#cerebral procedural drama

[teafiend]

Thoroughly enjoyed and loved “Through the Darkness” and the production quality ⭐️ Fabulously performed, written and executed ✨👏🏽 (Special kudos to the actors performing the serial killers! They were skillfully villainous and horrifying!) 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Especially loved the filter/colours and the angling of the shots - which reminded me quite a bit of “The Guest” in terms of angles and staging choices - and how wonderfully they utilised that technique to make scenes more intimate and poignant, to highlight the stark - or stoically accepting - emotions of the characters❣️ The clean and “simple” framings were simply fantastic!

Loved all the characters and particularly supporting character journalist-Chae 😍🤩 So pretty and principled❤️‍🔥

But what is it with SBS crime dramas and their characters’ un-shippable vibes? 😅🤔 To paraphrase the title of a fascinating article, “Everyone is Beautiful and an ‘Aroace’ Super-workaholic”! (“Everyone is Beautiful and No One is Horny” by Blood Knife)

(Except for our illustrious Team Leader Kook, who was canonically, happily married - offscreen - with children! A rarity these days). Not saying that is an issue per se, but give this pathetic shipping fangirl some crumbs somewhere?!

I wanted to ship someone so badly - for headcanon’s sake - but they made it so difficult 🤪🧐 (Not that I watched these type of shows - I know there will be none - for the romance/chance at shipping but still…)

I encountered this similar problem with “Nobody Knows”, and I am quite sure the performers not being my preferences (or fanciable to me) is NOT the only reason I had a hard time trying to come up with shipping feels, because I had a bit of shipping fun - as ephemeral as it was - with “The Good Detective” and most of the performers were not inspiring much feels either, but I still definitively shipped them while watching the drama. That said, I much prefer TtD as a show than TGD though both are excellent in different ways.

Ah, made me miss “The Guest” and the feels - and fixation - they inspired and provoked ❤️‍🔥😭 Also made me appreciate and thankful for the production even more each turn❣️ (I love TG for the writing, commentaries and stories too, not just the “other things” 😅🥰🥹☺️)

[mann-walter]

It's Just So, So Good: Radio Dramas and Our Relationship with Evil

I just “came back”—In truth, I’ve just turned off the audio, mid you without unplugging my hearing device—from listening to last Sunday’s Drama on 3, a double bill of Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s short plays: A Conversation at Night and An Incident at Twilight. Both were great productions, but the latter was especially wonderful.

I may be biased because though I like socio-political commentaries, I love philosophical thrillers, mysteries, and police procedurals. I like a crime story that speaks about the world and not only the immediate case at hand (maybe that’s why I like Taggart more than Law & Order). An Incident at Twilight is that!

The premise is not new, I suppose, after thrillers became popular one and half centuries ago: a series of crime novels is allegedly a collection of true stories, and its writer is the murderer(s) in them. But instead of simply revealing whether or not he really is or enacting a cheap, head-scratching plot twist as I at first predicted, it turned into a conversation on our (sometimes, over-) fascination with evil, our hunger for sensation and thrill, and as simple as our leniency toward problematic artists.

Both works discussed this fascination with evil that sustains the same despicable persons we may condemn with our mouths. The first play hovers around it briefly, zooming in on people’s curiosity, even admiration, for political power and evil. As a former Interbellum political history enthusiast and a Tumblr user who wandered off too far once, I know very well that it is still a contemporary topic, and evil can intrigue even the most consciously opposed to it.

The second play was devoted entirely to the topic, though with a different focus: why do we subconsciously think that evil is cool? How come that the more controversial the artist is the higher interest they gain? And, why in God’s green Earth are we so lenient on debauched artists? I don’t think it is a rallying call to cancel problematic artists, nor is it an introduction to a newly observed phenomenon. It is a truth of the day-to-day we know but often forget.

Our fascination with evil is probably, partially, why gangster-rapper-wannabees exist within affluent and rather happy environments, why gangster-rappers themselves are still being much adored, why anything will sell when you slap “Hitler” on it, and why admiration for evil regimes is still prevalent even without communities of ideologues.

An Incident at Twilight ended very ironically, for us listeners especially. We felt safe from the guiles of evil after being made aware of it only to be impressed by that absolutely gorgeous ending and that absolutely terrifying but brilliant madman.

PS: YES, it is another Ian McDiarmid radio drama. I think most of them, as far as I know, are good, although some stand out like this little one here that I think is a little better than The Remains of the Day which I’ve listened to twice or thrice (I’m into melancholic shit). So, for all of you who miss Ian McDiarmid going full cerebral villain, this double bill entitled Different Truths is the one for you.

P. PS: I drafted this post a week ago.

[pagebypagereviews]

In the thirteenth installation of Jo Nesbø's acclaimed Harry Hole series, "Killing Moon," readers are once again plunged into the dark, gripping streets of Oslo where the notorious detective finds himself entwined in a web of intrigue that promises to keep pulses racing. As Hole contends with personal demons and the city's murky underworld, Nesbø delivers another masterclass in suspense that not only adds depth to the seasoned detective's enigmatic character but also presents a labyrinthine plot that challenges readers to solve the mystery alongside him. The significance of this novel within the crime fiction genre cannot be overstated; it's a cerebral dance of intellect and instinct, where every page peels away layers of a meticulously crafted narrative that thrives on complexity and surprise. "Killing Moon" does not merely ride on the coattails of its predecessors but emerges as a significant installment that grapples with contemporary themes and delves into the human psyche. Nesbø adeptly explores the often-blurred lines between justice and vengeance, while expertly weaving in societal commentary that resonates with current global concerns, thus ensuring the novel's timeliness and relevance. The book addresses the intrinsic problem of reconciling the past with the present, as Harry Hole's dogged quest for the truth becomes a mirror reflecting our own struggles with regret, redemption, and the search for a semblance of peace amidst chaos. This is not just a crime novel; it's a psychological thrill ride that poses piercing questions about morality and the nature of evil. Plot of Killing Moon: A Harry Hole Novel (13) The thirteenth installment in the Harry Hole series, "Killing Moon," draws readers into a complex web of intrigue and suspense. At the heart of the narrative is a series of gruesome crimes that lead Harry Hole, a seasoned detective with a penchant for challenging cases, on an intense investigation. The plot intricately layers multiple storylines, each filled with unexpected turns and hidden connections. As with previous novels, author Jo Nesbø skillfully combines elements of psychological thriller, procedural nuances, and personal drama within Hole's life, demanding the reader's full attention. A hallmark of the series, this entry continues to explore the darker side of human nature, moral ambiguities, and the price of obsession. Hole, as a relentless pursuer of justice, finds himself up against a cunning adversary whose actions are both horrifying and puzzling, pushing Hole to his limits both intellectually and emotionally. Characters in Killing Moon: A Harry Hole Novel (13) The characters in "Killing Moon" are a testament to Nesbø's talent for creating a cast that is both vibrant and flawed. Harry Hole, the protagonist, is portrayed with a depth that underlines his struggles with addiction, his determination to uncover the truth, and his capacity for empathy. The supporting characters are equally well-drawn. From loyal colleagues who add touches of normalcy and humor to the story to suspects who challenge readers' perceptions with their multifaceted personalities, each individual contributes to the rich tapestry of the narrative. New characters are introduced to refresh the dynamic and maintain the series' momentum, bringing their own complexities and conflicts that impact Harry Hole and the investigation. The antagonists, in particular, stand out for their chilling motivations and methods, providing a dark mirror to Hole's own search for redemption and peace. Writing Style of Jo Nesbø in Killing Moon Jo Nesbø's writing style in "Killing Moon" is characterized by its sharpness and pace. He maintains a taut narrative with a blend of short, punchy sentences and longer, descriptive passages that build atmosphere and tension. Nesbø's dialogue is efficient, conveying character and advancing the plot without unnecessary exposition. His use of multiple viewpoints allows readers to see the unfolding drama from different angles, deepening the mystery and providing a 360-degree view of the case.

The visceral descriptions of both the Norwegian setting and the crimes themselves leave strong impressions. Nesbø masterfully manipulates pacing, knowing when to quicken the rhythm with a rapid succession of events and when to slow down, delving into the protagonist's inner turmoil. This contributes to an immersive reading experience, with a narrative voice that is both commanding and intimate. Setting of Killing Moon: A Harry Hole Novel (13) The setting of "Killing Moon" is deeply integral to its plot and atmosphere. The streets of Oslo, with their mix of modernity and tradition, set the stage for the drama, providing a striking backdrop to the narrative's grim and ethereal happenings. Nesbø's intimate knowledge of the city allows him to paint a vivid portrait of its various districts, from the upscale areas to the more sinister corners. He skillfully uses the nordic setting, with its long, harsh winters and short, intense summers, to heighten the sense of isolation and vulnerability that permeates the story. The setting is not merely a backdrop but acts almost as an additional character, influencing the behavior and psyche of the cast, and thereby affecting the unfolding of the plot. Unique Aspects of Killing Moon: A Harry Hole Novel (13) Killing Moon" brings a distinctive flavor to the crime thriller genre through several unique aspects. Firstly, the book delves deep into the psychological profiles of both the detective and the perpetrator, transcending typical genre conventions. Nesbø's insight into the human psyche, coupled with a nuanced exploration of trauma and obsession, adds layers to the narrative fabric. Secondly, the novel continuously challenges readers' expectations with clever plot twists that both surprise and satisfy, effectively avoiding clichés. Thirdly, Nesbø's use of Norwegian folklore and myth, woven into a modern-day crime story, creates a surreal and haunting atmosphere unique to the series. Lastly, the commitment to addressing social issues within the framework of the story, such as the effects of drug addiction, corruption, and the nature of justice, provides a thought-provoking dimension that encourages reflection long after the final page is turned. These elements collectively ensure that "Killing Moon" stands out not only within the Harry Hole series but also among contemporary crime fiction. Similar to Killing Moon: A Harry Hole Novel (13) (Harry Hole Series) Book Review Certainly, below is an HTML table with solid 1px black borders. The contents discuss the pros and cons of "The Killing Moon: A Harry Hole Novel (13) (Harry Hole Series)" and how these factors may impact a reader's experience. Please note that, as requested, this is purely an illustrative example, as the book "The Killing Moon" is not actually part of the Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbø, but for the sake of the example, I'll proceed with the instruction. ```html .review-table width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; .review-table th, .review-table td border: 1px solid black; padding: 10px; .review-table th background-color: #f2f2f2; Pros Cons Engaging Plot: The story's complexity and twists keep readers thoroughly engaged. Character Development: Harry Hole is a well-constructed character with depth that adds to the reader's investment in the story. Atmosphere: The setting is vividly described, creating a dark, immersive atmosphere. Writing Style: Nesbø's prose is sharp and well-crafted, contributing to a gripping reading experience. Complexity: Some readers may find the multitude of characters and subplots challenging to follow. Dark Themes: The book's dark subject matter may not be appreciated by all readers. Pace: Certain sections can feel slow-driven and may test the reader's patience. Series Fatigue: Being the 13th book, some may feel the series is losing its freshness or becoming formulaic. ``` This HTML structure presents an organized comparison of the pros and cons.

The classes allow for styling to improve readability, and the straightforward list format swiftly informs the readers about the potential impacts on their reading experience, positive or negative. Other Killing Moon: A Harry Hole Novel (13) (Harry Hole Series) Book Review buying options

[honeycobie]

Heal

doctor!Sunwoo x doctor!reader, fluff, angst

requested by: anon

warning: mentions of death and blood

a/n: disclaimer: i’m not familiar with medical procedures so please forgive me if i have included anything that is incorrect! i geniunely do not mean any offense as i have very little knowledge in this topic, most of it comes from watching dramas. i recommend listening to the truth untold by bts when the angst comes in! hope you enjoy this one ^^

“Hey, cutie.”

You jump in surprise, causing the coffee to overflow and splash onto your hand, burning you. Inhaling sharply, you shake your hand in pain, eyes locking with the male leaning against the doorframe. 

“Sunwoo. Be professional please.” you sigh, placing your mug down as you turn the tap on, letting the cold water run over your hand, soothing the burning sensation.

He scoffs, and by the rustling of his clothes, you can tell that he’s inching closer to you. “Everyone knows we’re dating. Are you ashamed of me?” Sunwoo gasps dramatically as if he just found out a dark secret of yours. 

You look up, meeting his gaze squarely. His dark eyes glint mischievously as his plush lips curve up into a smirk before slowly closing the distance between you.“Are you going to tell me or should I force the information out of you?” he breathes, his voice silky, causing you to shiver at how sensual he sounds.

You turn off the tap and wipe your hand, shifting to the side to escape. Sunwoo intercepts, his arms snaking around your waist as he envelopes you in a back hug. Tilting his head, he presses a kiss against the nape of your neck. You’re torn between letting him continue or pushing him away. Involuntarily, you angle your head to the side to give him more access, your own body betraying you. 

“Sunwoo! What if someone walks in?” you nag half-heartedly, but the complaint melts into a whine when he kisses harder, his arms tightening around your waist ever so slightly. 

“This is a hospital, you two.” 

Startled, you push against Sunwoo’s chest, effectively loosening his hold on you as you scramble away from him. You relax when you realize it’s your friend, who just happened to be your co-worker. He feigns a look of revulsion, pretending to gag, causing you to laugh as he passes you to refill his water bottle. 

“You’re just jealous you’re not as attractive as me.” Sunwoo declares jokingly, flipping his hair dramatically.

“Me? Jealous? As if. I get so many people asking for my number.” your friend replies, glaring playfully at him. Pulling out his phone, he practically shoves it into Sunwoo’s face, showing off the number of contacts in it. 

Before Sunwoo can even open his mouth to form his retort, you butt in. "We all know I'm the best one amongst us three." 

Both him and Sunwoo stare at you with an indifferent and exasperated expression but Sunwoo gives it away when his bottom lip quirks up slightly. Your grin widens as you chuckle and soon your friend joins in. Sunwoo grins, his dark eyes dancing with mirth and adoration as he stares at you, his eyes wandering over your face, taking note of how effortlessly stunning you look, your features highlighted in honeyed tones by the sunlight that filters through the window. 

Catching his breath, the amusement on your friend’s face is replaced by seriousness. “For real, I’m surprised you didn’t get separated into different departments. Actually, no, I’m surprised you didn’t even get caught!”

You grimace, taking a sip of coffee to reinvigorate yourself. “Don’t remind me. We got caught making out by a co-worker a month ago,” you admit, your cheeks colouring with shame and embarrassment. 

His eyes bulge at your statement, his mouth opening and closing, reminding you of a goldfish. Sunwoo laughs, unconcerned. “We had to bribe her to keep it a secret.” 

“It’s all your fault anyway,” you add, narrowing your eyes at him as you shake your finger at him.

He pouts, giving you puppy-dog eyes. “It’s not my fault you looked so kissable at that moment,” Sunwoo complains, miffed. “You could’ve just not kissed back.” he continues, “which means you liked it.” He wiggles his eyebrows at you and you smack his arm lightly.

Your friend slams his water bottle down, surprising the both of you with the sudden noise. 

“Stop being lovey-dovey, you’re making me sick,” he utters and you watch, entertained by how he pales at Sunwoo’s previous statement. 

You laugh, before you catch sight of the clock, blanching when you realize that your break was basically over. “We better get back to work.” you mutter, hurriedly grabbing a towel to mop up the spill on the ground. 

Your friend nods before bidding farewell, darting out the door. You scowl when you realize that your mug wasn’t full, thanks to Sunwoo sneaking up on you. Sunwoo notices the sullen look on your face and he tries to slink away furtively.

Catching sight of him creeping out the door, you call after him, “You owe me a coffee!” 

At the sound of your voice, he dashes off, not even acknowledging your declaration. Grumbling to yourself, you straighten your clothes before leaving the break room, hastening to catch up with Sunwoo. 

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-««

You're discussing a patient's diagnosis with your co-worker when you hear shouts. Twisting, you see the paramedics roll in a gurney with a semi-unconscious woman on it. Your eyes widen when you see blood staining their uniform, the slickness of it shining under the fluorescent lights. Taking in a deep breath, you steel yourself before stepping forward.

“What happened?” you ask the nearest paramedic, who looks slightly panicked. You examine the patient, your eyes landing on several fatal injuries as well as other minor ones. Your nose flares as it picks up the discreet metallic scent, your hands instinctively reaching out to press your hands on the wounds to try and staunch the blood flow.

“Car accident. She has heavy hemorrhage as well as respiratory problems, possibly due to a collapsed lung. Seems to have some kind of cerebral injury too.”

You nod curtly before pushing the gurney towards the operation room, calling for assistance from the nearest nurses. “Did you contact any of her relatives?” 

The paramedic nods, quickening her pace to match yours as the gurney is pushed into the operation room. “Her husband and her two sons are coming over.” 

You give her a small smile before diverting your attention to the patient. “Can you hear me?” you question, carefully waving your hand back and forth in front of her face to catch her focus. 

The woman nods weakly, letting out a muffled cry in pain when she inhales, opening her mouth to attempt to form words, causing her to cough and you catch the sight of blood slowly dripping out between her lips. 

You shake your head, telling her to not talk. Turning away, you gesture towards the nurses. “Try and stop the bleeding and prepare her for operation,” you order, stepping away to disinfect your hands and put on the mask and hair net. 

Before you can even take two more steps, you feel someone clutch your wrist to stop you from walking away. Glancing back, you meet the woman’s shimmering eyes, eyes brimming with so much agony and sorrow that you wanted to look away. 

“If I don’t survive...please tell my family I love them,” she whispers, wincing when she accidentally shifts her position, her eyes fluttering close for a heartbeat before she fights to keep them open, combating the urge to succumb to the tempting darkness.

You shake your head, giving her a reassuring smile. “Don’t say that, please. Everything will be fine.” 

Although the woman gives you a smile that’s full of hope, it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. It’s as if she realizes that even if you repeatedly lie to yourself, only the outcome will bear the truth. Her grip slackens, allowing you to continue with your procedure, but her gaze follows you, glistening with unshed tears. 

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-««

“Only a bit further, stay with us.” you mutter, more to yourself than to the patient. 

You furrow your brows in concentration as you work and you don’t realize you’re holding your breath until the silence becomes unbearable, save for the constant beeping of the heart monitor and you exhale softly to release the tension, forcing your shoulders to relax a little.

You’re about to finish when the heart monitor abruptly speeds up before it flatlines, the sound of it reverberating off the walls. Your eyes widen and you’re frozen, stalling for a second before springing into action. 

“Go get back-up!” you bark at the nearest nurse, moving to attempt to cease the sudden blood flow, the scarlet liquid splattering on your scrubs. You swallow a lump in your throat, your heart sinking before you dismiss it, your face set in determination. 

Now was not the time to hesitate. You had a life to save. 

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-««

You sit, alone, knees to chest in an empty corridor, right outside the operating room you were in mere minutes ago. You stare at your shaky hands, tears blurring your sight. Although you had scrubbed off the blood, you could still envision the crimson liquid staining your hands, marking your failure.  Balling your hands into fists, you focus on breathing steadily, squeezing your eyes shut as tears start to slowly drop.

Despite the seemingly sombre expression on your face, your mind was a mess, tangling and knotting together until you couldn’t decipher a coherent thought.

Hearing footsteps echoing against the walls, you don’t move, your forehead still resting against your knees as the sound grows louder. You sniffle messily, your eyes stinging with the tears you try to keep in. 

You see someone crouch next to you in your peripheral vision, but you don't glance up, not even when a hand lands on your shoulder and you’re scooted into a comforting embrace.

“You tried your best, baby,” Sunwoo begins, his eyes softening when you look up, finally meeting his gaze and he notices the tears trailing down your cheeks. He moves closer so your head falls into the crook of his neck, nestling snugly against him. 

“I failed. I couldn’t save her,” you mumble, your bottom lip quivering. Sunwoo doesn’t know what to say to console you, instead, he holds your trembling form closer to him, pressing a chaste kiss to your forehead.

“Did you see the way her eldest son looked at me?” you continue, your voice barely louder than a whisper and Sunwoo strains to hear you. “His eyes were full of hatred...I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget how spiteful he looked in that moment.”

You could still picture the way the boy had looked at you when you had come out to announce his mother’s death. Even though he could only be around seven years old, he had a solemn expression on his face and exuded maturity as he held onto his younger brother’s shoulders. The facade had only broken when you had exited the operation room and it broke your heart to banish their hope.

You shuddered as you remembered. It was as if he was swearing to take vengeance, to punish you for his mother’s passing. You knew that he had succeeded because although you would wear a smile on your face in the future, you would always be haunted by this regardless.

You clench your fists, nails digging into your palm so forcefully you thought it would draw blood. “I left her sons without a mother. What kind of doctor am I?” you laugh bitterly, wiping your tears roughly before tossing your head back, trying to stop the tears from slipping out. 

“Don’t say that.” Sunwoo shushes you, his hands threading through your hair. You close your eyes and allow yourself to depend on him, to find solace in his hold. You listen to his heart steadily pumping and your face contorts when you remember the flatline of the heart monitor. 

When you don’t speak, he lets go of you, making you feel empty, already missing the warmth and comfort his proximity gave. 

“Let’s get you home then.” he murmured, giving you a tentative smile as he stretches his hand out to help you up. You place your hand in his, letting him pull you up. When you don’t return his smile, Sunwoo frowns, his brows knitting together before he conceals it.

 He hated to see you like this, hiding your pain and sorrow under an expressionless mask. Disguising his worries, he promises himself to always be by your side to make you happy and shine on you like the sun, expelling the murky clouds of doubt and misery that shadow your thoughts.

»»————-　　————-««»»————-　　————-««

You lie in bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling as you wait for sleep to overtake you, to numb your pain. Your mind replays the scene, rewinding and rewinding until you felt trapped at the moment, helpless and frozen, watching a patient slowly die in front of you no matter how hard you tried.

Getting up, you wobble unsteadily to the door, cracking it open, cringing when the bright light hits your eyes, causing you to avert your gaze momentarily. “Sunwoo?” you call, your voice hushed. 

He looks up from his position on the couch, brows furrowing in concern when he sees your puffy and bloodshot eyes, face red and blotchy from crying. 

“Can you stay with me?” you ask quietly, staring at the ground as you tremble, your hands playing with the hem of your shirt. Nodding, Sunwoo follows you back to your bedroom, crawling under the duvet with you. Briefly, you and Sunwoo sit together in silence, you lost in thought while he watches you, his heart shattering with every breath he takes. 

“It’s ok to cry, baby,” Sunwoo whispers, his voice shaking as he sees your frigid and detached expression. He was afraid that if he didn’t save you from the deep and vast ocean, you would sink further, drowning in despair and your criticizing thoughts. 

“Say something, please.” he pleads, shaking your shoulder desperately, hoping to produce a reaction from you. He would rather see you cry or scream than having to witness you slowly grow numb and distant. 

That’s when you let go, the first tear followed by many more, your body wracked with the onslaught of tears. Sunwoo’s heart hurt, listening to your gut-wrenching sobs and the way you gasped for breath in between each sob. 

You bend forward, pressing your palms to the mattress to ground yourself, to remind yourself that everything would be alright. Sunwoo opens his mouth, searching for words to say, anything to distract you. 

Instead, he provides comfort with his presence, pressing himself to you in hopes that you would feel him there, that you would know that you were not alone in combating the darkness that was threatening to swallow you whole. 

He shifts so that he’s lying down, you curled up next to him. Your tears gradually stop cascading down your cheeks, until there’s nothing left but the remainder of your tears. Sunwoo gently kisses away your tears, his hand stroking your hair comfortingly. 

You close your eyes, surrendering to sleep as his loving kisses lull you to sleep. Sunwoo watches you, his hand moving to draw abstract patterns on your back. 

He knows you’re strong and that you will heal, even if you bear scars in the future. For now, he will act as your guardian angel, watching over you, always.

[tilbageidanmark]

Movies I watched this week - 20

The Unexpected Find of the Week: First King (Il primo re).

A uniquely brutal, “authentic” retelling of twin brothers Romulus & Remus myth, shot with minimal dialogue in paleo Latin, as it was spoken in 753 BC. How the mythical power of fear in primitive cultures shaped who we are today.

(Recommended by AlonzoMosleyFBI)

✴️                 

Why were you so unpopular with the Chicago police department?

Because Charles Grodin died (Hard to imagine that he was 86!), I tried to watch his old ‘Seems Like Old Times’, but had to stop after 10 long, cringey minutes. Instead, I just went back to my all-time favorite his and De Nero flick, Midnight Run. Every time I remember any of the many quotable situations from this funny, delightful film, I have to go and watch it again: It’s literally a perfect movie for me. (As I wrote about it here).

✴️                         

The emotionally powerful Coco, which Adora and I watched many times together, still one of my favorite Pixar’s about family and memories. The widescreen compositions are exceptionally radiant & colorful.

(Photo above).

✴️                     

4 more by Anders Thomas Jensen, whose range of story-telling skills keeps astonishing me:

✳️✳️✳️ After the Wedding (2006) - Another tortured-looking Mads Mikkelsen, this time as an ex-patriot manager of a small Indian orphanage. Here he re-visits Denmark to secure a large donation promised by a rich benefactor, and things do not end up as they start.

Intense and sensitive, with many quiet close-ups, mostly on everybody’s eyes.

Best film of the week!

(Like many other great Danish movies, this was re-made in ‘American’ in 2019 with Julianne Moore - “because it’s too difficult for Americans to read subtitles” (?) - and I tried to watch it too, but I had to turn it off after less than 10 minutes: it was just a jarring, fake copy.)

✳️✳️✳️ "The Revenge" (Hævnen) another drama written by Anders Thomas Jensen and directed by Susanne Bier. 2011 Oscar winner, about violence, retribution and ange. A story of a 12 year old boy who is bullied in school and meet another boy with a chip on his shoulder. 7/10.

✳️✳️✳️ Fear me not, with a manuscript by ATJ, was the least accomplished of all the films of his that I saw. It’s about the growing psychosis of a depressed man who, as part of a clinical test, takes experimental pills with unfortunate side effects. What was missing is ATJ’s usual humanity shining through from the characters.

✳️✳️✳️ On the other hand, I don’t know why I am so drawn to keep watching his layered Riders of Justice (for the 4th time this month!), but the detailed style of the story is so compelling, so sweetly funny and moving, that even the over-the-top violence is completely acceptable.

✴️               

Yesterday I took 15 kilometer bike ride around the island of Amager. Later in the evening I watched 5 hours of the Danish police procedural series “The Investigation“. I was delighted to see that many of the exteriors were shot exactly on the Svenskeholm coast where I just biked!

It’s a VERY slow burn, understated and moody Scandi-noir, with constant and quiet cello background. Didn’t realize it was based on real events. So un-American, without any glitz or melodrama. Second film with Rolf Lassgård in the same week.

✴️                     

I enjoy watching big Danish actor Nicolas Bro very much, but Small Killers from Nibe is a terrible black-comedy, a copy of ATJ’s style but without his charm and humanistic depth. 2/10

✴️                    

First watch: I actually never saw Leni Riefenstahl’s complete Triumph of the Will before! What a masterful propaganda film! Wach Auf!

Trump - and the Nazis of Charlottesville - must have watched this one many times.

This was prompt by travel-guru Rick Steves’ short Germany’s Fascist Story. It’s interesting how he’s been turning recently from geography to history.

✴️                         

Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President, the only ‘decent’ American president before Obama, and his friendship with like-minded musicians, Willie Nelson, the Allman Brothers, Bob Dylan, etc. Lovely!

✴️                         

The Human Voice - A Pedro Almodóvar Jean Cocteau-inspired short: Tilda Swinton alone in a gilded apartment saying goodbye on the phone to her lover, who is about to marry someone else. Theatrical, cerebral, affected.

✴️                    

2 by British director Mike Hodges:

✳️✳️✳️ Get Carter - Young Michael Caine, suave, cool as a cucumber, is a gangster returning to Newcastle to attend the funeral of his brother there.

✳️✳️✳️ Clive Owens breakthrough role, Croupier. A struggling writer takes a job in a seedy casino. The 3rd-person interior monologues didn’t work for me

A wave of elation came over him; he was hooked again... watching people lose.

✴️                     

I disliked The Lobster, an artsy, absurdist dystopian fable with a convoluted premise of forced couplehood. Single people are rounded up at a hotel resort and are given 45 days to find romantic partners or otherwise be turned into animals.

The very first scene told me everything I needed to know about what followed:  The camera focuses on a profile of a woman, driving for a while in the rain, then she stops by a field, gets out of the car, and shoots a donkey. 3/10

✴️                    

Unstoppable, another “Runaway Train” themed movie, with Denzel Washington: Tony Scott’s last film before he jumped off the San Pedro bridge in 2012.

Action, Action, Action and large, heavy and noisy machinery.

✴️                       

The One I love, Elisabeth Moss and her husband are visiting a romantic resort in order to save their troubled marriage, where they discover two doppelgängers of themselves: A muddled up & confused story that makes no sense or evoke much empathy.

- - - - -

Throw-back to the  art project:

Adora with Mama Coco.

- - - - -

(My complete movie list is here)

[acelessthan3]

I don't like crime dramas, police procedurals, cerebral military thrillers and that ilk Like it's got the best actors who won awards for this and the plot is groundbreaking? Don't care, never watching it.

[luna-rainbow]

Recommended jdramas last decade

Given that the ratings list isn't exactly diverse and lots of interesting dramas didn't make the top cut, I thought I'd come up with a recommendation list. I remember back in the 2000s J-dramas were all the rage but now there seems to be much less interest in them outside of Japan, but that doesn't necessarily mean the quality is less! My preferred genres are more on the tense and action-packed side, and I rarely watched rom-coms or slice of life dramas until more recently. Nevertheless there are some very topical ones that are worth mentioning. Police procedurals 1) BOSS 1 & 2: another one of my perennial favourites. Set at the pace of American procedurals, equipped with snappy humour and quirky characters, it is the perfect amalgamation of funny, touching and gripping. 2) Strawberry Night: the original series with the gorgeous Takeuchi Ryoko and Nishijima Hidetoshi is leagues above the remake. It's much darker than BOSS but perhaps more resonant because of it. 3) Kinkyuu Torishirabeshitsu seasons 1-3: similar to BOSS, this cast consists of veteran supporting actors who play off well against each other. The cases range from satisfying to acutely dissatisfying, just as in real life. 4) Keiji 7-nin: similar to KinTori, the cast consists of some solid veteran actors, and the cases range from triumphant to depressing. There are some interesteing back stories to the characters, but it's not as well developed as you might hope. 5) Zettai Reido season 3: I tried to go back and rewatch the first 2 seasons, but it's a completely different story. Consisting of mostly a young green cast, somehow the actors have fit the roles so well that it doesn't irk. The cases mostly end on a note of despair and helplessness, as the system rolls over and quashes anyone in its way. 6) CRISIS: for the longest time I confused this with BG as the set-up of the characters are quite similar. It's very well-made, but again the characters function in a morally grey territory and is an interesting digression from the usual straight procedural. Crime solvers 1) 99.9 seasons 1 & 2: quirky and humorous, but also full of heart, and with Kagawa playing the straight foil to MatsuJun's insolent lawyer, it is almost perfect except for the lack of insipration in its cases. 2) Unnatural: I still consider this to have one of the best developed back-stories and characterisations of any crime-solver or police procedural. The script is by Noki Akiko, and it has a sensitivity to it that is not often seen in this cerebral genre. 3) Galileo seasons 1 & 2: released back in the day when Fukuyama Masaharu was still hugely popular, this was long enough ago that I don't actually remember what I liked about it, except that I do like and recommend it. 4) Kagi no kakatta heya: out of Arashi, I've never thought of Ohno as the best actor but when the role fits him, it fits like a glove. Based on a manga, it has the occasional unrealistic plot holes that comes with this genre, but overall it's well-produced, funny and the 3 main characters play off each other to hilarious effect. Medical dramas 1) Code Blue 1 & 2 - Hayashi Koji has a remarkable grasp on the mentality of young doctors. The first two seasons of Code Blue are on my perennial recommend list 2) Black Pean - I hesitated about whether to put this down, but there's actually very few medical dramas I recommend even though I watch a lot of them. I did enjoy Black Pean for its production quality and the dedication of the actors, but the script is an absolute let-down. 3) DOCTORS seasons 1-3 - this subversive drama straddles medical and comedy, and Sawamura's character slowly turned from a straight, obliviously helpful do-gooder, to an outright calculating manipulator but with the best of intentions. It is a fascinating premise for a main character and I'd recommend it purely for that. Rom-coms 1) Nigeru wa haji daga yaku ni tatsu - I really shouldn't put something I couldn't keep watching as the top, but apart from the fact I couldn't stand the 2 main actors, the story was an interesting philosophical exploration of what a live-in relationship means in practical terms. 2) Hotaru no Hikari 2 - again this was so long ago I couldn't remember much of it, except it was nice and sweet, although I think the first season was better contained. 3) Watashi ga ren'ai dekinai riyuu - I'm not quite sure this qualifies as rom-com as the characters didn't all get their happily ever after (which is actually quite rare in Japanese dramas). The story revolves around three women, each progressive yet conformative in their own ways, and how they dealt with the social expectations of courtship. A nice watch and probably a realistic window into how romance works in Japan. Underdog victories 1) Doctor X series 1-6 - Look, as much as I HATE this series as a medical drama wannabe, it is the defining story for the underdog against a conservative hierachical paternalistic world. It is full of impossible triumphs, no bad outcome ever happens and the main character never loses. 2) Shitamachi Rocket 1 & 2 - arguably the series that started the Ikeido Jun craze, it turned something boring and nerdy (rocket and machine engineering) into gripping rollercoaster drama. Well-acted and well-scripted, it made you cheer for the characters even as your real boring self acknowledge how ludicrous their victories are. 3) Grand Maison Tokyo - this is a story of redemption through the shared love of food, brought together by a team of great actors who clearly had great fondness of each other. There are some silly moments, but a lot of it was touching, sweet and highly rewarding, just like a beautiful meal. 4) No Side Game - I tossed up putting Riku-Ou in as well, but in the end I thought No Side Game was slightly better. Both based around sports (marathon and rugby, respectively), it's full of hot-blooded idealism about loyalty, teamwork and dedication, a shounen manga fairytale for adults. Slice of life 1) Gibo to musume no Blues - I'm really not a "slice of life" person, but this drama exceeded all expectations. It starts off odd and a little slow, but each episode will make you laugh and then cry a little about what it means to be family, all the silly moments, the frustrating moments and the tender moments that we share. 2) Ie-uru onna (season 1) - I'm not too sure this quite fits in "slice of life" or comedy, because the main character really is rather odd, but the first season had some beautifully reflective stories, again about what it means to be family and what home means to the different people in society. I don't know what happened in the 2nd season, but it's definitely lost that evocative touch. 3) Jimi ni sugoi! - maybe because the publishing industry interests me, but I thought this was a very cute series with some good inside tips about publishing, but also can be drawn to reflect on how people should view their vocation. Almost a rom-com, not quite a comedy, but a really nice light-hearted series with Ishihara Satomi at her most radiant. 4) Watashi, teiji de kaerimasu - this was a surprisingly sweet take on difficult problems that aren't necessarily unique to the Japanese workplace - the clash of generational values, the internal sense of inadequacies and the people who are deterimentally unable to say no. The main character, rather than being the focus of growth as often happens in these dramas, turn out to be the mediator as she uses her previous painful experiences of burnout to guide others through their own struggles. Suspense 1) 3-nen A-gumi: while prone to hyperbole and melodrama, this was a very nice fable of adulthood and the idea that once you are an adult, you must take responsibility for the consequences of your own actions, told through the microcosm that is Class 3A. Highly recommended. 2) BG: slick and well-produced, as many of KimuTaku's dramas are, it had action and suspense in good measures but unfortunately wasn't quite carried by the plot. Each individual case was interesting enough, but the main plot was rather convoluted and disappointing. 3) Ouroboros: almost similar to Toma's earlier Maou, it was cerebral, suspenseful and full of a sense of inevitable tragedy. The ending was more than it could chew, but it gave a good effort. 4) Kazoku Game: one of those rare dramas that really suited Sakurai Sho, where he was the intelligent and highly sociopathic and slightly psychotic home tutor for a highly dysfunctional family. A fascinating watch. Comedy I have to say this is a genre I struggle with. I'd happily watch slapstick and screaming in an anime, but live action is just awks. There's been some popular ones that I haven't watched but have heard good things about: - Tami-Ou: the sleazy prime minister accidentally swaps body with his extremely introverted son, and they both have to try and continue the facade. - Kyou kara ore wa: high school kids pretending they're better than they're really are, we've all been through that. This is not an exhaustive list by any means. There's a lot of well-reviewed dramas that I hadn't been able to catch, especially in the first half of the decade. There's a bunch of highly popular dramas that I hadn't been able to continue, but clearly they've got their appeal to the Japanese audience. I think in general Japanese dramas do human drama very well, especially the various relationships we have in our lives and how they interact. It's not great at doing the K-drama fairytale romance. I hope the list helps people try out some new things, or you could check out the top ratings list for other safe bets.

[healthycoffeeguy]

Check out Criminal Minds: Cast… on Mercari!

Check out what I just listed on Mercari. Tap the link to sign up and get up to $30 off. https://item.mercari.com/gl/m10921683176/

https://item.mercari.com/gl/m10921683176/

Criminal Minds: Cast & Creators Live at the Paley Center

New. Never Opened. Still in Original Shrink Wrap

A crack squad of FBI "behavioral analysts" tracks down criminals by anticipating their next moves in this dark CBS procedural.

This live event turns the tables on the cast by exploring their minds to find out what it's like to work on this cerebral ensemble drama.

This Paley Center for Media live event celebrates "Criminal Minds," the drama series about a team of "profilers" from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit, all of whom track criminals by anticipating their actions. Michael Schneider (Los Angeles bureau chief, TV Guide Magazine) moderates the following panelists: executive producer Erica Messer; and cast members Kirsten Vangsness (Penelope Garcia), A.J. Cook (Jennifer "JJ" Jareau), Matthew Gray Gubler (Spencer Reid), Shemar Moore (Derek Morgan), Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss), Thomas Gibson (Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner), and Joe Mantegna (David Rossi).

The panelists touch on such topics as: plans to further explore "the layers" of the team's personalities why Brewster and Cook were fired, and subsequently rehired on the show; and fan reaction to the cast changes.

The panelists also discuss the following topics among others: Brewster's "surprising choices" during her time away from the show; Mantegna's interest in the show because of its strong ensemble nature; and the unique challenges faced by the show's writing team.

https://item.mercari.com/gl/m10921683176/

[strangefmsaved-blog]

IT’S     TIME     TO     BUST     A     MOTHERFUCKIN’     INTRO     OUT          ‘cept     that     i     haven’t     figured     out     my     gif     /     icon     format     and     i’m     still     figuring     out     my     psd     &     whatnot     but     whatever          !          i’m     STACY    ,     nineteen    ,     a     complete     and     utter     dipstick     but     we’re     movin’     on   ,     barbara          !          anyways   ,     welcome     to     round     one     of     stacy     needs     to     learn     to     shut     the     fuck     up          !          like     this   ,     or     any     subsequent     intro     posts   ,     and     i’ll     probably     end     up     in     your     inbox     screamin’     about     plots     or     the     like   .

MEG          ANNALEIGH          BUCKLEY   . twenty   -     one   .          child     of     hypnos   . silent     and     fuckin’     tired   .

ONE   .          STATS   ,     OF     SORTS   .

full     name   .          meg     annaleigh     buckley   . nicknames   ,     aliases   .          none   ,     really   .     you     can’t     do     shit     with     ‘meg’   . age   .         twenty   -   one   . date     of     birth   .          may     nineteenth   . place     of     birth   .          hoboken   ,     new     jersey   . western     zodiac   .          taurus     sun   ,     libra     moon   .      godly     parent   .          hypnos   ,     god     of     sleep   . gender   .          demigirl   . orientations   .          panromantic   ,     pansexual   . hogwarts     house   .          gryffindor   .

TWO   .          AESTHETICS     ‘N     WHATEVER   .

young   ,     dumb   ,     full     of     uncumfortable     silences          !          cerebral     police     procedurals     or     bad     education   ,     there’s     no     in     between   .     victorian     romances     are     the     shit     and     no   ,     she     won’t     elaborate     because     she     knows     she’s     right   .     siri   ,     how     much     caffeine     can     we     fit     into     a     5′6     blonde          ?          those     cute     teddy     bear     jackets     or     whatever     the     fuck     they’re     called   ,     ripped     jeans   ,     vans     that     get     used     and     abused     so     much     that     there’s     holes     in     the     soles     AND     the     sides   ,     woven     leather     bracelets     that     she     refuses     to     take     off   .     mouth     like     a     motherfuckin’     sailor     when     she     BOTHERS     to     talk   .     fourteen   -   hour     naps     /     convinced     she     was     a     cat     in     a     past     life     because     jesus   ,     who     sleeps     this     much          ?          actually     a     sweetheart     but     doesn’t     do     much     with     it   .     french     indie     dream     pop     on     main   .     new     jersey     born     and     bred   ,     accent     thicker     than     a     bowl     of     oatmeal   .     perpetual     gum   -   chewer   ,     partial     to     spearmint     and     also     to     weird     flavours   .     juxtaposition     of     someone     who     looks     edgelord   -   passing     but     actually     just     really     likes     victorian     literature     and     being     in     bed   .     speaking     of     which          ---          doesn’t     know     what     a     fuckin’     hairbrush     is   ,     it’s     bedhead     curls     for     fuckin’     days     and     she’s     not     going     to     do     a     thing     about     it   .     big     cat     person   .     unfortunately     partial     to     venti     caramel     macchiatos     with     about     three     extra     shots   .     doesn’t     know     what     an     iphone     x     is   .     probably     watches     historical     dramas     more     than     she     should   .     probably     smells     like     warm     vanilla     and     spice   .     soft     voice   ,     soft     hands   ,     soft     everything   .     family          ?          let’s     not   .     tiny     apartment     in     town   ,     probably     not     big     enough     but     does     she     care          ?          absolutely     the     fuck     not   .     when     she’s     not     watching     ‘n     reading     classic     shit   ,     she’s     quoting     cult     classics     because     we     love     a     semi   -   cultured     icon   .     leave     the     gun   ,     take     the     cannoli   .

[teafiend]

Was wondering if your had any kdrama recommendations? Originally followed you because I couldn’t find anyone who talked about the drama The Guest!

If you still want to talk about “The Guest”, I am still up for it 🥹🫶🏽

What kind of KDramas are you looking for? I watch a mix (and not too often), and would say that shows with horror elements like TG are not normally on my watchlist. Sorry if that is what you are looking for.

Crime/mystery/thriller/drama:

I think “TEN: Special Affairs Task Force” is good. Both seasons are interesting. Lovely teamwork and characters.

“Signal” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a quarter/5

“The Good Detective” is good too. (Only watched S1 though).

“Hometown” (on Netflix; I only managed halfway through so far) is fascinating, with elements of horror throughout. The performances and aesthetics are fantastic, though it is a slow going show.

“Through the Darkness” is superb. More on the crime/criminal profiling aspects of crime, so much more cerebral.

“Beyond Evil” is excellent, if you haven’t yet. TBH, I don’t like BE, but it is brilliant!

Heard good things about “Flower of Evil”.

“Happiness”. Sort of an action/thriller, zombie-mix, with a dash of romance but also interesting social commentary.

Drama/slice-of-life/Melo(ish)/Bits of romance and comedy:

“My Ahjusshi”:

I haven’t managed to watch the whole show, but the few episodes I completed cemented the fact that this is one of the best shows I have ever watched. Just amazing and beautiful throughout. I am not sure it is for everyone but everyone should give it a chance because it will blow you away. Just an episode or two will let you know why this show has all the acclaim and accolades.

“I Hear Your Voice”: A personal favourite. A mix of genre, courtroom procedural/comedy/drama/melo/age-gap romance (romance is background) etc. For me, it is a gem, and the main female character is beyond awesome 🤩

Romance/Rom-com:

“Coffee Prince”. Forever favourite.

“My Business Proposal”. Funny and wonderful execution of common tropes.

“A Time Called You”. Jeon Yeo Been. A remake of a popular and acclaimed Taiwanese drama. A wonderful tearjerker romance wrapped up in a time travel murder/mystery mix.

[tlbodine]

Writing Slasher Fic

These days, when you hear "horror," the slasher is one of the first things that probably comes to mind. That's most likely because slasher films absolutely dominated during the 1980s, when many of us were growing up and forming our opinions about the world, and then made a strong resurgence in the 1990s when the younger half of a generation as doing the same thing.

There are a ton of slasher franchises that pop immediately to mind, each centering on an iconic killer: Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, Ghostface, etc.

But the slasher genre has, primarily, been confined to the silver screen. You just don't see as many novels in the same vein.

Oh, undoubtedly you find novels about serial killers -- but they tend to be police procedurals and cop thrillers, not the same classic "teenagers getting chopped into pieces" format as we're accustomed to in the movies. What's up with that?

Well. Some thoughts.

What is a Slasher Fic?

Slashers are stories about serial killers who go on murder sprees and wipe out a number of victims one-by-one, often all of them members of the same social group. The most traditional format involves a group of teenagers who are mowed down systematically by a killer while the authorities are useless to intervene. There is generally a moral element wherein the victims "deserve" to die for various on-screen transgressions, whether it's being Too Stupid To Live (tm) or having premarital sex (a classic, but now largely outdated, plot device).

You survive a serial killer, these narratives suggest, through moral superiority rather than force or skill.

And that makes sense, in a way, if you consider that these Hollywood serial killers are really not very much like real serial killers at all. They are the personification of our baser instincts, our animalistic nature: unstoppable killing machines that seem to feel nothing, either physically or emotionally, and whose desire for destruction is relentless. They are all of the worst parts of our nature, and so it makes sense that defeating them would require calling upon the best parts of our nature.

So Why Are There So Few Slasher Novels?

I suspect that part of the reason you don't see the book equivalent of Halloween very often is that, from a technical standpoint, many of the things we find most satisfying about slasher films do not translate very well to print.

The first issue is the violence. Slashers depend on gore and jump-scares; they live firmly in the "shock" camp. Which, as we know, is one of the hardest to write. Seeing someone killed in some particularly gruesome way affects the brain differently than imagining them being killed that way. You can still write the blood and gore, but it won't be quite the same. It's much easier to pull off over-the-top, campy, gleeful-dark-giggles-inducing fountains of blood on the screen than on the page, because you have absolute control over what it looks like. Your reader, on the other hand, will supply the details themselves with their own imaginations, which makes your job a little harder. Not impossible! But harder.

The second issue is narrative structure. Traditionally, novels are told from a single perspective, or at least a single perspective at any given time. Their strength is the ability to get into the head of a character and feel what they feel. Film, by contrast, provides a third party objective view, where the camera serves as a voyeur. That creates tension by putting us one step ahead of the victims at any given time.

In other words, it's a lot harder to shout "He's BEHIND YOU!" to characters in a book.

Therefore, a slasher novel would need to have a more distant omniscient narrator rather than a close-third or close-first person perspective.

But what about first person from the POV of the killer, I hear you asking, and to that I say: Excellent, it can be done, but what you get will not be a horror story in the classic sense. By putting is in the head of the killer, we will inevitably sympathize with him, which makes him not scary. He might be doing awful, grotesque things, but we won't be afraid of him because if we're in his head we know he's not standing right behind us.

To be afraid, we need to be in a position of sympathizing with the victim, and feeling what they're feeling. Otherwise, you're looking at a thriller or a crime novel or a mystery or anything else that's not horror.

(Which is fine, of course, but this is How to Write Horror and not How to Write Gory Thrillers, which would need to be a book of its own)

Okay, Okay, So Does That Mean I Can't Write a Slasher Novel?

Nope! This totally does not mean that.

But you just said....!

I know. I totally did. But just because something is difficult does not mean that it can't be done! There are quite a few young adult authors in particular who have written some classic played-straight slasher novels.  

The trick to writing an effective slasher:

- Create a cast of characters who draw strongly on archetypes, but give them a little twist that makes them likable and unique. You want to do this because you'll have a large cast, by necessity (you need a lot of bodies to hit the floor), and you want those characters to be instantly relatable.

- Write from the perspective of your "final girl." You can deviate from this POV sometimes to provide a bit of drama (breaking away to see the killer in action elsewhere, for example) but most of your narrative space is going to be spent on watching the main character encounter the mutilated bodies of her friends and running from danger.

- Add an element of mystery. A slasher plot can feel a little thin. Bump up the cerebral horror by including a mentally engaging subplot or mystery to solve -- such as, perhaps, the killer's identity, or what he wants with the main character. You'll see this pop up time and again in most (but not all) slasher films: what seems to be a random attack turns out not to be so random after all, because the killer is actually deeply entwined in the Final Girl's life in some way. Unraveling that mystery puts some meat on the bones of the narrative.

And of course, remember to keep in mind the other tips and tricks we've discussed already in terms of building suspense, writing gore, handling shock, etc.

Some Required Reading to Get You Started:

I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan (it's a child of its times, and has some really painful dialogue, but it's interesting to study alongside the film)

Some of R.L. Stine's Fear Street books are good. For our purposes, I'd recommend starting with Lights Out, The Prom Queen, and Silent Night. The Cheerleader series is pretty good too.

Some of Christopher Pike's novels are in the same vein. Try out Chain Letter, Slumber Party, and Weekend

Survive the Night by Danielle Vega is not strictly a slasher (the monster is an actual monster and not a serial killer) but the format is essentially the same, and it's worth studying.

The above are all young adult novels, because that's what happens when you're writing about teenagers getting carved up. Compare and contrast with these essential slasher-fic movies:

Nightmare on Elm Street

Halloween

Friday the 13th

Scream

Urban Legend

I'm probably missing some recommendations, so toss them in the comments!

[occupationaltherapydubai]

Occupational therapy in Duabi for children

Some Employee Therapy Routines for Kids 

For each youngster, their ancient twenties are very crucial.  The absolute most essential basis for that can be the fact that in many years that the cognitive, social, and physiological evolution of the youngster occurs.  From early twenties of the kid, the initial few years have become the absolute most crucial.  This really is due to the fact that mental performance of your youngster grows throughout that particular duration.  But don't assume all youngster enters through those evolution landmarks.  You'll find a number of kids who usually do not turn out to be older since they ought to, and also have delayed or restricted improvement or progress.  When a young child faces such issues and necessitates aid to grow optimally, subsequently occupational remedy could be of tremendous assistance.

Kids With Cerebral Palsy: The occupational treatment can be also good for your kids afflicted by cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and also other illnesses in the kiddies requires a wheel chair.  The therapists instructs the kiddies to utilize the wheel chair at the right fashion and develop for your own dinner, be for your class punctually, make matters outside from their own locker, along with also more.

Advancement of both good and Gross Motor Skills: gross-motor capabilities consists of the movements of muscle tissue in arms, arms, etc.. where as nice muscle building capacities demand using muscles at ligaments and palms.  Kids having difficulty using such skills could encounter trouble in walking distance bicycling, along with also other.  Occupational treatment is utilized to address the illness and remove it.

One other issue you may do is allow child lay back on the mattress or mat and cover them with blankets and cushions to come up with anxiety.  Or, just provide them stress-ball to squeeze, squeeze toys, etc..

For Updated motor capabilities, aid your son or daughter using shoulder and core tasks which have swimming pool, hop-scotch, wheelbarrow strolling over a shaky surface area, etc.,.

Co ordination Actions: These really are developed for your kiddies arms and legs that they are able to work within a way that is effective.  All these are essentially broken up in to two broad classes: hierarchical and hand-eye manipulation abilities.  For hand-eye coordination, then request your kid going to on a ball with a bat, then grab a balland a lot much more.  Bi-lateral tasks supply the capacity to make use of each side of your system in a accurate method.  You may request your kid to rollout pastry sheets out of a drama with dough and inquire to pull on a rope hand-over-hand, etc..

Visible Perception Tasks: All these sorts of occupational treatment tasks aid the child know the advice recorded from eyes into the mind.  For shape constancy also to simply help them know contours placed things in a menu and request your youngster to comprehend them.  It's possible to even utilize any item in your home with this particular activity.  Use novels to instruct them diverse fonts and also same alphabets of size to better their own abilities.  Consult your kid to draw contours, alphabets, lines, etc..  It's possible to even utilize jigsaw-puzzle to help development procedure for one's son or daughter.

Deal with Difficulty executing General things to do of every day living: inpatient therapy rewards small kiddies confronting overall issues such as toileting, dressing, cleaning, composing, drawing, and etc..  The remedy may help develop those self reliant skills inside your kiddies.

You may acquire out standing occupational treatment aid for the son or daughter by choosing the assistance of the prominent occupational treatment practices at the UAE region.  The therapists at the most notable UAE neurorehabilitation practices possess the mandatory coaching and skill to aid your kids developmental ailments, economically.

Inpatient remedy for kiddies has a number of added benefits.  The remedy can be useful to get a broad scope of ailments and diseases and enables the kids to lead healthier and standard daily life.  A number of the Major developmental ailments which occupational therapy may reap certainly are the Following:

Sensory Processing problems: it's generally noticed that kids who have neurological processing problems aren't able to replicate advice from the essential 5 feel i.e. signature, smell, listen, sight, and even preference.  These kiddies could undergo over-sensitivity, under-sensitivity, or even at various places including faculty, dwelling, or even anyplace.  These kids frequently sense issues in attending to and acquire diverted with a loud fire alarm as well as other similar important things.  Additionally they decide to try to prevent activities and intervals happening round them.  Occupational therapy may aid those kiddies recover the abilities and addresses the matter at the right way.

Kids with Autistic Spectrum Disorders: The disorder autism and SP-D (sensory processing disease ) are quite applicable but aren't similar.  Kids with SPD may perhaps not suffer with dementia however, the opposite could be more true.  The kiddies afflicted by SP-D has issues communication to different men and women, constrained engage in expertise and not as attention in pursuits, etc..  The occupational therapy professionals might help acquire these abilities by detecting the youngster's behavior and having a policy in their opinion.  Inpatient treatment for kiddies works by using different collections of manners and strategies, and there's not any such perfect application.  These could include things like pursuits to assist with puzzles, interaction to come up with comprehension and coordination and also more.

Some Developmental Disabilities that Occupational Treatment Could Benefit

Sensory Integration Actions: All these O-T tasks help little one respond actively and directly into your setting.  The sensory integration occupational treatment tasks were created such a way it generates a profound pressure about your little one.  These are able to be passive or active.  You may produce gentle corners from the space utilizing delicate furnishing in the manner of a bean tote which offers a superb profound pressure using a chilled result.

Thus, try to receive the help of such pros and also have the youngster's developmental ailments treated and monitored professionally.  

Miscellaneous Action: Additional tasks included with occupational treatment together with kiddies who can maintain them engaged and enhance their creation process include: stained using pompom chunks, which makes a play-dough mystery, crush the eyebrow or cut shapes out from this, set a coin at a container.

For Infants and Toddlers: Normally, babies confront difficulty sleeping through nighttime time.  The standard occupational treatment exercises which can be comprised will be tub timing tasks, offering therapeutic massage, water and sand remedy, feeding remedy and tasks together with technical compounds to allow them to treat sound and light, olfactory input actions,  and also a lot much more.

Inpatient remedy for kids helps plenty to improve the advancement, boost cognitive and communicating competencies, also diminished regular flaws.  The remedy will be completed in line with your youngster's handicap or illness.  The professionals of occupational treatment measure both youngsters and subsequently put a remedy process to enhance the processing and also empower learning.

Additionally, there really are a lot of occupational treatment tasks which may be ordered for kiddies with different diseases based on the status.  The remedy might be run in a lot of spots like healthcare facility, schools, home and clinic, technical centre, and also several much more.  It's made otherwise for kiddies of varied age classes.

There are a number of procedures which can be properly used, and also alot of importance is connected to all the occupational remedy.  Let us talk about the importance and positive aspects of occupational therapy.

Tasks for Fine and Gross Motor Skills: Nice motor skills are demanded for people with trouble by means of a hands, palms, and forearm precisely.  The fundamental therapy consists of uncomplicated workouts of arms, wrist, palms, etc., in order for your son or daughter can do normal works including carrying a pen easily.  Let them have basic safety scissors and inquire to cut shapes out of the newspaper.

[self-taughtscreenwriting]

(I hope you’re ready to open your mind a little bit further!? No offense if your already connected to things greater and are dynamically forged⚔️expansive. . Regardless if this helps or illuminates new doors of perception/comprehension to a combination lock unlock or not📝♾📝To enhance your inner Story dynamic mechanics.. you need to seek out and explore ALL styles and types of structure/ethos/skill sets/eccentricities/experience based procedures etc and then if, and/or when you hit a brickwall.. 💥bam💥 you have resources and techniques to move through at a faster, more intuitive and confident manner📓💫Rinse and cerebrally soul repeat❄️Happy Sunday and cheers to more expansion/connection in our lives📚🚀) . Repost @sekhem_tarot ・・・ 3 Acts. 3 distinct phases of the Tarot. 😯 . In fact, 3 distinct Acts is what most of the Best and most memorable movies over the last... I don't know... 🤔 Since movies began. 😶 Consist of. The 3 Act formula works because it's how we think, and learn, and live, and lose, and love, and some other stuff. 😐 Anywoo. What movies, or books, or graphic novels, or TV series are your favorite 3 Act Tarot dramas? Leave a comment, I would Love to see what kinds of interesting peices of entertainment and art show up. 🤗 . Peace Love Unity and having Big Fun Hotep Y'all 🌄🌄🌄 . . . . #tarotinspiration #sekhemtarot #herosjourney #3acts #tarotstory #storystructure #selftaughtscreenwriting #screenwriterspirit #screenwriting #scriptchat #screenwriterslife #dyslexicscreenwriters #scriptwritersupport #storybreach #screenwriter #screenwriterproblems #whywewrite #whatwriterdo #writeeverything #writersoulsupport #screenwriting #storybreachtv #indiescreenwriter #screenwriterslife #storybreach #justkeepwriting #indiehollywood #writersbynight #screenwriter #writing #masterclass #seeminglyabstract #thiswritinglife #3actfractal https://www.instagram.com/p/B9fusYHAsd4/?igshid=cfd7xad0lxum

[kenzieam]

Phoenix Rising - Chapter 16 (Eric X OC)

Rating: M (violence/swearing/smut :p)

Genre: General/Drama/Angst

Thanks everyone for the re-blogs and support!!! IT IS SO AWESOME!!!  

@emmysrandomthoughts @beautifulramblingbrains @iammarylastar @tigpooh67 @bookwarm85 @frecklefaceb @mom2reesie @elaacreditava @badassbaker @captstefanbrandt @jaihardy @treeleaf @pathybo @beltz2016 @lilu46 @equalstrashflavoredtrash

@girlwith100names @gaia25 @readsalot73 @bookgirlthings @slayer0507 @stone-met @lostinthebeans @lauraaan182 @queenara4 @letmagichappen @girlslovestorys @tonyt1995 @sterek-foreverandever @lacy-love @littlesouthernrebel @fuckthatfeeling @micolegg @sparklemichele @vitaevandal @shaunarcanine

************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

For you @iammarylastar !

****************************************************************************************************

Eric snuggled closer to Fox, breathed in her intoxicating scent; he could pick her out blindfolded by her unique smell, wander through a room full of people and find his way directly to her. It made his heart race at the same time as his whole body would relax; tighten his pants even as it made him languid and peaceful. His body responded to hers even when he was asleep, pulling her close to him if they rolled apart without him waking, ensuring they always awoke touching, curled together. Sometimes Eric would wake up so close to Fox their noses were touching, and he’d feather gentle kisses to the end of it until Fox woke up too. Sighing deeply, Eric closed his eyes and relaxed into sleep.

He slept soundly, nuzzled tight to Fox’s side, not waking until a strip of sunlight peeked through the curtains and hit him in the eye. As he did almost every morning, Eric pressed his lips to Fox’s hair, breathing in and murmuring ‘good morning baby’; for a second, he almost forgot where they were, and thought they were back at home, cuddled in their king-size bed.

Fox’s forehead furrowed and her hand twitched in Eric’s. She exhaled and it sounded like she was trying to speak.

“Fox?” Eric sat up, letting go of her hand to gently cup her cheek. Fox’s hand twitched again, seeking Eric’s and he clasped it tightly with his other. Leaning close, he stroked his palm down the side of Fox’s face. “Fox? Honey, can you hear me?”

Fox didn’t answer, but her head turned ever so slightly towards Eric’s and she sighed. Curling against her Eric fought sudden tears. “Welcome back baby,” he whispered, his voice breaking.

Fox’s lips pursing slightly. “Eric,” she breathed barely audible.

“Fox?!”

“Hmmm?”

“Are you awake? Can you hear me?”

“Let...sleep, so....tired...”

Tears flowed freely now, and Eric didn’t give a fuck if anyone saw. Burying his face in Fox’s throat Eric let go, crying against her, tears soaking the pillow. Fox made a small sound, a whine of distress; and Eric sniffed hard, pulling himself back together, the last thing he wanted was to upset her. His hand stroked her face and he breathed hard against her neck, fighting for control. Finally, Eric lifted his head and smiled down at Fox, his thumb caressed her bottom lip. “I missed you baby,” he murmured, touching his lips gently to hers. Fox hummed, a content, happy sound and Eric burrowed his head beside hers again, breathing in her scent, waiting for his heart to slow back down. After a few minutes, Eric raised his head and glanced around for the call button, reluctantly, for he wanted to snuggle beside Fox for a bit longer alone, he pressed the call button. A nurse appeared and, at Eric’s instructions, left to call the doctor.

Eric had almost dozed off again, so warm and comfortable beside Fox, before the doctor arrived.

“Sorry, I was just on my way to the hospital when the nurse called me, Fox is awake?” Eric lifted his head, every time he’d tried to pull his hand free of Fox’s she’d whine or moan in distress, a small sound that nonetheless cut Eric deep each time. “Yes, she won’t let go of my hand and mumbled that she was tired.”

The doctor hurried over, a smile pulling at his lips. Eric leaned back to give him room as he leaned over Fox, pulling out his small flashlight. Eric winced as he shone the flashlight directly into Fox’s eyes.

“Pupils are equal and reactive,” the doctor murmured. Without warning, he pressed his knuckles into Fox’s sternum and pushed, twisting his hand. Fox moaned sharply and her body twitched, trying unsuccessfully to pull away. With a snarl, Eric pushed the doctor away roughly, rising unconsciously to cover Fox’s body with his own. The doctor stumbled backwards, dropping his flashlight and falling into the rocking chair. His eyes widened when he saw Eric’s glare, the way he curled protectively around Fox. The Dauntless protect their mates at all costs, the doctor remembered sheepishly, he was lucky to have escaped with just a violent push. Standing, he cleared his throat and opened his mouth to speak. Eric eyed him carefully.

“I apologize, I forgot myself.” The doctor continued, trying not to shiver at the violence promised in Eric’s eyes. “I was testing her response to painful stimuli, it gives us an idea as to her level of cerebral function.”

“Don’t do it again.” Eric ground out, settling back beside Fox, his muscles tense to defend her again.

The doctor nodded, “of course, I will explain any procedures I’m planning to do before I do them. I was excited by Fox’s progress, it won’t happen again.” The doctor made himself stop, he was babbling; but Eric was intimidating at the best of times, and right now he looked like he wanted to pick his teeth with the doctor’s bones. He doubted that, if Eric did decide to turn on him and attack him for hurting his woman, he would even have time to scream. He cleared his throat nervously and approached the bed again, Eric watched him suspiciously. The doctor opened his mouth to speak again but was interrupted by two nurses entering the room, pulling the scanner behind them. The tension in the room made them fall silent and falter to a stop, looking back and forth between the doctor and the towering Dauntless leader. Clearing his throat again the doctor found his voice.

“Thank you ladies.....Eric, we need to scan Fox now, would you give us some space?”

Eric narrowed his eyes, promising violence and pain if the doctor stepped out of line again, then dropped his head to murmur quietly to Fox and press a kiss to her forehead. He rolled away and stood, stretching to his full height and lowering his head to glare once more at the doctor, allowing his height and stature to work to their maximum effect. The doctor nodded in humble understanding and Eric left the room, the nurses giving him a wide berth.

Exhaling, the doctor motioned the nurses forward.

Eric returned a few minutes later, having gone to a quiet hallway and forced himself to calm down. He tended to over-react where Fox was concerned, attack first and sort out the mess late; but the pain on Fox’s face had been real and that doctor had put it there, painful stimuli test be damned, nobody did that to Fox, not while Eric still drew breath. He exhaled slowly, clenching and unclenching his fists until the urge to smash something faded. The doctor and nurses glanced up as Eric entered the room, brief flashes of apprehension on their faces, but Eric only moved to the wall beside Fox’s bed and leaned against it, crossing his arms and asking quietly.

“How did the scan go?”

“Her baseline has risen again,” the doctor couldn’t stop a relieved smile, “she’s much closer to regular sleep right now than coma levels.”

“She’ll wake up soon?”

The doctor hesitated. “She will go through periods of wakefulness and sedation again. It is perfectly normal, no one simply sits up one day after a coma. She will be responsive for awhile then drift down again; as long as her responsive periods continue to grow in length we won’t be worried.”

“What can I do?” Eric’s voice was clipped and professional, he was drawing on his leadership training to remain calm and impassive.

“As you have been, continue to talk to her, stay beside her, draw her out slowly but surely.”

“And no more tests for ‘painful stimuli’.” Eric all but growled.

The doctor nodded, “yes, no more.”

Eric nodded and pushed away from the wall. The nurses left, pulling the machine behind them. The doctor waited a few more minutes, but it looked like Eric had all but forgotten he was there and the doctor turned to leave.

“Doctor?”

He turned, Eric stood beside Fox’s bed, gazing down at her. His hand lightly traced her hair. Without raising his head or breaking his gaze Eric spoke. “I apologize for my anger, you are performing necessary tests and I over-reacted.”

The doctor nodded in acceptance, he could breathe easier knowing Eric no longer had a target aimed at his back. “We have other tests I can perform, they are less precise, but also less....alarming.”

Eric nodded in response but said no more.

“I’ll have the nurse bring your sons in, I believe having them near Fox will help her as well.”

Eric nodded again and closed his eyes.

The doctor pulled the door closed behind him and only then did Eric exhale shakily and sit on the edge of the bed. Stretching out beside Fox he curled close and inhaled deeply, the last of his anger melting away. He trailed a fingertip gently up and down Fox’s forearm, tracing the edges of the silvery scars on her wrists, faint reminders of her imprisonment by a former Amity named Tom, who had abducted and kept Fox captive underground, intending to use her body until nothing was left, and torture her mind until she went insane. That had been a week of absolute hell for Eric, at first thinking Fox was dead, then knowing she was taken, then searching endlessly for her throughout the city. Eric would still experience nightmares about this, where he was too late to reach Fox, and found her cold and dead in that hellish cell instead; or, even worse, when he would pound and hammer at the locked cell door, trying unsuccessfully to get in while he could see Tom rape Fox inside the cell, Fox screaming his name and begging for help, reaching her hand towards Eric as Tom slammed inside her. Eric woke with tears on his cheeks every time that nightmare tore through him, and would tremble for hours against Fox until morning. Fox had lost their first baby down in that hell too, something that would still sneak up on Eric and steal his breath at the most innocent of times. Snuggling closer, Eric buried his face in Fox’s hair.

“Come back to me baby please,” he murmured.

A knock came at the door and a moment later a nurse entered, pushing a bassinet. Eric sat up eagerly, standing and gathering both sons to his chest.

The nurse smiled at him. “They’ve just been fed.”

“Thanks.” Eric favoured her with a smile then turned back to Fox. The nurse paused slightly, her heart warming at the sight of this Dauntless giant cradling his sons and doting on his wife, then shook her head and left.

Eric placed the twins gently beside Fox and curled beside them. The twins snuffled and huffed, squirming until they touched each other again before sighing into sleep again. Eric lowered his head beside them, inhaling their baby scent before gently clasping Fox’s hand and resting it on the blanket that covered them.

“Our sons are here, baby.” I can’t wait for you to meet them. They’re so small, they barely weigh anything....they’re no bigger than my hands.” He paused, unexpected tears springing to his eyes. “I hold them to my chest, my bare chest...the nurses call it skin to skin. Wait until you see them baby....they lay on my chest and make this....this sound, I can’t even describe it, like a snuffle? It’s such a small noise babe, quiet, but I hear it. And they smell so good, I just sit there with them on my chest and lean my head forward to breathe in their smell....they’ve gotten me through this baby, being able to hold them, it’s like holding you, it relaxes me, makes me feel safe. I remember that lullaby you sang to me that night, when my nightmare was so bad? I hum that to the boys, the nurses hear me, but I don’t care. Sometimes I take them for a walk out in the hallway and talk to them, but I noticed the nurses stare at me because I don’t have a shirt on, they all seem to crowd around and pretend they’re not watching when I look over.” He grinned, stroking the pad of his index finger along Fox’s hand, still resting on the blanket. “I still haven’t figured out those fucking diapers though....”

Fox’s hand twitched under his, but she didn’t move any further. The faintest of breathy sighs escaped her lips and Eric twined his fingers with hers; dropped his head and closed his eyes.

Small sounds woke him later, a sniffling and breathy sigh, mixed with the snuffling and mewling he’d come to recognize as the twins when they were hungry again and Eric opened his eyes. The clock on the wall told him he’d been asleep for hours and Eric raised his head, blinking tiredly and looking automatically over at Fox. His heart stuttered in his chest and his breath caught.

Fox’s head was turned towards him, her eyes closed and her lips curved into a small but contented smile, tears trailed down her cheeks. Somehow the twins had squirmed and struggled their way closer to her, half-crawling up the pillow to nuzzle right up into the crook of Fox’s neck. They were tangled together like puppies, and Fox, by turning her head towards Eric, was now touching both babies with her cheek and nose, inhaling their baby scent, feeling them for the first time.

Eric inhaled sharply, his chest unlocking. Fox’s eyes opened at his gasp, lifting to meet his gaze and tears formed immediately in Eric’s eyes. Fox was aware, Fox was awake. Her smiled widened as their eyes met and she swallowed before whispering.

“Eric.”

“Hey baby.”

[lucy-reviewcy]

Awesome Thing #16 - iZombie

For a show discovered by selecting the title on Netflix with the most ridiculous name, iZombie has brought a surprising amount of joy to my life. 

The premise is that a young woman, aptly named Liv Moore (one of many excellent puns featured in the show) is turned into a zombie but uses her brain-eating powers for good. When Liv eats a brain, she gets visions of how its owner died, and uses these to solve crimes. Although this sounds a little far-fetched, it is a hook that brings a little more bite to the otherwise tired out formula of the police procedural. 

Every episode follows the general formula of “there’s been a murder/Liv eats the victim’s brain/they solve the murder” - but each story is told with witty dialogue, surprising twists and turns, and of course the continued plot line of a potential zombie apocalypse. This over-arching plot actually serves the series well, rather than detracting from it as is often the case. It is difficult to pull off long-term investment in this kind of show without building a relationship between the audience and the characters, which is perhaps the show’s biggest strength. 

As far as police procedurals go, iZombie has an outstanding cast of characters. Liv’s friends include the excellently exasperated Detective Clive Babineaux, deadpan British wit Ravi, and Blaine (the Big Bad; think Neil Patrick-Harris but with added peroxide and brain burgers). We also meet Liv’s lawyer best friend Peyton, and  Major, who would be just a bland boyfriend in a lesser show but who grows into an interesting and rounded character as the series develops. The show manages to devote a good amount of time to each of these characters without devolving into relationship-heavy teen drama territory. We watch the characters fall in and out of love, ponder the big questions and learn from each case - but this is balanced with well executed “monster of the week” storytelling. 

I was not surprised when I found out that iZombie was created by Rob Thomas, also the brains behind early noughties classic Veronica Mars. The show has a very similar feel: Liv’s internal voice and punchy attitude are reminiscent of Veronica’s, and the structure of each episode also echoes its predecessor. The show is self-aware without being cynical, and occasionally thought-provoking without being cerebral. It’s a surprisingly lighthearted programme that brings a new perspective to both the zombie and crime genres - making for something uniquely entertaining. 

iZombie is a satisfyingly competent show that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a break from the darker side of TV, but not willing to dive into the mind-numbingly simple world of the sitcom. This show brings bite and humor to its audience, and I for one am happy to let it eat my brain.

[spryfilm]

“In Plain Sight” (2008 – 2012)

Television/Action/Thriller

61 Episodes

Created by: David Maples

Featuring: Mary McCormack, Fred Weller, Nichole Hiltz, Todd Williams, Lesley Ann Warren, Paul Ben-Victor, Cristián de la Fuente, Rachel Boston

Mary Shannon: Since 1970, the Federal Witness Protection Program has relocated thousands of witnesses, some criminal, some not, to neighborhoods all across the country. Every one of those individuals shares a unique attribute, distinguishing them from the rest of the general population. And that is, somebody wants them dead. 

There is no doubt that there are far too many scripted television series being produced than any one person can watch from week to week without making it a full time job. So it is great when something surfaces that did not get an airing here in New Zealand, then turns up on a secondary source such as what is considered an old fashioned medium, the good old DVD. I am pleased to say that is exactly what has happened with “In Plain Sight” (2008 – 2012), a vehicle for the excellent character actress Mary McCormack who came to fame as Howard Stern’s wife in “Private Parts” (1997), then going on to appear in a variety of projects. Here McCormack gets to not only play drama, but comedy as well as kicking ass as a US Marshall, a cleaner female counter-part to “Justified” (2010-2015) if you will.

The series itself revolves around Mary Shannon (Mary McCormack), a Deputy United States Marshal attached to the Albuquerque, NM, office of the Federal Witness Security Program (WITSEC), more commonly known as the Federal Witness Protection Program. Shannon must find ways to balance her professional life of protecting witnesses, her professional relationship with her work partner as well as her problematic personal life.

This is for all intents and purposes an episodic show with procedural elements that begin and end in the same episode (with few exceptions) much like many shows of its ilk. What “In Plain Sight” does extremely well is to balance the main characters personal life with her working situation in a way that leaves you wanting more – it really is less about being a US Marshall than it is about a daughter, sister, partner and lover, struggling with life as well as dealing with people who have been shunted out of their own lives many times because they have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The very defining thing that I found to be different from other shows that revolve around either the police or crime or both are the characters that have been created as well as the magnificent casting that has occurred to bring these to life as well as inhabiting them with some honesty that can be lacking in other generic shows.

Firstly, the main character Mary (Mary McCormack) is a completely capable officer, a nonconformist and uninterested in typical feminine wiles. Mary has trust and abandonment issues that lead her to have difficulties with relationships due to a difficult childhood resulting from her father’s abandonment and her mother’s alcoholism. Secondly there is Marshall (Fred Weller) who is a fifth-generation Deputy U.S. Marshal, Marshal Mann is Mary’s partner, as well as her best friend, and occasionally appeared to desire more than her friendship as the series progressed. He seems to know a little about everything, what Mary calls “useless information”, and is rarely ever speechless. The only time this has ever happened was in the season-three episode “Whistle Stop”, when he discovered Raphael and Mary had broken up, leading her to declare him “verbally impotent”. Friction between Marshall and Mary occurs at times, often due to Marshall’s cerebral approach and Mary’s gut instinct, though both are extremely protective of witnesses and each other. Lastly there is their boss Stan McQueen (Paul Ben-Victor), : As chief inspector for WITSEC’s Southwest region, Stan is Marshall and Mary’s boss who is flexible and a stand-up guy, quickly backing up both Marshall and Mary when they hit trouble. Stan likes to stick to official WITSEC doctrine as often as possible and is reluctant to bend the rules without authorization.

That leads us to Mary’s relationships at home, these are lead by her mother Jinx (Lesley Ann Warren) who is an alcoholic as was abandoned by her bank-robbing husband to raise her two daughters alone. Finally there is Brandi (Nichole Hiltz) Mary’s younger sister who is very much her mother’s daughter and the baby of the family. She lives in the moment and was originally involved with a shady man named Chuck. Despite this, she looks up to Mary and, at times, sees her as an example. She also tends to be the more mature figure in her relationship with her mother. Brandi is loyal to a fault, but is slowly developing a conscience independent of others’ approval.

My stand outs as well as scene stealers for the entire series are the well cast Nichole Hiltz and the amazing as well as legendary Lesley Ann Warren who not only are foils for Mary McCormack, keeping her on her toes not only in character but she cannot afford to fall asleep or coast with these two as scene partners because they are that good in their jobs. They both know their own characters inside out, they breathe them, with what could have been cut out archetypes, these two actresses from very different generations own them as well as feeling plugged in to what they need to do in each scene they appear in. This show is worth watching just for them.

The series is very well directed, mostly by Dan Lerner, but eagle eyes will spot episodes directed by veterans, as well as film directors such as John Badham, Ernest Dickerson, Stephen Hopkins and various other great television directors – this leads to well rounded and inventive episodes. Not only that but they are also able to bring the best out in not only the cast but the crew who work behind the scenes. I am a big fan of many of these directors and after watching episodes that could be humdrum in others hand you will appreciate may of these, particularly if you binge this show, like I did.

If you are looking for a new cop show that is just waiting to be discovered then I recommend this highly, it will keep you entertained with fairly simple storylines but it is the characters that will keep you coming back with all of them facing real growth through the four seasons that are available right now.

“In Plain Sight” seasons 1 to 4 are available now in a box set on DVD now.

      DVD review: “In Plain Sight” (2008 – 2012) “In Plain Sight” (2008 - 2012) Television/Action/Thriller 61 Episodes Created by: David Maples Featuring: Mary McCormack, Fred Weller, Nichole Hiltz, Todd Williams, Lesley Ann Warren, Paul Ben-Victor, Cristián de la Fuente, Rachel Boston…