“God made the vittles, but the devil made the cook,” was a popular saying used by seafaring men in the last century when salted beef was staple diet aboard ship.
This tough, cured beef, suitable only for long voyages when nothing else was as cheap or would keep as well, required prolonged chewing to make it edible. Since men often chewed one chunk for hours, just as if it were chewing gum, they referred to this practice as chewing the fat.
Today this term is used to describe a conversation, and I wanted to share a review today of a new television series, which (Warning) does show very graphic violence — however, there is a reason for the violence that is ‘fleshed out’ in the series. Thus, while it is graphic, it is not necessary senseless.
The Bastard Executioner (Series Review)
There have only been two episodes of this new series on FX (technically three because the pilot was officially two episodes), however I will offer a few thoughts on the latest work by Kurt Sutter, who created of the popular television series, Sons of Anarchy. (website)
In short, I like it. The series is very violent and very graphic as it follows the development of the ‘savior of the Welch people,’ who are living in what was called the Welsh Marches at the time. From the days of William the Conqueror until the early 1300’s, the area had been fraught with rebellion and the English barons who controlled the territory were required by necessity of control to exercise harsh measures. The Welsh were naturally not happy about that.
The plot involves the somewhat mystical destiny of Wilkin Brattle (Lee Jones), a knight in the service of Edward I, who ends up living the humble life of a farmer on the Welsh Coast after he and his men were intentionally led into an ambush. He is guided by Annora of the Alders (Katy Sagal), a witch, who acts as a spiritual advisor. Wilkin is guided to assume the identity of Maddox, a traveling/journeyman executioner and punisher as part of God’s plan.
There are hints that Wilkin’s mother and father may be Annora and her badly burned traveling companion, but that has yet to be explored, possibly in future episodes.
The arms and armor in the television series are exceptionally well done as is the period representation of the sets. I’m accustomed to seeing these things done “half-assed” but credit goes to Sutter for research and effort to get it right and to have his characters act the way people would have acted in 1300, without the political correctness of 2015.
Having already had this recommended to me by your good self, I have already downloaded the first two episodes ready for my Saturday evening entertainment. I'm sure I'm going to like it from what I know and have seen so far. I shall dutifully, report back.
Your impressions are naturally, very important.
The Welsh can be very difficult. I know this from experience.
I'll add it to the list. 🙂
The English (sassanacks) are the bad guys. The Welsh, don't think that of themselves.
I hate revisionist history either written or in films.
Jules (above) is English, which makes me wonder what her take will be on her rampaging ancestors…
The English are always the bad guys 😉
Thank you.
Even in Disney films…the bad guys have English accents.
The English are pretty bad, but I do remember "Corporal Bat" who was Welsh, (RRW) even though he took a baseball bat, which is American, to the parade square! Thwack.
Maybe better a bat – than a sword, mace or morning star (chain flail)…
OK. I did a three episode marathon. Loved it. Very graphic but necessary and yes, the English Barons were bastards, I mean they even persecuted their own people. Greed and power. However, a lot of them were French derivatives, you know. I blame them. I think the tone, the set and costume are all really well done and I'm hooked.
Favourite characters are: The Bastard Executioner, of course, The Chamberlain (much better in this than he was a sVampire Bill) and the Baroness who I think will be having liaisons with the punisher himself.
I'm happy that you enjoyed the season so far. It has a lot of potential. Tonight the Baroness travels to London to meet Edward II. The Chamberlain remains behind to run the place.
I look forward to further discussions!
Now we know that the Baroness needs to either have an heir or Edward's Court will lop off her head. The natural joining will be with Wilkin (The Executioner). The ambitious chamberlain is unlikely to find that comforting. Will the Wolf come to her aid if the other Baron decides to storm her keep?
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Mùa thu ở Hội An không rõ rệt như Hà Nội nhưng nắng là thứ khiến phố Hội trở nên khác biệt so với mùa hè. Không còn quá đông khách du lịch với khung cảnh đoàn người nhễ nhại mồ hôi, chiều thu Hội An mang vẻ thanh bình hơn.
Chùa Cầu nổi tiếng vốn đông đúc khách du lịch nhưng khi mùa thu sang, nhiều lúc khung cảnh lại vắng lặng.
Du khách có thể dễ dàng chọn ghế ngồi bên ô cửa sổ trong một quán cà phê phố cổ để ngắm mái ngói xô nghiêng hay mây trôi lững lờ cả buổi chiều, mà không lo ồn ào.
Địa điểm “sống ảo” nổi tiếng ở Hội An được trả lại vẻ yên ả với view hướng về những mái ngói hàng trăm năm tuổi phủ đầy rêu phong.
Hội An mới đây được CNN bình chọn là một trong 13 thành phố đẹp nhất châu Á. Chiều thu là thời điểm đẹp nhất để ngắm nhìn và lưu những ký ức về vùng đất xưa cũ nơi phố Hội.
Đi ngang qua một ngôi nhà cổ và đứng hưởng cơn gió hiu hiu, du khách dễ bị thu hút với những vệt nắng chiếu vào từng bức tường vôi, khiến mỗi công trình kiến trúc như mang một màu vàng lấp lánh.
Tìm hiểu nhiều thông tin về phố cổ Hội An tại: hoiantrip.org
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