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Jul. 30th, 2009 09:55 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
llywelaI had an invitation on facebook recently. Now, I hardly use facebook at all – usually only ever remember I've even got the thing if someone messages me through it. But I had this invitation, and it was to join a memorial group marking the 10th anniversary of my cousin Paul's death. That anniversary was last month, a beautiful summer's day, just as it was a beautiful summer's day when he died 10 years ago. He was cycling to his girlfriend's house and was hit by a car, killed instantly. So this memorial group has been set up on facebook, which was a really sweet idea. It's full of photos and messages from Paul's friends, who have never forgotten him. But every time I look at the group, it just makes me want to cry. I don't think he ever would have dreamed how much everyone loved him and how badly he would be missed, even after all this time. He was 26 years old - his whole life in front of him. I can't believe it's been 10 years already.
On a brighter note, the Beeb's new comedy drama series Hope Springs ended this week, and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. It was farcical, sure, but intentionally so, and the characters were just so much fun that the more ludicrous plot elements totally didn't matter. I was just rooting and rooting for them all, longing for slimy Euan to get his comeuppance in the end. I loved watching the girls forming such reluctant attachments to the village and villagers, always torn between protecting themselves and doing the right thing.
So, a happy ending in the end? It was, in many ways. Euan was finally unveiled as a murdering bastard and the girls finally made their getaway and secured their fortune. But in other ways it was a really bittersweet ending. Poor little Shoo had to leave her beloved Dean behind, and I so wanted them to be together – they were so sweet! Hannah had to leave Gil behind before they got to find out if they really had something or not – and Gil gave up his whole career for the girls! Sadie had to leave both her newborn grandson and her daughter, just when she and Anne Marie might have stood a chance at rebuilding their relationship. But it was fitting that it wasn't a completely happy ending, because how could it be? The girls were on the run from the law, and although they might have mostly inadvertently done a lot of good – they certainly left their mark – after all the lying and cheating and stealing they couldn't have it all their own way. Freedom comes at a price.
It's Dean and Gil I feel sorry for, in the end!
No clue if another season will be made – it was a pretty well-rounded ending, but I'm sure they could find a premise for another run if they wanted to. If not, the season stands alone completely as a totally enjoyable little one-shot series that was tremendous fun while it lasted.
Also on the Beeb – but BBC2 rather than BBC1 – I'm really enjoying another new series, Desperate Romantics. Only two episodes so far, but it's great fun. So far, Aidan Turner's Dante Gabriel Rossetti is turning out to be my favourite character. He's the most rounded of the bunch: the consummate charmer (and he knows it), passionate and charismatic - yet also insecure in many ways; for all his bluster and grand ideas, his art doesn't come as easily to him as it seems to the others. He has to work at it - agonises over it. He believes so very sincerely in what he is doing. Plus, he's got the most adorable smile! And I love how sweet he is with Lizzie.
As a show, it's light-hearted and fun, so it'll be interesting to see how they play some of the antics of the Pre-Raphaelites Brotherhood, just how deeply they delve. They admit up front that they aren't trying to tell a true story, but rather are following in the imaginative spirit of the Pre-Raphaelites themselves by taking the gist of their story and allowing their creativity to run with it. So, I look forward to seeing how the story develops!
On a brighter note, the Beeb's new comedy drama series Hope Springs ended this week, and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. It was farcical, sure, but intentionally so, and the characters were just so much fun that the more ludicrous plot elements totally didn't matter. I was just rooting and rooting for them all, longing for slimy Euan to get his comeuppance in the end. I loved watching the girls forming such reluctant attachments to the village and villagers, always torn between protecting themselves and doing the right thing.
So, a happy ending in the end? It was, in many ways. Euan was finally unveiled as a murdering bastard and the girls finally made their getaway and secured their fortune. But in other ways it was a really bittersweet ending. Poor little Shoo had to leave her beloved Dean behind, and I so wanted them to be together – they were so sweet! Hannah had to leave Gil behind before they got to find out if they really had something or not – and Gil gave up his whole career for the girls! Sadie had to leave both her newborn grandson and her daughter, just when she and Anne Marie might have stood a chance at rebuilding their relationship. But it was fitting that it wasn't a completely happy ending, because how could it be? The girls were on the run from the law, and although they might have mostly inadvertently done a lot of good – they certainly left their mark – after all the lying and cheating and stealing they couldn't have it all their own way. Freedom comes at a price.
It's Dean and Gil I feel sorry for, in the end!
No clue if another season will be made – it was a pretty well-rounded ending, but I'm sure they could find a premise for another run if they wanted to. If not, the season stands alone completely as a totally enjoyable little one-shot series that was tremendous fun while it lasted.
Also on the Beeb – but BBC2 rather than BBC1 – I'm really enjoying another new series, Desperate Romantics. Only two episodes so far, but it's great fun. So far, Aidan Turner's Dante Gabriel Rossetti is turning out to be my favourite character. He's the most rounded of the bunch: the consummate charmer (and he knows it), passionate and charismatic - yet also insecure in many ways; for all his bluster and grand ideas, his art doesn't come as easily to him as it seems to the others. He has to work at it - agonises over it. He believes so very sincerely in what he is doing. Plus, he's got the most adorable smile! And I love how sweet he is with Lizzie.
As a show, it's light-hearted and fun, so it'll be interesting to see how they play some of the antics of the Pre-Raphaelites Brotherhood, just how deeply they delve. They admit up front that they aren't trying to tell a true story, but rather are following in the imaginative spirit of the Pre-Raphaelites themselves by taking the gist of their story and allowing their creativity to run with it. So, I look forward to seeing how the story develops!
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no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 09:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 12:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 11:32 am (UTC)About your cousinn... yes, it must be very sad, but in a strange way, it must fill your heart of glee to see how much he was and is loved. *hugs*
no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 12:55 pm (UTC)it must fill your heart of glee to see how much he was and is loved
It's true. His funeral was amazing - absolutely packed and standing room only. Yet he would never have described himself as anything special, he was just a regular guy living a regular life, honest and down to earth and loveable. As these tributes 10 years later prove. So yeah, it is lovely to see - and very sweet of that one particular friend to set up the group. But it still saddens me to see it and remember how long he has been gone. His parents and sisters have never been the same since.
no subject
Date: 2009-07-30 11:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-07-31 07:11 pm (UTC)