VIEWING: GRIEF AND CRIME ON THE ISLE OF SKYE
Bergerac (PBS)
Bergerac (2026) is a new version of the Bergerac detective series from the 1980s which starred John Nettles of Midsomer Murders fame. Jim Bergerac, played by Damien Molony, is a deeply troubled man. Mired in grief over the death of his wife, he ignores his teenage daughter’s needs and tussles with his mother-in-law (smartly played by Zoe Wanamaker) over how he lives his life and what kind of school Kim needs. His professional specialty is child abduction cases. When the daughter-in-law of a wealthy tycoon is murdered and her baby is kidnapped, Begerac is on the case. He has great insights into the criminal mind, but his personal demons and obsessions make him less effective much of the time.
The series consists of six episodes, all built around the one case. Initially, I found it difficult to be sympathetic to Bergerac as his actions seemed so self-defeating. As the episodes unfolded, I began to appreciate him and to find the series compelling. Three seasons are planned and Season 2 has already been released. Recommended!
ON THE PAGE: FRIENDSHIP AT THE AQUARIUM
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
I’m late to the scene on catching up with this bestseller novel and film. Remarkably Bright Creatures is Shelby Van Pelt’s delightful, heart-tugging story of an aquarium cleaner’s friendship with a Giant Pacific Octopus. Tova is a widow whose son Erik died many years ago in a sailing accident. She cleans the aquarium at night and is in the habit of talking to the creatures in the various tanks, but especially Marcellus, the octopus.
Marcellus is a key character and narrates some of the chapters, always beginning with how many days (more than one thousand) that he has been in captivity. He is especially sharp and observant and often muses about the foibles and oversights of the human guests and his cleaner. Although clever enough to get out of his tank, he occasionally requires rescue by Tova from what otherwise would be a dire ending.
In a secondary, but ultimately interlocking plot, 30-year-old Cameron, on the brink of financial collapse and desperately searching for his father, arrives in Sowell Bay, ends up living above Ethan the grocer’s store and eventually meets Tova at the aquarium. How these lonely individuals engage and end up finding more meaning and direction in their lives, while Marcellus watches and tries to orchestrate from his tank, makes for a satisfying story. Recommended!
CASUAL DINING IN CARY
Lloyd’s Full Service
A former filling station/service station from the 1950’s or more familiarly a “gas station,” Lloyd’s is now a bright and airy restaurant with a wide set of outside tables, light-colored wood tables inside in either end of the building, along with a bar and other seating in the center. The décor is industrial chic with green tile accents and contemporary lighting.
We lunched here today and were both surprised and pleased at the variety and creativity of the menu. Yes, there is a burger and a hot dog, but also salad bowls (shrimp and crab Louie, for example), a couple of pasta dishes, generous starters, other sandwiches, and a variety of vegetable side dishes.
We tried the vinegar and salt fish with fennel on an herb remoulade which was lovely and delicate. It could easily be the entrée for one person or shared as we did. The Chief Penguin ordered the shrimp po’ boy sandwich with French fries, while I sampled the corner dog, a hot dog in a potato bun topped with mild chili, tasty slaw, and mustard.
I had my slaw on the side and would have liked the chili better with a bit more oomph. Our server was friendly and happy to give recommendations on the most popular dishes.
This was Sunday noon, and very soon all the inside tables and even those outside were filled; people without reservations were turned away. Obviously, Lloyd’s Full Service is a new Cary hot spot! We will go back soon to try more menu items!
FORTHCOMING
Our initial visit to Juliet Books in a future post.
Note: Unattributed photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved).
