Category: Uncategorized

Distant Love (Part 50)

Derek methodically gets dressed and transfers into his electric wheelchair.

He looks out at the barren moonscape. If this were Earth, something would have changed over the years, perhaps even from day to day. But not here. Exactly the same as the first time he looked out. At times, he would wish for a micro-meteor to add a new rock or small crater to the scene. Today, it would not bother him as there would be plenty of new things to see.

The fair was in Zone A. It was one hundred and fifty kilometres away. A serious lunar trek made easy by lunar rail. He checks his watch and smiles – plenty of time.

Moving his joystick, the wheelchair powers out of his room. He looks down at the floor beneath him. As expected, it is largely deserted at this early hour. A strong smell of detergent lingers in the recycled air from the robotic cleaners whose shift had just ended.

Driving past his workplace, he chuckles at all the work he left for the new girl, Nathalia. He knew she wouldn’t be impressed when her shift started.

Next, he went down on the lift to the main communal area. Later, the place would be bustling with traders and people coming and going. He was happy to get ahead of it all.

Distant Love (Part 49)

The conversation shifts to Maeve’s many cousins and what they are up to. Hours pass over tea and biscuits.

The room grows dark. At first, the light is switched on, then the blinds are drawn, and the conversation turns to where they will sleep.

“There’s a nice little bed for you, Derek, beside the front door. It could be quite tight with the wheelchair, though. And Maeve, you can sleep in the bed beside mine.”

She was right. There was no chance of turning the wheelchair into the room. Derek crawls out of the wheelchair and into the low-rise bed.

Exhausted now, he thinks of what a crazy day he’s had.

His eyelids close, and he drifts off.

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

Three weeks previously…

An alarm goes off in Derek’s room. He stretches and opens his eyes. For the first time in quite a while, he can’t help but feel enthusiastic about what lies ahead.

No work, no worries. He had been planning this trip for over a month. The Jupiter Fair.

Jupiter had always entranced Derek. A place where you could be free with just the right amount of human civilization. Aviris 6 was the stuff of legend. Get rich or die within 24 hours.

Distant Love (Part 48)

Derek feels a stiff breeze blow across his face. “Wow, it’s cold here. Is this not the planet where humans are meant to have evolved?”

Jessica looks back at him with a quizzical look. “Eh, not on this part of the planet. Come on, we’d better get the two of yous inside.”

Soon, she was pointing to a nearby white-finished bungalow. “Come on, this way.”

For a moment, Derek worries his wheelchair is too wide for the door, but fortunately, he has an inch on either side to spare.

Immediately, he feels the burst of warm air. It felt good.

Jessica led them to a small kitchen. “Now, what about a nice cup of tea for the two of you?”

Maeves face lit up. “Oh, yes, please. They are mad about their tea in these parts, Derek.”

Derek smirks. “I’ll have to give it a try, so!”

And lovely tea, it turns out to be.

“So, what’s next?” Jessica asks. Her tone is more serious.

Derek and Maeve look at each other, unsure what to say.

Maeve takes the lead. “Auntie, it was all somewhat rushed. We had to take our chances; there was no time to plan ahead.”

“It’s okay, love, you should be fine here for quite some time. They’d never expect you to come to this remote place. That’s for sure.”

Don’t watch “The death of Bunny Munro”

Well, ladies and gentlemen, this is a series currently being aired on Sky. It is not for the faint of heart and can be quite dark at times. Any comedy is pretty black.

It follows the life of Bunny, played by Matt Smith, and his unfortunate son (Bunny Junior). Bunny is a narcissistic womanizer who uses the people around him to his own end. His only redemption is his son, who idolises him at first but gradually sees him for who he is.

It starts with the suicide of Bunny’s wife leaving him as the sole caregiver for his son. This is not the story of someone embracing their responsibilities and rising to the plate. Bunny and his son go on the run to avoid social services. At the same time, a horned serial killer is on the loose.

Bunny shows himself to be a truly disgusting character as he slips deeper into the abyss.

At some point you realize this is a story about the son. The only message I got was that Social Services do a vital job.

You have to suspend your reasoning. There is no police alert about the missing child. They spend hours driving around but all roads lead to Brighton.

The ending is nonsensical and I wasn’t bothered by Bunny’s death at the end. He was too unlikeable.

I give the series two stars out of five. You’ll find something better to do with your time.

So have you watched it? Let me know what you think.

Distant Love (Part 47)

“I am indeed.”

The lady walks over and wraps him in a warm embrace. “Thanks so much for everything you’ve done for Maeve. I don’t know what we would have done without you!”

“There is no need to thank me. I would do anything for her.”

The lady takes a step back, looking into his eyes. He can see her wrinkled, weather-battered face now. Still, there is a beauty there, mixed with determination. “You can call me Jessica.”

She waves her hand for Derek and Maeve to follow her. Derek’s wheelchair bobbles up and down on the uneven, pebble-filled surface. It bothers him, not.

Jessica points at one of the few buildings. An unappealing, simple building that is somewhat derelict. “That was once the most northerly post office in the UK.”

Derek and Maeve look at each other in confusion.

“Oh lord,” Jessica says in exasperation, “doesn’t anyone teach you young people history anymore? The UK, or the United Kingdom, once had an empire so large that the sun never set. And now, it might as well have never existed. I guess that the northerly part is lost on you two, you being from space and all.”

Jessica continues muttering to herself as they start to make their way up a road.

Review of Death by Lightning on Netflix

Hi readers. I do hope you are all keeping well. I’ve been watching this gem over the last week.

From Wikipedia :

The series depicts the election and presidency of James A. Garfield, the 20th United States President, including his anti-corruption and pro-civil rights stances, as well as how his path crossed with Charles J. Guiteau, a deluded admirer, who ended up shooting him, leading to Garfield’s death.

It states at the start that Garfield and Guiteau had been lost to history. And well, I’d never heard of them.

Visually, the series shines. It really takes you back to the 1880s. I loved the scenes of old New York, although I still had the feeling they were CGI. There’s something about the time period of the late nineteenth/early twentieth century for storytelling.

From the very first episode, the show establishes a distinct identity, depicting an accidental President.

We are also introduced to the troubled Guiteau. Gradually, he is overcome with delusions.

Michael Shannon gives a satisfactory performance, though it can be wooden at times. I think what I like best was the show’s depictions of the time.

The historical record is, in a way, a hindrance, as the show comes to an end just as it was getting going.

For that reason, it gets 3.5 stars out of five.

Distant Love (Part 46)

A few moments pass, and it comes into view. White dots surrounded by green jutting out of the ocean.

“Is this it?”

“It sure is.” Her voice is full of excitement.

More interesting than the moon, I suppose.

The ship comes to a halt, and Derek feels the vibration of the landing thrusters firing. A few seconds later, a thud as it hit the ground.

Derek shakes. The reality of landing on an alien world hits him.

“You okay, Derek? My Auntie is waiting for us. Everything is going to be fine.”

She places her hand on his shoulder, and he turns the wheelchair.

They go to the rear of the ship, and the hatch opens. A silver-haired, plump woman is waiting for them at the bottom of the ramp.

Maeve rushes forward and wraps her arms around the older woman.

Derek drives down the ramp before coming to an abrupt halt. The smell of the sea, the beautiful cloudy sky, the feel of the wind on his face, it’s so different.

Maeve looks back at him and frowns. “You okay, Derek?”

He looks over at her and smiles. “Oh, yes. I’ve never experienced anything like this. To hear the waves and the wind. I knew it would be different, but this is incredible.”

The grey-haired woman then spoke. “You must be Derek.”

Review of Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season Three

I remember when I first watched an episode of The Walking Dead, an American post-apocalyptic horror drama of the Zombie kind, I was entranced. Still, little did I think I would be watching one of many spin-offs fifteen years later. I guess that the joy of watching people getting eaten alive was also missing from other people’s lives.

The third season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon proves that this spinoff isn’t just surviving — it’s thriving. After two strong installments set against the haunting backdrop of post-apocalyptic France, Season 3 expands the world once again with confidence, style, and surprising emotional depth.

Norman Reedus delivers one of his most nuanced performances yet as Daryl. He’s still the gruff, resourceful loner we’ve always known, but this season gives him space to show real growth — vulnerability, reflection, and a renewed sense of purpose. Watching him evolve from a weary wanderer into a reluctant leader and mentor feels deeply satisfying, especially for fans who’ve followed him since the early days of The Walking Dead.

It’s humorous to think now that when he first appeared, I was sure he could not be trusted and would come to a quick end. I’m sure there is a lesson in there somewhere.

One of the biggest highlights is the long-awaited reunion with Melissa McBride’s Carol Peletier. Their chemistry is nothing short of electric — equal parts tenderness, tension, and mutual respect. Every scene between them is a reminder of why their bond remains one of the emotional cores of the entire Walking Dead universe. Together, they bring a warmth and familiarity that beautifully contrasts with the harshness of the world around them.

Visually, Season 3 is stunning. The European landscapes — this time making powerful use of Spain’s dramatic scenery — give the show a unique texture and sense of scale. The cinematography is gorgeous, balancing moody atmosphere with bursts of kinetic action. It’s clear that AMC has invested heavily in production quality, and it pays off: this season looks and feels more cinematic than ever.

The writing, too, feels sharper and more purposeful. Themes of faith, survival, and belonging run through every episode, but they’re handled with restraint and maturity. The show doesn’t rely solely on zombie horror — it explores what it truly means to rebuild and to believe in something again after the end of the world.

Nothing’s perfect, though. Some of the landscapes just didn’t look apocalyptic enough. It looked too ordered. The show needs one of its main characters, whether in a spin-off or not, to die an agonizing death. I need to feel some dread.

Season 3 gets five stars out of five from me. It’s currently available on Sky Max.

Distant Love (Part 45)

The ship finally stops rattling, and a blue sky appears with white puffy shapes below.

Maeve shouted back to him. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?” That’s clouds below us.”

“Wow, much more beautiful than the moon.”

She looks back and smiles. “You haven’t seen anything yet!”

There is a crackling sound over the communications array –

“You are about to enter His Majesty’s airspace. This is an unscheduled flight. You have sixty seconds to identify yourself. Otherwise, the aerial defence system will be activated.”

Derek’s heart sinks. “What do we do now?”

Maeve twitches her fingers. “I have an idea.”

She then replies, “This is the vessel 4573 requesting permission to enter. Code Alpha Beta Two niner omega tr34”

The voice replies, “You are cleared to land.”

The thought crosses Dereks’ mind – How did she know what to say?

Seconds pass, and the ship descends below the clouds. A blue sea is revealed. Derek’s eyes open wide with wonder. It is one of the most beautiful things he has ever seen.

“Incredible, isn’t it?” Maeve says in a hushed tone.

“Yes. Yes, it is.”

“The island will shortly come into view. It will be unlike anything you have seen before. Let’s hope you like it.”

A House of Dynamite: A Thrilling Perspective on Nuclear Crisis

Happy weekend to all my readers. I had the good fortune to watch “A House of Dynamite” during the week.

A nuclear missile is fired towards the United States. What follows is a masterclass in contemporary suspense. The film’s structure is bold: it essentially shows the same 18 minutes (or the timeframe of the missile threat) from several perspectives — intelligence, military, and White House. This different point-of-view approach illustrates how separate parts of the US military and government respond to the crisis.

Whether the nuclear warhead actually detonates, and what then happens, is not part of the film. Under the direction of Kathryn Bigelow, the film plunges the viewer into a high-stakes nuclear crisis with astonishing realism. The sense of urgency is almost physical — Bigelow keeps the camera moving, the editing sharp, the clock ticking.

Some viewers might find the repeating structure (showing the same timeframe from different angles) slightly repetitive, but I enjoyed it. Others may find it frustrating that questions go unanswered. I find it apt. I see the ambiguity as intentional, just like the real-life situation would be.

The film is more than entertainment: it’s a wake-up call about nuclear deterrence, about systems we (or at least the Americans) trust being fallible.

The movie boasts a stellar cast: Idris Elba, who looks much older than when I last saw him, gives a grounded, urgent performance as the U.S. President. His chances of being 007 are now gone, though. Rebecca Ferguson and Gabriel Basso hold their own in the thriller’s pressurized settings.

The characters feel real under pressure — not caricatures of power, but people making impossible decisions in impossible times.

If you’re in the mood for a film that makes you hold your breath—and keeps you thinking after—it’s absolutely worth watching. Five stars out of five for me.