El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 13 — Entre dos tiempos/Between two times — A Review

18th June, 2019

Yep: it’s been one of those days.

One where a piece of kit had to be returned to Basildon Hospital.

Kit that is supposed to check my blood oxygen levels: but that I found incredibly uncomfortably to wear.

The nasal cannula wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

The machinery that it was attached to?

That made me look like a wannabe Borg … ?

And was supposed to stay on overnight … ?

Well … 



That didn’t last long.

At any rate, I’ve taken the kit back to Basildon Hospital, today, and tried highlighting I have an issue.

Hopefully?



We can see what happens.

~≈Í≈~

At any rate … ?



I’m back home, unencumbered by stuff!

Home: and listening to Japan’s Tin Drum LP.

There’s time when ambient rain suits my mood.



Tonight … ?



The album that introduced the world to Ghosts* seems the thing.

That … ?



And a TV show.

Yes, you’re right.

The last episode of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time

third series … 


It’s a gig and a half … 

~≈Í≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 12 — Contratiempos/Setbacks — A Review

16th June, 2019.

I have to confess two things.

Firstly?

I’ve got Spotify’s Ambient rain playlist on, at the moment.

It’s … 

Well, with a window open, it’s relaxing.

And not quite as distracting as having Radio Four on.

Strange, I know.

But true.

~≈†≈~

The other confession?



A week or two ago, I had to go into Basildon Hospital: to pick up a gadget I had to wear, overnight, to monitor my blood oxygen levels.

Apparently?

The tests were inconclusive: and I have to do it all over again.

Yep: once more to sunny Basildon, twice in a row.

Ho … 

Hum … !



The annoying thing is that I’ve had no letter confirming the appointment.



I’m going to be on the phone, tomorrow.



~≈†≈~

The one consolation, in all this … ?

Is that with videos prepped, jobhunting done, and no laundry needing doing?

It was time to catch some TV.

Yes: time for more of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time third series.

I’ve been missing Alonso and the gang … !

~≈†≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 11 — Tiempo de verbena/Time of Verbena — A Review

8th June, 2019.

Right … 

Tea, drunk …



Chocolate … ?

Eaten.

Although I’m not sure that’s necessarily a good thing.

At any rate, right now?

I have to confess to the strangest thing.

I’ve got one of Spotify’s ambient playlist’s on in the background.

Weirdly?

Their Train Sounds list.

Weird … because the front window’s open: and I live next to a train line … !

Weird, yes.

But also soothing.

Sue me, already.

~≈§≈~

At any rate: it’s another night off.

Which, given I’m unemployed?   Is possibly unsurprising.

What’s equally unsurprising … ?

Is that I’ve managed to keep myself occupied, these past few weeks, watching TV shows.

The current favourite … ?

Is the third series of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time.

And yes … 

It’s looking good, tonight … 

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 10 — Refugiados por el tiempo/Refugees through time — A Review

7th June, 2019

Yep: I THINK my Spanish is improving.

I know think I’ve learnt how to pronounce ‘Hello’ in Spanish.

Which, when you think about it … ?

Possibly isn’t an achievement.

At least … for anyone who speaks Spanish, isn’t an achievement … 

I’m burbling, aren’t I … ?

It’s Friday.

It’s a Friday that’s seen my saddened by the death of musician, Dr John.

But also in the happy position of booking up a ticket: for an interview next Tuesday.

The first in a while … 

Here’s hoping … 

~≈§≈~

Burbling aside … ?



Burbling aside, I have to admit to having not much to do, tonight.

Apart, of course, from watching my current favourite TV show: El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time

.

The third series, as you’re asking.

And yes … it’s looking good … !

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 9 — El cisma del tiempo/The schism of time — A Review

5th June 2019.

Yes: I think I can safely say I’ve had a quiet day.

Bar a little light shopping, and house keeping.

Oh, and jobhunting.

And, believe it or not … ?

Poking around on Quora.

Shoving your tuppence ha’penny worth into an online discussion … ?



Seems like fun … !



Especially when I realised a couple of my answers have been upvoted …

~≈§≈~

Ahem … !

And “At Any Rate … ?” … !

I’ve spent some of this evening … watching TV.

And, given what I’ve been watching over the past few weeks?

You’d be right: I’ve had another episode of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time third series … 

~≈§≈~

Episode 8 — El cisma del tiempo/The schism of time — reintroduces us to Rabbi Levi (Paco Obregón): the man who passed the original Book of Doors to Queen Isabella in return for protection for his family: and who helped set up the Ministry, itself.

The good Rabbi has issues … 

He’s been kidnapped.

The only way out is a very obscure bit of Kabbalistic ritual … 

And his only potential help … ?

Is from Antipope Benedict 13th (Gerardo Malla).

The pope, Alonso and Pacino (Nacho Fresneda, Hugo Silva) have to make sure that keep both the Rabbi, and the revised Book of Doors safe from the kidnappers.

The Exterminating Angels.

What’s making them keen to see the book?



It breaks the Ministry’s most sacred law: and can take people to the future … 

~≈§≈~

I have to say it.

El Ministerio del Tiempo has done it again with El cisma del tiempo: shown us the regulars characters played impeccably well, shown us the Angels*, thrown in intrigue after intrigue … 

And thrown ageing SF fans something of a bone.

In a flashback to his childhood, Pacino is seen reading a comic called Diego Valor: where Captain Valor faces his arch-enemy, the Great Mekong.

I saw that … 



And started wondering when Javier Olivares, the show’s creator, would’ve come across Dan Dare.

Turns out Diego Valor was a Spanish radio show based on the Eagle’s  finest.



You have to love a geeky reference … !

*        If I’ve got it right, the leader of the Angels is Bosco de Sobrecasa: played by Luis Iglesia.   The character … ?   Is a stone cold killer … 

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 8 — Tiempo de conquista/Time of Conquest — A Review

4th June, 2019.

Hmmm … 

I have to say, I’m a bit of an Apple fanboy, I really am.

So the company’s announcement — at this year’s World Wide Developer’s Conference  — of its new Mac Pro was … 

Well, lets just say it caught my attention shall we?

However good or bad Jonny Ives’ narration is!

The price caught my eye, too.

The baseline model costs some $5, 999: roughly £4,700.

Fully loaded?

Well … the figures I’ve tell me buying a couple of minis would be cheaper.

The cars, I should add.

For my computing needs?   It’s using a fourteen pound sledge hammer to crack a nut.

But I wouldn’t say no to one, if you were offering.

~≈∑≈~

The other thing that DID catch my eye … ?

Was Apple’s announcement … about iTunes.

It looks like Apple are to replace the app on the Mac platform with the release of macOS 10.15 Catalina.

With Podcast, TV and Music apps.

I’m … concerned, to say the least.

I — like many of us — have a large music collection: and could prefer to keep it.

How will it be affected by the planned move?   Will it be wiped?   Unusable?   Work with the planned Music app?   Will I be able to buy music on the Music store, or just stream it?

There’s issues, there.

I’ve got a few movies and TV shows I’ve bought from the store.   Will they still be accessible?   Will I still be able to watch them on the AppleTV?   Will I be able to buy, or rent more?   Will the cash left in my account still be accessible?

More to the point?

My media collection includes a lot of mp4 and m4v files from back-up DVDs and blu-rays.

Will I still be able to play then on my AppleTV, with the replacement software?

Or will I have to use the AppleTV version of VLC?

I don’t know.

That’s why I’m a little concerned.

~≈∑≈~

At any rate … tonight, I’ve been able to able to sae I’ve had a longish day: in Basildon Hospital: returning a bit of kit used for an overnight test.

Got myself back home … 

Had dinner … 

And yes: watched more of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time’s third season.

Look, it’s not I’m addicted: I’ve just got a dose of ambient train music, right now!

~≈∑≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 7 — Tiempo de censura/Time of censorship — A Review.

3rd June, 2019

Yes … it’s a rare day that I say the oddest of lines.

Today is one of them.

“I have a strap on,” is possibly one you’d not expect me to say.

But there’s a serious side, there.

The strap on is a thing that gets strapped and tapped on to my wrist: wired to a small rubber thimble with a built in laser.

The thing’s supposed to monitor my blood oxygen levels, overnight.

Here’s hoping I managed to keep the thing on: I tend to twitch, a bit … 

At any rate … ?

That’s ready to go when I hit the sack.

Tonight … ?

Tonight, there was one thing I had to do.

You’re right.

I caught another episode of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time’s third series … 

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 6 — Tiempo de esclavos/Time of slaves — A Review.

2nd June, 2019*.

Right … 

I have to mildly confess: I’ve spent this evening with my family.

Or, at least, had dinner with them.

Which was interesting … 

Jude, bless him … ?



Seemed interested in getting Ruth (Mummy), Aunty Anna and I in involved in — believe it or not — a quiz.

About football.

At one point … ?

Aunty Anna was five points ahead, whilst I was three points behind.

Which will possibly only make sense in about a decade … 

~≈§≈~

The SAD bit of news … ?



Is simply that one of the local pubs in the area, the Brewery Tap, has closed.

As a non-drinker, I never actually used it: so it’s possibly a little two-faced of me to say this.

But … ?

That’s a sad thing to see.

A lot of these little one room community pubs are little gold mines.   If run right, and given a unique selling point.

The Tap certainly had one: if you wanted to see the best beer garden in Brentwood, it had it.   It won awards, several times.

It …



Well, what can I tell you … ?

Apart from the fact it’s a loss.

~≈§≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

As you know, I like TV shows.

No, really.

You might have noticed.

And … ?

Well, I’ve been watching El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time’s third series, over the past few days.

If you’ve never heard of it … ?

You’re missing something … 

~≈§≈~

Episode 6 — Tiempo de esclavos/Time of slaves — opens in 1881: and Alfonso 12th has commissioned a new batch of ships from one of the biggest businesses in Spain.

Only to be gunned down by Tomasín , a frustrated house slave: who’s actually aiming at the Marquess de Comillas (Chete Lera), the man who owns the shipping company … 

And Tomasin.

If the King dies, now?

Several of his heirs will not be born.

Changing the course of history in a bad way.

The doctor the agency sent, can’t help.

So the team — Alonso, Amelia and Pacino (Aura Garrido, Nacho Fresneda, and Hugo Silva) — have no other option.

There have to travel back in time, to stop the Marquess buying the slave.

There’s worse to come.

There’s other time travellers around.

A group calling itself the Sons of Padilla.

A group … 


Led by Amelia’s Uncle Pere … 

~≈§≈~

Lordy … that was a good episode!

Good … whilst simultaneously sad.

Let’s deal with good, shall we?

I think I can safely say that El Ministerio del Tiempo has produced episodes that are good old fashioned romps: exploring familiar tropes in interesting ways.

AND dragging up spins on old ideas.

Love triangles, paradoxes, awkward family meetings … 

And, in Tiempo de esclavos?

Seeing a dash to save a life … 



Oh … and beat an unexploded bomb.

Remote control bomb defusing, whilst wearing a GoPro?

The traditional “Do we cut the red wire or the green wire?” turned into a hunt for a VALVE … with a brown wire in a rat’s nest of cabling!



I am convinced Alonso’s doing more swearing that the subtitles are letting on!

That’s one thing … 

There’s something else.

We saw goodbye to actress Aura Garrido (Amelia) as — as this point in the show’s history — moving on to make a couple of lucrative movies.

Good luck to her on that.

But … ?



The producers have given Amelia a tearful send-off, leaving Amelia’s arc open for a later return.

It’s sad to see her go, though.

Frankly?

I’m going to have to see how the next episode goes with Amelia’s replacement†.

*        Over the past few weeks, I’ve opened most posts with a video.   I didn’t, initially, today … as Google seems to be having Youtube issues.

†        It doesn’t happen often enough: but there’s a nice little scene between  senior Ministry staffers, Don Ernesto (Juan Gea) and Irene (Cayetana Guillén Cuervo) discussing that very point.   Lola (Macarena García) has already betrayed the Ministry, once …

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 5—Tiempo de esplendor/Time of splendor — A Review.

1st June, 2019.

Yes: I’ve officially got a great big throbbing thing.

And before you ask … ?

I’ve actually a little rearranging in my flat.

And managed to move my first Mac — a Performa 6400/200, so you know — from the corner of the room, to the hallway.

OK, not very far, I grant.

But enough to get me having my second shower of the day.

And thinking … well, all sorts of things.

The main thing?

Is that my flat’s slowly getting warmer, as we head towards June.

The second?

On my money, I’m going to possibly have to wait, before I get to see Good Omens.

Which is fortunate.

There are some things one can’t leave unfinished: and one of those … ?

Is a good TV show.

Yes: I’ve been humping furniture around.   Yes: I’ve just finished two weeks worth of Teaser videos.

In between housework and jobhunting.

And switching the Performa on and off, to see if it still works.

Yes: I’ve caught another episode of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time third series.

I knew there was a reason I liked this show … 

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 4—Tiempo de ilustrados/Time of the Enlightened — A Review.

24th May, 2019

Yes: Theresa May, Britain’s PM, has officially announced that’s she’s going to be stepping down from the post: and that her resignation goes into effect from the 7th June.

To an extent?

I feel sorry for her.   After all, she repeatedly tried to get a Brexit deal through that she felt would work for the UK.

Only to see it repeatedly thrown out by a House of Commons set against her.

Frankly?

I’m sympathetic.



Not that I’d be voting Tory because of it.

Not that I actually ever voted Tory.

But I am sympathetic, none the less.

My only question?

Will her successor call a general election when he or she gets into office?

I’d rather my Prime Minister be elected by the people of the UK: rather than a small group of MPs.

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I have an excuse.

No, wait, not an excuse: an opt out … !

Yes: I can watch something that’s been sitting around in the collection for a while.

You’re right: another episode of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time’s third series.

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 3—Tiempo de hechizos/Time of witchcraft — A Review.

22nd May, 2019.

Right … 

It’s eh CHEE sos … !

eh CHEE sos … !

I … hope … !

I know what you’re doing, right now.

You’re looking at this and thinking to yourself, “Paul … ?   What ARE you gabbling on about?!”

I’m trying to work out the exact pronunciation of the word hechizos: the Spanish word for — depending on who you ask — witchcraft, or spells.

I’m not working at the moment: I’m catching up with a lot of box sets, as a result.

Including current favourite, El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time.

Series three, if you must know.

Yes: I watched another episode, tonight.

And, given my Spanish is non-existent?

I’m convinced that I sound like I’m sneezing, trying to pronounce the title … !

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 2 —Tiempo de espías/A Time of Spies — A Review.

21st May, 2019.

There are times unemployment’s a drag.

Seriously.

You are time rich … but cash poor.

And, if you miss an appointment with your work coach, like I did, you risk getting sanctioned.

Having you benefits withdrawn as punishment, on a temporary basis.

Yes, I missed an appointment: and, effectively, I’m getting docked a chunk of money.

Quite a bit, if I’ve understood things correctly.

There’s nothing I can do about that, right now.

But I will — in the morning — ask for what’s called a mandatory reconsideration.



An appeal, in other words.

In my defence?

I arranged the appointment as soon as I realised what had happened.

It’s the first time I’ve missed an appointment.

And, not least, the penalty will mean I have to take out a hardship loan.

We’ll have to see what happens.

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?



At any rate, it’s a quiet night.

A quiet night usually means watching a film … or a documentary … 

Or a TV show.

Given that — last night — I started watching the third series of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time?

You can possibly guess what I’ve watched, tonight, can’t you … ?

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 1 —Con el tiempo en los talones/With Time on his Heels — A Review.

20th May, 2019.



There are several things I like doing.

Really.

A good read’s always a favourite.

A movie, if I’m in the mood.

Music’s usually good.

As Into Battle with the Art of Noise, plays in the background.

And, every-so-often?

A TV show.

TV shows … 

I have to admit, there’s one I’ve been raving bout for months, whose third series I’ve been meaning to sit in with, for a while.

You’re right … 

I’ve been meaning to catch up with the third series of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time

for quite a while …

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2: Episode 13 — Cambio de tiempo/Change of time* — A Review.

16th March, 2019.

OK, OK … 

For any of you who’ve watched the intro video† in this post … ?

Yes: I held the tablet the wrong way around!

If I’d realised … ?

Well, I’d’ve probably done things differently.

Whatever way around the actual footage of my street is … ?

I’m glad I filmed it: as it’s given me a chance to toy with iMovie’s Picture in Picture filters.

OK … that video doesn’t look stunning …

But it was a first try …

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

Recording some footage of my street, in the bad weather … ?

Was something to do: in between sorting out laundry, cleaning, job hunting, madly texting people …

The usual stuff one does on a quiet Saturday.

That stuff … ?

Frankly includes a TV show.

As you know, I’ve been watching El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time for quite some time, now: finding it funny, dramatic, tense, emotional … anything a good series should be.

I’ve watched the last episode of Series 2, tonight.

Yes: Phwoh is entirely appropriate … !

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2: Episode 12 — Hasta que el tiempo os separe/Until time do you part — A Review.

14th March, 2019.

Thank heavens for that … 

The banging around from upstairs?

Has quietened down!

Just so you know, my neighbour upstairs has young children.

Loud, young children.

Which I can put up with.

But … ?



My lord, they can’t half stomp around … 

~≈§≈~

Bar that … ?

Bar that, today’s been … quiet … 

Bar the inevitable paper chase, climbing around trying to organise stuff.

But … ?

But, inevitable, I’ve had time to catch up with some TV.

Yep: it’s time for episode 12 of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time— Series 2.

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2: Episode 11 — Tiempo de lo oculto/Time of the Occult — A Review.

13th March, 2019.

It’s officially official.

Facebook … ?   The titan of social media … ?

Right at the moment?

Seems to be having issues: with many users on it, some Facebook apps, Messenger, and the Facebook owned Instagram, and WhatsApp.

That leaves me thinking a few things.

Given tonight’s Brexit vote?

And even the small amount of foreign interference with British political life, through the site?

That’s possibly a good thing.

At any rate … ?

Hanging around on Facebook wasn’t in MY plans for the evening.

Oh no … 

Watching another episode of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2.

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2: Episode 10 — Separadas en el tiempo/Separated by time — A Review.

7th March, 2019.

Bugger … 

And know, I’m not talking about the intro, there.

I’ve just tried turning the knob on my tumble dryer: just to finish off some t-shirts.

Only for the damn thing to come off in my hands.

It’s OK, I’ve got a pair of pliers.

But, ye gods, that has to happen when I’ve no money to pay someone to repair the thing!

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

It’s a Thursday … 

And a quiet Thursday at that.

I don’t know about you, but I’m grateful I’ve something I can do for not a lot of money.

You’re right … it’s watching TV.

And, in my case?

More of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time, Series 2.

You have to love time travel that does horror … 

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2: Episode 9 — Óleo sobre tiempo/Oil painting over time — A Review.

6th March, 2019.

It has to be said, modern technology can be good.

On the other hand?

Modern technology can be bad.

Especially when you drop your phone, and smash the screen.

Thankfully?

I had family come to the rescue, and pay for a repair.

For which I’m eternally grateful.

It’s also helpful the the shop I used — Onsite, in Brentwood High Street — did the repair very quickly.

I’m impressed* … 

~≈§≈~

Impressed … 

But also having a quiet patch.

As you may possibly already know?

I’m jobhunting, at the moment.

As you can imagine, looking for work is a chore: even though I can get it done a lot more quickly than I used to.

Either way?

I’ve spare time … mostly to devote to a hobby … and to watching a TV show or two.

You can tell what I’m going to mention next, can’t you?

Yes … 

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2 … !

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2: Episode 8 — Tiempo de valientes II/Time of the braves - Part Two — A Review.

4th March, 2019.

Yes, OK … 

Spending the night in, when it’s my birthday … ?

Is actually about par for the course.

And, if you’re on my money.

It’s affordably par for the course.

So … 

A night in … with downsides and upsides.

On the downside?   I’ve finally heard back from BT.

I didn’t get the job.   But they will at least be sending me some feedback.

On the upside … ?

On the upside, my nephew’s managed send me a card, bless him: and wrote it out, himself!

There’s also the upside that the charity fundraiser on Facebook hasn’t hit its target?

It HAS managed to raise £72.

There’s three days left, if you fancied donating … 

~≈§≈~

All that aside … ?

All that aside, a quiet night in is fine.

If you have something to do.

The past few nights?

I have.

Yes: I’ve been El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time, again.

Series 2, so you know.

And yes … the (real world) Siege of Baler looks nasty …

~≈§≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2: Episode 7 — Tiempo de valientes I/Time of the braves - part one — A Review.

3rd March, 2019.

Yes: it’s a quiet Sunday night: and frankly?

It’s the night before my birthday: tomorrow.

If you want give me huge amounts of cash?

You’d be welcome.

Or, alternatively … ?

You can donate money to my Facebook fundraiser: for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Which hasn’t learnt the target £150 … 

But HAS raised a nice amount.

I think?   I owe everyone who’s donated — through the page, and otherwise — a big thank you.

Thank You … !

~≈§≈~

But … ?

That’s beside the point, that really is … 

Frankly?

I’m not another year older, until tomorrow … 

I AM on my own, tonight … 

And thinking it’s a perfect night to catch another episode of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time, Series 2.

You’re right … 

Part one of a two parter is in the mix

~≈§≈~