Merlin Series 5: Episode 8 The Hollow Queen.

The Sarum

 24/11/2012.

Bleugh … !

He says: in something of a tired tone of voice.

Do you mind me making a confession … ?

Guinevere

This is going to be one of those two-part posts.   Mostly where my DVD player managed to FAIL to record tonight’s episode of Merlin

— The Hollow Queen, so you know — and it’s taken me a while to figure out that was due to either a bad blank disc …

Or me programming the blessed thing wrong.

Morgana, Trapped

On the other hand, as things are getting late … ?

Trapped, again

Dægal

 I’m going to hit the sack.

JUST so I can have a good night’s sleep, before telling you about the actually episode.

Arthur and Company

~~~~

25/11/2012.

Right … !

I’m now thoroughly rested: I’ve disconnected the (soon to be gone) dead washing machine and cleaned a drain.

And now I’m back to telling you about last night’s episode of Merlin.

Just so you know, though … ?   Just so you know, for some reason, my DVD recorder failed to record last nights episode for some reason.

Thankfully, I managed to use my TV’s ability to record things to record the episode to a USB flash drive: the TV saves such things as what’s called an MPEG2 based transport-stream.

Then used vlc to re-encode the result into what’s called a programme stream: this has the file extension .mpg on my version of Mac OS X.

Once THAT was done … I’ve used MPEG Streamclip 1.9.2 to separate that file into an audio and video file: which I can reintegrate as an m4v file with iMovie.

But enough with the technical details, let’s move onto the episode, shall we?

~~~~~

Last night’s episode saw Merlin — Colin Morgan — talked into helping the mysterious Dægal: a young man who claims to be both a druid, and to have a seriously ill younger sister.

What Merlin doesn’t realise … ?

Is that Dægal has been persuaded — much against his better nature — to lie to Merlin.

By Morgana: keen to get someone she sees as an irritant out of her way.

With all THIS taking place … ?

All this taking place just as Camelot is expecting a visit from the formidable Sarum of Amatar: a king who both hates sorcery, has a habit of assassinating people … and putting his subjects on spikes …

All this … and, as it turns out, he had managed to a certain sorceress …

~~~~~

Now, I’ll happily admit to being a touch frustrated last night’s episode didn’t record to disc as I thought it would: so that sort of left me feeling a touch frustrated at the episode.

However, that doesn’t blind me to the episodes basic soundness.

It was a nicely put together one that helps take forward this season’s story.

And one that leaves me wanting to see more.

Let’s hope next week’s episode is just as good.

The Daily Teaser — 25-11-2012

Bleaugh … 

I think I’m having a bad morning … !

Well … 

Maybe not me, possibly just my aging Mac Mini, Bruce: who took his own sweet time connecting to the ’Net, this morning.

Oy Vie.

I think we can safely say we‘re both getting old … 

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

~~~~~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbi* putting in her answers: along with mention a recent Random & Sundry Things, she ALSO managed to bag 7 out of 7.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video …

Q1) 25th November, 571 BC, saw Servius Tullius celebrate his victory over the Etruscans.   Where was Tullius king of: Rome, Egypt or China … ?

Q2) 25th November, 1998, saw the government of which country collapse … ?

Q3) 25th November, 1975, saw Suriname gain independence: from where … ?

Q4) More to the point, how was Suriname — semi-officially — referred to, until 1954 … ?

Q5) 25th November, 1963, saw President Kennedy laid to rest, in Washington: which President represented France, at that funeral … ?

Q6) And finally … 25th November, 1947, saw the blacklisting of the original Hollywood Ten: what were they blacklisted for … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 25th November saw the first publication of Darwin’s On the Origin Of Species: what’s the book’s full title … ?

A1) On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.

Q2) The title was shortened when the book reached which edition: the 6th, 8th or 10th … ?

A2) The 6th.

Q3) More to the point … in which year was it originally published … ?

A3) 1859.

Q4) How much did On the Origin Of Species cost, in it’s first edition: 10, 15 or 20 shillings … ?

A4) 15 shillings.

Q5) Charles Darwin did a lot of the original research for the book whilst voyaging on which ship … ?

A5) The HMS Beagle.

Q6) Was that the first, second or third such voyage … ?

A6) The second.

Q7) And FINALLY … Who else — in 1855 — prompted Darwin’s publication, with a similar theory … ?

A7) Alfred Russel Wallace.

Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Carrie Nation†.

“I felt invincible. My strength was that of a giant. God was certainly standing by me. I smashed five saloons with rocks before I ever took a hatchet.”

Radical Temperance campaigner, Carrie Nation November 25, 1846 – June 9, 1911.

And, as today marks the anniversary of the original recording of Do They Know It’s Christmas, here’s a video …

*        Bloody Hell, Debbi that’s nasty: can you pass on my sympathies to Rick, please … ?   And a couple of other things, as well.  I’m — obviously — none too sure how healthcare would work in the US, in these circumstances, but have the pair of you thought of seeing if she can get onto a course of Ariceptº … ?   From what I know, it’s considered very helpful, early on, and there’s seemingly evidence that it helps in later stages, as well: this is the BBC search I did.   Which threw up this specific link, I should add.   I’m also aware that GPS tracking services — such as this one the Alzheimer’s Societyª are endorsing — are becoming popular.   Terry Pratchett fan, remember?   And Alzheimer’s/dementia is something that killed my Gran: hopefully, that information will be of use and give her more quality of life.

†        Who sound’s a bit … um … forbidding … 

º        It’s the usual medication of choice in the UK,  when Alzheimer’s rears it ugly head.

ª        That’s the UK Society.   The link to their US equivalent is here … http://www.alz.org/

Eden Lake: That’s Another Hmmm …

Which possibly sounds a little indecisive, now I come to think of it.

Which I’m usually not, when it comes to movies.

Possibly … 

ARRRRGH!

I really should be getting on with telling you about this film, shouldn’t I … !

~≈®≈~

The Daily Teaser — 24-11-2012: Evolution …

Blimey … !

I’ve just heard the news that actor, Larry Hagman’s died.

That’s a bit sad.   He was a major part of my childhood, playing what had to THE definitive TV villain of the 80s.

The character will be missed.

As will the man himself.

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

After I show you this little tribute … 

~~~~~

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Debbi and Andy putting in their answers: with both bagging 5 out of 5, it ALSO saw Debbi telling us what she felt of Susan*’s farewell.

Let’s see how they — and you — do with today’s themed questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video … 

Q1) 25th November saw the first publication of Darwin’s On the Origin Of Species: what’s the book’s full title … ?

Q2) The title was shortened when the book reached which edition: the 6th, 8th or 10th … ?

Q3) More to the point … in which year was it originally published … ?

Q4) How much did On the Origin Of Species cost, in it’s first edition: 10, 15 or 20 shillings … ?

Q5) Charles Darwin did a lot of the original research for the book whilst voyaging on which ship … ?

Q6) Was that the first, second or third such voyage … ?

Q7) And FINALLY … Who else — in 1855 — prompted Darwin’s publication, with a similar theory … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 23rd November, 1963, saw the debut episode of Dr Who aired.   Name any of the eleven actors who’ve played the character … on TV.

A1) William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Ecclestone, David Tennant and Matt Smith.

Q2) More to the point, name the one actor to have played the part on film … 

A2) Peter Cushing.

Q3) What’s the name of the first episode — episode! — to feature the Daleks … ?

A3) The Dead Planet.

Q4) According to the new version of the series, the Daleks fought the Last Great Time War with whom … ?

A4) The Doctor’s own people, the Time Lords.

Q5) And finally … who’s the current head writer for the show … ?

A5) Steven Moffat.

Enjoy those, everyone.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Charles Darwin …

“I feel most deeply that this whole question of Creation is too profound for human intellect. A dog might as well speculate on the mind of Newton! Let each man hope and believe what he can.”

Charles Darwin 12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882

And with this group of evolutionary tunes … 

 

Oh … And as the Lucy skeleton was named for Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds

Oh … And Pearl Jam’s Do the Evolution, courtesy of Kevin D

And finally, and suggested by Grub: Apeman, by the Kinks …

*        I’ll be frank, Debbi, I think that scene’s the model for every other goodbye scene the show’s done.   And I still wonder: considering the show’s 50th anniversary is next year … when exactly WILL he get back … ?   It’d be fascinating to speculate, isn’t it … ?

The Friday Question Set — 23-11-2012

Oh … 

Well, that’s handy.

Bless her, me Mum’s just given me a phone call: and I have to ask, where would we be without them … ?

She’s just managed to find a cheap washing machine she doesn’t mind buying for me: I’ll admit, I’ll have to owe her for that.

At ANY rate, enough about my problems: they’re not why you here, are they … ?

No: you’re here for the Friday Question set, aren’t you … ?

So: minus further ado, but PLUS the Creative Commons License, there’s those questions.

Online 179   

ROUND ONE.   GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) What’s on the end of a Lacrosse stick?   

A1) A net.

Q2) What word links male rabbits & American dollars?   

Q2) Bucks.

Q3) Richard West was the DJ better known how?   

A3) Tommy Vance.

Q4) Which US city has baseball teams called the Yankees, and the Mets?   

A4) New York.

Q5) Dom Peter Perignon invented champagne, but what was his job?   

A5) A monk.

Q6) In music, who is Mick Jagger’s long time writing partner?   

A6) Keith Richards.

Q7) Along with red and white, what other colour features in the flag of Luxembourg?   

A7) Blue.

Q8) Greenwich Mean Time was originally adopted in order to help standardise what?   

A8) Railway timetables.

Q9) Hansen’s disease is the scientific name for which biblical disease?   

A9) Leprosy.

Q10) What was Golden Earrings first UK hit: Radar Love, Internet Lust or TV Dinners?   

A10) Radar Love.

ROUND TWO.   CHINATOWN.   

Q11) During the 60’s, Chairman Mao tried re-organising Chineses society on strict Communist lines.   What was this period called?   

A11) The Cultural Revolution.

Q12) Which desert extends over a large area of northern China and south-eastern Mongolia?   

A12) The Gobi Desert.

Q13) Where do Chinese gooseberries come from?   

A13) China

: it’s only AFTER they reached New Zealand they were renamed Kiwifruit..

Q14) What was the name given to the notional political barrier that grew up between communist China and the non-communist world in the late 1940’s?   

A14) The Bamboo Curtain.

Q15) Which Chinese dish has a name that means ‘fried flour’?   

A15) Chow mien.

Q16) What was the name of the violent uprising directed against foreigners that erupted in China in 1900?   

A16) The Boxer Rebellion.

Q17) Who released China in you Hand in 1987?   

A17) T’Pau.

Q18) What name has been given to the rows of lifesize model soldiers found in the tomb of the early Chinese emperor Shi Huangdi?   

A18) The Terracotta Army.

Q19) True or false; – the date of the Chinese New Year is judged by the solar calendar?   

A19) False (it depends on the lunar calendar).

Q20) What is the second longest river in China, after the Yangtze?   

A20) The Huang He (or Yellow River).

ROUND THREE.   FLY BY NIGHT.   

Q21) What is the name given to the official aircraft assigned to the president of the USA?   

A21) Air Force One. (when Tony Blair suggested he have one as well, it was dubbed ‘Blair Force One’.)

Q22) What was the name of the aircraft from which an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945?   

A22) The Enola Gay.   (It was named after the pilot’s mother, who in turn had been named after the heroine in a book)

Q23) By what name is the Boeing 747 better known?   

A23) The jumbo jet.

Q24) In RAF bombers of World War II, what name was given to a rear gunner in the tail of an aircraft?   

A24) Tail-End Charlie.

Q25) Which flammable gas was used to fill the RI01 airship, ultimately with disastrous results?   

A25) Hydrogen.

Q26) In RAF slang what height did an ‘angel’ (as in ‘angels one five’) represent?    

A26) 1,000 feet (300 metres).

Q27) After what is the Chinook helicopter named?   

A27) A wind (the hot, dry Chinook wind melts snow and causes flash floods: in 1943 it raised the temperature in South Dakota from -20 degrees centigrade to 7 degrees centigrade in just two minutes).

Q28) Who was manager of Manchester United at the time of the Munich air crash of February 1958?   

A28) Matt Busby.

Q29) What is the aerial sport played by two teams of seven players in the Harry Potter novels of J. K. Rowling?   

A29) Quidditch.

Q30) By what name was air ace Baron und und Freiherr Manfred van Richthofen better known?   

A30) The Red Baron.

ROUND FOUR.   BY THE NUMBERS.   

Q31) How many creatures, mythical or otherwise, feature in the Chinese horoscope?   

A31) 12.

Q32) If December the 1st is a Tuesday, how many Wednesday’s will there be, in the month?   

A32) 5.

Q33) How many strings are there on a Spanish guitar?   

A33) 6.

Q34) How many pieces does each player have at the start of a game of Backgammon?   

A34) 15.

Q35) When pegging, in a game of Cribbage, what total is aimed for?   

A35) 31.

Q36) In Scrabble, how many points is the letter G worth?   

A36) 2.

Q37) If a team at bridge wins a grand slam, how many tricks have they won?   

A37) 13 tricks.

Q38) How many chapters does the biblical Book of Genesis have?   

A38) 50.

Q39) How does 6:20pm appear on the 24 hour clock?   

A39) 18:20.00

Q40) How much do you score, if all three darts land in the Double Top?   

A40) 120.

ROUND FIVE.   NAME THAT TUNE.   

Q41) ‘They call her Natasha, when she looks like Elsie.’   

A41) I don’t Want Go To Chelsea.”  (Elvis Costello.)

Q42) ‘If you can’t find a partner, use a wooden chair’.   

A42) Jailhouse Rock.  (Elvis Presley.)

Q43) ‘My name is Sue, how do you do’.   

A43) A Boy Named Sue.  (Johnny Cash.)

Q44) ‘Baggy blue jeans & a box of magazines are all I got of you’.   

A44) Cowboys & Kisses.  Anastacia.

Q45) ‘Don’t you touch me, baby, coz I’m shaking so much’.   

A45) Please Don’t Touch   (Motorhead & Girlschool)

Q46) ‘Check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords’.

A46) The Sultans of Swing.  (Dire Straits.)

Q47) ‘They sprinkled Moondust in your hair’.   

A47) Close to You.  (The Carpenters.)

Q48) ‘It’s Worse than that, he’s dead, Jim!’.   

A48) Star Trekking, The Firm

Q49) ‘Don’t be shocked by the tone of my voice’.   

A49) Weapon of Choice.   (Fatboy Slim.)

Q50) ‘She keeps a moet & chandon, in a pretty cabinet’.   

A50) Killer Queen,   (Queen)

ROUND SIX.   GENERAL IGNORANCE.   

Q51) Which singer wrote Knockin’ on Heavens Door?   

A51) Bob Dylan.

Q52) Which leaf is traditionally said to take away the sting of a stinging nettle?   

A52) A dock leaf.

Q53) Which English king signed the Magna Carta?   

A53) King John.

Q54) The lines going from north to south on a map are lines of what, longitude or latitude?   

A54) Longitude.

Q55) The River Forth flows into which sea?   

A55) The North Sea.

Q56) What is sometimes called the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street?   

A56) The Bank of England.

Q57) What does a choreographer plan?   

A57) Dance routines.

Q58) Which organ of the body is most affected by hepatitis?   

A58) The liver.

Q59) How much gold is there in a £1 coin?   

A59) None.

Q60) Which year of the 80’s is both a book, and a film?   

A60) 1984.

As I’ve given them a mention, I’ll leave you with a couple of tunes …