Why was last night different than all other nights ? *

* I am so sorry

TELEVISION EXTRAVAGANZA 2014

( cue trumpets )

We really do not watch all that much scripted broadcast television. Yes, the tv is never off once Neil is awake, I get nervous when there is not one on somewhere in the house. MSNBC is just the soundtrack of Mendon. But its not like we either one of us, sit and watch it. Then came last night AND the coming weeks - and it is a good thing.

Seems like we always have one good Sunday night sit down, either Downton Abbey or the all to rare Sherlock. Neil has Dexter marathons - non broadcast, and I still watch Glee ( not sure of even why ). But last night , and like I said for the coming weeks  - not sure of how many . FOUR hours of darn good quality broadcast television all on ONE NIGHT .

At first there was the initial panic of how to swing all four, like it was 1987 or something  - " make sure the tape is in the VCR, honey ". Turns out there was no need, only one came on at the same time as another  - and it is replayed tonight ( as well as, like them all , being on demand )

8:00

Call the Midwife

(PBS)

Nuns and babies! Like I have said before, if you are not watching this one - you should be. The only one that is truly on broadcast tv, it really is one of the best BBC/ITN series ever. No, it's not the grander and scope of a Downton or a Brideshead - but it is just first rate writing. Nothing explodes  - well, something did once, no car chases or dead Turkish men upstairs. Still in the post war East End of London, but things are looking up . It's 1959 and some of the gloom is , at last, lifting. It does not get the credit of a Mad Men or Downton - but absolutely captures the look and feel of its time as well as either of these shows do.
A funny side note - I covered my eyes at one of the births last night. Sure I can sort of watch the out and out gore porn that is the next hours Game of Thrones ( not really, I totally will not watch the Red Wedding ) but the realism of those birth scenes ( MESSY ! ) is way to much for this total non breeder. That said , there has not been one episode of this show, and I have seen them all many times, has not left me a tad misty....

9:00

Game of Thrones

(HBO)

Neil is a dealer. I did fight it for years - but hooked now. These just are not my kinds of books to read , never have been - which I guess is odd since I did read comic books for ever - but the whole sword and scorcy thing skipped right over me. Yes, it is way to violet and way way to sexual - I have NO IDEA how a family could watch this together - really. But you do get drawn in. It is so odd to have a heroless story - sure , there is all the debate about how the real world is not so very black and white, but stories are. You have good guys and bad guys - no one here is all good , and LOTS Of folks are all bad, but even then there is some grey.
Since I have not read the books- and will not be, there is no way I could follow along on this show with out " cliffnoteing" the show on the internet. They must know it is just impossible to follow with out doing that.
Last night was something that folks have been waiting for - a very messy world just got even more messy.

9:00

COSMOS

( FOX )

We have been loving this show. The one we recorded, even though it comes on NATGEO tonight. The SCBFF said it was extra trippy - so we will watch asap. 

10:00

MAD MEN

(AMC)

The long awaited return of Don Draper et al - for a shortened season , stretched out over two years. They are really testing our loyalty here! But, it was good to be back. January 1969 - the modern world already exploded and Nixon is sworn in for his shortened season. It can only be downhill from here.  I think it has been 4 months someone said since we were last with Sterling Cooper and Partners. Skirts are creeping up to Call the Midwife levels and drugs sex and rock and roll are the norm. ( first grade was hell )
The writers of this show, I think, take too many liberties with us. I can dig around on the internet for something as complex as Game of Thrones / Fire and Ice, but really, just want to know who the players are on Mad Men with out a score card ( or am I just stupid not knowing who took the creative director job / Don's job - while he is " finding himself ", but there was still just a load to love about this show - if that is the right word .
Everyone is sad/mad/depressed/stressed - except for Pete Campell who has found his inner SOCAL and channelling an early Birnbach , going the full plaid, lacoste, sweater around the neck.. I would to a fashion post , but TLO just does it so well, Ill just be lazy and link when they do.

So that is our Sunday night for a while - the rest of Spring. I said to Neil when we were done with out marathon that it was just work to stretch your brain that far in one night.....