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selenakcrossoverman told me, and a bit of googling confirmed it: Lauren Ambrose joins Torchwood! The Six Feet Under fan in me is dancing right now. Her role is described as “a sweet-talking PR genius with a heart of stone who’s just cornered the most important client of her career … and maybe of all time". Ruthless steel under a seemingly cute, harmless exterior sounds like an excellent role for her to play. And she's contracted not for one but seven episodes. People, this makes me so happy. The entire SFU cast was superb, but Claire/Lauren had a special corner in my heart. Also, every Whoverse show should have a redhead. *nods sagely*Meanwhile, evil
astrogirl2 pointed out to me that the phenomenon mentioned in my last post - good shows emerging from none too promising beginnings - actually has a tvtropes name (after, naturally, a TNG occurence): Growing The Beard. Reading, nodding or shaking my head while reading through said page, I finally collapsed in giggles when I saw they named the Beatles as a real life example. And that in turn let to the discovery the Fab Four have their very own tropes page: The Beatles. (And a separate page for their Crowning Moments of Heartwarming.) Which turns out to be one of the best things ever, containing such entries as: Draco In Leather Pants/Ron The Death Eater: Invariably occurs during some of the more Fan Dumb arguments about whose fault it is the band broke up, usually taking the form of "Beatle X was a jerk whose solo material was completely worthless"/"Beatle X was the only sane member of the group and the others would have been nothing without him." John is a frequent Draco In Leather Pants, Yoko a Ron The Death Eater, and Paul is both.
Fanservice: Pretty much the entire point of Help! (see Excuse Plot, above).
The Obi Wan: Manager Brian Epstein, who died shortly after "Sgt. Pepper". Major subversion, as his death is considered the beginning of the end for the group.
Brian as Obi Wan is makes me suddenly wonder whether Ewan McGregor ever considered playing him. But "John is a frequent Draco In Leather Pants, Yoko a Ron The Death Eater, and Paul is both" is the best summary of the core fannish reactions to all three parties named I've ever seen. Come on, check out the page already, you know you want to. Just one further incentive: Alternate Reality Episode: "We're Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band..."
Speaking of Yoko, I came across one of the most interesting interviews with her I've seen. Unfortunately for much of my flist, it's in German. Why is it so interesting? Because there is only one John question in a four page interview (whether he was supportive when she lost her daughter), and the rest is about her art and her relationships with her children. The magazine interviewing her is Brigitte, which might explain the difference in emphasis (Brigitte's main focus group are women between 35-50; it tries to cover the bridge between housewives and professionals. I'm not sure about English or American equivalents - maybe Ophra on tv?). So instead of asking her about the nth time about the end of the Beatles, or how John would feel about *insert current day event x*, they talked to her about the very ambiguous feelings she had/has regarding being a mother (and a grandmother), and what creating art means to her. If you speak German, here is the interview.
For non-German speakers, some of the most interesting quotes. Bear in mind that is me translating something back into English which was translated from English to begin with.
Re: getting pregnant with Kyoko accidentally: I wasn't sure whether I could do it. This role didn't seem to be right for me. I first had to learn: this isn't something I created - something I can be proud of because it's my work - but a gift simply given to me. (...) From the moment I held Kyoko in my arms, there was this incredible love. But everyone who loves knows that it's a double edged sword. As wonderful as it feels, it makes you insecure. Love weakens you.
Q: And art strengthens you?
It strengthens me. I could always rely on my art. It's constant. When I am satisfied with a work or a song, I can let it go. It leaves me, belongs to the world, and yet also will always be mine. And I can always produce something new. This certainty gives me security and strength. But the relationship with children is different. You are powerless, often, as a mother. You can't do anything if someone kidnaps your child.
Q: *repeats for readers the story of how Kyoko at age 7 after a bitter custody battle was taken by her father, Tony Cox, and disappeared, only contacting Yoko some time after John's death* What scars does something like this leave?
It turns everything upside down. I hadn't realised the strength of a connection between mother and child until then. I missed her so much that it physically hurt. It was as if someone had cut out part of my body.
Q: Can you bridge such a gap in a relationship afterwards?
With difficulty. A lot is missing even today. But we have a good contact now.
Q: You're a grandmother now.
Of two sweet and beautiful grandchildren. But I can't really relate to them yet. Honestly, I still need time to work on my relationships with my own children.
Re: Sean, and sending him with a nurse to Miami after John's death while she remained in New York:
In all the chaos that seemed to be the best solution. I didn't want him to witness all the people grieving for his father. And I was very afraid someone would hurt him, too. So I sent him away for his protection. I couldn't join him then, because so many business and personal things had to be done. It was a burden as a mother.
Q: Do you regret such decisions, prioritizing your work?
No, I don't think there was another way. It was the best for Sean. But of course I wish I had spent more time with him when he was still a child.
Q: Did he ever resent you because of this?
No, luckily he never did. (...) We're the best of friends.
About her own parents: My father was a passionate pianist, but back then wasn't allowed to become one professionally in Japan. He came from a very traditionally minded family, and his way was pre-ordained - he couldn't fight against society and its rules. So he became a banker and regretted that for the rest of his life. I still feel sorry for him. My mother had a similar experience. She was a very intelligent woman who painted with passion and skill, but she nearly completely abandoned her art when she became a wife and mother.
Q: What did you learn from your mother?
To watch her fighting to remain an independent personality has imprinted me. I respected her for that. She always told me: "Don't marry. Never have children. It's the worst thing which you can do to yourself." I understand why she thought that way - becoming a mother meant the end of her own identity for her. She wasn't free anymore. I still didn't listen to her.
There is an older interview in English in which Yoko talks about her family background and her daughter as well, but I was especially impressed with the frankness in the Brigitte one.
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Date: 2011-01-17 04:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-17 05:49 pm (UTC)