Supernatural 15.20 "Carry On" - A Commentary

Having watched the finale episode of Supernatural Season 15.20 I found I had much to say on it, but in the end decided there isn't much I will say after all.  Firstly since I know many won't agree with what I really have to say and that's fine, but that's not the major reason why which I won't go into since it will turn out being long and protracted.  

SO this was Dean's swansong, the first one to die and not going out in the sense of fighting a battle but during a fight which left him impaled on a nail.  Okay there's a term for that protruding thing but anyway to me, it wasn't what I was expecting or how any one of us would've imagined the ending would be.  There was no Butch and Sundance ending as Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) used to talk about on many occasions as did we too.  No guns blazing, fighting the good fight, though saving those children was a fight for the good.  Sam having to say goodbye so quickly, Dean too and not enough time to say necessary, but enough to get out the important goodbyes.  In some ways it was understandable Dean would be taken first as from 1.22 when he was the one who ended up in hospital after the truck crashed into the Impala.  Leaving Dad (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) to strike a bargain with Yellow Eyes, giving up his own life to save Dean.  

This time round there wasn't going to be any returning, no way Sam was going to bring him back.  This time was for keeps.  This showed from Dean's entire being, his reason for hunting and he was losing momentum fast and he was tired.  This again was apparent when he just wanted Jack (Alexander Calvert) to end Chuck (Rob Benedict) then and there in 15.18.  In doing so, they could have their lives back, free will, live as they wanted.  Yet it was such a short life, well lived without being puppets in a story.  Dean adopting that dog took me back to 9.5 Dean Dog Afternoon, where he carried out the spell allowing hit to communicate with dogs.

Then came Sam dying in season 2 and being brought back, Dean selling his soul, Cas (Misha Collins) rescuing him from purgatory, it was an endless cycle, vicious circle, but it was their destiny and somewhere someone will say it was still Chuck playing with their lives, causing all this chaos over and over.  Billie (Lisa Berry) telling Dean he was always the one, then adding the destructive part to it in 15.18 Despair.  This for summed up the entire battle for Dean and his hunting and in some respects was some crazy foreshadowing:

• Billie: "It's you, Dean. It's always been you.  Death-defying, rule-breaking.  You are everything I lived to set right.  To put down.  To tame.  You are human disorder incarnate."
• Castiel: "I've got you."  [Always had since season 4.)
• Billie: "Come on, Dean.  You can't escape me.  Don't you think it's finally time?  Time for the sweet release of Death?"  

Then there was Dean wanting to give up when he found that perfect life from What Is And What Should Never Be.  That was it for him, having Mom (Samantha Smith) around.  Again only being manipulated by the Djinn and ultimately by Chuck (as usual.)

This ending left a bad taste, it felt rushed, contrived.  There was no Zimmer frame for either one of them.  Contrary to what we fans imagined their lives would turn out to be as they grew grey together.  Still hunting into their '60's, '70's and beyond, heck we thought those Winchester dudes were invincible.  Turns out they were fallible after all and human too.  A harkback to the episode A Hero's Journey where they lost their mojo and were just as clumsy as you and me and no longer heroes.  "Getting old isn't a bachelor party" as Dean says to Bobby in 5.7 The Curious Case of Dean Winchester.  Where we do see Dean age, not gracefully but as handing out lives back to Bobby (Jim Beaver) during a poker game.  (Yes Supernatural was obsessed with poker, or pool as we also saw in 15.11 The Gamblers where they gambled with winning back their luck. A great episode going back to the lore that the show was renown for.

Some good points: they had a final hunt together, got to bring out Dad's journal again and should've known the end was near when Dean said, "this is my destiny" the pie festival! And not those "vamp mimes!"  Hey we never even got to see that leather jacket again!

Sam was the one who grew old, who had his life back as it should've been too if Dean hadn't returned for him as he said in 1.1 Pilot.  Granted he didn't get the uni/college education he was after, but he got married, presumably to Eileen, had a son and the family business continued leaving behind the Winchester legacy in his own son, named for Dean.  Just as Dad did the same entrusting it with Sam and Dean.  Sam telling Ruby in 4.12 how he didn't want to end up hunting all his life, but ended up doing just that.  Finally joining Dean in heaven, Jack's reboot of heaven as it should have been, according to Bobby.  Even if all Dean was seen to do was drive around carefree in his beloved Baby; playing Carry On My Wayward Son, endlessly!  We got to hear that at least.

I admit it wasn't going to be a finale that everyone would enjoy, as my friends said, after 15 years you were either going to hate it or love it, or maybe a mix of both, which is how I eventually ended up feeling.  No one wasn't going to be 100% catered for in getting the end we wanted.  Bittersweet ain't so bad.  They gave it their all and will be missed! Who's crying, I'm not crying.  You're crying! Just blubbing plenty now and then, or then and now! 

Farewell awesome dudes...

Ghost Adventures "Painted Lady Brothel"

The Swastika saloon, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is where they investigated, as it was once called.  As with the Nazi abuse of the word, the same thing happened at the saloon with the murders, rapes etc.  Jesse spoke of how he was attacked in his home and turned the saloon brothel ares into apartments for himself and to rent out.  He was warned before the place and was told about the history, by a relative of the family that built the saloon.  He was going to turn one room the bedroom so he turned it into an office.  As well as the story of the murder when the man found his lover with another man.  Zak takes some readings and there's a spike.  Jesse was attacked when he was sleeping and felt he was going to be possessed.  As well as being attacked in the nether regions.  Zak walks into the coat rack and shocks himself.  

His neighbour, a psychic felt a presence and they heard Bill.  His dog was tormented and Murray was attacked on his neck as she saw.  He thinks it was Bill and Murray is no longer around.  His dog door was at the office room and he was trapped in the door.  Why did he leave him alone in the house when he was attacked before and was warned about him.  Samantha's great grandfather ran the saloon.  She is also a medium.  Zak heard a growl before when standing near the room of the office and she feels his presence there.  Aaron finds out about a man who was a stabber and killed many people.  His name was Miguel Sadillo.  Aaron filmed Jesse when he wasn't well and he felt the same presence there.  Zak gets "Murray" on the EVP and think that Miguel killed Murray.  Samantha feels like Jesse is in danger and he's being possessed and agrees it's demonic. 

Triple Axis EMF meter and Zak uses it in room 3 where they say is a portal.  A light anomaly goes past Zak where the high EMF spikes were recorded by the bedroom door. Who opened the bathroom door more whilst they were filming by the bedroom.  An anomaly goes inside of Billy in the same spot.  The room is freezing.  Zak sends Jay to room 3 for the entire night.   There's a blue misty type feature in one of the Polaroids taken in front of the bathroom door.  Could that be the transparent, jellyfish like anomaly Zak saw??  The thermal cam shows a cold spot on the pillow in the bedroom.  A stick figure appears near the bed and by Billy's arm.  Zak then gets a figure on his hand.  A painted lady doing a lapdance or something else.  Jay uses the binaural microphone and a sound is heard.  I thought it sounded like a voice. "nah, nah nah" almost.  Something falls in room 4 with no one in there.  

Aaron and Billy use the Polterpod in the office and a female voice comes through, "bored." "Boyd"  "Board"  "Bord"...ello??  It doesn't say "yeah."  How did that even sound like yeah.  Jay says some words as he is sensing pain and sorrow.  "I don't even care" is what they sound like.  

Paranormal Puck 2 comes through with "kill."  Zak asks what's buried here? "Bible."

"Who is in danger?"  

"Self."

"Yourself."  Probably referring to Zak.  

They don't know how Jesse will stay here but will offer him help in some way to cleanse and remove the entities.  That place was ominous to begin with, so dark and foreboding.  I don't know how or why anyone would or could live there.  Even the inside was creepy.

Ghost Adventures "El Rancho Hotel"

Gallup, New Mexico where Zak does his impression of a galloping horse! Yeah - no! Investigating the El Rancho Hotel, New Mexico which he calls The Shining Hotel of New Mexico.  Suicides, and a newly discovered murder which was unknown to the owner and staff.  As well as investigating the Bunkhouse.  The hotel was built in 1936 for Hollywood film productions and used for the crew and stars.  More dark energy is complained of and the Bunkhouse appears to be the source of this.  One of the staff speaks of seeing a shadow figure and catches something on the photo that she took, which leaves her traumatized.  The hotel employees also resided there, eeww what a creepy place to live in.  A pentagram with 666 was found in the bunkhouse and this was covered by someone with a cross over it.  Phil doesn't want to ask questions and walks off, as Zak calls this a first.  

Zak sends Billy to the underground tunnels in the basement which run all the way underneath El Rancho, used for prohibition etc.   Suicides were in rooms 108 and 214.  The end of the tunnel can't be seen and Billy gets a disembodied voice when he investigates it.  As for the murder one bellhop shot another one 8 times in the chest, bit graphic 'ey.  Room 221 is where Von saw inside the room.  Zak tells Aaron to bring out his phone and take notes and how they used to write things down on paper before in eps.  As well as marking X's on the floor with tape and writing the level of EMF spikes received on the Trifield.  With the static sensor being used too.  One spike is 100 however is later debunked as they find an electrical sub-panel. In 211 Von heard children inside.  As they place a ball outside the room.

Zak notices a head peaking out by the room where they placed the ball so they think it could be a child.  It looks much creepier than being a child.  Also anytime I see a dark shadow like that it reminds me of the little shadow figures that followed Aaron around, especially the one at Hales Bar Marina and Dam ep.  Zak captures a voice on the recorder in the room.  I can hear a "yeah" before the "I'm back..."  See that voice matches the creepy head.  He uses the bi-noral microphone to hear sounds, amplified.   In the bunkhouse at 24.25-27 is there a shadow that walks past before Billy asks Zak if he saw the white light with his eyes, but the light isn't seen on the camera.  It does look like you can see it.  The white light seems to go round the back of the cupboard or whatever that is standing there on the right.  There appears to be something there right at the end?? 

The red arrow shows where something appears to walk and ends up like a white light where the blue is. 

Aaron's sent to the devil worshipping room and Zak tells it to attack him, footsteps or banging is then heard from behind them.  Aaron uses the Polterpod near and on the pentagram.  The voices sounds like "good luck."  I hear "we fear" not "remember" when Aaron asks what was done there.  Billy gets a stabbing feeling in his arm, where I suddenly felt itchy!  Aaron then feels something went through him. Jay's locked inside to investigate alone.  Whilst Zak and Billy go to the banquet room. 

"Wanna scare you...we're not scared" is what I hear when Aaron catches the voice on the spirit box in room 305 Sidney Greenstreet room.  Aaron asks "who are you" and gets response I Him.  Zak catches a stick figure with the SLS on a ball and seems to kick it.  The disembodied voice in the tunnel sounds like "get out" sort of nasally.

Ghost Adventures "The Ghost Train of Ely"

This first episode of the new season of GA was a first as part of it investigated a haunted steam train, well a two carriage investigation, as they then ventured out on a ride on it. With masks on faces and social distancing showing Covid precautions which will be watched by generations to come. Zak spoke with Mark at the Historic Nevada Northern Railway in Ely. The transportation building he was being watched and saw a face in the second floor window looking at him. Of how the engine room building is haunted and also relayed the 18 deaths taken place there. Including train maulings, a suicide and a man being compressed between two train couplings, that was tragic and gruesome at the same time since he was still alive and had time to see his family, before the company or whoever decided the trains had to leave and he was left bleeding out to die. get that probably nothing could've been done, but this kinda reeked of schedules and business as usual over what could've been a last chance for a little more time with the family. 

 Aaron was excited about the trains and as they investigated the buildings, they were told about noises from tools and generally workers being heard and seen when the place has been empty. Zak being scared by the kitty there and even captured it on infra red camera once. Hearing a noise, Aaron feeling like he touched a spider's web but on review they found there was a light anomaly by his feet. So they found this one but didn't see the one I pointed out by Aaron's feet when they investigated Franklin castle. Huh, ha! As well as getting a capture of another light anomaly when Zak sees a light and what was that zooming past below the light anomaly?? at around 6.15-17 seconds just below the camera. It couldn't have been a person since it was filmed by Jay on his camera, filming Zak who was using his phone and wasn't anywhere near there. It's like something misty zooming past, or was it a glitch of some sort. In the pic the anomaly is green and the mist is marked in yellow with the arrow showing the direction, although it's not really visible in the photo. At 6.25 you can see it under the 'Replay' it's very visible. 

 Con told them of a little boy who haunts coach 5 who doesn't go into the single men section of the train. Built in 1882 as the train was separated by seats for family and children and single men. The train takes them to the ghost town of Laine City and on the way they investigate the train compartment.

Aaron gets the words Wagon Come Trip on the Ovilus. Using the Mel Meter in the 1926 compartment the blue light lights up and Aaron gets 'soul' come through. As well as getting a figure on the SLS on the top of the seat. Could it have been the boy as he ways his arms around in a playful manner, or so it appears. Chainman Mine was were there were Chinese labourers were left entombed and weren't brought out. That's how expendable foreign lives were. And they got away with it. Stephen King wrote his book Desperation based on a visit here. Aaron gets "come back" on the spirit box; I hear "go" not "come." And "Wagon, England" too. Billy has to investigate near the building since Zak refuses especially when he finds out there are rattlers there. The 7 that comes through in response to how many people are there could also be 11. 

 Zak's joke that goes over Aaron's head about what type of train eats toffee, chew, chew as in choo choo. He focuses a thermal cam facing towards the East Ely railroad depot. Aaron and Billy hear noises on the train and the lights on the light up, as well as something being thrown in car 5. And feeling the train move. An eerie sound outside is heard sounded like moaning through a metal tube or pipe amplified and capture a light anomaly. Something bangs on the train. 

 Jay and Zak use the new ITC device and get a weird growling noise. When asks if he died in an accident, "Ace" comes through, was that for the name question. The ITC device is knocked over on command. Was that a "yes" that comes through?? Outside the thermal camera captures an unexplained figure out of the train and it was meant to be secured. Could it be akin to the soldier captured at Gettsyburg also near some train yard.

NYCC Metaverse Batman: Death In the Family Panel

Bruce Greenwood loves voicing Batman again and over the years and it was fun for him. Though he can’t say the same for the audience. Aww always and his voice was great having the right depth to bring out his character.  But you know at least he got to play his voice in an animation considering Bruce shares his name with Bruce Wayne.  So from one Bruce to another.  Let's hope he gets another vehicle to showcase more of his talent.  Musical Batman I'm thinking 'ey?? 

Brandon Vietti saying the Blue Ray will take everyone back to Jason's backstory.   He wanted today’s fans to experience the interaction that was done with the early comic and decide on the choices they make. Can’t do the same on the digital release though. 

Zehra Fazal loves the character of Talia al Ghul. The character brings motivation in the interaction.

Bruce was excited to check out all the routes they can do down which can’t do in TV shows or film where the director chooses what will happen.  Thus they can draw their own conclusions and add their own makeshift narration on how they want the story to turn out, without just getting what the creators would have taken the story route.  Joined also by Vincent Martella who voices Jason.

Tala and Bruce Wayne are both similar especially of their family values, family and team building.

Brandon sees Batman as a father figure and the way Bruce brought him out in that way. Even from Under the Red Hood. Batman has always been broken” and his longing for family brought out his vulnerability but in a different way to before.

"The impossible is just the unthinkable lying in wait” one of Zehra’s fave lines and how it was played by Bruce.

You can also see footage from Under the Red Hood here too.

Bruce on John diMaggio's character of the Joker how he was "a monster and so amazing.  Aesthetically his face is really lived in."  

"Working with beloved characters see different sides of a character they love and being a part of this story" is what Brandon hopes.

Bruce wants everyone to "enjoy the ride and the choice they make.  To have ownership of what happens and have a knot in stomach and what they say about me in their first choice." Bruce: "I hope they appreciate that danger." 

Zehra " the road to hell and life doesn’t always operate that well."

At least we can interact and fully enjoy the outcome of the story and let's see what choices we do end up making and for what reasons, will this also reflect ourselves and our own thought processes and character whist choosing those roads.  Or will we just chose a route for the sake of it without being emotional.

Would've loved to have been able to have interacted with the cast particularly Bruce or even taken a few questions from the audience.  In that sense the panel was limited and they didn't have any opportunities for meet 'n' greet packages or autographs and video messages.  This was sorely missed and a shame!  Still great watching Bruce who always has so much to say on his characters and everyone else's too!

Strike Lethal White Part 4

The finale felt rather rushed and obviously Strike (Tom Burke) would save the day and Robin (Holliday Grainger). It did feel drawn out in places and I really didn't care much for the explanations of why Chiswell was killed or even who did it.  That was apparent since we met Raf (Adam Long) and how he was the hated son.  'Put upon' and all that.  Got my suspect!  It was apparent that if Freddie was such a bastard that Raff would be one too even though he was illegitimate.  Motive schmotive money after all and the realization that Kinvara (Sophie Winkleman) would've been murdered too in the future by Raff just for the painting.  Which Robin takes a snap of in the attic of the house when they pay a visit to Kinvara at the house, she's alone and she comes out gun in hand.  Also that dumb story about having a dog loose.  No hound here!  More like a convenient excuse to have them out of the house.  It was kind of silly for Raff to move about in the room when they already know about the creaky floorboards.  But heck no.  And Robin's excuse of wanting to use the loo.  Where surprise surprise she finds photos hanging there.  I mean family snaps in the loo.  These wealthy types and their decor ha! 

She spots Raff with a pony and in horse riding attire and spots how much of a girl he looks like with longish hair too.  Thus it was him who Billy (Joseph Quinn) saw being strangled by Freddie but it was the pony that was buried cos Freddie and his pals shot it.  What a family 'ey.  As well as Kinvara's alibi bopping about all over the place on CCTV at Paddington, how obvious was she.  As well as the beggar and her giving him the key to Ebury Street.  So he could carry out the dastardly deed.  But neither one of them knowing the horse painting was a Stubbs and Robin getting Sarah (Sophie Colquhoun) to value it asking about whether she got her earring back.  The one she left in Robin's bedroom.

Robin admitting to Strike finally that she left Matt after Jimmy (Nick Blood) calls her and tells her he'll get her back.  Leading to another panic attack and she comes clean about everything.  Strike comforting her with the talk of her being a better detective than him and having no training whatsoever.  Well it's all about instinct and following clues and leads.  Also she did get to be privy to more info than him.  Strike telling her the business will pay for her therapy. Wow generous boss!  Must've raked it in with this case and sure Izzy (Christina Cole) would've paid plenty.  Just as Izzy pays for Billy's treatment/therapy at the end saying that's what the family owed him.

So Knight and Chiswell were into building torture devices and the bloody EU changed their rules.  That was probably one thrown in for topical Brexit.  That's what they made their money from, gallows.  Definitely built their gallows high! So it had nothing to do with trafficking.

Showing Geraint (Robert Pugh) photos of his daughter and what they did to her.  They had to give us an explanation of what happened and how he felt and as a father couldn't do anything to save her, but that Freddie's friends will get theirs now from the photos.  Strike having a pissy moment with Charlotte (Natasha O'Keeffee) as she's at the gallery and feigns being unwell so that he'll walk her to the restaurant and wanting him back.  He was right royally f**ked about her when he couldn't give a damn about her selfishness.  She was all about the money and jewellery and what he couldn't give her.  He didn't care about their baby or what happened to it.  He's not a baby person.  Oh watch out Robin. Guess we'll find out she's too messed up to have one either.  See all this seemed so contrived and unnecessary to me.  Did we really wanna know about her and their past since it was already mentioned before.  Except for when she asks him f he's never loved anyone like her since.  He replies "thank f*8k" he hasn't.  Meaning the way he 'loved' her he wouldn't go there again with anyone else cos she just wasn't worth the hassle! 

So Strike is pissed when he gets back to the office with a bottle of booze and Robin has a drink too with the looks passing between them.  Blooming heck that and kissing her too even if by accident.  No guesses for what crossed their minds then.  As well as Strike touching his lips afterwards.  He looked more like he was trying to wipe the lipstick ha! 

When Robin gets a text she believes is from Matt, she tells Strike she's got to go see him cos he'll threaten to tell the press about them being an item.  As if that was reason enough.  Strike then realizing that it's not from Matt but Raff on his narrow boat.  The ending, damn it, Raff saying if she tells him he's caught then he'll give himself up.  When she tells him about the CCTV and his face was seen as the beggar.  He's got nothing to lose so he wants to shoot her.  Strike having removed the bullets beforehand at the house, enters to save her.  She doesn't want a lecture on not giving suspects personal info as she did when she met Raff for drinks and ranted about Matt.

The agency lives on and Strike and Robin will meet up for curry and beer later!  As said rounded up rather quickly and no mention of bloody Jimmy and Flick and that tax driver didn't turn out to be a menace after all, darn it! 

Strike Lethal White Part 3

                                                          
The action came in thick and fast in this one, or maybe the dialogue rather than action.  So much in one ep, makes you wonder why they were so lax in the first two eps.  Strike (Tom Burke) arrives at Chiswell's and asks how Robin (Holliday Grainger) got in.  Telling her to search the library where Chiswell's DB was found whilst he calls the police.  Apparently Chiswell died not from the overdose of crushed sleeping pills in his drink, but being suffocated.  Main suspect being Kinvara (Sophie Winkleman) as she also left a note telling him she was leaving.  Obviously he wouldn't kill himself over this.  So Izzy (Christina Cole) asks for their help for the same reasons, but he wouldn't kill himself at all.  So where was his suicide note and why would he use plastic on himself.  In this day and age of too much plastic in use, sorry!  Izzy believes it was Kinvara who is now back at their home.  So they drive down to the house, they meet the rest of the family.  With Raff (Adam Long) calling Robin by her name now.

There's a sister, Fizzy (NB this was not The Tweenies with Fizz, ha - oh wait someone must've been obsessed with champers/wine as the blanc de blanc refers to a chardonnay as Strike later tells Robin) Izzy, Fizzy (Natalie Walter) really no originality!  Ha.  And a brother in law, Torquil (Nicholas Burns).  No love lost between each other in this family then as they all hate each other and also Kinvara.  Maybe not so much hate as loathe.  They all swear they were home or have alibis.  Kinvara taking a train from Paddington which is confirmed by the police, as are their alibis too.  Though Kinvara could have an accomplice and the family providing alibis for each other doesn't mean anything.  Strike finds out there's only one key and she has hers, the other person with a key was the Polish maid but Kinvara doesn't know her name, only that she had c's and z's in the name.  Oh wow not big on the hired help then was she.  Why didn't they ask for a description at least, colour etc even if it wouldn't have been PC in this day and age.

Apparently the bones Robin dug up belonged to a pony as Izzy tells them, that Freddie shot for target practice.  Raff is out of the will which he puts down to Kinvara and she wants everyone out since this is her home still.  Raff calling Robin 'Venetia' when she leaves.  They find Billy is out of danger but they can't see him as Jimmy (Nick Blood) has said next of kin only, he being the only relative.  Strike wants Billy protected as he's a witness in a murder case.  He also recalls Flick (Saffron Coomber) knows Polish and could've been the maid.  Cue Robin going undercover again in a magic potion shop; in disguise with a wig and heavy make up.  You wouldn't recognize her except for her pout!  Flick invites her to a party and Jimmy shows up so Robin hides her phone in the storeroom and records them.

At the party she manages to search the bathroom and find a note hidden in the sanitary product, right so there's no room to hide anything in.  Ha.  She takes a pic whilst Jimmy has a mate check her out as she calls herself Becca Cunliffe.  Being Matt's name. When they found out who she really is she's already left and called for backup.  But she didn't run fast enough.  As Jimmy et al give chase, he runs into a policecar.  They visit the hotel where Robin went for her anniversary and lo and behold, beyond dumb coincidence she's able to be at a place where Kinvara also frequented.  She was having an affair and they suspect with Jimmy so she probably poisoned the orange juice as Chiswell was a creature of habit and then got Jimmy to finish him off.

Also finding out that the message on the text with the initials CBB belong to a Christopher something or another (tell I was bored by the pieces fitting together so conveniently already) and that Aamir Malik (Danny Ashok) was sent by Winn to find info on Christopher's computer.  He doesn't want Della (Anna Cannings) to get into trouble and admits he didn't find anything but got a black eye.  Strike's convo with Della reveals she's divorcing Winn.

On top of this we have Lorelei (Natalie Gumede) telling Strike to show some respect and not be a coward by breaking up in person with her.  Robin jabs her foot on a stud earring belonging to Sarah and lo and behold - again - she finds it in the shagpile (aptly named) in the bedroom, with that thick rug makes you wonder how far up that earring was sticking, ha.  She confronts Matt who says he was breaking up with her, he's been lying and he wants her.  Yawn!  She leaves and enters a taxi with a sinister taxi driver.  Hell Sherlock season 1!!  A Study In Pink!  Cue Robin being abducted or something, of course.  Man this book didn't have to be so long!!  Robin finally growing some balls as she tells Flick earlier on and leaving Matt.  Though hopefully them being single now won't mean they run into each other's arms!  She admits to Matt if she hadn't been raped she wouldn't have been with him.  He was just there at the right time.  So using each other.  Though Matt as his last name suggests is such a Cuntliffe!  She should've found someone else for comfort.

Strike : Lethal White Part 2

                                          
The police are on the scene and Strike's (Tom Burke) friend sends him a photo of the girl which could be the one who was murdered.  They need to ask Billy (Joseph Quinn).
Having visited Chiswell's (Robert Glenister) home and Strike asking to see Freddie's medal which he  says was rubbish since no one liked him, Robin (Holliday Grainger) uses the pretext of the loo once again to snoop into the same room and finds some photos from Freddie's 18th birthday party days.  One with a woman in a green dress with 'whore' written on her back.  They later find out that Rhiannon was good enough for the fencing team whereas Freddie's girlfriend wasn't.  Rhiannon in the green dress was the one in the photo and later hanged herself.  She was Winn's (Robert Pugh) daughter. 

The Core group are having a party before the building is demolished for the development and Strike finds out that Billy maybe here since Jimmy has a room there but he'll have to move him soon.  So Strike manages to get in there as they're having a party and buys a mask for £10 from one of the protesters commenting on how they think capitalism is bad, sarcastically!  He finds Billy and he tells him that's not the girl he saw.  Billy can't keep doing this anymore and finds his chance to escape when Jimmy (Nick Blood) shows up.  Pushing Strike on the stairs and causing him further injury to his leg.  He asks Lorelei (Natalie Gumed) if he can stay with her to heal.  As Robin turns up to retrieve the bugs she's planted she's caught by Winn's assistant, Malik (Danny Ashok) who threatens her when she says she's borrowing a stapler and she uses the excuse of knowing six people who can fire him.  Whilst she's at the intern office she overhears an answerphone message saying "they say they piss themselves when they die".

As Lorelei's at the office picking up his things.  Robin shows up and she tells him about the photos and thinking doctor Elspeth Curtis-Lacey (Ruth Lass) involved with the charity could have info on Winn.
Robin finds out that Winn was stealing money from the charity fund and Chiswell can use this to reverse blackmail him into stopping Winn hounding him.  So they go to the charity do and Robin picks a dress to wear and wears that green one.  The one she wore when she went undercover in the fashion store series 1 and Strike couldn't keep his eyes off her.  God good man a dress isn't everything!  Ha.  Strike getting beaten up by Jimmy and his pals when he arrives at the do.  He also gets to see his uni love, Charlotte (Natasha O'Keeffe) again who's having twins.  She wants to share a cab with him but he refuses, good for him!  As we get another flashback to him giving her the bracelet she still wears.  Robin watching them leave together.

Talking of flashbacks Strike has one to calling Robin and being told that she's gone on the honeymoon after all.  Lorelei tells Strike she loves him, leaving him with a dilemma.  Yeah break up with her.)  Talk about making this messy.  Meanwhile smarmy Matt (Kerr Logan) tries to get it on with Robin who says she's not in the mood and tears her dress.  Strike gets a call from Billy who tells him he can't live with this any longer and he finds him stabbed.  As Robin turns up at Chiswell's house for their meeting Chiswell is dead with plastic wrapped around his head.

The girl in the picture was Suki but not the dead one. So maybe she's still alive and know what's happening.  Found this series rather tedious to be honest with those whistful, lustful looks passing between them, oh why do we have to get this attraction bit in at all.  They do that with everything and spoil the show.  Can't they just work together without falling for each other.  That was one reason loathsome Matt was added, but then Lorelei too and Charlotte all in the one ep.  Ugh Strike was only looking for a good time and his 'they were good together' was a bit cruel considering she was there for him but he doesn't want her.  Which we know of course!  What's so great about Robin though I have to ask.  She's just ordinary and his colleague.

Strike: Lethal White Part 1

                                                   
The much watched series returns for a four part mystery concentrating on blackmail of a politician, the death of a girl and of course the personal battles and relationships of the two leads, Cormoran Strike (Tom Burke) and Robin Ellacott (Holliday Grainger).  Beginning with Robin getting married and yes to that loser of her boyfriend, Matt (Kerr Logan) who didn't do much of anything other than boozing and sleeping.  As well as being jealous somewhat of the time she spends at her job and her work.  Of course Strike is invited to the wedding and turned up at the reception too, though admittedly he got rather bored and doses off.  Not surprised really.  Though once again there were major pangs and deja vu relating to Sherlock and John Watson's wedding, which turned out to be more eventful than this.

As the couple dance, Strike leaves but not before she can't stop staring at him and he at her.  As he leaves she goes after him and says she'll accept his offer to return to work after he fired her last series.  As they hug, more connotations of Sherlock and of course also a little Doctor Who with Amy and Rory's wedding when Doctor Eleven walked off on his own.

At work with a new receptionist who really didn't want to be there and wasn't so good at what she does either.  Neither was the guy he hired out to help him who botched up following a person of interest in one of Strike's current cases.  So he fires him too.  As Robin returns to work, a man, Billy Knight (Joseph Quinn) turns up and hides out in the office, a potential client who can no longer keep his childhood secret a secret.  He tells of witnessing the death of a girl on the hill with a painted horse.  He was six and he saw the killer placing her on the eye of the chalk horse and strangling her until she pissed herself.  He won't give his details but Strike convinces to write down his address, until the receptionist walks in and scares him off as he tears the paper from the pad.  Robin filming the incident on her phone the entire time.

Strike uses the tried and tested method of pencil rubbing over the remaining page and finds a possible address.  Arriving at Billy's flat he breaks in and finds a run down place with leaflets advertizing CORE and a time and date of a meeting.  An anarchist housing group protesting against a new development.  Strike goes to the pub as Robin has other plans and ingratiates himself into the group asking about Billy.  One of the women says the speaker is Billy's brother, Jimmy (Nick Blood).  They don't know where he is.  Jimmy takes his brother to a 'safehouse' and gives him a knife and chopping board to film him cutting himself and is obviously going to use this for blackmailing purposes.

As Strike leaves the pub he is watched.  Arriving at the office he is stopped by a man in a car, the politician Jasper Chiswell (Robert Glensiter) who wants to hire him as he's being blackmailed.  He wants to get something on his blackmailer.  This leads Strike to get Robin to go undercover at the Houses of Parliament, plant some bugs in the offices,    especially of Geraint Winn (Robert Pugh) a smarmy MP who is involved in a charity.  Whilst Robin acts as an intern who is Chiswell's goddaughter.  Not a very robust perfect family, as Strike knew his eldest son, Freddie who died and he had to investigate his death.  He was hated by his men.  The younger son, Raff (Adam Long) killed a woman whilst high and got a light sentence obviously.  Chisel also doesn't get on with his second wife, Kinvara (Sophie Winkleman).  His daughter, Izzy (Christina Cole) is in on the operation.  But small world that she knew him at uni along with his ex, Charlotte.  As well as Investigating Freddie's death in the army!

Having to wear brown contacts which are scoffed at by hubs, he prefers Robin as is since she's far better looking and in held in high regard.  Again he doesn't do much of anything! As we get flashbacks to the wedding and the honeymoon on the beach, again her job is mentioned and she's happiest whilst working.  Yeah we don't need to wonder why.  She and Strike manage to find out the house which has a barn and inside is a map of the dell where Billy said the body was buried.  Venturing out Robin manages to dig up the bones wrapped in a pink blanket and are chased back to the barn by dogs.  (Look the Hounds of the Baskervilles - ha.)  As she makes a run to the Land Rover they manage to escape.

Though she didn't get the message when she realized Matt had deleted Strike's messages from her phone and that was the moment she should've walked away.  Obviously that wasn't going to happen.  Ha, Strike asking for mustard and potatoes at lunch with Chiswell he never got, reminded me of his meal every night whilst performing in Rosmersholm.  Potatoes galore and eggs, pickled herring!

Apparently Robin tells Matt she can't do this and wants to go back as it's over but he's poisoned with the cut he got whilst swimming which ruins her chances.  Wouldn't put it past him doing this deliberately but he gets her to promise she'll stay with him.

So a year later she does exactly this and returns to work and her PTSD in all from last season as she was attacked by the Strangler.  It's no surprise she reacts with shock when Billy is there and when she storms out from the Parliamentary office when she sees Raff there.   Strike has taken up with Lorelei (Natalie Gumede) adding more drama to the no-starter of a relationship.  Sexual tension is high and even Lorelei notices this  As with Robin's comment of "she bakes" when they ring ehr  cake for the housewarming party.

The eye of the Horse of Uffington - thought a good in yer face to their prospective relationships/partners ha.  Billy and Jimmy's father worked with Chiswell adding more to the lot.  Were they both involved in the girl's murder and why.  Funnily Strike doesn't know what Chiswell and their dad were exporting - be it human trafficking by chance, drugs??

This one appears to be dragged out into a 4 parter whereas the others in the series were parts each but there were added bits in here that weren't really necessary and just used as fillers.  We get to see the wedding/honeymoon and the aftermath in flashes and learn Robin is suffering from panic attacks and is having therapy.  (Again a Watson moment.)  Also speaking about Strike.  But she doesn't want to leave Matt even though shes miserable.  Good to see Tom return to this as this was filmed around last September shortly after his West End stint in Rosmersholm.

'DC’s Legends Of Tomorrow Panel – Wizard World Virtual Experiences' 2020 - Matt Ryan

Was so stoked to see Matt Ryan after so long, cos flippin' hell no one got him to cons in the UK anymore aside from the usual ones, but couldn't get to those and some, well won't even mention what a certain one was like!  This was a good listen and Matt saying he meets fans asking him to go for a drink and a smoke. Well with me it'd be a chocolate bar or twenty!  Ooh yeah seriously into our chocs! He loves chocolate as I discovered in 2017 when I handed him quite a bit of delectable nibbles ha.  Read into that what you like!!

Matt (or Al Pacino or Christopher Walken or Nick Zano) looked like he was growing his hair for another production of Knives in Hens or Hamlet as he did back in 2017 and 2009, respectfully.  Well the beard in 2017 and the hair in 2009!  But when you looked at him and Courtney Ford together, it looked like they were having a competition as to who could get their style closest to each other!  Ha,  OR maybe it was good to see Matty that way since the last time I saw him, well the penultimate time was in Knives In Hens and he had that massive beard growth, which increased incredibly on the second viewing of the play!

Another moment was when they briefly mentioned the pronunciation of Constantine - Constanteen/Constantyne.  Much debate on that in fan forums and also in articles.  Like the one on Screen Rant where it was suggested Constantine - the character - deliberately mispronounces cos of magic and to remain anon to an extent, without revealing his real name.  Funny I read that Matt says it as 'tyne' since I recall in the show he always said 'teen'.  As did I.  I also found it a little strange that 'tyne' is the Brit way of saying it.

Great seeing Matt again though can't wait to see him in person cos got so much to say, but there's something I've been holding on to give him re Constantine.  Yes it's 'teen', cos we sure as bollocks don't say Ovalt-tyne, but Ovalteen for Ovaltine 

Supernatural 14.13 'Lebanon' Commentary

                                            
Loved this one especially this season, the paradox worlds and how Dean (Jensen Ackles) wanted Dad (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) back in his heart more than getting Michael out of his head.  I said that was a little one dimensional in his wish seeing as what would they do after getting him out of his head.  It was a little like the three wishes a genie grants and they kinda cancel each other out, no matter how on the ball in your thinking you attempt to be, or how good your intentions are.  Same here.  What I loved most was how they added subtle flashes to their past and past eps.  Going into new territory but also old and Supernatural at its most exceptional in the early seasons.

Sam (Jared Padalecki) putting it simply of how he just saw Dad there on the hospital floor and not being able to say goodbye which is all he wanted.  Too close to home and brought it all back again, cos I wanted the same thing too with my dad!  To be able to say goodbye in person.  Lots of Winchester man (and woman) tears in this ep again.  Played straight from the heart (and not just Dean's - ha!)

The fact they got all those artefacts/supernatural objects and just came across a windfall, Sam just wanting to pull the cord on that teddy.  Hey remember the other teddy Wishful Thinking.  Yeah somebody should've done it.  Then going back to lore, baddie of the week, as well as Dean having to mention John Wayne Gacy's cigar box.  Heck clowns, Sam that could only spell trouble.  As well as Dean just parking Baby in the midst of all that trouble.  How easy was she to steal!  Then Dean's line of Sam hating clowns but having a penchant for serial killers.  Wasn't it good to burn his ghost.  But again with the faulty, slow lighter again.  Another harkback to the good ol' days.  I'll allude to those since some of the best eps were when Supernatural was just into 'monster of the week' territory.

Time changing, going backwards or whatever and everything being altered was as reminiscent of My Heart Will Go On with Balthazar (Sebastian Roche) and the Titanic not sinking.  Loved the part where Sam was a nerdy, self-help guru type and heck what happened to Sammy being a lawyer for good.  Dean being wanted again and those Blue Steel poses.  Yet Dean beign the voic eof reason here, when he said he's happy with who he is and knows who he is, whereas Sam not osm much.  Especially after Sam says that's what they could find themselves becoming.  Bottom line: Dean wa salways confortable in hsi own skin and doing what he does.  (Dean: wanted for so many beheadings, tell em baout it!)  But that he a step ahead in Goolging himself!

So an ep wouldn't be complete without angels and Zachariah (Kurt Fuller) who was still attempting one up on humans with his sidekick (which got typed as sidelick ha) in tow, in the form of evil Cas (Misha Collins).  Well maybe not so much evil, as smite-ful Castiel.  Even menacing with a display of his wings in the diner.  Cos yeah dude it was a flash to the first time he appeared to Dean after gripping him tight and rescuing him from purgatory.  Was waiting for Dean to say that, whilst still appealing to his better nature when they were fighting.  But that didn't happen.  Sam had to resort to sigels?? As Cas had to be saved but not Zachariah as he was already out of the picture.  Let's not forget Zachariah's reference to Constantine by calling Cas this.  Yeah Cas!  Who replies he's not familiar with that reference, Zachariah, 'you wouldn't be'.

As said before Eric Kripke made reference to Constantine when he wrote the character of Cas and I explained that in my Supernatural book, as well as my Matt Ryan/Constantine book.  I didn't notice at the time but did Cas have his old trenchcoat, will have to look.  Anyway, a year later and Legends of Tomorrow came up with a Supernatural crossover, only using Baby and other references not actually with Sam and Dean (Jensen/Jared) themselves.  Their act of revenge, ha.  Actually never did get that Supernatural/Constantine crossover I dreamed about and wanted so desperately.

In all the time they were out fixing stuff, Mom (Samantha Smith) and Dad must've had a good chinwag to catch up and it was immensely satisfying and heartbreaking the way Mary accepted John back and how he couldn't believe she was here and alive.  Then having to lose it.  Dad accepting he had to go back.  Back to another world, dimension, whereas we thought he was going, ya know elsewhere.  Okay I did.  But seems he was dreaming about his encounter whilst still hunting with Dean, at least.  Not sure about Sam.  Everyone able to have their moment with him cos all Dean wanted was a day even with just the family.  Sam agreeing he was right after all.  Some emotional scenes for many I can tell ya!  Cas walking in missing everything and wondering what happened...

References to Hand of Glory again mentioned in Red Sky At Morning.


Extract from the Matt Ryan Book P133-134

Inevitably when  Constantine aired, there were the inenviable references and comparisons to Supernatural and Castiel.  Cas all sexy angel with his trenchcoat and tie - loosely tied with the obligatory white shirt.  But everyone should wear - scratch that - all handsome men need to wear a white shirt and that goes back to my friend and I saying that to someone in college.  Well amongst ourselves cos it would've gone right to his head!  However in my Twitter poll that never was, I already got down with that and would've asked (well they didn't do polls back then) Who wore it better - Constantine, Cas or Columbo?  Hey, way before the comics were conceived, Columbo was making his own waves with his crumpled trenchcoat fashion statement.  Crumpled or otherwise! The white shirt and tie too.  So whoever wrote that in their article should've got their facts straight about that trenchcoat; tie and white shirt!  Cos when Supernatural first aired with Cas - I made those Columbo references and even to Misha Collins who plays Cas.  As well as in my Supernatural book and you know no one single person has a monopoly over their costumes or wardrobe!  If it looks the part, suits the character - where's the harm in that anyway.  Oh and let me also add all those film noir going back years had the hero in trenchcoat too, Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca say!

However, let me add that Columbo's wardrobe was no coincidence and it was actually Peter Falk who wore his own wardrobe and to his audition too.  The shoes were his and so was that shabby raincoat.  As were the mannerisms which were all ad libbed by Peter himself.  So let's hear no more about the trench/rain coat and who did it first!!

Eric Kripke, creator of  Supernatural  admitted he was into those  Hellblazer  comics and  Cas was a direct derivative of John Constantine.  (See later and also in my  Dudes and Demons Supernatural book!)

Referring to Supernatural as I wrote that was inexorable.  Even if I did that when I was watching Constantine.  There were many similarities between the methods used to fight demons (since they are commonplace anyway) investigate etc; so it could be said.  Besides Supernatural also did the same and I had to jump on that bandwagon too.  Heck people even criticized Constantine having an accent.

https://www.amazon.com/Dudes-Demons-Unauthorized-Unofficial-Supernatural/dp/1326608266/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=mila+hasan&qid=1595197869&s=digital-text&sr=1-2

https://www.amazon.com/Matt-Ryan-Behind-Becoming-Constantine/dp/0244677557/ref=sr_1_18?dchild=1&keywords=mila+hasan&qid=1595197973&s=books&sr=1-18