LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Lost Girl 2 - season 3 - Why It Delights Us + The War of 1812

"Fox," some near and dear inquire, "explain again why you take such delight in such an absurd show."

OK, por ejemplo ....

Tamsin's Game Face
Q: When was the last time the War of 1812 was discussed in a supernatural series?

A: In Lost Girl's season 3, episode 10,  “Delinquents.”

Two valkyries, Tamsin and Acacia, reminisce about good times on the battlefield in times past. Up pops the War of 1812. Acacia, the elder valkyrie, chortles as she describes the mess the U.S. Brigadier General William Hull made in Michigan territory (the two battles of River Raisin, January, 1813, a/k/a Battle of Frenchtown ) in the U.S.’s vain attempt to conquer Canada. (Recall, this is a Canadian show.)  She contrasts Hull with great general of the Shawnee Confederacy– and all man -- Tecumseh. However, she did not include the fate of Tecumseh at the Battle of the Thames (October 14, 1813), though presumably he is a more than worthy addition to the Valhalha ranks.

Acacia, Tamsin's Valkyrie Mentor
This is one of the few references made in this series by the plethora of very ancient figures -- light or dark fae --  to what are human events. Granted most of them are not much concerned with humans at all, beyond keeping humans from interfering with the fae, and using them for their own criteria of legitimate feeding and amusement. However, as these two are valkyries, whose purpose is to harvest the deserving dead from human battlefields to Valhalla for the Last War, they would naturally chitchat about human battles past. Beyond that, however, without spoiling, there are surely reasons that valkyries showed up in season 3.  This means the writers are making what they do look more simple than what they are actually doing, at least for the sorts of viewers who notice such elements.


Which means further, that I'm looking forward all the more to season 4, which if the writing wasn't as good, as smart, as efficient, as it is, I wouldn't be.  Among the delightfully clever things they do is include Dion's "The Wanderer" (1961 - 1962) as source music in appropriate scenes.  Very cool. I just hope that the writers manage to keep their touch as light as they've done all along.

Tamsin Reborn Season 4, SyFy Channel, Premieres January 2014




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