20 Weeks and Counting

No, that is not the title of my next manuscript. And yes, If you're trying to keep track, the last chapter of my Novel 26 Women went out last Thursday. Watch this space for the announcement of the beginning of the latest one currently entitled Working Title. 

Also, I happy to announce to all of you grammar experts, my friend Pam Frautchi has volunteered to edit 26 Women. So all of those irritating punctuation issues and sloppy sentence constructions will be gone. I will be deciding on how I'm going to publish it. My goal is a reasonably priced digital and hardcopy available in time for the Holidays.

Ah, Let me get back to week twenty, or the seemingly never-ending period of quarantine. You readers have to be tired of the recitation of my daily schedule. Nothings changed except maybe what I'm working with my art projects. No, let us talk about what I'm streaming.

Many of us loved Michelle Dockeryas the Lady Crowley in Downton Abby. You see her ability to play an American role as the mother Laurie Barber in Defending Jacob. But if you really want to see her spread her acting wings, you must see her in Good Behavior. Her character Letty Raines is a sleep-around, petty thief who is addicted to alcohol and drugs. One of her sources of income is robbing hotel rooms when the visitors are out. 

During one of these excursions, her thievery is interrupted when the guest returns to his room with another man. Letty hides in the closet and listens to the conversation of the two men.

The one-man is a husband who wants his wife killed. The other man is a professional hitman, Javier. She listens as Javier is giving the husband instructions on how the deed is to be done and what the husband must do to have an alibi. 

The first episode in this 20 episode saga ends with Letty and Javier working together. Although the writing is loose in a couple of spots, i.e., magical solutions, unexpected and hardly believable outcomes. It is entertaining. The two stars Dockery and Juan Diego Botto, overcome the shortcomings in the script and provide the sizzle that you need for this kind of adventure. Are they going to go straight for love and normality, or is they're a need for the adrenalin rush of life on the edge going to doom them? (Hulu)

When I saw the title, Mary Kills People, I thought Hulu must be having a review of our favorite hitmen themed shows. I was close but not really on target. (Pun always intended) 

Our protagonist, Doctor Mary Harris, does indeed kill people, but, and this a huge but, the patients want her to kill them. To be clear, Mary doesn't actually kill patients who request her to assist them in their suicide, she just makes sure that it's going to work. 

Along with sidekick Desmond and a nurse who refers patients to her, Dr. Harris has a seemingly neverending list of prospects. 

Among her problems, Mary is living with the responsibility that her first patient was her own mother. From this experience, Mary has come away with a crusaders fervor for her chosen side job. She is also the mother to two daughters and is involved in an amicable divorce from their father. 

This three-season series is paced like a marathon runner who is juggling chainsaws as she runs the course. Even though the episodes crackle with suspense, the stories give the viewers ample chance to explore the reasoned decisions of her patients, while also giving us a compelling but subtle suggestion that what Mary is doing is illegal, but it shouldn't be. Or at least it shouldn't be unlawful until she crosses the line. (Hulu, Season 3 is not available yet)

Then there is my walk on the wild side. Cursed is the reimagined tale of the Excaliber. This the mythical sword that is sheathed in a rock waiting for the chosen one that can pull it out. Only in this case, Auther, he of the roundtable fame, is not quite as noble. Merlin is even less admirable. Our hero is Nimue, a Fey girl who is reluctant to processes the sword and is unaware of the power and the responsibilities that come with it. 

This is just a lot of fantasy fun with wizards, swords and sorcery. the writers are enjoying themselves rewriting this mythical tale that has been around for a long time. I have to say they have done a good job.

I have one problem. It's not the series fault. Playing the lead is a young actress, Kathrine Langford. This latest Australian import is a talented actress and carries the role well. Langford portrays the vulnerability of her character and simultaneously shows the girl's grit and determination. 

My problem every time she appears I think, Hannah Baker. Langford played the role of Hannah Baker on the popular series, Thirteen Reasons Why. Despite being killed off in the first season, her character manages to be the focal point in the overall plot of the series.