Category: Entertainment

Sirius on the TV screen

The star Sirius appears over the London skyline as the camera pans upward. The constellation Orion appears, and it becomes clear that the bright star is Sirius – pointed to by Orion’s belt.

Miss Marple, by Agatha Christie

“At Bertram’s Hotel,” Episode 3.1

first aired September 23, 2007 (begins at about minute 43:14)

Streaming from hulu.com

P.S.: The cinematography is above average, especially for a television show.

What Is Reality?

Reprise of The X-Files

“Do you believe what you want? Or do you believe what is true?”

Reprise of The X- Files, “Rm9sbG93ZXJz,” Episode 11.7

first aired Feb 28, 2018 (begins at minute ?)

Streaming from hulu.com

Mom said that television is a time waster. I apologize, Mom, for wasting time with TV programs.

The Raccoon Look

Have you noticed tan lines around the eyes of some men who appear without makeup on television? Our President is one. He must be wearing sunglasses when he’s in sunny climates (or on a tanning bed?)

The white circles especially distract me now that broadcasts are digitally clear, and some now are even high definition.

So men who appear in the public eye (no pun intended):

Don’t wear aviator sun glasses unless you’re an aviator. I have clip-on sun shades. Does this work for you?

Or, don’t go out in the sun. Remember —

“Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.”

Apologies to post-colonial Brits.

“There are no victims . . .

. . . only volunteers.” *

So reads the script of the television series Chance.

— Character D in the TV series Chance
Season 1, Episode 2, “The Axiom of Choice” at about 4:38

“Once is a mistake. Twice is a decision.”

— Character: Therapist Suzanne Silver in the TV series Chance
Season 1, Episode 1, “The Summer of Love” at about 41:00

“Be the still point in the turning world.”

— Character D in the TV series Chance
Season 1, Episode 5, “A Still Point in the Turning World” at about 5:50

__________________

* Produced by Fox21 Television Studios & distributed by hulu.com — 2016

What Is Reality?

Reprise of The X-Files

“Can we talk about the nature of reality?” Agent Fox Mulder asks. “Do you believe that thoughts have mass? That ideas such as faith and forgiveness have weight much the same way [that] this desk (knocks on desk) has weight, or any material, really? … [These are] legitimate question[s].”

Reprise of The X- Files, “Babylon,” Episode 10.5

first aired Feb 15, 2016 (begins at minute 11)

Streaming from hulu.com

Mulder’s young fellow agent, a rational materialist, answers that when she stands on a scale and thinks about ice cream, she doesn’t gain weight.

Mulder then asks about whether words have weight – “the weight to move people to go kill other people.” She answers, “Words themselves are not lethal …” [Only] “people kill people.” But “words can incite people to kill people.”

Note: Let’s not confuse the physical sciences with the social sciences and with metaphysics. Words, thoughts, faith, and forgiveness are weighty in the sense that they have importance. Notice how we borrow a word, weighty, from the physical world to describe something that comes from our minds and hearts. Similarly, “to move people.”

A dialogue line that could have been

In Plain Sight – TV Series (2008–2012)

In an early episode – perhaps even in the pilot – U.S. Marshall Mary Shannon wants to relax next to her pool. She has tried to leave behind her boorish, hick background, but her mooching mother and sister have run away from a jammed-up situation to stay with her “awhile.”

Mary tries to be the adult in a relationship with a mother who has never grown up. Mary’s negotiating with Jinx (her mother) develops into a noisy squabble.

Jinx realizes that neighbors might hear their raised voices, and their poor behavior may reflect badly on them.

“Shhh.” Jinx tries to lower the noise level – which is really her own noise level.

“People will think that we’re trailer trash,” Jinx squawks.

Mary’s rejoinder is lame. The writers were having a bad day. (I have forgotten what the response was.)

Mary’s telling response could have been, “But Mom, we are trailer trash.”