RECENT VIEWING
FRENCH DETECTIVES TRIUMPH AGAIN
Astrid Season 5 (PBS Masterpiece)
Season 5 of Astrid has been available for some months now. I started watching it a while ago and only finished it this week. It’s a satisfyingly rich season with the usual array of quirky and weird murder cases, but what makes it special is the tight friendship between Astrid and Raphaelle both on the job and in their off hours. Raph is a talented detective with keen insights, but Astrid’s ability to delve into the tiniest details and provide unseen connections gives them the additional info needed to solve the crimes.
Add in the issue of Astrid’s relationship with Tetsuo, his return to Paris, and their moves toward a stable future together. This, coupled with Astrid’s unexpected response to some old memories, brings to the fore more details of Astrid’s youth. All in all, an excellent season with a cliffhanger ending. How soon can we expect Season 6? Highly recommended!
CLASSIC ADVENTURE TALE BROUGHT TO LIFE
The Count of Monte Cristo (PBS Masterpiece)
I never read The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, nor this other adventure story of his. Nonetheless, the Chief Penguin and I are enjoying The Count of Monte Cristo immensely. We are about halfway through this series of 8 episodes. The acting is superb and the story suspenseful.
When seaman Edmond Nantes is unjustly accused and sent to prison, his fate seems sealed. How he manages to escape with the aid of Abbe Faria (played by a well disguised Jeremy Irons) is both clever and creative. If you’re up for a rousing historical adventure story, this would nicely fit the bill.
20th CENTURY HIGH SOCIETY
The Forsytes Season 1 (PBS Masterpiece)
I was a bit dubious about this rendition of Galsworthy’s saga and found the first episode a bit busy introducing so many members of the family. With episode 2, I settled in and thoroughly enjoyed it. Here, Irene is a ballerina, rather than a pianist or piano teacher, and very free-spirited—at least until she marries Soames. Saomes Forsyte initially comes across as nicer than in some other versions I’ve seen, but that changes later.
Aunt Ann, the matriarch, is forceful and dominating (mostly in a good way) and her question to Irene: “Do you know what it means to be a Forsyte?” is spot on. I love Francesa Annis in this part. Louisa, the dressmaker, and Jolyn’s love from the past, is fleshed out and plays a bigger part than in the novel. She’s an admirable independent business woman, possibly more a reflection of the contemporary world than the early 1900s.
Frances, Jolyn’s wife and mother of 18-year-old June, is a complex character, whom you both admire (she’s strong willed and a survivor) and possibly dislike (she’s cunning and manipulative on Jolyn’s behalf at times and for her own desires.)
She covets the influence and power her position gives her. And June, young June, is still portrayed as someone naïve and unacquainted with the darker aspects of society.
All in all, I found this series a fascinating portrait of this family in transition and loved the greater focus on the women. Season 2 is already in the works as several issues remain unresolved.
EATING OUT IN NYC
DINER FARE
Eat Here Now (Lexington near E. 63rd)
One probably doesn’t think of diner and Upper East Side in the same breath, but Eat Here Now is a genuine diner. You enter and step down two steps below street level and, if you are a regular or semi-regular, you are immediately warmly greeted. In our case it’s: “Where have you been? We haven’t seen you in a while.” The place feels family-run and provides fast efficient service, delivering big portions and well-brewed coffee.
The Chief Penguin usually orders a grilled bacon and cheese sandwich with a side of coleslaw. I’m less predictable and have had a tuna melt or some form of scrambled eggs. Yesterday, we both ordered Reubens, his traditional and mine on white toast. I think we overlooked the “Knife and Fork Sandwiches” heading on the menu because these were the largest version of Reuben I’ve ever seen. Open-faced and piled high with corned beef, sauerkraut, and melted cheese with a mini ramekin of Russian dressing on the side. They were overwhelming to say the least. Tasty, but a bit more than our appetites required. Nonetheless, we will have at least one more lunch here while we’re in town.
TRADITIONAL FRENCH BISTRO
Brasserie Cognac (Upper East Side)
Brasserie Cognac is one of our favorites in this neighborhood. Cozy with several small rooms and tables and diners crammed together, it consistently delivers elegant comfort food. Last evening, we indulged in some cheese gougeres, light airy puffs of pastry, and fried calamari to start. Crispy but not too and not over breaded or tough; in a word, perfect.
For entrees, we both ordered the rotisserie chicken stuffed with mushroom fricassee accompanied by mashed potatoes and green beans. The C. P. substituted French fries with his chicken. The dish was luscious and just right for this cold, rainy night.
We had no one on either side of us when we arrived, but shortly a couple was seated to my left, and then a table of five with a boisterous, but friendly, host took their places on the right. The dining room filled up completely, and the noise level increased. We were almost finished with our meal and would soon leave the mild chaos behind. We will return at least once more this visit. I have a date with their escargots!
