Justified Season 7 episode 3

The drumbeats of the finale of the series can be heard, adding to the tension between new and old rivals.

The episode begins with the happy reunion of Ava and Boyd, both sitting on the bar getting lit on bourbon and reminiscing about the old days.  Is this just Ava trying to get information, or does she really miss her relationship with Boyd?

Still awake and drunk in the morning, Raylan texts her for a meet. Rachel and AUSA Vasquez read Ava the riot act, demanding they deliver important information about Boyd’s criminal activity or be back in an orange jumpsuit by the end of the week.

Ty Walker (Garret Dillahunt) finally introduces himself to Boyd the same drunken morning.  Walker matches Boyd’s wordiness, but Boyd pleads with him to get to the point and get the hell out.  Walker informs him that Boyd’s bank robbery didn’t rob the real estate agent Calhoun, but the man for whom Walker works.  Boyd is un-phased and replies, “Most people who come in my bar and threaten me aren’t alive anymore.” Walker leaves, but I have a feeling that Boyd has whacked a hornet’s nest of problems.

Rachel is babysitting Raylan and expresses frustration at the slow pace of his investigation of Boyd.  They meet with a man named Luther, who used to work in the mines with Raylan and Boyd.  They check his records and easily source the explosives used in the robbery.

Ava is having lunch at the Pizza Portal, which Boyd and her theorize is where the large amount of cash is hidden. (It used to be a bank.)  She spills soda on herself as a way to go searching for the vault, using the excuse she’s looking for the bathroom. Downstairs she starts snapping pictures on her phone, only to run into Choo-Choo. Ava plays “blonde” as long as possible, but then Walker appears and she tries to make a quick exit.  Choo-Choo is obviously smitten.

Back at the bar, Boyd looks at Ava’s pictures from the pizza place.  He determines there are five men, sleeping in shifts, guarding the money.  Boyd only has three men at this point.  It’s going to be a dangerous job even if he gets more help.

Raylan and Rachel pay a visit to Luther’s adult son Tyler. Tyler has been in trouble with the law before and had his father take the punishment for his crimes.  Earl (Boyd’s guy) tries to start a “pissing match” with Raylan, bad decision.  After some testicular torture, they leave Tyler with a stern warning not to do anything stupid.

We see Boyd being taken by armed masked men, yikes!

Tyler and Earl head over to rob Luther of more explosives. Tyler is nervous about his father being hurt. They don Halloween masks only to be greeted by Raylan and Rachel. They try to reason with the men, but both men and Luther end up going to jail.

Boyd is roughed up by Sea Bass and Choo-Choo, the men behind the ski masks. Ava is paid a visit by Ty Walker and his boss, Avery Markham.  Avery knows she and Boyd are together, and what she was doing in the pizza parlor. He tries to threaten and feel out “Boyd’s girl.” He may wonder how deep her loyalty is to him.

Boyd meets with Markham and is belittled as a small time gangster. Boyd probably honestly admits he thought he was stealing from Calhoun, not Markham.

In a rare moment of levity, we see Wynn Duffy, hard at work on his tan. (Complete with speedo, ewww!)  There is an emergency meeting between Boyd, Wynn and Katherine. Boyd is furious that Katherine knew that they were stealing from Avery. He also confronts her about sleeping with Avery, which Katherine admits. I fear this triad is not going to last much longer.

The episode ends as it began, with Boyd and Ava, this time in Ava’s bedroom.  Boyd is tense and brooding about the day’s revelations.  He vows he will get the money and then kill Avery Markham.  Ava tries to press him for details, and Boyd seems a bit suspicious.  Boyd muses, “I don’t know who you are anymore.”

Ava offers herself to him as proof of her loyalty.  Will it be enough?

Downton Abbey Season 5 episode 5

This week’s installment felt a little like a stew that Mrs. Patmore had left unattended, a slow simmer that will yield delicious flavor in due time.

This week begins in the library with a discussion of a new colony in Essex, of nudists! Aunt Rosemund is on her way for a weeklong stay at Downton. That sneaky Mr. Bricker will also visit the night Lord Grantham will be away at some pompous party that will require an overnight stay.

When Aunt Rosemund arrives she wastes no time pulling Edith aside to discuss her “problem.” She warns Edith she must be careful in dealing with the daughter, which poses “infinite danger to her reputation.” But, Aunt Rosemund is also curious about the child she helped hide, sacrificing ten months to do so.  She insists on meeting Marigold at the Drewe farm, which is probably the worst idea ever.  If Mrs. Drewe was frustrated with the interest in the adopted girl, what will she think now?

The Dowager Countess is busy spinning a web to prevent the Lord Menton’s marriage to Cousin Violet from happening.  She implores Dr. Clarkson to help her make sure that Violet will not end up the wife of a Lord, and become inactive in the many causes she champions. Dr. Clarkson agrees to lunch with them all.

Downstairs, Mr. Barrow is looking ill from his “conversion therapy” treatments. (I guessed this was his objective from last week’s hints). Mrs. Patmore learns that she has been left an inheritance from an aunt and asks Mr. Carson for advice.  Mr. Carson is flattered and urges her to invest in the company Lord Grantham will be using to develop some land in town.

We learn that an Inspector Vyner has arrived from Scotland Yard to assist the local police in the death of Mr. Green.  They bring Anna in for questioning.  This seems like the most hypothetical case ever, but it seems that the authorities may now think that Anna had a hand in Mr. Green’s demise.  Mary lies to poor Mr. Bates when he asks why they are questioning Anna about her recent trip to London. Mary says all the staff is being questioned. Maybe she is just trying to deflect from her ties to Lord Gillingham. Hmmm!

Rose is still volunteering with the displaced imperialist Russians.  She gets caught in the rain with a handsome man by the name of Atticus Aldridge.  He hints that he has ties to Russia, as his family left Odessa in 1859.  I’m guessing he’s Jewish. That should stir some pots!

Ms. Bunting comes to the kitchen of Downton to say goodbye.  Carson practically huffs, “Don’t let the screen door hit you on the way out!”  She’s taken a job in another town, partly due to her unrequited love for Branson.  Daisy is upset that Ms. Bunting will be leaving.  She even pops her head upstairs to plead with Branson to prevent her from leaving.  She reminds him, “You’re more one of us, than one of them!”

While the Lord’s away, Mr. Bricker comes to play; but not before they pass each other in the hallway, sniffing like dogs. Rose brings up her new friend’s background and the title they have manufactured for their family. (Lord Sinderly)? Thomas is looking horrid and it doesn’t go unnoticed.  There is some weak argument about customs and Edith takes a jab at Mr. Carson, then she excuses herself.  Oh Edith!

The Dowager senses correctly that there is something up between Edith, Rosemund and the farmer’s daughter.  Rosemund gets a good jab in, “I’m sure you’ve read somewhere that rudeness in old age is amusing, it’s not!”

But, then I think she tells the D.C. the truth off screen. 

Edith finds Mr. Drewe, only to be told never to come around Marigold again. (Bringing her aunt to meet the girl was the last straw).

The Dowager’s “love triangle” luncheon occurs with Dr. Clarkson, Lord Menton and Cousin Violet in attendance.  Guess what?  Lord Menton is actually not a horrible bore that knows nothing about medicine.  He confidently discusses the water supply deficiencies with Dr. Clarkson.  The Dowager and Clarkson have to agree Violet could do a lot worse then Menton.

Mr. and Mrs. Bates share a rare tender moment downstairs.  He assures her that  “Nothing bad will ever happen to you again?” It’s the kind of promise one makes to a child, but can never be kept.  It must be his guilt talking, since he was upstairs while Mr. Greene was raping his wife.  We learn they are trying to start a family, but perhaps Anna’s stress is a factor in her ability to conceive.

Branson takes Daisy’s advice and heads down to the village to bid au revoir to Ms. Bunting.  She is clearly in love with him.  He thanks her for “reminding me of who I was and where I came from.”  He leaves her with a fairly chaste kiss.  I don’t think we’ve seen the last of her.

In London, Mary meets Charles Blake for dinner with a surprise guest, Ms. Meghan Fox! His idea is that maybe Ms. Fox can take Tony off Mary’s hands, since she’s grown bored of him.  Ms. Fox is indignant at this suggestion and leaves them to “choke on the food!”  I think I like this lady!

The Dowager, Edith and Rosemund have a meeting in the library to discuss the fate of little Marigold.  The risk of exposure is too great and they urge Edith to send her away to a boarding school, where she could visit un-noticed. (Really, boarding school for three year-olds, poor little girl)!

Downstairs, Mosley and Baxter share a tender moment when she reveals the circumstances regarding her criminal past.  Mr. Barrow is skulking about, sick from his “treatments.” He is now threatening to talk to authorities about Anna. “This house has no secrets.” Cryptic.

Back at the depressing Russian teahouse, Atticus seeks out Rose. As his background is discussed further, the truth is revealed. His family left Odessa to escape the repressive pogroms against the Jews in Russia.  This causes a stir among the old anti-Semitic imperialists.  However, Rose’s interest in the dashing Atticus is made stronger by this revelation.

The moment has come for Mr. Bricker to take a chance and he knocks on Cora’s door. She asks him to leave, repeatedly, but he stays and declares his feelings for her.  Lord “Worst Timing Ever” Grantham comes home to find his wife and the art historian in his bedroom! Instead of simply fleeing, Mr. Bricker has to open his big mouth again, declaring his feelings for Cora to the Lord. Lord Grantham strikes back, several punches land on his rival. Edith (second worst timing ever) knocks to see what is amiss.  Cora shoos her away saying her and “Daddy” are just playing a game. Indeed!

The episode ends with a lavish cocktail party.  As the attendees are announced, Cora attempts to make small talk with Lord Grantham. Being a mature toddler, he refuses to look or speak to her.  Edith sneaks downstairs to use the phone to make a call to London.  I think she’s hoping to prevent her grandmother’s plan.  Mrs. Patmore decides she will spend the money her own way and makes a plan for the future, which may involve leaving Downton.

I’m not sure what Lord Grantham will do about Cora’s flirtations.  His pride has been wounded but she didn’t cheat on him. (Not physically at least). Divorce isn’t something he would likely even consider, but he is furious.  It seems that the police have nothing really to link Anna or Mr. Bates to the murder besides that highly circumstantial evidence.  But, does Mr. Barrow know enough to rat them out?  We’ll have to see next week.

Deep, Down Dark by Hector Tobar

I don’t read many works of non-fiction.  Reading for me is a distraction, a way to refocus my mind on something other then my chronic pain.  It is said, “Truth is stranger then fiction.”  This certainly is the case with Hector Tobar’s exclusive recounting of the epic disaster and rescue of the thirty-three miners from the San Jose mine in northern Chile in 2010.

The classic horror story contains elements of our basest fears as human beings.  The fear of being in the dark and being trapped, are high on that list.  It is difficult to imagine doing the work these men did on a good day, under acceptable working conditions. The San Jose Mine was not a safe place to work; it had been plagued by safety violations for many years prior to this horrendous accident.

The story begins with the individual backgrounds of the men who would end up in this band of brothers and survivors.  The men came from all parts of the country, (one from Bolivia) some traveling thousands of miles to their shift.  They left behind daughters, sons, wives and mistresses on what they thought was going to be another hard day at the mine. Some of the men were third generation miners.  For one man, it was his first day on the job.  All of them were there for the same reason we all work, for the money and the mine paid well. 

The men in the mine were separated from the world when a 700,000-ton of diorite blocked the main surface-ramp.  This rock would later be referred to as the “guillotine,” due to its grey, smooth, appearance. The first hours the men thought that they might be there a few days. There were some usual ways to bypass even a large collapse. However, as the hours turned into days, so did the realization that this was a collapse that was severe and complete.

The author weaves the background stories, and each man’s actions in the first seventeen days of the ordeal.  The men made a pact not to speak of these days to the media until their entire story could be told.  They realized that if they were rescued they might be under intense pressure to tell their story.  This pact was an effort to make sure none of them individually profited from this experience.

The first seventeen days, the miners had no contact with the outside world. There was a pittance of emergency supplies. In the first few hours of captivity some men raided the meager rations.  There was very little food and very little clean water; but, because water is essential for the mining machinery, there was plenty of dirty water. It was probably the dirty water, which enabled them to survive those early days. Their location was hot, humid and 700 meters below the surface.

At the surface, rescuers were trying to figure out where in the men were and how best to reach them.  The rescue effort would evolve into an international alliance that would bring together a team that would create a unique escape plan.  The miners’ families would congregate near the mine to create “Camp Esperanza,” (Camp Hope], which would endure for the next ten weeks.  The Chilean Minister of Mining and the President would become personally involved in the rescue, visiting the site many times.

Starving, weak and losing faith, the first drills located the men on the seventeenth day.  A message was attached to the drill that penetrated their refuge.

“We are alive and in the Refuge, the 33”.

Unbelievably, the men were told they might not leave the mine until Christmas. (It was late August).  The world could now see the men trapped below, and their story was an international sensation.  The men began getting nutrition and supplies through the roughly six-inch hole that connected them to the surface. Cameras were placed to allow the men to speak to their loved ones, and a psychiatrist was also on hand to help them mentally.

Ironically, the opening of the mine fractured the group that had been unified by intense fear, hunger and despair.  Egos flared and divisions occurred.  People on the surface wanted to know who was in charge in the mine; the answer caused more resentment and division.

After sixty-nine days underground the men were rescued, one at a time though a thin capsule, while the world watched and held its breath.  There was even care taken when considering who would come out of the mine first, the healthiest man, not the most frail. (In case the capsule got stuck.) Over a period of twenty-four hours, all the men and one rescuer, returned to the surface.

The epilogue is a sad but predictable one.  During their underground odyssey, these ordinary men had become celebrities in Chile and beyond.  Their personal lives were detailed and discussed in the media, even following them inside their homes.  Invitations came from the President of Chile and from many countries around the world, eager to treat the men who had inspired them as heroes.

Some of the men relished their newfound fame; others were trapped all over again. Almost all of them were tormented by varying degrees of PTSD and depression.  Most of the men did recover from the experience, and the sudden shock of fame that quickly faded away. Incredibly, some of the survivors returned to working in mining. The San Jose Mine has been sealed and closed forever.

It has been said that a society may be judged on how it treats its weakest members. Mining accidents happen all over the world.  In some instances, there is no effort to save the miners. The men discussed an accident in Mexico in which the owners had rolled a boulder over the entrance and declared it a tomb for those trapped inside. This story speaks to the incredible spirit of the Chilean people to try to do the impossible and bring these men home.

Most of the thirty-three men insist they are not heroes, just ordinary men who had an extraordinary experience.  Their story is remarkable and lovingly told by Tobar, a journalist of Guatemalan descent from the Los Angeles Times. In researching the story he made five trips to Chile. He took the time to interview these men, truly get to know them and their incredible story.

 Believe me, every day above ground is a good day.

A Most Violent Year [review with spoilers]

The title belies the truth of this movie, which is not a super violent mob movie but more of a meditation of restraint during trying circumstances.  I have read some of the criticisms of the film.  Some felt the movie “didn’t go anywhere.” Or, that it failed to live up to the violence that one expects from a movie on this subject.  I would argue that is the point of the film, one man’s struggle with morality in a highly criminal world.

In the first scene we meet Abel Morales, who is running with a Walkman playing Marvin Gaye’s “Make me Wanna Holler.”  It is a fitting anthem for the confusion and hopelessness felt of that era.  The nation was still reeling from the economic crisis of the ‘70’s; the prosperity and corruption that would define the 1980’s hasn’t yet occurred.

The story opens with a Standard Oil truck passing through a tollbooth, but then is quickly hijacked by two armed men who beat the driver. They then toss him onto the busy bridge.  He survives.  Mr. Morales pays him a visit, implores him to be calm and offers his assistance.

There is a meeting between Morales and a group of Hassidic Jews.  Morales wishes to buy their land, which includes a terminal that would allow him to import and store his company’s product, (heating oil).  A deal is made, but the terms are rigid and he must close in thirty days.

The drivers are nervous about the attacks on their trucks.  They wish to arm themselves.  Morales is against this, knowing the violence and liability that would commence would be his responsibility.  The drivers become increasingly unhappy.

The D.A (David Oyelowo; Selma, Interstellar and Lincoln) is preparing to indict Mr. Morales on at least twelve counts, a devastating blow to his business.  Mr. Walsh (Al Brooks) urges Morales to accept a plea deal.  But, Morales stands firm in his conviction that he is not a criminal, having run his business in a moral and responsible way.

Morales made another land deal, the purchase of a mansion outside the City.  In the entryway, two huge cement lamps sway in the wind.  The first night in the new house is eventful.  The dog wakes up Morales and he surveys the house carrying a baseball bat.  He then heads outside in the snow barefoot attempting to catch the prowler.  A man is seen but he escapes.

Inside, his wife Anna, (Jessica Chastain), cleans his wound and then gets angry because she knows he is lying about the threat.  Anna’s father and brother were in the mob, and she wants her husband to do more than run a guy off with a baseball bat; she wants to feel like he would kill to protect her and their family.

The next day, Morales gets an urgent call from Anna.  Their youngest daughter has found a loaded gun in the snow.  (It is near where the prowler was discovered).  Anna manages to get the gun from the girl safely, but it is a chilling scene pregnant with dread.

Mr. Morales and his wife Anna attend a dinner to ease their lender’s concerns, ensuring the deal for expansion funding.  Anna is especially forceful in her arguments for the company’s growth potential.  Abel is eloquent, also assuring them that he is the one to trust with their investment.

One the way home, the couple’s car strikes a buck.  Anna insists that Abel, “put it out of its misery.”  Abel hesitates.  We learn he does not carry a weapon.  (He is not your typical gangster).  Anna shoots the animal twice while Abel considers ending the animal’s life, after his lengthy search for a suitable weapon.

At home, he confronts Anna about the gun and questions if she has a permit.  She says he knows where she got it.  She goes on to say she did it since he doesn’t seem able to protect the family, the way she thinks he should.  Concerned about the possible blow-back on him and their family he takes it from her, calling the ornate small caliber pistol a “whore’s weapon.”  He keeps insisting he can protect his family, but he doesn’t want to resort to violence.

Julian, the truck-jacking victim, is discharged from the hospital.  Mr. Morales gives him a ride home and tells him he is not ready for sales.  He assures him he will have the courage to return to driving when the time comes. 

An intense scene commences between Morales and the new sales trainees for his heating oil business.  One of these trainees is young man named Alex, who chuckles nervously at Mr. Morales’s intensity.  (Ben Rosenfield played Will in Boardwalk Empire).  Morales offers them his advice on closing the deal, “We are not going to be the cheapest option so we have to give them the best service.”

“Stare at them longer than what is comfortable.  The hardest thing to do is to look a man in the eyes and tell him the truth.”  Abel believes this unflinching honesty is his key to success.

Alex is seen entering a home and following his training closely.  Unfortunately, he has encroached on a rival’s territory and is beaten.  Another robbery is occurring, this time Abel is able to catch up with the stolen truck.  A wild chase ensues; eventually the tanker truck enters a subway tunnel and rolls on its side.  The driver is dead.  The other man flees on foot with Abel in hot pursuit.  When the man is caught, it seems likely he will be killed.  Instead Morales asks, “Who do you work for?”  After several blows and no answer, he sets the man free.  As the man stumbles away he tells him that, “ I work for no one” and recently sold a load to Far Rockaway.  That is the key Morales needs to discover which boss has been stealing from him.

The crisis develops as the bank backs out of the loan Morales needs to complete the land deal.  He must now plead with the other “industry leaders” he knows to be corrupt.  In the process, he learns of things his wife has done to ensure their fortune.  

The ending is bittersweet.  Morales has struggled to maintain his code of honor and mostly succeeds.  But, how long will it last before it is threatened again?  It was disappointing some threads of the story seemed to be left unresolved.  David Oyelowe’s character seems underutilized.  We never learn who Anna’s father and brother were, or about their role in her current life.   The heart of this movie is the emotional study of a man and his efforts to do the right thing.  Both Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac give extraordinary performances, in this alternative study of the typical mob movie.