Legacy of the 2020 Covid Lockdown Era

Some people were deeply affected by Covid and their lives were changed forever. People died. People are still suffering with long covid. People's mental health was impacted. 

It may be a relatively minor thing, such as no longer being in the habit of going out regularly to the theatre or maybe the way our TV viewing habits changed. There were also goodish things as a reault of being isolated; some people took up hobbies - maybe writing a book or learning to paint. 

Personally, I came out of that era as a much 'older' person as a result of a serious medical issue. I became used to not mixing with people to such an extent that I am, still now, virtually a hermit. This makes me a dull person and Old + Dull is not a great combination.That aside, I did return to painting last year, which was something I had become quite good at in my earlier years, exhibiting and selling quite a few. I'm not as good as I used to be but I can see that the results are improving. Looking through social media, it seems that several people have become artists or writers recently; it's good to have a creative outlet.

I still don't go out much and, these days, I seem to tire easily but I have started to think about what I can do to relieve the boredom of my own scintillating company, such as submitting blog posts!

Ann

Do You Remember "The Full Monty" ?

Some of the cast from the 1997 British film have returned for The Full Monty TV mini series, notably Robert Carlyle and Paul Barber - and some new characters, too, such as Gaz's daughter, Destiny. 

Set in Sheffield, the fortunes of some of the team haven't improved since the film. In particular, Horse (Paul Barber, maybe you know him as Denzil from Only Fools and Horses) is in poverty and unfit for work but is having his state benefits cut. 

The episodes cover various stories. Just like real life, many of the storylines run through several episodes but some small plots are self-contained. For example, Gaz's son is a policeman who is often embarrassed by his dad's dodgy capers. He has a disabled son who Gaz is determined to help by buying a modern wheelchair but, unfortunately, he has no money. Gaz is also trying to help his daughter get into music college. 

Dave (Mark Addy) is married to Jean (Lesley Sharp) who is now a school head, Lomper is married to Dennis and they are owners of a corner café where the old gang congregate on what seems like a daily basis.

Verdict: a little scatty, annoying in parts but humorous. It's like a mini-soap but, thankfully, is funny and doesn't drag on for fifty years! If you like British 'characters' then it is worth a few hours of your TV time.

Image is  AI & NOT from The Full Monty!

 

Red Eye Review

Not to be confused with the 2005 film. ITVX is really annoying with its ads but for the TV series, Red Eye featuring Richard Armitage, it was worth putting up with them (thanks to the mute button). 

In some ways, the story was typical of other MI5/MI6 political shennanigans with its own twist at the end but it was well told and well acted. It was also fast paced, which encourages binge-watching!

Main cast: 

• Richard Armitage as Dr Matthew Nolan
• Jing Lusi as DC Hana Li
• Lesley Sharp as Madeline Delaney,  Head of MI5
  

Nolan had been to a conference in Beijing but, on arrival in London, he is arrested by DC Li for a crime that he claims not to have committed and is promptly returned on the next fight, alongside some of his colleagues, who were required to give testimony at his trial in China. 

This seems unusual. Normally, extradition takes forever. Something is definitely fishy. The head of MI5 seems to think so, too, and half the story is dedicated to unravelling this mystery.

During the flight back to Beijing, there were four deaths and the other half of the story takes place in the air, looking for whoever was doing the killings - and why. 

Not sure what more I can say without spoilers so meander over to ITVX and check it out for yourselves.