Things what I have been enjoyin

[dorinda]

As the worst of the heat wave finally eases its grip and I can think again (seriously, sometimes I wonder if I have that reverse-Seasonal Affective Disorder, the way these swampy summers take it out of me), here is some stuff I have been enjoying lately. No real spoilers behind the cuts.


Chernobyl

Not in terms of fannish activity, but man, did I love this miniseries. The writing, the acting, the production design...harrowing, yes, but never gratuitous, and so gripping and engaging. A few times I've rewatched the courtroom scene in the final ep by itself, purely to savor Jared Harris's ability to take what could have been a static info-dump and make it not only clear and suspenseful but also emotional and well-characterized. ♥ It deserved all its Emmy Awards, and I'm just sorry the actors couldn't get one too. Stellan Skarsgard and Jared Harris in particular were so good.

There was also a fantastic official podcast, called The Chernobyl Podcast, which I cannot recommend highly enough! The writer/showrunner talks through each episode with host Peter Sagal (from NPR), discussing things like the real events the episode was based on, or where they diverged from real events and why, etc. Plus there was a post-show final episode that included Jared Harris, which had some great discussion about acting choices.


Shetland, series 5

Another enjoyable season! Sometimes I put off catching up with shows I'm very happy with...always afraid I guess that the new material will ruin it. (Closed canon is so much less taxing!) I'm so glad I jumped on this season sooner rather than later-- msmoat promised I'd love it, and I totally did. So glad to see Tosh's longer arc of recovery continue; she's doing great. And the Jimmy/Duncan throughline is still going strong--that last scene in particular, wowwww. Emotional, meaningful, both in what was spoken and what was understood.

I saw that someone who isn't me is nominating Shetland (with Jimmy and Duncan) for Yuletide this year. \o/ I'd love to see more of that.


Good Omens

Ahhhhhh I loved the slow-burn Aziraphale/Crowley love story. Michael Sheen is one of those masters of microexpressions I cannot get enough of. And I absolutely love it when actors have an intention packed under the surface of their performance, giving subtext and meaning to the smallest of things. Sheen talked about it in interviews, and it's part of what makes it so rewatchable for me...the scenes are not in the end just about the words in the dialogue, and that's the kind of richness I crave.

I was also really impressed with David Tennant's performance, especially because he was unable to use his eyes! Sunglasses, or eye prostheses with occasional CGI, it all took away that part of the acting toolkit--it's like he was playing the game on Hard setting.

Also, the costumes and hair and all. ♥___♥!


Guardian

I recently finished watching Guardian, and wow, deliciously idtastic! I mean, the very definite downside to China being a repressive homophobic regime is the existence of a repressive homophobic regime. But within the censorship framework, since homosexuality does not officially exist, it means that the show can be as intensely demonstrative as its actually-based-on-a-gay-novel heart desires. Because hey, this isn't gay, because gayness doesn't exist in the framework, right?

So then you get enormous heart eyes and staring and passionate protectiveness and eternal soulbonds and tender bedside vigils and handholding and huddling-for-warmth and hurt/comfort up the wazoo and hugging and even (granted, in the secondary pairing) gentle stroking of the nape of the neck and petting of the hair when one of them is upset. Because with the exception of one episode clearly intended as censor-diversion, they don't have to no-homo themselves. Which ironically makes it extremely...homo. In the best emotional and iddy ways.

The fandom itself is really welcoming and excited and productive, with all kinds of recaps and screencaps and lists of characters' special powers and details about what kinds of food and drink appear in every episode, and more. Not to mention the care with which people upload episodes with better subtitles, better subtitle-file-timing, etc. So helpful!

I was happily surprised--even shocked--to see that Guardian is still small enough for Yuletide! The English-language part of the fandom hasn't caught up to the enormous Chinese fanac yet (and a lot of Chinese-language stories are mistakenly labeled as English at the moment). So that should be fun. :D

Speaking of which, here's a reminder in case you need it that Yuletide nominations are open until around Oct. 10! (Officially October 11, 9am UTC, but for me that means like 5 in the morning, so technically it's bedtime on Oct. 10.)

Comments

[killabeez]

Hello! {{{{}}}}

I hadn't heard of Shetland before, but we've been looking for something new to watch, and the name intrigued me. Just went to see where I could watch it, and lo and behold, it's Nick from Primeval! I'm in!

[dorinda]

Oh yes, for sure, I heartily recommend it! It's beautiful and atmospheric to look at (not entirely filmed in the Shetland islands themselves, but some, plus other places in Scotland that stand in for Shetland), and I love the characters and their relationships.

it's Nick from Primeval!

It is! He is so terrific in this! (And he wears the best cozy sweaters.) There are great female characters too, a main and some recurring. For season 3 I'd say there's a content warning, but they handle it very well indeed, in that season as well as the ramifications onward--I'm happy to give spoilers or hints if you'd like 'em.

[dorinda]

P.S. {{{{♥}}}}

[sakana17]

Oh! I looooove Shetland! I hope you enjoy it! I almost envy you, getting to watch it for the first time, because I was so on board. And yes, it was great to see Nick from Primeval again! :D

Re: Guardian

[sakana17]

Not to mention the care with which people upload episodes with better subtitles, better subtitle-file-timing, etc.

THIS. I personally feel I can never repay solo, especially, for ALLLLLL the uploading and QC work on the subtitles and everything! But also the fans who did the original English translations for YouTube -- much as they were a mixed-bag, they were there and good enough to hook me (it's just wayyyy easier to understand a lot of it with the cleaned-up subtitles).

And *big ♥ sigh* about everything else you mention. You may have noticed it's eaten my soul recently... *g*

Re: Guardian

[dorinda]

solo is a fannish hero! And you're right to point out the original volunteer subbers as well--it's the sort of fannish effort that gets overlooked, but I am so grateful for it.

I did notice something new about your soul! And now you have had your revenge in infecting me, you Patient Zero. :D

[isis]

Ooh, thanks for the info on the Chernobyl podcast - that sounds rtmi!

[dorinda]

Very welcome! It's so good; I wanted it to go on and on.

[msmoat]

I am so grateful for coolness, finally, even where I am. I can't imagine living in your kind of heat. Gah.

A friend recommended Chernobyl but I haven't got round to it. Now I will. *g*

You know how much I adore Shetland. *g* I so needed you to watch this last series! Thank you!

Oh, gosh, I so loved Good Omens! I re-read the book afterwards, which was really interesting just to see what Neil Gaiman retained and what he didn't...but it paled in comparison! I mean, I remember really liking the book originally, but after watching the absolutely wonderful series... Yeah, the series is what I'll be dipping into again. And again.

I've not heard of Guardian, but I so like what you have to say about why it is as it is. Heh. Yes!

[dorinda]

This year the weather was especially punishing, as I suppose it will continue to be in the future, sigh. I'm just constitutionally suited to colder temps--even the punishing winters back where I used to live didn't pummel me as hard as the sweatbag hotbox summers out here. It's the main downside of my beloved job. Alas.

Yes, Chernobyl is really really good. Not cheery, as you'd expect, but I still couldn't look away. Harris and Skarsgard in particular, their characters have a really fascinating and rewarding dynamic that develops over time.

I was just chatting with thevetia on Friday about Good Omens. I had read the book back in the day, and she hadn't until after she'd seen the series. But we both found that the series really boiled down and highlighted an emotional crux and throughline between Aziraphale and Crowley, which we found enormously rewarding. Gaiman, and the director and actors and etc., gave us a whole lot of gifts in that show!!

Guardian is great fun. marycrawford wrote a brief pimping post about it that will show you a few images and gifs, if you're curious to see what it looks like. She only mentions the central pair--who, granted, are really the entire backbone and are sooooo slashy and flirty and coupley--but there's a secondary character I also fell hard for (see icon), who is a grumpy felon with supernatural powers and a tragic backstory. ♥

[halotolerant]

Oh wow, a giant 'AMEN' to so many of these *g* 'Chernobyl' and 'Good Omens' have really spoilt us for quality TV this year in very different ways. The attention to detail in both is so wonderful. And I did enjoy Guardian, a few eye-bleeding special effects aside *g* I'm interested to hear there's been better subtitles put up - can you rec a particular channel?

I'm still behind on Shetland! Must catch up. Good to know it's on Yuletide.

As you'll have seen on tumblr, I have been watching 'The Untamed' which is on the exact level of Guardian for 'there is no such thing as gay, so we can snuggle platonically', also historical, martial arts and 50 hours long. I have adored it. Solid rec. And so popular it's already Yuletide non-elgibile alas!

[dorinda]

I'm interested to hear there's been better subtitles put up - can you rec a particular channel?

Oh yes, gladly! Fandom hero solo put up a post at the sid_guardian comm:

https://sid-guardian.dreamwidth.org/165242.html

There's a link in there to the basics, and also a link that gets into more detailed choices for those who care about those sorts of things.

sid_guardian is a fantastic comm for resources all round.

I have very much been enjoying basking in the beauty of The Untamed on your tumblr! Although yeah, it's a downer when something's popularity rules it out of the Yuletide fun, hmf.

[franzeska]

Oh man, Shetland... I watched seasons 1 and 2, I think? And I was instantly all about the Jimmy/Duncan. (Though, man, rape recovery plotlines are a massive dealbreaker for me, no matter how well done.)

[dorinda]

Yeah, totally understandable! You could always skip to season 5--if someone missed seasons 3 and 4 and didn't know about the plotline, I don't think they'd be able to guess anything from season 5 alone. Or at least, if you ever just feel like a little Jimmy/Duncan treat, watch the last scene of the last episode of season 5. ♥

[franzeska]

Ooh!

[corvidology]

Summer turns my brain to mush but it lasts so long here I have to force myself through it or lose most of the year. :(

I couldn't have been more pleased with this version of Good Omens. I'm currently watched Sheen in the far less pleasing Prodigal Son but again, his microexpressions and general fantastic acting chops are elevating material not really worthy of him.

[dorinda]

Yeah, I totally feel you. I wish I could just stay indoors where it's cool and hibernate away the summers, like a reverse bear. And yet! Life continues to happen, even when it's boiling out. Unjust!

I was hoping that Prodigal Son would be better, because man, having a new canon with Michael Sheen in it that I could fall in love with? Livin' the dream. Ah well. At least I can watch clips of him when I need a fix.

[gwyn]

I did NOT know that about the Chernobyl podcast--my stupid podcast app didn't alert me to the fact that there was a bonus episode with JARED! Augh. I started listening last night and it's so interesting to hear about his choices, and how involved he is with establishing the character.

I just finished the Terror, btw, which I blame you for partly and what_alchemy. I was so confused by the fanart that showed Crozier with FitzJames, I was like, buh? in the first handful of episodes. And then I understood. And poor little Goodsir. Jared remains the best, though--like, I should hate him on the Expanse, but he's so magnetic that I can't completely hate him, as awful as the character is. What a talent.

[dorinda]

OMG! I'm especially glad I posted about it, because it is definitely relevant to your knowledge and interests! I absolutely loved hearing JH's thoughts and process. He's so good, and I could listen to him talk about his craft alllll day.

I am happy to be partly blamed for The Terror. :D

And then I understood

Those actors really took their characters on a journey. They've spoken in interviews about building that dynamic, and of course I ate it up. Skilled actors acting skillfully!

Also: {{{Goodsir}}} So sweet, and such a hero.

Jared remains the best, though

Agreed! He is truly amazing. I can't even figure out how he does what he does, but I am so glad he does it.

[yantantether]

Oh wow that is such a good summary of everything I love about Guardian!