programmes to watch

The secret genius of plants BBC 4 last Wednesday, 2nd episode this week. Lots about plants interactions with insects, animals and environment. Some things I knew, like the thickness of cells on the windward side of trees, but much of it new and fascinating.

 

Berger himself lost some weight and went to the chamber in 2022. The Neledi were smaller and thinner than we are nowadays. But still impressive to see what they did to bury their bodies.
What I found exciting was when Berger and his team found a tool, the hashtags and burials. They asked if what we thought that homo sapiens had made so special is probably just in our genes from that time when Neledi did it and they got it from the homo before. I wonder what neanderthalis looked like when neledi was around at the same time.
One thing is sure, there will be something new after homo sapiens died out. Who knows what they make of our stuff when they start digging.

 

‘Asia’ - the latest Attenborough is as spectacular as usual. I particularly enjoy the ocean episodes of his nature documentaries - hard to believe some of the creatures that inhabit our planet.

 

The Mirror and the Light - 3rd in the Hilary Mantel books, 9pm on BBC1 tonight - can't wait!

 

Thanks for the tip. Watched the two episodes yesterday evening. Very impressive. I noticed some of the mentioned observations myself for example that certain plans germinate and grow better when they are together. Probably no plants wants to live on its own, but be in communication with other plants.

 

I have just binge watched the entire new series of Monkey Life on Sky/Now TV. It's about the work of the Monkey World sanctuary in Dorset, there are 17 series now available.

Also on Now TV, I enjoyed a miniseries called The Boy Who Never Was. It's about an Irish couple living in Morocco, whose son goes missing in an earthquake and is presumed dead.

And on Netflix, I am two episodes into Territory, which is set on a huge, failing Australian cattle ranch with lots of family conflict. Good story so far and great scenery.

 

I rarely binge watch anything, but the recent drama, based on a true story, was fabulous. Until I Kill You, with Anna Maxwell Martin and, the always excellent, Shaun Evans. There was a follow on programme with the woman that it's about.
I don't remember the story being in the news at the time, but bearing in mind the way the world is, and the comment Saoirse Ronan made recently, it's a timely reminder, and makes for gripping viewing. It's a subject close to my own heart too.

 

Yes, it was an excruciating thing to witness. But when I went on to a public review website where anybody can give their opinions on the actors, the production etc, most of the comments were about what an unlikeable and strange person the woman, the victim, was. No mention of what an unlikeable and strange person the mass murderer was.

We still have a long way to go.

 

It always surprises me when people rate a film or TV series or book poorly on the basis "I didn't like the character". Surely that's not the point? You don't need to like the character to empathise with their situation.

 

For me the big problem is watching a film or TV adaptation after reading the book. I have my own vision of what the person is like and more often than not the person on film/TV doesn't match that expectation.
Probably the biggest mismatch has been Tom Cruise at about 5' 8" being cast as Jack Reacher who is described in the book as 6' 5" and built like a brick outhouse. Reacher's sheer presence gets him out of a lot of trouble. I can't imagine anybody being scared of Tom Cruise.
Another was John Hannah being cast as Rebus. For me he was just too young and healthy looking. Rebus is a care worn, heavy drinker. Hannah looked like he had just come from the gym. Ken Stott fitted the description much more closely.

 

Re Until I Kill You:

In the paper today, the police still have their old mindset…

Only one in 10 sexual assault survivors in England and Wales would report crime again, survey shows

 

It doesn't surprise me at all @Tidemark and @ViewAhead. Victim blaming has never been easier because of the internet, but it's always been there. It's also obvious that none of them have been in that situation themselves, or they just might understand how it feels.
I can understand why people don't want to proceed with reporting it too. Even if they can get it to court, the perpetrators use the inevitable trauma of the whole process [for the victims] to maintain their control. It's why so many get away with it.
That's all I'm saying here about it. I've been there.

 

Just been listening to a presentation by the MP putting forward the Assisted Dying bill, with input from a former Director of Prosecutions, an MP GP, an Australian official (giving insight into what happens there), etc. Very compelling. I'm in favour, but this further convinced me. Surely doing nothing to update the current 1961 law is not an option? We will see.

 

My SIL died last year in Queensland of inescapable pancreatic cancer. She was medically trained and knew what was coming. In Queensland you are given a phone number that you can call if/when things become unbearable and you need out. One phone call and someone will come and do the deed. My brother is also terminally ill with cancer and says that phone number is a blessing.