Language has created the word 'Loneliness' to express the pain of being alone...and it has created the word 'Solitude' to express the glory of being alone.
-- Paul Tillich, The Eternal Now
-- Paul Tillich, The Eternal Now
Saturday, November 23, 2013
The Practice
It's sad to see the firm breaking up as the final season draws to an end. I had come to love the series as each episode left me thinking at the end - something that these crime-based shows can rarely do. Take for instance, the episode in which the Romanian girl asks Alan Shore to represent her because her parents are going to get her married at the age of 13 against her wish. I simply couldn't understand why the judge ruled that she be released to the custody of her parents. Granted, he didn't have the right to impose the American laws on citizens of a foreign country - especially when it was a matter of their own cultural practices. But I think it was wrong of him to conclude that if the majority of the girls from that country, who are the same age as the girl in question, don't find the practice unfair or wrong, then it is not wrong. That logic is twisted. The girl's mother says that even the Hindus go for arranged marriages. True, but that doesn't mean that all Hindu girls should go for an arranged marriage. So, if this girl thinks that she should not marry a stranger and that too at such a young age, no matter what the practice is in her country, she should not be forced into it. I felt sorry for her.
Then there was the case of Alan's childhood friend who was accused of killing the woman he was having an affair with. Shore's accusation that the friend's mother killed the woman out of jealousy was simply unacceptable and completely uncalled for. His motive was to point the finger of suspicion at as many people as possible in an attempt to let his friend off the hoo. I feel that the same could have been achieved if he had said that the mother killed the woman to save her son's marriage and the family's reputation. The end doesn't always justify the means.
On the contrary, I found myself in agreement, albeit partially, with the judge's ruling in the matter of the woman who ends up punching a law-enforcement officer when he tries to escort her to an area designated for protesters during a presidential visit. I agree that it is ridiculous to park such protesters in an area where they would hardly be noticed by the president. It is equally, if not more, absurd to assume that all those who aren't carrying any protesting banners are on the president's side. But I wasn't too sure why the woman expected to be let off with just a slap on the wrist. The policeman was after all just doing his job. I said I was in partial agreement because just like Ellenor I thought the punishment was a bit too harsh. Judging from her expression though, I think the judge did leave some room for appeal and possible reduction of the sentence. That part was not cleared in either that or the subsequent episodes. And now that the series is coming to an end, I doubt if it ever will be. BTW, that bit about the US going to war with Iraq so that the Iraqi people could have freedom was simply hilarious.
I never liked the character of Eugene Young - because I found him to be too uptight and in general angry with the whole world. Setting impossibly high standards for everyone might be acceptable if you don't yourself fall short of them. He, however, fell short of them miserably when he didn't hesitate to accept the money that Alan Shore brought in with his corrupt and illegal practices but was quick to fire him on the same grounds with a measly cheque for $15000. It served him right when the firm was ordered to cough up a hefty sum in damages. He never tired of talking about integrity but it didn't strike him that he wasn't following his own advice when he neglected to tell Ellenor about his interviews.
Another character that always seemed to irritate me was that of Jimmy. I sometimes wondered how a lawyer can be so downright stupid. Did he ever talk about his desire to work for his people in his neighborhood when the firm was doing well? But he is the first one to bail out of the sinking ship.
I really feel sad for Ellenor. She is left behind as everyone follows the philosophy of 'each man to himself'. But she has the grace to say sorry when she realizes her mistake and tell Eugene that she will be proud of him if he is elected as the judge. Personally, I think that she made a huge error of judgment in bringing Alan to her firm. It should have been obvious that his style of functioning was at odds with the prevalent culture there. He was bound to be on a collision course with Eugene. And it could have ended only one way. To her credit, she fights for her friend right till the end and doesn't shy away from telling him that he is going to end up destroying himself one day if he doesn't seek help soon. It was naive of her, though, to hope that things could still work out. But all said and done, I think she was wrong when she told Eugene that he was the soul of the firm. I think in many ways, Ellenor herself was the soul of the firm - the very essence that gets left behind in the end.
I am going to miss this series.
Then there was the case of Alan's childhood friend who was accused of killing the woman he was having an affair with. Shore's accusation that the friend's mother killed the woman out of jealousy was simply unacceptable and completely uncalled for. His motive was to point the finger of suspicion at as many people as possible in an attempt to let his friend off the hoo. I feel that the same could have been achieved if he had said that the mother killed the woman to save her son's marriage and the family's reputation. The end doesn't always justify the means.
On the contrary, I found myself in agreement, albeit partially, with the judge's ruling in the matter of the woman who ends up punching a law-enforcement officer when he tries to escort her to an area designated for protesters during a presidential visit. I agree that it is ridiculous to park such protesters in an area where they would hardly be noticed by the president. It is equally, if not more, absurd to assume that all those who aren't carrying any protesting banners are on the president's side. But I wasn't too sure why the woman expected to be let off with just a slap on the wrist. The policeman was after all just doing his job. I said I was in partial agreement because just like Ellenor I thought the punishment was a bit too harsh. Judging from her expression though, I think the judge did leave some room for appeal and possible reduction of the sentence. That part was not cleared in either that or the subsequent episodes. And now that the series is coming to an end, I doubt if it ever will be. BTW, that bit about the US going to war with Iraq so that the Iraqi people could have freedom was simply hilarious.
I never liked the character of Eugene Young - because I found him to be too uptight and in general angry with the whole world. Setting impossibly high standards for everyone might be acceptable if you don't yourself fall short of them. He, however, fell short of them miserably when he didn't hesitate to accept the money that Alan Shore brought in with his corrupt and illegal practices but was quick to fire him on the same grounds with a measly cheque for $15000. It served him right when the firm was ordered to cough up a hefty sum in damages. He never tired of talking about integrity but it didn't strike him that he wasn't following his own advice when he neglected to tell Ellenor about his interviews.
Another character that always seemed to irritate me was that of Jimmy. I sometimes wondered how a lawyer can be so downright stupid. Did he ever talk about his desire to work for his people in his neighborhood when the firm was doing well? But he is the first one to bail out of the sinking ship.
I really feel sad for Ellenor. She is left behind as everyone follows the philosophy of 'each man to himself'. But she has the grace to say sorry when she realizes her mistake and tell Eugene that she will be proud of him if he is elected as the judge. Personally, I think that she made a huge error of judgment in bringing Alan to her firm. It should have been obvious that his style of functioning was at odds with the prevalent culture there. He was bound to be on a collision course with Eugene. And it could have ended only one way. To her credit, she fights for her friend right till the end and doesn't shy away from telling him that he is going to end up destroying himself one day if he doesn't seek help soon. It was naive of her, though, to hope that things could still work out. But all said and done, I think she was wrong when she told Eugene that he was the soul of the firm. I think in many ways, Ellenor herself was the soul of the firm - the very essence that gets left behind in the end.
I am going to miss this series.
The new Domex ads on TV aren't fun to watch - at any time of the day. They are especially dreadful when you are chewing on a mouthful of dinner. All that brown stuff (animated! Thank God!) clinging to the sides of a toilet makes it difficult to swallow the food in front of you and keep whatever you have eaten from being thrown out. I seriously think they should have a warning before such ads are shown - 'Close your eyes if you are eating' - the way they show the statutory messages about cigarette smoking being injurious to health (I find it funny when these captions appear even before the cigarette does!)
I find their radio ads hugely entertaining though (maybe because I can't see the yellow stain that the ad talks about!). They are funny and yet the core message - that an unclean toilet is heaven for all sorts of germs - is not lost. Tatya Typhoid, Jaggu Jaundice and Danny Diarrhea simply rule!
I find their radio ads hugely entertaining though (maybe because I can't see the yellow stain that the ad talks about!). They are funny and yet the core message - that an unclean toilet is heaven for all sorts of germs - is not lost. Tatya Typhoid, Jaggu Jaundice and Danny Diarrhea simply rule!
Friday, November 22, 2013
Hercule Poirot on Zee Cafe
All Agatha Christie fans, tune in to Zee Cafe on 25th November, Monday at 11pm. Hercule Poirot is coming to town! :-)
Monday, November 18, 2013
Street Dogs Of India - WSD Calendar 2014
If you are thinking of gifting a 2014 calendar to someone, do take a look at this:
http://strayingaround.blogspot.in/2013/11/street-dogs-of-india-wsd-calendar-2014.html
http://strayingaround.blogspot.in/2013/11/street-dogs-of-india-wsd-calendar-2014.html
Run for WSD in the Mumbai Marathon 2014. Few Charity Bibs Available!
I got the following email from WSD:
Dear street dog supporter
Do you want to run in the Mumbai Marathon in the Dream/Half or Full marathon category. The Welfare Of Stray Dogs(WSD) through the United Way of Mumbai have a few charity bibs left. If you wish to avail of the same, you will have to fill a form and submit the following
Cheque for Rs.7000 in the name of United Way of Mumbai
Copy of either PAN/Aadhar Card/Passport
Colour Passport size photograph
Details of PAN (in case you are giving either the Aadhar card or Passport as proof of ID) - we need to give the PAN details of every participant to United Way of Mumbai
Also, please indicate in whose name the donation receipt from United Way of Mumbai should be made.
To know more about WSD, you can check the link on the United Way website given below.
http://unitedwaymumbai.org/ngo230_wsd.htm
Call 64222838/9819100808 for obtaining the application form. Hurry as last date is 20th November,2013.
Regards
Team WSD
Dear street dog supporter
Do you want to run in the Mumbai Marathon in the Dream/Half or Full marathon category. The Welfare Of Stray Dogs(WSD) through the United Way of Mumbai have a few charity bibs left. If you wish to avail of the same, you will have to fill a form and submit the following
Cheque for Rs.7000 in the name of United Way of Mumbai
Copy of either PAN/Aadhar Card/Passport
Colour Passport size photograph
Details of PAN (in case you are giving either the Aadhar card or Passport as proof of ID) - we need to give the PAN details of every participant to United Way of Mumbai
Also, please indicate in whose name the donation receipt from United Way of Mumbai should be made.
To know more about WSD, you can check the link on the United Way website given below.
http://unitedwaymumbai.org/ngo230_wsd.htm
Call 64222838/9819100808 for obtaining the application form. Hurry as last date is 20th November,2013.
Regards
Team WSD
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Boston Legal starts on Fox Crime on 11th December
Boston Legal starts on Fox Crime on 11th December at 9pm. So all you fans of Alan Shore & Denny Crane, get ready for the action :-)
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