Five reasons I love the things I do - part 2.
Five reasons I love the things I do - the second.
Being a continuation of our heroine’s account of her favourite things + lists are made + numerical standards are broken+ and book passages are quoted
Tolkien:
1.Perhaps a little odd to list a whole book, but : The Silmarillon. As much as I liked The Hobbit and loved Lord of the Rings it was The Silmarillion that made me a fan. The complexity and the scope of it all are to me endlessly fascinating. Also The Silmarillion is where the shit hits the fan in a most epic way, as opposed to LOTR where it has a more normal speed. Kinslaying, handcutting and general DOOM is all the order of the day -and you have names like Nírnaeth Arnoediad, the Battle of Unnumbered Tears.
2.The Noldor. For all the bad ass moves made by Turin, the excellence of Aragorn and the death of Boromir, my favourite group in Tolkien’s world is the Noldor. It all started with me falling head over heals and being completely fascinated by Fëanor the first time I read The Silmarillion, and from there it grew to encompass most of the other Noldo. The exception being Finwë whom I still see as somewhat of a wet blanket. Also there is Nerdanel - perhaps a bit part character, but I don’t care. The woman had perhaps the most dysfunctional and difficult husband in Aman and she still managed to keep her head cool.
3.I’ll let Peter Jackson’s films have their own point. I felt the films added a dimension to the books, and both enhanced and changed the way I read the books - often making me question certain elements in Tolkien’s storytelling - for instance making me ponder if I liked Arwen’s or Glorfindel’s rescue operation best. It made me read the books more closely, and it also gave me some of the greatest movie experiences I’ve had. There is sweeping, spectacular nature in what Peter Jackson & co has done and it still takes my breath away. Imagine for instance the lighting of the banes of Gondor, and see in it an excellent example of how a visual medium can add to a story. Also after years of being asked "Why are you reading that insanely thick book!?" I could point to the screen and say: "That is why! You see that? You feel that sense of wonder? That is what that insanely thick book gave me". Based on that I can live with some of the films choice in regards to for instance Faramir’s blondness character arc.
4.Extensive canon which allows me to re and reread an always find something new. Tolkien wrote books you can come back to, and find the story the same but your view on it might have changed. On first reading Lord of the Rings I was bored by all the Frodo and Sam chapters. I wanted to skip them all. Then a few years passed and I read the books again - and found myself loving Sam. (still find Frodo a bit on the dull side though)
5.The maps. Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion were the first books I read which had extensive fantasy maps. There have been many other maps since then, but most of them I just glance over. Tolkien’s maps on the other hand were studied, memorized and revered. There is this feeling of completeness and thoroughness over them that I love. The names are evocative and the geography for the most part makes sense. I also love how different maps cover the same areas, but in different Ages - and how you are able to see the change in both the land and the places. Somehow it makes it all feel more real, and it makes me forgive the Professor the sorry lack of lakes.
6.Eowyn. Yes, she gets her own, extra point - not because she is necessarily better than the other characters, but because reading about her meant so incredibly much too me while growing up. She was one of the first female warriors I ever read about. I’ve never been crazy about role models, but she was one of the few exceptions. Years later I still love her - but now I also adore her ability to change roles. She goes from proud princess, fierce shield maiden to wise wife of Faramir - and that’s Eowyn - refusing to be boxed in and categorically defined.
Band of Brothers:
1.The characters of Winters and Nixon. There are many great characters in band of Brothers, but these two get their own point simply because of their amazing friendship and dry humour. (Oddly enough they are also one of the few characters where I can see what people mean by slashy. Not that I necessarily see them as such, but yeah - I can see where people are coming from.)
2.As much as I love the visual the sound in this series is so, so good. It’s all in the small details - from the crunching of snow under a booth, the fine tones of Beethoven over a destroyed German city, the sad, melancholy theme music, the heartbeats and quick breathing in combat scenes
3.It’s is absolutely gorgeously filmed - both from the great panning scenes, to the hand held camera shaking through the combat scenes. It’s also a series that isn’t afraid to dwell on scenes and has little to no use of quick cuts and fast edits. In a way this all helps to make if feel old school, and considering the historical events portrayed that is very fitting.
4.The title sequence - which might sound a bit odd, but I love it so that I don’t really care how wonky it sounds. I love how it mimics and echoes old World War II documentaries, and how it conveys this sad, nostalgic feel. I need to illustrate this:
This is Doc Roe from the episode "Bastogne" (also known as # 5).
This is Doc from the title sequence. See how they have smudged up the print? Added grains and tears? In short they have taken the film proper, and made it look and feel like something old and real. Reminiscent of actual documentary footage. Since age and authenticity lend weight and value, this trick gives visual legitimacy to the series by giving it "the right look". It’s quite clever.
(Both images from dryope's site Currahee)
5.Bastogne - the episode which chronicles Medic Eugene Roe’s trials during the Battle of the Bulge. While I first watched the show this was the episode that made me go from liking to loving. Its spare, it has no music and it has a narrative that is both heartbreaking and deeply symbolic. It is also fascinating that one of the episodes dealing with one of the biggest combats for easy company is not told through combat as such, but through the medic trying to keep his friends alive - all while trying to keep the faith in what he does.
The Wire :
1.Lots of shows strives for character arcs, some give pretty good character arcs - but I know of only The Wire that manage to give all of its characters and arc. Not only that by it’s a believable arc that fits with the story and the character.
2.I love and am in awe of how each season has its own themes, its own conflicts and yet is still part of the larger narrative. For instance S2 dealt with the docs, the history of the docs and the whole subculture around it. In many ways it showed a transformation of a whole way of life - the docks that were and the ones that will be. In S3 there is a theme of what one wishes to show, the façade, and what is really there are two different things. Politicians and officers are concerned about the façade - how things look, so they fix the stats and present a better picture. But underneath everything is still the same. And all these themes come together to create a whole that is simply some of the best storytelling out there.
3.It’s all in the details. From the existence of so many great recurring characters, from Omar Little, Brother Mouzone, to how the different characters listen to different music, to the fact that you can still see Frank Sobotka’s posters on the wall at the end of season three. It is a marvellous example of world building. It makes you believe in the world presented
4.Dennis 'Cutty' Wise: The game done changed...
Slim Charles: Game's the same, just got more fierce.
The dialogue - people often wax lyrically about the dialogue in Deadwood, and in many ways rightly so - but I find the dialogue in the Wire even better. True it’s not as colourful and filled with literary references as Deadwood, but it is just as poignant and in fact I feel more heartfelt.
5.The humour - I feel this cannot be mentioned enough. In a show that so often is bleak and sombre, there are also some incredible moments of humour. The crime scene investigation by Bunk and McNultey - also known as the Fuck scene. Omar in court, Landsman describing Freamon’s clothes as "tweedy impertinence".
A Song of Ice and Fire:
1.Through kings, stories, and legends and off hand remarks Martin has managed to convey Westeros’s long history and made it believable and tangible history. In fact Martin has at times managed to make me more obsessed with Westeros’s history than for instance Norway’s history, and something should be said for that. Perhaps it’s a little sad when you can name all the Targaryen kings, but you keep forgetting who came first of Harald the Fair Hair or Harald Hardrade. But at the same time it speaks volumes for the emotional investment Martin manages to inspire. Also for a fantasy author one of the most important hurdles to clear is making the world believable and logical. With his history and stories Martin has managed that, and thereby created the glue that holds the books together.
2.In Martin’s world nothing is ever simple, ethics are at the best light grey and he has characters that are morally complex. The character you think you knew is perhaps someone quite different. Yes, Jaime is a good example here - but many other minor characters are also excellent examples. Take for instance Rheagar or Sandor Clegane.
3.The characters - like Jon Snow, Sansa and Bran. Jaime and Tyrion. Martin has made me care and care deeply. So much that I both dread and rejoice at the aspect of a new book.
4.The hints, possibilities of speculation and all the prophesy interpretation. With Martin the story you are presented is never the full story and his narrators have a habit of being extremely unpredictable. There is also an extensive list of prophesies, historical facts that may or may not be important, legends and tales. All this creates ample opportunity to speculate and ponder what will happen. Who is The Prince that was Promised? Who was the Knight of the Laughing Tree and so forth.
5.
"You thlew my bear!" Vargo Hoat shrieked.
"And I’ll serve you the same if you give me trouble", Steelshanks threw back. "We’re taking the wench."
"Her name is Brienne," Jaime said. "Brienne, the maid of Tarth. You are still a maiden, I hope?"
Her homely face turned red. "Yes."
"Oh good," Jaime said. "I only rescue maidens."
- Storm of Swords. OTP people, OTP.
Being a continuation of our heroine’s account of her favourite things + lists are made + numerical standards are broken+ and book passages are quoted
Tolkien:
1.Perhaps a little odd to list a whole book, but : The Silmarillon. As much as I liked The Hobbit and loved Lord of the Rings it was The Silmarillion that made me a fan. The complexity and the scope of it all are to me endlessly fascinating. Also The Silmarillion is where the shit hits the fan in a most epic way, as opposed to LOTR where it has a more normal speed. Kinslaying, handcutting and general DOOM is all the order of the day -and you have names like Nírnaeth Arnoediad, the Battle of Unnumbered Tears.
2.The Noldor. For all the bad ass moves made by Turin, the excellence of Aragorn and the death of Boromir, my favourite group in Tolkien’s world is the Noldor. It all started with me falling head over heals and being completely fascinated by Fëanor the first time I read The Silmarillion, and from there it grew to encompass most of the other Noldo. The exception being Finwë whom I still see as somewhat of a wet blanket. Also there is Nerdanel - perhaps a bit part character, but I don’t care. The woman had perhaps the most dysfunctional and difficult husband in Aman and she still managed to keep her head cool.
3.I’ll let Peter Jackson’s films have their own point. I felt the films added a dimension to the books, and both enhanced and changed the way I read the books - often making me question certain elements in Tolkien’s storytelling - for instance making me ponder if I liked Arwen’s or Glorfindel’s rescue operation best. It made me read the books more closely, and it also gave me some of the greatest movie experiences I’ve had. There is sweeping, spectacular nature in what Peter Jackson & co has done and it still takes my breath away. Imagine for instance the lighting of the banes of Gondor, and see in it an excellent example of how a visual medium can add to a story. Also after years of being asked "Why are you reading that insanely thick book!?" I could point to the screen and say: "That is why! You see that? You feel that sense of wonder? That is what that insanely thick book gave me". Based on that I can live with some of the films choice in regards to for instance Faramir’s blondness character arc.
4.Extensive canon which allows me to re and reread an always find something new. Tolkien wrote books you can come back to, and find the story the same but your view on it might have changed. On first reading Lord of the Rings I was bored by all the Frodo and Sam chapters. I wanted to skip them all. Then a few years passed and I read the books again - and found myself loving Sam. (still find Frodo a bit on the dull side though)
5.The maps. Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion were the first books I read which had extensive fantasy maps. There have been many other maps since then, but most of them I just glance over. Tolkien’s maps on the other hand were studied, memorized and revered. There is this feeling of completeness and thoroughness over them that I love. The names are evocative and the geography for the most part makes sense. I also love how different maps cover the same areas, but in different Ages - and how you are able to see the change in both the land and the places. Somehow it makes it all feel more real, and it makes me forgive the Professor the sorry lack of lakes.
6.Eowyn. Yes, she gets her own, extra point - not because she is necessarily better than the other characters, but because reading about her meant so incredibly much too me while growing up. She was one of the first female warriors I ever read about. I’ve never been crazy about role models, but she was one of the few exceptions. Years later I still love her - but now I also adore her ability to change roles. She goes from proud princess, fierce shield maiden to wise wife of Faramir - and that’s Eowyn - refusing to be boxed in and categorically defined.
Band of Brothers:
1.The characters of Winters and Nixon. There are many great characters in band of Brothers, but these two get their own point simply because of their amazing friendship and dry humour. (Oddly enough they are also one of the few characters where I can see what people mean by slashy. Not that I necessarily see them as such, but yeah - I can see where people are coming from.)
2.As much as I love the visual the sound in this series is so, so good. It’s all in the small details - from the crunching of snow under a booth, the fine tones of Beethoven over a destroyed German city, the sad, melancholy theme music, the heartbeats and quick breathing in combat scenes
3.It’s is absolutely gorgeously filmed - both from the great panning scenes, to the hand held camera shaking through the combat scenes. It’s also a series that isn’t afraid to dwell on scenes and has little to no use of quick cuts and fast edits. In a way this all helps to make if feel old school, and considering the historical events portrayed that is very fitting.
4.The title sequence - which might sound a bit odd, but I love it so that I don’t really care how wonky it sounds. I love how it mimics and echoes old World War II documentaries, and how it conveys this sad, nostalgic feel. I need to illustrate this:
This is Doc Roe from the episode "Bastogne" (also known as # 5).
This is Doc from the title sequence. See how they have smudged up the print? Added grains and tears? In short they have taken the film proper, and made it look and feel like something old and real. Reminiscent of actual documentary footage. Since age and authenticity lend weight and value, this trick gives visual legitimacy to the series by giving it "the right look". It’s quite clever.
(Both images from dryope's site Currahee)
5.Bastogne - the episode which chronicles Medic Eugene Roe’s trials during the Battle of the Bulge. While I first watched the show this was the episode that made me go from liking to loving. Its spare, it has no music and it has a narrative that is both heartbreaking and deeply symbolic. It is also fascinating that one of the episodes dealing with one of the biggest combats for easy company is not told through combat as such, but through the medic trying to keep his friends alive - all while trying to keep the faith in what he does.
The Wire :
1.Lots of shows strives for character arcs, some give pretty good character arcs - but I know of only The Wire that manage to give all of its characters and arc. Not only that by it’s a believable arc that fits with the story and the character.
2.I love and am in awe of how each season has its own themes, its own conflicts and yet is still part of the larger narrative. For instance S2 dealt with the docs, the history of the docs and the whole subculture around it. In many ways it showed a transformation of a whole way of life - the docks that were and the ones that will be. In S3 there is a theme of what one wishes to show, the façade, and what is really there are two different things. Politicians and officers are concerned about the façade - how things look, so they fix the stats and present a better picture. But underneath everything is still the same. And all these themes come together to create a whole that is simply some of the best storytelling out there.
3.It’s all in the details. From the existence of so many great recurring characters, from Omar Little, Brother Mouzone, to how the different characters listen to different music, to the fact that you can still see Frank Sobotka’s posters on the wall at the end of season three. It is a marvellous example of world building. It makes you believe in the world presented
4.Dennis 'Cutty' Wise: The game done changed...
Slim Charles: Game's the same, just got more fierce.
The dialogue - people often wax lyrically about the dialogue in Deadwood, and in many ways rightly so - but I find the dialogue in the Wire even better. True it’s not as colourful and filled with literary references as Deadwood, but it is just as poignant and in fact I feel more heartfelt.
5.The humour - I feel this cannot be mentioned enough. In a show that so often is bleak and sombre, there are also some incredible moments of humour. The crime scene investigation by Bunk and McNultey - also known as the Fuck scene. Omar in court, Landsman describing Freamon’s clothes as "tweedy impertinence".
A Song of Ice and Fire:
1.Through kings, stories, and legends and off hand remarks Martin has managed to convey Westeros’s long history and made it believable and tangible history. In fact Martin has at times managed to make me more obsessed with Westeros’s history than for instance Norway’s history, and something should be said for that. Perhaps it’s a little sad when you can name all the Targaryen kings, but you keep forgetting who came first of Harald the Fair Hair or Harald Hardrade. But at the same time it speaks volumes for the emotional investment Martin manages to inspire. Also for a fantasy author one of the most important hurdles to clear is making the world believable and logical. With his history and stories Martin has managed that, and thereby created the glue that holds the books together.
2.In Martin’s world nothing is ever simple, ethics are at the best light grey and he has characters that are morally complex. The character you think you knew is perhaps someone quite different. Yes, Jaime is a good example here - but many other minor characters are also excellent examples. Take for instance Rheagar or Sandor Clegane.
3.The characters - like Jon Snow, Sansa and Bran. Jaime and Tyrion. Martin has made me care and care deeply. So much that I both dread and rejoice at the aspect of a new book.
4.The hints, possibilities of speculation and all the prophesy interpretation. With Martin the story you are presented is never the full story and his narrators have a habit of being extremely unpredictable. There is also an extensive list of prophesies, historical facts that may or may not be important, legends and tales. All this creates ample opportunity to speculate and ponder what will happen. Who is The Prince that was Promised? Who was the Knight of the Laughing Tree and so forth.
5.
"You thlew my bear!" Vargo Hoat shrieked.
"And I’ll serve you the same if you give me trouble", Steelshanks threw back. "We’re taking the wench."
"Her name is Brienne," Jaime said. "Brienne, the maid of Tarth. You are still a maiden, I hope?"
Her homely face turned red. "Yes."
"Oh good," Jaime said. "I only rescue maidens."
- Storm of Swords. OTP people, OTP.