The Writer's Life 4/28 - Refuge

The fruits of a free society were on display on TV last night, a pleasing variety of entertainment. On FOX at eight, Gotham continued its solid first season of the city’s pre-Batman history. My main interest right now is Detective Jim Gordon’s love, Dr. Leslie Thompkins. Will she turn into a villain, although there has been no evidence of it? She is played by the lovely Brazilian, Morena Baccarin, who in guest appearances I’ve caught of her on other series had her working the dark side. She went toe to toe with Patrick Jane on three episodes of The Mentalist, and starred as the alien leader on the most recent reworking of V.

At nine I turned to more cerebral work, part four of the six-part PBS adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s historical novel, Wolf Hall, a behind the scenes imagining of the court of Henry VIII, understated except for the occasional outbursts of Anne Boleyn, played wonderfully by Claire Foy, whose previous work is unfamiliar to me. It is told through the eyes of Oliver Cromwell, the king’s trusted confidant, played masterfully by Mark Rylance, regarded as the greatest stage actor of the day, winner of three Tonys and two Oliviers, the Brit equivalent of Broadway’s award. Damien Lewis, so memorable as a G.I. in the first season of Band of Brothers, has taken a different tack than previous portrayers of Henry VIII, who made him larger than life. His performance is muted.

At ten it was back to the silly fun of Castle on ABC, the author of crime fiction solving a murder aboard a jet headed to England, where he is to deliver a lecture to enthusiasts of Sherlock Holmes. Total baloney and nauseating in its political correctness, it still entertains in its sixth season.

And at eleven it was the enduring comedy of Seinfeld on the WB, the first episode the one where Babu is deported (“I kill you!”), the second where Elaine, in a breathy tone, leaves an x-rated message on a recorder Jerry is using to tape his act. It drives the comedian, Kramer and George wild, as none have any idea who it is.

The news from America and around the world may be bleak, but at least those of us in civilized countries, especially here in the good old USA, have a refuge.


My thanks to the woman who purchased the last of the two John Grisham novels I had on display, The Chamber and The Last Juror, and the lady who bought the James Patterson co-write, You've Been Warned. It's was still ridiculously windy, but at least it wasn't cold.

Vic's 5th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/okxkwh5Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tinyurl.com/l84h63j

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/