No, Star Trek was filmed *during* the Vietnam War, not before. It was a long war and you see various allusions to it and the Cold War throughout the series. The early episode with the Organian Peace Treaty is a clear critique of American values. The Klingons in that episode (their first appearance, I believe) were…

Duct tape rocks. Wonder if this was plain old silver or some of that colorful crafty stuff?

Yeah, I was hoping that one would be mentioned.

Damn, I also studied with Viveca Lindfors at one point—remarkable woman; remarkable actress. Thanks for a great read and bringing back some good memories of my own.

I’ve only read Sanderson’s completion of the Wheel of Time. Not in love with him, but he was more than competent taking over and his closing trilogy of books were an improvement over Jordan’s later part of the series. Props to him for pulling it off and being willing to do it.

Yeah, that’s because he takes time, while writing, to figure out what matters and what doesn’t. Beagle’s not a self-indulgent writer.

I figure Rothfuss is young enough that something will finally come out—just hope I’m around for it.

With Martin, at least we’ll get an end on TV, so I consider that the rough equivalent of Sanderson finishing the Wheel of Time—though Jordan has no one but himself to blame for not finishing his own series—he let that…

Yep, all the clues are there that we’re dealing with an unreliable narrator.

Peter Beagle’s someone whose slow pace I understand, his work is beautifully crafted and goes in unexpected directions—but he never flaunts his skill, it’s just all quietly there.

I think Rothfuss should finish the series and then keeping working in the world. I don’t need 20 books of Kvothe being morose, but the writing’s good and the world has some interesting things in it.

I wouldn’t say mediocre, but yeah, so far, the plotting doesn’t knock my socks off. Not all that much has happened over the course of two fairly long books. I actually get why he’s stuck because there’s been a fair amount of build-up, but no sign that Rothfuss actually knows how to write big scenes. We keep seeiing…

beejern didn’t say only books/films by women, s/he said “more.” We’re looking at a list that’s only sort of half by women—I’m giving partial credit for the source of *Children of Men*.

Oh, so I was fine with the Season One orgy, but annoyed by the Christmas one—it felt a bit exploitive. So, dialing back on the orgies and focusing on characters and plot sounds like exactly what I want.

Rothfuss is the one writer who’s actually slower than Martin. He has two things going for him—he’s younger and he’s only supposed to be writing a trilogy, but I’d never recommend him as a cure for those frustrated by Martin’s pace.

Glad to see Stevens is doing so well, he took such heat when he wanted out of Downton Abbey. My gut feeling is that he got fed up with the hokey story lines that started in Season 2—fun enough to watch, but a lot of it was way over-the- top.

That’s odd, given that your body converts various foods to sugar so it can use it for energy.

There are way worse things for you than sugar. We eat way too much of it—and we get more and more of it in our junk food every year—but moderation in all things

Yeah, I had the same reaction—who is this scene really for, Lana? Because I didn’t see how it was advancing the plot and, gee, we got to see a lotta pretty naked actors.

I kind of wonder if *that* scene was what left to the original Capheus’ departure, since he’s not in the Season One orgy.

Yeah, the original Capheus looked younger and had this sweet exuberance to him—even with the wrong accent, he was just kind of lovable. The new one is skilled, but not as endearing.

Yeah, it took me a while—episode five, I think, before I kind of got hooked—and then I was really hooked—went back to the first episodes and they seemed better once I knew what they were setting up—it’s important to know the characters in order to feel the full impact of what’s going on.

It helps that it’s gorgeous to…

Handmaid’s Tale is one of those books that could actually really use a sequel—it really does leave you hanging and I get the literary point in doing this, but there’s just a lot to work with and the book has become more, not less relevant, as time has gone by.

Also, I could use a little effective rebellion right now.