Author: KA Byrnes

HENRY (1947), THREE

How can David Niven be unlikable, lol? A bishop, a revered community and religious figure, is played as a git. Bold choice.

He’s determined to build his cathedral. We all see the irony immediately: he thinks he’s glorifying God, but by ignoring his family and his flock he’s doing the opposite. Because of that tension he’s stressed all the time. What he’s feeling is unsustainable.

I want to say he’s a Three. His charm and success, the ease of his vocation, are all things that happened before this story began. All we see is his crisis. Still, though, a man in his position is gifted at the social skills. He’s greatly admired in the community, even now. Only his wife sees the first signs of fraying.

And one of the things that upsets him the most is his failure. He looks bad as a bishop when he can’t get the cathedral funding, and Dudley makes him look bad with his wife, which he hates. Threes, who succeed at so much of what they touch, really dislike the rare moment when they don’t.

Episode 9

It’s Christmas at Downton Abbey! Beautiful dresses and heartfelt acting compete with an overly melodramatic, season-ending plot. I love the characters, the setting, and the time period, but I don’t know if I’ll write up future seasons. The disordered structure of the series takes all the fun out of examining it.

ONE

Roll credits and theme music while a truck carrying a pine tree drives toward Downton. When the truck arrives at the front door, Thomas waves workers forward to untie the tree. Inside the house, Daisy totes cleaning supplies from room to room. She walks past the tree, now set up in the front hall, as O’Brien helps decorate it. People wander through and admire the tree. Now Cousin Rosamund and her lady’s maid approach the house in a chauffeured car, to be greeted by Mary. The Dowager pokes around the Christmas cards, tutting at whatever’s written.

End credits. Christmas 1919.

TWO

The family is dressed formally, and giving out presents. Mary hands Anna a small box and Cora says they all prayed for Bates today in church. As each servant is given a present from the family, filing up one by one, Hughes talks to Anna. “I wish I could tell you not to worry.”

Cut to downstairs where the servants enjoy the meal at their own table. Crackers pop, hats are worn, and cheering goes up. Rosamund’s maid makes a cheeky question about Bates, “the murderer”.

Upstairs, Sir Richard complains about the lack of service. Downstairs has their luncheon, the family has dinner, Mary says. It’s Christmas Day. Well, that’s not how he’ll run his household. Basically, the family exchanges gifts and barbs in equal measure.

THREE

In the hallway Mary comes upon Matthew hanging up the phone. Mr. Swire (Lavinia’s father) is ill — dying, and Matthew’s on his way in the morning. They discuss Bates’ trial. Some of the servants will need to testify.

Continue reading “Episode 9”

Hide and Seek

Again, let me remind you that Hawkeye is a newly-dropped series, and spoilers abound in my breakdown. Critical Notes, as always, follow.

LEFTOVER NINE

We begin with last episode’s cliffhanger. Clint grabs Kate in the Ronin suit and unmasks her.

ONE

They introduce themselves and leave the alley. Run credit logo.

TWO

Walking down the street now, Kate peppers him with questions. Are you assessing threats? She’s clearly star-struck. Promoting herself a little, she calls herself the world’s greatest archer.

They’ve arrived at her large apartment over the pizza shop. When they enter, the dog greets them. It’s not her dog, she corrects Clint, and she inherited the place. Throughout, he is surprised and impressed by nothing.

THREE

(There is no Three.)

Continue reading “Hide and Seek”

JULIA (1947), NINE

The title’s subject, the Bishop’s wife, Julia is universally loved. Like Mary Bailey, is she an everywoman? Or is she a real person with flaws?

She’s pretty and she’s gentle. She’s socially naive, though. When Dudley takes her to lunch, and the other ladies start to gossip about her, she is unaware. Social damage, to herself and to her prominent husband, is dangerous, yet because her intentions are pure she doesn’t see it.

She’s not particularly useful as a bishop’s wife. The community can look up to her kindness and gentility, but she’s not a saleswoman. Henry carries the whole weight of organizing his fundraiser. She longs for simpler times and a quieter home life. She’s not ambitious, which is a strength, but she’s also not in sync with her husband. She’s lovely, someone who attends functions at Henry’s side, but she’s not the manager.

She’s a Nine. She knows what’s right and she knows what she likes, but she won’t argue with anyone to make it happen. Avoid conflict, smooth the waters, and carry on. A Nine is an asset to an ambitious partner, but only in a background role. No leading, no fighting, and no pushing. It’s a perfect choice for Julia’s character.

The Snowball Effect

Nothing but love for this episode, I promise.

ONE

Bubble-wipe to a real life iceberg scene. Over wintery landscapes, the French narrator speaks of the mighty iceberg that can sometimes stray into warmer waters. 

TWO

Cut to the three-palm island as an iceberg floats in. Now we look at Bikini Bottom, that cozy community, as snow begins to fall.

THREE

Continued scenes of snow-covered undersea buildings as the weather fish, wearing a trapper hat, reports on the winter blanket covering Jellyfish Fields and the neighborhoods.

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NEBULA, FOUR

Angry and jealous. Oh, is Nebula a Four! All of the hurt she’s suffered, physically and emotionally, have left her wide open to more pain. She doesn’t armor up like most people would. She attacks, yes, but deep inside she hopes for love. The more vulnerable she feels, the harder she hits. 

She’s portrayed so beautifully, so accurately, that I really have nothing more to say. Gillan leaves it all on the screen for everyone to see. 

Previously On

LEFTOVER NINE

We start with “Previously on Wandavision”, but this isn’t a normal recap of last week’s episode. (I don’t think. You never know when you’re being trolled on this show, lol.) A news report lays out “Devastation in Sokovia”, and then gives us background on the Maximoff twins, including footage from Marvel movies. Hayward speaks during the report, detailing that Wanda stole Vision’s body, and we see Darcy tell Vision that Wanda killed him. That we know from last week, but now we have actual movie footage that shows the event. Thanos pulls the infinity stone from Vision’s head. 

ONE

The recap ends with Agatha’s introduction of herself in the basement, also seen last week.

Roll logo montage.

TWO

Cut to torches and a title screen: Salem, Massachusetts, 1693.

Agatha is dragged through the woods by women in cloaks. Forming a circle, they place Agatha on a scaffold in the center and restrain her with magical bonds. An older angry woman asks Agatha if she’s a witch. Yes, she says. You’ve betrayed your coven, says Angry. You stole knowledge and practiced dark magic. At first Agatha looks cowed, but it’s an act. “Help me, mother,” she calls to Angry. She turns the power of the bonds back on the witches’ circle and drains their life away. Angry blasts her with a super beam, but Agatha drains her, too. Reaching down to her mother’s skeleton, Agatha unpins a brooch from the bodice and floats up and away.

THREE

(There is no Three.)

Continue reading “Previously On”