Endeavour

series 1  4/5 or 8/10
series 2  3/5 or 6/10

Endeavour is the prequels to Inspector Morse, a long-running detective series about a cynical older bachelor whose chief pleasures are classical music and beer. The Morse mysteries are so convoluted that they're often hard to solve, which actually makes them somewhat interesting and fun. Endeavour is fairly convoluted too but generally not to that extent or effect. Moreover, I find it hard to believe that the serious, earnest young depiction of Morse would have grown up into the cynical older bachelor.

Taken on its own terms, it makes fairly sophisticated choices by not spelling everything out and has an enjoyable use of color. The first series was quite promising, but the second was uneven and ends on a cliffhanger--of course, it's not very much of a cliffhanger because obviously things will turn out just fine for a Morse in the end. Based on the second season, I can't recommend starting it unless you simply love mystery series regardless of their quality.

Working through Sherlock again after reading The Fifth Heart by Dan Simmons. I can't get enough of that character, no matter the incarnation. Even Dr. House.

Anyone else watching Black Mirror?

Anyone else watching Black Mirror?

I made it through the first episode with some difficulty: I don't know if it's true that our society has already given up on trying to be halfway decent but if it is true, I had rather not think about it.