The endless Densi jig and the woes of being a clandestine fan

Last episode of NCIS:LA 'Frozen Lake' goes down as being one of my most favorite NCIS:LA episode of all time. I was initially wary of watching it as I hate being emotionally manipulated by TV shows and to be honest, I was not too optimistic about how things would turn out. NCIS:LA does have an impressive track-record of messing things up after all. But this episode they did very right. I needn't have worried - and after all the script writer was Mr. Kalstein. I always love the episodes he writes and this one did not disappoint at all.

Good things

-The frozen lake metaphor! I was all over that one - it was such a well crafted and incredible metaphor. It was very well applied during the episode and well woven into it. And realistic, I can't imagine how many times people have experienced something like that - always waiting for the one thing they think will make everything right. And it was a pure dream for an English nerd like me.

-The Ghurka. I really liked the character and the way they incorporated him into the show. They manage to give him a back-story and motive and you get a really good feel of him. He was very well developed as a character. I was straightaway caught up in him and interested in knowing more. And the actor who played him was incredibly good. It is not often I get so caught up extra characters on NCIS:LA. 

-The acting was absolutely incredible. Just brilliant! NCIS:LA despite its many mishaps always delivers incredibly good, spot-on acting which is certainly not always a component of tv shows (CSI being a good example...). It is one of the reasons I watch the show. I got completely caught up with the characters and watching their journey and I was very impressed!

-Sam noticed Kensi was wearing the same shirt. Considering Sam's track record with always wearing the same clothes (I imagine he is meant to owe like 15 pieces of the same clothing in the same style) I was surprised but it was amusing.

-NCIS:LA did not mention Russia for the first time in forever. It was a definite plus. Instead they futured India and Nepal and did it quite well and were accurate with the information they used. It was a definite plus for them and yes, this does show that they can do absolutely fine with material that does not involve Russia.

And there was movement on the jig. Something did happen between them and they acknowledged it. Yes, NCIS:LA did pump it for all it was worth but it didn't feel manipulative or drawn out. It felt realistic and I highly appreciated that. There are ways to go but with luck this will turn out well. It reminded me of the last episodes of season 4 of Castle before C and B got together. It was so heart-wrenching to watch but so well done.  

In any case I highly enjoyed the episode 'Frozen Lake' 

Bad things (yes I am mean)

-Deeks walked around as if nothing was going on wearing a shirt with a bloodstain on it! And he was completely calm. I did not get that. This is the second time NCIS:LA has had a mistake like this - the best example being when they had a person with PTSD who had been in a gunfight and yet he wore the same blood-stained t-shirt for most of the episode. Who does something like that?! I imagine had this happened in the NCIS world Abby Sciuto would have thrown a fit had she seen it. I know I would be screaming my head off in fright. But then again, NCIS:LA characters are not exactly the definition of normal, rather the very definition of dysfunctional and I expect this was part of it. 

-Nuclear weapons again - not exactly working the creative front but at least it did not have Russia so there is hope.
-The use of intensive dramatic close ups. This was a very dramatic episode and whenever something important was going on emotionally with the characters, they used very dramatic close-up frames. Every single time. With me being the terrible fan I am I was laughing every time it happened. It felt like: "Ok, dramatic scene. Cue to close-up, the more the better". 

And before I go: I am a terrible NCIS:LA fan. I am happy to discuss NCIS with people but NCIS:LA, that's another thing. I instead sneak into conversations lightly that I watch it as well as NCIS, that it's not the best show but I like it and watching it is an excellent way to forget studying and then I do not comment more on it. I have been watching it for over two years now and only last week was the first time I ever discussed the show with someone. The first time and incidentally it was a fellow NCIS fan and friend that has seen some episodes of NCIS:LA (our convo included a 'Yay Nell'). So I am an absolute clandestine fan of NCIS:LA that likes watching it (hell, I write about it) but feels embarrassed about it at the same time. 

I am however quite happy to let everyone know I am a devoted Castle fan :) And I love the word 'clandestine'

Taking things apart - The dangers of cultural approbation, perceived white privilege and the Aryan myth

I have thought this topic through many times, over and over again and decided to write about it here. It is not TV related strictly but it's related to culture and racism. The opinions expressed here belong solely to me and are 100% my own.

I am a Nordic and one of the things I love about it is my the culture that comes with it, especially the Nordic Mythology. The mythology is an integral part of the societal fabric here, it permeates every part of my society and culture and it is very important to us, historically and culturally. It is heritage that we are proud of and work hard to cherish and teach children about as a part of our national identity and culture.
That is why, simply put, a movie like Thor annoys me to the ends of earth.

I mean, isn't a good idea to take a god from Nordic mythology, which has been written about preserved and is a very important cultural icon, and do a little Hollywood magic and Americanizing him in order to serve him to the public? I mean why go for the original sources, when Marvel has provided an "excellent" source of historically inaccurate and demeaning information and misrepresenting and entire Northern-European culture? The answer should be pretty clear!

That's why, Scandinavia raised its collective eyebrow while we stood by and watched Hollywood eagerly taking Thor apart and putting it together - making sure it was as sickly American stereotypical as possible. I mean of course, a Nordic God will return to America, right, speak English, wear metallic clothes and be an American? Assuming that somehow overnight a Nordic god that has 'existed' (been written about) for thousands of years and comes from a very influential mythology will somehow become American overnight of course.

So, yeah - I was pretty annoyed by the movie and I have yet to meet a Nordic person that took it seriously. It felt like an approbation and diminishing view of our culture. Nordic Mythology provides many beautiful and extraordinary things to work with in a creative manner. It is absolute dream material to work with if it is done right. Going for the Marvel version therefore just seemed awfully naive to me. To somehow make the entire mythology a Hollywood glamour package, entirely ignoring the cultural factors beneath it and the fact that this mythology is extremely important to Northern-Europeans is just so bad.

But what scared me most about this was one thing. I found news online that a conservative white supremacist group was boycotting the movie and making a fuss as a British black actor was playing Heimdallr. Heimdallr is described as having been 'the whitest of white' among the gods and in the middle-ages it would have meant he was white. Nordics are by origin ethnically white. As simple as that, much as any god in an Ethiopia for example would have had black skin. But that is not the point.
The point is at that the white supremacist group was working under an extremely dangerous assumption which originated with Hitler. That somehow white people were above other races, Nordic people were seen to be a prime example of the perfect Aryan. It is ironic and terrible at that was what saved the Nordic countries from suffering too much loss. This highly dangerous assumption that we were somehow above others because of our heritage and skin. That our culture was better and more prestigious. This is a legend that still haunts us to day, it makes people queasy just thinking about it. This thinking is what caused the terrorist attack in Utoya in 2011.
Nordic people are no better or worse than anyone else and our skin color should never make us privy to others or above them. To assume otherwise is extremely dangerous.

What I want to say is this: Nordic mythology does not belong to Hollywood or Marvel. That much is certain. But more importantly, Nordic mythology does not belong to white supremacist group that want to claim is as their own, claim as cut above other cultures and inaccessible to people based on their skin color and race. Because it is not theirs. Nordic mythology and culture is open to the interpretation and love of anyone, anywhere in the world  irrespective of race or origin- as long as the person approaches it with respect and care, just like one should approach any culture. Nordic mythology originated in the Nordic countries and is our heritage, culture and history. But anyone can fall in love with it and anyone should.
Just not the Hollywood/Marvel version and not the dangerous perceived idea that wrecked Europe.

'Welcome to Sweden' comedy coming up - 'TV matters and me' approved!

I just found this out and I am so excited I am grinning from ear to ear.

NBC acquires comedy 'Welcome to Sweden'

I mean it is a combination of some of my favorite things: Nordic countries and culture, good humour, cross-cultural communication and international cooperation. The series will be shot in New York, Los Angeles and Sweden and will be based on Greg Poehler's real life experience of falling in love with a Swedish woman and moving to Sweden. The cast and crew will be both American and Swedish.

I am honestly very excited about this - it'll be so interesting to see how they will work out the dynamics of the show and how the cross-cultural communication and adjusting will go. And it'll be interesting to see how Sweden and Swedish culture will be represented - the language, the health care, the literature, the beautiful countryside and everything else. And of course, they're gonna have to poke in some other Nordic references as well. I am also looking forward to seeing how they will deal with the main character's cultural adjustment to Swedish society. I have a feeling it'll be a blast.

But most of all, I am more than excited to see how the cooperation between the American and Swedish producers, actors, cast and crew will go. I think it'll create a very interesting and creative dynamic. I am all in for international cooperation and I got a feeling this production will be in good hands. TV is a very creative medium and so much is happening in the TV world right now, on both sides of the Atlantic. Nordic TV industry is booming at the moment. It seems that TV shows can get very narcissistic and focused on their own cultural area. So this will provide some great creative opportunity and bring together two very different but equally invigorating TV worlds.

I am well aware off that this can go wrong. Believe me, I have enough distrust as it is towards anything Hollywood attempts to recreate that is European in origin. In fact I distrust anything that includes remotely European elements when it is in the hands of Hollywood. Yes, I am the cynical European but honestly, generally those things go down the drain. The vast amount of historical and cultural inaccuracies, cultural approbation and what not that have the potential of being made.

However I believe this will be different. It will be based on cooperation between two countries and will be based on real-life experience. So I am feeling quite optimistic about it. One can never get enough of good humour and all and anything Nordic.

So I am looking forward to seeing how this will develop! So consider it 'TV matters and me' approved by a highly egotistical and overly proud Nordic.

PS. - I'll be waiting eagerly for the day they introduce Eurovision and Abba - two of Sweden's favorite things.

What matters, what not - terror in one place, excess in another

Today's topic is on the heavy side. It has weighed on my mind in the past few days and I have organized my thoughts enough to write coherently about it.

Normally, I do not care a fig about award shows. They go above and beyond me and I have other better things to think about. The most I do is to keep up with the Oscars - only because I love films. The last time I watched an award show for just 5 seconds I felt repulsed. Somehow the showmanship, how excessive it was, the gaudiness, the falsehood of it, the display of riches, the pretentiousness, just the sheer notion of it made me feel sick.

Last Saturday morning, a terrifying terrorist attack was committed in Nairobi, Kenya. It has taken three days to overcome the terrorists and it is truly an international incident, both in regards to the perpetrators and the victims. There was also an explosion in a church in Pakistan which killed almost 80 people and an explosion in Iraq as well...
I have followed the news over the past few days. It is kind of hard to articulate my feelings on it - it ranges from fear to sincere sympathy and endless frustration with the world in which we live today.

Then I realize the Emmy's had just been hosted. And for some arbitrary reason I listened to the beginning monologue of the show - and quit after 2 minutes. I couldn't listen anymore after realizing that this show essentially revolved around people patting themselves on the back for producing TV shows (American) in an golden age of television. Where there were 6000 people in the room and 34 million people watching. It took me back to the Oscars this year when it was stated that the entire world was watching. Yes, quite apparently the entire world follows award ceremony which deals with American films pretty much exclusively and with American actors only.

It seems mind boggling that there are so many award shows hosted every year - Grammy's, Emmy's, Oscar's, Tony's, SAG, Golden Globe, MTV/MTV teen - I mean how often is it needed to celebrate achievements within the American entertainment industry? How often is the parade needed?

And then it hit me - there were people suffering in Kenya and a new threat has just arisen in terrorism, there were people dying in Middle-Eastern countries, civil wars, poverty, economic troubles - at the same time an award show was being hosted, a real glitz and glam and showmanship award show, celebrating achievements in TV shows in America. This paradox is just crazy. Absolutely crazy. In one place there is human suffering and terror - in another there is a display of wealth and superficiality. Both at the same time, in the same world, both involving real people.

I am not going to pretend that things like this are not happening all the time - I live a privileged life myself here in the North (I am not saying I ain't guilty in this paradox as well!). But that does not make this right in any way, just because things are this way does not mean they have to be. And it seems kind of mind boggling this paradox, mind boggling and sickening.

So as I observe this paradox - terror in one place - award show (otherwise known as display of wealth) in another - in the third everyday normal life of a university student.

 I choose the things I care about, I choose my own attitude, I choose what annoys me and what not - Today I choose caring about this paradox and being reminded of my own privileges while at the same time reaffirming my own thoughts toward certain things. 

European stereotypes on TV - reflection on being European

This has been on my mind somewhat for the past few days. I have been doing a lot of thinking about stereotypes and racism in media and how it intersects with racial issues and prejudice in general. I might be wrong but the conclusion I have arrived at is at that when people of racial minority (other races than white in American/European media) are mocked in media it is a case of racism, when minority groups such as women, LGBT, Muslim, Jewish, single parents, immigrants are mocked it is a case of prejudice. In both cases, stereotypes are generously involved. But in these two groups racial issues and minority issues intersect.

But it got me thinking, in cases of white people being mocked in media, what is then used? Because that does happen - there are times when I watch TV when I feel like grinding my teeth which the stereotypes that are being used. In such cases, the focus of the mockery often becomes perceived stereotypical notions of people based on their nationality and background.

Before I am going to have someone throw torches at me for writing about this, I'd like to point out this is something that does happen. As I focus on American media here, my specific annoyance arises from the way in which Europeans are often portrayed on TV. Yes, I am aware that Europeans are generally perceived to be the most economically advantaged people in the world and they do have certain racial privileges based on the fact that they are Caucasian and the culture is considered 'better' than culture in other parts of the world. But that has not stopped great poverty from arising, economical disasters from happening Europeans from hating each other and employing genocide as a vehicle to get rid of people that are in some way 'wrong' (concentrated within Europe) and attempting to take over the world with disastrous results. European history and communication is in short, a complete and utter mess. I am proud to be European but at the same time, it feels conflicting. I love where I come from but at the same time I get so angry when I realize how badly people have been treated here and the incredible extent of the damage Europeans have done throughout the world. The continent is a royal mess. But despite the complicated mess there are some incredible and delightful things in between and little secrets to discover and respect. Europe is a mess but there are jewels hidden in between. Not to mention one important thing - Europe is an entire continent with 48 countries and millions of people; that naturally leads to great diversity of culture and religions so there is no one European identity, instead there are many. My Nordic view is but one of millions.

Therefore, I so much dislike it when I see all the stereotypes that are being used of Europeans, especially in regards to sensitive cultural matters, behavior and history. There is no middle ground. Either, Western-Europeans are portrayed as being the cream of the crop and the world's coolest people that come from a superb culture and speak with  British aceent. Or the other way, all Europeans (no matter where they come from) are portrayed as being mad hooligans. In both cases in terms of stereotypes. Not all Europeans are mad hooligans and in no way are Western-Europeans the cream of the crop. I especially as people to take notice of the fact that I refer specifically to Western European countries, namely U.K., Ireland, France, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland. The rest of Europeans are represented by employing offensive stereotypes. Northern-Europeans are either superbly sexy Vikings or serious country bumpkins with no knowledge of the world, Southern-Europeans are all sexy and exotic and ride on scooters saying 'ciao' and Eastern-Europeans are just plain mad with thick and heavy accents and are all communists. Oh, and either all Europeans speak with a British accent, with an Eastern-European accent or speak no English at all. I find that hilarious.

So why am I covering this? I am looking at you NCIS:Los Angeles and your senseless use of the 'mad' Russian stereotype, along with some French and German thrown in just for the heck of it. NCIS and Castle have largely escaped employing those stereotypes but NCIS:LA seems to have the personal agenda of employing as many stereotypes as possible of Europeans (I have covered this in some detail). As I have stated in another blog-post, NCIS:LA has blessedly so far restrained itself from employing Northern/Southern European stereotypes and will hopefully continue to do so. But it sure keeps the material coming and keeps my teeth grinding with annoyance. But NCIS:LA is not the only show to blame, tons of shows employ stereotypes with glee.

I know many will argue that using stereotypes of white people is not bad as they are not a minority in any way and I am fretting over little things. And in a way I am. But as someone that dislikes stereotypes more than anything this is something I want to bring attention to.

And to end this - I have just complained of how American media uses stereotypes of Europeans. We have tons of stereotypes of Americans here in Europe which we employ with glee pretty much every day. So it goes both ways.