Tag: Television

Goodbye SWAT

I think I’m officially giving up on SWAT.

One of the things I told myself this year was that I was going to finish everything I started. Books, movies, TV shows
 if I started it, I was going to see it through to the end.

Well, apparently, that rule has an exception.

I came for Hondo. I stayed for Bishop. Somewhere along the way, I ended up really liking Street. And now that Street is no more, I think that has made it even worse for me.

I don’t think I’m going to continue watching SWAT.

And I’m sorry, Bishop. I really am. I could have stayed for you. I tried. But somewhere along the way, I stopped getting it. The excitement is gone, and watching another episode has started to feel more like an obligation than something I actually want to do.

I even found myself stopping SWAT, going to other shows, and then coming back to it. From the time I started watching it till now, it has been too many months. I can’t be on one show for this long. At some point, I need to finish a show and move on to the next one.

And honestly, life is too short to force myself through a TV show.

I think what makes it worse is that when I compare it to The Rookie, I never had this feeling. Even when characters came and went, I still wanted to know what was happening. I still looked forward to the next episode. With SWAT, I’m now at the point where I’m asking myself why I’m still here.

So, SWAT, thank you for the memories. I’m letting you go.

Bishop, I’m sorry. I could have stayed for you.

But I just don’t get it anymore.

I think I’m going to go back to The Rookie instead. I hear Season 8 is out, so maybe that’s where I should be putting my energy right now.

Some shows you finish because you started them.

Others
 you just have to accept that the relationship has run its course.

This Feels Wrong

I’ve been watching Ransom Canyon Season 2, and I have to admit, I’m struggling to understand something.

When the previews hinted that Lauren and Kit were going to become a thing, I went on TikTok to see what people were saying, and to my surprise, so many people were excited.

They were cheering. They couldn’t wait for it to happen…. And I’m here wondering… Why?

Maybe I watch stories differently, but I don’t see this as a victory.

At the point I’m watching now, Lucas has just seen Lauren and Kit kiss.

His own brother.

That moment broke his relationship with Lauren, and now Lauren is in tears.

I’m not celebrating. I’m grieving the damage.

What surprises me even more is that so many people seem to be rooting for the relationship simply because Lauren and Kit have chemistry.

But is chemistry enough?

One thing I noticed long before the kiss was how much Lauren and Kit seemed to dislike each other. Their arguments were intense. The tension between them was always there. While many viewers probably saw that as romantic tension, I saw something different.

I kept thinking, “These two hate each other a little too much.” I’m familiar with the Enemies to Lovers trope I’m romance and I kept feeling as if all that emotion would find an outlet, and unfortunately, it came out in a way that hurt someone else.

Maybe that’s what the writers intended. Maybe they wanted us to believe that strong emotions can blur the line between love and hate. But for me, that doesn’t make the outcome something to celebrate.

Perhaps this says more about me than it does about the show. When I watch a story, I’m not only looking at who ends up together. I’m thinking about loyalty, trust, and the people left picking up the pieces.

I can’t ignore Lucas standing there, watching his girlfriend kiss his brother.

That image stays with me more than the romance.

I’ve realized that social media and I often experience stories differently. A scene that sends thousands of fans into excitement can leave me feeling deeply uncomfortable.

And I’m okay with that.

Not every relationship with chemistry deserves applause.

Sometimes chemistry creates beautiful love stories. Other times, it creates heartbreak.

Right now, all I can see is the heartbreak.

Maybe as I continue watching Ransom Canyon, my perspective will change.

But at this point in the story…

I simply don’t understand why everyone is celebrating.

Well, like I always say… Different strokes… Right?

Ransom Canyon is basically one of those small-town dramas where everybody knows everybody, but everyone is carrying one secret or another. You’ve got family drama, romance, heartbreak, rivalry, grief, and plenty of “Why would you do that?” moments. It’s set around ranch life in Texas, but it’s really more about the complicated relationships between the people than the cowboys and horses. If you like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias or even Yellowstone, you’ll probably enjoy it. It’s available on Netflix.

Lady Mary

If you are a Downton Abbey fan like me then you must have been pretty excited to finally get to see ‘The Grand Finale’. It premiered on the 12th of September.

We see Lord Grantham make a difficult decision; handing over the leadership of Downton Abbey to Lady Mary.

The two hour movie takes us through a lot of dramatic events and changes for the entire family. Somehow, everyone seems to be around in the for this final chapter,…except The Dowager Countess of Grantham of course.

I really missed the Dowager’s character. This was played by Maggie Smith. She passed away on the 27th day of September 2024. The movie was actually dedicated to her ‘loving memory’.

For a farewell, it was very well put together.

But is this really the Finale? A part of me hopes for more.

What becomes of Lady Mary? Will she be happy? Will she be lonely? Will the company of her two children be enough for her? Will she find love again? Or will she be too busy running the estate?

Whatever happens, I hope she excells at the new responsibility of Mistress of Downton Abbey.

Olitz

So wrong for each other, but so right together.

The most toxic relationship I have witnessed on television. I shouldn’t love it, but I do.

I wish I could watch it again for the first time. The emotions…my emotions, were all over the place.

Empathy…compassion…passion…sadness…anger…

Shonda  Rhimes sat back and watched us, “good people” root for infidelity…without remorse….season after season.

The show was good.

The pair was great.

Olivia

Fitzgerald

Olitz

Keri Washington and Tony Goldwyn as Olivia and Fitzgerald in Scandal

I wish

Pam told me…

She said she wished I was there.

Epic moment…

Michael…trying to make things right…

But of course…making a big mess.

But I was so far away… In Stamford.

Running… As far as I could, from Pam.

And I missed it.

The day Michael kissed Oscar.

I wish I was there…

I would have made the best face.

Better than the one Ryan had on.

My Jim thoughts from The Office…Season 3, Episode 1; Gay Witch Hunt

Why I love The Queen Charlotte Story

I learned a new trick some time ago fron a movie where a girl was asked to write a paper on the story ‘The Frog Prince‘ but from the frog’s perspective.

Ever since then, I unconsciously find myself doing so about many situations; I tend to make out what the other party’s version of a story could be…

I found that I had been curious about Lady Violet Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte from the Bridgerton series . So I was really thrilled to see a diversion from everyone’s expectations…Every viewer has been waiting for the third season. This was meant to focus on Benedict Bridgerton.

The first thing I love about this spin off is how it gives me a chance to see how Charlotte and also Lady Danbury were also human. I no longer see them as insensitive match making old women. 😁

Another thing I love is having to see more of Lady Violet. Her face makes me smile. She’s so sweet and calm. She reminds me of someone; Ogonye.

Finally, I love that I had to pause and do an actual study on the lives of the real Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and George III (George William Frederick). It gave me an opportunity to learn a bit of history. I get excited when I learn something new.

Source: wikimedia commons

There are a few things I do not like about the story… I’ll share that some other time

The Social Dilemma

My son’s teacher got married this afternoon and I had done a lot of peopling earlier from the wedding; a few of my son’s classmates and their parents were present as well. Peopling for me meant I was going to have to do quiet time before I sleep.

I had a few chores waiting at home and when I was finished with the chores, it was time for my alone time and I was looking for a movie and boom… I clicked on The Social Dilemma

The 2020 Netflix Documentary was exactly what I needed on this Saturday evening when I wasn’t too sure about what genre I wanted to view.

The information there was so scary. It was worth every minute.

The documentary relays how social media has affected and controlled us humans, using us as tools and promoting addiction with the sole aim of making profit.

According to Wikipedia, “The documentary examines how social media’s design nurtures addiction to maximize profit, and its ability to manipulate people’s views, emotions, and behavior and spread conspiracy theories and disinformation. The film also examines social media’s effect on mental health, in particular, the mental health of adolescents and rising teen suicide rates“.

One line I have been ruminating on is the one where Tristan Harris says; “You have to ask yourself, Is this normal? Or have we all fallen under some kind of spell?”

Tristan Harris is a the former Design Ethicist at Google. Harris is a tech guy with a lot of conscience and moral values and just like him, I think we are under a spell. The people behind every social media platform build it in a way to keep you glued to your screen. The longer you stay there, the more they make.

I think social media is important in a few ways but I believe I need to have a life that does not depend on social media entirely. It is totally doable.

A few quotes that stayed with me:

“If you’re not paying for the product, then you are the product” — Daniel Hövermann

” There are only two industries that call their customers “users”: illegal drugs and software.” — Edward Tufte

Want to cut back on social media a bit? First of all, you should watch this documentary and secondly, read my recommendations on Social Media Fasting

Cliffhangers

Tully and Kate

One thing I don’t appreciate about Television series is being left on the edge. The months or even the year I get to wait to see what happens in the next season is real torture.

For this reason I decided to put off a few popular series from my watch list until the series finale and then I binged.

I should have just done the same thing with the Netflix series ‘Firefly Lane’…but I guess Katherine Heigl was too tempting for me to avoid.

It wasn’t until I finished the ninth episode of the second season on a cliffhanger that I realised they were far from done.

Apparently there are seven more episodes of season two that are yet to be released. From what I hear, I don’t have to wait too long, release date for the final episodes of the series is set for 27th April, 2023.

Firefly lane leaves me hurting for Kate. A hurt she caused for us all because she wouldn’t stop being bitter and unforgiving. As she lay on the floor crying, my heart broke and I really wanted to give her a hug.

It’s been 4 days and my heart still aches from the pain.

I can’t tell the story, I don’t want to ruin it for those who have not and may want to see it…but I will say this; call that friend, sister, brother, father, cousin or mother… forgive…let go of that grudge.

The Nicks

Recently, I randomly stumbled upon a netflix series that premiered sometime in August 2022. I had been looking for a pick me up. Somehow, some where between the end of November and way into December I found myself in some kind of a Television rutt.

For someone who does atleaat one hour of television per day, I realised that I hadn’t done much of it in four weeks.

The series I found seemed just right, slow tempo and not too dramatic to usher me back into screen viewing.

The moment it started, I knew it was going to be a bad ending for nick.

Nick was a guy who loved and stood by Ingrid and supported her through everything but Ingrid always kept a burning torch for Murphy; some guy she had a one time thing with six years ago… and Murphy suddenly starts working at the same place as Ingrid.

Nick is handsome, kind, loving, considerate and very rich. He gets to find out about Ingrid and Murphy in the worst way.

I feel so sorry for Nick and I wonder why even off screen, we find the Nicks who always seem to get hurt by the Ingrids who have their eyes set on the Murphys.