Downton Abbey that is…
I enjoyed season one…but I’m officially enthralled with season two. I love it all…the memorable characters, wartime drama, exquisite costumes, tricky love triangles and of course Violet’s snarky quips (played by the one & only Maggie Smith)!
Anyone else out there loving season two of this delightful series?
Good news, if you haven’t watched it yet…you can catch up online at PBS!!
{Click images for their source}
Last night I caught the last part of Women, War & Peace, a powerful five-part special series on PBS:
Women, War & Peace is a bold new five-part PBS television series challenging the conventional wisdom that war and peace are men’s domain. The vast majority of today’s conflicts are not fought by nation states and their armies, but rather by informal entities: gangs and warlords using small arms and improvised weapons. The series reveals how the post-Cold War proliferation of small arms has changed the landscape of war, with women becoming primary targets and suffering unprecedented casualties.
Yet they are simultaneously emerging as necessary partners in brokering lasting peace and as leaders in forging new international laws governing conflict. With depth and complexity, Women, War & Peace spotlights the stories of women in conflict zones from Bosnia to Afghanistan and Colombia to Liberia, placing women at the center of an urgent dialogue about conflict and security, and reframing our understanding of modern warfare.
I was quite moved by each of the episodes I watched and the unique struggle of women living in different conflict zones. It’s quite difficult to view the show without wanting to talk about & process the emotional content. I was struck by the bravery & resolve of the women portrayed…I’m not sure what I would have done in their shoes.
With Veteran’s Day just around the corner, this program acts as an extra reminder of war’s deep and lasting scars on all those involved.
Here are the five episodes in the series:
Be sure to check out the series site on PBS and click the image below for a trailer:
…proof just how brave you must be to choose peace!
{Click photos for their source}
Where are you 8 o’clock on a Sunday night? You’ll find me showered, in my pajamas and ready to enjoy Masterpiece on PBS. I know, I know…sounds terribly nerdy but I swear the show is amazing! Plus it has become a part of my routine to wind down before the work week begins again.
Masterpiece is comprised of three genres: Classic, Mystery! & Contemporary. All three are fantastic…but Mystery! has never quite been my favorite (when compared to the other two that is). However I’ve been won over the past couple of seasons with their lovely, re-imagining of the beloved Agatha Christie characters Hercule Poriot & Miss Marple.
And it seems they have found another gem with the new detective series Zen. It takes place on the ancient streets of Rome, with impeccably dressed, espresso sipping characters passing by sites like the Colosseum. Sigh. How I wish I was there.
The only complaint I have is the mix of English & Italian accents gives it a little bit of an un-genuine feel. But staring at the gorgeous, justice-seeking detective Aurelio Zen, played by Rufus Sewell, has cured me of any grievances regarding this wonderful new series!
The good news is if you’re not a lame-o like me on Sunday nights…you can watch all three Zen episodes, Vendetta, Cabal & Ratking, at PBS.org any time you please!
Happy Watching…and sleuthing!
{Click photos for their source}
