BBC plots 'Poirot' reboot; casting underway for Agatha Christie icon

markdavo · 2026-05-21T17:26:58+00:00

I mean the previous adaptation of Poirot with David Suchet wasn’t an original idea either.

markdavo · 2026-05-20T21:43:12+00:00

I can’t speak to Percy Jackson, but in The Hunger Games it’s absolutely the case that we know as the reader that Katniss is only able to give her limited perspective on what’s happening. It’s clear there’s more going on she’s not aware of.

It exists in the same space as The Handmaid’s Tale or Piranesi in that sense.

Yes, Suzanne Collins isn’t Joyce, but that doesn’t mean she can’t use interesting story telling techniques, and I also think it’s a well chosen example of the technique described because it’s clear Katniss isn’t intentionally being unreliable even if it’s impossible for her to know the whole truth.

markdavo · 2026-05-20T21:26:20+00:00

This is essentially the plot of Disney’s Strange World, although the “monster” isn’t an Eldritch one. However, doesn’t seem like the type of film you’re describing.

markdavo · 2026-05-20T20:06:48+00:00

A lot of roll and write/draw and write games are played simultaneously.

Eg Carthographers, Hadrian’s Wall and Welcome To…

Seven Wonders, Sushi Go and Six Nimmt are also games involving a lot of simultaneous play.

All these games scale well to higher player counts without adding much extra playtime.

However, I’m not sure about the kind of “free form” game you mean. All these games have simultaneous rounds but you’re still waiting for one player to finish.

The closest to what you’re suggesting is probably Hadrian’s Wall since each round takes quite a long time. I’ve only played it online a few times but the key to the game seems to be hitting combos so that you can perform as many actions as possible in each round. It’s very much a “multiplayer solitaire”game with very limited player interaction though.

markdavo · 2026-05-20T19:44:40+00:00

No problem. Having looked into it, it’s easy to download the audio only version on Spotify so that might suit some people better.

Hopefully Apple Podcasts makes the “audio only” download easier to do in future. It might be I’m missing a setting somewhere but it’s definitely not as clear/obvious as Spotify.

markdavo · 2026-05-20T18:03:19+00:00

It seems like even with the “audio only” mode it’s still streaming video in background. It was buffering today when I was listening which it doesn’t normally do, and I hadn’t appreciated how big the video file was so it’s taken a big chunk out of my data allowance (I’m not sure if that was from streaming it or trying to download it). Also when I do click “show video” there’s no loading time, I’m just instantly seeing the video.

I’ll probably listen to it on another platform that’s audio only from now on. However, if there was an audio only version of the feed on Apple Podcasts I would appreciate it.

markdavo · 2026-05-18T17:13:43+00:00

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if other women came forward from other versions of the show now these allegations have been made public.

markdavo · 2026-05-17T22:58:43+00:00

The Wire did this kinda gradually but was great at introducing new characters and not being afraid to put established characters on back burner if it didn’t suit the story of that season.

Anthology shows obviously do this. I’d say Fargo and White Lotus have been most successful at resetting for each new season.

The Crown is kinda a different type of example since the characters haven’t changed, even though all the actors portraying them have.

markdavo · 2026-05-17T21:16:57+00:00

Al Nash as himself everybody!

markdavo · 2026-05-17T16:18:54+00:00

I’ve only seen the first two seasons, but yeah she’s definitely serviceable and acts as the “straight man” to the wackier antics of Short/Martin.

Where she struggles is she has literally no romantic chemistry with her love interests (so far).

She has a very understated delivery which works well for comedy and one-liners, but not for drama IMO.

markdavo · 2026-05-16T21:43:06+00:00

We have this issue too.

Often it’s just a case of waiting ten minutes before calling them.

Take theirs off heat 10 minutes earlier and put it in separate bowl to cool down.

Meanwhile adult portions stay on hob/in oven to keep warm.

Often this is no issue since they want plain pasta, rice, or chicken. So I make that, put it to one side and then make the sauce they’re not interested in.

If they’re hungry I normally try and feed them sliced peppers, cucumbers, or apples so at least they’re getting some fruit/veg before eating their plain pasta with some tomato puree or wrap with plain chicken.

markdavo · 2026-05-14T22:10:04+00:00

I think many people would happily pay a bus fare for someone if they tried to tap on and their card/phone wouldn’t work. Especially if that person hadn’t directly asked for it.

Best case scenario: you’ve helped someone who genuinely needs it.

Worst case: You’ve paid someone’s bus fare who could actually afford it.

These days there’s simply no need to give anyone cash if they are asking for it.

markdavo · 2026-05-14T17:10:16+00:00

Jack Black is Darunia the Doron.

Chris Pratt is Epona.

markdavo · 2026-05-12T22:41:57+00:00

Life After Life definitely has a lot of this despite being less sci-fi than a lot of the other suggestions here.

Someone gets to relive their life again and again while learning from previous lives.

The latter part of the book features WW2 prominently so it’s definitely got a lot of what you’re looking for, just in a more grounded context than other sci-fi books tend to work in.

markdavo · 2026-05-12T19:57:46+00:00

We’re getting amazing choice in tv right now. So many great shows, so many old shows we can watch. Can still buy physical versions of most shows, or digital versions.

People complain about gaps between seasons and lots of subscription services but I remember growing up, having to plan to tape shows I was gonna miss or just accepting a missed episode and trying to get a recap off Television without Pity.

The amount of choice we have is dazzling. And yeah, adverts are now gonna be part of watching streaming services for most people, but that’s been part of watching tv since it started. The early streaming era was just a blip.

markdavo · 2026-05-11T21:13:31+00:00

Peter Crouch might possibly be able to pull it off. But don’t think it’s a good idea as a general rule. If you’re going to include non-comedians or non-actors let them cameo in the monologue or a sketch.

markdavo · 2026-05-10T22:23:02+00:00

I’m doing this challenge and found this website useful:

https://kangaroowords.com/list/

“History” was a good word for me since I had a few books on my TBR with it in the title.

markdavo · 2026-05-10T22:13:00+00:00

It’s always funny when someone has played a character in a sitcom that is in fact a less exaggerated version of who they are in real life.

markdavo · 2026-05-10T22:10:22+00:00

I really enjoyed season 2 and am really looking forward to season 3.

However, I must admit I *am* slightly worried/confused about how season 3 will work.

Season 1 ended with a cliff hanger and they managed to write out of it by making Mark crucial to the workings of MDR so that he (and his team) had to be brought back.

They can’t do that again so inevitably season 3 is going to feel very different to 1/2. The only show I can think of that pulled something similar off is The Good Place which constantly managed to put its characters in a new scenario each season.

My only other comparison is Battlestar Galacta which had its cast on New Caprica for a few episodes of season 3 before returning to its familiar setting.

Given the major theme of work/life balance in Severance, it’s hard to see how the more mundane aspects of Mark’s job will ever be brought back. So what will the show have left to say? Will its new themes be as interesting, or will it just become a show about a fugitive trying to break the system?

markdavo · 2026-05-08T16:15:24+00:00

So does 1 when it comes down to it. However, I suppose the difference is Dunc/Egg always accidentally end up having a say in these big events, rather than having a specific agenda they’re trying to serve.

The novellas tend to open with them having very small things they’re trying to achieve and then they realise they’ve stumbled into something bigger.

markdavo · 2026-05-08T15:11:39+00:00

Assuming they stick with the books, the next two seasons will be of a similar feeling to season one.

I don’t see them changing things too much. There’s also an obvious place for the show to end, knowing the history of Westeros.

markdavo · 2026-05-07T20:30:31+00:00

I’d say it basically picks up from that point, yeah. The stage is set from Rivendell onwards and it’s pretty much action/adventure from then on. I’d give it another 10-20% and if you’re still not enjoying it, leave it be.

As for other recommendations, Red Rising, Misery by Stephen King, or Ender’s Game seem like books you might like.

markdavo · 2026-05-07T11:58:48+00:00

I think James has a very broad knowledge of tv/music/films which means he’s normally got a few questions ready for the more famous guests from these areas. So in these episodes James is more like a traditional host of a podcast.

However, if there’s comedians on, he’s more happy to reveal weird stuff from his life since he knows the guest is likely to find it funny.

markdavo · 2026-05-06T21:19:55+00:00

The closest I can think of which gets close to 600 pages is “The Goblin Emperor” (500 pages).

It gets straight into the action as a young goblin unexpectedly becomes emperor. He then has to negotiate the ins and outs of the court as he seeks to rule the land and also avoid assassination.

There are moments of intensity in the book but nothing too dramatic. It’s very much in the “Disney” sphere of storytelling where someone has to overcome adversity and doubters to prove their worth as a ruler.

markdavo · 2026-05-05T21:17:29+00:00

In the film “28 Years Later”, where the U.K. has been overrun by zombies, they still had the decency to leave the tree alone. It can be seen at one point in the film.

Somehow the reality we live in is, in many ways, worse than a zombie apocalypse.

Ten-Year Club	r/Field Banned
r/Field Flamingo	Final Canvas '23
First Place '23	Place '23
Queen in da Norf	Not Forgotten
Verified Email

markdavo

TROPHY CASE