Les Miserables Movie Trailer

This has made a lot of people happy. Including me.



First impressions:

I knew Anne Hathaway could sing, and I am not disappointed in her version of "I Dreamed a Dream." I look forward to hearing the entire song. I just hope I'm not disappointed in her portrayal of Fantine.

I like the look of the film. It isn't too dark, but still shows the grittiness of the poverty of the time.

I think Hugh Jackman is going to be a great Jean Valjean.

I'm so excited to see Samantha Barks as Eponine. I'm sad there was only one shot of her in the trailer. But the trailer seemed to be more about Fantine and Jean Valjean than anyone else.

There are so many great things coming at the end of the year. New TV seasons, new TV series, Doctor Who (with a new companion), and Les Miserables.

Matt Smith Carries the Olympic Torch

I was going to title this post, "Doctor Who Carries the Olympic Torch," but Matt Smith carried it. Yes, Matt Smith plays the Doctor, but it was Matt Smith the man, the actor, not Doctor Who who carried the torch on Saturday in Cardiff, Wales.

He ran with the torch early in the morning around Cardiff Bay. He said it was an honor, exclaiming, “I would do it in my underpants - it’s the Olympic torch. I would probably get a bigger crowd for that."

There was a large crowd, even if he wasn't in his undies, and Matt was surprised by the turn out. “I feel immensely privileged," he said. "The torch and the idea of the torch has been around a long time."

It seems that he wasn't given as much direction in carrying the torch as he does in his portrayal of Doctor Who, as he said, “I don’t even know where I am running to. I try and run in a straight line."

What a great experience for Matt. It certainly doesn't hurt to be the Doctor.

New Fall Series: Previews of the Most Promising

Here are trailers for a few new series that look promising (or at least interesting):

Beauty and the Beast - CW



I loved the series from the 80s with Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton. Kristen Kreuk, who played Lana Lang in the CW's Smallville plays Catherine, and Jay Ryan plays Vincent.

Ryan is very good looking, but we'll see what he looks like as the beast, and if he is as good as Ron Perlman was as Vincent. I hope this updated version will be worth watching.

Elementary - CBS



As those of you who read my blog knows, I love the BBC's Sherlock. Elementary also brings Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective into a modern setting. However, this series brings the English detective (Jonny Lee Miller) across the pond to Manhattan. And Watson is a woman (Lucy Liu). Aidan Quinn plays Inspector Gregson. I am a big fan of Aidan, so that makes one more reason for me to watch. I am really looking forward to this series.

Interesting sidenote: Benedick Cumberbatch (who plays Holmes in Sherlock) and Jonny Lee Miller were in a production of Frankenstein last year at the National Theatre in London. The two actors took turns playing the dual roles of Frankenstein and his monster (a tag-team performance that won them the 2012 UK Olivier Award for Best Actor). Frankenstein/Monster, Sherlock/Sherlock.

The Arrow - CW



This new series is a spin-off of Smallville. It has a bit of The Count of Monte Cristo vibe, doesn't it? Superheroes are really big right now, so I hope this one is good and that it sticks around. Who knows, it may last as long as Smallville (10 seasons).

As you can tell, there are only three new series that I'm really excited about right now. Sad commentary on the new Fall season.

Awake: Turtles All the Way Down

What a great season finale for Awake! Or, I suppose I should say "series finale." The show ended on that "high note" I was hoping for. I'm even more disappointed now than I was before that the series has been canceled. Curse you NBC.

The season finale felt like an ending, but it also brought up more questions. Which world was the reality and which was the dream? Or were they both a dream? And was the ending the reality? I would love to have seen where the second season would go.

It's too bad that more people didn't watch the series. It was really good, especially Jason Isaacs. I think he should be nominated for an Emmy for his performance in the show, especially for these last two episodes. He is such a great actor.

And I also have to mention Captain Harper's (Laura Innes) scene with Michael in the jail cell when Michael tells her he knows what she did. The way that her cheek starts to twitch made her guilt seem so believable. What a great performance.

It's hard when you get attached to a new series and it isn't renewed. This is the time when you wonder if you should watch any of the new shows in the fall, because if you like them and they're canceled, you'll just be disappointed. But then, one season of a good show is better than seven seasons of a crappy one. Case in point: I wouldn't trade the one season of Firefly for anything. (Not that I could. :-)

I'm just so happy that two of my favorite new shows, Once Upon a Time and Grimm are coming back in the fall. Thanks ABC and NBC (okay, I know I cursed NBC earlier, but Grimm makes up for it).

Observation:

Great shot of Rex and Hannah with the back of Michael's head in the middle.

Quotes:

Efrem: You've seen a penguin before. Don't look at me, look at them.

Dr Evans: Detective, I'm afraid it's just turtles all the way down.

Hannah: Look at this, he lives.

Rex: You okay?
Michael: I'm good. I'm perfect.

Should Doctor Who Light the Olympic Flame?

A petition has been created calling for the Olympic committee to choose David Tennant, the tenth Doctor, to light the Olympic Torch at the opening ceremonies for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. He lit the torch in a 2006 episode of Doctor Who called "Fear Her." The episode is set during the opening of the 2012 Olympics. I'm sure Doctor Who fans would geek out if he is the one to light the flame.

Even if David Tennant isn't chosen to light the flame, Matt Smith, the current Doctor, will carry the torch in Cardiff, Wales on Saturday. Since Doctor Who is such an British icon, it's exciting that at least one Doctor will be able to carry the torch.

Matt Smith, carrying a different kind of torch:

Grammar Gaffe: Lay vs. Lie

The misuse of lay and lie is one of the grammar gaffes that really bugs me. However, I shouldn't get so upset about it, because I don't think many people are really taught the correct usage. So, this is my attempt to educate the masses.

If you don't remember anything else from this post, please remember this: When you go to bed, you LIE down.

Now let's get a little more technical, or grammar geeky.

Lie: something you do to yourself. For example, "I'm going to lie (myself) down."
Lay: something you do to something else. For example, "Lay the book on the table."

The past tense can get a little more complicated.

Past tense of Lie: Lay
For example, "When she got home, she lay down."

Past tense of Lay: Laid
For example, "Our chickens laid six eggs."

I know, crazy, right?

Here are a couple of ways you can remember which is correct.

"People lie, chickens lay [eggs]."
"Let sleeping dogs lie."

Now that you know which word is correct for which situation, if someone says, "I'm going to lay down," you can respond by saying, "people lie."

You Could Sing the Phone Book

Randy Jackson, a judge on American Idol, has a favorite phrase to let a contestant know he thinks they have talent, "You could sing the phone book."

American Idol finally did it. They had someone sing the phone book. Well, actually the top ten sang a number with lyrics based on the contents of the yellow pages.

I have to say, it was hi. larry. us. And it was pretty good. I was channel hopping when I saw it, and I didn't see the beginning of the song, so I don't know who wrote the music or adapted the lyrics, but I'll bet they had a great time writing it.

I wouldn't buy it as a single, but good on American Idol for making fun of itself.

The Welsh Ballroom Dancer

**Spoiler**

A few months ago, I blogged about Katherine Jenkins, a Welsh singer, who was on Dancing with the Stars. I blogged about it because she was in an episode of Doctor Who, and we all know how I feel about Doctor Who.

I watched a few episodes, and she was a naturally good dancer. Even though Katherine was relatively unknown here in the United States, she came in second! Not bad for a Welsh opera singer not many Americans had even heard of a few months ago.

She said about her experience, "It's just been brilliant." I love the way Brits use that word. Brilliant!

Sidenote: Benedick Cumberbatch (BBC's Sherlock) wished her luck. Yes, Sherlock Holmes was rooting for Katherine. *wink*

Season Finales: Hard to Say Good-bye

'Tis the season. The season of finales.

Five of my favorite shows have had their season finales: Castle, Once Upon a Time, Smash, Missing, and Grimm. All of them had stellar finales. I'm so glad that four of them will be returning in the fall.

Missing has been canceled, and even though I liked the series, I'm not surprised. I really liked the characters and the plot, and I especially loved how it was filmed in Europe. However, I don't know if I would want to see 22-24 episodes of the characters searching for the missing Becca.

This week will be the end of three more favorite shows.

Tomorrow night is a big finale. Many of our a favorite characters on Glee will be graduating. It will be interesting to see what happens to them after this season.

Wednesday night is the finale for America's Next Top Model. This is one of my guilty pleasures. I have been watching the show for quite a few seasons. Just for the record, I hope Sophie wins, and not only because I am an Anglophile (I loved all things British).

Thursday night is the season (and series) finale of Awake. I have liked this series since its pilot, and I'm sad that it wasn't renewed. I don't think all episodes worked, but last week's episode was great. I hope it ends on a high note.

Sherlock: The Reichenbach Falls

Just when you thought Sherlock couldn't get better, along comes The Reichenbach Fall.

**Spoilers ahead**

If you don't want to know what happens at the end of this episode, then stop reading, because we're told the ending at the very beginning.

Observations:

The episode begins the same way as the very first episode of season one began, with Watson in therapy.

The rain is falling outside. The weather matches his mood.

Watson tells his therapist that Sherlock is dead.

Three months earlier:

Sherlock is being honored for crimes he’s solved, and the short scenes are so funny.

He recovers an expensive painting, Falls of Reichenbach, and he is given diamond cufflinks. His response, “All my cuffs have buttons.”

He aids in finding a banker who was kidnapped, and he is given a tie pin. His response, “I don’t wear ties.”

He helps the police bring in a famous criminal and he is given an iconic Sherlock Holmes cap – he hates it. His response (among others), “Why does it have two fronts?”

Moriarty is at the Tower of London. It's so cool to see places in London where I've been.

When Moriarty cracked his neck, I expected him to "woge" into a Wesen (yes, I did just watch the season finale of Grimm *wink*).

I loved the music while Moriarty is breaking into the crown jewels. And it's a great touch that he dances to the music.

It's interesting how we can like Sherlock even though he treats people so abominably. What is about him? Perhaps it's because we are drawn to clever people. I understand that this portrayal of Sherlock isn't how he is in the book.

The only reason Moriarty is in jail is because he chooses to be. It's part of his plan.

When Sherlock is on the witness stand he is very cheeky, as he usually is. He tells the lawyer how to do her job and asks, "Don't they teach you this?" And he starts spouting off things he has deduced about the jury. I love it when the judge tells him not to show off, and then he's put in jail with Moriarty for a few hours for contempt of court.

Moriarty has no witnesses. No evidence. The defense rests.

I wonder why lawyers and judges in Britain still wear the wigs.

Moriarty gives Watson a great look.

It took the jury six minutes to deliberate and find Moriarty – not guilty. What!?

When Sherlock finds out from Watson that Moriarty is free, he makes tea, and starts to play his violin as he waits for Moriarty to come.

Moriarty threatened all of the jurors. They were not stupid. They were frightened.

The scene between Sherlock and Moriarty is great, because Sherlock is at a loss. Sherlock can't figure out what Moriarty is up to.

Two months later:

Loved the scene in the gentleman's club. The men have a tradition of complete silence and cannot break it. I also love how two men grab Watson, cover his mouth so he can't talk anymore, and escort him to Mycroft. It's so funny that the men wear booties over their shoes. The detail is great.

Mycroft tells Watson that there are four assassins living near Sherlock, and he's concerned for Sherlock's safety. He believes that Moriarty wants to kill him. Mycroft can't tell Sherlock himself because there is too much "history" between them.

So, we actually do get a link to Grimm. Sherlock's next case parallels the fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel. Children of the American Ambassador have vanished. Sherlock gets an envelope full of bread crumbs left at his door.

The little boy makes a trail of messages and footprints – just like Hansel and Gretel. From the footprints, Sherlock can tell the shoe size, height and walking pace of the kidnapper.

Poor Molly, why can't Sherlock treat her decently.

Molly notices that Sherlock is sad. She's the only one who recognizes his melancholy.

Its great to see Sherlock go to his "mind palace" again.

Sherlock goes to interview the seven year old little girl after they find her. She screams. This makes one of the detectives start to think Sherlock was involved with the kidnapping.

Sherlock takes a cab by himself because Watson "might talk." He still hasn't learned how to make friends and influence people.

Lestrade’s commanding officer wants them to bring Sherlock in. I love his commanding officer's accent.

Sally thinks that Sherlock kidnapped the kids so he could solve the case, rescue them, and make people continue to think he's a genius.

I love it that Watson hits the commanding officer. I just wish we could have seen it.

It's so great to see Sherlock and Watson handcuffed together when they escape from the police, and that Sherlock pretends that Watson is his hostage.

Sherlock makes them stand in front of a bus and someone saves them. Why are the assassins saving Sherlock? Because Moriarty wants to kill him?

Molly asks what he needs. Sherlock answers, "You." Hmmmmm.

It's a great twist that Moriarty pretends to be an actor, Richard Brook. He goes to great lengths to make everyone think that Sherlock is a fraud.

Mycroft says that Moriarty is the most dangerous criminal mind the world has ever seen.

Moriarty is listing to "Staying Alive" by the Bee Gees again. Pretty funny.

Moriarty threatens the lives of Sherlock’s friends if he doesn’t kill himself. He says that assassins are waiting to kill them if Sherlock doesn't kill himself.

Sherlock asks for a moment of privacy. (I love how the British pronounce "privacy.")

As long as Moriarty is alive he can call off the assassins. But Moriarty shoots himself. Now the only way Sherlock can save his friends is to kill himself. What can Sherlock do?

Everything after this moment is just such good television. It's so well written, so well filmed, so well directed, so well acted.

Sherlock stands on the ledge. No!

Sherlock calls Watson and says that Moriarty was telling the truth about him. He tells John not to take his eyes off of him.

Sherlock falls off the building. No!

Watson is hit by a biker.

A crowd gathers around Sherlock. Watson finally gets to him and checks his pulse. No pulse. Watson collapses. There's blood everywhere. Sherlock is taken away.

The rain starts to fall. The assassin packs up his gun and leaves.

Mycroft is in the gentleman’s club reading the paper about Sherlock's suicide. "Suicide of Fake Genius."

It is such a touching and great scene when Watson talks to Sherlock at his grave. "There's just one more thing. There's just one more thing, Sherlock. One more miracle for me. Don't be dead. Would you - just for me.

And then we see Sherlock standing under a tree near the grave where Watson can’t see him.

So, the question is, how did he do it? I have my theories.

Molly helped him, but what did they do? Many people tried to keep Watson away from Sherlock for a while, so they must have been in on it. They switched his body with someone else's.

Quotes:

Sherlock: All my cuffs have buttons.
Watson: He means "thank you."
Sherlock: Do I?
Watson: Just say it.
Sherlock: Thank you.

Sherlock: Why is it always the hat photograph?

Watson: The press will turn, Sherlock. They always turn. And they'll turn on you.

Watson: Don’t try to be clever, and please keep it simple and brief.
Sherlock: I'll just be myself.
Watson: Are you listening to me?

Judge: Do you think you can survive for just a few minutes without showing off?!

Watson: What did I say? I said don't get clever.
Sherlock: I can’t just turn it on and off like a tap.

Watson: Don't do that.
Sherlock: Do what?
Watson: The look.
Sherlock: Look?
Watson: You're doing the look again.
Sherlock: I can't see it, can I? It's my face.
Watson: Yes, and it's doing a thing. You're doing the "we both know what's really going on" face.
Sherlock: We do.
Watson: No, I don't. That's why I find the face annoying.

Sherlock: Most people knock. But then, you’re not most people.

Moriarty: Every fairy tale needs a good old fashioned villain. You need me or you’re nothing. Because we’re just alike you and I, except you’re boring. You’re on the side of angels.

Moriarty: The man with the key is King, and man, you should see me in a crown.

Moriarty: Falling is just like flying.
Sherlock: I never liked riddles.
Moriarty: Learn to, because I owe you a fall.

Molly: Alkaline.
Sherlock: Thank you, John.
Molly: Molly.
Sherlock: Yes.

Sally: Right then, the professionals are finished if the amateurs want to go in and have their turn.

Lestrade: Don't let it get to you. I always feel like screaming when you walk into a room. So do most people.

Mrs Hudson: Cameras? Here? I’m in my nightie.

Sherlock: I don’t care what people think.
Watson: You’d care if they thought you were stupid or wrong.
Sherlock: No, that would just make them stupid or wrong.

Mycroft: John, I’m sorry. Tell him, would you?

Moriarty: Just trying to have some fun.

Moriarty: There is no key, doofus.

Moriarty: All my life I've been searching for distractions. You were the best distraction, and now I don't even have you, because I've beaten you. And you know what? In the end it was easy. It was easy. Now I've got to go back playing with the ordinary people. And it turns out you're ordinary just like them.

Moriarty: I love newspapers. Fairy tales. And pretty grimm ones too.

Moriarty: Oh, just kill yourself – it’s a lot less effort.

Sherlock: You’re insane.
Moriarty: You’re just getting that now?

Moriarty: You have an audience now. Off you pop.

Sherlock: You want me to shake hands with you in hell? I shall not disappoint you.
Moriarty: No, you talk big. You're ordinary. You’re on the side of the angels.
Sherlock: I may be on the side of the angels, but don’t think for one second I am one of them.

Sherlock: It’s all true. I invented Moriarty. I’m a fake.

Sherlock: This phone call – it’s my note.

Mrs Hudson: Imagine, keeping bodies where there's food.

Watson: Sherlock, don’t be dead.

Grimm: Woman in Black

"It shall not be death, but a sleep of a hundred years, into which the princess shall fall."

I am so upset.

The season finale of Grimm was so good, and I'm so mad that I have to wait until the fall to find out what happens. I love this show!

As you can deduce from the opening quote, this episode was, of course, based on Sleeping Beauty, with Juliette as the princess, and Adalind (the witch who fought Nick and lost, losing her "witchness" as a result) as the evil fairy. But the episode was much, much more, in true Grimm fashion.

Observations:

**Caution: Spoilers ahead**

The episode begins with Poor Hank is having nightmares, and Nick and Monroe having coffee.

Adalind was the first Wesen that Nick saw "woge." See my Grimm: Big Feet post to learn about woge.

Two weeks in a row we get to see Juliette at work. Nice.

It's not good to get on the bad side of a former witch. Nick should have guessed that the best way for his enemies to get back at him is to harm Juliette. It's happened before.

That is a creepy cat. Black eyes and a yellow tongue. Not good.

Renard cared about his housekeeper. Ahhh.

That poor nameless officer who goes to Renard's condo with Sgt Wu... You knew as soon as Sgt Wu left to find a key to get into the condo that the nameless cop would be Kimura's next victim.

Is Renard not a Wesen? If he were attacked by a Wesen, wouldn't he reveal his "Wesenness"?

I loved seeing Renard in his sweater and khakis. He's just so fine.

Is Nick going to learn how to make those potions he finds in Aunt Marie's trailer? I don't think it's the kind of stuff Rosalee would sell in her shop.

It's finally happened. Nick has to tell Juliette what he is.

I just have to say that Nick is so handsome. Mmmmmmm.

I would be scared when Nick says, "If you want the truth, you're going to get it," just like Juliette is. But Juliette trusts Nick, so she goes with him. She trusts him for now, but that isn't going to last. Oh, and I just have to say that Juliette's expression is wonderful after Nick says that. Nice acting, Bitsie.

It really starts raining quickly. When they go out of the house it's clear. By the time they get to Aunt Marie's trailer it's pouring. Arguments in the rain are so much more dramatic. So are declarations of love, as seen in the latest version of Pride and Prejudice. But I digress. *wink*

Great flashbacks from the first season.

Its great to see the excitement Nick has as he finally gets to reveal his "Grimm" world to Juliette. You can tell that he has accepted who he is and he likes it - for now. I guess he really did sound and look crazy.

I was looking forward to Juliette learning who Nick was. And then, just as Monroe was going to "woge" to prove to Juliette that Nick was telling the truth, the cat "prick" finally works its magic and the princess goes into her deep sleep. Did I really believe that Juliette would accept Nick's explanation in season one? I guess not.

The woman in black is a great fighter. She must be... well, let's see... A Grimm?

Poor Hank. Is he ever going to be the same again?

Poor Juliette. Is she ever going to be the same again?

Great slide across the table, Nick.

No wonder Nick is so handsome. His mother is Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio? *wink*

Will we ever see Adalind again, or will she do her damage and run? Or, maybe next season she'll turn into a dragon and Nick will have to fight her again. Wait! That's the Disney version of the fairy tale, and if there's one thing that Grimm is not, it's Disney versions of the fairy tales.

So, we go into the next season with Hank freaking out because he saw a couple of Wesen. Juliette is, we don't know what, because she was scratched by a a cat that was possessed by a former witch. Monroe and Rosalee are trying to find out how to save Juliette. And Nick is reunited with his Grimm mother, who he thought was dead.

How long until the fall?

Quotes:

Woman in Black: So, Mr. Adams, you must have found something that wasn't good for you.

Nick: Let's see what this guy was shooting.
Hank: Hope it's not some thing too gross.

Monroe: So, You want a little Grimm time?
Nick: Yea.
Monroe: I can probably help you with that.

Nick: You don't know her like I do, okay.
Juliette: You said that once before. What does that mean?

Nick: She's a witch, okay?
Juliette: You're gonna need to try a little harder, Nick. What does ride, a broom? Because I distinctly remember her getting into a BMW.

Juliette: How often do you come here?
Nick: Whenever I have a problem I can't figure out.

Nick: Now, this is going to sound a little weird, and I know it's going to sound a little weird. (That line is a little weird.)

Nick: I can see things that...
Juliette: That what?
Nick: That most people can't.
Juliette: You mean like ghosts?
Nicks: No, no not the dead.
Juliette: Well, that's good.

Monroe: Hey Nick. Juliette. What a pleasant surprise. I think.

Monroe: Okay, okay just give me a second to get into it.

Monroe: Nick, I know you want to stay here and be with Juliette.
Nick: I do, but thats not going to help her. Let's go find that cat.

Nick: You good here for now?
Monroe: Not really.
Rosalee: Yes.

Monroe: Maybe it just doesn't like me. Blutbladen and house pets don't really mix, except, you know, as the occasional in between meal treat.

Woman in Black: Nick. Nickie. It's me.
Nick: Mom?

Pic of the Week: I amsterdam

How Do You Feel about Bow Ties?

Alton Brown

In the first episode of this season of Food Network Star one of the contestants wore a bow tie. Alton Brown said to him, "Bow ties are cool."

Judson Allen

Every time I hear that, I think of Matt Smith as Doctor Who. I don't know if he coined the phrase, but he made it famous.

Matt Smith

Anything that makes me think of Doctor Who makes me smile.

Smash: Bombshell

I loved this season finale. I'm so glad the show went out on a high note (pun intended), and didn't fizzle and die. There were some misses, but the majority of the episode was a hit.

The music under the title is the beginning of the overture this time instead of the tuning of the orchestra. Nice touch.

Why did Ellis start caring so much about Ivy? Was it because she would actually talk to him?

Ellis confesses to what we knew already: he put the peanuts in Rebecca's shake. I'm so glad Eileen fired the eavesdropping twit, but she should have had him arrested. Rebecca could have died. It wasn't just a simple allergic reaction. Peanut allergies can be deadly. This is serious. Fictionally serious.

It would be nice not to see Ellis next season, but we know he will be back because he said, "you haven't heard the last of this." In TV talk that means we haven't heard the last of this.

I feel bad for the actor who plays Ellis. The writers gave him no redeeming qualities, no reason for anyone to ever want to see his character again. It's fun to play the villain, but a good villain should be written with multi-facets. Ellis had one facet. Annoying.

The blackout was so contrived just when Julia and Micahel are in the same proximity of each other. And then Frank is standing there in the audience. Again, so contrived.

So, Michael's wife left him, taking their son. Are we supposed to feel sorry for him? Because I don't.

Why would Derek choose Karen to play the lead when Ivy knows the show so well? It's not consistent with his actions in the past when their Joe DiMaggio left the show and he wanted Michael back in spite of Julia's concerns. They brought Michael back because he knew the show. Now the show opens tonight, tonight Derek! And you're putting in a green performer? Why? Oh, that's right, because you're having fantasies about her. Why are we supposed to like Karen so much?

Karen's quick-change brought back memories. I've had a few of those, and it usually takes a while to get them worked out. Poor Karen has to work it all out in a matter of hours. Tip: Put the dress over her head.

I love the staging of the "I Never Met a Wolf who Didn't Like to Howl" number. The choreography was so much fun. I'm so glad there wasn't too much cutting away of the camera so we could enjoy it.

If all of Rebecca's costumes were too big on Karen, why does this dress fit perfectly.

How did Dev get into a closed rehearsal?

Loved seeing Linda, the stage manager, having a bigger role.

How many times can they manipulate us into rooting for Karen. I hate that Ivy does something that we would expect Ellis to do. It's all so heavy handed.

I love how Eileen says, "Oh, wonderful," when she sees Jerry in the theatre. Her delivery of those two words is great.

Oh writers, no you didn't. You didn't make Julia pregnant.

Ivy wouldn't run out on the show like Karen did, but she would sabotage. How did Ivy become this horrible person?

Derek has a little Phantom of the Opera going on. We should just call him Erik, and we'll call Dev "Raoul;" and Ivy is Carlotta. Or is Ellis Carlotta?

I'm so sick of them trying to get all of the parallelisms with Marilyn. Just because you're in a show about a real person doesn't mean that everything about your life has to mirror the real person. Trying to make everything parallel to Marilyn - It's like saying that if you're playing John Wilkes Booth or Lee Harvey Oswald in Assassins, and really understand the character that you have to attempt to kill a President. Okay, that's a little overboard, but you get the picture.

It's great to see Bernadette Peters again.

It's funny that Tom and Julia were finishing the last song in the theatre lobby, and they had to rush past the patrons to get backstage. However, I love that they grab programs as they run into the theatre.

When did Karen get the chance to learn the song and memorize it? I know it heightens the drama, but it does nothing for realism. In spite of that, I loved the last song, "Don't Forget Me." There are some songs from musicals that give me chills, and this song became of them. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman certainly know how to write songs for the musical theatre. I think this is one their best. Some of the lyrics were pretty corny (When you sing happy birthday to someone you love / Or say diamonds you wish we're all free.), but the feeling was perfect, and it was a perfect way to end the musical.

I've never been that enamoured with Marilyn Monroe, and I'm still not, but her life made for some good musical numbers for Smash.

I've never heard of an audience at a stage musical applaud in the middle of a song, unless they were waiting for an encore. Anyone? Granted, I've never been at a preview of a new show on its way to Broadway. Well, not one in Boston. It's just strange, too much like a singing competition like American Idol or The Voice.

It broke my heart to see Dev watching Karen as she sang. He was an idiot to sleep with Ivy, but he seems truly devastated, unlike Michael. I've liked Dev from the first episode, and I've been so unhappy with his plot line.

I was very impressed with Katharine McPhee's performance through the whole episode. Not just as Marilyn, but as Karen. This was a big acting bit for her.

So, what do you think will happen next season? Bombshell will be on its way to Broadway. But I'm ready for a new musical next season. I want new numbers and new songs. And a new subject. If they do have the whole season about Bombshell going to Broadway, then they could cut songs ("lost in Boston") to make room for new songs. I say the first to go should be "Mr and Mrs Smith."

Sidenote: Megan Hilty (Ivy) just played Lorelei in Gentlemen Prefer Blonds (Marilyn Monroe played the role in the movie). She got great reviews. She is a star.

Quotes:

Leigh: You already know [the part].
Ivy: I can't think about that right now.
Leigh: You don't need to, everyone else is.

Eileen: Yes, it's a grand old theatre story. The movie star goes out and the understudy goes in.

Ellis: I didn't get Rebecca Duvall out of the way so you could ignore me once again. You heard me. Rebecca Duvall, nice enough person for a movie star but she wasn't going to get us to Broadway, and none of you would admit it.

Julia: I'm not running away from you, I'm running away from myself. (It's smarter to run away from Michael, Julia, because, uh, you can't run away from yourself.)

Ivy: If it was going to be a nobody, why not me?

Linda: Yes, Derek we're all under a lot of pressure, but according to equity there are still breaks.

Karen: Will you stop talking about Marilyn. This is me. This is my life.

Eileen: I've chosen not to use our daughter as a weapon, Jerry.

Julia: There's nothing gospel about Marilyn.

Bobby: She took the wig off. In this production that's paramount to "I quit."

Derek: I do understand love. (What is that supposed to mean? How enigmatic can you get?)

Once Upon a Time: A Land Without Magic

"I will find you. I will always find you."

Charming is not going to let a bunch of guards keep him from finding Snow White. He escapes from his cell, and gets out of the castle with a little help from - wait for it - the Huntsman!

Oh, yes!

I was ecstatic to see him again!

Just sayin'.

Henry's sacrifice is not in vain. It results in his desired effect, Emma finally believes. He just doesn't get to see the moment, since he's in a poisoned apple-induced coma.

It seems like memories from Emma's short time in Fairy Tale Land came flooding back. However, who has memories of when they are just hours old? If anyone does, I'd like to talk to them; I have a few questions to ask.

Regina confesses everything to Emma pretty quickly.

The fight between Charming and Rumpelstiltskin is great. It's so much better than Snow's fight last week. (Sorry, Snow.) It's great when Rumpelstiltskin grabs Charming's blade in his hand. Now that's power.

David is moving to Boston unless Mary Margaret can give him a reason to stay. She says she can't. Come on Mary Margaret, Boston's a great place. Oh wait. You're right. You can't. You can't leave Storybrooke. Neither can David. You just doesn't know it.

I wonder if Rumpelstiltskin loved his wife (Baelfire's mother).

Now we finally know why only Emma can break the curse..

Charming has to hide the egg that holds true love's potion, and Emma has to find the egg.

It's so cool when Gold opens the case that holds Charming's sword and he shows it to Emma. Did he end up getting every item from Fairy Tale Land? If so, how does he hold it all in that little shop?

What a sad and moving scene when Emma sees August lying on the bed, unable to move. And then, when he turns back into a puppet - *sob* Breaking the curse better turn him back into a real boy (man).

It's funny that Emma is amazed by the moving wall. This is the 21st century. Walls can move at the touch of a hand.

Maleficent's back. Yes!

Cool dragon. Great special effects.

Why is Maleficent still a dragon in Storybrooke? Why didn't she change into a human with the curse?

Loved to see Charming trying to get the egg into the dragon, and Emma trying to get the egg out. Great parallel storytelling.

It's funny to see the little splash when Charming lands in the water.

Mary Margaret reads to Henry from the story book. She doesn't know it's her own story or that Henry is her grandson. It's ironic that Henry goes into cardiac arrest (if that's what it is) just as Mary Margaret tells him that life doesn't always have a happy ending.

Mary Margaret gave Henry the book. I don't remember that. Did I miss that fact from before?

It's great that it's Jefferson who rescues Belle from the "dungeon." But how did he know about Belle? Did that happen before or after he got stuck in Wonderland. I wouldn't think he would know every character's story from Fairytale Land.

Belle: "Who are you, and why do I have an Australian accent?" Okay, I made that last question up, but where did she get that accent. Didn't she come from the same country as everyone else in Fairy Tale Land?

Emma blew up the dragon with her father's sword.

The episode seemed really rushed. As much as I wanted Emma to break the curse, I just wanted the episode to slow down and catch its breath. A two hour finale would have been nice.

Snow says, "Let's take back the Kingdom," but there are really two kingdoms were talking about here: Snow's father's kingdom and King George's kingdom.

Regina finally realizes that she really wasn't in charge of the curse. Gold was.

Wouldn't Regina know that Henry isn't really dead, that it's just the effects of the apple? She should know what would wake him up - a kiss from someone who truly loves him.

Wouldn't Gold/Rumpelstiltskin recognize his true love's voice, because who else has an Australian accent? He doesn't know it's her until he turns around. Okay, he did think she was dead, but here's how I would have directed the scene: Belle speaks and we see a close up of Gold's face when he hears her voice, like he knows the voice but can't believe he's hearing it. Then he turns around and we see his reaction seeing her standing there. I should be a director. *wink* Oh yea, I am. *smile*

Charming breaks Snow out of her sleep when he says goodbye to her and kisses her. Emma breaks the curse with true love's kiss when she says goodbye to Henry and kisses him on the forehead. This show is chock full of parallels.

I loved seeing all of the fairy tale characters remembering who they really are. I especially loved Archie's face when he realizes he's a cricket. *wink* However, the best was seeing David and Mary Margaret reunite as Charming and Snow White. The romantic heart in me just melted. *sigh*

Do we feel sorry for Regina, or don't we?

Why didn't Gold know the curse was broken? Why did it take Belle telling him she remembered? If he knew right away that Emma finally believed when she walked in his shop earlier, surely he would know when the curse had been broken. And why didn't Gold try to help Emma to believe throughout the season since he was counting on her breaking the curse so he could get his power back?

The relationship between Belle and Gold/Rumpelstiltskin is still kind of creepy to me. That whole age difference thing, you know.

We know that power is still the most important thing to Rumpelstiltskin. Even more important than Belle.

The big question is why they didn't go back to Fairy Tale Land.

I wanted to see Snow and Charming's reunion with Emma. I hope there is a good reunion scene in the second season opener. I also want to see Jefferson's reunion with Grace. And I want to see August turn back into... well... August. And I want Graham to not really be dead. Good thing there's going to be a second season.

Quotes:

Huntsman: Don't let my sacrifice be in vain. Find her.

David: Ever since I woke up from that coma, my life hasn't made a lick of sense. Except for you.

Gold: Do my eyes deceive me, or is that the look of a believer?

August: Lucky for us, you're not normal.

Maleficent: Beast is so harsh. I prefer "Maleficent."
Charming: I'm gonna need a smaller egg.

Rumpelstiltskin: Now you're ready for your big moment, dearie.

Charming: Will you marry me?
Snow: What do you think?

Belle: Do I know you?
Gold: No, but you will.

Blue Fairy: If I were you, Your Majesty, I'd find a place to hide.

Snow: You found me.
Charming: Did you ever doubt I would?

Emma: What is that?
Henry: Something bad.

Sherlock: The Hounds of the Baskerville

This episode is based on "The Hound of the Baskervilles." (Notice how the 's' was moved for this updated version.)

A little boy runs out of the moors. He is traumatized as he has just seen the death of his father at the hands of a gigantic hound. We realize this is a flashback as we see the older version of Henry Knight. Henry is again in the moors and is still traumatized by the memory of what happened that night.

Russell Tovey plays Henry. I have liked Russell since I saw him in The Voyage of the Damned, a great episode of Doctor Who. He played Alonso, which led the Doctor to say one of his famous lines, "Alons-y Alonso." Russell was also in the original BBC version of Being Human. In that series he was, ironically, a werewolf. And he played John in the wonderful adaptation of Charles Dickens' Little Dorrit. His performance in that miniseries is absolutely wonderful.

Okay, so much for singing the praises of Russell Tovey. Let's get back to The Hounds of the Baskerville.

Doggy bubbleheads in the window. Great touch.

Sherlock enters his flat covered in blood, carrying a harpoon. The only exchange between him and a curious Watson is:
Sherlock: Well, that was tedious.
Watson: You went on the tube like that?
Sherlock: None of the cabs would take me.
That's all we get. No explanation. Brilliant.

Sherlock hates that iconic hat.

Sherlock is having withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawals from cigarettes and cases. Not a good combination for Sherlock.

Baskerville is a government chemical and biologicals research center.

It's hard sometimes to watch how totally unaware Sherlock is of other people's feelings. Henry is talking about his father's death, and Sherlock tells him to get on with his current problem.

Sherlock wants Henry to smoke. Not because he knows Henry wants to, but because Sherlock wants to breath in the smoke.

Beautiful shots of the moors. I want to go there. It's nice to have an episode outside of London, even thought I love London.

I love to watch how Sherlock pays attention to every small detail.

Sherlock and John get into the Baskerville compound because Sherlock uses Mycroft's credentials. He knows that they have 20 minutes before Mycroft realizes what Sherlock has done. Sherlock may have gotten them in, but Watson uses his military credentials to get a tour of the center. John is pretty proud that he can throw his weight around just like Sherlock.

Henry has a great house.

Henry remembers the words "Liberty" and "in."

Sherlock wants Henry to go out into the moors at night and see if anything attacks him. Poor Henry, Sherlock throws him right back into the nightmare.

What a great atmosphere to set a Sherlock Holmes story: on the moors at night, with torches (flashlights), looking for a gigantic hound. This episode is full of suspense, and it's scary. I love it.

Sherlock and Henry see the hound, but Sherlock denies seeing it. Henry just wants Sherlock to admit he saw it so he can prove he's not crazy. Sherlock thinks he, himself, is crazy because he saw it. He is frightened by what he saw.

Sherlock has to make deductions about people sitting by him to prove that there's nothing wrong with him. This is another great performance by Benedict Cumberbatch.

Sherlock tells John that he saw the hound. John doesn't believe there is a gigantic hound. He thinks there has to be a rational explanation.

Sherlock has a greater reason to solve the case because Sherlock is beginning to feel doubt and he wants to find out how he saw what he saw.

John is angry at how Sherlock is treating him. He's usually pretty patient with Sherlock, but Sherlock can go too far sometimes. Well, most of the time. John finally walks away from Sherlock because he wants to force him to apologize.

I love it when Sherlock goes to his "mind place." The best moment is when he gets to "Hound Dog" and Elvis's face comes up in front of Sherlock's face and he makes an Elvis pose. Brilliant.

Sherlock figures out Barrymore's password by looking around his office. Question: If Sherlock Holmes took a look around your office/desk/ bedroom, do you think he might figure out your password? If so, change it. *wink*

Why was Henry the only one in the town who went out into the moors and saw hallucinations?

The end of the episode is a lead-in to next week's episode, The Reichenbach Fall. If you haven't seen that episode yet, you're in for a big surprise. In my opinion it is the best of the series.

Quotes:

Sherlock: I need a case.
John: You've just solved one, by harpooning a dead pig apparently.
Sherlock: That was this morning. I need a new one.

Sherlock: What did you see?
Henry: I was about to say.
Sherlock: Yes, in a TV interview. I prefer to do my own editing.

Henry: Are you laughing at me?
Sherlock: Why? Are you joking?

John: You're just showing off.
Sherlock: Of course. I AM a show-off; that's what I do.

Sherlock: Boring. Goodbye, Mr. Knight. Thank you for smoking.

John: So, you're coming?
Sherlock: 20 year old disappearance, a monstrous hound? Wouldn't miss this for the world.

Sherlock: 23 minutes. Mycroft's getting slow.

Sherlock: What is it exactly that you do here, Dr. Frankland?
Dr. Frankland: Mr. Holmes, I would love to tell you, but then, of course I'd have to kill you. (laughs)
Sherlock: That would be tremendously ambitious of you.

John: Oh, please. Could we not do this this time?
Sherlock: Do what?
John: You, being all mysterious with your cheekbones and turning your coat collar up so you look cool.
Sherlock: I don't do that.
John: Yeah, you do.

Sherlock: Once you've ruled out the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be true.

Sherlock: Look at me, I'm afraid John.

John: Why would you listen to me? I'm just your friend.
Sherlock: I don't have friends.
John: I wonder why.

Sherlock: Listen, what I said before, John, I meant it. I don't have friends. I've just got one. 

Sherlock: John? John! You are amazing, you are fantastic! 
John: Yes, all right. Don't overdo it. 
Sherlock : You'll never be the most luminous of people, but as a conductor of light, you're unbeatable! 
John: What? 
Sherlock: Some people who aren't geniuses have an amazing ability to stimulate it in others. 
John: Hang on, you were saying sorry a minute ago, don't spoil it.

Sherlock: One mention of Baskerville, and he sends down my handler to spy on me, incognito. Is that why you're calling yourself Greg?
John: That's his name.
Sherlock: Is it?
Lestrade: Yes. You've never bothered to find out.

Sherlock: Do you got any [aliens]. Just wondering.
Barrymore: A couple. Crash landed here in the 60s. We call them Abbott and Costello.

Sherlock: Get out. I need to go to my mind place.

Sherlock: This case. Thank you Henry. It's been brilliant.

John: You got it wrong.
Sherlock: What?
John: You got it wrong. It wasn't the sugar.
Sherlock: It won't happen again.

Sherlock: I'm going to see a man about a dog

Grimm: Big Feet

"He stripped off his skin and tossed it into the fire and he was in human form again."

According to the Grimm Wiki (a great website I found for all thing Grimm), this episode is based on The Grimm brothers' tale called "Hans the Hedgehog." A hedgehog saves the life of a king, who offers him anything in return. The hedgehog asks for the hand of the king's daughter. The king refuses, so the hedgehog takes the princess and returns her to her father, pierced and bleeding from his spikes. The king finally agrees to the hedgehog's request, and the hedgehog promises to never harm her again. On their wedding night, the hedgehog "stripped off his skin and tossed it into the fire and he was in human form again." And that human form was a handsome young man.

This episode starts with a Blair Witch Project feel. Three friends are filming themselves in the woods as they search for Big Foot. And yes, they find him; or he finds them. The result is not pleasant.

Why would a man shoot his rifle right into the middle of his herd of horses?

We finally see Juliette in her element as a veterinarian. I love seeing more of her life away from Nick. And now that she's been helping Nick investigate his parents' accident, she's got investigating in her blood, and she's become an amateur detective.

It's Juliette who discovers this weeks' murder victims. And again, the scene is pretty grimm.

Monroe is reading "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire." He is so cultured in so many ways. I love that.

Monroe's friend, Larry, is Big Foot or Wildermann. I just love that this dangerous man's name is Larry. Larry is such a harmless-sounding (no offense to any dangerous "Larrys out there).

Larry isn't retracting. He isn't able to hide his Wesen exterior.

Monroe calls Nick for help this time. The tables are turned. Nick is usually always calling Monroe for help.

Woge (german: wave) - the wave that overcomes a Wesen to transform to his Wesen self.

Monroe goes to a Wesen support group to help him control is urges. Monroe goes to group therapy. *wink*

Konstantin Brinkerhoff is a Wesen therapist who wrote a book called "Controlling the Inner Man." I love this show!

Monroe's comment about the pitchforks and torches (see Quotes below) reminds me of "Kill the Beast" from Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Monroe "marked his territory" and the search dogs can't find him or Larry. That is hilarious.

Monroe puts on Larry's shirt and runs into the woods to get the dogs away from his house. He "woge's" and scared the dogs. But he runs into Hank before he changes back, so Hank has his first run-in with a Wesen in his natural form.

Why does Larry turn back into human form when he dies? Isn't the Wesen form his natural state?

Poor Larry, they have to dump his body in the woods. But Monroe gives him a nice short eulogy. The end is in German, and Nick asks him what it means. He says it's a saying his father would say at funerals, "Everything has an end. Only a sausage has two." Loved it!

When I first heard Brinkerhoff's voice, and before I saw him, I thought the actor was John Lythgoe. Roger Bart, the actor who plays Brinkerhoff sounds so much like John

Brinkerhoff could control showing Nick his Wesen self. I wonder if Renard uses the same "trick" since Nick has never discovered that Renard's a Wesen.

Juliette is getting close to making discoveries of her own about half human-half animal.

After Brinkerhoff turns into Big Foot, why does he drag a woman into the theatre after killing people? Why doesn't he kill her?

Why is the theatre empty when Brinkerhoff carries the woman in there? Wouldn't there be people in the theatre backstage if patrons are ready to go see a play (or musical, or whatever is playing in the theatre that night).

Hank sees Brinkerhoff change as he dies. Now Hank knows that Wesen are out there even though he doesn't understand it. Nick tells Hank he didn't see it. He's not ready to tell Hank yet. But from the preview for next week's season finale, it looks like he finally tells Juliette. Will her attack make her forget what he tells her, or will she go into season two knowing the truth? I can't wait for next week's episode!

Quotes:

Srgt Wu: The answer is obvious, these murders were committed by barefoot men carrying a wolf.

Monroe: I may have Big Foot on my couch.

Juliette: It's not top secret; it's more like middle secret.

Monroe: We have issues too, you know. And let me just say they're a lot bigger than, like, teenage angst insecurity.

Monroe: That's great, all that's missing are the town folks with pitchforks and torches.

Monroe: I kind of bumped into Hank before I logged out.

Brinkerhoff: Wesen Prozac doesn't exist.

Brinkerhoff (to Nick): I would love to talk about your identity issues.

Rinaldo: The way I feel is miracle cures wind up being worse then the disease.

Juliette: What if they're real.

Much to be Said for "Good" Thighs

This is why you need proofreaders - to make sure you get your adjectives right.

Or maybe Pilgrim's Pride's thighs really are that "good."

Smash: Previews

Oh, no they didn't!

I am so mad that the writers chose to go down that road. One of the things I dislike so much about this show is how it's mostly about who's sleeping with whom. With most shows I usually think that a character makes a choice, but with this show I keep thinking that it's the writers who make the choice, that they wrote the character to do it. I guess it's because so many of the situations in the show are so forced. Just like in a soap opera. And that's what this is - a soap opera with a lot of good musical numbers.

Observations:

Eileen watches the preview of the show from the mezzanine. Smart woman. Most people think the best seats are on the main floor, but I think the best place to watch a musical is from the mezzanine/dress circle/balcony. You can get a better, panoramic view.

A new song. Is this the duet for Ivy and Karen that Tom wanted? I liked it.

It's so nice that they hired such great dancers for the ensemble. I love the production numbers.

There's one thing I can say about the show - they've put together a great artistic team: songwriters, choreographer, director, dancers, singers, actors (most of them). I just wish the writing matched the caliber of the rest of the team.

I want to see the whole show, or at least some scenes. What is the story? How do the songs fit in the musical?

Another great Broadway actor gets a cameo. Mark Kudisch plays Darryl F. Zanuck. He was actually in 9 to 5 with Megan Hilty (Ivy).

At least Bombshell has a great set.

I know there has to be some musicals that end with a suicide (I can't think of any at the moment). I just don't think I would end a musical about Marilyn with her suicide because that's just too literal. It will be interesting to see how they change the ending.

Angelica Huston sings a song. I was pleasantly surprised with her performance. I really like the song, September, and I thought she was going to "speak" the song, but when she actually started to sing I thought she did a nice job. Her voice definitely isn't as strong as Ivy or Karen or Leslie (Odom, Jr). However, she did a fairly good job.

Sidenote: September Song was written for Angelica's grandfather, Walter Huston, to sing in Knickerbocker Holiday. Maxwell Anderson and Kurt Weill wrote the song in a couple of hours specifically for Huston's limited vocal range. It's so touching that they let her sing it on Smash.

I was starting to like Derek until the end of last week's episode. Now I'm liking him even less. His response to Ivy was so weird. He thinks that being "professional" and taking care of his star means sleeping with her? In any other business, that would be a big HR issue. But not in "show business."

Who poisoned Rebecca? It would be too obvious if Ellis did it.

If Karen is trying to get ready to go on in Rebecca's place as her understudy, I would think that she'd be trying to memorize the lines, not a song. She would probably already know all of the songs better than the lines.

Michael is such a jerk and an idiot. I don't understand his character, why would he risk his marriage again? Does he have no conscience whatsoever? It makes absolutely no sense. And why would he approach Julia again like that when her husband is there in the same hotel. Yes, he's such a jerk and idiot. Or, the writers are just idiots and don't know how to write.

Julia took all the blame before for what happened with her and Michael, but now all of a sudden she's blaming Tom. It was her fault. He tried to warn her. I guess Julia is taking a lesson from Michael and being a jerk.

I love Bobby's response when Karen gets up to sing at church, "What's she doing?"

I loved hearing Leslie Odom, Jr. sing the first part of "Stand." I just wish he'd sung the whole thing. Yes, there's no question that Katharine McPhee has a great voice, but I love Leslie's voice.

Next week is the finale. So, who's going to play Marilyn? Will we find out, or will there be a big cliffhanger? I can't imagine what they'll do with 22-24 more episodes in the next season. Bombshell goes to Broadway, and everyone sleeps with one another.

Quotes:

Ivy: Please don't be nice to me right now. I mean it, I really will fall apart if you're nice to me.

Derek: You know I hate enthusiasm.

Karen: I just didn't want anybody to get hurt.
Rebecca: Well then let's get out of show business then, Karen (yes, she said "then" twice).

Tom: Why aren't they applauding? They're not applauding.

Bobby: First preview something big always goes wrong.
Karen: Like no applause?

Tom: You can't end a musical with a suicide.

Julia: I thought you wanted it darker.
Derek: I want it to work.

Rebecca: I'm alone in Boston, dying.

Derek: Don't leave town. No tweeting.

Rebecca's agent: This was deliberate.
Eileen: Who are you, Miss Marple?

Pic of the Week: Gardens at Versailles

Les Miserables: New Pictures

Here is the new poster and a few pictures from the filming of Les Miserables (courtesy collider.com):


Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway as Jean Valjean and Fantine:


Eddie Redmayne as Marius:

Once Upon a Time: An Apple Red as Blood

Jefferson/The Mad Hatter is back! Hooray!

Not much important happened in this episode other than Snow White finally ate the apple, and so did Henry.

And Jefferson returned.

It was a good episode, but I'm so ready for Emma to finally believe and for everything to come to a head.

The scene when Regina is tied to a tree and everyone wants revenge for what she did to her was great, and we knew it was going to happen because of previews. However, it is clear very soon that Regina is dreaming. It seems that Regina still has a conscience, it's too bad she only has it when she's dreaming.

When did Henry make it look like he is still in his bed? He just left his bedroom when Emma called, he didn't take time to make up his bed.

I love Prince James!

It's a cool effect when the blade that will chop off James's head turns to water.

How small are these kingdoms? Regina can get to King George's castle pretty easily.

Why would the King admit that James isn't his son in front of everyone?

Why isn't Mary Margaret in school during the day?

Emma doesn't want to be Sheriff anymore. She doesn't want to save anybody, except Henry.

Mary Margaret's gotten pretty sassy.

Why would the apple scare James? Does he know what it will do?

Did I already say that Jefferson is back. Yay! So, he didn't disappear into the hat.

Regina was the one who changed everyone's names. That's a lot of people to name. I wonder if she had the help of a Baby Names book. *wink*

The attack on the castle was pretty humorous to watch. I'm sure it wasn't supposed to be funny, but hearing Snow White grunt as she attacked the soldiers just made me laugh.

What kind of dust was in the fairies' buckets?

Did Henry not really believe in the curse until he saw August's wooden arm?

August is giving up. It's all up to Henry now.

When Regina takes the apple turnover out of the oven, she uses a towel to take it out, but then she uses her other hand to lay it on the counter. If it had truly been hot she would have burned that other hand. Realism, people, realism! It reminds me when characters get a coffee from Starbucks in a movie or TV show and it's really empty. You can so tell. How hard would it be to just put liquid in the cup. Realism, people, realism!

Snow White eats the apple to save Charming, and Henry eats the apple turnover to save everyone.

Charming and Snow are so connected that he feels it when she eats the apple.

How does Red know Snow sacrificed herself for true love and that the Queen didn't just kill her?

It was strange that Emma just stood there after Henry collapses. You would think that she would rush to him. It's all in the direction.

However, it wasn't until I saw these two pictures that it made sense:


Quotes:

Archie: My conscience is clear.

Regina: I just wanted to win - for once.

James: Losing my life for love; that's a sacrifice I'm happy to make.
King George: As you wish.

Regina: My tree is dying. Why?
Mr. Gold: Perhaps it's your fertilizer.

Grumpy: Red, you've got someone on your chin.

Grumpy: I miss Stealthy.

August: Take a look at the unvarnished truth.

Henry: You're Pinocchio.
August: What gave it away?

Snow: But I'm rescuing you.

Regina: Did you know that apples stand for health and wisdom?
Snow: Then why do I get the feeling that one might kill me?

Regina (to Emma): Do what you're so skilled at and make yourself at home.

Mr. Gold (to Regina): I guess I don't have to remind you that all magic comes with a price.

Final Thought:

When the DVDs are released, along with all of the episodes I want ABC to include just the story in Fairy Tale Land in order by itself. Sometimes it was confusing to keep track of the sequence of things.

And just because:

Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia

Can I tell you what I love about Sherlock?

Everything.

The first episode of the second season of the wonderful BBC series, Sherlock aired on Masterpiece Theater on Sunday. The first season was so outstanding, and based on this episode, you know the second season will not disappoint. I have actually seen all of the second season, but I've waited until they aired in America to post my thoughts on them. I hope you enjoy the season as much as I.

This episode introduces Irene Adler, and is based on A Scandal in Bohemia. It begins where the last episode ended, with a confrontation with Moriarty. And what a great confrontation it is. I love Andrew Scott as Moriarty.

Observations:

***Spoilers***

Moriarty's ring tone is "Staying Alive." Brilliant.

Sherlock is such a narcissistic, egotistical jerk sometimes, but he's so likable - why is that? If he were living in America, in L.A., he would be named Sheldon Cooper.

Sherlock has thumbs in his refrigerator.

It's hilarious to see Sherlock Holmes sitting in a sheet in a beautiful room at Buckingham Palace. Sherlock and John find it quite funny too. I love seeing them laughing at the absurdity of the situation.

Benedict Cumberbatch is absolutely stellar as Sherlock Holmes. Along with the great script and directing, his acting is a joy to watch.

Irene Adler's professional name is The Woman.

I love how they filmed the scene when Sherlock is explaining to Irene how the hiker was killed. This is great television.

The only kind of woman that Sherlock can be attracted to is one who can match him brains for brains.

Sherlock says "Before you sent John and I in there." Sherlock may be a genius, but he doesn't know the proper grammatical use of I and me.

I love how both Sherlock and John stand up for Mrs. Hudson against Mycroft.

It's sad to see how Molly likes Sherlock so much and Sherlock has no clue (pun intended). He can be such a jerk. At least he apologizes to her when he finally figures it out.

So, Irene Adler is dead. Or is she?

Benedict Cumberbatch and Mark Gatiss have similar noses. Convenient when they are playing brothers.

I love the wallpaper in Sherlock's flat.

It's wonderful to see Sherlock being tender to Mrs. Hudson after she is attacked by the Americans.

How the heck did Benedict memorize all of that deduction? So many words. So fast. How many takes did it take him?

The plot thickens, or just gets turned on its head. Sherlock gives everything away to Irene Adler. She played him, and he allowed it. But then, Sherlock always gets the last word - or he wouldn't be Sherlock.

The pass code is cool, but how did it show up as letters instead of numbers?

"Witness protection scheme." Not program, but scheme. I love how the English have different words than we do for certain things.

The ending is so perfect. Again, it shows how well this show is written.

Sherlock has too many quotes to list them all, but the following are some of the great ones.

Quotes:

Moriarty: Say that again, and know that if you are lying to me and I find you, I will skin you.

Moriarty: Sorry. Wrong day to die.

Moriarty: If you have what you say you have I'll make you rich. If you don't, I'll make you into shoes.

John: What happened there!
Sherlock: Someone made him charge his mind. Question is, who?

Sherlock: Tell us from the start. Don't be boring.

Lestrade: Listen to everything [Sherlock] has to say, and as far as possible, try not to punch him.

Mycroft: We are in Buckingham Palce at the very heart of the British nation. Sherlock Holmes, put your trousers on.

Sherlock: I'm not the Coomonwealth.
John: And that's as modest as he gets.

Sherlock: Punch me in the face. Didn't you hear me?
John: I always hear "punch me in the face" when you're speaking, but it's usually subtext.

Sherlock (to Irene): Stop boring me and think. It's the new sexy.

Irene: You got that from one look? Definitely the new sexy.

Mycroft: Oh, shut up Mrs. Hudson.
Sherlock & John: Mycroft!

Jeanette (John's girlfriend): You're a great boyfriend. Sherlock Holmes is a very lucky man.

Sherlock: I dislike being outnumbered, it makes for too much stupid in the room.

Mrs. Hudson (re: man falling out of the window): That was right on my bins.

Sherlock: Shame on you, John Watson. Mrs. Hudson leave Baker Street? England would fall.

Irene: I was just playing the game.
Sherlock: I know. And this is just losing.

Mycroft: My brother has the brain of a scientist or a philosopher, yet he elects to be a detective. What might we deduce about his heart?
John: I don't know.
Mycroft: Neither do I. But initially he wanted to be a pirate.

Sherlock: The Woman. THE Woman.

The Avengers

My company treated all of us to a viewing of The Avengers on opening day. I love my job!

You would think if you have a movie that brings together such superheroes as Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) that you couldn't lose? Right? Well, with Joss Whedon at the helm as screenwriter and director, I would give a very enthusiastic "Yes"! I enjoyed the film from beginning to end.

The plot is very simple, as are most films based on comic book superheroes. Earth is in danger. The reason isn't as important as the fact that Fury (Samuel Jackson) gathers the heroes together to save Earth.

I have seen the first Iron Man film and Thor. I watched the original Incredible Hulk series with Bill Bixby, and I and saw Captain America the night before seeing The Avengers. I enjoyed all three of those movies (and the series), and I'm glad I had some background for this film.

The best part of the film for me was the dynamics and clever banter among the superheroes. Joss Whedon (creator of my much-beloved Firefly series) is such a great screenwriter, and the script here was stellar.

Chris Evans portrays the idealistic, innocent Steve Rogers so well. From his 1940s haircut to his boyish good looks, Chris looks every bit a soldier from WWII. I liked how he became the unofficial leader of the pack.

I've been a big fan of Chris Hemsworth since I saw Thor, and I loved seeing him back as the hammer-yielding God.

Robert Downey, Jr. has always been a favorite actor of mine, and his Iron Man character is great. As much as Tony Stark pretends to be self-centered, he definitely is a team player and is willing to risk a lot to save the world, and his friends. Robert Downey's portrayal of Tony is spot-on and great to watch.

I have not seen either Hulk movies, so I don't know how Eric Bana or Edward Norton were as Bruce Banner, but I loved Mark Ruffalo as Bruce/Hulk. I just don't understand the Hulk's 'personality.' The first time he changes, Bruce has no control over the monster side of him, and attacks Natasha. It seems no one can reason with the monster. However, in the big battle at the end of the movie, the superheroes tell him who attack, and he does it. Does Bruce have any control of his actions when he's the Hulk?

The villain is Thor's brother, Loki, played by the wonderful Tom Hiddleston. There are few comic book movies where the villains are charismatic, but Tom almost steals the movie, and that's a lot to say when the heroes are also great and cast so well. As Loki, Tom reminded me a bit of Iago in a stage production of Othello I saw a few years ago. He was so likable in a diabolical kind of way.

Jeremy Renner is new to me as an actor. I've heard of him, but I've never seen any of his movies. I have to say that from his performance of Hawkeye, I really want to see more of him.

I'm glad there was at least one woman among all of the men. I liked Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow. I'm not familiar with the history of Black Widow, but I enjoyed the character. For some reason I thought she was a villain in Iron Man 2, which obviously I haven't seen, so I was surprised to see her as one of the heroes.

Quippy Quotes:

Steve Rogers/Captain America: I've been asleep for 70 years. I think I've had enough sleep.

Bruce Banner/Hulk: I don't think we should be focusing on Loki. That guy's brain is full of cats. You can smell crazy on him.
Thor: Take care how you speak. Loki is beyond reason, but he is of Asgard, and he is my brother.
Natasha: He killed 80 people on two days.
Thor: He is adopted.

Steve: Is everything a joke to you?
Tony Stark: Funny things are.

Steve: Doc, I think now is the perfect time for you to get angry.
Bruce: That's my secret, Cap. I'm always angry.

Stan Lee (in a cameo): Superheroes? In New York? Give me a break.