Delicious in Acorn TV

Acorn TV does have a lot to offer, besides British movies and TV shows. This time it treats the audience with rich Italian cuisine in Delicious (2016-2019), starring Dawn French, Iain Glen and Sheila Hancock.

Courtesy cdn.images.express.co.uk

The story takes place in Cornwall, England. Penrose Hotel's owner Leo Vincent has a great passion and fame for Italian food. He is having an affair with his ex-wife Gina Benelli from whom he has stolen many Italian family recipes for years. At his son Michael's 18th birthday party, he and Gina are caught in the act by his second wife Sam. He wants to be forgiven but is denounced by both women. Out of desperation, he swallows an extra dosage of pills to calm his nerves, but dies of a heart attack. Since then, he has been transformed into a ghost, hovering around to watch and comment on his two wives managing the hotel, and his two children and his elderly mother leading a new life without him.

Courtesy images.immediate.co.uk 

The story itself is reasonable, but the scenery, Italian decor, and cooking are fascinating. But what truly intoxicates everyone is the lust for life, Italian style. Just like her well-loved Vicar of Dibley, Gina is thoroughly adored by men in Delicious. The same rings true of Mimi, her wisecracks, and gutsy spirit to live fully to the last minute.

The Slap from Acorn TV

Two nights ago we finished The Slap (2015), an eight-episode Australian TV series based on Christos Tsiolkas' novel. The show is of particular interest to Paul and me for multiple reasons. It is written by a Greek-Australian author, describing a Greek immigrant family living in Melbourne, and their life and relationships with each other and with other ethnic groups.

The story starts with Hector Apostolou’s 40^th birthday party. Extended family members and friends are gathered to celebrate his big birthday. Before long, the small family yard is filled with people of all ages, high with energy and a few higher with alcohol. Young Hugo is the son of Gary and his wife Rosie, who is one of the two closest friends of Hector's wife, Aisha. At the age of four, he is still being nursed for body comfort and night sleep. While playing cricket with the other boys, he throws a tantrum by grabbing the bat, and wielding it around dangerously towards anyone approaching him. Harry, Hector’s cousin, bravely intervenes by holding the wriggling, out-of-control Hugo. Seeing the boy is still not quieted down, Harry slaps him on the cheek, and thus all hell breaks loose. Hugo’s parents not only storm out of the party, but threaten to sue Harry for violence against children.

Courtesy Acorn TV

The child abuse lawsuit by Rosie against Harry gives rise to further conflicts between family loyalty vs. friendship, traditional values vs. contemporary lifestyles, happy family facade vs. infidelities, and the Australian Dream vs. life disappointment for immigrant families and their descendants.

Ultimately, traditional family declares victory through dedicated narrations highlighting eight characters, one in each of eight episodes: Hector, Harry, Anouk, Manolis, Connie, Aisha, Rosie and Richie. On the one hand, Aisha returns to her kids and husband; Harry and Sandi are expecting their second child; and Anouk is content writing her novel and being a support to her mother. On the other, Manolis decides to continue with his life journey, disappointed or not, with his now much happier wife, Koula; and Richie finds his love after being released from the torment of false knowledge that Connie has been raped by Hector. Even Gary and Rosie have obtained their salvation by moving out of Melbourne to have a new life in a brand-new city. Perhaps it is the secret of Greek happiness.

Elijah with Chippy Now

Last Friday in bed, I received the sad news about the passing of Elijah from his mother Gail. It turns out that in the first week of our Shelter in Place, Elijah took a turn for the worse. After having been given a shot by the vet, he went to sleep while Gail was holding him in the car.

Elijah was a brother of Chippy's from the same litter. One day in May, 18 years ago, they were waiting together to be adopted on the staircase of  the Santa Cruz Main Post Office. My manager at the time, Dody, picked up Elijah for Gail, while I got Chippy. Two cats were so happy waiting for the end of our work day in our Cataloging Department office. Chippy was grooming constantly whereas Elijah was just meowing joyfully. I will never forget the time when he was so distraught to find his sister gone. Paul had come by earlier and took her home in a wooden breadbox I had just bought.

In the ensuing years, Dody, Gail, and I tried a couple of times to give them a reunion through their birthday parties, but Elijah was too shy to feel comfortable among strangers. Now, Elijah and Chippy are together again in a span of less than three months. They are truly special cats, giving our two families full and undivided attention and affection. In the 18 years they were with us, they shared our happy and difficult times. I feel somewhat comforted that Gail was with Elijah to the very end. It is my greatest regret that I was not with Chippy when she passed. I was trying to get a few hours' sleep for work on the morning of the last day of 2019.

As my niece said in her card to us, "We are sorry that Mrs. Chippy is no longer with us. She will be dearly missed," and so will Elijah. They lived apart, but are united now, with their Grandmother Jindi to look after them both.