Reign: A Series about Mary, Queen of Scots

The CW has announced it will pick up a new series about the young Mary Stuart, who became Queen of Scotland when she was six days old. At 16 she married the Dauphin of France. At 17, she became Queen of France, and at 18 she became a widow for the first time.

According to Deadline.com, the project, Reign, is described as Game of Thrones meets Marie Antoinette - if Mary Antoinette had a girl posse and was coming of age as a warrior queen.

I am so excited about this series! I love history, especially history of Scotland and England, and Mary Stuart had such an interesting life. I hope it's good, and that they don't make a mess of it.

Stage Review: The Phantom of the Opera

I am very vocal about my opinions when it comes to theatrical productions, and those who know me know that Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera is not particularly my favorite musical. I didn't always feel that way about it. When I first heard the music, I loved it. I thought that it had some beautiful songs. I still think that it has some beautiful songs. I was so excited when I had the opportunity to see it in San Francisco in the mid-nineties. However, I didn't like the actual production. I think that it's too heavy on spectacle and too light on plot. I love the novel by Gaston Leroux that the musical is based on. It's one of my favorite books. I just have never thought that it was well adapted as a musical.

When I found out that a production of the musical was being mounted at Brigham Young University, I was curious to see what a production with university students would be like.  This is the first production of the musical I've been able to see that wasn't produced by Cameron Macintosh. I decided to go to the show with a open mind and try to enjoy a production that hopefully wasn't weighed down by the spectacle of Cameron Macintosh's version.

Review:

Okay, I have to admit that for the most part I enjoyed it. That is not an easy thing for me to say, but as I said, I am very vocal when it comes to my opinions of theatre, and my opinion is there were some very enjoyable moments in this production.

The costumes were stunning. I was surprised at the level of excellence in each piece on the stage. I didn't expect that level of quality in a university production. I especially liked the set. There was nothing that shouted over-done (other than moments when images on the screens were a bit over-done). The chandelier worked well and didn't take focus off of the performers on the stage. Some great set pieces were the elephant in Hannibal, the opera being rehearsed at the beginning of the show. There were two staircases on right and left stage, and they remained there throughout the production.

The second scene, that began with the rehearsal of Hannibal was good and set the tone for the rest of the production. It was entertaining and funny. There was an especially funny moment when Piangi, the tenor, tries to get up onto the elephant during the last measures of the song and he's trying to get on it before the songs ends. His attempt is quite entertaining, and his final pose as he tries to hold on at the end of the song is hilarious.

Vocally, the production was outstanding. Everyone had good voices and the musical numbers sounded wonderful. The acting was also very strong throughout the entire cast. There were a few stand-out performances. Preston Yates, who played The Phantom has a beautifully clear tenor voice. DeLaney Westfall (whom I performed with two years ago in The Drowsy Chaperone), was perfectly cast as Christine Daae. I knew that she could act, and I knew that she had a wonderful voice. I just didn't know that she could sing operatically as well as she does. I was very impressed that she was able to hit the high note at the end of "The Phantom of the Opera," and it was clear and loud. Well done, DeLaney!

Carlotta, played by Caroline Morris, was wonderful. Her operatic voice was beautiful, and she had very good comic timing. Brad Robbins and Sam Bostwick, who played Monsieur Andre and Fermin, respectively, also brought a lot of humor into the production. I think that's one of the things I enjoyed about this production. It had many humorous parts that made it more enjoyable. It didn't take itself entirely too seriously.

I was happy that, for the most part, most of the actors spoke with their own accents, and didn't try to adopt an affected English or French accent. Only Carlotta and Piangi had French accents, and they both did a good job. I like being able to understand actors, and many times if they use different accents you find it hard to understand what they're saying. We know we're in France, we don't need the actors to have a French accent to understand that.

"The Music of the Night" is one of the most popular musical numbers in the show, and Yates sang it very well. The way the song is blocked, Christine is mesmerized by his voice and the music, and he is able to control her like a puppet during the song. There were times when I wanted to laugh, because in another musical, Xanadu (which, by the way, starred DeLaney in one of the productions I saw last year), during the song, "Strange Magic," the goddesses control what Kira and Sonny do as if they are puppet masters, just like in "The Music of the Night." However, in The Phantom of the Opera it is meant to be serious and romantic, and in Xanadu it's meant to be funny. It's interesting how the exact same type of blocking can be funny or not depending on the tone of the musical.

I liked how the Phantom flies in at the end of "Masquerade" at top of Act II. He has a great costume with large wings like a bat, and it fits well that he would fly in. I'm glad that he doesn't fly out, though. He just walks up the stairs and off stage. However, I didn't particularly like that they fly him in and out in the cemetery. The Phantom is just a man, not a superhero with the power to fly.

The ballerinas were outstanding in the production. They had a group of female ballerinas, and then they had a male ballet dancer, Michael Milkinin, who did a few solos. He was incredible, and received a few ovations from the audience during his solos.

In Act II during the Phantom's opera, there is a song sung by Christine and the Phantom, "Past the Point of No Return." In the middle of the song, Christine walks to stage left where there are curtains leading off stage, and then she has some strange choreography with the curtains. It was very strange. I'm not sure why the director or choreographer had her do that.

I have always had a problem with the Phantom's half mask in this musical version of the book. It's strange to me that the man would have only half of his face deformed, when in the book his entire face is deformed. I heard that for the original production of the musical the half mask was created to make it easier for Michael Crawford, the original Phantom, to sing. They didn't want to cover his whole face. I know that the half mask is now iconic for this musical, but if you look at the original poster, it is a whole mask, not half of a mask. I believe that now a mask can be designed that the actor could wear that wouldn't make it difficult for the Phantom to sing. Just sayin'.

I'm glad that I was able to enjoy the musical for the most part. Now that musical is available to be done by regional and community theatres, I look forward to seeing other productions and hopefully I will enjoy the majority of these productions.

I Dreamed a Dream (And His Name was Oscar)

Those of you who have read my review of the film, Les Miserables, know that I was not as impressed with Anne Hathaway's performance as most people, including the acting-award-voting public. So, when I saw this spoof of her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream," I just couldn't help laughing.

The video was directed by USC graduate student, Alberto Bell, and actress (and may I say, very fine singer), Emma Fitzpatrick, plays Anne, I mean Fantine.



Sorry, Anne. I usually like your acting, but I feel your performance as Fantine needed to be reigned in.

Side note: I love the end, "Ann with an "E."

Once Upon a Time: In the Name of the Brother

We got to learn more about Dr. Whale's former life as Dr. Frankenstein. And we got to meet his brother, Gerhardt. His very nice looking brother, who becomes the monster. So, I guess it is true that Frankenstein is the monster - it's just another Frankenstein.

Observations: 

I wonder who Emma called about the accident. Does she has help at the Sheriff's office? A deputy we don't know about?

Hook is lying on the ground, with broken ribs, and he still finds the strength to flirt with Emma. Ah, charming as ever.

I love that Frankenstein's flashback is in black and white. It's kind of cool. Having Rumpel in color is cool too; however, does that mean that Frankestein's world really is black and white? Hmm.

Ruby's a smart girl. She knows how may possible passcode combinations there are. Or, at least she sounds like she knows. I don't know if 10,000 is really the number of possible passcode combinations there are.

It's strange that Greg Mendel, the stranger, has no pictures of anyone but himself on his cell phone.

It's so funny that Greg's ring tone is the theme from Star Wars. Welcome to the Disney family, Star Wars.

Rumpel tells Dr. Frankenstein that his name is Rumpel Von Stiltskin. Is that a joke, or is his first name really Rumpel and his last name Von Stiltskin. If yes, that's pretty funny.

How does Rumpel get to Frankenstein's realm? If he can get to different realms, then why did he need a curse to get to ours?

What is Frankenstein's realm? Fiction Land? Who else is there? Dracula? Moby Dick? Mr. Darcy? Katniss? Or is it only fiction from public domain? Are there additional lands based on genre? Literary Fiction Land, Horror Fiction Land, Romantic Fiction Land, Fantasy Fiction Land, Science Fiction Land. Is Once Upon a Time really going to add more and more and more and more and more characters ad nauseum? I hope not.

How did Rumpel go from wanting to teach Cora and Regina magic to disliking both of them and conspiring against them?

Poor Ruby. She's become the official town bloodhound. *wink*

Dr. Frankenstein is a monster - allowing his brother to kill their father.

Ruby is really a sage werewolf. She has very good advice for Dr. Whale.

Come on Regina, don't let Cora manipulate you! You know better than anyone what she can do.

Will there be romance between Dr. Whale (does he have a first name in Storybrooke?) and Ruby? Victor and the wolf. It has a nice ring to it. But Peter was better looking.

If Gerhardt only needed a new heart, why does he have stitches everywhere?

You would think that if Mr. Gold could repair Belle's wound after she was shot, he could repair a cup.

When you ask someone who was in an accident what they saw right before they had the accident what they saw, and they say, "I didn't see anything," you might be a little suspicious that they might have seen something out of the ordinary and they don't want to tell you they saw something out of the ordinary.

The big question of the episode: Who is Greg Mendel? And who is "Her"?

Quotes:

Emma: I think the world just came to Storybrooke.

Victor: The name "Frankenstein" is going to stand for life.

Emma: You're awfully chipper for a man who failed to kill his enemy, then got hit by a car.

Hook: I hurt his heart. Belle's just where he keeps it.

Emma: Keep smiling, buddy. You're chained down. He's on his feet, immortal, has magic, and you hurt his girl. If I were to pick "Dead Guy of the Year," I'd pick you.

David: We've gotta get in his phone. Let me guess his passcode.
Mary Margaret: You can't guess it. There are a million possible combinations.
Ruby: Ten thousand.
Mary Margaret: Ten thousand.

Emma: I think what we have here is a well documented, real life, ordinary Joe - or Greg.

David: Anyone could drive in. Why are my instincts telling me that's a bad thing?
Leroy: Cause you've seen E.T. or Splash or any other movie where they find something magical and study it to death. Think of what they'd do to a werewolf.

Mr. Gold: I thought you were dead, but hey, disappointment's just part of life. I'm sure we can agree on that.
Cora: Ah, the crocodile snaps at the little bird.

David: You got his scent?
Ruby: Boozey.

Emma: Ruby, get going. Bring back... Dr. Frankenstein. We'll send this guy home with bolts in his neck.

Regina: How did you get through?
Cora: Determination.

Dr. Whale: I wanted my name to stand for life. But everybody thinks it's the name of a monster. I guess they're right about that.
(Side note: I'm so glad that the writers wrote this line for Dr. Whale, because many people do think that Frankenstein is the monster, not its creator. Let's educate people. *wink*)

Ruby: Look, you're Frankenstein, and I'm the werewolf. I ate my boyfriend. Regina thought she was punishing us by erasing who we were, and I think she underestimated how much crap we wanted to forget.

Cora: These carriages are strange.

Cora: Let me into your heart. Together we can get him back.
Regina: How?
Cora: Oh, I have a few thoughts.

Dr. Whale (to Ruby): Thank you. Monster to monster.

Leroy: Tellin' you right now - this'll come to no good.
David: Quiet, Leroy.

Emma: We're not talking to him as a group. We're not a group Sheriff.

Emma: In a normal town the Sheriff goes in to ask a few questions. She doesn't bring her parents in with her.
David: That's probably true.

Mary Margaret: Rumpel and Captain Hook had a fight and someone got hurt.
Emma: We weren't sure if Dr. Frankenstein could fix him, but he did.
(Side note: Only on Once Upon a Time would you hear that dialogue.)
Henry: Doctor? Oh, that's who Dr. Whale is.
Emma: Yea. But without the neck bolts.
Henry: The monster had the neck bolts not the Doctor
(Side note: Actually, the monster only had neck bolts in some of the movies. He didn't have neck bolts in the original book.)
Emma: Right, but some of us, having known him think it's weird.
Mary Margaret: It's not weird. We're past it. We were cursed.

Why Les Miz on Stage Trumps the Movie

No, this isn't really part of the show (I believe it was after the curtain call of one of the big anniversaries of the Broadway show when they brought back some of the original cast - Colm Wilkinson and Judy Kuhn, to name a few). But this is why I love live theatre - anything can happen.

And movies... well, a movie is the same forever.

Thanks Emma, for sharing this great video!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, season 2, ep. 13 Quippy Quotes

In "Surprise," it's Buffy's 17th birthday, and she's going to get much more than just a cake. Drusilla and Spike are back and trying to kill her, yet again. And this is the episode that changes everything between Buffy and Angel, and literally changes Angel.

Quotes:

Willow: Carpe diem. You told me that once.
Buffy: "Fish of the day"?
Willow: Not "carp." "Carpe." It means "seize the day."

Willow (re: Oz): Well, I don't know though. He is a senior.
Buffy: You think he's too old because he's a senior? Please! My boyfriend had a bicentennial.

Willow: Do you guys have a gig tonight?
Oz: Oh, no. Practice. See, our band's kinda moving towards this new sound where we suck. So... practice.

Oz: I'm gonna ask you to go out with me tomorrow night. And I'm kinda nervous about it, actually. It's interesting.
Willow: Oh, well, if it helps at all, I'm gonna say yes.
Oz: Yea, it helps. It creates a comfort zone. Do you wanna go out with me tomorrow night?
Willow: Oh! I can't!
Oz: But see, I like that you're unpredictable.

Xander: So, Buffy's party. Manana.
Cordelia: Well, just because she's "Miss Save-the-World," and everything, we have to make a big deal? I have to cook, and everything!
Xander: You're cooking?
Cordelia: I'm chips and dips girl.
Xander: Ah. Horrors! All that opening and stirring.
Cordelia: And shopping and carrying.
Xander: Well, then, you should have a person who does such things for you.
Cordelia: Well, that's what I've been saying to my father, but does he listen?

Giles: Is everything in order for the party?
Xander: Absolutely. You ready to get down and funky?
Giles: Here comes Buffy. Now remember, discretion is the better part of valor.
Xander: You could have just said, "Shh." Are all you Brits such drama queens?

Giles: Best to be on the alert. If Drusilla is alive, then it could be a fairly cataclysmic state of affairs.
Xander: Again, so many words. Couldn't you just say, "We'd be in trouble"?
Giles: Go to class, Xander.
Xander: Gone. Notice the economy of phrasing. "Gone." It's simple. Direct.

Giles: We're having a party tonight.
Xander: Looks like Mr. Caution Man, but the sound he makes is funny.
Giles: Buffy's surprise party will go on as we planned. Except I won't be wearing a little hat.

Buffy: This looks funky. Stop for a sec.
Jenny: No, Buffy. Maybe you shouldn't.
Buffy: Sorry. "Sacred duty." Yada- yada-yada.

Willow: Better do a round robin. Xander, you go first.
Buffy: Good call.
Giles: Round robin?
Willow: It's when everybody calls everybody else's Mom and tells them they're staying at everyone's house.
Buffy: Thus freeing us up for world saveage.
Willow: And all-night keggers. [everyone looks at her, surprised] What? Only Xander gets to make jokes?

Stage Review: The Philadelphia Story

The Philadelphia Story is a classic film from the 1940s. It stars Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart. The film is based on a Broadway play by Philip Barry. The play also starred Katherine Hepburn, and was a great success, which isn't surprising as the story and script are excellent. I own the a copy of the film, and it is a favorite of mine. I was excited to see the play at Pioneer Theatre Company, as the theatre is known to hire good actors and directors.

First of all, the set was beautiful. As soon as the curtain came up, many of the audience members broke into applause. The parlor in the first scene of act one was ornate and looked like rich people lived there. Upon seeing the set, I had high hopes for the production. I'm sad to say that I was a bit disappointed.

Allison McLemore (Tracy Lord) looked very similar to Katherine Hepburn. Her hair (wig) was styled similar to Katherine's in the film. Also, her voice inflections and mannerisms were very similar to Hepburn's, and it annoyed me that Allison was trying to imitate her. Katherine Hepburn may have originated the role of Tracy Lord, but most actors don't recreate the performance of another actor, they try to make the character their own. Grace Kelly did a wonderful job of making the part her own when she starred in the movie musical remake of the story, High Society. I wish that Allison would have tried more to make the role her own.

Todd Gearhart (C.K. Dexter Haven) physically fit the role that Cary Grant played in the film (I'm so glad they cast someone who looked more like Cary Grant than Bing Crosby, who played Dexter in High Society *wink*). He was very handsome (in fact, he had a uncanny resemblance to a friend of mine, who has also done some acting); however, he was extremely stiff and didn't seem to have the debonaire quality that Dexter should have. Also, I was surprised at how small Dexter's part is in the first act. In the play, Dexter doesn't bring the reporters to the Lord home, it's Tracy's brother, Alex, whose role was completely cut from the film.

The actors were good at their craft, but I had a problem with the style of acting that either they or the director chose. You could tell they were "acting." When you perform on stage, you want your acting to seem like you're "being," to allow the audience to get caught up in the story and believe in your character. I don't know if it was because the actors were intimidated by the material or if they thought that that's the way to perform plays written in the late 1930s. I don't know, it was just very affected. When the first act ended, I couldn't help but voice my disappointment in the production so far to my friend.

The second act was actually better than the first. I started to enjoy the production after Tracy gets drunk following her pre-wedding party. That's when she started being a little more real to me, and so did many of the other actors.

Some of the costumes seemed totally wrong for the period the play is set in. 1940's women's fashion is wonderful, and I feel the costumer lost a great opportunity to design stunning dresses for the actresses. I was very excited to see the evening gowns because women had beautiful evening gowns then. However, the evening gowns were simply ordinary. Even the slacks that Tracy wears in the first act were more modern than period-appropriate. The waist band was low on the actress's hips, and the waist bands of pants from that time on both men and women were usually even higher than the natural waist. Tracy looked so out of place in those slacks.

I was looking forward to a different interpretation of the play from the well-known film. I didn't expect so many mannerisms and blocking to remind me of the movie. I wish the director had brought a new and fresh vision to the play. Yet, in spite of its negatives, I did enjoy the production in the end because they had such a great script to work with, and if you're going to recreate a film, The Philadelphia Story isn't a bad one to choose.

Bunheads: Best Casting Choice Ever

Tomorrow night we will meet Michelle's (played by Sutton Foster) brother on Bunheads. It will be great fun to find out what Michelle's brother is like. Fortunately, the producers have cast the perfect actor to play her brother: Hunter Foster, Sutton's actual brother.

Like Sutton, Hunter is a Broadway musical performer. He has performed in Urinetown (horrible name for a great musical), Children of Eden, The Producers, and Little Shop of Horrors.

I am excited to see what they have in store for the siblings. I hope they perform together. That would be awesome! And I hope he's on the show for more than one episode.

Once Upon a Time: The Outsider

We finally get the confrontation between Hood and Rumpel, and oh, it was a doozy! 

Observations:

Is there only one town line in Storybrooke? Or is there a purple line running all around Storybrooke, so no one accidentally leaves through the woods or at the opposite end of town? Oh, that's right, the opposite end of town is the ocean. Is there a purple line in the ocean so they don't go too far out to sea? *wink*

Not very many people came to Archie's funeral. Couldn't they have hired some extras to make it look like more people knew Archie and cared about him?

Archie's headstone was made pretty quickly. And why no dates on it? But then, what date would they put for his birth? I'd really like to know what year it was in Fairy Tale Land.

Belle never went back to her father after leaving Rumpelstiltskin? Did she not want to be a Princess anymore? No. Belle wants to be a hero. Where did that come from? Who knew she wanted that?

How does Grumpy/Dreamy know about Belle's past history with dark magic? Again, I want to know how every character knows everything about every other character as soon as they meet. 

When did Belle have time to change into her "hero" clothes? I can just hear the conversation:

Belle: I want to go with you to kill the Yaoguai, but I can't go in this dress, it might get dirty.

Claude: Don't worry about it. We'll just wait for you to change into your adventuring outfit. Take all the time you need. We're sure a slip of a girl like you can help us in our hunt.

Belle: Thanks, guys. Be right back.

*wink*

Why did Belle go with the men when she was able to find the Yaoguai on her own from reading her books? Did she just need a ride to get closer?

The Dwarfs want to go back to the Enchanted Forest. Why does Leroy think that Mary Margaret and Emma know when and how to get back?

It's funny that the only thing Leroy mentions that he'll miss in this world is penicillin. What about electricity? Flush toilets? Cell phones? Twitter? Taylor Swift?

Hook was able to get into the locked library, so why would Rumpel tell Belle to go back and hide from Hook in the locked library? How is that safe?

I like this Mulan. A Mulan with decent hair and without Aurora.

Why would Hook carry around that short piece of rope tied like that? When you tie a knot like that on a ship, you use a long piece of rope to tie something on the ship. You wouldn't have a little bit of rope tied in that knot and then carry it around in your pocket. I guess Belle has to find out about the ship somehow. But then why did Belle know to look in a Nautical book if she didn't know what kind of knot it was in the first place? If she knew it was a nautical knot, she wouldn't need to look in a book. Picky, picky. I know.

Ah, how sweet. Twenty-eight year-old Emma wants to live with her parents.

What did Belle expect to do with the beast after she tracked it down - other than kill it? Why is she surprised that Mulan would suggest she kill it?

Belle is so disillusioned. She thinks Rumpel has changed. He hasn't. He's still a bad man. He uses people for his own purposes. He only thinks about himself and what he wants. Belle deserves better, or at least younger (sorry to those Rumpel/Belle fans out there. Their May/December relationship still creeps me out). If she likes "bad boys," why not go for Hook. He's closer to her age and so much better looking. *wink*

I'm still curious to know why Rumpel still limps. 

It's a good thing that Grumpy/Dreamy gave Belle that fairy dust.

So nice to see you again, Prince Philip.

David wants to go back to the Enchanted Forest. Mary Margaret doesn't. (Remember, she's already been back. It wasn't a good experience.) Oh boy, I smell big trouble in paradise.

How does Archie know Cora? He never met her in Fairy Tale Land, did he? He wasn't involved in Regina's life before she became the evil Queen as far as I know. Again, everyone seems to know everyone and their business even though they never met before. Bugs me.

How does Hook know that Belle won't die?

What is Belle's Storybrooke name? Did she have a name?

Maleficent turned Philip into a Chinese demon. I guess they have to tie it into the Mulan story in one more way.

So, could no strangers come into Storybrooke before the curse was broken unless they had some kind of tie to Fairy Tale Land, like Emma and August? 

Quotes:

Claude: Wait! You're a...

[Mulan hits him]

Mulan: Yea, I know.

Belle: How? How did you...?

Hook: Oh, I know this ship like the back of my... well, you know.

Belle: You're not the first beast I've faced.

Mary Margaret: I really like this one.

David: I don't know. The yard looks kind of small.

Mary Margaret: Are you going to say that about every house we look at?

David: I grew up on a farm.

The Return of Doctor Who

The second half of the seventh season starts on March 30th. It's only two months away! I am so excited, I can hardly think straight!

Why I Love Bunheads

'Nuff said.

Arrow: Burned

This was a good episode for Arrow to return with. I like the episodes that aren't about going after someone on the The List; I like it when the episodes are more personal. This time, Laurel's friend and coworker, Joanna, loses her firefighter brother in a fire. But Joanna doesn't think that he simply died in the fire. She thinks he was murdered. Laurel wants the help of The Hood, but The Hood hasn't been seen for a while. That's because Oliver's in a funk after being bested by the other man in The Hood.  He's in such a funk that he can't even shoot a tennis ball with an arrow anymore. No! Say it isn't so!

Laurel, luckily, is one of those people in Oliver's life who can convince him to get back into the game.

Observations:

Why does Detective Lance come with the officer to tell Joanna that her brother was killed, and then end up telling Laurel the news before the officer tells Joanna? And why, for that matter, would the officer come to tell Joanna? Wouldn't he tell her mother first, and then her mother tell the rest of her family?

Belly Burger - the only place the Queen's eat out. I like how common they've become. *wink*

The city misses the man in The Hood. Could the vigilante be - don't say it - a hero? Hmmm.

It's a little callous for Tommy to say that maybe he and Laurel should talk on a "less tragedy-filled day"? That's not a thing you would say to someone whose friend just lost their brother.

I don't get the phone thing. How can Laurel contact The Hood simply because they have his phone? If The Hood doesn't have his phone, he can't answer it, can he? Is it just that they have his cell number, and figure he got another phone with the same number? Wouldn't that be a bit stupid on the part of The Hood?

I like Thea in the episode. Yay! I really like the actress. I want to like her character.

Moira says she needs to be at home for her family and then she tells Oliver she doesn't care what "everyone needs." Make up your mind, woman.

Oliver should understand that Moira is a funk because Walter has disappeared. He should understand that "funk" better than anybody.

I'm surprised that Oliver didn't get there in time to save the fireman. That's pretty sad. But then, I guess it shows that he can't save everyone.

Oliver just lies there in the middle of a burning building. Uh, that's not very safe, unless his superhero disguise protects him going up in flames.

Oliver's lucky to have his own personal therapist in Diggle. He should pay him extra for that.

Thea just needs a reason to act mature.

How did Lynns start the fire in the club with just a wave of his arm - magic?

Oliver wastes a lot of precious time getting his disguise. The fire chief could have died while he was changing.

Detective Lance, how can you use your daughter like that? You think your relationship is strained right now? Oh, just wait!

Quotes:

Oliver: What did that prove?

Diggle: That this is one sturdy desk.

Oliver: I was wi-fi-free for a few years.

Thea (to Moira): Maybe you should start acting like my mother, so I don't have to act like yours.

Thea: What's got you all smiley? Your new club is a briquette.

Oliver: It was under construction before. Now it's just under more construction.

Thea: Sharp suit, Mom. I'm not used to seeing you without your bedroom wrapped around you.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: season 2, ep. 12 Quippy Quotes

The story in "Bad Eggs" revolves around a common assignment in High School: learn about parenting by taking care of an egg. Simple. Well, this is Buffy, so we know it won't be.

I love Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and a lot of the episodes are really good. However, some episodes are just plan silly. "Bad Eggs" is not a great episode, and it is plain silly. Nevertheless, like all Buffy episodes it has some good lines. It also has two interesting characters: the Gorch brothers - vampires from the 1800s Wild West. I wish the episode had more of the Gorch brothers and less of the "eggs."

Quotes:

Joyce: I'll go to the printer's, and then get our food. You go to the tailor's and pick up my outfit from "Everyday Woman."
Buffy: "Everyday Woman"?
Joyce: Hm hm. There's the receipt.
Buffy: Why didn't you just go to "Mumus R Us"?
Joyce: Do now. Make fun of your mother later.

Willow: Buffy, how come you weren't in class?
Buffy: Vampire issues. Did Mr. Whitmore notice I was tardy?
Xander: I think the word you're searching for is "absent."
Willow: Tardy people show.

Xander: You gotta take care of the egg. It's a baby. You gotta keep it safe, and teach it Christian values.
Willow: My egg is Jewish.
Xander: Then teach it that dreidel song.

Xander: The only thing that stresses me is, when do we tell them they're adopted.

Buffy: Okay little egg dude, let's see... Feeding... check. Burping... eww... check. Diapers... sort of. In theory, I guess. Okay, good night, Egbert.

Joyce: How's the parenting going?
Buffy: Fine.
Joyce: Are you sure your egg is secure in that?
Buffy: Did I ask for back-seat mommying?

Buffy: I didn't sleep well.
Joyce: What's the matter? Your egg keep you up all night?
Buffy: You're killing me. Parenting is a pain.
Joyce: Wait 'til it starts dating.

[Xander drops his egg]
Willow: It didn't break. How come it didn't break?
Xander: Which is another secret to conscientious egg care. Pot of scalding water and about eight minutes.
Willow: You boiled your young?
Xander: Yea. I know it sounds cruel, but sometimes you gotta be cruel to be kind. I mean, you can bet that little Xander here is thick-skinned now.
Giles: Technically, that would be cheating, yes?
Xander: No. It's like a shortcut. You know, like when you run a race?
Buffy: That would also be cheating.
Willow: You should be ashamed.
Giles: I suppose there is a sort of Machiavellian ingenuity to your transgression.
Xander: I resent that. Or possibly thank you.

Xander: Can I just say ... gyeurgh!
Buffy: I see your gyeurgh, and raise you a nyargh!

Cordelia: What is it?
Xander: We don't know what it is, Cordelia. That's why we're here. Capeesh?
Cordelia: "Capeesh"? What are you, world traveler now?

[Joyce notices the titles of Giles's books]
Joyce: "Bristow's Demon Index"? "Hell's Offspring"?
Giles: A hobby of mine. But having nothing to do with Buffy in any way.

Lyle Gorch: I told you this weren't over.
Tector Gorch: She's so cute and little. Do you think we can keep her?
Buffy: Guys, this really isn't a great time.
Lyle: Oh, it's gonna be.

Once Upon a Time: The Cricket Game

I'm finally caught up with watching the shows I missed when I was on vacation. I'm so excited that Once Upon a Time is back. Now we can see what kind of havoc Cora and Hook will wreak on the residents of Storybrooke.

Observations:

Will we see how Snow and Charming actually defeated King George? Or are we never going back to that event again? I'm interested to see how they did it with only Snow, Charming, Granny, a wolf, a cricket, and seven Dwarfs. There's got to be a joke in there somewhere.

I hope that's the last time Charming or Snow ever says anything about how they will "always find" each other.

Emma, if you're going to invite someone to a party, you shouldn't leave them sitting by themselves the entire time. It's rude.

So, wasn't Henry adopted by Regina? If he was, then Emma has no legal right to keep Henry from her. Emma gave up Henry, she can't just waltz in there and take him back. Okay, this is Storybrooke, and Regina is an evil Witch (who is trying to change), but there is such a thing as the law.

Cora has a very twisted way of showing that she loves her daughter.

Regina has a lot of great lines in this episode. Some real zingers.

Granny's always knitting when the "crew" is sitting at the round table in their council meetings. I wonder if she's always working on the same thing. *wink*

Snow and Charming speak very formally in Fairy Tale Land, but they didn't revert back to that speech pattern after the curse was broken.

Look! Henry's actually going to school. That's not something you see everyday.

Regina has a soft spot for guys named "Henry" in both realms. but one has more power to change her for good than the other.

They don't even give Regina the dignity of being executed in one of her great ensembles. That grey potato sack is just sad. *wink*

What a great role Lana Parrilla has in playing Regina. She gets to show such range. I want a role like that!

Why would Snow wait until the soldiers already let their arrows fly before stopping the execution? How did she know that the Blue Fairy would stop the arrows from hitting their mark? She was cutting it a bit close if she really didn't want Regina to be killed. Suspense and drama, I know.

Snow talks to Rumpel after the stayed execution like he's not her enemy. Why was it again that they contained him in the jail, I forget. I wish I could watch the Fairy Tale Land story straight through, in order, so I can remember everything that's happened. If the producers ever read this - I'm saying it again: I want a DVD that contains just the Fairy Tale Land scenes - in sequence.

We are getting more clues as to how Rumpel orchestrated the whole curse by fooling Regina into thinking it was her own idea, but why did Rumpel want Regina to do it? Why didn't he try to get to our realm by himself? He has all of that magic. And why did he want to take all residents of the Enchanted Forest with him? Did he think he'd be lonely? *wink*

Why isn't Mr. Gold surprised that Archie is dead? It seems like he was already on the defensive before he even knew what was going on. But maybe he's always on the defensive when Emma, Mary Margaret, and David burst into his shop. *wink*

If Rumpel is the one who brushed the dream catcher over Pongo, then how is Emma using her magic? Rumpel could have been using his magic to make Emma see what he wanted her to see. (We know he didn't, but that was no proof that Emma can use magic.)

I like Snow's white outfit, but I'd like to see her in something more feminine. I like pretty fairy tale gowns, and all we see the women in anymore is masculine "fighting" outfits.

Snow and Charming are pretty trusting of Rumpel to believe him when he says he placed a protection spell on them. Why would Charming let Snow go to Regina  when he has no proof that Rumpel is telling the truth about the spell and he knows Regina might harm Snow? That would be a pretty devastating mistake if Rumpel was lying. Suspense and drama, I know.

Why does the Blue Fairy still dress like a nun in Storybrooke? That outfit is a far cry from the fairy dress she wore in Fairy Tale Land. Go buy yourself some new clothes, girl. Maybe something in light blue.

Are all of Henry's school mates are going to start growing up now. They've been children for 28 years. You don't have to go to Neverland to never grow up. And I feel sorry for the ones that have been on the verge of puberty for that long. There are changes coming for you, kids. *wink*

Why does Cora carry a parasol at night? Is she afraid she'll get a moonburn? Just wondering.

Quotes:

David: It's impressive that we can still provide her with future childhood traumatic memories at this stage of the game.

Archie: Beautiful day, isn't it, Regina?
Regina: Why should I answer you, Bug?

Regina: Doctor? Need I remind you, you got your Ph.D. from a curse!

Ruby: Hey! Is everything okay here?
Regina: Private conversation. Go take yourself for a walk.

Regina: You're lucky I've changed.

Granny: How about banishing her to another realm?

Archie: Hush, Pongo. You know Regina.

Emma: Time for school. I'll walk you to the school bus.
Henry: That's okay. I can go on my own.
Emma: I know that you can. That doesn't mean you should.
Henry: David let me.
Emma: Well, I'm not David.
Henry: You used to let me.
Emma: Well, I'm not me. I'm walking you because that's what mothers do, and I'm doing it.

Charming: If you think this is the right thing to do, then it's what we shall do. But know that your path is one that we cannot come back from either.
Side note: See. Very formal speech pattern. David wouldn't say it like that, not even now that the curse is broken.

Rumpel: Regina redeemed. What a novel thought.

Mr. Gold: You have your mother's chin, Miss Swan.
Emma: You know that you killed him.
Mr. Gold: And your father's tact.

Once Upon a Time at Disneyland

In Disney California Adventure they have a special window display in "Hollywood Land." They have four costumes from the ABC series, Once Upon a Time. The costumes were worn by four of the characters in the series: Snow White, Charming, Regina, and Maleficent.

It's great to see the costumes up close from one of my favorite shows in one of my favorite places.The details are incredible. I want Maleficent's for Halloween this year. *wink*

Maleficent

Charming

Regina (Evil Queen)

Snow White

Nerds say the Funniest Things

"In a stunning reversal, the rise of technology has brought with it the rise of the nerds!"

A new competition reality TV show just premiered on TBS called King of the Nerds. According to the opening of the show, "not only is being a nerd suddenly cool, but now nerds run the world." The winner of the competition will win $100,000, be crowned the "King of the Nerds," and be able to sit atop the "Throne of Games." (Now, that's original. *wink*) The hosts of the show are Curtis Armstrong and Bobby Carradine, who were in the original 1984 movie, Revenge of the Nerds. Very apropos.

The most entertaining thing about this new television show is what comes out of the contestants' mouths. They are hilarious. I don't know if it's just the nature of being a nerd. Well, yes, I do. It is the nature of being a nerd. There's something about the way they talk and the things they talk about that make them very quotable.  Some of them are very intelligent, with advanced college degrees in mathematics, physics, engineering, or computer science, and others are comic book or gaming fanatics (I'm not saying they're not intelligent, I'm just saying that not all nerds are intelligent - they're just fanatics about certain things). It's a very interesting combination. Some quotes are from actual conversations, and others are from the typical reality TV confessionals.

Quotes:

Alana: I used my power of the dark side.

Ivan: Hey world, guess what? I'm a nerd, and that's awesome! I am awesome!

Genevieve: I would use the $100,000 prize for something fun, like investing in a good Index Fund.

Curtis: For today's "nerd war," you will divide yourselves into two teams of five nerds each. However, as you've noticed, there are 11 of you, which mean somebody doesn't get picked.
Ivan (to himself): Dodgeball.

Genevieve: I'm a Batman fanatic. People tend to describe me as innocent and demure. And then they get to know me and then they start describing me with words like "Machiavellian" and "ruthless."

Brandon: The house is awesome! There's a Radio Shack lab with a white board. I need a white board to survive. Where else you gonna write stuff? A piece of paper's not good for that. Well, I mean it is, but it's not optimal.

Jon: I read text books for pleasure.

Hendrik: I study the mechanical behavior of rocks, ice, and mixtures thereof.

Joshua: I have a zombie plan. Any person who has a zombie plan you know is organized and well thought out.

Genevieve: For the nerd wars, I'm in charge of picking the first person on my team. I'm looking for people who are intelligent, but an added bonus, if they resemble Batman or anybody from the Batman series.

Alana: I want to be on Genevieve's team because she loves Batman and I love Batman.

Virgil: I mean, in terms of, like, my credentials on paper - I mean, I'm aware I look very good on paper. But no one has seen me on paper.

Alana: I'm really good at chess, Batman trivia, knowledge of different gods, like Norse and... and uh... and uh... yea, all those.

Alana: For the rest of the team here, all I have is Batman and being super prepared.

Ivan: This is gonna be really rough because every nerd is so nerdy. We're all nerds!

Curtis: Let's do "rock, paper, scissors" to see who goes first.

Ivan: I thought it was gonna come to this.

Danielle: I don't really feel in danger about being on a team. I am a genius. 

Virgil: Picking Celeste was obvious. I mean, have you seen a pro-gamer play? It's ridiculous. Watch one. Like, it's not human.

Hendrik: Celeste picked me by dumping a mixture of what must have been corn starch and water and blue dye over my head, signifying that I was to join the team.

Bobby: So, Hendrik, what is your strategy?

Hendrik: I'm looking for good company.

Bobby: Choose wisely, Hendrik.

Brandon: I am getting worried. It's the nightmare of my elementary school self.

Virgil: I was annoyed. I'm a smart guy. This is obvious to anyone who looks at the facts.

Brandon: What is dead may never die.

Virgil: I thought it was a little surprising that Brandon was picked before I was. I mean, I don't know, it wasn't a crazy decision. I mean, I consider it a margin of error decision.

Side note: I'm not an expert of "margin of error," but I don't think that is the right term to use when picking team members. "I do not think it means what [he thinks] it means." Anyone an expert on "margin of error" that knows?

Curtis: There is nothing nerdier than not getting picked.

Virgil: I think Alana was straight up mistaken. I independently assessed both of these teams, and I come to an opposite conclusion.

Danielle: Lok 'tar ogar! That means "victory or death" in Orcish.

Alana: I was the losiest winner. The losiest loser. The losiest loser.

Ivan: We don't really want to hate each other. We just have to.

Joshua: Captain's Log: Strange location. Adapting well. Good company. Okay with it.

Genevieve: What concerns me about Jon is he's a smoker. How smart is somebody if they choose to smoke and endanger their health?

Hendrik: It's not really whether the universe has a finite or an infinite size. If the universe is infinite, that means that other versions of ourselves are out there in some other worlds. The implications to that are startling. You and I and everyone else on this planet has already won King of the Nerds.

Nerds also wear interesting, and sometimes very funny, T-shirts:

"Nerd"
"Science"
"So Geek So Chic"
"Your Zombie Survival Plan Will Fail"
Batman logo in a purple heart
"Undead"
"College"
"Talk Nerdy to Me"
Regular Batman logo

Aladdin: Proud of Your Boy

When I was at Disneyland, my friend Scott and I saw Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular. It's a 40-minute live show recreating the highlights of Disney's animated feature, Aladdin. I've seen it quite a few times before, and it's very entertaining, especially the Genie, who adds a lot of jokes based on current pop culture.

I haven't seen the animated film for a long time, but after seeing the live show I thought it would be fun to watch it again, so I did. I enjoyed watching it again. I also thought I would check out the extras. The DVD includes a few songs that were written when the movie was in its early stages but were cut when the writers decided to go in a different direction. The best song cut from the film is "Proud of Your Boy," which was written when Aladdin's mother was going to be part of the story. It is one of my favorite Menken/Ashman songs. The music is beautiful, and the lyrics are spot-on for anyone who loves their mother (and father) and doesn't want to disappoint her.

The extras on the DVD include a demo of the song sung by Alan Menken and a video where Clay Aiken sings the song. I think they both do a good job, but my favorite version of the song is by John  Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and Torchwood, and Mr. Merlyn in Arrow). I heard John's version many years before I bought the Aladdin DVD, and I loved it the first time I heard it.

So, here for your listening pleasure, is John Barrowman singing the wonderful "Proud of Your Boy."



(If the video doesn't play, click here to listen on youtube.)

Another Castle at Disneyland

Wow! It's been a while since I've blogged. How quickly the time flies. A week at The Happiest Place on Earth (aka Disneyland), and a bout with the flu have kept me from my usually consistent blogging.

Speaking of Disneyland, I saw Molly Quinn (Alexis Castle from Castle) on my first day there when I was walking through Fantasyland. When I first saw her, I thought she was someone I knew personally because she looked familiar, and most people who look familiar are people I know. But then I realized who she was. I love Castle, and I love Molly's character, so it was cool to see her.

I googled her when I got back from my trip to see if I could find out if it really was her, and I found her Twitter feed. Yes, she was there, and it was her first time at Disneyland. I hope she had a great time. I found a few pictures of her at Disneyland on the Internet, and I would loved to have found a picture of her in front of Sleeping Beauty's "Castle," but no such luck. (I am so funny! Okay, maybe not. *wink*) I guess the next best thing is Molly in a Wookie hat and in front of the iconic flower Mickey.

Grimm: Preview of New Episodes

Thanks to Ruth at Booktalk & More for posting this preview for the second half of season 2 of Grimm.

Rose McGowan on Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time returns tonight, and I'm so excited!

There have been many announcements of actors who will be joining the cast, but there's one that I'm really excited about. Rose McGowan (Charmed) will appear in at least one episode as a younger Cora. It's not surprising they cast Rose, the two actresses look very similar. This casting is almost as good as casting Bailee Madison as the young Snow White.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, season 2, ep. 11 Quippy Quotes

"Ted" is not one of my favorite Buffy episodes, but John Ritter, who plays Ted, gives such a great performance. He plays the new man in Buffy's mom's life, and at first Buffy is wary of him because she doesn't like the idea of her mom having a man in her life who isn't Buffy's father. But then she becomes wary of Ted because he's not quite who or what he seems. This episode has a more serious feel than the preceding episodes, but it still has some funny lines.

Quotes:

Xander: You don't know what you're talking about.
Willow: Xander, he was obviously in charge.
Xander: He was a puppet. She was using him.
Willow: He didn't seem like the type of guy who would let himself be used.
Xander: That was her genius. He didn't even know he was playing second fiddle. Buffy...
Buffy: Huh?
Xander: Who was the real power, the Captain or Tennille?
Buffy: Um, who are these people?
Xander: The Captain and Tennille?! Boy, somebody was raised in a culture-free environment.

Xander: How is Angel? Pretend I care.

Buffy: Vampires are creeps.
Giles: Yes, that why one slays them.
Buffy: I mean, people are perfectly happy getting along, then vampires come, and they run around and they take over your whole house, and start making these stupid little mini-pizzas, and everyone's like, "Oh! I l like the mini-pizzas --"
Giles: Buffy, I believe the subtext here is rapidly becoming uh... uh text.

Xander: Having issues much?
Buffy: I am not!
Xander ("sing-songy") You're having parental issues! You're having parental issues!
Willow: Xander...
Xander: What? Freud would have said the exact same thing. Except he might not have done that little dance.

Xander (at the miniature golf course): Ah, the dreaded five-par cuckoo clock! So many have come, so few have conquered.

Neal (Ted's coworker): That guy is a genius. Knows everything about computers. Never loses a client. If I sound bitter, I am.

Willow: He started it.
Buffy: Yea. That defense only works in six-year-old court, Will.

Cordelia: I thought you liked him.
Xander: I sometimes like things that aren't good for me.

Xander: He's got to be in there, Will. A history of domestic violence, a criminal record... ooh, cookies!

Cordelia: She's like superman. Shouldn't there be different rules for her?
Willow: Sure, in a fascist society.
Cordelia: Right! Why can't we have one of those?

Buffy: What are you?
Ted: I'm a salesman. That's what you should have remembered. No matter how you put him down, a good salesman always bounces back.

Cordelia: Feels like home... if it's the fifties and you're psycho.

Ted: I don't take orders from women. I'm not wired that way.

Giles: I think I'm all right.
Jenny: No, you're just in shock.
Giles: No, really. I don't think it went in too deep. The advantages of layers of tweed. It's better than Kevlar.

Joyce: Do you want to rent a movie tonight?
Buffy: Sounds like fun.
Joyce: Just nothing with horror in it. Or romance. Or men.
Buffy: I guess we're Thelma and Louise-ing it again?
Joyce: Good call. 

Doctor Who: The Musical, Starring Cookie Monster and Grover

I am not a fan of Sesame Street (shocker, I know), and I didn't watch it much when I was young. And... I've never been a fan of Cookie Monster saying "me" when he should say "I." (I can't understand why a children's educational show would teach incorrect grammar.) However, I am a huge fan of Doctor Who and musicals, and I think this video is hilarious. I'm surprised I didn't see this video back in September.



If you want to see Cookie Monster and Grover take on The Hunger Games, The Avengers, and Newsroom too, click here.

Once Upon a Time: Interesting Revelation

Once Upon a Time resumes on Sunday, January 6th.

Here is a short sneak peek that contains a spoiler, so if you don't want to know what's coming up, don't watch.

Book Review: Dodger

I have never read a book by Terry Pratchett. The only books I had heard of by him were from his Discworld series, which a friend of mine absolutely loves. I have never been interested in reading any of those books, as I’m not a big fan of the fantasy genre. Then I read about Dodger. I am familiar with the character of the Artful Dodger in Oliver Twist, so I was interested in reading what was touted as a fictional version of the true story of the Artful Dodger.

Description:

A storm. Rain-lashed city streets. A flash of lightning. A scruffy lad see a girl leap desperately from a horse-drawn carriage in a vain attempt to escape her captors. Can the lad stand by and let her be caught again? Of course not, because he's . . . Dodger.

Seventeen-year-old Dodger may be a street urchin, but he gleans a living from London's sewers, and he knows a jewel when he sees one. He's not about to let anything happen to the unknown girl - not even if her fate impacts some of the most powerful people in England.

Review:

I enjoyed this book very much. The writing is very good and the story is well thought out. The story captured me from the very first page and I kept reading with interest, anxious to find out what would happen next to Dodger and how his carefully thought-out plans would work out. The book contains actual historic figures from the Victorian age. Most of them I was familiar with, and others I had to look up. These historic figures include Charles Dickens, Benjamin Disraeli, Henry Mayhew, Robert Peel, Sweeney Todd, Joseph Bazalgette, Angela Burdett-Coutts, and even Queen Victoria herself.

Dodger is a great character, and is the best developed of all of the characters, after all, the book is about him. He is not a pickpocket as he is in Oliver Twist. He is a “tosher,” which is someone who retrieves valuables from the sewers. He doesn’t consider himself a thief. He simply finds things people have lost. Pratchett does a great job of recreating Victorian England. You can tell that he did a lot of research, and it paid off. The descriptions of London and the lives of those who lived there were very vivid.

Charles Dickens is a main character in the book, and Dodger's experiences with him not only give Dickens ideas for Oliver Twist, but even give him ideas for other stories that he will write subsequently. I loved the moments when Dodger would say something and Charlie (as he is referred to in the book) would take out a notebook and write something down, much to the annoyance of Dodger. I know how it is to write down ideas and quotes, I just hope I don't annoy my friends with doing it. *wink*  I also hope that one day I can write a novel close to the quality of Dickens. Even though there are glimpses of Dickens's stories, I am glad that the plot of Dodger isn't taken from a Dickens novel (as far as I know).

After reading Dodger I may try other works by Pratchett. If anyone has any recommendations, please let me know.

There were some great passages in the book, and because I read it on my Kindle Fire, I highlighted some. I would never mark up a hard copy of a book, so reading an ebook has its positives.

Here are just a few highlights:

The night passed fairly quickly because so much had already slid away into yesterday.

"Well, I thought to myself, if that is the self-same young man I met the other day, then the only way he would stop anything being stolen would be to put his hands behind his back."

...although the man was the master, which was of course only right and proper, if you watched and listened, you would see that their marriage was like a barge on the river with the wife being the wind that told the captain which way the barge would sail. Mrs. Mayhew, if not being the wind, certainly knew when to apply the right puff.

Sharp Bob, who in these circumstances realized that only half of his name was accurate, was struggling now.

"Mmm, well now," he said, "if one day you gave up messing about in ... well, mess, I might talk to you about the works of Spinoza, a philosopher who might broaden your mind - because as far as I can see, there's plenty room."

The little room was silent and dark, apart from the slight snoring of Solomon, the gray light that managed to filter through the dirty window, and the smell of Onan, which in some peculiar way could almost be heard.

If he had no plans for the day, he would lounge under the blanket until Onan licked his face, and you never wanted that to happen more than once.

Mister Todd was definitely not a naturally cheerful personality; the gloom was apparently laminated to him.

Sweeney swirled a white sheet over him in a way that would have been called theatrical.

"All men are writers, journalists scribbling within their skulls the narrative of what they see and hear, notwithstanding that a man sitting opposite them might well brew an entirely different view as to the nature of the occurrence. That is the salvation and the demon of journalism, the knowledge that there is almost always a different perspective from which to see the conundrum."

And that was how Dodger and Simplicity got into Parliament, indeed with the cutthroat razor - and with a lie, which was fine, considering that's how so many people got into Parliament.

"Money makes people rich; it is a fallacy to think it makes them better, or even that it makes them worse. People are what they do, and what they leave behind."

Dodger said, "Can I have some more?" Out of the corner of his eye he saw Charlie wearing the familiar expression of a man enjoying the fun.

"Don't bother with the fish slice; nobody bothers with the fish slice, it is there as an ornament, just to show people that you have a fish slice."

The Return of My TV Shows

It's January, and the television season will resume with new episodes of favorite series.

Here are the shows whose new episodes I'm looking forward to seeing:

Big Bang Theory - January 3rd
Elementary - January 3rd
Once Upon a Time - January 6th
Castle - January 7th
Nashville - January 9th
Arrow - January 16th
Glee - January 24th
Smash - February 5th
Grimm - March 8th

There's still no word about when Beauty and the Beast is returning. I didn't particularly like it when it first aired, but it's grown on me.

What television series are looking forward to returning?