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Is every police officer in police procedurals corrupt?
Is every politician in nightly TV or movies dishonest?
Then, there is the clergy on TV and in the movies. Every one a hypocrite or worse.
Really? How against the law of averages is that?
I watched the second to last PENNY DREADFUL this morning admist multiple interruptions to do blood runs for hospitals. Vanessa Ives (Eva Green) spent most of the hour possessed by a being of ancient evil. Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett), one of the two lone men of honor in the show, threatens Sir Malcolm to rip out his throat (not an idle threat from a werewolf) if he does get a priest to perform an exorcism. Of course, much to my disgust, the priest turns out to be a stodgy ... hypocrite. What a surprise. Not. What WAS a surprise was that, when Vanessa starts tearing bloody chunks out of everyone, she begs Ethan to kill her with his Colt. Tears in his eyes, he shoves the gun's barrel against her chest, rips off the blessed St. Christopher medal about his neck, presses it against her forehead and ... Performs the rite of exorcism in Latin.
The Monster was a Man of God.
(Much like my own Samuel McCord -- though he calls God the Great Mystery -- as what He is up to most of time is a mystery to him.) PENNY DREADFUL is always a surprise for me -- usually a welcome one. PENNY DREADFUL is certainly visually transporting. The new Victorian Gothic drama on Showtime is a triumph of production design, from the elegantly wallpapered and laddered library of a wealthy lord to the overcrowded, grubby streets of London, where newspaper hawkers herald the return of Jack the Ripper. The ladies’ richly colored dress fabrics glow purple and turquoise against the cool gray cobblestones, off of which you’ll find a dim, stench-filled opium den with a slaughterhouse in the basement. Tonight is the last show -- The previews hint it will not be a happy ending for Ethan or for the prostitute, dying of consumption, that he loves.
HELL IS EMPTY --
 (Much like Robert B. Parker's Spenser) Apparently, a decent man, though flawed as we all are, cannot be accepted by modern audiences. No. The only acceptable heroes are anti-heroes. There is no longer room for TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD ... or HELL IS EMPTY. I hope tonight's PENNY DREADFUL breaks tradition and not my raised hopes.
Faith is a concept not honored any more I know.
What concepts do you find lacking in today's novels and other entertainment?
What genre seems to be lacking in today's novels and movies?
Speaking of anti-heroes:
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Or perhaps we should just think of what it means to walk the true path:
That's a lot to think about, Roland! Compassion and caring are missing from a lot of movies. If you display those traits, you must be weak and off your steroids.
ReplyDeleteA lot of our principles are formed in childhood. We see what we don't or do like and pattern ourselves in that manner.
I like Longmire, if he's a person who thinks independently and believes in what he can't dispute. A person can have faith in many things, including the self, science and the unknown or mystical.
D.G.:
ReplyDeleteOn Sundays, I think about things like that. :-)
Like you, I sigh at those who confuse cool with character.
And Longmire is someone I can root for and hope to come close to becoming -- like Spenser or my McCord!
I haven't watched any of the show yet. Just too many. While I do think most politicians are corrupt, I don't believe everyone in the clergy has such a dark side.
ReplyDeleteThe Guardians of the Galaxy are certainly anti-heroes.
There are certainly corrupt (and even evil) politicians and members of the clergy. As there are everywhere. And those bad apples taint the gene pool.
ReplyDeleteAnd, sadly, make for a 'better' story. Sometimes I think (on darker days) that featuring people of compassion is more unusual - and more dramatic. And would love to see it.
It definitely does seem as if almost every TV show has at least one corrupt cop. There is always a conspiracy of some sort afoot. Great post Roland!
ReplyDeleteI've never even heard about Penny Dreadful much less watched it. Victorian themes seem to be attractive to audiences these days.
ReplyDeleteHollywood likes to play up every human's weaknesses. I can see the drama of it but all that lost my interest long ago. No, I don't think most are corrupt. I do think that the concept of honor and goodness is in short supply these days.
Sia McKye Over Coffee
Faith is not popular. How is that honor is coming into disfavor? And I agree... I am tired of everyone who should be good being bad. Very good summation!
ReplyDeleteEVERYONE:
ReplyDeleteI had 1 hour of sleep last night and a promise to keep to a friend today. Sigh! Sorry I have not been around.
Alex:
I only watch a few shows myself. I am looking forward to seeing the new LONGMIRE tomorrow.
And I am really looking forward to seeing THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY.
Elephant's Child:
I answered you and Alex yesterday but Blogger ate it somehow. Sigh. Yes, the corrupt in every field taints the reputation of everyone in it. :-(
Keith:
I long for heroes again. It must be the child in me. :-)
Sia:
Yes, perhaps honor and compassion are in short supply because those with it are devoured. :-(
Robin:
Honor is considered hokey as is faith -- only those lacking in intelligence have those virtues -- at least that is what is often shown -- usually for a laugh.
Thanks for visiting! :-)