Some updates before I start grad school.
I rarely post about TV shows here or gush about them in a limited manner, I am realizing. I have been binge watching the two seasons of The Blacklist over the past month. I've been addicted like anything. The first thing that strikes anybody is James Spader. I have been following his career since he was doing The Practice, some 12-14 years ago, and then Boston Legal. The way he delves into a role transfixes me. My dad was the one who liked him best and often said that he's a remarkable actor. His lines, his comic timing, the way he makes Red the most loved criminal whom the public will forgive anything is indescribable to anyone who hasn't seen it. You must see it to understand it.
Before Avengers 2 opened, there was some comparision and dissent amongst Hiddleston's fans ( I am a fan -- love the guy) about a comment Joss Whedon made regarding the film's villian, portrayed by James. He mentioned that James was a classic actor who wasn't a character actor and was incredible in his own light. Some people took offense that he favoured James over Tom. First off, I think the comparision is just waaaay off because they are two actors completely incomparable and even though Tom Hiddleston is fabulous -- to anyone who says otherwise, check out The Hollow Crown -- James is truly in a class of his own. If Joss had truly meant that he preferred James over Tom (which he didn't), I am inclined to agree. I am mesmerized by this man.
I sometimes think how lucky we are as a generation to be able to witness the rise of some of the most spectacular actors in recent times: Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston, Matt Bomer (oh man oh man oh man), Tim Dekay, Willie Garson (!!! who can ever forget Mozzie) , of course James but James has been around the last ten years or so -- Boston Legal is a gem. I initially thought he lost hair before he started The Blacklist, but that ain't the case. He felt for an asymmetrical (spoiler! ) character like Reddington, not having to deal with hair issues would be fundamental. How about that.
I feel the success of a show depends on its entire cast, the writers, the producers, the showrunners, the crew, every single person. I have read so many articles of people saying how the cast is lackadaisical compared to James, but I digress. It takes time to find a footing and I always feel like a character is tailored in a particular manner to mature over the course of the series. The one character who has matured amazingly is Elizabeth Keen, played by Megan Boone, who endures a season of lies, betrayal and has a core of steel that becomes evident slowly as the first season progresses. She laments and mourns for her marriage that falls apart but also becomes one-tracked to find the truth and find her fake-husband and milk him for every ounce of information she can get out of him. In the second season, she pursues her avenues and becomes a no bullshit person, who doesn't mind and doesn't pay attention to the things that she does unflinchingly now, things that would have given her pause before. I think that's the strongest part of a woman's psyche, to go for something that she wants because she deserves it and because she's worked for it. It often reminds me of Alicia Florrick's line on The Good Wife where she tells her law partners that she's running for State's attorney because she's going to win and she wants to make a difference, when asked why she took the decision without consulting them. Her focus in the face of adversity is impeccable. She falliable just like the rest of us, and I always take inspiration from people like her, especially women. I remember her speech at her Emmy win last time, "What an incredible time for women to be on television." She thanked Christine Baranski and Josh Charles in her speech, pointing out Christine to be one of the most inspiring women in her life. Julianna Marguiles like so many of her contemporaries and peers is an incredible actress and person.
Always count on me to turn a conversation into a feminist point. As Sheryl Sandberg says, a card carrying feminist. ;)
One of my friends remarked that her playlist was mostly from movie soundtracks and the score of TV shows, rather than VH1. She is so right. Its the same thing with me. Some of the songs from the score of The Blacklist which have made their way onto my phone's playlist are Exxus by Glass Animals ( Season 2, Episode 19), Major Tom(Coming Home/Voellig Losgeloest ) by Peter Schilling -- the German original version, not the English one -- ( Season 2, Episode 14) and Long Way Down by Tom Odell ( Season 2, Episode 2). Tom Odell has been a long term collaborator on The Blacklist, I have discovered.
I have also piqued the interest of The Blacklist of my friend CJ, the TV show music one. She says I have a way with words. Without being full of myself, I am inclined to agree. Haha.
The latest album from Taylor Swift, 1989, is inspired by her birth year and the music scene of the 80s. It also marks a departure from her usual genre, and her first pop album. Its beyond words. For whoever hasn't heard it, they must. I don't count myself as a fan, but I probably am, because I love her music and have followed all her albums. She's not cut out to be actress though, I think Valentine's Day was proof enough.
Francesca's parents uploaded pictures of her crashed car into her FB account. To have read in a news article and to see what has happened is one hell of a massive difference. I was shocked and it also explained why she didn't survive the crash. She died before the paramedics reached there. Its left me feeling hollow. I remember listening to Wildest Dreams when I discovered she'd passed away. Its left a hole that's indescribable. You know its there and you cannot talk about it. I remember expecting her posts and I still expect it everytime I open Instagram. I lost a senior from school before in an untoward accident before, but she wasn't a friend, she was an acquiantance with whom I hadn't spoken to before. Francesca was a friend. I knew her, she knew me. We talked, we laughed, we gushed over Tom Hiddleston and his general awesomeness, and she was so so enthusiastic about what she did for a living. Pursuing a masters degree while having two jobs is no easy feat. She often remarked she felt crazy all the time but always wanted to go the extra mile. She was beautiful and lit up everything around her. Its one month tomorrow since her death and I still feel bereft. I hope the investigation works smoothly and her parents get the solace they deserve and the strength and peace they need to move ahead of having the reason of their lives going away.
The senior I am talking about was an athlete from school, a performer and aced her schoolwork. She was fun and popular and a wonderful person. It was a shock for every single person who knew her when she died. She was killed with her brother and his fiancee from school when a bomb went off in a bakery in Pune the day before Valentine's Day in 2010. I remember it vividly. She is survived her parents and younger parents. It didn't hurt as much as Francesca's death does because I still expect her to reply to my texts, to exchange another quip on FB. And knowing that won't happen hurts the most. Its hard to put it out of my mind. Maybe one day I will be able to remember her without the pain, or maybe never, but I think of her every single day.
I have finally gotten dates of start of classes. Classes commence from 13th July, and we have report by 9 am there. If classes start at 9 am, I hope they end by 4 pm. That would give me plenty time to get back home and study. That's a good schedule. Because grad school is going to kick my ass.
I am going to make a marble cake this evening. I made one yesterday and it got reduced to a quarter within fifteen minutes of coming out of the oven. Its given me a great idea. If I am making a birthday cake, I can make two, stack one on top of each other and the middle filling can be toffee, using condensed milk, brown sugar and butter. It will be divine. Hmm. Will have to execute this plan sometime. Dad's birthday is three months away. I can run the plan by him and see what he thinks.