All men have been there, all women don’t understand. Your throat is sore, your head aches, your nose runs; compared to this, having a baby would be a minor diversion.
She who must be obeyed has been mildly attentive, but not to the extent I deserve (full time coddling with cool hands, preferably dressed in a nurse’s uniform - her, not me). And anyway, she has been at work, so I have had to nurse myself. I have managed this by slumping in a chair and watching downloaded entertainment.
It’s that time of year when American TV launches new series, hopeful of more hits and usually disappointed. We have started watching a few of the higher rated offerings, but most have been discarded as rubbish after one of two episodes. The exception has been Homeland, which offered a promising premise of a marine returning from Iraq who had been turned into a terrorist (or freedom fighter, depending on your world view) and a mentally unstable CIA officer trying to catch him. After a few episodes it turned into a kitchen sink drama and I considered not watching further, but it perked up around episode eight, so I will keep going. Not highly recommended though.
The best of TV has been the returning series. House continues to be marvellous entertainment with Hugh Laurie as the constantly annoying genius, Dr. House. She who must be obeyed said that if I knew some medical terms, I would be just like House. Not sure if she was referring to the “annoying” or the “genius”….
Dexter, the ongoing story of a serial killer who works for the police department is stupid but easy viewing, and Modern Family makes us laugh. The wife enjoys watching Desperate Housewives. I keep her company on the sofa but I would never admit to glancing at the screen. Conversely, I watch The Walking Dead and she keeps me company by hiding in another room wearing earphones. She just doesn’t like zombies.
Standing head and shoulders above all of the rest is the quite brilliant Breaking Bad. The everyday story of a chemistry teacher who has cancer and turns to the drug trade to pay for his treatment and provide for his family. Sounds gloomy, and it is, but it is also darkly comic, exquisitely shot and has a slow burning storyline that keeps you coming back week after week. Series four finished a few weeks ago, and the season closer was the best piece of television I have seen in a long time, even the title of the episode had you gasping with delight by the end. Quite honestly, they could stop the show right there; but a final season will be shown next year; so you have some time to absorb the first four seasons if you missed it.
I realised all the above come from America, but that’s because the best of TV comes from the USA. The UK just can’t compete, although Downton Abbey delights, even if the second series’ attempt to recreate the horrors of the WW1 trenches was more Blackadder than All Quiet on the Western Front.
Anyway, that’s all for now; I have a one hour feeling sorry for myself session coming up and I don’t want to be disturbed.
Comments 🔗
2011-11-29| Pattaya Ghost saysYour television taste and mine are scarily similar. (I thought only I had such good taste.)
House, Walking Dead and Homeland are all on my rotation, although I’ve really enjoyed all of Homeland (watched through 7 with others in waiting.)
My other staples are Fringe, Burn Notice and Leverage. And my new fave is this season’s new Terra Nova. Yes, not so intellectual, but terrific production values and I for some reason just have fun watching it.
Tried Breaking Bad, but was turned off by the premise and watched only the first two episodes before I didn’t like any of the characters enough to watch S01E03.
2011-11-29| biggrtiggr saysBet my man flu is worse than yours…………… AND I’ve got to work all through it………. got no sodding sympathy for you………. feet up watching TV………………. but maybe the nurse’s outfit is a good idea!! Nah…….. haven’t got the strength
2011-11-30| Spike saysMine’s like Ebola, with extra sniffing. Beat that.
2011-11-30| Wally saysAt the very first sign of a cold or flu I start taking ‘Lemsip Max Cold & Flu Capsules’ delivered to me by friends/neighbours from UK. They work pretty much most of the time. When they don’t I take ‘Actifed’ tablets, readily available locally. They dry the nose, stopping the constant sniffles, allowing a decent nights kip.
2011-11-30| galumay saysSpike, its well known medically that man-flu is a very serious condition, I am sure Dr. House would concur!
I reckon you did miss a few British shows, Skins is fantastic, Top Gear is always good, Little Britain was pretty good too. Another great American series was The Wire, if you havent watched it, check it out.
Cheers, Rick
2011-11-30| Spike saysI do watch Top Gear and she who must be obeyed does several excellent Little Britain impersonations, much to the bewilderment of her fellow Thais. I have the first season of The Wire still to watch. Too much good stuff, too little time.
2011-12-16| MeMock says‘Computer says no’ is my wifes favourite.
Anyway, I came on here to say to you Spike, “I hate you, my wife hates you and my kids hate you!”
First you got me addicted to Trade nations, an addiction thankfully I have almost beaten but then you start me on Breaking Bad! I am travelling at the moment and downloaded series one before I left thinking I could watch one episode per day to keep me amused, I watched 3 in the first night and had to force myself to leave the computer! Now I have to find a decent internet connection to find series 2!
2011-12-16| Spike saysSWMBO likes to shout “Champagne for everyone” at inappropriate moments. Trust me, you will thank me eventually. it just keeps getting better. Now, can I interest you in some crack cocaine; or a camera?
2011-12-17| MeMock saysWell that is series one done and still have not found any decent internet to down load series two. With nothing to watch in the evenings now I guess I will have to chose the crack option over the camera. Do you deliver?