously Becky doesn't feel that way as Rawdon is a Captain he would be at the General's side whilst the other man go into battle.  Becky reminds Jos of his sister and taking her with him.

Lady Bareacres sends her maid to enquire about selling the horses but as Becky sips tea, she is surprised she would send a servant to do her bidding.  However her two rubies she wore to the ball aren't enough to entice her to sell; as Lady Bareacres concedes she would invite Becky and her betters to the hall back home.  Becky refuses since what she is offering is not enough for even her betters had she any.  As Becky watches from the balcony Lady Bareacres stumbles and falls in the wet ground, only to sit in the empty carriage in the rain.  Becky sells the horses to Jos as she also tells him he looks like a military man in his attire and the French will see this when they invade.  She takes everything that Jos has and he rides away leaving Amelia behind as she refuses to leave.  Becky throwing the money into the air and rolling in it, well more lying than rolling but you get the picture.

As George and Dobbin (Johnny Flynn) ride into the woods, they are soon attacked by the French troops and must stand their ground.  Finally making camp in the rain as General Tufto (Richard Dixon) demands Rawdon find him Waterloo on the map.  Dobbin telling George he would kill everyone of those men on the hill if he had the chance, with George mimicking gunfire.  Amelia hears the cannon fire has stopped and the guns are silent for now.  The wounded men are brought back and Ensign Stubble (Jack Loxton) tells Amelia that George is fine.  As the troops further prepare for the Battle of Waterloo.  The General saying the men will be attacked by the cavalry and will be cut down.  They fight and Dobbin tries to rescue a wounded soldier on the field as the order to fire is given, George countermanding it until Dobbin returns.  Later as they began another march into battle, George cries "the time is now..." and is shot down.

As the news reaches Amelia, she cuts her hair and is driven away in the carriage as they cross paths with Sedley (Robert Pugh.  Dobbin speaks with him but he refuses to budge on the issue of accepting Amelia and even his own grandson.  As Sedley remarks on how "better men have died" and Dobbin repeats this in reference to George.  As they return home, Becky too has a son, Rawdy, whom Rawdon adores but she doesn't tend to him.  She sent French souvenirs and a letter to Aunt Matilda (Frances de la Tour) in the hopes she may forgive him and offer them money.  However when they arrive back, she dies not even hearing Becky whens he tells her in desperation how she loves Rawdon and to forgive them for their past actions.  Becky takes it upon herself to find them a place by throwing herself in tears at the mercy of Mr Raggles (Peter Wight) who offers them his property in Mayfair to rent.

Rawdon can't afford this place and at the reading of the will, he is only left those very same souvenirs and a meagre £100 with everything going to his brother, Bute (Mathew Baynton).  As Martha (Sian Clifford) and Pitt (Martin Clunes) smirk at Becky's prospects and what could have been for her if she married him.  Becky suggests Rawdon should get on the good side of Bute now.  As well as proposing they should use their rooms to play cards in a well-respected home to earn money.  Even Arabella (Felicity Montagu) got £600.

Dobbin looks after Amelia and Little Georgie with toys and tells her he's leaving for India but doesn't know how long he'll be gone.  She writes to him and he writes to Jane (Ellie Kendrick) imploring her to get Sedley to help her for the sake of his grandson.  Jane spies upon Georgie in the park and tells Sedley he should visit him since he resembles George.  Which he does and Amelia reluctantly lets him visit with him.  Later Sedley writes he will return the money to her that rightfully belonged to George if she gives up his grandson and she refuses.  Even though her parents think she should do this.  Then they too can live off the wealth.

Rawdon wins at cards and Becky won't stop her singing to look after their son.  As he does so Lord Steyne (Anthony Head) enters and Becky is enamoured to meet with him.  Still searching for a way to make more money.  Their fortunes are not so rife as both have had babies and need to make their way in the world.  The difference being Amelia actually wanted Georgie but Becky does not want Rawdy.  Well woman didn't you know you would get with child!  The depiction of the battle showing how pointless and futile war really is, even if a necessity at times.  Steyne#s entrance was typical in moustache twirling fashion and draped in his cloak, entering with menacing intentions!

Paranormal Lockdown UK 1.4 "Abandoned Park Hotel" Review

Another haunted location being a hotel, think these are top of the list as far as investigations are concerned, where Nick and Katrina try to help out a new owner, Martin.  Hey this hotel can't be classed as abandoned if it's been bought and other paranormal groups investigate here.  Shadow figures, disembodied voices such as screams have been heard by people.  Martin's property manager even caught a face on CCTV which resembled a devil face.  So ominous even before the investigation began.  With a man murdering his wife, Emma and then hanging himself in the tower, as well as other suicides.  A lot of the activity at the hotel was residual balanced against intelligent responses; with the spirits just going about their daily activities.  Even capturing a conversation where the man and woman appeared to be oblivious to their presence.  That breakfast reminiscent of the one from Paranormal Lockdown 1.6 Kreischer Mansion where at least Edward tried to communicate with them and the Geoport was turned off on him!

This hotel was the brainchild of Edmund Park who carried out seances here and ended up disappearing.  Some believed he was murdered and he cursed the hotel as are the rumours throughout the town.  His spirit is said to haunt the hotel, well if he practised in the dark occult then perhaps he was a victim of his own dark doings.  Other legends include the drowned body of a soldier being brought to the hotel and how his spirit haunted here too.  Many of the rooms have oppressive feelings.

As for that scream they heard to me it sounded like a cry for "help!"  Rather than just a scream.  Have listened to it many times now and it does sound like rounded letters, a word than just a scream.  Also it sounds more like a child, doesn't sound like an older woman. At first I thought it could have been Emma, but again the voice is too child-like than an adult.  Not any activity in figures at all this time round, except for something trying to manifest itself on the final night with the 3D imaging camera, but the stick figure never fully materialized.  Perhaps it didn't have enough energy or just didn't want to show itself.

Voices on the audio phonetics included "up here" and "come down" leading them a merry dance it seemed.  On day 2 they conducted an experiment where Katrina would wear headphones and listen to any voices coming through.  With Nick going to a different part and asking questions.  An experiment Nick carried out with Elizabeth Saint in Ghosts of Shepherdstown episode 2.4 I'm You're Biggest Fan at the Old Opera House and the results were surprising and completely corresponded with the Q&A session! Similar happened here too.  Nick asked the spirit to go to the tower and tell Katrina.  She heard "I'm Here" and "it's bright."  That could mean the bright light coming into the tower as it was day, or it could mean she's somewhere with bright lights around her. 

On the second day when Nick came to wake up Katrina, a door shut on him and still Katrina couldn't be moved from getting up from her sleeping bag, she said she was too tired!  Right Nick you know who you can rely on for help!  Ha.  Then the ballroom door also shut on them later, so it was apparent something or someone didn't want them there, coupled with the voices that told them to "get out" etc.  That voice that said "shut up bitch" on the audio when Nick was in that room downstairs.  Also asking her "if she wanted to find out" in a threatening manner!  Rude much!

They set up more audio and a female voice came through saying "I'll get you."  Katrina saying it resembled that of a witch.  A male voice was heard to say "that's the witches" and "the witch of..." That was remarkable as the Pendle witches were hanged not far from here and Martin's friend said how some witches were her ancestors.  Thus were probably trying to communicate with her in Katrina's view.

I like investigations with more activity, I know and where can actually see things manifest and captured and I know that's not possible all the time in every investigation, but some of these eps just end up giving validation to what is already known and nothing new appears so that the level of investigations and new findings can be researched and taken further.  Everything just stems around what is known.  I'm not blaming anyone for that, it's just the nature of the investigation and you have to make do with what you find.  Spirits are unpredictable.

Vanity Fair Chapter 4 "In Which Becky Joins Her Regiment" Review

                                               
This ep sees Becky Sharp (Olivia Cooke) putting her feminine wiles to full use as she attempts to gather money for herself (more for herself than Rawdon) and in the process Amelia (Claudia Jessie) realizes her true colours.  Well, finally as George (Charlie Rowe) makes a move on Becky!  Of course she wouldn't go after a mere pauper since his father now disowns him and only provides him with £2,000 severance pay.  Severance as he disowns him as his son and heir and removes his name from the family bible!  As he tells the servants to set a plate for George everyday in the hopes of seeing him return and begging for more money and erm his forgiveness.  Which I doubt Osborne Senior (Robert Pugh) would even give.  As George's sister, Jane (Ellie Kendrick) tells their father he should forgive George but he doesn't see himself as being in the wrong.  He even says this to Dobbin (Johnny Flynn) as he too believes that since they are on the eve of leaving for Belgium and war, that he should at least consider communicating with his son.  However Osborne makes a remark about pistols at dawn prompting Dobbin to leave.  Well he did his best and it was more so for Amelia than George since she will have scarce now't to live on. 

Poor Amelia (literally and metaphorically) can't see anything wrong with George and how he consummately despises her.  Of course he does, she cost him his fortune and holds Dobbin to blame for this too.  Dobbin brings the letter to George whilst they are at port and he holds noting but contempt for Dobbin for allowing him this fool's folly.  However, Dobbin would have Amelia in a heartbeat!

Now to Miss Sharp and how she and Rawdon (Tom Bateman) sneak off in the morning without paying their rent or any of their bills.  Rawdon complaining of needing a valet to dress him.  But fear not as Becky has a plan.  Not only did Rawdon manage to get George into further debt after gambling but she is determined that he should pay that £2,000 towards his debt.  Amelia not being able to understand why George frets so over the money as she thinks it's adequate.  But this isn't the life of luxury that George is used to.  Becky adding that it is a mere foot soldier's salary.  George further vexed when Dobbin tells him that he will have to live on his soldier's pay!  Perish the thought!

As they arrive in Belgium, it's not long before Rawdon and Becky entice George into another card game and Amelia knows that Rawdon is a very good player.  As Becky further flirts with George by lighting his cigar for him and telling him how she loves the smell of it. That was a line she also used to ensnare Rawdon too in episode 2!  General Tufto (Richard Dixton) also is beguiled by Becky and her charms, or rather her developed bust, as they attend the opera.  George not having any money to buy Amelia a bouquet and then has the nerve to ask why everyone has one except for her.  Amelia having befriended the wife of Major O'Dowd (Patrick Fitzsymons) Peggy O'Dowd (Monica Dolan).  However, all eyes are upon Becky in her new red dress as she and Rawdon sit in the General's box.  George waves to her and she waves back which doesn't go unnoticed by Amelia.  During the interval it's all George can do to stumble over to the box, just as the General is getting overtly friendly with her.  She thanks George for rescuing her and Rawdon invites him to another card game.

George also trying to impress people he believes are worthy of his company, i.e the wealthy parents of Lady Bareacres (Elizabeth Berrington) who snobs as as they are turn their noses up at Amelia and George too.  Yet he doesn't see that they don't want anything to do with him.  George telling Amelia they are wealthy and their daughter will marry a Duke by blood.  However George is a tiresome cad as he refuses to defend his wife for every insult they throw at her.  Even asking Lady Bareacres to save dances for him on her dance card and ignoring Amelia when she asks him to save one for her.

George even buys a bouquet for Becky and smuggles a note in there.  As Jos Sedley (David Fyn) arrives having a fearful journey on the boat and isn't invited to the dance.  Becky introduces Rawdon as her husband.  As the General gives her an even bigger bouquet.  Rawdon tells Sedly to remove the moustache as it's only reserved for soldiers.  Amelia is out of place at the dance and George deserts her as usual, as he asks Becky to dance.  Becky having told Amelia she should put her foot down and tell George to stop gambling if that's the case.  As gone are the times where women had to be girls all the time.  Even telling Amelia to dance with George.  Becky dances with George and Dobbin turns up to 'comfort' Amelia. 

Napoleon is at the outskttrs of Brussels and the men must leave the next day as they get their marching orders.  Becky tells Rawdon to come home with medals so they can flaunt them in his aunt's face.  That's the only few words she has for him.  Before he leaves for the night, he tells her that marrying her was the one thing that ever made him happy and still does.  But she hasn't got any such words for him.  In fact she reads the note from George confessing his love for her and stores it in the letter box Amelia gave her like a fanciful trinket!  The nerve!  Amelia cries alone as George isn't there and Dobbin urges him to go and see her when he's sitting outside Becky's window getting drunk.  Becky doesn't even notice him!

Next day they leave and Becky's fast asleep when Amelia can barely stand.  Dobbin tasks Jos with looking after Amelia and Becky bursts in to see Jos and asks if he's going into battle too with his military coat.  She wants him to look after her too, with a nod towards the camera again.  As Amelia tells her to leave.  She was poor and she befriended Becky but she treats her with betrayal and flirting with George, regardless of whether anything happened or not, it was the intentions behind the flirting and forgetting Amelia that was the point.  As Becky ventures out, cannon fire is heard and she doesn't know what that is as the battle commences next episode.  With Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill playing at the end of this week's episode as the soldiers march into war...(Not sung by Kate though!)

Becky finds herself alone but that shouldn't last long.  But strange turn of events as George now covets Becky, more lust methinks, whereas he couldn't stand her before and how Amelia realizes what she is really like and sees her in her true light.  When Amelia also questions her over whether she really does love Rawdon and she can't answer that, not in the same way Amelia loves George, albeit foolishly, she is still devoted to him and her marriage.  Whereas we know, Becky is looking out for her next meal ticket and ways of getting money coming in, such as presents from the General and of course shamelessly accepting them.  Funny moment when Jane thinks Dobbin has come to propose to her and he realizes he's used the wrong choice of words.  I say everyone was after Dobbin in some way or another!  Ha. 

Paranormal Lockdown UK 1.3 "Royal Oak Pub, Swanage" Review

Royal Oak Pub was a series of cottages which were built in the seventeenth century and became a pub later on.  From the outset there was something a little off about this episode I have to say.  The fact that the current owner Rachel used to work here when little and before she became the 13th owner.  Her friend and psychic medium Terri, knew that Rachel would buy the pub one day and they hold paranormal investigations there.  However they also said that before Rachel became owner there was no reported activity there.  So they had circles and seances and bought in the entities and spirits, including something ark and negative.  However other reports indicate that there was a history of hauntings there.

One of the residents of the pub was the Stevens family and Jack Stevens bought in his sister-in-law Mary when his wife died.  Though it wasn't stated how she died here.  Lots of voices coming through on the Geoport mentioning "the baby" and "what happened to the baby..."  As well as some French too which Katrina believed could be the presence of a soldier.  She translated the words on an app which were said via Geoport to "roche" meaning rock.  I heard "ici" too meaning "here."  As well as other voices saying "he killed her."  Aggressive male voice almost tyring to prevent the timid female from coming through and speaking!
Other voices said: "let me out," I will never forget.."  Perhaps in reference to what happened to the baby.  The impression that she was forced to have a baby and then have it taken away from her, whoever she was.  Since "you lost your baby" came through.

Nick saw a dark mass earlier on and this wasn't captured on camera.  Now is the time to wear some GoPros or other portable cameras since we would like to see what's happening before the handheld is able to catch anything or is aimed in the general direction, cos come on guys, it is all about investigating!  Nick's name "Nick's here" also came through later on when they were in the upstairs bedroom known as the Vortex Room, as there appeared to be some sort of portal or gateway there.  Katrina saw a flickering light reflecting off the candle holder in the Vortex Room where she slept the first night and that's what I saw too when she said she was woken during the night, before she said it.  Nick slept in the second floor hallway and nothing was caught there.  Katrina slept there too the second night and still they got nothing!

Nick used the Paranormalagies box for the voices and the Pint sensor in the bar, a last minute light gadget made by Elizabeth Saint to light up when the pint glass was touched.  Which it was and the various bumps and noises were heard.  Knew that one was Elizabeth's - can tell these things!  Aside from the voices they caught, nothing else was actually captured on camera.  To me this one seemed like a bit of a waste of time, so much for the owner wanting to confirm what they were seeing.  But it didn't seem that interesting an investigation to me.  Perhaps one that could have been foregone in favour of somewhere else, or one where the owner genuinely needed help.

It appears the spirits were agitated and wanted to be left alone, especially when a female voice came through saying "let me rest."  It does appear that Rachel and Terri have stirred up activity there whereas the spirits just want to be left in peace and Nick saying they should let them decide what they want to do.  It appears they are happy for the activity to continue, no comment on that from me.  As for being labelled one of the most haunted pubs: I wouldn't quite agree!

Celebrity Ghost Hunt Haunted Holiday 1.2 "Loftus Hall"

Loftus Hall is a veritable haunted horse in Ireland and I love the legend behind it about the dark stranger who pays a call on the family, has his way with the young daughter and then she sees his cloven feet.  Thus the devil called that dismal night.  However not the part about the family murdering the baby she had and burying it in the walls!  This was also the investigation of a Ghost Adventures Hallowe'en Special in October 2014 where they also got some great evidence.

Plenty of activity here with Nadia and Sam both being burned and then Simon feeling the part about the man hanging himself even before Alex told them of this.  All suitably creepy.  As well as the cat's meow when Alex mentioned animals.  But that ticking from the meter actually sounded like a clock coming through.

Also in the card room you can see another orb shoot out from where the tail end of the arrow is to behind the man.

Sure there was a rapid movement of some orbs when they entered the room with the bed, the Tapestry room, that did not look like the movement of dust at all.

28.16 orb shoots into Simon's back, no wonder he was feeling so nauseous and having the most experiences with the activity.  Whether it was to do with his colours as he pointed out is anybody's guess, but did back this up with the activity he was getting and going through physically.

28.24 Another orb here but you have to see the actual footage since they zoom about very quickly.

Sam hearing the rattling of the handle when he was in the room alone upstairs tallies with Zak Bagans capturing a door closing there in the Ghost Adventures investigation, though it wasn't the same door.  And the experience of a girl who felt something brush across her face which frightened her and similar with Alex when she said she felt something brush across her hand.  They also caught an orb in the Tapestry room too.

Vanity Fair Chapter 3 "A Quarrel About An Heiress" Review

                                             
Things were hotting up this week as Becky Sharp (Olivia Cooke) wanted to be with Rawdon (Tom Bateman) and drove away in the carriage after kissing.  No guesses where they were headed, though in true TV drama fashion this wasn't shown until later.  No, until then Becky continued to be the friend for Matilda (Frances de la Tour) reading to her and at her beck'n'call.  Making friends with Matilda's own companion, Miss Arabella Briggs (Felicity Montagu) who was delighted to have another friend in Becky as she felt Matilda no longer wanted her company.  Of course Becky made her believe otherwise, the sharp (no pun) manipulator she is.  As Matilda couldn't eat another piece of meat and wanted some "sweetmeat" instead; thus retiring early leaving the coast clear for Becky to ply Arabella with wine and ensure they were on each other's side.  It was kind of charming for Arabella to find someone she thought was like her, but she was rather gullible.  More glancing at the camera from Becky this episode and her pulling faces when she's clearly disapproving of someone, such as Mr Raggles (Peter Wight) who grew up at Queens Crawley and will be becoming a landlord.  At least he made his fortune honestly!

Pitt (Martin Clunes) opens the paper to read that Napoleon has escaped Elba and thus war looms.  However, Lady Crawley (Madeleine Hyland) was away in her own little world and not interested.  George (Charlie Rowe) reads this too and they know they will be sent away any minute.  As Mr Osborne (Robert Pugh) tells him to find someone else and he should give up the Sedley girl once and for all.  Of course Mr Sedley (Simon Russel Beale) also tells this to Amelia (Claudia Jessie) that she should call of the engagement.  Becky visits with Amelia, taking Rawdon and Matilda with her, as George also turns up.  Matilda having a racist and snooty view of Sam (Richie Campbell) as she refuses to take any refreshment and asks Mrs Sedley (Claire Skinner) how she can leave him around with the silver.  Of course Sam is more put out by there not being any wine to serve as Becky wanted since Sedley sold the wine seller.  However it did not get him out of debt.  George advises Rawdon to be careful of the "wild flirt." 

Lady Crawley has an accident tripping over her dress and falling down the stairs and expiring.  Thus leaving the road clear for Pitt to remarry.  As he heads to London and a beeline for Becky.  That smirk on his face said it all and he couldn't wait to be free again.  He proposes to Becky as he fears he's in dire need of a wife, someone to sort out his finances too and she can be mistress of the manor or anything else she wishes.  Becky having to confess that she is already married but not to tell anyone of this.  Arabella rightly guesses that an affair of the heart may have led Becky to reject Pitt's proposal.

That proposal made Matilda get out of bed quick smart, putting on a turn whenever the fancy caught her but not now.  She would have approved of Becky marrying Pitt but not Rawdon.  As she finally reveals this to her and to us.  Showing that she was wearing white and they indeed rode in the carriage to church and to get married.  However there is no easy way to tell Matilda and she sends a letter to Arabella for her to break the news to her.  That her beloved Rawdon is now her Rawdon too.  Leaving Matilda in another tizzy!  Shrieks of "treasure hunter!  Vixen!" Vowing that she's nothing but a gold digger and she will leave him nothing or give him more money!  But then prithee tell who would've been a suitable match for Rawdon since he was clearly besotted and did the right thing in marrying her.  Though of course Becky would have the last word in that too since she thought she'd be set up for life!

Rawdon also tells Gorge and the other men of his nuptials since he asks if the men wouldn't marry someone they loved, money be damned.  Whereby George receives a letter from Amelia calling off their engagement.  There is a bankruptcy sale at the Sedley's and Becky meant to be nosey and spend Rawdon's money on the painting with the elephant and also the piano, as she never had one.  However Dobbin (Johnny Flynn) outbids her and walks out ignoring them.  The piano is delivered to Amelia and she thinks George bought it for her.  Yeah skinflint George who scarce sent a penny on her and yet claims he wants to do the right thing by her, with some prompting by Dobbin.

Osborne organizes a dinner and introduces George to a woman who has an allowance a month and is from Miss Pinkerton's school also.  A native of the Bahamas.  She's here to learn English and George rejects her claiming he's in love with Amelia and they are engaged.  Sedley is angry and George says he will marry Amelia. As he accompanies Dobbin to her house, he sees a sight he never thought he would, Amelia washing clothes.  Dobbin tells Sedley that Osborne was his friend and he should let them marry, but not the way Sedley sees it as Osborne treated him appallingly in calling in his debts.  Wonder if George got the notion she was just a gold digger too after learning she was also at the Pinkerton school.

Amelia spends the night at Becky's in preparation for the big day and she speaks of how she loves George.  That they are to be wives now and throughout it all, Becky never once says that she loves Rawdon.  Who has attempted to see Matilda but was prevented from doing so by Martha (Sian Clifford) who had been called to take over the house and Rawdon suggest she's been withholding their letters.  Shutting the door on Becky's face.  Pitt has a screaming fit when he finds out Becky married Rawdon and proceeds to break the frame with his picture in it.  More like he was angry she didn't marry him!

Becky attempts for Rawdon to write to Matilda and meet with her as she dictates a letter from him which doesn't sound like Rawdon at all, since he wouldn't use words such as "beseech" with two 'e's.  Obviously she has an extremely low opinion of Rawdon and he later tells her that.  Arabella meets with them in the hopes they may find a way to convince Matilda to see him.  She brings her to the park but she drives straight past them and Becky encourages him to run after and get into the carriage.  Matilda tells him to meet her lawyer the next day. 

The day of the wedding, which goes without a hitch and Becky remarks to Dobbin how he managed to do the right thing for Amelia even if he didn't want to.  Rawdon tells her he got £20 from Matilda and told to keep away.  Becky saying they couldn't even pay the rent, so she decides they should go to war with their husbands as other wives do!  A bad idea!

Yes Becky does think so poorly of Rawdon and he was just a rich meal ticket to be kept in luxury.  And boy did fortune backfire for her and become misfortune.  Especially when discovering that Matilda is just as stuck up and judgemental as Pitt and all the wealthy in society.  Just wanting another servant by her side, someone to keep her company and even if her mother was more than an opera girl or someone far worse as Martha tells Matilda before being sent packing.  Look at Matilda's treatment of Sam as well, who will be the one doing okay out of all the fiasco, much better than the so-called better off.  Becky also being snooty when she tells George that he could have done better if he married someone with a background like her.  Perhaps someone should've used Abba's Waterloo as a song in the end credits, a tad uncalled for in this episode, but with war looming around the corner, it'd be a bit apt when you think about it.  After all "...at Waterloo Napoleon did surrender..."  Perhaps also defeat lies awaiting for Becky too.

Paranormal Lockdown UK 1.2 "Drakelow Tunnels" Review

Drakelow Tunnels below Kingsford County Park, north of Kidderminster, is an oft visited site by many people, paranormal groups and others and is said to be one of Britain's actively haunted sites.  Having being built here in 1941 during the Second World War for building airplane parts etc, it housed a number of people.  There were numerous deaths and as Sid, the site manager told Nick and Katrina, there were about five known deaths but if there were more, then certainly no one would have recorded them and said anything about them, especially not during the war.  There were some who were killed when the tunnels collapsed and three men were reported to have been buried alive.  As well as reported hauntings from shadow figures, various apparitions and a lady seen with a child. 

Of course having worked there for twenty years, Sid had his own sightings too, with someone he calls "Oswald" aka Harry.  Sid was pushed off his ladder and broke his leg.  The tunnels are long and span at least three and a half miles, dark, dank and dusty and if you get lost in the dark, it will take forever to get out, well not literally but the only light source being a torch.  Which is what happened to Nick on the second night when he couldn't sleep, was awoken suddenly and tried to find Katrina, who was clearly away with the pixies.  Strangely, Katrina slept in Tunnel 1 on the first night and nothing happened to her.  Nick got lost and saw the figure of a man he said was following him.  His IR light went out and he only had his torch. leaving him panicky and calling out for Katrina, who obviously wouldn't hear him.  Though when Katrina did get up, she thought she was up before him and went to seek him out.  Nick crawling through a crawl space by this time, but managed to hear her calling that way.  Nust've been a tense time being so far apart from each other.

Their photo showing the dark figure is the top one, the bottom one I took.

As they treaded the tunnels, they got a few objects thrown at them, well twice, the first one being aimed at Katrina and hitting her jacket and the second one they said was a brick, so clearly the spirits were trying to get their attention, or were being more aggressive.  Nick used the Afterlife Box app using an analogue radio, which generates phonetic words and captured quite a few voices.

As Nick was sleeping with the lasers, there was an orb/light anomaly that passed through the light from the lasers and can be seen where the blue arrow is marked.   Will try and upload a video for this and for the solid figure that Nick saw.

A voice also said, "that man" in reference to Sid most likely.  Getting Sid's name mentioned twice: "Sid sick" and "Sid sorry."  For throwing his off his ladder most likely.  As Nick later told Sid, Oswald was not a violent or dangerous spirit, but more curious and was aggressive in that the renovations took place there, where they belonged.  Sid did say he was sick on the same day they caught that voice.  Lots of doors slamming too and what both Nick and Rob described as an army of fifty men marching through the tunnels.  Which Katrina said was probably as she asked if she felt safe there in the canteen area.  It did sound like shuffling to me, but not fifty men, guess you had to be there in the moment.  Again after seeing shadow figures, they weren't able to pick any up with their equipment.  Begging the question of how so much equipment just turns out to be useless or no good where such figures are concerned. 

Earlier on on the walk through, they did manage to get a voice in response to Sid's question of whether he's liked now and the voice distinctively replied, "no!"  Setting up infra red lights in the tunnels for their experiment where Nick saw the solid man, with the LED lights on the light panel. The path was crossed and that's when the brick-like object was also thrown.  Also a voice coming through and saying "into a trap."  When the light panel lit up.  Other voices were: "killed," "appear," "computer" all captured through the Afterlife app.

Other voices were heard during the early part of the investigation where Katrina was asking questions and a voice asked, "who's that?"  Katrina introducing herself, Nick and Rob.  A voice also says "hi."  That was strange since this greeting isn't traditionally associated with the UK.  Katrina asks what country they're from and the reply is "America."  So clearly they were getting intelligent responses.  Later when Katrina asks about Oswald or Harry, a woman's voice which is shown as Inaudible on screen, actually says "sit down."  Now that was a cockney/posh accent like they used to speak back then.  If you watch any British black and white film from the 1930's/40's, you will hear the typical accent I'm referring to.  Made me think if it could have been the woman who has been spotted with the child and whether that could have been residual. 

A troublesome ep spending 72 hours in the confines of darkness without light or sunlight and extremely cold, of course without sleep, especially for Nick, he would be frustrated and a little out of his mind when he saw that figure. But an awesome catch!  Right a visit to these tunnels is called for!

Next ep we're off to a pub!!   Definitely getting into the spirit of things then!

Vanity Fair Chapter 2 "Miss Sharp Begins to Make Friends" Review

                                        
Having left the doldrums of London far behind, Becky (Olivia Cooke) begins her tenure as a governess with much aplomb.  Firstly mastering the subtleties in winning Violet (Orli Goldstein) and Rose (Niamh Durkin) and helping them by speaking in French, but then meeting Rawdon (Tom Bateman) at every turn.  Rather he was the one doing the chasing, as his brother Bute (Mathew Baynton) and his prim and proper and utterly boring wife, Martha (Sian Clifford) watch her, the veritable hussy take over the household.  Not so but she begins to bring Pitt (Martin Clunes) around by wanting to become his secretary as she impresses him with her legal knowledge, everything she picked up from her father and his troubles.  Bute thinking she will get to be with Rawdon, as well as Pitt and take over.  Although Pitt is now married to his second wife, he is impressed with Becky's work and has developed a soft spot for her too..

Until the arrival of Aunt Matilda (Frances de la Tour) Pitt's sister has everyone in a tizzy as she has the money in the family too and has not made a will.  Alas she only has eyes for her beloved Rawdon as he accompanies her to Queens Crawley.  Becky even teaching the girls how to curtsy to impress Aunt.  As well as impressing Aunt herself, at singing and playing the piano.  She confesses she hopes someone will take Rawdon away, some rich woman as he hasn't a penny to his name and is in debt.  However Becky tells her it is more apt if he marries a poor miller's daughter which makes all the rich ladies envious.  Cos this life is all about money as Bute and Martha also want to inherit Aunt's thousands.  Completely greedy as the eldest he will also be getting Queens Crawley too.  Though he's rather a Mr Collins' character from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, not failing to throw in a sermon over and over.  Even when Aunt tells him she doesn't want any sermonizing from him.

She finds solace in Becky and as Becky tells her she is a friend to her now.  As Martha goes to Miss Pinkerton (Suranne Jones) to get the lowdown on Becky's father, whom she tells her was a drunk and her mother an opera dancer, thinking this will help in her plan to rid them of Becky.  A plan which Bute labels "brilliant;" not quite as they've not encountered the likes of Becky Sharp before.  Nor likely ever will again.  She thinks Rawdon will seduce Becky at the dance and she will be shamed and will have to leave.

As Rawdon gets Becky alone outside after a dance and says he's never met anyone like her, so full of life and that he would not take advantage of her.  As they are about to kiss they're interrupted as Becky hears the music has stopped and Aunt asks for her.  Pitt's feeding her mutton has made her ill.  However Becky looks after her, helping her remove her wig.  The next day she leaves for London with Aunt who has made Becky her nurse. 

In London, Amelia (Claudia Jessie) is not having much luck with George (Charlie Rowe) who hasn't written or replied to her countless letters and Dobbin (Johnny Flynn) berates him for this as he's playing billiards with Rawdon, on a winning streak.  George begs (yes begs) for money from Dobbin and he gives him some to enable him to buy a present for Amelia.  However he buys a cravat pin for himself!  Whilst waiting for Amelia, Mr Sedley (Simon Russell Beale) asks about his father and how they were good friends.  Yet George's (Robert Pugh) father doesn't carry that same opinion of him and is only looking for George to make a better match than a "lame duck."  He tells George to demand £10,000 otherwise he should find someone better, ie more wealthy.  Calling in all of the Sedley loans.  As Amelia comes to visit Osborne, Sedley accompanies her but isn't allowed into the house, whereby he has a turn and must be helped by Amelia and Sam (Richie Campbell).  Becky finally writes to Amelia about her adventures in darkest Hampshire. 

As Thackery (Michael Palin) says in the opening it's all about people being concerned about worthless things and everyone just wants to get money any way they can.  Of course George wouldn't fight for Amelia when he can do better and didn't even want her.  As Rawdon skulks after Becky.  Shall I say skulks after his funny line of "relatives skulking" around as he proceeded to do the same on the stairs and where he asked Becky if she's smoked a cigar before.  Which she does now in a replay of eating extra hot curry from part 1.  As for modern song inclusions, this episode ends with Madonna's Material Girl being played as she rides off in the carriage with Aunt and confesses who her parents really were which Aunt finds marvellous!  Roll on Chapter 3.  Finally Becky meets someone who doesn't judge her for who she is.

Vanity Fair Chapter 1: "Miss Sharp In The Presence of The Enemy" Review

                                            
ITV's new adaptation of Vanity Fair was much talked about and promoted with numerous interviews, articles etc and could even be said rather hyped up, gearing viewers for a must-see extravaganza for the month of September.  Though it really didn't disappoint at all!  If you haven't read the book or watched any of the adaptations in the past you were missing out.  Vanity Fair is not everyone's cup of tea but it is one that can be said is truly for this day and age.  What with an 'orphan' starting out in the world without means versus those who have everything.  It's no surprise heroine Becky Sharpe (Olivia Cooke) did not want to venture into "darkest Hampshire."  Her 'punishment' for acting out at Miss Pinkerton's  school for girls.  It was Miss Pinkerton's (Suranne Jones) revenge for having to put up with her, but Becky did manage to get one up on her.  Not only did she talk her way into staying with her friend, Amelia Sedley (Claudia Jessie) but she even proceeded to embarrass Pinkerton by speaking in French and telling the girls she didn't even know French for the amount she was getting paid for teaching it.
Olivia bears such a striking similarity in terms of looks to Jenna Coleman!

Even throwing out the coveted dictionaries passed onto the girls who were leaving.  Yes a dictionary will help the richer classes find their way into this world, when most of them would already have their lives mapped out for them through wealthy marriages and other pursuits.  So Becky got to spend a week with Amelia and her family, who didn't receive visitors well and for all their 'snobbery' they really weren't that enamoured to have as parents.  Snobbery aside, the real lowliness of their characters showed when they displayed their racism in front of  Sam (Richie Campbell) who could read Becky like a book.  For she was after money and thought she could do well with Amelia's portly brother, Jos (David Fynn) who was in India and returned home, to wow Becky with his adventures of Indian elephants.  Having a week to make this match and propose marriage, she found things wouldn't fall into her lap so neatly.

Cue George Osborn (Charlie Rowe) a preening peacock, always fixing his hair and having high opinions on how ladies should be and behave and betrothed to Amelia.  Jos proved to be a bounder, but if Becky could take him off  Mr and Mrs Sedley's (Claire Skinner) hands and married since Becky has a "white face" and he wouldn't be lumbered with a brown maharani, that was fine for Mr Sedley (Simon Russell Beale) since they wouldn't produce "mahogany children."  Uttered right in front of Sam, who managed to keep a straight face throughout.  Becky attempting to impress with eating hot curry and getting it down and demanding water.

Interrupted at every turn from getting her proposal from Jos.  Even though he was a buffoon and acted as such at their foray to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.  Where he got drunk and had to be taken home by Captain Dobbin (Johnny Flynn).  Good old Dobby, always seen as a friend, but more a lackey by George, since it appeared the only reason he accompanied him to the gardens was to pay for tickets and carry the shawls.  Then having to take Jos home and George talking him out of marrying Becky since he wanted a lady for a sister-in-law.  As if Jos could attract the attentions of a lady!  Dobby clearly showing feelings for Amelia.

Thus her week was up and she had to leave with Amelia practically giving her everything, including all her shawls, well three of them and the letter writing box which Becky gladly took, but not the carnelian necklace, lest she be accused of being a jewel thief and transported to Australia.  Thus she was on her way to Hampshire, which proved every bit as dark as her expectations and was driven there by Pitt Crawly (Martin Clunes) himself, a skinflint of massive proportions and thus began chapter two where she was to be governess.  Almost throwing the photoframe onto Rawdon Crawley's (Tom Bateman) head as he rides past the window.  Well that was Rawdon, arrogant as ever, in case no one knew yet.  Okay I jumped ahead!

A clever dramatization in places, especially the enjoyable parts where Becky looked at the camera twice, just to ensure we were paying attention to her, but more so it was a plot device to coincide with narration by WM Thackery (the author of the book) himself.  This one will definitely be a ratings winner for ITV and scoring a hit for the cast too.  Lots of mixed reviews on this one with the haters and those loving it to bits.  Some were harsh though.  Okay she's not the 'heroine' everyone wants to read about or watch, but who wants a perfect character everytime.  Becky is manipulative, doesn't suffer fools, wants to get ahead, challenge the norms of the time; but is that her fault, or that of the world she moves in, the society of her times.    No matter what, you can say she is engaging, has a sad life and sympathy on her might be wasted for some; though she's entertaining and a gripping character, never dull.  Always thinking of her next move, although it falls through.

The addition of Thackery (Michael Palin) in the opening with his narration as an introduction to Becky was different and welcome to those who had trouble keeping up with the book, I don't say that for offence (many at school were in this boat) but he adds an extra edge of anticipation, as the cast clamour aboard the carousel.  Life is one big fair after all, to many.  Vanity Fair: "a very vain, wicked foolish place.  Full of all sorts of humbug, falseness and pretensions."  Not very far removed from our  own, modern world at all!