Have You Met Ruth?

Ruth Reichl’s book came out two weeks ago. I devoured it in hours (staggered across two days). My verdict? I want more. More of her beautiful hippie soul, more of her generous heart, more of her honest and poetic words, more of the lovely people that inhabited her world but alas…a book can only contain so much. 

On the surface, Save Me the Plums (feel free to look up the provenance of this title, I’m sure it has its origins in some poem that is obscure to people who know nothing about literature, like me), is the latest memoir from noted food writer Ruth Reichl. This book covers the ten years of her reign as the Editor-in-Chief of the grande dame food magazine Gourmet. If you haven’t heard of it, then you need to ask yourself: have you read a magazine lately? Was I too mean? Snark aside, Gourmet was declared dead in 2009, while under Reichl’s leadership, mostly due to the recession. The books chronicles how Reichl rejuvenated the dusty food magazine and dragged it into the 21st century with the help of quite a few talented and dedicated people. 

One of the issues shepherded by Reichl.
(credit: Bloomberg)

Save Me the Plums is an enlightening read for those interested in publishing world. Although Reichl had worked in newspapers before, her knowledge of the magazine industry was nonexistent. Readers got to learn with her along the way. In her case, though, it was the world of Conde Nast, the most exclusive and-dare I say-the richest publishers out there. Home to Vogue and Vanity Fair, the company had money to throw at the best writers, the most creative artists and well-known editors. Yes, there was excess, a lot of it. Think company cars, first-class flights and hotel suites at 5-star luxury hotels in Paris. But there was also a lot of hard work and sleepless nights as Reichl grappled with leadership issues and-oh, how she hated it-money troubles. 

Then, underneath the stories, lies the soul of the writer. Reichl is my favourite food writer not only because she was different (she reviewed Korean restaurants for New York Times in 1993!) and is an excellent writer (she transports readers to her memory), but she’s also a wonderful person. Any success she had in Gourmet she credited to her team. While she had access to luxury, she never enjoyed it and was happier without it. She loved her family so much that she mentioned her guilt while being away from them-and I believed her. 

So, is the book perfect? Well, it is to me, but I should try to be at least a little bit objective, so here goes. Keeping track of all the names can be daunting. I found myself wondering if Reichl was talking about the publisher or the PR exec in more than one part of the book. Perhaps, like Reichl, I only pay attention to “talent” AKA the creative people. Then again, I can’t remember them either. What else? I guess she can be too technical when talking about some parts of the magazine, but then she has to be, so take that how you want. And, like I said before, I wished the book were longer.

Conde Nast Building, 4 Times Square
(credit: New York Architecture)

Above all, Save Me the Plums is an excellent snapshot of the era. It was the early 2000s, before the recession and Instagram, when food writing was mostly recipes and food blogging. The kind of changes Reichl was doing in Gourmet, both in art and features departments, was groundbreaking back then. I didn’t get a chance to read Gourmet but I subscribe to Bon Appetit and read Delicious Australia religiously and some of the things Reichl was doing I can see in these magazines I read. Reichl and her writing, to me, represent the ultimate pinnacle of what food writing should be. There are probably millions of videos of people travelling and reviewing food and restaurants out there (and my brother has probably seen half of them, urgh) but I still prefer reading a professional review. Sure, there are excellent food documentaries out there (Chef’s Table  and Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat come to mind) but really, Garlic and Sapphires showed me what a food writer is truly like.

Ah, Ruth, we don’t deserve you…
(Credit: HBR)

And you wonder why my food blog (if you can call it that) is practically dead. I’m stuck in the past, like an extinct species. 

At Last

Dear Universe (because I’ve never been a believer in any particular deities),

Thank you for giving me an opportunity to see the Wonder Woman film. For a long time, I did not think it was ever going to get made. After the false starts (Joss Whedon’s adaptation never saw the light of day), the terrible attempt at a TV adaptation, the general sexism (even from its own studio) and political BS running rampant, I was incredibly relieved (and super excited) to be sitting down in a packed theater and not leaving disappointed.

Thank you for not letting the beautiful legacy of Wonder Woman go to waste. I must admit: I’ve only started taking interest in Wonder Woman since Gal Gadot appeared in Batman vs. Superman. I was born too late to catch the 1970s TV show and the costume has always struck me as…well, lame. But then, after seeing how cool and awesome the character can be, the film adaptation soon became my most anticipated film of the year (yes, even more than Star Wars Episode VIII). A few documentary programs, a bunch of articles, and a biography on the creator’s life –to be turned into a biopic soon–later, I was impressed with the origins of the character and outraged at how the character has been treated over the years. Lucky for us, this film adaptation more than redeemed Wonder Woman’s reputation. Long live Diana!

Director Patty Jenkins and actress Gal Gadot on the battlefield set

Thank you for letting Patty Jenkins steer this film right. Left in the hands of a less able director (say, I don’t know, a man), the movie might have become a mess, with a nonsense plot, burly men being bros and scantily clad women in the background. Instead, Patty Jenkins assembled one heck of a crew to bring her vision to life. The Amazons’ costumes, for example, looked fantastic and practical at the same time. The dialogue was smart and funny. Even the World War I setting (instead of WW2, like in the comic book) made perfect sense to the story. It was the bloodiest war known to men at that time and men were dying in the least humane way possible, providing Wonder Woman with the worst representation of the world outside the safe cocoon of Themyscira where she had been raised by the Amazons.

The story also has a lot more humanity. Instead of relying on bombastic displays of violence and gore, this film is more about the pursuit of peace. And I haven’t even talked about the action sequences. They were beautifully choreographed. I mean, that last bit between Wonder Woman and Ares was too much but eh, it is after all a superhero movie. Watching these fantastic fights made me believe that not only Wonder Woman could kick anyone’s ass (including Superman and especially Batman) but also that actress Gal Gadot had trained very hard for this role. Above all, though, thank you again for Patty Jenkins. And she almost didn’t get to direct this film. The horror!

General Antiope (Robin Wright) leading the Amazons into battle

Thank you for assembling such an awesome cast. I mean, Robin Wright as an Amazon General? Best idea ever. After seeing her in House of Cards, it’s not a stretch at all to have her lead her an army against Germans. Sure, Cate Blanchett would have been perfect as Queen Hippolyta (rumors only), Diana’s mother, but Connie Nielsen brought her unique blend of tenderness and strength to the role. As for the other Amazons? Real-life tough women cast from all over the world, who can do amazing things for real, including shooting arrows upside down from the back of a moving horse. For the role of Steve Trevor, the love interest and Diana’s guide to the outside world, Chris Pine was chosen. He is dashing enough, charming enough for us to believe that Wonder Woman would fall for him, yet at the same time secure enough to play a supporting role to a woman. Plus, he can sing…I mean, what was I writing about? Ah yes, the great cast. Suffice it to say that Steve Trevor assembled one heck of a fun motley crew to take her across the battlefield.

The black-and-white photo first seen in Batman vs. Superman

Thank you for Gal Gadot. She is such a perfect actress for this role that I can’t imagine anyone else playing it. For starters, she is such a magnificent physical specimen (that skin and that stature!). Then, there is her work ethic. She was filming re-shoots while five months pregnant and she never complained while shooting in a cold and muddy battlefield wearing the Wonder Woman costume (which does NOT come with tights, people). It’s the work ethic that got her through hours of physical training every day for months (she started on Batman vs. Superman) and weapons training, too (which all the Amazons also did). There’s also her amazing personality: poised but warm, professional but friendly, funny and classy (check out this interview with Jimmy Fallon).  It has certainly helped her nail Diana’s naivete when the Amazon princess first set foot in the outside world.

How am I supposed to fight in this?

Her reaction at what passed for women’s fashion in 1910s was amusing yet at the same time logical, considering where she came from. Really, her acting was the only thing that stopped audience from laughing at the sight of Wonder Woman strutting on the battlefield in that costume. Somehow, Gal Gadot made us believe in Wonder Woman in spite of everything pop culture has done to ruin this character.

 

Who needs guns?

Finally, thank you for letting this film reach such a wide audience. Based on reviews, box-office results and social media posts, the film is a hit by all accounts. And this is marvelous considering how DC movies have relatively sucked compared to Marvel’s. If Wonder Woman can single-handedly save the future of the Justice League films (which has taken another blow, sadly), maybe it can also help change the tone of DC movies, which has traditionally been a little bit too dark and serious. Also, I am soooo looking forward to more Wonder Woman movies. Ahem…what was my other point? Ah, yes.

There’s never been a better time for the resurgence of Wonder Woman as a female hero. Maybe the success of this film can finally convince Hollywood studios that there is a market for movies with female heroes or movies directed by female directors. Maybe (fingers crossed), instead of falling asleep watching another Tom Cruise movie next summer (you guys, The Mummy is awful), I can look forward to a good action movie with a woman as the main character. More importantly, it is fantastic that little girls have a strong female character to look up to, instead of another Disney princess or a reality-show personality.

So, once again, universe, I thank you for this film. Wonder Woman made my year.

 

Once More with Feeling

Source: Variety

It’s been an interesting few months in the news. The never-ending nightmare of Trump’s campaign and presidency, Indonesia’s own gubernatorial election drama, and plenty more corruption scandals, have been exhausting. In times like these, we should remind ourselves that things could still get better. “How?” you may ask. Well, not by watching political TV dramas such as Scandal or House of Cards, they would only depress you (yet somehow remind you that Trump is still a bigger megalomaniac than the fictional presidents on these shows). You could, of course, return to the warm embrace of The West Wing with its shining example of idealism and hope that politics can be a good thing. I’ve been tempted to do this, but since I now regularly tune in to the podcast The West Wing Weekly, I have not succumbed. Instead, I thank the television gods that The Good Fight is here.

A little background on The Good Fight. It’s created by Robert and Michelle King who also created The Good Wife and one short season of sci-fi/political satire (no, I did not make this combination up) BrainDead. This new show is a continuation of The Good Wife minus the main character, previously played by Julianna Margulies. It follows the same premise with TGW (I can’t keep typing the whole title, right?): women who fall from grace. Whereas TGW had been inspired by the wives whose politician husbands were exposed as philanderers, The Good Fight chose a Madoff-like Ponzi scheme to trigger the story. It also airs exclusively on CBS All-Access, a streaming service of the network and consequently has a more mature rating than its network predecessor. Don’t expect Game of Thrones, though. It is still CBS, after all. Check out the trailer below (from Entertainment Trailers)

And how is The Good Fight? It is amazing. Having endured the uneven final season of TGW (I loathe that Jason Crouse character. He’s better off killing people in The Walking Dead), I am so relieved that the writers are back on form with this new show.

The Good Fight has three main characters: The first and most familiar to TGW viewers is Diane Lockhart (the formidable and fashionable Christine Baranski), former boss and mentor to Alicia Florrick, who was about to retire when she lost all her money in a Ponzi scheme. Faced with no other options, she found work in an all-black law firm. The second is Lucca Quinn (British actress Cush Jumbo), former partner of Alicia Florrick, who is now part of the law firm that Diane just joined. Finally, we have Maia Rindell (Scottish actress Rose Leslie, of Game of Thrones fame), a fresh-faced lawyer whose father happens to run the Ponzi scheme that Diane invested in. Oh, and she also happens to be Diane’s goddaughter and, naturally, also joined the same law firm. Together, they tackle difficult cases (still ripped from the headlines) and navigate through various personal problems, ranging from financial and marital (Diane) to criminal and emotional (Maia). Lucca doesn’t seem to have serious problems yet but she certainly is an exciting character, kind of like Kalinda, when she was still fun on TGW.

The cast of The Good Fight (Source: CBS.com)

In all the right ways, The Good Fight has the same strengths that TGW had at its best. The writing is intelligent and funny (no, seriously). The supporting characters are fully fleshed out (viewers will recognize plenty of them). The cases are fascinating and don’t get me started on the music…still so amazing.

Ygritte (source: wikia.com)

Some things are different, though, mostly for the better. Due to real-life political developments (the writers wrote the pilot episode predicting Hillary Clinton would win the presidential election), The Good Fight can take the story to new heights without having to dream up scenarios. All they have to do is see what the Trump administration does next. The actresses are certainly given more opportunity to shine. Diane Lockhart, someone who we’ve never seen falter, went through several emotional highs and lows in the span of only one episode (triumph to disbelief to anger to devastated). It baffles me that Christine Baranski has never won an Emmy for this character. Cush Jumbo, the best thing to come out of the otherwise disappointing final season of TGW, is given more to work with on this show. As for Rose Leslie…kudos on her mastering her American accent (I miss the Scottish burr, though) but so far, her character seems to be portrayed as the victim. She fights back, of course, but not with the fire of her character from GoT (Ygritte). Maybe the timidity will wear off? Or maybe that is the way her character works? I hope Maia brings the thunder soon, though. Oh, one more actress, Sarah Steele is an absolute scene-stealer, as she’s always been. Daughter of political strategist Eli Gold, the shrewd girl is now Diane’s assistant, putting her various skills to good use, if not exactly legal or moral. As for other characters, I can’t be happier if more familiar faces from TGW pop up. Except for Matthew Perry’s incredibly slimy, lying SOB Mike Kresteva. I could put up with wily Louis Canning (Michael J. Fox) but Kresteva is just the worst. Here’s hoping Carrie Preston’s quirky Elsbeth Tascioni guest-stars as often as humanly possible.

Oh, Elsbeth, I miss you

So, since The Good Fight is technically a cable show, is it more “edgy”? Yes and no. It is taking on a more cynical tone than TGW. Things are just a little bit more bleak and people are just less decent. Cases are hard-fought and don’t really end well for their clients. Yet, it doesn’t have that slow, depressing, brooding tone of other cable shows. Now, I’ve never taken to the really dark cable shows, no matter how good they supposedly are (Breaking Bad) because I can’t stand the universe they’re set in. The Good Fight still looks like a network show, which I can put up and fall in love with.

Lucca with new crush/nemesis, played by Justin Bartha (source: CBS)

Will non-viewers of TGW enjoy The Good Fight? I should think so. Yet, just like with Episode VII of Star Wars, you can’t fully appreciate it until you’ve seen the previous stories. If anything, I hope new viewers might find the show compelling enough to want to go back and watch The Good Wife. I can’t believe how few are aware of the greatness of that show. Perhaps the writers can finally get critical recognition now that their work is not restricted by network standards and practices.

So, what happened to Alicia Florrick, you think?

Oh, Alicia…(source: Daily Beast)

Magical Trip to La La Land

If only La La Land had premiered in Indonesia a few weeks earlier, instead of in January. Then I would’ve been able to honestly say that it was the best film of 2016. Or really, the best, most hopeful thing in an otherwise shitty year, what with the celebrity deaths and an increasingly terrifying climate in global politics, including in Indonesia. I had to keep myself from reading all the reviews of La La Land for fear of spoilers and prejudice, only to see the film parodied by Jimmy Fallon in the Golden Globe Awards (thanks Jimmy! Now bring back Tina Fey and Amy Poehler for the next one). By that point, I really wanted to see the film. And I’m happy to say I was not disappointed.

A bit of disclaimer before the review: I will be somewhat biased. I’m a huge fan of musicals, both films and theater (not that I’ve seen many musicals live, ha ha) including the classic ones, which were introduced to me by my mother and her love for The Sound of Music. Next to Emily Blunt, Emma Stone is my current favorite actress, thanks to her sense of humor (her SNL performances are sooo good) and her personality (have you seen this interview?). Also, her Lip Sync Battle performance is the best ever. Oh, and she’s a great actress, that goes without speaking. The personality thing is just a bonus. Ryan Gosling is Canadian so I feel a certain affinity for him. I also have a weakness for performers who can act, sing and dance, AKA triple-threats. Basically, I am predisposed to loving La La Land.

source: Awards Daily

So what is La La Land, exactly? The title is a nickname for the city of Los Angeles but it could also refer to any place that’s not real, a fantasy, really. And that’s the essential plot: two dreamers who fall in love in LA. Mia (Emma Stone) is your typical small-town girl who moves to Hollywood to be an actress. So, naturally, she works as a barista on the Warner Brothers studio lot (across the window from Casablanca, if you can imagine that) when she’s not constantly being let down at auditions. Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) is a jazz pianist who dreams of opening a jazz club but struggles to get by due to his stubborn idealism. Their romance is intense and passionate but will it survive as their respective careers (and life, in general) take their toll?

La La Land, in one word, is magical. Everything about the film is a feast for the eyes and tugs at your heartstrings. For starters, there is a nostalgic feeling about the movie, which I noticed immediately at the opening credits. The word “Cinemascope” was proudly displayed, a format hardly ever used since its heyday in the 50s and 60s. Then, that amazing opening sequence started (you know, the one parodied by Jimmy Fallon). It’s an ambitious scene that evokes the grandiose of classic Hollywood musicals, but at the same time it feels modern and fresh. It’s familiar but refrains from being a copycat. In fact, that is how the rest of the movie goes. La La Land pays its respects to the history of cinema, but manages to present a completely new and original way to tell the story. The timeline is unusual and that ending might trip you up a bit but what a great ride you will have. The musical numbers are so cleverly written and choreographed that they seamlessly blend into the story, instead of encumbering the overall film, perhaps the better to appeal to modern audience. It’s enough to give us hope that the genre is alive and well in the 21st century. In fact, in this modern way, the movie might even make more musical fans out of the younger, ignorant – sorry, i meant uninitiated – audience.

Angels Flight funicular, a beautiful spot in LA (source: Hollywood Reporter)

Let’s talk about the look of the movie. I must start with the costumes, which are spectacular. I know, I know, what do I know about fashion? Still, Emma Stone’s wardrobe is to die for. Then there’s the fantastic production design. I’m not familiar with L.A. real estate but the characters’ living spaces feel very realistic to me, if a little amplified in terms of colors and decorations (Emma Stone’s character has an enormous Grace Kelly wallpaper in her bedroom). The colors pop so vividly throughout the film. And finally, I have to mention the integral role that the city of LA plays. As a New York fan, even I’m beginning to see how one could fall in love with LA, after watching La La Land. The landmarks of the city are shown in their best light and serve as stunning backdrops to the lives of the characters.

Look at that backdrop (source: New York Times)

We move on to the acting. The chemistry between Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling sparks and sizzles intensely on screen. Not a surprise since this is their third pairing together, after Crazy, Stupid, Love and Gangster Squad (the former a great movie, the latter mostly forgettable). Emma Stone is a natural at playing Mia. She knows all too well what it feels like to be frustrated at audition after audition, having moved to Hollywood at the age of 15. Emma imbues Mia with her own blend of humor and positive attitude. At the same time, she brings a fragility that lies at the heart of every insecure performer. Those wide eyes have never performed better. To match her performance, Ryan Gosling stepped up his game. Sure, he’s still mostly this cool guy who doesn’t talk much or “act” much (which, frankly, is refreshing) but he does intense so well. In fact, Ryan Gosling has never been so charming and romantic. Before you yell, “But what about The Notebook??”, let me stop you right there. I haven’t got to the musical performances yet.

Chemistry (source: Variety)

To a degree, both Emma and Ryan are triple-threats. Emma Stone’s even performed in Cabaret on Broadway. While lacking a powerhouse voice, she can certainly hold her own and even adds her own style to the singing. And, let’s not forget her lip-sync game is to die for. Ryan Gosling used to be on Mickey Mouse Club, the same TV show that Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake used to perform in. There’s also evidence of his dancing and piano playing skills, as investigated by Vulture, prior to filming La La Land. But the movie is on a different level. The dance sequences are no joke, in terms of difficulty. And imagine learning to play jazz piano in a matter of months. While John Legend is singing next to you (he plays a minor character in the movie). Talk about pressure. Still, with a lot of hard work, the musical numbers come together beautifully. The songs, written by composer Justin Hurwitz and lyrics Pasek and Paul, hit all the right notes, particularly emotionally. Add Mandy Moore’s (I’ve been a fan since SYTYCD!) stellar choreography, the musical numbers become the most memorable parts of the film. Gosling’s dancing in particular is effortlessly smooth, more Gene Kelly than Fred Astaire, perhaps, but enough to make this his-and I repeat-most charming and romantic performance to date. Certainly enough to compensate for his vocals.

Writer-director Damien Chazelle wrote La La Land in 2010 but could not get it made until his other film, Whiplash, about a budding jazz drummer and his sadistic instructor, got a lot of notice. It is clearly a passion project for him. And  La La Land, ultimately, is magical because of all the love he – and everyone else involved – puts into it. Love of Los Angeles, of musicals, of Hollywood, of cinema, of jazz and of love itself. Sure, Mia and Sebastian’s love story feels all too realistically familiar, instead of happily ever after, but who else, in this day and age, would have the guts to show two people falling in love while singing and dancing like fools in a movie? Damien Chazelle, that’s who. And to see all the love that he, his team and La La Land has received, in the box office and the awards, it warms my heart. It gives me hope for the dreamers.

It’s Electrifying!

Years ago, I read a recommendation (it might’ve been Amazon or Entertainment Weekly, nothing highbrow, mind you) about a novel called The Sherlockian by Graham Moore. It was his first book but man, was it a great book. I devoured it in two days. If anything, I felt it was too short. Given the subject material, I pictured the author to be an older and somewhat professorial gentleman. Imagine my surprise when I saw him accept an Oscar in 2014 for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Imitation Game. Not only is he clean-shaven and boyish-looking, but he also speaks so earnestly about his experience growing up as the “weird” kid. I liked the guy even more.

His sophomore novel, The Last Days of Night, doesn’t disappoint. Set in the Gilded Age, an era of rapid development in the USA, the book delves into ‘The War of Currents’ between famed inventor Thomas Edison and engineer George Westinghouse. The book’s protagonist is a young lawyer representing Westinghouse in the unwinnable lawsuits against Edison to determine who really invented the light bulb.

Yes, the book is about a legal fight. About patents, to be exact. And there’s a whole lot of electrical science involved in it. But don’t let any of that stop you from reading the book. What happens next is incredibly fascinating.

Much has been said on the subject of the invention of the electric light and the ensuing AC vs DC war. I’ve seen three different documentary programs about it on TV but the book still managed to capture me. Moore crafts a fascinating narrative around the facts. The characters are real and the events are factual. Moore merely reworks the timeline and takes creative liberties to keep readers interested instead of puzzled. What we end up with is a fairly straightforward plot, albeit an engaging one (and dare I say, informative). Sure, we all know how the story ends but it’s still one hell of a ride. I mean, I read this book while on holiday in Bali. I mostly read by the pool while soaking my tired feet and finished the last page while waiting for the flight back at the airport.

And yet, aside from its educational and entertainment values, The Last Days of Night offers up something even better: hope. Moore certainly lays on the romance of invention thick by portraying the inventors, in spite of all their actions, as the biggest dreamers there are, with the best of intentions. But don’t let the cynicism (you know, the one oozing out of every letter I type) stop you from appreciating the inventors. They did build America and to a larger extent, the world. A lot of the idealism and romance in Moore’s writing reminds me of Aaron Sorkin when he waxes lyrical about the greatness of American politics or journalism. It’s that whole “yes, we’re not doing great now but we could be” spirit. And for a while, that made me feel hopeful and optimistic for the future. Thanks, Moore.

It is seven minutes to 2017 as I’m typing this on my recently repaired laptop. I’m watching The Intern. At the risk of sounding like the new-age hippy-dippy friend I’ve just spent the holiday with, my resolution for the new year is to avoid negativity. In me and around me. And to be happier. If that is even possible for my cold withered heart. Anything really to finally put this 2016 mess behind us. Losing Princess Leia and her mother, the great Debbie Reynolds, hit me hard.

Sunday Afternoon Show

How on earth I have not got around to writing about Gilmore Girls? Timing, I guess. Gilmore premiered in 2000 and it ran for seven seasons, during which time I was still in high school and away at university. I suppose I was preoccupied with other things. Plus, the last season was a downer, which did not provide any motivation for me to extol the show’s virtues. Also (and I can’t believe I’m writing this), I simply forgot. I forgot how wonderful the show was, how captivating the dialogue was and what a beautiful thing the Gilmore universe was.

Mother-daughter team extraordinaire…those eyes

Then, much like the younger generation (and a generally wider audience) who “discovered” the show on Netflix, I was reminded. I re-watched the show from the beginning (twice!) and started remembering. I got to experience everything all over again: the witty banter, the indecipherable pop culture quips, the insanely spontaneous (mostly stupid) decisions that Lorelai made…and I finally got to appreciate what a truly singularly excellent TV show it was.

Ah, yes, I suppose there are still some of you unfamiliar with the show (read: uninitiated to the cult of Gilmore). Gilmore Girls tells the story of Lorelai Gilmore, a single mother who runs an inn with her best friend/chef in a fictional town called Stars Hollow in Connecticut. She has a uniquely close relationship with her teenage daughter/genius/all-around good girl, Rory, yet a fraught one with her rich WASP parents, whom she ran away from after having a baby at the age of 16. Oh, and let’s not forget coffee. She has a dependency on caffeine.

Paris Geller, Rory’s best friend…of sorts

What, “That’s it”, you ask? No mysteries to solve by the end of the season? No terrorist plot to bomb New York city? So maybe Rory is secretly a drug addict? Sorry, none of that. It really was a family show, written in a much simpler time for television. The strength of the show lies elsewhere, never the plot. For me, it’s the dialogue; that rapid-fire exchange that sizzles with wit and leaves the viewers out of breath. The complex multi-generation relationship between the women also makes for compelling television. And let’s not forget the kooky people that inhabit the town of Stars Hollow, each with his or her own memorable quirk. What about the actors? Oh, you won’t find a better cast anywhere. It takes special actors to be able to memorize and say the long lines while still delivering an emotional performance. As the Gilmore girls, Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel and Kelly Bishop are legendary. Melissa McCarthy spent seven years regaling us with her comedic talents on the show long before the rest of the world caught on to her. There’s plenty more I could say about the actors but let’s move on for now.

After six seasons, creator Amy Sherman-Palladino and her husband, Daniel Palladino (who also writes and directs for the show) left. The “last” season of Gilmore went on, but much like the West Wing after Aaron Sorkin left, it became a mere shadow of its old self. Was it incredibly horrible? No. But it just wasn’t the same. So, when Gilmore was cancelled, leaving us with a somewhat optimistic ending, something still felt unresolved. Still, life went on and I, too, came to forget. Then, as I was re-watching the show, I, much like all the other fans, started to wonder: What if…? What if Amy hadn’t left? What would have become of Lorelai & Rory? Lucky for me, the Netflix crowd came to my rescue. That tiny question, amplified by thousands, became a force large enough to launch a massive reunion on the ATX Television Festival. Then, from that reunion, out came the rumors (a movie! a new season!). The rumors became reality: four 90-minute long TV movies (or is it a double episode?) to premiere on Netflix, just in time to binge-watch during Thanksgiving (or since I live in Indonesia, just a regular weekend).

And how was the revival? Well, it’s called Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life and the four parts represent the four seasons in a year. Everyone is still mostly the same, older perhaps, but largely unchanged. The biggest change is the loss of Richard Gilmore, that formidable patriarch, and his absence, much like that of the actor’s (Edward Herrmann died in 2014), played a major part in the revival. Another change: now I get all the pop culture references. I didn’t use to understand half of what Lorelai and Rory are saying but now I do. After hours of consuming pop culture and all the related news when I should’ve been doing other, more useful things, that is. Did I like the revival? I can’t get enough of it. I could tell you every single thing that happens in it (there’s a Stars Hollow musical, starring Broadway veterans Sutton Foster and Christian Borle, for instance) but that wouldn’t be an effective use of both my time and yours.

Oh, except for those final four words. Some background story: Amy Sherman-Palladino kept saying that she had the final four words of the show figured out, but she didn’t get to write them because she left (or was fired, what does it matter, really?). When the revival happened, fans were very anxious to find out. And when they did, the reaction was instantaneous. I will not spoil it for any of you, don’t worry. I’ll let you savor that experience yourself. Just make sure you’re not near anything breakable. Oh, you want to know what I think about those four words? Without revealing them? That’s tough. Oh, I know! It’s similar to how I feel about the ending of How I Met Your Mother. Make of that what you will.

So what does all this rambling lead to? No details were discussed at all and what little description I’ve given you of the show doesn’t quite help you imagine what Gilmore Girls is, let alone understand the magical power that can reel people in, years after the original premiere. Also, what the heck does it have to do with the title of this post?

Friday Night Dinner at the Gilmores

You see, much like the West Wing (the similarities between these two shows are baffling), Gilmore formed much of my idealism. I was around the same age as Rory when I started watching it: 15 and planning my future. Rory knew she wanted to go to Harvard and become a foreign correspondent. I, too, wanted to get out of Indonesia and do something meaningful in the creative industry or at least with my writing. She was working in her school newspaper, I was starting out in my school magazine. I didn’t have her brains, poise and flawless beauty (the actress, Alexis Bledel, looks even more stunning now than she did) but a girl could dream. I wanted the kind of relationship that she had with her mother: open, honest and always fun. Instead, what I have is closer to what Lorelai has with her mother: me bristling against my mother’s unflinching idea of what I should be and do. I wanted to surround myself with interesting (read: weird) people who always say funny intelligent things. This, naturally, is impossible, especially since I’ve moved back home to Indonesia, land of irrational thought filled with people whose idea of a joke is…well, let’s say…far from sophisticated.

My goal is to be like Lorelai Gilmore. She is a pro at conversations, attuned to every single thing in pop culture, has great fashion sense and skills, flirts shamelessly yet stays classy, disdains money yet makes a talented businesswoman, possessed of a massive appetite and superhuman metabolism, and most importantly, strong. This is a woman who decided to raise a child on her own at the age of 16, who had to learn to survive despite having grown up in a comfortable and well-off family. Somehow, she managed to build a career while raising a well-balanced genius kid and date quite a few men in the process. Of course, I haven’t been able to emulate her in any way, except for her stubbornness, and I wouldn’t want to be as impulsive as Lorelai (example: she ran away before her wedding day) but basically Gilmore Girls ruined any realistic ideas I might have had about my future. This future, the one I’m currently living.

Back to the title of the post. Gilmore Girls used to air on Sunday at 11.30 a.m. in my local TV network. The schedule made no sense at all but back then I was grateful for any English show that I could watch before my 9.00 p.m. curfew (there were so few). It was a “safe” show: no nudity (ah, the good, old pre-Game of Thrones days), no swearing and the romantic scenes were chaste. It was wholesome, meaning I could get away with watching it in the living room. It transported me to another world of small-town America that is so picture-perfect and adorable that for one hour every week, I could imagine myself living in a place so magical. In that same hour, I got to be part of the Gilmore clan enjoying a tense Friday night dinner, have my breakfast served by the gruff yet lovable diner owner, Luke, performed Shakespeare in an elite private school, exchange barbs with my best friend/nemesis, the incomparable Paris and most importantly, I became one of them, the very best version of myself. It made me feel like home. To this day, whenever I watch a TV show that gives me warmth and that small-town feel, I call it a Sunday Afternoon Show. There haven’t been that many, given the current trend for “edgy” television, and lately they all seem to be on Hallmark, but I’m still a sucker for a Sunday Afternoon Show.

The Town Hall Meeting, filled with quirky characters

So, when Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life came on the TV, all the nostalgia came flooding back. I suspect that is why most of us, even the cynical and jaded millennials, fell in love with Gilmore Girls in the first place. It reminds me of my younger, more optimistic and romantic self. I can’t speak for all the other fans, but they must feel as strongly about the show. It has most certainly touched them deeply. There’s even a podcast hosted by two guys watching every single episode of the show. So, please, watch it. You won’t be sorry. How do I know that? Because you made it here. After 1500+ words, you’re still reading this, so we must have quite a lot in common.

I shall end with a line from Feels Like Home, a Randy Newman song that’s been covered by plenty of artists, which I think sums up how I felt about the Gilmore Girls revival:

It feels like I’m all the way back where I belong

Thank you for everything, Gilmore Girls.

 

How Dare You

I saw Batman vs. Superman today. As a longtime fan of Superman (though not diehard enough to wear a cape and be a member of a fan club), it boggles my mind to see the overwhelmingly negative reaction people have to this film. Superman is the original superhero and I’m getting sick and tired of having to explain this to a bunch of Marvel-loving millenials who did not grow up on Lois & Clark (I’ve read a few comics too, relax). So, let me present this review while ranting.

Meet Lex (with hair)

How dare you, general population, for reacting so negatively about each and every aspect about Batman v. Superman even before the movie was out. First, there was the delay in the release of the film, which prompted speculations about problems in production. Now, I’m not sure why it was actually delayed but it’s a common thing to happen in Hollywood, especially with a film this big. Then, there was the whole Ben Affleck as Batman thing. People (and I’m generalizing here) went ballistic. Perhaps it’s because Christopher Nolan’s incredible Batman trilogy (and Christian Bale) is still so fresh in people’s minds? I don’t recall such a backlash when yet another Spiderman is cast (FYI, I love Andrew Garfield) only one year after the last Spiderman film was released. And when Jesse Eisenberg was announced as Lex Luthor, people went nuts again, though not to the same degree as they did with Affleck (poor dude).

Of course, things did not get better when the first reviews were out after the movie was released. I get it, people have different tastes and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but holy crap, the spotlight given to these terrible reviews is just unbelievable. You see headlines like “Poor Reviews May Sink Box-office Numbers” in newspapers. Even my local newspaper, which habitually misspells English words and writes terrible film reviews that either tell you nothing useful or reveal too much, presents both the positive and negative reviews of Batman v Superman like they’re trying to be impartial and objective.

Justice League line-up (per comic book)

How dare you, co-worker who ruined my already terrible morning by telling me that Batman v Superman was “God-awful bad” (I’m translating quite liberally here and would have liked to add a few swear words there to really describe the effect his words had on me). The movie was excellent. Sure, the plot is more convoluted than your typical superhero movie but director/producer Zach Snyder knows what he’s doing. He’s setting up the DC universe for the upcoming Justice League film, a team-up that’s more epic than Marvel’s Avengers (sorry, fans). Writers Chris Terrio and David Goyer have managed to do this while still serving up three major conflicts: Superman v Batman, Superman v the alien-hating population (continuing from Man of Steel and incredibly relevant with the advent of Trump and his anti-immigrant sentiment), and good guys v incredibly scary mega-villain (don’t want to spoil anything here, guys) and delivering emotional punches as well as a tiny bit of humor. The action sequences had the right balance of realism and CGI. I mean, when you put superpowered aliens up against a tech billionaire and a really scary alien monster, you expect to see some really bombastic explosions and the film features a lot of that. Legendary composer Hans Zimmer scored the film so brilliantly that the audience noticed how cool the music was. I cannot even begin to tell you how rare that happens. The haunting piano notes that accompany Superman’s presence still give me chills. And the electric guitar that announces Wonder Woman’s arrival? So. Freaking. Good. And speaking of Wonder Woman, how amazing was she? I’ve always been worried that she would look silly in her outfit but no, she is just straight-up badass. I cannot wait for her film.

Super-scary mega-villain

So, to my co-worker, how dare you. Just because your taste in movies is more along the lines of Fast and Furious, it doesn’t mean it’s okay to insult my hero to my face again. Ever. Also, don’t ever write a film review. You would incite a riot.

Spoiler alert for the next paragraph.

How dare you, Zach Snyder and co., for ending it the way you did. I know it’s probably definitely not permanent but I wasn’t ready. I just got my hero back and I waited a long time for this movie. Couldn’t you have given him one more standalone film before you did that? I get the gist of the comic book storyline and I understand how, logically, you needed to do that to his character in order to get Justice League together, but STILL, why did you do it? Naturally, the temptation is too big as a fan-boy filmmaker not to kill Superman, but come on…I wanted more Clark Kent scenes.

My hero…(sigh)

I guess what I’m trying to say is: a) the film is awesome regardless of what most people say, b) don’t judge a film before it comes out, and c) there is no better superhero than Superman.

Reviews On the Fly

Taking a break from television and saving you, my dear readers, from the upcoming horror that is my obsession with awards shows (how awesome was Mozart in the Jungle winning the Golden Globes??), this post will contain short reviews of films I’ve seen recently. Yes, short. I can hear your skepticism even as I’m typing these words. No worries, though, I will really keep my comments to a minimum.

The Intern

Plot: The CEO of an incredibly successful start-up e-commerce business (Anne Hathaway) hires a senior intern (Robert De Niro). As the intern adjusts to a whole new way of doing business in the 21st century, the CEO benefits from his wisdom.

CEO helps intern set up his Facebook account

Verdict: I have no idea if “start-up” can be used the way I just did in the last paragraph, but anyway, this is a Nancy Meyers movie. The writer/director is incredibly adept at making beautiful films, both emotionally and aesthetically (her interiors are legendary) and this film is no exception. Everything is wonderful and looks perfect. A truly feel-good movie that will teach us to both appreciate the old and keep up with the new. I completely loved it. Although I did feel that Anne Hathaway’s role could have been played by someone older.

Burnt

Plot: A bad-boy chef (Bradley Cooper) with a nasty reputation returns to the limelight after a long sabbatical. While he pursues his third Michelin star, he battles the demons from his past and within himself.

Bradley Cooper puts on his chef’s whites (again)

Verdict: I also loved this movie. The depiction of the tough, competitive culinary world, particularly on the chefs, is engaging. Not quite sure on how accurate the entire thing is (Gordon Ramsay is one of the producers) but all the actors are great. I wish Emma Thompson had done more.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Plot: Luke Skywalker is missing. A team of ragtag, untrained and untested warriors from different corners of the galaxy will somehow end up in a quest to find him. Meanwhile, the dark forces have become stronger and closer to victory than ever.

Han Solo and Chewy, back again. (Image: imgur)

Verdict: I’m not a Star Wars superfan. I remember the general plot and the characters better than a casual fan but I like all the movies. TFA (The Force Awakens) is brilliant. Director J.J. Abrams and Disney have done a fantastic job continuing the saga while at the same time “rebooting” it for the younger generation. Yes, there are numerous similarities to Episode IV, but really, what does it matter? The appeal of Star Wars is emotional, never logical. That moment when the lightsaber flies into Rey’s hands? Chills. Oh, and the cameos are also fun. Here’s hoping the many, many upcoming Star Wars movies will not lose the magic.

An Irrational Man

Plot: A depressed Philosophy professor (Joaquin Phoenix) takes up a teaching position in a university in Rhode Island. He strikes up a friendship with a student (Emma Stone) and discovers an unorthodox way to get his spirits back.

Pondering the meaning of life…Woody Allen style

Verdict: As a Woody Allen fan and even bigger Emma Stone fan, I expected a lot from this film. It has the usual elements: wordy dialogue, beautiful setting, and an eclectic mix of indie and popular actors. My problem is with the plot. Typically I find the twists amusing. Not so much in this one, especially the ending. Maybe it’s just me.

Spectre

Plot: James Bond is still on the hunt for the elusive organization that has been messing with his life since Casino Royale. This time, the villain is a sinister man with a sinister name (Cristoph Waltz) and a rotten government official who seeks to make the world a “safer” place.

Bond and Bond Girl (Lea Seydoux), modeling for Tom Ford while waiting for the train  (image: Telegraph)

Verdict: Meh. Given that the same team who made the superb Skyfall is also behind Spectre, I don’t know what went wrong. The plot is flimsy and acts more as fillers between the bombastic action sequences. Daniel Craig and all his co-stars (possibly the most high-profile cast by far) deserve a better material.

The Walk

Plot: Phillip Petit, a wire-walker, wishes to walk from one tower of the newly constructed World Trade Center in New York to the other tower. This film is how he does it. True story. (hear that, Barney Stinson?)

(image: Forbes)

Verdict: Must be watched in IMAX 3D. The visuals are stunning, realistic enough to scare the crap out of people who hate heights. Director Robert Zemeckis manages to keep us entertained and awed throughout the whole film. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (dreamy, smart, sings and dances, by the way) somehow makes Petit tolerable, despite his massive ego and horrible temper.

Let’s Face It: I’m Too Lazy

For the past year and a half, I’ve been neglecting this blog, something which used to provide me with an outlet for the many unsaid thoughts crammed inside my head. There is a legitimate reason: I now have a full-time job as a teacher at a school. And I suppose I could list the challenges of the job, i.e: the hours (oh so early), the paperwork (classic Indonesian bureaucratic nightmare), the students (harrowing and frustrating), the co-workers (a handful) and the exhaustion (epic). I should also mention the fact that I also went on a drastic lifestyle change in terms of food (courtesy of my mom) that nearly took away my sanity (yet, surprisingly, not my energy or my health).

But really, I have just been too lazy to update this blog. There, I admit it. Ever since I’ve acquired this job, I have become much less tolerant of BS. I get enough of that at work, I refuse to deal out more of it. So, yes, apologies, I have become even lazier than usual.

Now, what shall we talk about? I could rant about the nightmare that is Indonesian education system, but neither one of us wants to hear about that (again). I wish I could share something new from my life, but really not much has changed. I have less of a social life now, if that is even possible. I’ve even fallen out of touch with my geeky partner-in-crime/movie buddy. My weekends consist of binging on TV shows and getting my weekly cup of coffee (yes, you read that right. ONCE a week). I also hoard novels for my iPad. Not to mention the magazines.  When will I ever get around to all of them?

So, let’s talk about something else, my “expertise”, if you will: TV shows.

Generally speaking, I’ve fallen out of love with TV shows. The hit shows so beloved by critics, I never quite took to (Breaking Bad, Transparent, Girls, True Detective, Orange Is the New Black). The newer Shonda Rhimes (and their many copycats) shows do not appeal to me as I find them too focused on doing the sensational thing and not a proper storyline that serves the characters well. There is such a thing as too much TV and now I have even less time for it. I must be pickier than I used to. These are the ones I want to talk about:

1. The Good Wife

The Cast of the Good Wife. Two are no longer with the show.

An oldie, but a goodie, perhaps. Currently in its seventh season, it continues to surprise me with every episode. The initial premise was simple: what happens to the wife of a politician who’s been involved in a humiliating sexual scandal? Alicia Florrick (played so flawlessly by Julianna Margulies) must rebuild her long-abandoned legal career after her husband, the state’s attorney of Chicago, is sent to jail following a corruption charge (and many affairs with prostitutes). The first few seasons were all about Alicia learning to survive in the competitive and morally ambiguous world of law, while keeping her family together.

 

Investigator Kalinda Sharma (Archie Panjabi) and once BFF Alicia Florrick

The writing is top-notch. Inspired by real cases (“ripped from the headlines”, as these things are often called), the episodes feature a deeper side of the legal system that can really dazzle you with its ingenuity and make you sick to your stomach when its injustice is exposed. And the political aspects are very enlightening (as in, it has made me lose faith in all politicians and the entire democratic system). The characters, even the recurring guest ones, are brilliant. Is there a more entertaining character than quirky lawyer, Elsbeth Tascioni, on TV today? A more devious opponent than Michael J. Fox’s Louis Canning? Nope. Only on The Good Wife.  Somehow, in this political/legal thriller, you can always find a real connection between the characters and humor. Humor? Oh yes, the kind that sneaks up on you when you least expect it.

 

Alicia Florrick may be more cynical now, having gone through oh so much (including a murdered lover) and there have been some uneven character developments (Kalinda Sharma, what you could’ve been…), yet this show can still surprise me every week.

If you think this is a boring show, don’t let the title fool you. Give it a try. It is a shame that this show doesn’t get the kind of attention (and accolades) awarded to cable shows.

2. Limitless

Based on an earlier movie starring Bradley Cooper (which I never saw), the TV show picks up where it left off. Main character Brian Finch, a slacker, takes a magical pill called NZT and his life is forever changed. This pill can activate 100% of a human’s brain for a short period of time, with nasty side effects. Once he uses the pill to solve his friend’s murder and save his father’s life, he becomes part of an FBI task force. See, it’s because…you know what, just watch it.

Brian Finch contemplates popping the NZT pill

So why do I recommend this? It’s funny. Brian is extremely likeable and the way he thinks, while on NZT, is incredibly entertaining. It’s like Sherlock, if he had a sense of humor.

3. Agent Carter

Agent Carter sneaks into her apartment to avoid her landlady

It was, to me, the best new show of last season. Featuring Peggy Carter, AKA Captain America’s girlfriend, the show is set in the 1940s in the beginning of S.H.I.E.L.D, the organization prominently featured in the Marvel movies.

The sets and the costumes are gorgeous. Hayley Atwell is fantastic and the showrunners are women. What’s not to like?

4. Doctor Who

Rockstar Doctor and Clara Oswald. And a Dalek.

No, this season has not been great. I’ve come to like Peter Capaldi a little bit more and I don’t miss Matt Smith as much as I used to, but the longer stories (spread over two episodes, typically) drive me nuts. The character Missy is a cool addition (as in, she’s incredibly bonkers) but now that Clara’s leaving (probably has, considering what happened in the last episode), I don’t know if I can keep watching.

Missy, having tea and looking menacing

The Christmas Episode better deliver. If I have to spend my Sunday nights watching a Who without Clara Oswald, it’d better be a good show.

 

 

 

5. Downton Abbey

The Cast of Downton Abbey…how we will miss you

To the US viewers: It sucks that you have to wait to watch the final season of Downton, but at the same time, you can still delay the inevitable. I have seen those eight episodes and I still don’t want to accept that the show is over. Well, there is still the Christmas episode but really, Downton has got one step out the door. And it has been a good season, heartwarming and funny, filled with the usual shenanigans of the residents of Downton Abbey. I don’t approve of Lady Mary’s choice of a husband (relax, I won’t say who) but who am I to argue with the great creator, Julian Fellowes? I only hope that Edith finds happiness in the last episode.

What am I going to watch on Monday nights now that Downton is over?

Oh, Granny. I have learned so much from you.

 

It Has Been Legen-wait for it-Dary

This season, we said goodbye to ‘How I Met Your Mother’ (HIMYM) after nine seasons full of hijinks and ‘aww’-inducing moments.

How I’ll Miss This on TV

 

Although it was a finale that came not a moment too soon, it was still difficult to say goodbye. HIMYM is the one TV show that unabashedly appealed to the hopeless romantics. It has magical moments, musical numbers, New York, and the greatest ensemble cast in terms of chemistry (I welcome arguments from you in this issue) since Friends. So, forgive me if I can’t quite bring myself to use past tense just yet in this post.

When I told people that HIMYM was ending, the first question they asked was usually, “so has Ted finally married the mother?”. I wanted very much to roll my eyes and tell them that it was not the point of the show. Yes, at its heart is Ted Mosby, father of two teenagers recounting the stories from his youth, but only briefly hinting at and mentioning “the mother”. In fact, his tales are about “the gang”: Ted and his four best friends. The chronology can be muddy, riddled with flashbacks and time jumps, but every moment serves a purpose. That is, if you’ve seen enough episodes to appreciate their significance. The show clearly rewards loyalty from its viewers by creating its own universe full of inside jokes and even its own jargon (seen a cock-a-mouse lately? Or made a slap bet with a friend?). So, I don’t blame the uninitiated for asking the super obvious question. They haven’t been introduced to the legendary awesomeness of the show yet.

It hasn’t been a perfectly smooth ride. There were moments when the sitcom became incredibly frustrating. Sometime between the middle seasons, it lost its spark a little bit. I paid more attention to its cast instead of the show. Allison Hannigan, who plays Lily, was pregnant twice during the show’s run and Cobie Smulders (Robin), that wonderful Canuck, once. Jason Segel’s look went from puppy-dog to oversized teddy bear and finally, trim again. Neil Patrick Harris, the multi-talented genius who somehow has the mental capacity to bring the repugnant yet likable Barney Stinson to life week after week, is now visibly older and not, like we previously thought, forever young. As for Ted, well, he hasn’t changed much. So, yes, it has been a long run, but just when you felt you’d had enough, an awesome episode popped up and sucked you in again (for me, it was the musical numbers, there’s one below)

 

This season, its last, has been a shining example to the show’s unique storytelling. All twenty-two episodes supposedly take place during one weekend. Oh yes, one wedding weekend (not the mother’s, I remind you) where every lingering question you had would be answered. Despite a few weak episodes here and there, this season has proven to be the show at its finest. After the biggest mystery (who is going to play the Mother?) has been revealed at the end of the previous season, fans have been anxiously looking forward to how the actress, Cristin Millioti, would fit in with the gang. Boy, oh boy, did the writers nail it perfectly. The Mother is pictured as Ted’s perfect companion who shares his quaint habits and eccentricities AND she fits in perfectly with everyone. That moment, towards the end of the finale, when she and Ted stand under their yellow umbrella, our hearts melt completely. The way they look at each other, the things they say, the instant connection they feel…it was perfect. Everything we could ever imagine and deserved after nine years of Bob Saget’s endless monologue (as older Ted) about one unrelated topic after another.

Here’s Broadway actress Cristin Millioti as The Mother:

 

Then, the finale wrapped up with its bombshell, one thought of (and partially shot) many years ago, right after the pilot episode was filmed and before the actors who played the kids grew too old. Are you ready? Here we go: Ted ends up with Robin (yes, again) six years after The Mother dies from an unmentioned disease and Robin’s short-lived marriage to Barney ends. Viewers all over the world groaned in frustration. Twitter exploded with so much hatred and disappointment. Everyone felt robbed. Including me. Then I re-watched the finale and thought about it (no, really, I did) and I’ve accepted it. The following is a breakdown of my thought process on the finale.

 

Ted Mosby’s Kids Shared Our Disbelief at the Ending

 

1. All signs were pointing to a Ted-Robin ending. We saw it in the pilot episode when Ted fell madly in love with Robin. Why would this be the very first story he tell his kids if all he wanted to do was talk about their mother? Granted, Ted is the world’s most long-winded storyteller but surely even he had an ulterior motive for pulling this move. Then, throughout the seasons, we keep getting glimpses of how they really, truly love each other despite their irreconcilable differences (i.e: Robin’s desire to travel the world and lack of desire for children versus Ted’s old-fashioned family dreams). Ted even said out loud that he still loved her. The prevailing argument is that they both needed the time (and spouses) to finally realize how much they belong together. Even Ted’s kids realized this at the end of the story.
The ending was shot nearly ten years ago. The creators probably wouldn’t want to waste all the precious footage, right? Had they been tempted to tweak the ending, now that they’ve seen how much the viewers love Cristin Miliotti? Who knows? They stuck to their conviction and that was that. It’s their show, let them do what they want.

Ted & Robin

 

Barney’s self-penned guide to pick up girls

 

2. Barney is an incurable womanizer. Nobody doubts that he loves Robin and always will, but there is always that side of him that will always be restless. I think it’s a nice statement that Barney did not change completely for the better just because he fell in love with a great girl. The creators, however, put a nice touch when they decided that he would be a father to a little girl, albeit with a random chick named “Number 31” (oh, how I would love to see this character). The look on his face when he held his baby for the first time was a statement to Neil Patrick Harris’s superb acting skills. And Barney did change for the better in the end, but not before making some very disgusting comments and doing nasty deeds. That’s the Barney Stinson we know and sometimes love.

 

3. We deserved more time with The Mother. We barely knew her. There was one episode that summarized her life before Ted, where she sang La Vie En Rose so beautifully, and snippets of her life with Ted. There was the first date, the proposal, a drunken New Year’s Eve, two pregnancies, and short sad bits when she was ill (dying, I guess, now that we’ve seen what happens to her). These are far from adequate. I mean, she makes breakfast food perform musical numbers! How much more adorable can this woman be?

A Singing English Muffin…how adorable is that?

4. Marshall and Lily are, indeed, the most boring couple on this show, but they are also the cutest. They are still in love with each other through the many phases in their life. After a life in Italy and Marshall’s brief return to soul-sucking corporate law, they have a third baby and the judgeship that Marshall really wants. They accept each other so completely, down to their most disgusting habits, and they can’t be apart from each other. They give us hope that true love indeed exists. (here’s a Wiki page summarizing their story) Which brings us to…
5. How I Met Your Mother is the most romantic sitcom ever. Friends tried and succeeded for ten years, but HIMYM goes even further. Ted is perhaps too sappy and a sucker for love but it is amazing how he doesn’t stop believing. He goes to all these lengths to get the girl and when that doesn’t work, he does it all again. There has been so many crazy romantic gestures on the show, from the blue French horn to Barney’s over-elaborate proposal (which is basically set up over several episodes), and they always hit us right in the heart.

Ted stole that for Robin…three times

 

Finally, as the cliché goes, it’s not about the destination, it’s the journey. Whatever happens in the end, however you might feel about Ted and Robin ending up together, HIMYM has given us a beautiful, rich world filled with the sweetest gang of friends you wish you had. You’ve learned all the stupid terms they came up with, expressed your desire to kill Ted every now and then for being so stupid, and harbored a desire to high-five Barney (or slap him on the face). This is the show that makes you think about the friends you do have and how much you should try to keep them in your life. Incidentally, HIMYM also made me realize how much time Americans spend in bar and how hard it is to give up smoking. All in all, good lessons, really.

So, in conclusion, I’m willing to let go the issue of the ending. It went exactly how it should have, it made sense perfectly in the frame of the story. It will not take away from the fact that How I Met Your Mother is arguably my most favorite sitcom of all time.

That said, here’s an alternate ending, which leaves Robin completely out of it:

 

And, as a bonus, a proof of Barney’s (and therefore NPH’s) brilliance (best quality I can find, you can see the transcript here):