Underfoot

The premise of Elsbeth is getting a pretty stale. Who thought this was a sustainable structure for a crime show? Or is it supposed to be more of a comedy? Minor spoilers on episode structure in the spoiler box

Don't worry everyone, last night I dreamed Biden beat Trump in November. It was close but he pulled it off. I think we're gonna be okay.

Watched the first episode of Elsbeth and yes this world is maybe overworked a bit but she was always my favorite guest. It worked tbh. The initial set up was interestingly done, there were good dynamics between all the characters, and the serial aspect of introduced at the end is a solid hook. Definitely on my weekly watch list.

I read the Kings of Paradise trilogy by Richard Nell and it mostly worked for me. The first book was really difficult as you have to learn that yeah, there's not really anyone to root for precisely, and the world building took a bit to click for me. Ultimately I enjoyed the bulk of it; a very different type of fantasy world with a very different type of magic and some interesting character work. The end was little weird and some of the character fates felt a little loosely tied up - with so much attention given to Ruka in the final book, there wasn't much room for much else. I also read She Who Became the Sun by Shelly Parker-Chan in less than 24 hours this weekend. SO engrossing. I had read (or thought I read) that it was really bleak/depressing, but I didn't find it too bad (Maybe mixed that up with The Poppy Wars). Mostly historical fiction with the just-right about of fantasy elements to lend it an air of myth, with some interesting gender identity / sexuality themes sprinkled in. Looking forward to He Who Drowned the World.

Agreed on the ending, I just didn't get it. It was strange how much it mirrored the final book / problem of The Expanse, and how the authors chose such different endings

Listen there's no way that video is Kate. I'd put money on it. Apparently she had an official lookalike and this looks very much like her. Also apparently the Windsor farms have their Christmas decorations up in the video, which wouldn't be the case currently. (Yes I am too deep into waterkate for a rational human but WHAT is going on! Feels like an elaborate troll because I can't understand how the royal family propaganda machine is this bad!)

I'd argue video games are a much more "valid*" way to spend free time than TV as it is active (requires full attention for the most part), engages problem solving skills and motor function, and can get you into a "flow state." For multiplayer games there's also a social element, even if in many cases it's quite toxic. TV is often super passive and easy to get distracted during and look at your phone while you half watch. *Not that there should be any judgment of what's valid/isn't valid.

Man this show is good

I'm personally absolutely pissed about this extra work day

Feels like they're likely to ruin it if they try to do a live action version, unfortunately. Unless the Andor creators are tapped

Agreed. As someone who voted uncommitted yesterday, I do have every intention of voting for Biden over Trump in November. I'm sure I'm not alone (just like I'm sure there are some who voted uncommitted and actually are/actually won't vote for biden). But what better way to get a message across right now? Self immolation? There is a chance Biden takes this seriously and does something to rein in Netanyahu's actions.

Just got back from voting in the Michigan primary, where there's been a big effort to get Democrats to vote "uncommitted" (an option on the ballot) to send Biden a message on supporting a ceasefire and to stop sending weapons to Israel. This has been all over the news lately and I even got a call asking if I'd commit to voting uncommitted. I think they're hoping to get 10% set to uncommitted for the Democratic ballot. I'm going to be very curious how this plays out tonight; Michigan is still a swing state and if enough people show they're unhappy with Biden here, it's possible (possible (possible)) that he might change his actions. At least, that's the hope. I voted uncommitted

I really liked the first book. Curious to hear how you like the second

Definitely try Silo

I didn't go to prison. There's some quest you can do (the murder mystery one? The explosive toys one?) where you can get a letter saying you're good to cross. There are probably other ways, eg sneaking or arcane gate or something. I did sneak into the prison and ended up freeing someone, that's the only way I interacted with it.