Category: Uncategorized

Exploring the Culper Spy Ring in Turn

Hello dear readers, I’m back to report on the Series Turn. It’s four series long, so it took a while. But it was worth it. You might wonder why I don’t give too many low ratings. Simples. If I don’t like something, I stop watching. And I loved this.

At the risk of repeating myself, Turn: Washington’s Spies (originally titled Turn and stylized as TURИ: Washington’s Spies) is an American period drama television series based on Alexander Rose’s book Washington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring (2007), a history of the Culper Ring.

The story covers events from 1776 to 1781 and features a farmer from Setauket, New York and his childhood friends. They form an unlikely group of spies called the Culper Ring, which eventually helps to turn the tide during the American Revolutionary War. The series begins in October 1776, shortly after British victories, recapturing of Long Island and the Port of New York for the Crown, leaving General George Washington’s army in dire straits.

But it’s going to be a long and bloody war.

It is an engaging, atmospheric historical drama that blends espionage, character-driven storytelling, and Revolutionary War intrigue into a series that is both entertaining and surprisingly educational. It’s one of those shows that manages to feel fresh even when dealing with well‑known historical events, largely thanks to its focus on the lesser‑known Culper Spy Ring and the ordinary people behind it.

It is full of twists and turns that keep the audience fully engaged.

Samuel Roukin as Captain John Graves Simcoe gives a great, memorable performance. He comes across as quite the psychopath, bringing fear even to those on his own side.

The overall narrative strikes an appealing balance between historical accuracy and dramatic tension. While the series takes creative liberties, the core storyline is grounded enough to feel authentic.

Highlights:

  • The slow-burn pacing allows character motivations and relationships to develop naturally.
  • The spycraft elements—coded messages, invisible ink, dead drops—are fascinating without feeling overly dramatized.
  • The show explores moral ambiguity, portraying both sides of the war with nuance and complexity.

The finale is a clear example of this. A war of good and evil was not fought between Britain and the UK, but in the souls of individuals themselves. America won the war, resulting in some being returned to slavery. Simcoe went on to become the Governor of a part of Canada and ended slavery in the area.

Five stars out of five from me.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: A Must-Watch Review

My dear readers, I previously wrote about my initial impressions of this series a few weeks ago. Well, now that I’ve finished watching it, I can tell you it’s a must-watch. Just like Game of Thrones, it’s a slow starter but many of the final episodes are simply brilliant, especially the one where he is forced to fight the prince.

It stars Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall, the titular hedge knight, and Dexter Sol Ansell as his squire Aegon “Egg” Targaryen. Their relationship is central to the series rather than wars or dragons. Dexter Sol Ansell, in particular, gives a great performance. It turns out that he is actually a prince, both saving and complicating life for Dunk.

The writing is sharp and thoughtful, staying true to George R. R. Martin’s storytelling style — rich with political nuance, moral complexity, and understated tension. Every tournament, roadside encounter, and noble court carries weight, but the stakes feel personal rather than apocalyptic. It’s a refreshing change that allows the characters to breathe and grow.

The fighting scenes are excellent and fill you with dread, full of gore and pain.

What truly sets Series 1 apart is its tone. There’s humor here — gentle, character-based humor — alongside moments of quiet reflection and moral dilemma. It reminds us that heroism in Westeros isn’t about destiny or prophecy, but about choices.

In short, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Series 1 is a beautifully crafted, character-focused story that expands the world fans love while standing confidently on its own.

It gets five stars out of five from me.

Wheelchair Wars (i)

Oh my Emperor, please let me suffer and die in your name – A nun’s prayer from The Order of Deliverance

The Emperor is our God; may we suffer greatly for our salvation – A nun from the Order of Retribution

Our Emperor, who doth rule from Earth,

Hallow be thy name,

Thy Empire conquer all,

What is done on Earth pervades the Universe

Give us your spirit and courage,

Forgive us any trespass

And deliver us to your Service

The chanting reverberated through Audrey’s body. Her two surviving roommates were on their knees on each side of her, and her wheelchair. In front of them, holding a wooden triangle, in her habit was Sister Nora. A tall woman with an aquine face, she towered over them. Her face is stern. The chanting has been going on for nearly half an hour in the small prayer room.

“That’s enough now, girls. You can go back to your room.” Sister Nora spoke in an authoritative tone, devoid of any love or intimacy.

The two girls on either side of Audrey rose, their faces twisted in pain from their stiff knees.

Audrey struggled to reverse and turn her manual wheelchair in the small space between two aisles of pews. One of the girls begins to push her and whispers into her ear. “I’ll let you take it easy, since it’s your last night with us. Ya lucky bitch.” Audrey looked back at her friend, Grainne, with a small smile. The other girl was Mary.

The few minutes it took to reach the dormitory down narrow, dark corridors were spent in silence.

Their dormitory was large with enough space for thirty girls. But there were only the three of them, and they clustered near the door. A pang shot through Audrey when she thought of all those that were missing. Disease had taken many, batterings from the sisters took some more. The others were sold to slave in the brothels.

Audrey’s movements were slower than those of others. It took longer for her to remove her purple uniform. That, and she couldn’t walk.

After lifting up her footplates and parking beside the bed, she used her hands to propel herself onto it.

This was a time to sleep, and the lights would switch off in a few minutes. But that rarely happened. The darkness was the only time they had when they could be sure they were not being watched.

Grainne was the first to speak. “Going to miss you Audrey.”

“Yeah, me too,” Mary whispered.

Tears rolled down Audrey’s face. “Yeah, me too. And I hate the thought of leaving you here.”

“I doubt we’ll be here much longer,” Grainne replied. “One of the sisters told we’re being sold to Richies in a few days. I hate the thought of having to please all those old, smelly men. I’d rather have an opportunity like you, even if it risked death.”

“I don’t know if I could be as brave as Audrey,” Mary murmured, “You have already had so many great victories. And now tomorrow, you get to leave this place. The Na Fianna compound has to be better. At least one of us has a chance.”

Then there was silence.

When Audrey woke in the morning, they were gone. Instead, Sister Ita stood at the side of the bed. A round woman with piercing brown eyes. “Come on, get dressed. I’m to bring you to the Na Fianna compound. Give me a shout when you are ready.” With that, she turned and went to wait outside.

Audrey grimaced. Sister Ita was the last person she wanted to spend her day with. She was renowned for her vicious nature and taste for some of the younger girls. She tried to put such thoughts in the back of her mind.

As they left the convent, they paused in front of the large metallic triangle hanging from the ceiling. “To the eternal power of the Emperor,” they said in unison.

Outside the central door, they were immediately hit with the smell. A foul mixture of sweat and excrement. The thoroughfare was crowded with children in rags. “Why doesn’t the Emperor just annihilate this scum?” Audrey knew that the Sister wasn’t expecting a response.

The thoroughfare was a large area with a high ceiling. But the rest of the journey was down narrow passageways with poor lighting. Some of the living spaces they passed didn’t even have front doors. Audrey could see into the little hut rooms that passed as their abodes.

It took two hours to reach the Na Fianna compound. Audrey smiled with glee every time the Sister moaned about having to push her creaky wheelchair and her meagre belongings.

Serves the bitch right after all she has done.

Oreus was waiting for them as they entered the bright and clean compound. The Sister gasped at the limbless man in the powerful, armed wheelchair. Audey had met him previously and said a warm hello.

Oreus ignored the Sister as if she were not there. He ordered one of his men to lift Audrey into an electric wheelchair.

“Now, you can come and go as you please, Audrey. Never again will you have to rely on a walker for movement,” Oreus voice boomed, “now follow me.”

Audrey looked around to see that the hated Sister was gone before pushing the joystick to follow Oreus. There were others there with all different manners of shapes, sizes, and malformations. She hoped to get to know many of them better in time.

“This is your quarters. Battle practice in an hour or so. See you again then.You should take every moment here very seriously. Your life depends on it.”

The room was more spacious than she had anticipated. There was a single bed with white sheets and a pillow. There were no stains like back at the convent. There was even a drawer for her clothes. There were some blotches on the green wall, but that wouldn’t bother her.

An hour later, she had unpacked and gone to the great hall for training.

Arnold Schwarzenegger: From Bodybuilder to Hollywood Icon

Arnold Schwarzenegger has built one of the most iconic and influential acting careers in modern cinema—transforming from a bodybuilding champion with a thick Austrian accent into one of Hollywood’s most bankable and recognizable stars. His journey is not just impressive; it’s genuinely inspiring.

The first time I saw him was in my granny’s house. It was The Terminator, and despite my protestations, I was brought off to bed. To have nightmares, as it turned out, even after only watching it for a few minutes. It set my imagination alight. What would I do if Terminators were sent back in time to kill me? I decided I’d just die. A few years later, I saw the whole film. I was still impressed, and a little less terrified.

Of course, this was his defining role. As the relentless cyborg assassin, Schwarzenegger delivered a performance that was both chilling and strangely magnetic. His mechanical precision, stoic intensity, and unforgettable line—“I’ll be back”—cemented him as a cinematic legend. What makes this performance so remarkable is how he transformed what could have been a simple villain role into a cultural icon.

But what truly distinguishes Schwarzenegger’s career is his versatility. He didn’t stay confined to action. In Terminator 2: Judgment Day, he added emotional depth and surprising warmth to the same character, proving his growth as a performer. Meanwhile, films like Predator showcased his ability to carry high-stakes ensemble action with intensity and leadership.

Then came comedy—an unexpected but brilliant turn. In Twins, Schwarzenegger displayed impeccable comic timing opposite Danny DeVito, revealing a self-awareness and willingness to parody his own image. He continued that charm in Kindergarten Cop, balancing toughness with heart in a way that broadened his audience and proved he was more than just muscles and catchphrases.

Another standout is Total Recall, where he navigated a complex sci-fi narrative with conviction and physical commitment. His performances often blend physical discipline with a subtle wink of humor—a combination that few action stars have mastered.

What makes Schwarzenegger’s acting career so positive and enduring is not just box-office success but cultural impact. His characters are instantly recognizable. His lines are quoted decades later. His films defined the action genre of the 1980s and 1990s. And through it all, he embraced his uniqueness rather than conforming.

It all started with Conan the Barbarian. Still, a great film if you haven’t seen it. He had the perfect physique for the role after his years of bodybuilding. I only saw this many years after seeing his other films. It still resonated.

Here’s to Arnold Shwarzeneggar.. what an actor.

Distant Love (Part 64)

Derek feels a woman’s hand on his shoulder, and then a familiar, if unwanted, voice. His heart begins to throb.

“Don’t turn around. We’re just two nobodies looking out at the vast lunar surface, wishing we were somewhere else.” It is Diane.

“What do you want?” Derek says with disgust.

“Now, now. That’s no way to address an old friend,” she replies as if hurt. “I’m here to tell you that you are finally going to get an opportunity to meet that girlfriend of yours.”

“How?”

Do I even want to know?

“Ah, thanks for asking. In an Earth week, when your sweetie is forecast to be in this region of space, there will be a solar storm. Nothing too serious. Just enough for her to come into orbit. That’s when you’ll invite her down for a visit. You can let me take it from there.”

With that, he hears the patter of steps and knows that she is gone.

Looking up at the stars, he feels all alone. And yet, he wishes that he were somewhere even more remote, somewhere his troubles would never find him.

What will be, will be. But if Diane makes even the smallest of mistakes, she’s finished.

Distant love (Part 63)

Derek struggles to concentrate on his return. His hand is shaking, and he feels sick to the pit of his stomach.

What was she talking about? That I might see Maeve soon? It sounds ominous.

**************************************

Weeks pass. Derek continues his normal routine.

“What is wrong with you? Like seriously?” Nathalia shook him from his reverie. “You’ve been like this for weeks.”

They are halfway through what has been a quiet work schedule.

Derek shuffles from side to side.

“Well, like say something,” she continues. There is a momentary silence. “Oh, don’t bother so.”

Derek looks over at her. “Just quite a lot on my mind. That’s all.”

“You can tell me you know. I’d tell you.” Their eyes meet.

Nobody can get me out of this mess.

“I’m taking my break. Need to clear the head.” Nathalia nods back.

The door automatically swishes open, and he goes to a lower level to look out at the lunar surface.

He stops at his favorite viewpoint. The station is in constant rotation, so one viewpoint is as good as the next, but this one has a slightly larger window. He looks out for all the different pieces of rock that he has viewed since he was young. The lunar surface never changes.

The Speed Cubers: A Documentary of Resilience and Friendship

Sometimes you come across a show that is a little bit different. It sticks in the noggin. That is the case with The Speed Cubers.

It is a 2020 documentary on the lives of speedcubing champions Max Park and Feliks Zemdegs directed by Sue Kim. Remember Rubik Cubes. There was a time when they were the thing. Like everybody had them. However, the game serves more of a backdrop to something far more interesting.

At its heart, the documentary is a touching portrait of mutual respect and support. Rather than portraying rivals locked in fierce competition, it highlights how Max and Feliks encourage one another and celebrate each other’s successes. Their bond demonstrates how competition can coexist with kindness, humility, and empathy.

One of the film’s most powerful aspects is its portrayal of Max Park, who is on the autism spectrum. The documentary sensitively shows how cubing helped him develop motor skills, confidence, and social connections. His journey provides a hopeful and respectful look at neurodiversity, emphasizing ability and resilience rather than limitations.

The Speed Cubers ultimately succeeds as more than a sports documentary — it’s a heartfelt story about human connection, resilience, and the joy of pursuing excellence together.

Five stars out of five from me.

Wheelchair Wars: Editing Journey and New Subplot

Hello readers, I hope you are all well. Thankfully, I’m off today, ha ha. I sent off Wheelchair Wars to a professional editor. Apparently, it is still a bit short to be traditionally published at 31,000 words. It needs to be about 60,000. There are other things that I need to clean up to.

Therefore, since I want to actually finish something, we’ll be going back to Wheelchairs Wars. Audrey’s story should provide a powerful subplot. It should be borne in mind that these chapters will be intermingled with what has already been written. I felt I owed you all an explanation. This is also why they will be numbered in roman numerals.

Distant Love (Part 62)

Derek froze, sweat dripping from his brow.

What to say?

“Don’t go all shy on me now, boy. That is no way to impress a woman. And I got all dolled up for and all. If you don’t play nice, that would be very bad for you.”

She spoke with a smile that Derek would once have found alluring. He grimaced.

“Come on. Spit it out. I don’t have all night.”

Derek looks around at the mostly empty coffee shop, wishing he had never taken the break. “Ok, she said that they would be close to the moon at some point soon.”

Diane’s eyes suddenly widened. “Interesting, I didn’t know. Are the two of you having a meet-up by any chance? Maybe something romantic?”

Derek sighs. “We’ve never met, and probably never will.”

“I might not be so sure of that.” Diane grins.

Derek wonders what she means by this. His heart beats faster.

“Go on, back to your job, Derek. I can’t have such a good asset being late and potentially sacked.”

Derek nods and drives his wheelchair away, relaxing only when he’s sure there is a good distance between them. The monotony of work is what he needs now.

Distant Love (Part 61)

An hour later, Derek decides that a break is in order. There are no ships currently in orbit, so he won’t be missed. He goes down to the main thoroughfare to watch the few people come and go.

He feels a tap on his left shoulder and turns the wheelchair around, suspecting an errant youngster.

It is the woman with the tattoo; she is a few meters away and signalling with her hands for him to follow her. He shudders, feeling sick to the stomach.

She leads him to a small coffee shop, pulling away one of the chairs so he can drive the wheelchair beside the table.

“Coffee?” she asks him.

Derek nods in the affirmative as she goes to the counter, where the robotic server is ever ready.

She comes back two minutes later with two coffees and a pathological smile. She smells of expensive perfume.

“Here you go.” She leaves one of the cups within his reach. “I see that Maeve was in contact with you earlier. Don’t look shocked. You know that it is easy to monitor messages coming back and forth from the moon. The problem is the encryption. So, tell me, what did Maeve have to say for herself?”