"last flown in battle at Agincourt in 1415" (WIki) which also claims "The Oriflamme was first used by Louis VI in 112…"

It looked to me as if the Emp was wearing a death mask, so as to be all ready just in case. I was interested to see the oriflamme - I don't know the history of it, but it figures importantly in Bernard Cornwell's novels of the battles of Crecy, Poitiers, and (I think) Agincourt.

I wish I could remember my favorite quote, which almost but not quite escapes me - something about the word love being exhausted. Which is how one of my favorite shows is framing up to be right now. Which is very sad. I'll be there for the end, but I could do with a strong story arc, for every series regular, to carry…

Two things: one, I think the historical Ragnar attacked Paris, so the storytellers may think they have to go there for reasons; two, "spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered," J.R.R. Tolkien, The Ride of the Rohirrim.

Does anybody else think that Juliette is beginning to channel Adelind in uncharacteristic ways? And does that mean anything? Or is it just "character development"?

Jennifer Goines = Cole's mother. Crazy/disappeared (into asylum?)/monkeys. ???

“You’re out of teabags and milk, and I’ve used the last of the bread.” And the little not-so-regretful grimace following. :)

When we watched the scene in the travel agency, with Paige, and the "trying to make travel agent out of me?" remark came up, I promised the housebuddy that that would make it to the stray observation list. By the end of the episode, I had almost forgotten it. So did you, apparently, and no wonder! First Martha - and…

Good call on that fleshy prosthetic. Can't decide if it looks more like a weird mask or an even weirder, and kind of icky, growth.

Thanks. But as long as he stays with TWD, I won't need it for my Lennie James fix. Besides, looks like Sky is Europe only now?

I fell in love with LJ in Jericho, actually watched all of Low Winter Sun because Lennie James, and was never so disappointed as when he did not catch up with Rick in Atlanta and never so happy as to spot him the few times since. I heard he was doing a doctor show that someone described as "lame" in England, and I'd…

I'm just happy that the walkers making it in through the gate weren't Glen and his buddy. I was picturing them staggering into the meeting. I'm tired of some themes (Father Gabriel/Sasha) and excited by others (Morgan/Wolves), so they can count me in for next season. Like I told the housebuddy, I'm happy now that TWD…

Oh, I think meaningful memes might be your thing. Mine is having a little fun with them.

Yes, it was, but just because it was uttered by a royal doesn't mean that safety and protection are negligible. I think the "illusion" is that people have control over their lives without these things. What the "royal" doesn't understand is that, with safety and protection, his "reign" is an illusion, because with…

I don't understand what aristocracy has to do with it. The fact that this is an "aristocrat" has nothing to do with people needing safety. Civilization is mostly a product of some kind of order. Without safety, you have no control over your life at all. See: Syria, e.g.

Ha! Actually, I am a big fan of protection and safety. They are necessary for life, for families, for art, for science (not to mention, hanging on the couch watching Grimm!). You need to be able to leave your house with a reasonable expectation of returning home alive and finding those you left in relatively good…

As an opera fan, I vote for Juliard.

Yes, he is. I didn't read the interview, but I know the timeline. Alfred the Great figures in Bernard Cornwell's "Uhtred of Bebbenburg" books. Uhtred fights for King Alfred from Alfred's early reign and earns his first renown killing Ubba Lothbrokson, Ragnar's son.

For reasons I have yet to completely justify, I watch Arrow earlier on the same night that I watch Fortitude, and I can't tell you what a breath of fresh air the latter provides after the syrupy melodrama of the former. It's only a slight touch of OCD that keeps Arrow in the Q at all, but I suspect that Fortitude…

Keri Russell is amazing in this episode. The housebuddy and I were holding our breaths when Betty asked Elizabeth where her mother lived. The answer, we knew, would make Betty's death inevitable. No way out. When Elizabeth says, "Russia," I almost felt as if it was a relief for her. She could tell someone who she…