知道这一位艺术家（是的，我认为他是艺术家），只不过是2024年1月初的事。闲聊时Sasi谈起了他在Netflix上的stand up，我某周末夜里有点儿空闲时间，到Netflix搜寻了一下，一口气依时间秩序把他在Netflix上的四个special都看了一遍：Abroad Understanding (2017)，Losing It (2018)，For India (2020)，Landing (2022)，（当时没看Outside In (2020)，因为当时还没搞懂，看见zoom call就skip了）
For India是真正的艺术表演。没有舞台，只有简单的一扇蓝色门，而Vir Das就坐在门口台阶上娓娓道来，从印度四件小事切入到正题。观众席是半片pizza（Vir Das在访谈中这么说的），观众座位下面设有灯泡，灯亮起时，观众就是单口喜剧演出的一部分。非印度籍观众坐在设有红色灯光的位置上，说到一些非常到底印度的梗时，红灯亮起，Vir Das会给他们（我们）慢慢解说。整个表演的结构和完整度真诚又充满诗意。
然后，就必须看Landing了。看了I Come From Two Indias，你会更appreciate Landing 里头的真诚。我看了I Come From Two Indias再重看Landing，就更能理解当中的喜与悲，就明白了它为什么得奖了。（For India也获Emmy提名，但Landing则最终让Vir Das抱回了 International Emmy Award)。
可是，仅仅那几个Netflix Special，当然不足以明白我为什么疯狂地着迷。接下来，请你到Youtube看一下他在Covid期间做的Ten On Ten。（第一集：Religion vs comedy; 第二集：Who has Freedom of Speech?；第三集：Is the West More Privileged?；第四集：Jokes for the Dead；第五集：Tribalism and Cancel Culture vs comedy；第六集：Brother vs Others。）每一集都选了个沉重的题材，有点儿像好笑的Ted Talks，有点儿像朋友在“吹水”分享自己的哲学思想……
痴痴的等了近一年，Netflix Malaysia终于在上周六半夜十二点正放了完整的 The Good Place Season 4。我们姐弟俩用两个晚上把整季追完，然后现在正式堕入“看完好剧后的空虚”。
其实，我好久没写关于电影呀电视呀之类的了，一来忙（好像是借口），二来这部落格被撇在一旁好一阵子没什么兴致了。为了弥补我目前的空虚状况，为了这是近年来最好的一部Sitcom，我决定写一写The Good Place。（台港澳译为《良善之地》，新马译为《善地》）
美国剧最惹我讨厌之处，就是要么见不赚钱就突然喊停没头没尾的，要么就不懂得见好就收搞得虎头蛇尾的。这些年来我爱上的电视剧，好像没有哪几套我是由头看到尾的。（我其实很少追剧，所以看过的美国电视剧也不多，偏偏在这些为数不多的名单里又绝大多数看不下去的，我的失望可想而知）The X-Files, CSI, ER, 24, The Big Bang Theory, Scrubs, House........都是开始时新鲜有趣的，可是一做就做了十多年，再好的概念也经不起十多年的剥削榨取吧？这些我曾经爱看的电视剧没有一套是我看得完的。（比较特别的是Heroes，第一季精彩万分，结果第二季看得想砸电视……没怎么浪费到我的青春。哈哈）即使是The West Wing，我应该也只看了四季吧？Malcom in the Middle也实在对结局没印象，应该是也没看完的。(当然，mini series不算。Mini series 通常一气呵成，没有上面所说的毛病。当年的Taken, Band of Brothers, 甚至是近期的The Queen's Gambit都不错）。我只能祈祷我目前还在追的Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Mandalorian, Stranger Things, Star Trek Discovery, The Umbrella Academy等可以见好就收。尤其是Stranger Things, season 4 应该是极限了，再演下去就没意思了。
话说回来，The Good Place用四季谈生死，谈善恶，谈哲学，谈道德，谈生命的意义与归宿……（别怕，我的部落格不会有剧透的。你可能会觉得，喜剧也怕剧透？是的，这部喜剧怕剧透）
向来Michael Schur的作品丢出来掷地有声，这次The Good Place把这么严肃的课题弄成喜剧已经是很厉害，更厉害是写的角色个个讨喜，偏偏还有本事找了一批好演员，互不抢镜，互补相持，要是有TV Best Ensemble奖，我真希望他们获奖。他们的群戏，既好笑又感人。
宇宙忙着给我捧上无限的可能，我的导师以一个Law of Least Effort让我欣然接受了送上门来的责任。
五天过去了，我遇上了无数的挑战，却也同时为无数人带来了新希望。The Law of Giving and Receiving教我the process of circulating joy and affluence in life。我再次每天带着兴奋、期待的心情去上班。笃定地，莫听穿林打叶声，何妨吟啸且徐行……只愿这颗跳动不停的心永远慈爱。
“I’m always trying to figure out, at some level, who I am and how I fit in the world, which I think is something that I share with seven billion other people,” Mr. Ma says early in the film. That curiosity led him to assemble the Silk Road Ensemble, a collective of some 50 musicians and other artists from across the globe.
Because of Kiefer Sutherland, I decided to watch Designated Survivor. (I think Kiefer Sutherland is an adept performer and he has a gift for projecting resolve and decency. I spent a few years of my life watching a few days of Jack Bauer's life. Seeing him save the country is believable)
Though I have only watched 4 episodes so far, I think this political drama is fast-moving, reasonably believable, intriguing, and is a ton of fun. Seth Wright (Kal Penn) is my favorite character so far. (As of now, Josiah Bartlet is still my favorite fictional President of the United States onscreen. We shall see if the mild-mannered but firm Thomas Kirkman could surpass him.)
Anyway, this blog is not about the TV series.
After watching the pilot of the TV series, I googled Designated survivor. Apparently this TV series premise is based on the real practice which is governed by the Presidential Succession Act. The concept of a “designated survivor” first arose sometime during the Cold War, but become more serious after 911. There have been two designated survivors — one Cabinet member to rebuild the executive branch and one member of the congressional leadership to lead a new legislature. Since this designated survivor may have the possibility to become the president, the designated survivor candidate must be at least 35 years old and a natural-born citizen. (Of course, the designee doesn’t automatically become president. If another administration official higher in the line of succession happens to survive, he or she would take office instead.) So, in the event of an attack that wiped out the nation's leaders, there is a functioning government within a week of an attack.
Out of curiosity, I want to know what happens if this happen in Malaysia? Since we inherited British system, I googled and found this: What Happens if the British Government is Wiped Out? Apparently, Britain doesn't have procedures in place. In short, it means outside of a very tight inner circle, nobody knows exactly who would be in charge once the bombs start dropping. The reasoning: "Britain is relatively well placed to deal with it because of our strong governmental institutions. If your governance is pretty good then government departments can go on automatically for some time.”
Unfortunately, we inherited British system. In a rough equivalent to Designated Survivor, that Parliament was attacked during the Parliament Opening, we are doomed.
Sheldon has kept The Big Bang Theory interesting for all these years in large part because his own evolution is interesting, thus resulting ShAmy's interesting evolution. They aren't perfect for each other just because they are the two biggest weirdos on the show, they are perfect because Amy has shown endless patience for Sheldon and Sheldon has shown willingness to try new things and try to make Amy happy.
However, like any relationships, they have their struggles. Finally, we see their love's roller coaster ride, just like everyone else.
Firstly Amy wanted to "take a break" and it turned into an actual breakup when Sheldon being selfish and immature. So what happens when a man with an IQ of 187 gets his heart broken? As it turns out: He acts just like an average person. Sheldon wallowed and whined; got angry, and petty. Sheldon continue to try to woo Amy instead of respecting her space......
After the anger / confuse period, he tried to move on. He took up fencing, he asked women out, and he got his heart broken again.....
1) They break up!!
2) The good way to move on
3) Heartbroken
Then, they tried to be friend again. They had such a great time together and it reminded Amy of all the good things between them. She wanted to be his girlfriend again but Sheldon said he can't. "Amy, I excel at many things, but getting over you wasn't one of them," he says. "I think I need to just be your friend."
4) Sheldon and Amy Try To Be Friends
5) Amy wants to get back together
Finally, Sheldon came into his realization. He needs Amy in his life. She makes him a better man. At first, it doesn't seem Sheldon learned much in the time he and Amy were broken up. But he finally learned to be able to more clearly express the way he feels, and learned to recognize the way he feels. 6) Sheldon and Amy Get Back Together
7) Special Gift
"Intimacy in any form has been challenging for me, but I'd like to show her how important she is, and it feels like now might be the right time." ~ Sheldon
Sheldon picked the best gift, again! "Amy's birthday present will be my genitals."
So Sheldon and Amy finally spent their first night together. There’s unfiltered joy and happiness. I love the "before scene", where Amy and Sheldon are quiet, tender, and adorably nervous. The writing is smart, the acting is perfect, and everything comes together just as it should.
Amy and Sheldon have been the most interesting couple on The Big Bang Theory. They are both outcasts, both awkward. These two outcasts continue to build a life together, find solace in each other, and they can at least rely on each other.
From defining Amy as a girl who is his friend but not his girlfriend, to the relationship of the minds, Sheldon finally evolved into someone that actually involved in a romantic relationship.
1) Sheldon Cooper kisses Amy Farrah-Fowler.
Sheldon Cooper kisses Amy Farrah-Fowler.
On the lips.
And likes it.
Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik acting are always fun to watch when the writers decided to show some softer side of Sheldon and Amy. In this episode, I love how Sheldon kiss with Amy initially "came out of anger" and enjoyed it once he got there. I also love how Amy doesn't know what to do or prefer not to do anything with her hands.
The kiss was only made better when Sheldon asked Amy to go with him to see the train's engineer. He finally noticed that she is as important to him as his other interests, and he wanted to share them with her.
Sheldon kisses Amy
2) Sheldon says I love you to Amy
Here was how Dr. Sheldon Cooper first told his girlfriend that he loves her.
“There’s no denying I have feelings for you that can’t be explained in any other way,” he said. “I briefly considered that I had a brain parasite, but that seems even more far-fetched. The only conclusion was love.”
This confession was so shocking, coming from Sheldon. Sheldon doesn't say what he doesn't mean. The fact that Sheldon finally could recognize that he loves Amy is another milestone in his crusade of ever becoming a better partner for her.
I love you too
3) Sheldon bought the perfect gift
Like I said earlier, Sheldon always give the most enthralling and tantalizing gifts, even when he was trying to 'seek revenge against his girlfriend'. His plan was to surprise her with the gift and make her feel guilty for not getting him anything. "I hope you treasure this as much as I treasure you."
It has to be perfect
4) Sheldon and Amy announce they are getting a turtle
Sheldon and Amy hold hands to announce some significant news! Break out the champagne and congratulate the happy couple—Sheldon and Amy are getting a turtle! “We care so much about each other, there’s enough left over for an eight ounce reptile.”
Who would’ve thought you two would be the first in our group to start a family
5) Our kids will be Martians
Sheldon was applying to be one of the first people to colonize Mars but he neglected to tell Amy about his application. Amy told him that what she wants is “for us to be planning our future together.” Ultimately, Sheldon got the hint that Amy is hurt and they gently found a way to work through it and talked about their future together.
If I'm going to a barren, lifeless planet, I want you there with me
6) Shamy's Fort
Sheldon and Amy building a fort together on date night, doing what they can to counteract the years of neglect they suffered as kids. And to our surprise, Sheldon suggested they suspend the date night parameters so Amy can stay later. Amy negotiated a sleepover, and she got a G-rated sleepover!
We finally see more of the softer side of Sheldon when Sheldon and Amy finally started their "relationship of the minds". Throughout this boyfriend / girlfriend relationship, Sheldon showed small gestures from time to time, progressed really slowly, and I found that sweet and heartwarming. I love how the writers are trying to find a logical, yet organic way to develop this weird little romance.
1) I would not object to us no longer characterizing you as not my girlfriend
Sheldon asks Amy to be his girlfriend
Relationship Agreement
2) The Tiara!!!
Sheldon and Amy encountered their first problem in their boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. When Amy got upset after Sheldon showed no reaction to her article making the cover of a prestigious journal, he turned to Leonard and Penny for advice on how to be a better boyfriend.
The Tiara!
3) Amy's Campaign
Amy has embarked on a campaign to increase Sheldon's feelings for her. Their "romantic dinner" was a unique and successful one, at least for Amy. However, my favorite part is when Sheldon confessed to Leonard that he was having affectionate feelings for her and kept thinking about her at inappropriate times. The way Sheldon explained how the random particles morphed into Amy's dandruff on her slightly humped shoulders is just sweet.
Shamy's Romantic Dinner
Sheldon engages in the tradition of whining about his woman
4) Sheldon holds Amy's hand
Perhaps the greatest leap forward in Sheldon's willingness to show his softer, more emotional side to Amy is when he voluntarily, without any prior prompt from Amy, held Amy's hand while Howard's Soyuz capsule was being launched into space.
Sheldon holds Amy's hand
5) Sheldon romantic speech to Amy
Of course Sheldon will express his feelings this way. I can imagine him feeling awkward, don't know how to express the feelings that are new to him, and opted for hiding behind the Spiderman and gave that touching speech. The strength of Jim Parsons as an actor makes his words believable.
Sheldon romantic speech
6) Sheldon taking care of Amy
Many people like this episode because of the hint of "kinkiness" but I like the fact that Sheldon did it because “I made a commitment in writing to comfort you in times like this. And additionally, you are my girlfriend and I care about your well-being.” Sheldon doing almost anything that is justified in the name of science or reason. In that case, she was sick enough that she needed to be bathed; she needed to have something rubbed on her bare chest. (by the way, the bloopers from this episode are really cute)
Sheldon taking care of Amy
Jim and Mayim Bloopers - TBBT Season 6
7) Amy is now comfort to Sheldon
Initially the pair took on more of an academic, personal relationship than a romantic relationship, gradually, the barriers started to drop, as Sheldon overcame his touch aversion. And before Sheldon noticed, Amy has become a comfort to him. Sheldon needed to be held and consoled by Amy when he is very upset about Kripke
Sheldon needed a hug
8) Amy is Sheldon's emergency contact
Sheldon always give the most enthralling and tantalizing gifts. Even before he started to really show some effort in being romantic in later seasons, he already showed his potential in gifts giving in Season 6 Valentine's Day episode. Amy is now his emergency point of contact at the university. (Well, I thought, if I have a stroke or a kidney stone, who would I want to share that with?)
Amy and Sheldon's Valentine's Gifts
9) Sheldon reveals if he will ever sleep with Amy
This is one of my favorite scene (both story wise and acting wise). I was shocked and thrilled to hear Sheldon admits that he is quite fond of Amy, that he’s working on his lifelong aversion to the physical contact that comes naturally to others, and that potentially, somewhere down the line, he could see himself actually sleeping with Amy. Sheldon’s honest admission shows that he may not always realize when he’s doing/saying something wrong but he is working on improving himself. Amy and Sheldon both give just as much to their relationship, they just do it in different ways.
It's a possibility
10) Love Spell
This is a lovely episode which managed to address character dynamics in believable fashion while throwing us the usual geeky entertainment with style.
Sheldon and Amy got physical in the context of Dungeons and Dragons. What maybe is a small step to other people, is as big of a step to these characters. Sheldon and Amy's frank discussion of what their relationship is illustrated that progress beautifully. Amy understands Sheldon. Sometimes she does want more from him but she also understands why their relationship is what it currently is. Despite Sheldon's issues, Sheldon gets Amy. While their progress toward intimacy has been moving at an incredibly slow pace, progress has been made—which shows that Sheldon is trying and that he does truly care about her.
只是哦，对于Stranger Things还有续集，我真的有所保留。好莱坞总是贪得无厌，不懂得见好就收，因而毁了好多好戏。以前Heroes叫我惊艳万分（Sylar还是我心目中电视史上最有型的反派！），然后越拍越不像样，像Sheldon所说：“Heroes gradually lowered the quality season by season till we were grateful it ended.”；我再爱24，也就看到season 5就放弃了；当我觉得Prison Break概念不错想要开始看时，一听主角逃狱了四次（共四个seasons）我就没兴趣了。
I have no idea who Aziz Ansari is when I decided to watch Master of None. Now I completed watching all his shows on Netflix Malaysia.
I didn't know anything about the show either. I was expecting for a lighthearted goofy comedy, but it turns out to be more of a drama with some comedic elements. All ten episodes are basically short films of themselves, bringing largely unaddressed issues of sex and race into a mainstream comedy.
I binged this 5 hours show in one evening! It is entertaining, and at the same time, thought-provoking to me.
If you read the synopsis, it says it follows a 30-year-old actor who has trouble making decisions, navigates life in New York City. You change the age and city, this synopsis is applicable to everyone of us. At least, it fits me well. "Jack of all trades, master of none". That's me! Approaching 40 and I still haven't figured out anything about myself, not to mention Dharma.
Dev’s dad sums up what may be the greatest blessing but also the biggest curse Dev and all of us face: “You realize fun is a new thing, right? Fun is a luxury only your generation really has!”
Watching the first 3 seasons of TBBT, you would think that Sheldon would never, in a million years, have a girl friend. (When most people characterized Sheldon as narcissistic, I do think he is more of content in his own way than being narcissistic) Then, the writers present us Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler, Ph.D, and this is the starting point of Dr. Sheldon Lee Cooper, B.S., M.S., M.A., Ph.D., Sc.D slowly growing into a more affectionate, open-minded person.
1) How it started
We really have to thank Howard and especially Raj, for making the effort.
2) You've Got a Friend in Me
Sheldon and Amy started to develop a very sweet friendship, spending the next four months communicating with each other on a daily basis since they first met. I am sure they found each other fascinating since they are more similar to each other than anyone else. They know how each other thinks, they have logic that is very obvious to both of them, and only to both of them (see how they play Counterfactuals)
Sheldon's new friend Amy
Sheldon's first date
Their Counterfactuals Game
3) The first 'break up'
Of course, in any healthy relationship, we argue, we disagree and we fight. For Sheldon and Amy, their friendship 'outlived its utility' when Amy belittled Sheldon's occupation as a theoretical physicist. Sheldon terminated their friendship and adopted 25 cats as a substitute for Amy. Of course, this problem was easily solved by Mrs Cooper, using reverse psychology to make Sheldon offer to reconcile with Amy.
The fight
Reconcile
4) Amy held Sheldon's hand
Then, their friendship started to evolve. We see Sheldon's first sign of jealousy.
Sheldon preferred to assume that Amy has contracted an alien parasite than the reluctant conclusion that Amy is sexually aroused by Zack. Of course, to our relief, Amy chose Sheldon's intellect over Zack's looks, and even held Sheldon's hand. I like the idea how Sheldon did hold her hand back and uncharacteristically did not pull his hand away and he let his hand be held.
The Diagnosis
The Experiment
5) Fun together, as friends
They have lots of fun together as friends. They conducted social experiments (Look at you, getting me to engage in the social sciences. You're a vixen, Amy Farrah Fowler.), they danced, they kissed. Of course, Sheldon may not want to cross the line of being just friend so they agreed to treat their relationship like a "crashed computer" and restored it to the last point it worked for both.
Amy getting Sheldon to engage in the social sciences
Amy and Sheldon dancing
Amy kisses Sheldon
6) Sheldon got jealous
However, no matter how Sheldon wishes to deny, still, we do know that he has feelings for Amy. When Leonard told Sheldon that he had a great time with Amy, Sheldon karate hit him on the shoulder and angrily retorts "She is not for you. Not for you!"
She Is Not For You
7) They cuddled
When Amy got really upset, and not returning any of Sheldon's various digital attempts to contact her (I tried email, video chat, tweeting her, posting on her Facebook wall, texting her, nothing), Sheldon came into her rescue. Amy made clear what Sheldon could do for her: “At this moment, I find myself craving human intimacy and physical contact.” So, even though Sheldon is uncomfortable with human physical contact and has germophobia, they cuddled......
Sheldon And Amy Cuddle
8) Sheldon wanted to win her back
When Stuart asks Amy out on a date, Sheldon seems to not mind though it becomes obvious later on. He friended Stuart on Facebook to find out how they date, he tried to make Amy jealous by trying to ask Penny out for a date. Even though Sheldon still insists that Amy is a girl who is his friend but not his girlfriend, he wanted to know what are the ways to get her back.
Watching The Big Bang Theory every now and then is definitely a guilty pleasure for me.
I am still trying very hard to make sure I continue to learn new things, to grow, to be, to live a balance life. However, sometimes, I need a break.
Blame this smile!
Recently, because I am slightly more free than usual, because TBBT Season 10 is coming up real soon, because I start to follow Jim Parsons and Mayim Bialik on Instagram, when I need a break, I watch The Big Bang Theory clips online.
I know. I'm hopeless sometimes. Blame Sheldon and the gang!! Mainly, blame Sheldon! Oh, and blame Jim Parsons blue eyes!!
Oh, and I definitely going to blame ShAmy, my favorite TV couple.
Amy and Sheldon relationship is not what normally people think relationships are supposed to be. Sheldon being Sheldon, taking those tiny steps, doing those small gesture, and truly believes he is in the best relationship ever. To me, that relationship is actually more intimate than anything else on TV to date.
