More on Slings And Arrows, and a transition

[raven]

I've been hearing on the internet that the second series of Slings and Arrows is weaker than the first. Five episodes into it, I get this, sort of; it's not got the same hugeness of theme, not so much with the redemptive power of art and love, and the basic set-up seems safer somehow. Even Geoffrey seems stable, by which I mean he's still crazy and talking to dead people, but not getting crazier, and his stability is emblematic of the whole thing being less prone to provoke. But all of that said, as very, very enjoyable television goes, it's still right on top. My favourite bits so far have been Ellen's relationship with her auditor, and Geoffrey cracking, very poignantly, at a school production of Macbeth.

I ended up writing half a fic for the show last night, and planning the other half, which is ridiculous, as I now don't have time to edit, re-read or indeed finish the bloody story. I hate to do this now I'm getting fannish and comfortable, and indeed hate to do this at all, because as we have already seen this week, I don't deal with transitions well. I don't mind change, honestly; it's the process I don't like.

Which is a roundabout way of saying, I'm leaving for a while. I'm flying to New Delhi tomorrow morning. I'll be there less than a day - in the evening, I'm going north on Shatabdi to a place called Kalka, which is where the trains stop, and then further north into the foothills to Solan, a small hill station where various bits and pieces of my family, and indeed, Mani, my dearest-friend-who-keeps-killing-goldfish, are already gathering. Next week, some of us, myself included, are going to Vaishno Devi, a mandir halfway up a mountain. From Katra, the base village, we'll trek along the pilgrimage route for twelve kilometres upwards, with the land and sky getting colder all the way up. Even in June, I'm told, it's icy cold at the top, and you go barefoot - you can't take anything made of leather to the site.

In a strange, indefinable way, I'm looking forward to the experience of it. There are three darshans at the top, cut into the rock, natural formations, and apparently there are so many hundreds of people that you have to wait hours to see them. (I like the word "darshan" ever since I realised one of its derivatives is darshanshastra, "world-understanding", or in English, philosophy.)

No, I think I'll enjoy myself, it's just the change, and it's such a change, into suffocating heat and culture, and without the safety net of well, all you guys, that I'm wary.

See you all on the flipside, I guess. I think I'll be more or less incommunicado - I'll try and get online every few days, but it may or may not happen, depending on the state of technology everywhere I go. I'll be back mid-July, with an expanded mind and a re-write of the Aeneid, and I hope you all have a lovely few weeks.

I leave you with what may be my favourite moment of television this year, Geoffrey Tennant in a moment of lucidity: "Oliver Welles is dead! I poured him into the river and SWANS ATE HIM!"

Love you all. G'bye.

Comments

[icepixie]

Oh, I think S2 might be my favorite. I'm pretty sure the finale of it is my favorite episode. SO. FUNNY.

But S3, when you get there, will chew you up and spit you out and make you love every minute of it. It's far darker than S1/S2.

Have a good trip!

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Oh god, I keep bursting out laughing at inopportune moments. The bit where Geoffrey's insisting he's above all that superstition crap and Oliver bursts out, "You're talking to a GHOST!" - that made me embarrass myself thoroughly.

Oh, I'm very much looking forward to S3! Three weeks till I get to see it!

And thanks. x

[biascut.livejournal.com]

Coo, how exciting! Hope it's ... well, whatever the right word is for what it's supposed to be. :)

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Me too! Thank you. xx

[gamesiplay.livejournal.com]

Agreeing with icepixie: S3 is fabulous; many people think it's the strongest season. Me, I like S1 best, sentimentally, but you can probably guess why. It has a little something to do with the play. :D

Let me know if you need a beta on the fic. (omg yay I am SO excited you're writing.) And in the meantime, have a wonderful, wonderful trip, and travel safely.

It's good to be sick in the head!

[gamesiplay.livejournal.com]

PS, as might be guessed, I also love watched Geoffrey's meltdown at the school production. I watched it many, many times. And... whenever I rewatch the season, I still have to stop that scene, rewind, and watch again.

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

*grinning* In times of stress, up mountains and whatever, I shall think to myself: I must get through this, because I still have to see season 3 of Slings And Arrows! GEOFFREY TENNANT'S BREAKDOWNS WILL KEEP ME SANE.

Thanks! Will miss you!

[jacinthsong.livejournal.com]

*clingssss*

Enjoy yourself. Then come and visit :P

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

I will, and I will! *loves*

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

Have a great trip!

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

I will, and thank you!

[pinkishmew.livejournal.com]

Eeeee! [glee of having learned a new word yesterday and finding it in context today] Have a wonderful time. xx

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Heee! See what I meant? *g* And thank you. :)

[lizziwig.livejournal.com]

Have a great time!

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :)

[casirafics.livejournal.com]

Wishing you good travels and a minimum of being et by swans. :)

[loneraven.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweetie. *g*

[nerves-patterns.livejournal.com]

Enviable adventures. Have fun and travel safely!

[foreverdirt.livejournal.com]

Have an awesome time!