tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85864033445338293762024-03-18T18:04:12.654-04:00The Armchair Squid"If more of us valued food and cheer and song over hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." - J.R.R. TolkienThe Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.comBlogger2767125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-59793482349844991512024-03-15T01:00:00.249-04:002024-03-18T10:43:58.788-04:00Squid Flicks: Star Trek VII: GenerationsTitle: <i>Star Trek Generations</i><script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Director: David Carson</div><div>Original Release: November 18, 1994</div><div>My Overall Rating: 4 stars out of 5</div><div><br /></div><div>Kirk or Picard? For the die-hards, it's the starting point question, the answer placing you in one camp or the other. Which Enterprise captain is your guy?</div><div><br /></div><div>What if you didn't have to choose?</div><div><br /></div><div>For one and only one story in the canon, we get both of them. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBRzkLRS3HxstaYEW9OFGha-jnfbxpqah86NOOzNJBOkZnJuqGdMHdXl0n3ZbGT6dZDPW5xKlQZOYzakyu8POby8d0-pKnItisU-9hG9XvowXYA9PsAisAFRqXxEExXf90ccqL-9EUwXy4TUl7phDrQ2I0wDsr1lhuSpjLMKFWpo4ypysf3S18zeB_eso" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1426" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBRzkLRS3HxstaYEW9OFGha-jnfbxpqah86NOOzNJBOkZnJuqGdMHdXl0n3ZbGT6dZDPW5xKlQZOYzakyu8POby8d0-pKnItisU-9hG9XvowXYA9PsAisAFRqXxEExXf90ccqL-9EUwXy4TUl7phDrQ2I0wDsr1lhuSpjLMKFWpo4ypysf3S18zeB_eso=w224-h320" width="224" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Trek_Generations">Memory Alpha</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><i>Star Trek Generations</i> begins in Kirk's era. Kirk, Scotty and Chekov are the guests of honor for the christening of the Enterprise-B. After the ship is launched out of dry dock, ceremony is usurped by duty when a distress call comes through. Our man Jim takes over command when the "real" captain loses his nerve. But then Kirk runs off to deflector control to make adjustments where he gets killed. Or so it would appear...</div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward 78 years. Picard & Company respond to their own emergency. The Amargosa Observatory is under attack and the Enterprise-D runs to the rescue. There, our friends encounter Soran, an El-Aurian scientist who seems harmless enough at first. But he's in cahoots with the Duras sisters and that's not even the worst of it. He's trying to direct the path of a mysterious, space-rending energy ribbon so he can get back to the utopian plane the ribbon contains, the very same ribbon that caused all the trouble in Kirk's story.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Generations</i> was the first <i>Star Trek</i> movie I saw in the theater. I went with my brother-in-law in Minnesota during Thanksgiving break my senior year of college. I have to admit that before my recent re-watch, I remembered virtually nothing of the story outlined above. I remembered Kirk's "death." That's really it. Nor did I remember Data's adventures with his recently installed emotion chip. All I remembered clearly is the next bit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Picard enters the Nexus, the world of the ribbon. There, he meets Kirk, who apparently didn't die at all. He just got trapped in the Nexus. Picard tries to convince the older captain to come back with him to defeat Soran but it's no easy sell. In the Nexus, all your dreams come true. Picard experiences having a family: wife, children, the whole deal. Kirk gets to hang out chopping wood and burning breakfast at his home on earth with the woman he didn't but maybe should have married. And then suddenly he's at his uncle's horse ranch in Idaho. The world seemingly becomes whatever you want it to, like a beautiful dream. But none of it's real.</div><div><br /></div><div>That bit I remember and it comes in much later in the story than I realized. I'd forgotten the most important bit, too...</div><div><br /></div><div>SPOILER!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Kirk dies. For real this time. Picard succeeds in bringing Kirk back with him and, indeed, they defeat Soran together. But victory comes at a cost. Soran kills Kirk.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's been nearly 30 years. I've forgotten many of the details from my life 30 years ago. But in my experience, emotional impressions tend to last and I think it says something that the event which was clearly meant to leave such an impression didn't. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some critics complained - and not for the last time - that the film feels too much like a long television episode. That, in itself, doesn't bother me so much. Obviously, I like <i>Star Trek</i> episodes. And I think the Kirk-Picard partnership, gimmicky though it feels in the end, does bring that certain something special that a movie should have. The real problem for me is that apart from the gimmick, the plot itself was not especially memorable. </div><div><br /></div><div>As is true of many great stories, TNG's series ending felt like a new beginning for the characters (see <a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2023/12/star-trek-all-good-things.html">here</a>). Picard's relationship with his crew had clearly changed. Perhaps the first movie could have worked better if it did more to build on that new beginning. I understand wanting to make a film <i>bigger</i> than the show had been in terms of scope. But don't lose sight of why we've grown to care about these characters.</div><div><br /></div><div>So where does <i>Generations</i> stack up against the previous films?</div><div><div><ol><li><a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2019/09/squid-flicks-star-trek-ii-wrath-of-khan.html">Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan</a></li><li><a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2021/10/squid-flicks-star-trek-vi-undiscovered.html">Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country</a></li><li><a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2019/09/squid-flicks-star-trek-iv-voyage-home.html">Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home</a></li><li><a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2019/09/squid-flicks-star-trek-iii-search-for.html">Star Trek III: The Search for Spock</a></li><li>Star Trek VII: Generations</li><li><a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2019/08/squid-flicks-star-trek-motion-picture.html">Star Trek: The Motion Picture</a></li><li><a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2020/07/squid-flicks-star-trek-v-final-frontier.html">Star Trek V: The Final Frontier</a></li></ol><div>For the first six movies, my rankings mirrored the Rotten Tomatoes ratings exactly. Here, I break. RT has <i>The Motion Picture</i> slightly above <i>Generations</i>. In truth, both movies feel disappointing - acceptable but so much less than they could have been. Fortunately, in both cases, the subsequent film was a considerable improvement.</div></div></div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-29661387555266715282024-03-12T01:00:00.107-04:002024-03-12T01:00:00.131-04:00Squid Eats: Central Provisions<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOWZEANmSkBR2RuDNiqodyAf-4M2ZtXOPf3VU1UyAfc-c3F9Cg7V7SEntQooZzea7EMYOHfadQ4cBxRINetTrBI6NKiF4zINQJqskcRGCyY39zPz4H6hXr4DP1aBfg3EheAOHq4fnX9iKN3BjWtQB1ILxyno7Eqab0tz7-KaqidnIR0Ep8kz2n_gvKWA/s320/IMG_9744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOWZEANmSkBR2RuDNiqodyAf-4M2ZtXOPf3VU1UyAfc-c3F9Cg7V7SEntQooZzea7EMYOHfadQ4cBxRINetTrBI6NKiF4zINQJqskcRGCyY39zPz4H6hXr4DP1aBfg3EheAOHq4fnX9iKN3BjWtQB1ILxyno7Eqab0tz7-KaqidnIR0Ep8kz2n_gvKWA/w240-h320/IMG_9744.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exotic Fruit Salad</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><a href="https://www.central-provisions.com/">Central Provisions</a> is a small plates restaurant in Portland, Maine. We went on the first night of our recent trip to the small, coastal city. We ordered Bread + Butter (fancier than it sounds - more on that in a bit), Exotic Fruit Salad, Bone Marrow Toast, Duck L'Orange and a half-dozen oysters. Everything was very good. I wish to stress that before I launch into my micro-gripes. Service was excellent, too - both friendly and knowledgeable. Central Provisions has an impressive allergy-coded menu, something I've never seen before. Typical allergens are listed for each dish. Any ingredient in red ink is essential to the dish and cannot be omitted. Anything in green can. It's a clever system, one I hope catches on with other restaurants.<div><br /><script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Author: Emily St. John Mandel</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHSTGVAAoKyba_OUDhfoBHLp9_-Vq3ynuuUla3Tf7vbgDlHX3pwEc0EX_zo0RWwAtMIQyiVer3bv1e-H_EEY-fQ_P1BTN2Po6a8ZHzaAtnwKiEt1pnxe_Vfq9ny2r8SaVy-YoHRfRA6yFXlegBGs_Id2eNHU2b6skJYXLYM_B48sZ8yS5W0Y0YMsbrn0w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="488" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHSTGVAAoKyba_OUDhfoBHLp9_-Vq3ynuuUla3Tf7vbgDlHX3pwEc0EX_zo0RWwAtMIQyiVer3bv1e-H_EEY-fQ_P1BTN2Po6a8ZHzaAtnwKiEt1pnxe_Vfq9ny2r8SaVy-YoHRfRA6yFXlegBGs_Id2eNHU2b6skJYXLYM_B48sZ8yS5W0Y0YMsbrn0w=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://www.target.com/p/sea-of-tranquility-by-emily-st-john-mandel-hardcover/-/A-83991709">Target</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Edwin is an English aristocrat exiled by his family to Canada in 1912. Mirella is a receptionist in 2020 New York. Olive is a novelist on a book tour in 2203. Their lives are connected by a shared, extraordinary experience and by their encounters with a time traveler, Gaspery Roberts. Perhaps coincidentally, they are also connected by the fact they each had these experiences immediately prior to a global pandemic.</div><div><br /></div><div>To tell more about the story would be to give too much away. I already fear I've said too much. And it would be a shame if my post did anything to discourage anyone from reading <i>Sea of Tranquility</i>. It was my most rewarding read in quite a long time.</div><div><br /></div><div>I read a lot of books and enjoy most of what I read. What I long for, though, is a book that makes me want to do nothing but curl up in a corner and lose myself in the narrative, perhaps even to forget that I'm reading. I want to be invited into a world I hate to leave when the book is over. That level of immersion has been much more difficult to find as an adult than it was as a child. It's possible, of course, that I've been reading the wrong books.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Sea of Tranquility </i>is the closest I've come to realizing that ideal in years. The fact that it's a time travel story is all the more extraordinary. As frequent visitors to The Squid have likely caught on, I approach such stories with great skepticism and tend to leave them annoyed and frustrated. Mandel's take on the concept didn't bother me. She certainly deserves credit for tidiness - time travel has rules in this book and she sticks to them. And the answer to the central question - which I won't reveal - satisfies me. I cared a lot more about what happened to the characters, especially Gaspery, than I did about the time travel consistency. I can assure you, that is not easily said for me. Mandel also deserves a lot of credit for a relatable rendering of the lockdown experience as well as a vision of the future that is not overly sensationalized. </div><div><br /></div><div>A snippet that spoils nothing but does exhibit the emotional intimacy Mandel allows the reader to have with her characters:</div><div><blockquote>She never dwelt on my lapses, and I couldn't entirely parse why this made me feel so awful. There's a low-level, specific pain in having to accept that putting up with you requires a certain generosity of spirit in your loved ones.</blockquote></div><div>So yes, I would love to read more books like <i>Sea of Tranquility</i>. Bravo!</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-9218219583977819082024-03-08T01:00:00.167-05:002024-03-08T01:00:00.138-05:00Star Trek: MeridianEpisode: "Meridian"<script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Series: <i>Star Trek: Deep Space Nine</i></div><div>Season 3, Episode 8</div><div>Original Air Date: November 14, 1994</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXK-7N6PPfy4HWT6AamIy3oAoTisYqXVM75JTxL5-lc6MJfms16ws6UV088aSVLgXyPaQjTSrNt0zfOOBFi7f07u3Tfw1Nvhs2qfrd5GCqYpAd55SPqVeAXvDXNH3-A64j6otqaKlwM-8-FZeHjcpgG57bm0u-WzK2m0f6f2buLfOLhAebHFMNqZExGAo/s688/Deral_and_Jadzia.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="688" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXK-7N6PPfy4HWT6AamIy3oAoTisYqXVM75JTxL5-lc6MJfms16ws6UV088aSVLgXyPaQjTSrNt0zfOOBFi7f07u3Tfw1Nvhs2qfrd5GCqYpAd55SPqVeAXvDXNH3-A64j6otqaKlwM-8-FZeHjcpgG57bm0u-WzK2m0f6f2buLfOLhAebHFMNqZExGAo/w320-h245/Deral_and_Jadzia.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Meridian_(episode)">Memory Alpha</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Our heroes discover Meridian, a planet which only appears in our dimension once every 60 years. While visiting, Dax falls in love with one of the inhabitants, Deral. To be together over the long term, either Dax or Deral will have to forfeit a life with their own people. Dax is willing to make that choice. Meanwhile, Quark schemes to get a holo-image of Major Kira to use for a sleazy holosuite program for Tiron, a wealthy patron.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Meridian" was Co-Executive Producer Ira Steven Behr's attempt to recreate the musical <i>Brigadoon</i>. Both critics and creative staff consider the episode to be the weakest of Season 3. Mind you, that in itself is nothing to be ashamed of, at least so far. DS9 had been on a solid run to this point, stretching back to the end of Season 2. The love story isn't believable, which Terry Ferrel herself freely admitted, especially when compared to a masterpiece still to come in Season 4. Her tender (ultimately unnecessary) goodbye with Commander Sisko, on the other hand, is amazing. Avery Brooks's emotional availability gives both writers and actors a lot to build on as they seek to develop a sense of family for the series.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once again, I appreciate that Dax was allowed to be a sexually expressive being in a way no woman on <i>NextGen</i> ever was. In an otherwise weak romance, her responses to Deral's cheeky questions about her spots are absolutely dynamite:</div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"></span></div><blockquote><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Deral: <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I was admiring… your markings. Are they decorative?</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Dax: <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No. Are yours?</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">De: <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No. …If you don't mind me asking… how far down do they go?</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Da: <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All the way.</span></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div><div>Sure, one could argue that the gender fluidity of the symbiont made it easier for the writers to move away from the <i>Star Trek</i> ideal of the demure female (at least within the context of a romantic relationship). But they gave Kira a lot more elbow room, too. Especially in Dax's case, granting her this range will pay off handsomely in tales to come.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Food Notes</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Andorian ale makes its first <i>Star Trek</i> appearance when Tiron orders one at the bar. Like Romulan ale, it is blue. I found a recipe <a href="https://www.retrogirlskitchen.com/index.php/2020/03/18/andorian-ale/">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Acting Notes</i></b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x5KOkufba2SypEwgtkV6UdDxmGUV2MXA_F4HWYvv3yiKihQYnumAdsVfa3LGQKSaxut6l2mrIGKHe7pIgRw573CV-56VZM9RkIszk_8D05dlX2uTt7TuerQur4jrgHhLE2bu9Fdcz4TpPxjX6TjujC6XsusFnWChttOHRp9uNANHRne-jlh0vIcOULM/s1166/BrettCullen.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="760" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x5KOkufba2SypEwgtkV6UdDxmGUV2MXA_F4HWYvv3yiKihQYnumAdsVfa3LGQKSaxut6l2mrIGKHe7pIgRw573CV-56VZM9RkIszk_8D05dlX2uTt7TuerQur4jrgHhLE2bu9Fdcz4TpPxjX6TjujC6XsusFnWChttOHRp9uNANHRne-jlh0vIcOULM/w209-h320/BrettCullen.webp" width="209" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://westwing.fandom.com/wiki/Brett_Cullen">The West Wing Wiki</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Brett Cullen (Deral) was born in Houston, August 26, 1956. He graduated from the University of Houston. In television, Cullen has had principal roles on <i>The Young Riders</i> and <i>Devious Maids</i> and recurring roles on <i>Falcon Crest</i>, <i>The West Wing</i> and <i>Lost</i>. Films include <i>Apollo 13</i>, <i>The Dark Knight Rises</i> and <i>Joker</i>. </div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-83760928661798810492024-03-05T01:00:00.079-05:002024-03-05T01:00:00.132-05:00Squid Eats: Cabin Fever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkjuT09EHT82W-xonLOk16o0z35sXj9J-eMIj99BGFXFq5AKvmuYAfXsV5bu4wUs6kX8rpYQKYPiHjpdQELM2RMW8B4pTOxZnp8F2bU53VoX31oERqO6GttrbZBHNKP8So0LDXUSU3YvVjw9-BPETEHXFw6CT97ZgGuUxOWSeUKrMrSeUTyWzyLkEFG4/s320/IMG_9725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkjuT09EHT82W-xonLOk16o0z35sXj9J-eMIj99BGFXFq5AKvmuYAfXsV5bu4wUs6kX8rpYQKYPiHjpdQELM2RMW8B4pTOxZnp8F2bU53VoX31oERqO6GttrbZBHNKP8So0LDXUSU3YvVjw9-BPETEHXFw6CT97ZgGuUxOWSeUKrMrSeUTyWzyLkEFG4/s1600/IMG_9725.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>On our recent trip to Portland, Maine, we stopped at a cozy little restaurant in Bartlett, New Hampshire called Cabin Fever. Bartlett is in the heart of ski country. It has not been the snowiest winter in northern New England but there was a respectable amount in the White Mountains compared to Vermont's Greens. We also discovered Cabin Fever draws a far number of snowmobilers.<script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Author: Ryūnosuke Akutagawa</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjc6h1hkA2PLXr3_GpgWVm7Lo7tO3KztEsqRSiueFEZJ3zyWRieadl0N5Q1n8D953ZniwgzqUu7GdsKI-ki22lniwnwf1neHxcQwbl2ekZ8Tr729z511ID5779D7UzZLo_oGTLk_gv0Nxy3sAbhnpLnkAIQK9sC0FGjQru-yjHIJPeHxW_lWMVYn_GrxM" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjc6h1hkA2PLXr3_GpgWVm7Lo7tO3KztEsqRSiueFEZJ3zyWRieadl0N5Q1n8D953ZniwgzqUu7GdsKI-ki22lniwnwf1neHxcQwbl2ekZ8Tr729z511ID5779D7UzZLo_oGTLk_gv0Nxy3sAbhnpLnkAIQK9sC0FGjQru-yjHIJPeHxW_lWMVYn_GrxM=w205-h320" width="205" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rashomon-Seventeen-Stories-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140449701">Amazon</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Ryūnosuke Akutagawa is generally regarded as "the father of the Japanese short story." His legacy was further strengthened by filmmaker Akira Kurosawa whose masterpiece <i>Rashōmon</i> combines the story of "In a Bamboo Grove" with elements (including the title) of "Rashōmon." The film has had enormous impact, including on <i>Star Trek</i>'s <a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2020/11/star-trek-matter-of-perspective.html">"A Matter of Perspective."</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>The stories are highly varied. Some are set in feudal Japan. Others are more modern, some realistic, some with magical realism elements (an important influence on <a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2014/07/family-book-swap-hard-boiled-wonderland.html">Haruki Murakami</a> for one). Many of his later autobiographical works are included in a section entitled <i>Akutagawa's Own Story</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Akutagawa was likely schizophrenic, though he was never officially diagnosed as such. He certainly suffered troubling hallucinations and finally killed himself. He was quite frank about his mental illness struggles in his writing. Many of his earlier works reveal a deep morbid fascination, unsettling in light of his eventual self-inflicted death. The most memorable story for me, <i>Hell Screen</i>, is also the most disturbing. Master painter Yoshihide insists on seeing the images he must paint, no matter how horrible, including watching his own daughter burn to death in a carriage.</div><div><br /></div><div>Akutagawa's work is certainly compelling - high quality literature, though in light of the disturbing content, I was glad to finish.</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-12831443678909831042024-03-01T01:00:00.139-05:002024-03-01T01:00:00.130-05:00Star Trek: Civil DefenseEpisode: "Civil Defense"<script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Series: <i>Star Trek: Deep Space Nine</i></div><div>Season 3, Episode 7</div><div>Original Air Date: November 7, 1994</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdE-GdvYX9CkJB0D7QByNUpjW_ZElISarYGB9Btr16Gg1KIRDNzGeRShu1ZE6pJDuQ8ACeur9UO9bMsU_PtXGKFkjcvpU6gd5galQOuug8BdDyjCX1v-Hd-ueFiUOosOj7B6m9bzbbd2uEb3dXVn37Bs0OI7JaR3MV-8D9G0o6I3_bPpTKV7_oIArQGE/s1160/Dukat_insurgency_program.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="1160" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdE-GdvYX9CkJB0D7QByNUpjW_ZElISarYGB9Btr16Gg1KIRDNzGeRShu1ZE6pJDuQ8ACeur9UO9bMsU_PtXGKFkjcvpU6gd5galQOuug8BdDyjCX1v-Hd-ueFiUOosOj7B6m9bzbbd2uEb3dXVn37Bs0OI7JaR3MV-8D9G0o6I3_bPpTKV7_oIArQGE/w320-h239/Dukat_insurgency_program.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Civil_Defense_(episode)">Memory Alpha</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Garak episode!</div><div><br /></div><div>Our heroes accidentally trigger a security system program from the Terok Nor days, designed to quell a workers revolt. In fine Cardassian tradition, it is brutal and uncompromising. If the gang doesn't figure out how to shut the system off, the entire station will self-destruct.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Civil Defense" is loads of fun. As the screws tighten - every time someone solves one problem, the program triggers increasingly terrible measures - the sparkling dialogue only improves. A smug Gul Dukat arrives eventually then when he reluctantly tries to help, he finds he is stuck in the muck with the rest of them. His exchanges with Garak are especially fun. But the real treat of the episode is the repartee between Odo and Quark who are trapped together in the constable's office. The best example:</div><blockquote><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Quark: <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Why go to so much trouble to keep people out of the security office?</span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Odo: <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It's not to keep people out, it's to keep me in. I suppose, during the Occupation, the Cardassians considered their security chief a security risk.</span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Q: <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And I know why.</span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />O: <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh, do you?</span><br style="box-sizing: inherit;" />Q: <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It's because they knew you were an honorable man. The kind of person who would do the right thing regardless of the circumstances. And now your integrity… is going to get us both killed. I hope you're happy.</span></span></div></blockquote><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></div><div>Seriously, those two deserve their own buddy movie.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Acting Notes</i></b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAIyDm_s6pbRGMX_eYEV_FG-avNoNj3S6El0S_AIQ8VSvvMYbJo2mN1t7jAWTW0MFqqTf7tiSbLq9xqhY26yQRT_PzBx3Wu2Wfl-XZkQ8Nn2GtvyWfiusa8ecGz2HBw4-a1QOK81D2r6m_j5_HF4RbgtsX6N7ctOQzwt_l_R3TT5MWuIIUdWY8fK7XXc/s430/Danny_Goldring.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzAIyDm_s6pbRGMX_eYEV_FG-avNoNj3S6El0S_AIQ8VSvvMYbJo2mN1t7jAWTW0MFqqTf7tiSbLq9xqhY26yQRT_PzBx3Wu2Wfl-XZkQ8Nn2GtvyWfiusa8ecGz2HBw4-a1QOK81D2r6m_j5_HF4RbgtsX6N7ctOQzwt_l_R3TT5MWuIIUdWY8fK7XXc/w248-h320/Danny_Goldring.webp" width="248" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Danny_Goldring">Memory Alpha</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Danny Goldring played Legate Kell, the Cardassian military official who delivers the crushing, insulting blow for Dukat via pre-recorded video message. Goldring was born in Woodstock, Illinois, May 31, 1946. He attended Trinity University and served in the Army with the Signal Corps. In addition to the typical stage work, Goldring was a puppeteer, touring with the Cole Marionettes for two years.</div><div><br /></div><div>Goldring made many guest appearances on television, including <i>ER</i>, <i>Wings </i>and<i> Boss</i>. "Civil Defense is his first of several Trek appearances on three different series. Films include <i>The Babe</i>, <i>The Fugitive</i> and <i>The Dark Knight</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Goldring passed away in 2022.</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-63360884700875323062024-02-27T01:00:00.127-05:002024-02-27T01:00:00.236-05:00Squid Flicks: Bobi Wine: The People's PresidentTitle: <i>Bobi Wine: The People's President</i><script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Directors: Christopher Sharp and Moses Bwayo</div><div>Original Release: September 1, 2022</div><div>My Overall Rating: 4 stars out of 5</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiz9kLjf4t7I84nCxe0XsfjI1_euAPo5fCiQzARJpVWcTES4DlKT_SBl2IKJGjgHQXByvWVYhgFnPKmfX_ZvZ6j7r1zjLZYxPQY2TicVA9ABfZ_AAYkozgBkZ6uALOTWT5yAyRelFrQDOFe3GxpaMwWljddSvwDrI97LzF8jVw3eeQzbVj8HdS1KGW8MVw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1563" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiz9kLjf4t7I84nCxe0XsfjI1_euAPo5fCiQzARJpVWcTES4DlKT_SBl2IKJGjgHQXByvWVYhgFnPKmfX_ZvZ6j7r1zjLZYxPQY2TicVA9ABfZ_AAYkozgBkZ6uALOTWT5yAyRelFrQDOFe3GxpaMwWljddSvwDrI97LzF8jVw3eeQzbVj8HdS1KGW8MVw=w245-h320" width="245" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobi_Wine">Wikipedia</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>In 2021, popular musician Bobi Wine ran for President in Uganda against longtime incumbent Yoweri Museveni. Academy Award-nominated documentary <i>Bobi Wine: The People's President</i> follows Wine's political career from his first campaign for parliament to his ultimately unsuccessful presidential run. Museveni, as I post this, is still in power and has been since 1986. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, free and fair elections don't happen in Uganda. As is far too common in the world, Museveni uses his essentially absolute power to punish political rivals. The assaults on Bobi Wine began in 2018, when the popularity of the singer and of his criticism of the regime were on the rise. He was arrested numerous times and quite obviously tortured to the point where he had to be sent to the United States for medical treatment. In December 2020, his bodyguard was murdered by military police. After casting his own vote in the 2021 election, Bobi Wine was placed under house arrest.</div><div><br /></div><div>My wife felt the documentarians were too enamored of their protagonist. While I concede that point, the cautionary tale is too important to dismiss. It was a strange time to watch this movie just as the world learned of the death of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny in a prison colony. Meanwhile, too many people in my own country are renewing their love affair with a narcissist who openly scoffs at any suggestion that constitutional limits apply to him. <a href="https://youtu.be/2FPrJxTvgdQ?si=o5nJOrw-q3vumhCh">Trevor Noah has been likening Donald Trump to African dictators since 2015. </a> The global democratic condition seems in woeful decline. Bobi Wine's story is difficult to watch, largely because it feels too close to American reality for comfort.</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-54821244036891005732024-02-23T01:00:00.210-05:002024-02-23T01:00:00.339-05:00Star Trek: The AbandonedEpisode: "The Abandoned"<script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Series: <i>Star Trek: Deep Space Nine</i></div><div>Season 3, Episode 6</div><div>Original Air Date: October 31, 1994</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAh1MqVEGHf8oDf_xDpEJeVATvWqB3dmEvmhYM8BqJ69ewU5oEM-IIisUdi_wFrq6WYfA4M_dSbmXyD2Ijxzp7I4y5YN5KCnN-vxRDL9kKAGdAp96NvyF-SLg9MC-u4Gu1mYOufdoTT_kG1nZ7XS6wu45nZ7_kpMPxTDGzB6yEGUqtdYDhjtCtIct3JY/s441/Jem%2527Hadar_teen.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="441" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAh1MqVEGHf8oDf_xDpEJeVATvWqB3dmEvmhYM8BqJ69ewU5oEM-IIisUdi_wFrq6WYfA4M_dSbmXyD2Ijxzp7I4y5YN5KCnN-vxRDL9kKAGdAp96NvyF-SLg9MC-u4Gu1mYOufdoTT_kG1nZ7XS6wu45nZ7_kpMPxTDGzB6yEGUqtdYDhjtCtIct3JY/w320-h279/Jem%2527Hadar_teen.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/The_Abandoned_(episode)">Memory Alpha</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Quark buys a bunch of space salvage from an old "friend." Amidst the junk is a surprise: a baby! Even more surprising than its sudden appearance is its growth rate, maturing into a teenage body within a matter of days. Evidently, the space station's newest arrival is a young Jem'Hadar and he's violent, aggressive and impatient. Odo, whom he recognizes as a Founder, is the only one he heeds. The constable does his best to guide his young charge and show him he has life choices. </div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, we get to meet Jake's girlfriend. Mardah (Jill Sayre) is a dabo girl at Quark's. Ben is not thrilled by her profession, nor by the fact that she's four years older than his son (though the actress is only two years older - more on that in a bit). Ben invites the young woman to dinner at the Sisko quarters. Mardah is, of course, perfectly charming. Father and audience learn from her for the first time that Jake is a gifted poet.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's start with Story A. Avery Brooks directed the episode, his second for DS9. For the screenwriters, D. Thomas Maio and Steve Warnek, it was not only their only <i>Star Trek</i> script but their only television credit, period. Brooks saw "The Abandoned" as "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">a story about young brown men, and, to some extent, a story about a society that is responsible for the creation of a generation of young men who are feared, who are addicted, who are potential killers</span>."</span> The Jem'Hadar are born with a drug addiction. The "missing enzyme" as it's described initially, is used to make them brave in battle and also to control them. Unfortunately, this is a real-world practice among child soldiers in Africa, who are given narcotics by their handlers for the same purposes.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was some concern among the creative staff that the story would come off too much like the NextGen episode <a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2022/02/star-trek-i-borg.html">"I, Borg."</a> However, the outcome is quite different. The racial implications of the narrative are troubling, to be sure. For a franchise that was predicated from the beginning on a society based on improved race relations, Trek has a mixed track record of addressing the issues appropriately. Alien races tend to be monochromatic and the Jem'Hadar are no exception. Indeed, the "teenager" seemingly has little choice in his personal characteristics or his life path. Brooks makes an important point about societal structures creating the problem. It still doesn't sit well.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll discuss more about this over time. It's important to hold <i>Star Trek</i>, especially, to account on these particular issues.</div><div><br /></div><div>Story B: our child took understandable issue with the age difference between Mardah and Jake. Important considerations:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>It's far more common, both in the real world and on screen for the age difference to work the other way around: men dating younger women.</li><li>Technically, in the twenty-first century, at least, it's not illegal for a 16 year old and a 20 year old to date or even to have consensual sex. </li><li>Jill Sayre is, in fact, only two years older than Cirroc Lofton rather than four.</li><li>I wonder about the complications of Lofton growing so tall so quickly. At 16, he's obviously already taller than Avery Brooks who is 6' 1". Lofton's adult height is 6' 3". I wonder if casting an actress his own age might have made it look inappropriate in the other direction. </li></ul><div>Does any of this make it less skeezy? I suppose it's in the eye of the beholder.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Acting Notes</i></b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueiUMV7IGPrK5L98hu0t7gimXkdac8x2xK-pqBOy2ODIsi3cUytIkMsPusxXzrlXUIhhIhOHGuPgBc1T2DH-pGo3evUkTYQvTA2-cHN1hWUFAtuTC0YvRGj4gqs_UCs1f5FgDHWJsxm_T9dFOcx375AI3D07Bm9bRbCmVhFdgkPsNPXy2G1L5UsDpoWQ/s630/Bumper_Robinson.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="420" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueiUMV7IGPrK5L98hu0t7gimXkdac8x2xK-pqBOy2ODIsi3cUytIkMsPusxXzrlXUIhhIhOHGuPgBc1T2DH-pGo3evUkTYQvTA2-cHN1hWUFAtuTC0YvRGj4gqs_UCs1f5FgDHWJsxm_T9dFOcx375AI3D07Bm9bRbCmVhFdgkPsNPXy2G1L5UsDpoWQ/w213-h320/Bumper_Robinson.webp" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://dubbing.fandom.com/wiki/Bumper_Robinson">Dubbing Wiki</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Bumper Robinson played the teenage Jem'Hadar. He was born Larry C. Robinson II in Cleveland, June 19, 1974. He has had principal roles on <i>Amen</i>, <i>Guys Like Us</i> and <i>Sabrina the Teenage Witch</i>. Films include <i>Enemy Mine</i>, <i>White Man's Burden</i> and <i>Behind Enemy Lines</i>. Robinson has a highly successful voice acting career as well. He was Bumblebee and Biltzwing on <i>Transformers: Animated</i>, Falcon on <i>Avengers Assemble</i> and Cyborg in <i>Justice League: Doom</i>.</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-66406352641107683952024-02-20T01:00:00.030-05:002024-02-20T01:00:00.134-05:00Squid Mixes: Oriental Cocktail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfGLn-LYIxbxu9GNrLCP-upQpkLM6C_7MLIqwnuV5GL2-Y9Y9MBx6U8KXakw4qN2JUpA6KWp1R2EKQPVFrwQd_eFZZlZU9gDzBU4MzIPNtL2mu8D_hyphenhyphengPe9fF-xiWY2WC_O4qB-K95DraD97fC1ZMJkaDknz8TPlUQcfE_2jTQT8-rW5_EvBLg4nhcN8/s4032/Oriental%20C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfGLn-LYIxbxu9GNrLCP-upQpkLM6C_7MLIqwnuV5GL2-Y9Y9MBx6U8KXakw4qN2JUpA6KWp1R2EKQPVFrwQd_eFZZlZU9gDzBU4MzIPNtL2mu8D_hyphenhyphengPe9fF-xiWY2WC_O4qB-K95DraD97fC1ZMJkaDknz8TPlUQcfE_2jTQT8-rW5_EvBLg4nhcN8/s320/Oriental%20C.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>An Oriental Cocktail combines rye, sweet vermouth, triple sec and lime juice. I got my recipe from <i>The Joy of Mixology</i> by Gary Regan who, in turn, adapted his from <i>The Savoy Cocktail Book</i>. The legend according to <i>Savoy</i> is that in 1924, a desperately ill man in the Philippines gave the recipe to the doctor who saved his life as a thank you.<script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Series: <i>Star Trek: Deep Space Nine</i></div><div>Season 3, Episode 5</div><div>Original Air Date: October 24, 1994</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYID399u-zyzZr-ntU_bhyjOCSmM-r_LEWnz08lXwxzjKwYKAW_ObQRHU89KHfE-xC24sHY3VRXlVHuYxgfXM-jjCuQ2N8AkDqNF_G-e7mYqCHK5seRMwJzmVgzmq6N6POP-xBoxg5v3d6O8iDKi36ZOttchiR3SBtzdDMOa735TuM9l2NzPkAgssrM58/s576/Ghemor_and_Kira_caught.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="576" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYID399u-zyzZr-ntU_bhyjOCSmM-r_LEWnz08lXwxzjKwYKAW_ObQRHU89KHfE-xC24sHY3VRXlVHuYxgfXM-jjCuQ2N8AkDqNF_G-e7mYqCHK5seRMwJzmVgzmq6N6POP-xBoxg5v3d6O8iDKi36ZOttchiR3SBtzdDMOa735TuM9l2NzPkAgssrM58/w320-h240/Ghemor_and_Kira_caught.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Second_Skin_(episode)">Memory Alpha</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Garak episode!</div><div><br /></div><div>Kira is kidnapped by Cardassians and surgically altered to look like a Cardassian. Her captors tell her that she is, in fact, one of them, an agent for the Obsidian Order who had been sent to Bajor to live as an embedded spy among the resistance. She is being held in the home of Tekeny Ghemor, a high-ranking government official who clearly believes that Kira is actually his long-lost daughter, Iliana.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Second Skin" is the best episode of the series so far. It's not an easy call. I like <a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2023/05/star-trek-necessary-evil.html">"Necessary Evil"</a> a lot, too. And the jockeying for the top spots is only going to get tougher moving forward. Why is this week's show the best?</div><div><br /></div><div>The basic idea is a good one for starters. What really sells it is the doubt we see growing within Kira as her ordeal progresses. At first, she's convinced the Iliana story is ludicrous and to her credit, she never cracks under pressure from the agent. But we, as viewers, see the doubt in her face, especially as she comes to believe that Tekeny truly did have a daughter who had accepted the assignment. Plus the recordings she sees of Iliana and the cryogenically preserved corpse of the <i>other</i> Kira (both played by Nana Visitor, of course) certainly do look like her. There was an idea among the creators to preserve the mystery through to the end, with Bashir ultimately telling her he couldn't be sure whether she was the <i>real</i> Kira or the Cardassian-produced impostor. Even though the notion was scrapped, the lead up was strong enough that it could have worked.</div><div><br /></div><div>The original choice for the lead in "Second Skin" was O'Brien rather than Kira. What a lost opportunity that would have been. While Miles has a well-established hatred of the Cardassians as the enemy across the battlefield, for Kira, it's the hatred of the oppressor. That runs a lot deeper. As doubt creeps in for her, so does self-loathing. What if she had been the monster herself all along? Plus, the emotional range of Kira's character allows for tenderness to develop between her and Tekeny. After all, he really did lose a daughter whether it was Kira or not. By the end, Tekeny and Kira genuinely care for one another. Their parting scene is deeply moving. It couldn't have been that way with Miles. Besides, he already got his touching moment in <a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2021/05/star-trek-wounded.html">"The Wounded."</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, Garak gets to shine. He plays a key role in Kira's rescue, enjoying fine verbal sparring with Commander Sisko and a couple of Cardassians along the way. His best line: "Treason, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.</div><div><br /></div><div>Screenwriter Robert Hewitt Wolfe claimed two Philip K. Dick stories as influences for "Second Skin": <i>Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep</i> and "We Can Remember It for You Wholesale." Unfortunately, the Iliana story never went any further than this one installment. Tekeny comes back for an appearance in Season 5, though Iliana is only a minor plot point.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Acting Notes</i></b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-vU_rPo1wfG8s0D8Js0AonW_eWYD0405hi1tVN2yW8nJGpl0PQvQEA5Um-8xYm4yGe6lQRTNcq6UpdKTNS9uRtiRf8UlRtoYs_J2bHX2faxNoql1ukNt3M521MEieDCz5d3T19tJIyZdg-fQiDT5w4ZUm12eUCAJQjcG21S1s76tL61lVwMUyfXP6-U/s1624/Lawrence_Pressman.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1624" data-original-width="1184" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-vU_rPo1wfG8s0D8Js0AonW_eWYD0405hi1tVN2yW8nJGpl0PQvQEA5Um-8xYm4yGe6lQRTNcq6UpdKTNS9uRtiRf8UlRtoYs_J2bHX2faxNoql1ukNt3M521MEieDCz5d3T19tJIyZdg-fQiDT5w4ZUm12eUCAJQjcG21S1s76tL61lVwMUyfXP6-U/w233-h320/Lawrence_Pressman.webp" width="233" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://criminalminds.fandom.com/wiki/Lawrence_Pressman">Criminal Minds Wiki</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Lawrence Pressman played Tekeny Ghemor. Pressman was born in Cynthiana, Kentucky, July 10, 1939. In television, he had regular cast roles in <i>Doogie Howser, M.D.</i>, <i>Ladies' Man</i> and <i>Mulligan's Stew</i>. Films include <i>Shaft</i>, <i>The Hellstrom Chronicles</i> and <i>9 to 5</i>. This is his first of three DS9 appearances.</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-71757481066791452792024-02-13T01:00:00.039-05:002024-02-13T01:00:00.131-05:00Squid Eats: Burlington Bay Market and CafeWe've had a relatively warm stretch in northwest Vermont of late. Highs on both Friday and Saturday were in the high 40s. As such, Saturday was a nice day to be out and about in Burlington. Burlington Bay Market and Cafe is a nice spot for a quick lunch on the waterfront with a decent view of Lake Champlain. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dELxaw6M3JeGwOa-vPU2Sb8kk4MBJaLOH_h1KmhVnLWUZvEOSIFVsnQcexY6tepgGxv__UzUWoE16DO7ZVDBZn4E5vbv3lGUuPhDOTJ9nnBQuYsKdUoYdBw6NW0GzG79VIbayhQcoS4obTxE5TErz97lb1h0ZrRdQRaEeEjieA-D08MGqQsXnud56Sk/s320/IMG_9689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dELxaw6M3JeGwOa-vPU2Sb8kk4MBJaLOH_h1KmhVnLWUZvEOSIFVsnQcexY6tepgGxv__UzUWoE16DO7ZVDBZn4E5vbv3lGUuPhDOTJ9nnBQuYsKdUoYdBw6NW0GzG79VIbayhQcoS4obTxE5TErz97lb1h0ZrRdQRaEeEjieA-D08MGqQsXnud56Sk/s1600/IMG_9689.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>I got a turkey grinder (sub or hoagie in other parts of the country), my wife an avocado BLT. We got fries to share. I'm a big turkey grinder fan and typically get mine without cheese, puzzling to my friends. You may have heard. Cheese is a big deal here. Mine was good and we agreed the fries were good. Unfortunately, my wife was disappointed by her sandwich - too much mayo, not enough avocado. If you're gonna call it an avocado BLT, the avocado should be a more prominent feature.</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-4432606957108318532024-02-09T01:00:00.192-05:002024-02-09T01:00:00.132-05:00Star Trek: EquilibriumEpisode: "Equilibrium"<script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Series: <i>Star Trek: Deep Space Nine</i></div><div>Season 3, Episode 4</div><div>Original Air Date: October 17, 1994</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnOP4dOrA6II8pUYngyRCA8qivanZUPySRNTNx4imyBvM9XhOu8zATdLIRlOJZgDcg7CWH16SeAxfs2M-nnoMnF095bODiRhM1pSV6ERnlegnudABAqVbI88muXTxr9_2FDtuY0kPHtqh94c41g7Jk7WOlUNUJgSvti2PWZrc3E06qApV2WfrzhlkFkE/s692/Dax_and_Bashir%252C_2371.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="692" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnOP4dOrA6II8pUYngyRCA8qivanZUPySRNTNx4imyBvM9XhOu8zATdLIRlOJZgDcg7CWH16SeAxfs2M-nnoMnF095bODiRhM1pSV6ERnlegnudABAqVbI88muXTxr9_2FDtuY0kPHtqh94c41g7Jk7WOlUNUJgSvti2PWZrc3E06qApV2WfrzhlkFkE/w320-h242/Dax_and_Bashir%252C_2371.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Equilibrium_(episode)">Memory Alpha</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Dax is having terrifying hallucinations. Commander Sisko and Doctor Bashir are worried that she's at risk of rejecting her symbiont, a likely death sentence for Jadzia. They take her to the Trill home world in hopes of finding answers. We soon learn that there are previously unsuspected dark elements to the history of Dax's hosts.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Equilibrium" is the most important Dax story so far and our first broader glimpse of Trill society. The inspiration for the episode was the act of professional magician Jeff Magnus McBride who also appears in the episode as Jolan Belar. McBride's act involves facial masks, each removed in turn to reveal another mask underneath, a distinguishing feature of Jadzia's hallucinations. </div><div><br /></div><div>The episode also marks a welcome change in the Dax/Bashir relationship. In "Equilibrium," he expresses concern for her as both doctor and friend without any suggestion that he's also trying to bed her. It's a moment of growth for Bashir, especially. He becomes more likable instantly.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Food Notes</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>In the tease, Commander Sisko is preparing a meal for his friends. For the first time, we learn about his father's restaurant in New Orleans. Bashir expresses an aversion to beets to which Benjamin responds, "Beets are a very misunderstood vegetable." Originally, the line was about rutabagas, an homage to Frank Zappa. Screenwriter René Echevarria thought beets were inherently funnier.</div><div><br /></div><div>Odo, quite comically, pitches in to help cook, though he mentions he doesn't eat food. That led me to wonder, what does Odo do for nourishment? He is, after all, a living thing and by definition, a living thing must consume energy in some form. There are fan theories, of course, but evidently, there is no canonic answer to this question.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Game Notes</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Many of the chess games played between Sisko and Dax in DS9 are based on real-life grandmaster clashes. The moves represented in this episode, for instance, come from a 1956 game between Bobby Fischer and Donald Byrne, dubbed by enthusiasts as the "Game of the Century."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Acting Notes</i></b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE72G8cbDrNdShySWPz3BVta0UcMGPqMQSIE2NNVP3N3ZN0lDAjPJetT0R_6iDtXfT872yjCRs0DTxlPkGPJ10NuSj2MpJzPnOWWlWg9VPGuxJB1lSm2Js3CBJtPRzx_f_4mG8o3vA4Y8xoBIc7eFxzam43gKZOrgisRH6HH_DYuk7caBNc_iVeBxx8RQ/s2880/LisaBanes2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE72G8cbDrNdShySWPz3BVta0UcMGPqMQSIE2NNVP3N3ZN0lDAjPJetT0R_6iDtXfT872yjCRs0DTxlPkGPJ10NuSj2MpJzPnOWWlWg9VPGuxJB1lSm2Js3CBJtPRzx_f_4mG8o3vA4Y8xoBIc7eFxzam43gKZOrgisRH6HH_DYuk7caBNc_iVeBxx8RQ/w240-h320/LisaBanes2009.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Banes">Wikipedia</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Lisa Banes played the role of Renhal, the Trill Doctor who attends to Dax. She was born in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, July 9, 1955. She studied acting at the Julliard School in New York. </div><div><br /></div><div>Banes's highest-profile work came on stage. She won a Theater World Award for <i>Look Back in Anger</i> and a Drama Desk Award nomination for <i>Isn't It Romantic</i>. She was in the original cast of the first American production of Tom Stoppard's <i>Arcadia</i>. Films included <i>Cocktail</i>, <i>Freedom Writers</i> and <i>Gone Girl</i>. In television, she had principal cast roles in <i>The Trials of Rosie O'Neill</i> and <i>Son of the Beach</i>. She had recurring roles on <i>The King of Queens</i>, <i>Six Feet Under</i> and <i>One Life to Live</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 2021, Banes was killed while crossing Amsterdam Avenue in New York when she was struck by a man driving an electric scooter.</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-55954082208792232952024-02-06T01:00:00.040-05:002024-02-06T01:00:00.131-05:00Squid Mixes: Remember the Maine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAiBfFB2mVmvng6abHu3VGQflgQYvxRxLIkcXFLCdvoioXSUxGxrb6_aDs93aqpqZQnbSCQ0QTSlbl3-nFCT0dcpZpiZxef4YipRahsqZBlx31LwKqdlGtZ8tpp_Igk5TLHN0-FLe0idCsSWAEwdzlLEPKpGBqoD51fB68D93cFe8M6gSygqiQmVMWtI/s4032/IMG_9484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAiBfFB2mVmvng6abHu3VGQflgQYvxRxLIkcXFLCdvoioXSUxGxrb6_aDs93aqpqZQnbSCQ0QTSlbl3-nFCT0dcpZpiZxef4YipRahsqZBlx31LwKqdlGtZ8tpp_Igk5TLHN0-FLe0idCsSWAEwdzlLEPKpGBqoD51fB68D93cFe8M6gSygqiQmVMWtI/w240-h320/IMG_9484.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A Remember the Maine combines rye, sweet vermouth, cherry brandy and absinthe with a lemon twist for garnish. I got my recipe from <i>The Joy of Mixology</i> by Gary Regan. The original comes from <i>The Gentleman's Companion</i> by Charles H. Baker. Evidently, Baker first encountered the drink in Havana. The name is a reference to the famous battle cry of the Spanish-American War.<div><br /></div><div>Interestingly, the recipe insists on stirring clockwise. I honestly never gave much thought to which direction I stir though now having tried both ways, I can assert that counter-clockwise is more instinctive for me. I'm guessing the Cuban bartender who made the cocktail for Charles H. Baker must have been left-handed. <script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Author: Deborah Blum</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0hr5v8w1j1eaqTI4JYqyYLH8kYKbeQimPzMvJexJq_8SBz8V4g8j-U2QHIbHnaBjgOIqWPEwBgjkrp_wQa_IAZmTwC670ob4kcR8l1odet199o2bBoUI1xw9JrLuDIo0msaP0UY2FLqBHvS3T4JO8uLxZMwBbBjIoNdyAUvJ5v41c4QRaRynmFOYhp0k" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="652" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0hr5v8w1j1eaqTI4JYqyYLH8kYKbeQimPzMvJexJq_8SBz8V4g8j-U2QHIbHnaBjgOIqWPEwBgjkrp_wQa_IAZmTwC670ob4kcR8l1odet199o2bBoUI1xw9JrLuDIo0msaP0UY2FLqBHvS3T4JO8uLxZMwBbBjIoNdyAUvJ5v41c4QRaRynmFOYhp0k=w208-h320" width="208" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Poison-Squad-Chemists-Single-Minded-Twentieth/dp/0143111124">Amazon</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><i>The Poison Squad</i> tells the tale of Dr. Harvey Wiley, chemist and crusader. Wiley worked for decades, through his position as Chief Chemist at the US Department of Agriculture, to fight food adulteration. In the late 19th century, industrial food products often contained substitutes, fillers, dyes, preservatives and other ingredients that added no nutritional value. That was the best case scenario. In many instances, the additives were poisonous. Unfortunately, government regulation was non-existent and private industry fought it at every turn. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx_mlfF1IETLiWOl5NNoV7oMRVDv2TskNHlClSSscQGQljhwb40WUwaFwDgwzfvWO2uXzuXEpFdGja7ltQVn9R8mbvEBwUOR8xt17RV71aPXWDWFT5PSG1yI3hiyDDITgI7quq-D284nhfEG8JgBFpNahQTZPbY1-kkrgbdTojeQsYErxqqm2EjDu8U9U" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhx_mlfF1IETLiWOl5NNoV7oMRVDv2TskNHlClSSscQGQljhwb40WUwaFwDgwzfvWO2uXzuXEpFdGja7ltQVn9R8mbvEBwUOR8xt17RV71aPXWDWFT5PSG1yI3hiyDDITgI7quq-D284nhfEG8JgBFpNahQTZPbY1-kkrgbdTojeQsYErxqqm2EjDu8U9U=w228-h320" width="228" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wiley via <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Washington_Wiley">Wikipedia</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Deborah Blum's book would make a fitting sequel to Bee Wilson's <i><a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2016/02/on-coffee-table-bee-wilson.html">Swindled</a></i>. While Wilson devoted her material to the struggles in detecting adulteration, Blum focuses on the battle for regulation. The story of Wiley is a lesson in persistence. Despite his successes in proving the harmfulness of various additives, getting effective laws passed and enforced was a road of seemingly endless setbacks. It's a distressing read. You would think doing something with such obvious public benefit would be easy but that's not the way the world works. Wasn't then. Isn't now. The financial interests of the few seemingly always win.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the bright side, the public loved Wiley and over time - over a long time - he gradually got his way. Predictably, the most progress was made after his death in 1930. But frankly, food regulation in the United States is still far from what it could be. Private interests still trump public ones. Do you ever wonder why our choices in a general election are typically between a far right Republican and a centrist Democrat? This is why.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a good book - good but not great, a bit too technical at times to make for light reading. <i>Swindled</i> is better.</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-39978758035826429392024-02-02T01:00:00.119-05:002024-02-02T01:00:00.152-05:00Star Trek: The House of QuarkEpisode: "The House of Quark"<script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Series: <i>Star Trek: Deep Space Nine</i></div><div>Season 3, Episode 3</div><div>Original Air Date: October 10, 1994</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTSoQguGfaGZOlY5-nzjC64TAAX-bEq9POHd86_jwMrvJP7Oe-sX-XXhSEAjEhUEREUwhf-E9U4xArUNozjdTaXtWmtargWyAo6KOpvPap2Zm77KyS2ZNqu5Boj25OOv7fbqXLbaFNMO4EDgjDMl45XCBA5yqqw7fhO8n_fekDU6oR3hYVFPO29F-pR-w" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="700" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTSoQguGfaGZOlY5-nzjC64TAAX-bEq9POHd86_jwMrvJP7Oe-sX-XXhSEAjEhUEREUwhf-E9U4xArUNozjdTaXtWmtargWyAo6KOpvPap2Zm77KyS2ZNqu5Boj25OOv7fbqXLbaFNMO4EDgjDMl45XCBA5yqqw7fhO8n_fekDU6oR3hYVFPO29F-pR-w=w320-h242" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/The_House_of_Quark_(episode)">Memory Alpha</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>A drunk and cranky Klingon picks a fight with Quark in the bar. During the scuffle, the instigator falls on his knife and dies. Quark's less than truthful tale of his own heroics proves fantastic for both ego and business. The widow, Grilka, turns up. She kidnaps Quark, brings him to Qo'noS, then dupes him into marrying her! How will our favorite bartender get himself out of this crazy tangle?</div><div><br /></div><div>It's been a long run of heavy material for <i>Deep Space Nine</i> to this point. Comic relief is overdue. Grilka (Mary Kay Adams) is wonderful. My wife said watching her, "I like Klingon women." Gowron, an essential secondary character moving forward, makes his first DS9 appearance. His reaction to Quark's bookkeeping explanation is priceless. Rom gets some nice development, too, speaking of characters who are destined to become more important to the series.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Acting Notes</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAzekHonqyaNn1Wm-mH49H3XbVNn-bM4UHwCJ9Ns-tXzSNkBNV_XpgadjOKKWc9121wOpYT9WKMY81aI0SJ5RUUsqh9S-oM9y0Z1DCLtYZzUKy6mVPkB_xj04MLCqF1buxqOrhp_OXyMR2WkwSNrfH9u3v7PakH9qEcxXxFeWS7SAXK4GPMwWvPiHNKFU" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="225" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAzekHonqyaNn1Wm-mH49H3XbVNn-bM4UHwCJ9Ns-tXzSNkBNV_XpgadjOKKWc9121wOpYT9WKMY81aI0SJ5RUUsqh9S-oM9y0Z1DCLtYZzUKy6mVPkB_xj04MLCqF1buxqOrhp_OXyMR2WkwSNrfH9u3v7PakH9qEcxXxFeWS7SAXK4GPMwWvPiHNKFU=w267-h320" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://headhuntersholosuite.fandom.com/wiki/Mary_Kay_Adams">Headhunter's Holosuite Wiki</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Mary Kay Adams was born September 12, 1962 in Middletown, New Jersey. She is a descendant of U.S. Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams. She graduated from Emerson College with a BFA.</div><div><br /></div><div>Her most prominent television role was India Von Halkein, a recurring character over several seasons of <i>Guiding Light</i>. Other guest appearances include <i>All My Children</i>, <i>As the World Turns</i> and <i>Babylon 5</i>. Films include <i>The Muppets Take Manhattan,</i> <i>See No Evil, Hear No Evil</i> and <i>Satan's Little Helper</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Adams had gracious things to say about her DS9 experience:</div><div><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><blockquote>The first time that I sat in the chair and they were applying the Klingon make-up, Armin came over to me, before we were even on camera, and he said 'This is going to be a very long day, and as the day goes on, you're going to feel more and more disorientated because of all the stuff they're going to put on you. It happens to everyone. It happens to me. If there's ever a moment where you feel really unsure, or if you don't know what's going on, take me aside and we'll work through it.' I was so touched by his kindness and his honesty. Being a guest star can be kind of hard. A lot of times you walk into the middle of a well-oiled machine, and they don't know you, and they don't really want to know you and are like 'Here. Catch up.' That moment meant the world to me.</blockquote></span></span></div><div>and</div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><blockquote><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Actors I am close to who have done these shows all agree that </span><i>Star Trek</i><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> is fabulous because it's the closest thing to playing classical theater..It's very archetypal, it's very Shakespearean in its scope. All the aliens are of heroic proportions. Plus you're given direction to be bigger, to be stronger, to fill the makeup. The makeup does a lot of the work for you, but you have to find the balance of matching it somehow</span>.</blockquote></span></div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-69667266399547552442024-01-30T01:00:00.090-05:002024-01-30T01:00:00.244-05:00Squid Eats: Parkway DinerAs discussed many times before, we love diners. And yet, 22 years into the Vermont chapter of our lives, we hadn't visited one of our area's oldest establishments, <a href="https://www.parkwaydinervt.com/">Parkway Diner</a> in South Burlington, until this month. Now we've been twice in the past few weeks, once for breakfast, once for lunch. It's quite a popular place, especially with young couples it seems - a popular morning after spot, perhaps? We sat at the counter both times, all of the booths already taken.<div><br /></div><div>The first visit was breakfast: waffle with a side of ham for me, </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLxBf-ovt03pzkRRCra8igVmQ47_hlTDutCniLnUqSdDTggC_kJOlZxrfdLVHuuO1Fwpc4NdLJ_xvB63mzUxK6kVUT1m4L5Vu74Ml5bYg1-6Imi0NAygxoM8Y27ITbLXJiDOt0hbw1y1pv_61N6XxImUx6Q6ig62gitqOJped18Lcazmoc8CbU3pI7OE/s320/IMG_9665.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLxBf-ovt03pzkRRCra8igVmQ47_hlTDutCniLnUqSdDTggC_kJOlZxrfdLVHuuO1Fwpc4NdLJ_xvB63mzUxK6kVUT1m4L5Vu74Ml5bYg1-6Imi0NAygxoM8Y27ITbLXJiDOt0hbw1y1pv_61N6XxImUx6Q6ig62gitqOJped18Lcazmoc8CbU3pI7OE/s1600/IMG_9665.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>breakfast sandwich for the child </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCLYAMl38QveH9taDtOzN6iuSwL5xecJQQOJQGflgPfNbAL-w6Vn0iZqKJDJslZv5_dm0WjuV4WeQDpEoWVqD65ssuEiUCAsRkPkAoA3DX3eU6eSop0DHeH7O-3YlHnxScZWBhXCVA7oTzuqt5d0xHcWgOWM-NTBwT3aCyrla6SCOb6Mjltco-YduGqY/s320/IMG_9666.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCLYAMl38QveH9taDtOzN6iuSwL5xecJQQOJQGflgPfNbAL-w6Vn0iZqKJDJslZv5_dm0WjuV4WeQDpEoWVqD65ssuEiUCAsRkPkAoA3DX3eU6eSop0DHeH7O-3YlHnxScZWBhXCVA7oTzuqt5d0xHcWgOWM-NTBwT3aCyrla6SCOb6Mjltco-YduGqY/s1600/IMG_9666.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>and eggs over easy for my wife. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbkzegYy6KNCsPsOyr3rez9uY7P840MBiNYMY-1saASSEFUTHp5zSiL97eF6v13QQX823jibRKOo8WQ9RMLXZWLC2r9lKhcOj5Iaxs_UTRgov5RD8z8hC3FKH7IQsR5lWekN2-YsMnQ1yNprGUHagQQIWsdTy9h-zmeoWPIFN3SZxqVY7f5Kbmc6wvGs/s320/IMG_9662.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbkzegYy6KNCsPsOyr3rez9uY7P840MBiNYMY-1saASSEFUTHp5zSiL97eF6v13QQX823jibRKOo8WQ9RMLXZWLC2r9lKhcOj5Iaxs_UTRgov5RD8z8hC3FKH7IQsR5lWekN2-YsMnQ1yNprGUHagQQIWsdTy9h-zmeoWPIFN3SZxqVY7f5Kbmc6wvGs/s1600/IMG_9662.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>All was perfectly acceptable. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, the really exciting discovery was the patty melt on the lunch menu. My wife, an Indiana native, has long bemoaned the lack of patty melts in New England. So, we knew we'd be back.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Lunch: Parkway Club for me, </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrpNwnBZra0zTTxG-HfCWhL1IHDWrrLpJihmsleYerMHPhNhedvCG_gSjwScGRt-SYrxwcWNg8W7N82Vd4y_x3-JJn3eykMRScwqg-hP4xer_T3JZbJkGdZch8xPRkDRG3dILuotjFfcsFMNLwW5ta-8jfNsz5PHJydACRMIAKB0mwlYhE2N1-1ZYwhs/s320/IMG_9672.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrpNwnBZra0zTTxG-HfCWhL1IHDWrrLpJihmsleYerMHPhNhedvCG_gSjwScGRt-SYrxwcWNg8W7N82Vd4y_x3-JJn3eykMRScwqg-hP4xer_T3JZbJkGdZch8xPRkDRG3dILuotjFfcsFMNLwW5ta-8jfNsz5PHJydACRMIAKB0mwlYhE2N1-1ZYwhs/s1600/IMG_9672.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />the eagerly anticipated patty melt for my wife. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkCRNWaKJw6jBZhCqMuT8aW1Zj3eGAxNQACFUnmZhyphenhyphenmSK7Lb5GMr1emdaAKGq-Cq9-YShTHfTS-n5Au2wknJPBe2prsNN-13xRYa6g1OiJfMjbqm32_G3h3p15llKjaGOf1hiGdwyqMPFN0eHd_t5CQpViNXXzA48E9DgbcMrkQBhipeTCi5JHvpNZ3M/s320/IMG_9671.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkCRNWaKJw6jBZhCqMuT8aW1Zj3eGAxNQACFUnmZhyphenhyphenmSK7Lb5GMr1emdaAKGq-Cq9-YShTHfTS-n5Au2wknJPBe2prsNN-13xRYa6g1OiJfMjbqm32_G3h3p15llKjaGOf1hiGdwyqMPFN0eHd_t5CQpViNXXzA48E9DgbcMrkQBhipeTCi5JHvpNZ3M/s1600/IMG_9671.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />My club was quite nice. The Parkway includes both ham and turkey and the slices are thick. The patty melt, unfortunately, was a disappointment. It's not the diner's fault, really. My wife said if she'd looked at the menu more closely - she was too excited for details - she'd have seen the problem and ordered something else. Thousand island dressing was the trouble.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>We'll undoubtedly go again.</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-22533902446157871042024-01-26T01:00:00.160-05:002024-01-26T01:00:00.144-05:00Star Trek: The Search, Part IIEpisode: "The Search, Part II"<script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Series: <i>Star Trek: Deep Space Nine</i></div><div>Season 3, Episode 2</div><div>Original Air Date: October 3, 1994</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBPvP68QejUHCuSwYH-t6Rz3kljxc61nai04auiTm_Dg5rWlOnEiEaO1N88zFtvOX-G73DaLKkziqM5ZbLTtyQdegQaDG53pfWnayZkgvqVemkngdjX0f_h-d01aBhR6hdnlxhSEt4FupdOKIt9EPbPkz8F2uEbmybBeWOaybfMo07rngKGfLHVCVTrE/s1200/Female_shapeshifter_and_Odo.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="913" data-original-width="1200" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBPvP68QejUHCuSwYH-t6Rz3kljxc61nai04auiTm_Dg5rWlOnEiEaO1N88zFtvOX-G73DaLKkziqM5ZbLTtyQdegQaDG53pfWnayZkgvqVemkngdjX0f_h-d01aBhR6hdnlxhSEt4FupdOKIt9EPbPkz8F2uEbmybBeWOaybfMo07rngKGfLHVCVTrE/w320-h243/Female_shapeshifter_and_Odo.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/The_Search,_Part_II_(episode)">Memory Alpha</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Garack episode!</div><div><br /></div><div>In this second part of <a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2024/01/star-trek-search-part-i.html">the story begun last week</a> (though in a sense, the third part of a story begun with <a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2024/01/star-trek-jemhadar.html">the Season 2 finale</a>), Odo gets acquainted with his fellow changelings on his home world, as well as the full range of his own shapeshifting abilities. Meanwhile, the gang back at the station comes to terms with the implications of a negotiated "peace" with the Dominion. Kira is stuck in limbo, on Odo's world with him yet unwelcome herself and also struggling to establish communication so she can get away.</div><div><br /></div><div>There's an "it was all just a dream" reveal at the end of the episode which, unfortunately, undercuts the entire narrative on the station including the Garak part of the story. But Odo's adventure is deeply meaningful. We see what he has lost and gained being away from his people for so long (for centuries, he's told). We feel his pain in the difficult decision he must make in the end between protecting his discovered family on DS9 and regaining the deep sense of belonging he has found with the Changelings. Odo's thread from here on out hinges on making this same choice over and over again. For now, he makes the choice we would want. Heartbreak is coming.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the broader scope, the stage is set for a standoff between the Changelings/Founders and the Federation. The Female Changeling leader (Salome Jens) makes it clear that there is a limit to the Founders' patience. They will "create order" in the Alpha Quadrant. It's just a question of when.</div><div><br /></div><div>A cold war begins.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Acting Notes</i></b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGwecB9HTt9tg1jUKNc71BoUHueQiV2gJ_h9kX1p_vCqM-2q8NEoauS3LFbPvV4k7uoVj6u231LNb5YkTC-5jE2wyznTxfJU6B8j4TpTCY9jaI2YPF6_spGzczY6MK2CXQDCNEETwhx5HgwmooQdnb73ymLpNdTSya4gw7lDroaep1_TYg2sACnwtljA/s273/download.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="185" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGwecB9HTt9tg1jUKNc71BoUHueQiV2gJ_h9kX1p_vCqM-2q8NEoauS3LFbPvV4k7uoVj6u231LNb5YkTC-5jE2wyznTxfJU6B8j4TpTCY9jaI2YPF6_spGzczY6MK2CXQDCNEETwhx5HgwmooQdnb73ymLpNdTSya4gw7lDroaep1_TYg2sACnwtljA/w217-h320/download.jpeg" width="217" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Christopher">Wikipedia</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Dennis Christopher plays the role of Borath, a Vorta official. The Vorta serve as the Dominion's diplomatic/administrative arm while the Jem'Hadar fulfill military functions. Christopher was born Dennis Carrelli in Philadelphia, December 2, 1950. He attended Temple University but dropped out. He went to Rome where he had a chance encounter with Federico Fellini, one of the most important directors in the history of cinema. Fellini put Christopher in a movie, uncredited, and an unlikely success story began.</div><div><br /></div><div>Christopher's breakthrough came when he scored the lead in one of my family's favorite movies: <i>Breaking Away</i>, for which he won a BAFTA. I can't see the actor on screen without "Buon giorno, Papa!" ringing in my ear. Other films include <i>Fade to Black</i>, <i>Chariots of Fire</i> and <i>Django Unchained</i>. Television work has included recurring roles on <i>Profiler</i>, <i>Angel</i> and <i>Deadwood</i>.</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-58743689833605834762024-01-23T05:00:00.000-05:002024-01-23T05:26:10.390-05:00Squid Mixes: Silver King Cocktail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2PtJFovsERoBCRXcgU8XfYcbw7DO3ObpH1sPtjfyFBEcZh_wJKN0myXUIE6mNOE9Nag3N6cKEQS7K3QUYKZ0Wd0GMsDS8gp5hpQmZ_C5-i-VDv3aPF6OxPHL3zV2tYPYlyN9WDJBHYi77ZkW3WQKZs4FEgr4BBZxZi8M3JGfRv_Pi_FVZZx-KU_gLoo/s320/IMG_9659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl2PtJFovsERoBCRXcgU8XfYcbw7DO3ObpH1sPtjfyFBEcZh_wJKN0myXUIE6mNOE9Nag3N6cKEQS7K3QUYKZ0Wd0GMsDS8gp5hpQmZ_C5-i-VDv3aPF6OxPHL3zV2tYPYlyN9WDJBHYi77ZkW3WQKZs4FEgr4BBZxZi8M3JGfRv_Pi_FVZZx-KU_gLoo/w240-h320/IMG_9659.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A Silver King Cocktail combines gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, egg white and Angostura bitters. I got my recipe from <i>The New York Bartender's Guide</i>. It's not as sweet as some of the other egg white drinks we've tried - pleasant change of pace. The bitters - just a dash - brings a welcome bite of spice, too.<script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Series: <i>Star Trek: Deep Space Nine</i></div><div>Season 3, Episode 1</div><div>Original Air Date: September 26, 1994</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgd0ILjUDda0U8X_pcvbxg5iH_BG1tt0Z-COdD2Vy4WZRLE94h3UduLE-Cb3SfR3b9GR7Wb1e1HyXUr6KBu8oXKE2M1_ZgrZ63cz62N_t0zh4Q-ZfzdA8GnD1DXx3XL6it6Srogz2fwDRdCXi7_4MeRyPovlm2qE4rF13bXm73GiH7mLwrA7Rqs-QL-bbQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="692" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgd0ILjUDda0U8X_pcvbxg5iH_BG1tt0Z-COdD2Vy4WZRLE94h3UduLE-Cb3SfR3b9GR7Wb1e1HyXUr6KBu8oXKE2M1_ZgrZ63cz62N_t0zh4Q-ZfzdA8GnD1DXx3XL6it6Srogz2fwDRdCXi7_4MeRyPovlm2qE4rF13bXm73GiH7mLwrA7Rqs-QL-bbQ=w320-h242" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/The_Search,_Part_I_(episode)">Memory Alpha</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Our heroes have a new weapon: the USS Defiant. With the new threat of the Dominion looming, Commander Sisko has scored a warship. It also gives our heroes long-range exploration capability, expanding narrative possibilities for the series as well. Sisko wastes no time putting his new toy to good use, launching a mission to the Gamma Quadrant to find the Dominion.</div><div><br /></div><div>"The Search" lays important groundwork not just for Season 3 but for the rest of DS9's run. The Dominion will be the primary adversary henceforth. As noted above, thanks to the Defiant, our friends are no longer limited to a guardian role. They can be explorers, too. Best of all, Odo's story takes off. Among the DS9 principals, Odo's character thread is the most rewarding. Up to this point, Kira and even Dax were still in the running but with "The Search," the constable's tale takes the lead for good. On the station-front, there's a challenge to his authority when Starfleet brings in their own security officer, Michael Eddington (Kenneth Marshall). Once in the Gamma Quadrant, Odo finds himself drawn to the Omarian Nebula. He steals a shuttle and essentially kidnaps Kira to come with him to check it out. They reach a rogue M-class planet. On the surface, they meet Odo's people who welcome him home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, there's a cliffhanger!</div><div><br /></div><div>For Season 2, the producers challenged the writers to separate the new series from <i>The Next Generation</i>. The charge for Season 3 was to build a sense of family. It starts early in "The Search" as Jake and Ben discuss how they've come to see the station as home. Later, Ben expresses a deeper love for Bajor than we've seen before as he states how determined he is to protect them, <i>not</i> the Federation, from the Dominion. Finally, we see genuine warmth between Commander Sisko and Quark before they part on the Defiant, honestly concerned for each other's well-being.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is Odo's discovery a threat to this sense of family? We shall soon see. Part II is next week.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Acting Notes</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNo1BZu4tIs_cVFEs0JrGPbegB9eDf6RyrP6YrjdJkvzyVQ2CQLGURylGjGnCQICJJVUHBlShBwTXTsimAs3eEyV6AfLEPqMHLmjaiqDiucT80RsnfhicHyACMuxCk6DgFHS6ghV4Gi36vB2PTpY1SvVzLyYbtsMmwtD_QiO1X4EQY4F0nNBgrWiL7gSc" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNo1BZu4tIs_cVFEs0JrGPbegB9eDf6RyrP6YrjdJkvzyVQ2CQLGURylGjGnCQICJJVUHBlShBwTXTsimAs3eEyV6AfLEPqMHLmjaiqDiucT80RsnfhicHyACMuxCk6DgFHS6ghV4Gi36vB2PTpY1SvVzLyYbtsMmwtD_QiO1X4EQY4F0nNBgrWiL7gSc=w229-h320" width="229" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Salome_Jens">Memory Alpha</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Salome Jens plays the Female Changeling who greets Odo on his home world. Jens was born in Milwaukee, May 8, 1935. She majored in drama at the University of Wisconsin and also studied dance with Martha Graham. This is her second of many Trek appearances. She was the ancient humanoid in <a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2022/10/star-trek-chase.html">"The Chase."</a></div><div><br /></div><div>She made her film debut in <i>Terror from the Year 5000</i> which later had the dubious honor of being featured in <i>Mystery Science Theater 3000</i>. Other films include <i>Angel Baby</i>, <i>The Fool Killer</i> and <i>Seconds</i>. Soap operas were good to her. She had a 500-episode run on <i>Love Is a Many Splendored Thing</i> and a recurring role on the satirical <i>Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman</i>. She was Martha Kent on <i>Superboy</i> and also had recurring roles on <i>L.A. Law</i> and <i>Melrose Place</i>.</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-17323636967207056522024-01-16T01:00:00.030-05:002024-01-16T01:00:00.133-05:00Squid Mixes: Prado<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMINRiRa92ofTtARvyUL5G8w0_A3CvmcVRhzhqm4uJPQEKZat_8AZJRpA-NhNrrCtCGC_G1bYnxdLMYH5iq6mRBzD9ToMG_4dZg6-MDJuvQhJ6m4EloFzvteqKzZ79qtdcrHm_36QR5m1ffzUfWz2pbfSYY1h_c5locNChigp2iMaiBs648MZ8vg-ZuMU/s320/IMG_9655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMINRiRa92ofTtARvyUL5G8w0_A3CvmcVRhzhqm4uJPQEKZat_8AZJRpA-NhNrrCtCGC_G1bYnxdLMYH5iq6mRBzD9ToMG_4dZg6-MDJuvQhJ6m4EloFzvteqKzZ79qtdcrHm_36QR5m1ffzUfWz2pbfSYY1h_c5locNChigp2iMaiBs648MZ8vg-ZuMU/s1600/IMG_9655.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A Prado combines silver tequila, lime juice, maraschino liqueur, grenadine and egg white with a lime slice to garnish. I got my recipe from <i>The New York Bartender's Guide</i>. <i>Prado</i> means <i>grassy meadow</i> or <i>field</i> in Spanish.<script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div><br /></div><div>The result is very nice. The grenadine brings the pink but the drink doesn't taste pink. With the tequila and lime flavors dominating, the Prado is essentially a pink, foamy margarita. </div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-41997494031447465522024-01-12T01:00:00.299-05:002024-01-12T01:00:00.140-05:00Star Trek: The Jem'HadarEpisode: "The Jem'Hadar"<script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Series: <i>Star Trek: Deep Space Nine</i></div><div>Season 2, Episode 26</div><div>Original Air Date: June 12, 1994</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUW3RA-fl8BpN9_HIl17jR2YLMCCrmpGsjcf6llcPV67tdQ4KphgBfpQPz5VF82QqC8FzsROe_60aPRdQXls18uBRVKYZD0ZLWkh9pKPUMEXlipv9Se8zx9CZX_R3ZbMW9dMtTnStlZaBjOqN6dTqneeApryAXQU_fBhyYlzqGUu95CXOF63h6Wtr2Krs/s576/Quark_Sisko_and_Eris.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="576" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUW3RA-fl8BpN9_HIl17jR2YLMCCrmpGsjcf6llcPV67tdQ4KphgBfpQPz5VF82QqC8FzsROe_60aPRdQXls18uBRVKYZD0ZLWkh9pKPUMEXlipv9Se8zx9CZX_R3ZbMW9dMtTnStlZaBjOqN6dTqneeApryAXQU_fBhyYlzqGUu95CXOF63h6Wtr2Krs/w320-h240/Quark_Sisko_and_Eris.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/The_Jem%27Hadar_(episode)">Memory Alpha</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>As he sets out on a camping trip in the Gamma Quadrant with Jake, Nog and Quark, Benjamin Sisko's greatest worry is how he's going to endure the bartender's company for the duration. Little does he know the journey will lead to an encounter with the Jem'Hadar, the soldiers of the Dominion. While the Deep Space Nine gang has only heard general allusions to the Dominion, the Jem'Hadar know plenty about Starfleet. </div><div><br /></div><div>"The Jem'Hadar" is the season finale and it sets the table for many stories to come. The Dominion, not the Cardassians, are the primary adversary for <i>Deep Space Nine</i> and they provide much of the narrative drive for the next five seasons. The full implications of this initial encounter, especially in regards to Odo, are not yet apparent. In truth, the total concept wasn't fully formed by the writing staff at this point. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Jem'Hadar demonstrate clearly that they are not to be taken lightly. Their attack upon (and destruction of) the USS Odyssey was intended to demonstrate to the viewers that our dear Enterprise could provide no significant challenge for the new enemy. In fact, there was talk of the Enterprise itself being destroyed in what would certainly have been a memorable crossover. Goodness, how the future of the franchise might have played out differently from there!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Thoughts on Season Two</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>General Impressions</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The producers told the writers that their job for Season 2 of <i>Deep Space Nine</i> was to set the new series apart from <i>The Next Generation</i>. I feel they did a wonderful job. DS9 brings quite a lot to the Star Trek party. Sitting in the stew with one planet is new ground allowing for deeper understanding of the politics and culture of a single world. Developing the characters of Odo and Dax provide new windows as well. Most importantly, DS9 allows for greater moral ambiguity among the principals than we ever saw on <i>NextGen</i>. Even more than the universe expansion, giving everyone more elbow room provides a much broader scope for storytelling.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Favorite Episode: <a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2023/05/star-trek-necessary-evil.html">"Necessary Evil"</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Case in point, this story quite simply never would have been written for <i>NextGen</i>. "Necessary Evil" is a flashback tale, a glimpse of Tarak Nor, the Cardassian name for Deep Space 9 before the Federation took control. It's a noir mystery with Odo in the lead, a better one than any of Picard's adventures on the holodeck. The ending, in particular, is decidedly new territory. There is real damage between Kira and Odo with no promise of repair. That never would have been allowed on the Enterprise.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Least Favorite Episode: <a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2023/06/star-trek-rivals.html">"Rivals"</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Chris Sarandon guest starring definitely seems promising. Quark is conned by a conman who is then conned himself - sure, why not? Unfortunately, Sarandon isn't charming enough to sell it. There is a better secondary plot developing the Julian/Miles bromance.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Favorite Recurring Character: Garak</b></div><div><br /></div><div>No one else is in the running. I won't pretend otherwise. In <a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2023/03/star-trek-cardassians.html">"Cardassians,"</a> Garak delivers the best line of the series so far: "I never tell the truth because I don't believe there is such a thing."</div><div><br /></div><div>Wow. Just, wow.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Favorite Blast from the Past: Three Klingon Warriors</b></div><div><br /></div><div>In <a href="https://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2023/10/star-trek-blood-oath.html">"Blood Oath,"</a> three Klingons from the original series return. Kor, Koloth and Kang are out for vengeance. Apart from some good Dax development, "Blood Oath" isn't the strongest episode. But the basic fact of the reunion is fun. Plus, Kor will be back.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Favorite Guest Actor, One-Shot: Cress Williams</b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy09Us7vvmmR6Uf3GNkSgQGSPuLx4CLGvKd_Jou2506ERuGGCw1yDu8oMTv4zQBX_3GVjKerHj_Qu7W8amWO2dk3TJRCvknIXxaVJwgiinPjb5Iyfcz3r6s_y8SqaNCaLRv_HBQow6gZ-Q938O6z03L91HyoM3q35toiqtihEI5RWfZfVBGflctudgaY4/s500/Talak_talan.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy09Us7vvmmR6Uf3GNkSgQGSPuLx4CLGvKd_Jou2506ERuGGCw1yDu8oMTv4zQBX_3GVjKerHj_Qu7W8amWO2dk3TJRCvknIXxaVJwgiinPjb5Iyfcz3r6s_y8SqaNCaLRv_HBQow6gZ-Q938O6z03L91HyoM3q35toiqtihEI5RWfZfVBGflctudgaY4/w320-h320/Talak_talan.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Cress_Williams">Memory Alpha</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I admire an actor who can do a lot with a little. In "The Jem'Hadar," Cress Williams plays the role of Talak'talan, the leader of the soldiers who capture Sisko and company. He doesn't get much material but he makes the most of it. His contempt for Sisko is palpable and natural. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he's the rare actor, at 6' 5", who can make Avery Brooks look short. And he moves beautifully. The moment on Deep Space 9 when he steps out of the containment field as if it's not even there is downright badass.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RyE-5yYQrQQ1J7pVOkECtlFpS60E65YcEUOf8Adc73lYt5QXofeEeMzkhZwXYbsfcdRRD4qBEByITGG9K23SyGLl7n4KoBoD4-azX_SScu2du_Kl6J3cPhLzndqEFbgAUab1iSLB-BmiTk0YpP-CTP9J5krTrmUJNr3QLFIBXfQfAcmptfn-2jqryfk/s1024/Cress-williams_sc_768x1024.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RyE-5yYQrQQ1J7pVOkECtlFpS60E65YcEUOf8Adc73lYt5QXofeEeMzkhZwXYbsfcdRRD4qBEByITGG9K23SyGLl7n4KoBoD4-azX_SScu2du_Kl6J3cPhLzndqEFbgAUab1iSLB-BmiTk0YpP-CTP9J5krTrmUJNr3QLFIBXfQfAcmptfn-2jqryfk/w240-h320/Cress-williams_sc_768x1024.webp" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://living-single.fandom.com/wiki/Cress_Williams">Living Single Wiki</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Onward</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Once again, the best is yet to come.</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-9976141845154255722024-01-09T01:00:00.102-05:002024-01-09T13:54:47.313-05:00Squid Perks: Lavender CoffeeIn early October, I got a very exciting text thread from our child asking about lavender bitters. <script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div><br /></div><div>"Does it exist?" they asked. "I've found I like lavender in coffee."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Wow, are you ever my kid," I responded.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Purple Penguin is now 20 years old. They don't drink alcohol (beyond a few curious sips - or so they assure us) nor am I inclined to encourage them to do so before they're of legal age. But as that is coming soon, I give a lot of thought to their general flavor preferences so I can offer a tailored celebratory beverage when the moment arrives. As such, this exchange provided valuable information.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, lavender bitters exist and no, I've never tried it. Bitters are typically alcohol-based but syrups do not present such an obstacle. So, there's no reason we can't start experimenting with lavender syrup now. I picked up a bottle of Floral Elixir Co.'s product for our purposes.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmkV4qIpArGpUhjJi8aHUKSsu7qgwoGyn7DN6_z5V6w-21LnMyVRGJcOxZ-BpBVAeialFfbO9pwW9PWZiIzPkLuD3jYgWrt99TgFWkpSx9RIgWHce5ArzPdZJfkJkFCm6ub1HAT3WBtZAHFJds1vwWIJP1upMX0UppX4VL-_9yWdXgsI8d0qytqZ9yxk/s320/IMG_9660.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmkV4qIpArGpUhjJi8aHUKSsu7qgwoGyn7DN6_z5V6w-21LnMyVRGJcOxZ-BpBVAeialFfbO9pwW9PWZiIzPkLuD3jYgWrt99TgFWkpSx9RIgWHce5ArzPdZJfkJkFCm6ub1HAT3WBtZAHFJds1vwWIJP1upMX0UppX4VL-_9yWdXgsI8d0qytqZ9yxk/s1600/IMG_9660.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So far, I have tried 25 ml, the Internet's recommended shot size, in coffee both with milk and without. Lavender coffee recipes online are usually for lattes so while my general preference at home is black coffee (no fuss), it seemed reasonable to try it with milk any way. In both cases, the result was pleasant - nothing overwhelming but pleasant. I half-expected a soapy flavor due to early childhood lavender associations but there wasn't any. </div><div><br /></div><div>Despite the fact that they're the one who started the conversation, PP hasn't been overly eager to try it. After they'd been home for a few days, I had to set the syrup bottle right next to the coffeemaker so they'd notice. Kids... Nonetheless, they did try and weren't overly thrilled with the result. Too sweet. However, they weren't averse to trying again sometime, with a lesser dose.</div><div><br /></div><div>To date, this second attempt has not happened.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh well. I certainly don't mind having a new flavor choice available and I'm grateful for a glimpse of their preferences. I may yet seek out a bottle of lavender bitters in time for their birthday.</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-63173994364903267892024-01-05T01:00:00.159-05:002024-01-05T01:00:00.337-05:00Star Trek: TribunalEpisode: "Tribunal"<script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Series: <i>Star Trek: Deep Space Nine</i></div><div>Season 2, Episode 25</div><div>Original Air Date: June 5, 1994</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eHaGQHv1esjs0Rn2svCRY09rYd3iibTlaOzFexcWRNz2I2EIEcbV_jZIOgcHLt64otMnnC_3PAZzBR54KwVclNIVz9ihCtllw18LSvgCwgaU-bGen6NPeiEv7Mc14o_ScvXG4KMddKnG-EZN4g82y3tJUXmersDu01x18HtNq3G11wHGY7XolF_8MSI/s678/Tribunal.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="678" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eHaGQHv1esjs0Rn2svCRY09rYd3iibTlaOzFexcWRNz2I2EIEcbV_jZIOgcHLt64otMnnC_3PAZzBR54KwVclNIVz9ihCtllw18LSvgCwgaU-bGen6NPeiEv7Mc14o_ScvXG4KMddKnG-EZN4g82y3tJUXmersDu01x18HtNq3G11wHGY7XolF_8MSI/w320-h251/Tribunal.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://memory-beta.fandom.com/wiki/Tribunal">Memory Beta</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The O'Briens are going on vacation. Unfortunately, en route, they are stopped by a Cardassian patrol. Miles is arrested, charges unknown, and brought to Cardassia Prime. As we know from earlier stories, criminal trials are mere formalities for the Cardassians, the accused already deemed guilty in advance. In time, we learn that Miles is being charged with smuggling photon torpedoes to the Maquis. His friends back at the station have to work quickly to prove he's been framed.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Tribunal" provides our first meaningful visit to the Cardassian homeworld. The repressive society is inspired by George Orwell's <i>1984</i>. As expected, the trial (based on Franz Kafka's <i>The Trial</i>) is a sham. Truth and justice are irrelevant. Instead, the exercise, broadcast to the masses, is orchestrated to bolster pride in the state. Miles's Public Conservator (attorney) is not expected to prove anything. Instead, he coaches his client through the theatrics: when to cry, when to beg for mercy, etc. Thankfully, Odo elbows his way into the proceedings to provide what one would expect for a defense - or at least to stall long enough to make it to the Perry Mason-esque reveal that saves the day in the end.</div><div><br /></div><div>Worthy of note: one quite reasonably expects that once Odo is on the scene, he'll use his shapeshifting abilities to help Miles escape but that's not how it pans out. Of course, the Cardassian authorities would know of Odo's particular talents already so they might not provide the advantage they would under other circumstances.</div><div><br /></div><div>The episode has a lot to recommend it. There's meaningful development for Miles, Keiko and Odo. The glimpse of Cardassia Prime is important. Colm Meany gets to flex his thespian muscles. The guest actors are strong. It's also the DS9 directorial debut for Avery Brooks.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Acting Notes</i></b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGq9e6HhsWigZXYd0ikgRFHewR0Wzx8oU3voxR_Y2R_NjJ6ETkUIftmYBwyvH4TjX_f_N_yFOJo63r2Xa1m61F4jC-T5c7FHipEj1pWpFLKnjo2krsH5tYM4uOdXvaGLRda3wojTViUPW0p_t7U0VOj74lU0zih6yC1IqHPFYuXxkCq80djh86r3WxVY/s250/Actor_Fritz_Weaver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="228" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGq9e6HhsWigZXYd0ikgRFHewR0Wzx8oU3voxR_Y2R_NjJ6ETkUIftmYBwyvH4TjX_f_N_yFOJo63r2Xa1m61F4jC-T5c7FHipEj1pWpFLKnjo2krsH5tYM4uOdXvaGLRda3wojTViUPW0p_t7U0VOj74lU0zih6yC1IqHPFYuXxkCq80djh86r3WxVY/w292-h320/Actor_Fritz_Weaver.jpg" width="292" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Weaver">Wikipedia</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Fritz Weaver played the role of Kovat, the Public Conservator. Weaver was born in Pittsburgh, January 19, 1926. He was a conscientious objector during World War II, working in the Civilian Public Service. He started acting in the '50s. </div><div><br /></div><div>Weaver was especially successful on stage, winning a Tony in 1970 for his performance in <i>Child's Play</i>. He also got a Tony nomination for <i>The Chalk Garden</i> in 1956. In 2010, he was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame - I didn't even know there was one. </div><div><br /></div><div>Weaver's television career spanned four decades, particularly in science fiction. Beyond Trek, he made guest appearances in <i>The Twilight Zone</i> (in both the '60s and the '80s), <i>Night Gallery</i> and <i>The X-Files</i>. He was nominated for an Emmy for his performance in the miniseries <i>Holocaust</i> in 1978. Films include <i>Fail Safe</i>, <i>Marathon Man</i> and <i>The Thomas Crown Affair</i> (1999).</div><div><br /></div><div>Fritz Weaver was married twice. He had two children from his first marriage. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 90.</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8586403344533829376.post-51969731656267742782024-01-04T01:00:00.114-05:002024-01-04T01:00:00.145-05:00On the Coffee Table: Frederick DouglassTitle: <i>Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass</i><script type="text/javascript">
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</script><div>Author: Frederick Douglass</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcTR1MRR_amRZUrFj-yjlAQdQGCuUC114tUrGHtYl6gZcw7I17zPOSar_T2RcYuZ_Eq3mH_C-lMfShMJ4tmwPbfPGY-aOvxdSLKLG5MthUXZn_8lMhPSzfYBLK1qdTujWd7WLZo25bxVzheR82c2mTw1tfHJpO35CsVtZ0VSXyevCl_NWuoV1yIqsk4ok" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="626" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcTR1MRR_amRZUrFj-yjlAQdQGCuUC114tUrGHtYl6gZcw7I17zPOSar_T2RcYuZ_Eq3mH_C-lMfShMJ4tmwPbfPGY-aOvxdSLKLG5MthUXZn_8lMhPSzfYBLK1qdTujWd7WLZo25bxVzheR82c2mTw1tfHJpO35CsVtZ0VSXyevCl_NWuoV1yIqsk4ok=w200-h320" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Narrative-Life-Frederick-Douglass/dp/0486284999">Amazon</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in either 1817 or 1818, official birth record non-existent. More confirmable is the fact that he escaped to the North in 1838 and eventually became the most important writer and orator in the abolitionist movement. <i>Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass</i> is one of three autobiographies he wrote and an essential vehicle for his long-term legacy, often assigned reading in American high schools. </div><div><br /></div><div>Douglass published the work in 1845 in response to white abolitionists who doubted his claims to a modest, self-educated past. He pulled no punches in describing the horrors of slavery, including particularly graphic accounts of whippings he suffered and witnessed. He deliberately left out details of his escape, not wanting to compromise the opportunities for other slaves to free themselves from bondage.</div><div><br /></div><div>I first learned about Douglass in the second grade as part of our Maryland history unit which included several famous Black historical figures born in the state. The only other two I'm sure were on the list were Harriett Tubman and Benjamin Banneker, though I can't imagine Thurgood Marshall wasn't included. Medical pioneer Charles R. Drew was claimed though technically he was born in DC. 40 years on, I'm now struck by the fact that the two most famous escaped slaves - Douglass and Tubman - were both born on Maryland plantations. Maryland - or at least Montgomery County, where I grew up - lives in denial of the fact that it is part of the American South. Undeniably, it was both a slave state and a Jim Crow state. So at least in terms of racial history, Maryland qualifies as southern.</div><div><br /></div><div>With the American radical right eager to whitewash our nation's deeply racist history, it's more important than ever that books like <i>Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass</i> are read, especially in schools.</div>The Armchair Squidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13509001761075530940noreply@blogger.com4