Salvatore Vs Winchester

                                           
Several similarities come to mind between these four characters, Stefan and Damon Salvatore and Sam and Dean Winchester.  Notice how the 'S' names always come first.   Not least which they're brothers.   All are involved in the supernatural and the mysticism surrounding this.   Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) all have the same initials for their respective names, at least there's two 'D's and two 'S's.   Although two, Stefan and Damon are characters from books, and thus form figments of writer, LJ Smith's imagination.   Hang on - Sam and Dean are also figments of Eric Kripke's imagination.

They do have plenty in common too.   Stefan, like Sam, is meant to be the caring brother, looking out for others, with Stefan clearly keeping his humanity in check.   Sam throughout the early seasons was the same; he wouldn't kill anyone if they could be saved; or there was some other possible solution in sight.   Sam's the thinker, the voice of reason.   Both are younger brothers.   Sam had his 'destiny' of turning evil one day overshadowing him and embracing his 'dark' side, which he did.   Yet things decidedly changed when he had to battle Lucifer in season 5.   Sam went to hell, endured 'the cage' and was brought back somehow altered.   This sacrifice he made to save the world from the impending Apocalypse was for everyone.

No such Apocalypse for Stefan but he underwent a transformation in season 2 finale when he had to 'embrace' his "ripper" side.  Klaus (Joseph Morgan) forced him to drink human blood to save his brother Damon, otherwise he wouldn't cure him of the werewolf bite Damon suffered, leaving Damon's life hanging in the balance.   Each have gone to great lengths to sacrifice themselves for each other.   At least Stefan did whatever he had to for Damon.

With Supernatural, both Sam and Dean made the ultimate sacrifices for one another by dying and returning, first by bringing each other back and then being brought back by Castiel (Misha Collins).   Dean sold his soul for Sam in season 2; then the search was on to a way of getting back his soul back and ending the deal throughout season 3 -   though Stefan was finally given a cure for Damon in the season 2 finale, As I Lay Dying, culminating in Stefan being lost to Damon.   Especially when Klaus compelled Stefan in season 3 to "turn it off."  I.e his humanity and was well and truly under Klaus's compulsion.   Stefan did things: killed, had fun feeding off humans and culling them, something he thought he would never have to do again and he reverted to nothing but a cold blooded killer.

Sam was brought back in the season 5 finale, but he wasn't the same Sam, as he stood by and watched Dean get on with his life, move on without him from outside Lisa's window.   Sam had no soul.  So he didn't care about anyone; nor did he have the same Sam emotions and traits everyone admired about him and made him Sam Winchester.   He was nothing but a ruthless killing machine, and a hunter without a soul is as cold and as cruel as they come.   Even more so Sam, since he was always the emotional, feeling Sam.   He showed his indifference and callous streak when he let Dean be attacked and turned by the vampire in 6.5 Live Free or Twihard.   He felt nothing and did nothing.   This is where Stefan differed. He was made to forget his humanity.  Stefan still recalled it and tried to break though and gain it back.   Yet through it all his actions were still motivated to protect Damon and the girl he loved, Elena (Nina Dobrev).

Dean and Damon share similar qualities too.   Both joke around, never take important issues seriously (at least Dean never used to), engage in witty banter.   Dean was forever on the side of good and helping people; to the point of feeling guilt and irresolvable shame at having to torture in hell.   Damon has helped out but he shows his cold, vampire side on many occasions too and loses his temper a lot.   A sign of hot blooded-ness, ha.   When he gets angry he takes it out on whoever is around him, be it furniture or be they human, friend or foe as he did with Alaric (Matt Davis) in 3.4 Disturbing Behavior.   Sometimes you really don't want to get on his bad side!

Both are a bit of  ladies men and seem to shy away from commitment, even if Dean tried settling down with Lisa for a year.   But Dean didn't covet his brother's girl, he did however go as far as killing one, a monster in season 7 and was willing to kill Madison for him in season 2 episode Heart.

Sam did kill Madison (Emmanuelle Vaugier)  - the werewolf he loved.   In contrast, Stefan killed Damon's "fake" girlfriend, Andie in a bid to prevent Damon from constantly coming after him, hoping to get him back to 'normal'.   He did it for himself in part and mostly for Elena,  well kind of.   As a result, Damon gave up on Stefan in season 3 - he couldn't be bothered wasting his time on trying to bring back the old Stefan.   As he told Elena, the old Stefan is gone and he's "not coming back in your lifetime."  He was wrong.   Something Dean has never done, nor would he ever give up on Sam, even if he made him endure an unmentionable and unimaginable hell when he became a vampire.   Everything he's done and does, has been for Sam, for his family and their unfaltering brotherly love.   Though viewed as extreme by some, such as Lisa, it is the ultimate force that holds them both together as Winchesters.

Dean, after being turned into a vampire, may share this experience with Damon and Stefan, although Dean didn't feed. He came close and felt the heightened feelings and strengths of being one of the 'undead.'  Sam too hasn't been spared the bloodletting. He's partaken in drinking demon blood: same principle, different outcomes and reasons and knows of its strengths.   He was superhuman and he was bad, whooping demons left, right and centre, encouraged by evil Ruby (Genevieve Padalecki) in season 4.   Setting him apart from Dean and also in conflict with him for what he was doing, it was unnatural and not something Dean would have wanted for him or expected from Sam.

Winchesters are hunters.   Salvatore's are vampires, centuries old.   One family would inevitably hunt the other - but that works both ways.   Vampires can also be termed Hunters and can turn so when survival is on the agenda.

Brothers, can't live with them, can't live without them!  These four have lots in common and lots going for them and yet plenty to set them apart and make them unique.   Which brother is your fave: which family would you choose and who would win in a battle of wits and survival?

Jensen and Ian were both born in the same year, 1978, Jensen in March and Ian in December; both being older than their counterparts, both in the shows and in Real Life.   Jared and Paul were not only born in the same month of July but also in the same year, 1982.   Also Paul's last name is Wasilewski, his parents are Polish and Jared is of Polish ancestry from his father's side; how uncanny is that?  Both shows also airing on the CW, we've even had almost similar sounding episode titles, Supernatural 2.1 In My Time of Dying, and Vampire Diaries 2.22 As I Lay Dying...

Written 2011.

You know you write for some pesky websites who preach 'copyright' at ya so when you leave they don't give you back all your articles etc cos you wrote for them, well then they vanish and don't have the decency to tell you they'll be getting lost so you can download your work!! Well there was plenty of stuff I had I wanted and couldn't get back! Thanx for nothing !

Moral: Don't write for crap sites!!
Glad I got this one and a few more and including the Jon-Erik Hexum biography I just posted previously, cos I spent a while on that and it was sentimental!!  Didn't get the great Mentalist ones I wrote though!!

Jon-Erik Hexum Biography

                                                 
"I'd hate to die young and never have made Grapes of Wrath.  Life goes by so fast...I just don't want to miss out on anything."   Jon-Erik Hexum

Jon-Erik Hexum (he was advised to drop the 'C' in favour of a 'K' as it looked much more stronger) and used to go by the name of Jack; was born November 5 1957 in Englewood, New Jersey.  He was 6' 1", of Norweigan/Icelandic descent.  His parents Gretha and Thorleif Hexum separated when he was 5.  He had an older brother, Gunnar. The two were raised by their mother, who held down two jobs. Though they couldn't afford to, his mother also bought him a piano.
As a child, Jon-Erik took violin, singing and dancing lessons, also playing the baritone horn and was very eager to play Flight of the Bumble Bee after only one lesson on the piano.

Jon-Erik inherited his confidence from his mother.  Confidence was described as one of his "strongest traits," saying, "at times I'm amazed at my confidence, even when it doesn't make sense that I should be." He also cited his mother as being his influence, "I kind of did whatever I wanted when I was growing up and my mother always kind of helped me do what I wanted when I was growing up."

Jon-Erik attended Tenafly High School, New Jersey, where he was the first male cheerleader.  Here he also played soccer, wrestled, was on the diving, swimming and gymnastics team.  Also having band practice, played baseball and if that wasn't industrious enough, he also became Class President. The first college he attended was Case Western Reserve, Cleveland and graduated with a BA Social Science from James Madison College, Michigan State University.  Majoring in Philosophy and Economics.  He liked Philosophy and was "going to unlock  the questions of the world...after 4 years, I didn't really care much more...it was interesting."  He only studied these subjects but didn't really want  a career in that field.  He studied, "what I was interested in, not for what I could use it for."

At Michigan State he was on the football team and wanted to play after seeing his first football game there.  Later saying, "5 months of running and lifting weights  got me on the team.  Then I spent 3 years keeping the bench warm." On his appearance he commented, "I grew about 4 inches, gained about 50 pounds for football, my face changed...my range of experience broadened almost immediately."  Jon-Erik gave up sports after his "sixth concussion and second broken nose."  He once considered being an Olympic athlete, a champion figure skater, a football player or an artificial heart pioneer, but the acting bug was too great to pass by.  He was  a late-night DJ on Lansing Radio where he went by the name of "Yukon Jack."

Upon graduating school (university) he began theatre classes and looked for agents; as well as getting in to see casting directors, producers, anyone he could.  In New York he studied with Willard Young; Uta Hagen and Mervyn Nelson.  As well as attending some of Sandy Meisner's seminars.  During this time he held down many varied jobs ranging from a bartender at NYC discos, a bouncer, a singing waiter. After spending 8 months in New York, where he became known as one of the "most industrious and determined young actors in all of New York."  Then moving to California and was only in LA for 4 months before landing the role of Phineas Bogg in Voyagers!  A show where he played a sixteenth century time traveller, travelling back and forth in time, changing history wherever it went wrong, along with a 12 year old, Jeffrey Jones (Meeno Peluce) who was effectively his history book.  Considered to be the prequel to Quantum Leap and an inspiration for this.  Jon-Erik became "one of the most sought-after properties in Hollywood."  He said his most notable feature was his voice.

Before this Jon-Erik had acted in some plays: playing Johnny Brown in The Unsinkable Molly Brown; Billy Bigelow in Carousel as well as the Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance.  He enjoyed watching many plays when he was younger and, saying, "I just think you should do what you want in life that you enjoy the most."
He believed that the "best thing is to go to work, to do lots of plays and to learn while you're performing...it's so much more incumbent upon you to really pay attention."  The best advice Jon-Erik would have given to potential actors, or anyone thinking about going into acting as a career.

Jon-Erik was discovered by agent Bob Lemond whilst he was cleaning apartments.  Sadly he missed out on a role as a dancer in the movie The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.  Appearing as an extra in Deathtrap, A Little Sex and in soaps.  In 1981 he auditioned for the movie Summer Lovers, which ultimately led to the part in Voyagers!

Other roles were in an episode of Arthur Hailey's Hotel, (1984) in the episode The Tomorrows, playing Prince Erik, alongside Emma Samms.  He filmed the movie, The Bear about the life of football coach Bear Bryant, where Jon-Erik played Pat Trammell.  The film was made in three months but he was on set for only over a month .  He commented, "there's this one scene where I die and we did that scene for 9 hours."  Pat Trammell died aged  28.  Most of Jon-Erik's scenes were cut from the movie.  Some other shows included, Fantasy (1983) where he hosted the show for a week as a guest.  Just Men (1983) a game show, hosted by Betty White.   He turned down roles in TV Series where he had to play replacement actors, such as in CHiPs, Dukes of Hazzard, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Jeff Daniel's part in Fifth of July. 1983 saw Jon-Erik selected as one of the Ten Most Watchable Men in the World by Man Watchers Inc.  Others on the list included Richard Gere and David Hasselhoff.

                                               

The movie, The Making of a Male Model (1983) in which he played Tyler Burnett and starred with Joan Collins, was a big break for him, saying "it helped a lot but it hurt a lot too...it was exploitative." He had modelled in the past, but that was just for 8 months.  Jon-Erik was smart, talented and gorgeous and once said, "if I couldn't follow the sex-symbol image with good quality work, then the image might be uncomfortable for me.  But I think I can offer good, quality work." Joan Collins also wanted him to star in Dynasty, but he turned the part down.

1984 saw him earn the bitter sweet role which would have propelled him to stardom.  The role of Mac Harper in TV series Cover Up. In this, he played an undercover CIA agent, whilst undercover as a male model.  He described this as a little "Indiana Jones, James Bond, Mr Magoo and Superman." This show Jon -Erik called, "wildly commercial...I think it will be very successful."  He thought TV was about "being commercial - but try and make a good show at the same time."

On October 12 1984, whilst on the set of Cover Up, which involved an extremely heavy workload, Jon-Erik was exhausted and awoke from sleeping, only to be told filming was to be delayed.  He picked up a gun, unaware it was loaded with blanks and discharged it to his temple.  After being in a coma for a week, Jon-Erik was pronounced brain dead on 18 October 1984.  His organs were harvested for organ donation and as a result of this tragedy, he saved the lives of 6 other people, one of them a little boy; through them, he still lives on.

The creator of Voyagers! James Parriot was so moved by the generous donation of his organs so he wrote this story for the film, Heart Condition, which was loosely based on this.

Season 1.7 Writer's Block of Cover Up included a brief tribute to him written by Glen A Larson, with Richard Anderson reading the following:
"when a star dies, it's light 
continues to shine across
the universe for millenniums... 

John Eric Hexum died in October of this year [1984]
but the lives he touched 
will continue to be brightened 
by his light...forever...
and ever..."

John-Eric Hexum
1957-1984

(Apparently his name was spelled as John-Eric on screen, but is credited as Jon-Erik on websites where this quote also appears. )


His mother, Gretha and Gunnar filed a lawsuit against Fox Studios for wrongful death and this was settled.  It was a tragedy that never should have happened and due to this more stringent prop gun laws were introduced on film/TV sets to ensure this would never happen again.  Clearly someone on the set messed up, since such weapons should never have been left lying around.

A year later in response to all the wonderful letters of support from all around the world, Gretha received from fans and admirers of Jon-Erik, his mother responded to this selfless outpouring of love by writing a letter, part of it read: "To you who shared with me the loss of Jon-Erik.  There is a quiet place along the shore with distant mountains, brisk breezes and here for a time shattered pieces slowly come together.  I've gone to this quiet place before sunrise and everyday since my son's death." Jon-Erik's ashes were flown over Malibu along the shore he lived."

Jon-Erik was likened to James Dean, both so young when they passed: James Dean - 24, Jon-Erik - 26.  But he will live on in his work, as well as in the hearts and minds of those who loved and admired him.  Jon-Erik's film, The Bear was re-released with many of his deleted scenes restored. On James Dean, Jon-Erik himself said, "Jimmy was the best actor on the screen for these few brief years. I would like to be half as good as he was some day."

His wanted to star in Gone With The Wind, but he also wanted to get married and have children and "live happily ever after."
His ultimate fantasy was to play a tragic hero.  "It's a bit self-indulgent and sympathetic but interesting.  In my private life, my fantasy is to get married and have kids."  He wanted to star in films about "real people...I'd like to be a tragic hero - a Rocky - he's a hero but he's realistic and approachable and you can empathize with him."  Jon-Erik was our tragic hero.

Jon-Erik was mentioned in a brief article in People Magazine Tribute Book December 2007, together with other people who tragically died young, including Princess Diana.

More than just a pretty face, with beautiful ice blue eyes.  Jon-Erik was kind, generous, funny and always had time for everyone.  At least a new generation can get to see him in his few films, and show Voyagers! To get to know and see just how talented an actor Jon-Erik was.  He was going places and his star will always shine brightly.

To dreams to many
to distance be
You graced our screens - a presence 
so quietly crept
into our lives, into our hearts
you gave your all, your talent, your love
Your heroic pleasure
And when you left this world
so lonely, snatched by cruel fate
To know you're watching from Heaven
Your gentle touch (presence) here on earth will always echoed be.
Dear heart, dear soul
To us you will always remembered be.
                                                          MH

(Written 2011 In Loving Memory...)

Paranormal Lockdown "The Black Monk House" Hallowe'en Special

                                           
Before even watching this Paranormal Lockdown special you knew it was going to be extremely, moving, powerful and disturbing from the nature of the location.  As most of you will be synonymous with The Black Monk House, 30 East Drive, especially in you live in the UK, it's a part of our haunted history; or moreover are an investigator.  The widely reported and discussed haunting of the Pritchard family, who experienced poltergeist activity and much more.  It was ominous and as Katrina Weidman said from the outset, there's much more going on here than just poltergeist activity.  There was demonic activity and both Nick Groff and Katrina talked of how such entities manipulate and control and use people for their own purposes, ultimately to break them down and gain power.  Something we're all too familiar with.

The episode began with a look back to the 1.5 investigation of season 1 of Paranormal Lockdown which concentrated on Hinsdale House and the fallout from the investigation.  I call it fallout which is too simple a word.  It is much more than that as Nick was plagued by dreams and nightmares, not only before he went there, but afterwards too.  The shocking activity in his house which sadly his family have also been subjected to and the effect it has had on Nick especially was and still is harrowing to watch.

I was glad they did concentrate on Hinsdale House in particularly explaining what happened then and now, how a year later when the special was filmed, this activity was still continuing.  Not only giving it a context but to show how once Nick appeared to be marked by the goings on at Hinsdale and how now this location, all the way in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England, was not only heard by him on the Geobox but it chillingly was a foreboding, willing him to come here.  As they also spoke of how once these demonic entities know you, they follow you from location to location.

Using Steve Huff's portable Wonder Box, to find what was there.  As Nick said and has said several times over in his book and his interview it's never a good idea to investigate your own house, but he needed to see what was happening here.  A lot of voices on that.   I'm sure I heard "Nick...ambush" before he gets the "demon" response on there. At 4.27 it sounds like a voice saying "my house..." The main gist of it:
"do you miss... Nick...ambush..."

The 'yes' comes before Nick asks if, "there's someone here with me?"  Then you get "...demon..."

Do you faintly hear 'Hinsdale' whispered at 5.12 when Nick asks, "where did you come from?"

I sad the same as Nick when he was looking at that window when they arrived at 30 East Drive, it was the first place my eyes were drawn to, eerily.  Not to mention that pink bathroom. With all the activity, the scratches, the black mass, the figure and the door closing, as well as Katrina seeing Nick as Joe himself, the door of the coal store opening and closing behind Nick.  The scratches.  It was as though they were also being marked here by this house, but was it, or could it have been an extension of the Hinsdale entity even.  As well as noticing the crooked pictures on the wall, which remained straight throughout the 100 hour investigation.  I have to also say that there was a sickly feeling in my stomach and at the back of my throat.  Like being in the moment with Nick and Katrina.  Or perhaps it was just Katrina talking about demonic hauntings and her case, first demonic case ten years ago. Though I have had those "synchronicity" moments with Nick before.

Rob Saffi mentioning Nick wants to find what's haunting his family which made him angry. The door opening when Nick was asleep, said to sis it was a door, didn't realize there was one there and she said the curtain on the side moved onto camera shot.  The marble being thrown at Rob, the knife on the stairs, reinforcing Phil saying earlier on how things are just thrown.  At 50.44 did that growl sound like evil laughter to anyone, when they were sitting on the stairs speaking of warnings and Nick said this isn't a warning.  They've come too far for that.  I'd say the warning phase was when Nick had his dreams and before they went to Hinsdale.

Instrumental Trans Communication box (ITC) designed by Keith Weldon. Which Katrina called the "videobox to the dead."  That figure, caught on the stairs, looks like it could be the monk?? Creepy either way.  Uncanny how Nick said he's hoping they can see the shadow figure of the man who's been seen here. Cue response!

Does anyone see a face here?  And what's weird is that everytime I look at this, I've seen like three different types of faces so far??
At 52.45 when they review the footage of the ITC, can anyone hear some sort of breathing/sighing, like a 'haah' then Nick says he doesn't feel right? It doesn't appear to be Nick or Rob.

Katrina also saying to Rob how Nick opens himself up a lot when the activity was concentrated on him after 72 hours of being so deeply involved in their lockdown.  Then that figure through the glass door, the black mass, after they invited the entity in.  Which I pointed out to my sister.  Actually when Rob leaves the room with his camera and he's shown through the static camera, he appears in a white shirt, though he's wearing black and that figure also seems to be wearing the same through the door. However I was glad and relieved in a way that Nick decided to review their footage there and then instead of later.  Especially when he saw the door was closed.

As Rob tweeted, "We spent hours trying to figure out what we captured there. No explanation. #ParanormalLockdown"

The end was also mind numbingly eerie, that after what they went through here, still marred Nick back home and haunted him and the others.  That he needed to return to Hinsdale House and called Katrina to do this.  She was equally moved and had no idea what was happening.  They discover him already inside the house and wanting the entity to take him and leave his family alone.  He would sacrifice himself and his body and he was giving himself up to this entity which as Katrina said and tried to stop him, he shouldn't do.  Which is exactly what it wanted.  Not only his body but his soul and that is something Nick can never do.  They called it out at the Black Monk House, but  it was "trying to break us down."  As Katrina said it's gotten a piece of them and they can't let it get the rest of them, which Nick at Hinsdale was doing.

John Zaffis told them in the beginning, "Some of us this is our journey, this is our lives...that's why you must always keep your guard up 24/7!"  Something which Nick didn't do when he returned to Hinsdale at the end of the episode.  Wanting the entity to control him and take him over and it was a relief to see Katrina arrive in time and to make him stop.  No matter what, you can never give yourself over to the evil that lurks and awaits, as that's exactly what it wants.  As Nick stated this is their destiny and what they set out to do.  There's no going back and I think even if they leave it now and stopped their investigations, I think it would still affect them in some way.  As they are known by this evil presence and others.  Perhaps the best way is to continue, investigate and find some sort of a conclusion.  Not in what they do but what it is that haunts them.  If that makes sense.

It was emotional to watch and was so relieved Nick, Katrina and Rob came through this all and continue on the road mapped out for them, especially Nick and Katrina in their investigations they've been doing for so long now.  You can see why Nick says this has been a long journey for him and Katrina this one year past.

Some words from Nick, as tweeted: "sometimes you have to face the things you fear, or challenge you in order to overcome them in this Life's journey."

Whatever path they have chosen and continue to travel on, we are behind them completely...

http://mila255.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/paranormal-lockdown-15-hinsdale-house.html

Ghost Adventures "Route 666" Hallowe'en Special

                                                  

From the articles and trailers, you knew his episode was going to be unlike any you've seen.  Leave behind all the episodes that have gone before and all the seasons.  This season 13 of GA is dark and extremely haunting and disturbing in many ways.  This season in particular is most definitely about demons and demonic rituals.  The portals and evil that people conjure up, without even asking why or going behind the reasoning of it all.  When it comes to devil worship and satanic rituals, there is no reasoning.  After all who in their right mind would even contemplate doing such a dark and macabre thing.  Aside from the fact whoever takes part in it doesn't seem to be in the right headspace.

Including those who partake in such rituals for the fun of it.  Which makes it worse, what fun exactly are you getting out of it, when you know it will torment.  Maybe not you personally, but your families, friends and loved ones.  There's no fun in evil and certainly nothing comes close to fun with demonic possessions, oppression and depression when conjuring up the unknown.  Yet it's not really the 'unknown' is it.  It's been researched, documented and investigated.  People know exactly what they're opening up and letting themselves and others in for.  The misery, the agony, the pain.  The consequences aren't just momentary.  They continue and they last and linger and they lead to heartache, anger, and more especially death in some circumstances.

Zak: “Not all locations we do are negative however most of them we choose are. ALL the locations in the ‘Route 666’ special are level 10 dark.” 

As shown by his Twitter post too
"Just finished filming our "Route 666" Halloween Special. Its safe 2 say we just took #GhostAdventures to the most extreme darkest level ever

3:44 AM - 20 Jul 2016"

Route 666 of Ghost adventures is the episode that is the most agonizing, depressing and volatile. There was nothing remotely good about it.  When I say that I don't mean it lightly or am putting the GAC crew down.  When I say that I mean it was pure unadulterated hell from start to finish.  The De Soto Hotel investigation was like opening up a can of demons and it went on from there.  The reactions in the basement and Zak standing on the exact spot of the pentagram for the rituals without even knowing it.  The events couldn't have been foreseen or contemplated.  The possessions and the poltergeist activity.  Saging the basement and wanting that evil out of there was going to be terrifying. It was going to have consequences but it was something that was necessary.  Even just to try.

But tempers flared and it was saying it's in control and can use and abuse humans and their emotions in any way it wants to.  Seen in Jay's reaction and how he physically exhibited his anger. Which we haven't see him do.  The Reverend even said not to stir anything up in the basement.  Yet this was the entire point of the investigation and to get to the bottom of it.
The staircase to nowhere was like Winchester Mystery House.  It was almost ironic the number of times the fan was shown on the screen and how they stood by it.  The camera being ripped from its secure position, a reminder of the Paris Catacombs.  The three knocks in the basement even before Zak mentioned the holy trinity and the hissing heard by Jay.
That fan being thrown and as Zak said he did touch it with the sage as sparks flew from it.

Billy alone at the Concordia Cemetery and the crow appearing the moment he finished the prayer, followed by the three ominous figures.  They almost looked like they were wearing robes.  But as Zak said they weren't human and nor did they look it.  Crows having been long symbolized as not only messengers of death in some cultures, but also bridging the gap between the realms of the living and the dead.

It was like the attachments/energy from the hotel followed onto Denton, Texas.  Adding more fuel to the fire.  Goatman's Bridge and forest.  Another disturbing and gut wrenching episode with moments of sheer evil.  If we felt this way watching it, there is no way to imagine what they all went through. There was no need to imagine as you could feel every moment of anxiety, unpleasantness and torture for yourself and if you really felt nothing then you must have been devoid of all humanity and human emotion.

Wonder if Billy wasn't so affected at the bridge as he was on the river, kind of maintaining that divide between the land and the spirits/negativity being kept on the land.  I have to add how Billy mentioned, as if with some foreshadowing, how he could be shot at.  Then the gunshot that goes off later which he hears on the river and was heard nearer to Ashley.  Then there was the ritual that Jay felt was necessary, despite objections, but still trying to work out why Aaron told him to stop it. Especially since Jay said it wasn't satanic.

So having watched the episode on Sunday night, was re-watching Monday night/Tuesday early morning and the video just cuts out with 'an error occurred'! At 2.37am.  Can't explain that cos no youtube video of a GA ep has ever cut out like that.  It was on the moment when Ashley sees the light phenomena in the woods.  Not to mention how I woke on Sunday morning with a sore throat and a chokey (my word) sort of a feeling and it was hard to swallow, before we even watched the ep.  Not saying that's anything to do with Zak or what happened to him when some unknown force was making, forcing him to choke himself.  Yes I've had synchronicity moments but nothing like this, not physically.  It was uncanny.

The voices on the spirit box when Jay was holding it in the circle, Aaron asks "who's responsible for what happened on top of the bridge?" That voice sounds more like ironically, it's saying, 'breathe'???? In which case it was pertinent to what happened to Zak.  He even says, "it's really hard for me to breathe right now."   It was taunting them and causing them to bicker and it was leading them to the bridge.  Aaron says he'd rather be with Zak and look at what happened to both Zak and Aaron when they were on the bridge.  Then Aaron tells them to come back down here, but convinced Jay to also go the the bridge.  Have the feeling it was luring them there.  After Zak's disturbing incident, Billy tells him to "breathe just breathe..."
Also Aaron asking, "did you like what just happened right here?" The voice replies, 'like.'

This episode was named Route 666 for a reason.  It was chillingly ominous, heart stopping and genuinely moving.  Showing you how far they have come in their investigations in pursuit of finding answers and the truth.  That demonic creatures are nothing to be scoffed at or laughed, but feared and taken seriously.  That what they all do in their investigations has led them to something affecting them negatively and dangerously.  The fallout from which continues and isn't easily gotten over. Ashley still suffers and that was sad and painful to watch. It takes time and with cleansing, prayers and positive thoughts, we all hope she will heal very quickly.

The same goes for Zak, Jay, Aaron and Billy who put themselves out there for every investigation they undertake and endure the pitfalls of searching for the answers.  Of how they give of themselves little by little and piece by piece in every lockdown and reliving it afterwards. Particularly the ones like this.  Which won't be forgotten by many of us for the foreseeable future, if at all.
This is what they do and as I said, 'when destiny beckons, you face your fear' and these guys have been doing that for years now.

Read Zak's facebook post, which he posted on 31st October.

https://www.facebook.com/therealzakbagans/posts/10153819948516805

Hallowe'en Vampirica

"I just wanted to conjure up the image of the perfect, gnarly prince," she uttered to herself behind the smoke of the fading candle. It was Hallowe'en and she was dressed in the right attire, luscious, crimson velvet dress with a plunging neckline and her waist was the thinnest her corset would allow her to be without actually suffocating her.  This is something she had yearned for a long time.  As the wind screamed in customary spooky fashion and the wolves howled, she imagined her lover appear to her as she had once dreamt he would.  She wasn't one to go for magic spells and even if she would be the talk of the town; everything would hinge on her making sure this was the one and only time she had left.

Climbing the cold and granite staircase and arriving at the top of the castle, she was engulfed by the overwhelming size of the grey turrets, which threw dark shadows across the stone floor.  This was where Giselle wanted to be, stopping by a sharp jutting side wall for a second to scratch her itchy back.  "Ahh that felt so good," and was needed since no one was around to do it for her.  It felt cool and damp yet eerily familiar.

An age ago, a winsome witch had given her a spell which she thought was funny at the time and yet she used to wonder everytime she opened that majestic treasure box adorn with trinkets and poultices of old, whether real magic actually worked, or if she was fooling herself.  Anyway she lived in a time of superstition and  folklore.  Where the grimmest of fairytales were not meant for children or the fainthearted.  But tonight as the moon shone brightly and an eerie echo was heard throughout the barren and empty stone walled castle, tonight she would make it or break it.  As Giselle gathered her wits about her and pushed back her raven black hair behind her ears, she bit her lip out of hesitation, licked her sultry lips and then wondered...is this what she really wanted, a man from magic, out of make believe and how would that romance really last?

Bubbles fizzed and hissed and as she threw more herbs and other unmentionable items into the steaming pot, she leaned over it, closed her eyes and whispered the inaudible spell.  It was magic after all and not meant for anyone's ears.  Moments later, a red smoke hit the chamber and out popped a being of the most handsome and beautiful visage she had ever gazed upon.  Oh wonder of woes, he turned out to be a vampire, sharp teeth, the most supine of bodies and emerald greenest of eyes.  He was her soul mate, at least for this All Hallow's Eve.

As they roamed the grounds of the castle, windswept from the glistening rain and a little wet still. She still remarked at the wonder of how he was a vampire in all his glory, and brought tears to men's eyes as well as bite to their recoiling and naked throats.  Sucking their life force every second and Giselle ached with pleasure at the sight.  It was amusing to watch humans get such a fright on this the most scary of nights.  She clapped with enthusiasm as she watched him and felt her heart race.  She couldn't do much, only scratch at her prey and the scourge of humans as they inflicted their terrors and torments on those less fortunate than themselves..  She could however be free with Henry...

He told her his life history though it should've been in potted version she thought.
"I arise every hour at midnight when the clock strikes the echoing toll, when the moon shrouds the sky and I walk across from past centuries.  I roam, I am liberated until the first signs of the breaking dawn; thence I return from whence I came.
The dark, sodden, trodden earth, deep beneath the hallow'd ground where mere mortals fear to tread when alive.  Perhaps they loathe me and are jealous of my agility; my prowess and ingenue.  Those who know me; see me, fear me.  Not because they are afraid but because I am all-powerful, all consuming.  Avaricious.
I once was a man, beautiful and strong.  Friends family and home I possessed, until I re-possessed them in my hideous rage.  A possession so cruel and unholy in nature and yet nothing could I humanely do to prevent my rampage.
But for my sins I received everlasting life.  I still am - a man - eternity is my namesake, never to age - this my reward.  Dreams keep me afloat or are they just pitiful nightmares fervent in my ambitious desires.  An anger rotting in my heart.  Depth of flames, deep and unfulfilled.   Akin to a desolate mire.  Yet still in my eyes there is a fire lighting my already darkly shining eyes, containing hidden secrets, lost meanings.  More apparent in my consciousness is lust and the need for hunting grows without resistance in all my proud being.  The need for practicing evil beckons me on...

Recalling my transformation - a stormy, dank night.  Windows rattling, wind breezing in gusts.  That night pre-empted my doom, drawing me to an eternal destiny, that which once filled me with dread, now masks my glory.
She appeared to me in her haunting splendour.  Rosebud, scarlet lips; face so sweet, bewitching eyes. Masking a bewitching hour and a foreboding smile.  Mesmerizing me in an instance.  I was turned into what I am now...

'Dear boy,' my sweetheart called me.  Losing me was her agony and torment, but she too eventually became as me and joined me in my perilous plight."

This was part of the explanation he gave to Giselle and she wished she had surrounded herself by a circle of salt, than listen and took it with a pinch of salt - or rather to his feigning some sort of apology for his vile assault on humanity.  Yet who was she to pass judgement on his plight and agony. Wasn't she just as bad and reprehensible in watching the blood curdling, blood letting and deep down revelling in some perverse sense of macabre pleasure.  Akin to some form of soulmate or two dancers parading their waltz on the supernatural dancefloor.  With gleaming crystal chandeliers providing enough sapphire hues of light to cast shadows where real people would once have danced.  Was she nothing more than just heartless.  As she examined her wrist she felt a pulse, strong and regal, almost.

Henry continued his story:
"Centuries later they came for her.  Leaving me alone to witness my gigantic destructive appetite - all consuming, never caring.  My heart does not beat, no blood flows through my vessels, yet my memories are intact, never to abandon me.  Revenge is my calling...

Retribution has been sought and paid.  Although I ponder on what might have been had I not returned late from my blood fest that fateful night.  Still that is the all too distant past.  To dwell on sadness may make me seem human.  A disguise so unruly and wicked; which is part of my cunning.  Would I have you eating out of my hand as I garner sympathy for my marauding plight...

I keep returning in my ravenous splendour when the moon shrouds the land, the cycle restarts.  One night.  Two nights.  I shall return once more.
My family has long gone, my family was weak, they had no will to live on.  I alone survive sentenced to this prison called life.  These walls termed time immemorial.  Confined to a hell or to some, everlasting eternity....

Watch out for the night.  I'm at my most powerful then.  Don't leave open any windows, nor any doors ajar.  There are no depths to my abilities, my cunning, my stealth.  I strike when least expected...but expected... I sometimes never am.

I dare you to fight me, to wield your great swords.  No one can defeat me, no mere mortal or knight upon white horse.  Once you know of my prowess, you'll run for deep cover.  I am one to be feared, heeded and dreaded.  But never ignored.
You cannot destroy me - but ways there are three, and plenty.  I vanish when the sun hits me.  I evaporate into thin air.  Garlic repels me.  My greatest fear is the stake made of wood.  For if you hammer through my 'heart' I shall be no more.  Nor stand as I once stood.  My face you'll remember and the hollow of my desolate eyes.  For I stare, stare, STARE into yours....

Fear not, for although I shall be no more.  My legacy will live on.  All that I've done will never fade with me.  Those I have touched, those who have nurtured my existence for millennia will rise at each twilight and take  my place...for my blood flows through their hearts.  Moot point: you see as I said, I have no blood, no heartbeat, only cold ice.  My veins are bone dry.
All that I am.  All that I was will remain, blossom and grow.  All that I've nourished will live to torment you.  Those who crossed me will remember my name.  They'll long to wake from the cursed dream, but the nightmare will not pass.  I will be your bete noir.  They'll curse me forever, they'll wish they'd never seen me or my kind.  For I am invincible - the king of all vampires!

Giselle found this most amusing and yet was frustrated for messing with the black arts and conjuring up this paranoid imposter.  She was after a child of the wolves, a babe of the woods.  Raised in the forest and as every full moon she waned into her life force and she became what she was and always had been, not just out of destiny or fate, but her true calling.  She was a werewolf...and yet she wasn't. She only seemed that way in the large mirror that seemed to cast huge shadows of reflections everytime she went to look in it.  But this was no trickery, it was what Giselle really looked like, all two foot of her with her black fur and silky smooth four paws.  Giselle was a cat and she sat by her mistresses's feet once more and yawned satisfactorily.  That was enough fun for one year.  Perhaps next year she'll conjure up something quite different.  For Henry was nothing more than a vampiric cat too!

Stylist Live 2016

Stylist Live 2016 at The Business Design Centre, London was one of the highlights of the Autumn. With the chance for many to experience life changing advice and encourage to make business altering decisions, with talks, workshops.  As well as how to get that perfect hair, make-up, fashion look and pick up a gift or two for Christmas.

Talks with many aspiring and inspiring women, such as Liz Earle on how she got her business started, all experts in their chosen field, lots of motivational talks, how to write blogs on cooking and wine appreciation.  The list was never ending.  As well as general talks with guests such as Joanne Froggatt, Mel C.  There was something for everyone and one of the highlights was the Stylist Live Catwalk with Swarovski.

The Mel C talk was especially entertaining and also she had plenty to say on how platforms such as social media show how people can be cruel and it's cos they don't say it to your face, but think since it's over the Internet, they can be as mean as they like.

She'd love to work with Sia and a lot of her inspirations were Mo, a Danish artist.  Mel C covered two of Sia's songs. Covering one for the Jools Holland Radio 2 Show in November.  But she hasn't met Sia yet.

Both are on Twitter.  Mo is @MOMOMOYOUTH  
and Sia is @Sia
Her thoughts on fashion, especially from the '90's and those trackies she wore and how she's got lots of  memorabilia, which host Scarlett said she should put on eBay.

She even gave us a few lines from the chorus of her current single called Anymore. And spoke of how the Spice Girls were the inspiration and guide for many girls who are now older and how they're approached by them to tell them this.  How they grew up "to be really cool women, they've got great jobs, are mothers.  It's insane, and we don't feel responsible, we just feel that if we were a tiny part of helping them and this girl grow up and be the incredible woman that she is."

Her daughter Scarlett is 7 and is proud of her mother.  She's terrified of the world that she's growing up in but they're going to go through it together.  "When you become a mother everything changes and so do your priorities" and she makes time for her and can't be away from her so much!
"Kids are cool these days and they're brilliant, so savvy they can do anything."

This year's Autumn fashion trend includes navy coats, sporty wear (appropriate for Sporty Spice) and the Intergalactic trend.  Sparkly bling especially for this year's party season.  Some highlights.

A great time was had by all and already there's excitement for next year!

Victoria 1.8 "Young England" Review

                                        
You couldn't help but think you'd seen it all before in this episode.  What with Cumberland (Peter Firth) back again in the hopes Victoria (Jenna Coleman) would die in childbirth and being accused of setting an assassin upon her.  It was hard to see him as not being behind the attempt.  Also that Edward Oxford (Harry McEntire) of the 'Young England' movement was of unsound mind.  He kept a tight lip and perhaps he was only being used as a patsy by Cumberland, but it didn't appear he had written the letters to himself, putting aside the scene where the maid brought him a letter.

Cumberland vehemently denying he would even contemplate regicide.  However his past actions and record speaks for itself.  I love the Latin legal phrase, res ipsa locquitur (the thing speaks for itself!) He was a bit too eager to deny and was on the defensive.  When I say his past record speaks for itself well, he had been accused of such actions before and he even told Victoria how he's done away with the Constitution in Hanover.  Thus ruling as an iron king.  Especially as he also tells her perhaps next time she's out the violets will be much 'harder.'  Now if that wasn't a threat, disguised as a warning.
Even Leopold (Alex Jennings) suspected him.

However Victoria just wanted the birth to be over with, asked for a wet nurse and even went out driving, as she was fed up with being cooped up.  Another reason why it was so easy for Oxford to take a pot shot at her, whether or not the gun was loaded was beside the point.  Victoria almost getting harassed by Captain Childers (Andrew Scarborough) who had written her so many letters wanting to take her away from the "German tyrant."  He could provide everything for her, barring his sanity.  Oxford is questioned, refuses to speak and ends up being found non compos mentis (of unsound mind) by a jury of twelve men and at fist Victoria is shocked to hear of this.  He attempted to kill the queen of England and almost faints at the news.  Since she wants to be free and if Oxford were to be acquitted, then she and her baby won't be able to go out.  Albert (Tom Hughes) promising to keep her safe.  She loses her temper at Albert though it's no fault of his for the way she's feeling, he did want to see her safe.  That's why he went out with her, then he spotted Oxford in the crowd coming towards her.  but who makes a move like that pushing though the people if he's got assassination in mind!

Victoria accepts the verdict at the end since she is queen (how many times has she said that now?) and she swore to uphold the laws of England at her coronation and no matter their personal feelings that is what she will do.  Albert also intercepts her letters instead of Lehzen (Daniela Holtz) reading them, especially since Penge (Adrian Schiller) sees her throw away the one from Captain Childers, who 'attacked' Victoria with a bunch of violets.  Ernst (David Oakes) is back awaiting the birth of his nephew and returns the Duchess of Sutherland's (Margaret Clunie) hanky to her.  Telling her how he dreamed of the curls on her neck.  She is enamoured with him of course, but won't jeopardize her marriage.  Although he tells Albert is was nothing but harmless flirtation and he's over it.  Their conversation is about love and how they thought they could not find the real thing, but they have with each other.

He gets Brodie (Tommy Knight) to deliver a note to her and meets her in her boudoir, where they do kiss and he sees her with her hair on her neck and she gives him a lock of her hair, which he shows Albert, disproving his disapproval (ha) of him from Albert in that he did nothing wrong.  The staff also speculating about the queen's health.  Mrs Jenkins (Evie Myles) refuses to believe anything will happen to her and lets her feelings known.  As Penge says childbirth is a nasty business.  Everyone telling Victoria again how she should rest, including her mother (Catherine Flemming) who's been telling Victoria stories of her carriage ride across Europe so that Victoria could be born in England. As well as her uncle Leopold reminding her of Charlotte.  How he didn't let her eat sweets cos her doctors advised against it and Victoria loves her sweet cherries.

Francatelli (Ferdinand Kingsley) asks Skerrett (Nell Hudson) to go with him as he's been offered a position at an establishment but she prefers her employment here. As well as Eliza (Samantha Colley) telling her not to go cos of her situation.  She fell for a man and ended up with children.  Yeah she wasn't too put out accepting his help when she needed it with the fever going round and eating his food now as well!

Skerrett changes her mind but Francatelli has already left.  She was accosting the new chef! Ha. Skerrett also tells Victoria that her friend who had a baby was so glad she did and loves them.   The moment finally arrives and well, no privacy for the queen during childbirth it seems, as she gives birth, at least close the damn door and finally calls out to her mother.  She has a baby girl and Albert is proud of her, wanting to call her mother.  She promises the next one will be a boy.  With a despondent Cumberland who realizes he's missed his chance of being king.

Seems for many Ernst is the new Melbourne, ha, and it's a toss up between the two brothers between the fans!

However the real Queen Victoria was fired at on 10th June 1840 in her carriage with Albert. Her would be assassin was an unemployed 18 year old, Edward Oxford.  However he was only the first of a number of assassins who who attempt to take her life.  Why was she that unpopular.  Or was it just to make a name for themselves, as Oxford says in this ep how he will be remembered by Young England and others.  Victoria even wrote about the incident in her diary.  Mentioning how Lord Melbourne paid her a visit after the attempt.  (No such luck here it seems for fans of Lord M!) Oxford's family wanted him declared of unsound mind, as the guns did not contain anything other than gunpowder and Victoria herself didn't think Cumberland was behind the plot.  Oxford was finally released in 1867 and travelled to Australia where he changed his name to John Freeman and died a year before Victoria.  Some fascinating history here, which not many know of.

Victoria will return in 2017 - as we knew it would.  Before that there will be a Christmas Special.

Victoria 1.7 "Engine of Change"

                                                  
As Victoria (Jenna Coleman) and Albert (Tom Hughes) listen to music she becomes nauseous and has to walk off, with there being speculation.  Lohlein (Basil Eidenbenz) says their queen is sick and Brodie (Tommy Knight) tells him he must say, "the queen is indisposed."  Everyone especially Victoria's mother (Catherine Flemming) knows what she should be doing for the baby and gives her brandy with cream for the sickness, of course Victoria doesn't want to listen to anyone.  She sends for a doctor who confirms her pregnancy and Albert is pleased as they announce the news to the politicians and court.  She also says that in the event of her death, as her mother doesn't stop reminding her about Charlotte, she will need someone to rule and she appoints Albert as Regent.  Of course there is an uproar especially amongst the Tories, led by the Duke of Wellington (Peter Bowles) who is adamant he can't have a German ruling the country.  Compounded by the fact they already are running the country.

No one is ready to endorse Albert and she says she'll abdicate if no one accepts her decision.  He says he will leave the country and she says she'll kill herself.  Albert wants to do more and has been learning about the British industry, as Victoria mentions engines and trains.  He wants to visit and find out more so she plans a trip for them to the Gifford's.  Peel (Nigel Lindsay) has an estate, Drayton, which is practically next door.  Leaving behind her mother as she doesn't want her to come and Harriet (Margaret Clunie) to look after her.  She takes only Mrs Jenkins (Eve Myles) and Albert takes Lohlein. The Gifford's aren't too happy to see her and especially not Albert as they have nothing but snide things to say about them both.  Such as Victoria was only so high when he saw her and she replies, "she still is."

At dinner Sir Piers Gifford (James Wilby) has organized a hunt for them the next day and Albert says he doesn't hunt, he shoots.  Victoria will accompany them and Lady Beatrice (Annabel Mullion) thinks it will be too taxing on her, telling her to stay and relax.  However Victoria will go.  The Gifford's butler tells Lohlein that he needs to have a "kit" for shooting and he will give him one.  Mrs Jenkins spots Lohlein with it the next day, white breeches, and tells him they only wear dark colours and he is only looking to embarrass Albert.  Albert of course shoots two birds whilst Gifford can only stand by and snigger, saying he won't let the sausage get the better of him, however he fails.  He accuses Peel of siding with Albert, whereas he has been sent there by Wellington to ensure Albert doesn't become regent.

At lunch once again Beatrice thinks Victoria should rest, but she goes off for a walk.  As Albert stresses his interest in locomotives.  Peel says he has one on his land and he should see this.  Gifford hates the thought of his land being overrun by such monstrosities and later tells Peel he should not encourage Albert.  Victoria is fed up and Lehzen (Daniela Holtz) calls Peel a "stuffed frog," she saw one once at a museum, which amuses Victoria.  She thinks Albert needs to learn to talk properly and keep his mouth shut more as people laugh at him.  Next day she wakes to find him gone.

He meets Peel for a ride on the locomotive and knows how it works.  He wants to ride at the front and not sit on the seat.  He tells Peel he likes him and hopes he's not here to make sure he doesn't become regent.  Peel hopes he's not here to convince him into approving Victoria's choice and they get on. Victoria is mad at Albert since he went off and did his own thing.  She doesn't approve of engines and she will only do what she wants to take the country forward and hates the use of the word, 'future'; and approve what she wants, as queen.  It isn't up to him.  She was rather hypocritical, she doesn't want anyone ridiculing him or telling him what to do unless it's her.  Albert replies he didn't want to wake her.  As she's out for a walk she too rides on the locomotive and Albert runs up beside it and asks if she likes it.  Which she does.  The butler tells Lohlein that he should have the prince singing whilst getting dressed and Mrs Jenkins tells him they're all trying to make fools of Albert and him and she won't accept that happening to Albert. They don't like people who are different.

Peel tells Gifford and the Tories he will be supporting her choice of Albert as regent since she is his queen and when he leaves, Wellington tells them that if no one's going to oppose his choice, then he too will support Peel in his decision.  As Peel tells Victoria of this, she tells him it's not really relevant anymore since she is well and doing her job.  That was after a pep talk from Albert on their way home when she told him she's afraid of the pain and he told her it will be painful, but she is strong and has fortitude.  She allows Albert to sit beside her and help with the papers she must sign, handing him over the ones involving the cotton trade and other industrial matters.

Her mother tells Harriet she doesn't like being left behind and also as Harriet keeps looking at the photo of Albert with Ernest, she tells her that he's a liar.  Harriet telling her she's a married woman. Especially as at their game of cards, she asks if Harriet has a knave?  When Victoria returns home, she asks for bacon and peas and doesn't want to stick to any diet.

Francatelli (Ferdinand Kingsley) impresses Skerrett (Nell Hudson) with his cooking and hot chocolate, which he prepares for the queen and she thinks he should give her his wafers along with it too.  He also sets up  a dinner table in the queen's quarters for her and treats her to some more chocolate, which she tells him he must name a "bomb surprise" as it resembles a bomb.  "Francatelli's bomb de surprise."  Didn't anyone tell him the way to a woman's heart is not through sweet treats, she'll bomb herself soon eating so much, or should that be balloon!

Not much to say on this ep as slowly Albert begins to find his place by her side and she gives him more responsibilities.  She was afraid of losing him when he went off gallivanting on the locomotive, as she wouldv'e called it.  As she wants him by her side all the time.  Finally Lord M is forgotten as here was absolutely no mention of him this ep either.  Of course the title refers not only to the industrial revolution but Victoria and Peel accepting Albert and that he is capable of having more responsibilities than just being her husband.  As well as allowing him to feel the baby, as their relationship grows even more.  Which was a touching moment as she earlier told him, "you are going to look at my body and be revolted."  Whereupon thousands would've said, he's already seen your body!  As Victoria earlier claims he looks like a peasant when he returns all dirty and he exclaims, "at least I'm not eating beetroot - the food of peasants!"  Ahh the poor beetroot!