Iditarod 43: Bring on the Rookies!

With about 20 (I may have miscounted) rookies in this race, let's take a look at some of the more (in this blogger's opinion) interesting and exciting teams.

Let's start off with the "returning rookies" these are mushers that have run in previous years but scratched before the finish line in Nome. You are a rookie until you complete an Iditarod. So that means you can run 20 Iditarods and still be considered a rookie if you never finish.

Cindy Abbot is one such musher who was only going to run the race once - but a freak crash on the trail left her stiff and sore for days. She finally couldn't handle the pain any longer and was forced to scratch. When flown back to Anchorage she was checked out by doctors and it was noted that she'd broken her pelvis! Last year she tried again, but unfortunately saw trouble on the difficult, snow barren trail, and once again had to scratch. One wonders if she can make it this year with trail conditions being just as bad as last year's (and completely new for the first half of the race) but she's a determined person. I wouldn't count her out.

Lev Shvartz chose last year to be his rookie year, and it didn't go well. Like many teams - veteran and rookie - Lev ended up scratching in Rohn. This year the Gorge and Burn are out, so the trail is relatively safer for sleds and mushers. Lev was my choice of rookie last year, and I have no doubt that Shvartz can make it to Nome this year.

Philip Walters is a middle school band teacher - so right there I think he's pretty awesome. Walters runs dogs out of Snowhook Kennel owned by Justin and Rebecca Savidis (they're the ones with the super cool dogbox with the silhouette of the howling dog on each door). Walters won't really be competitive, but he's using his run to shed light on how important arts are for education. He's helped with the Iditarod curriculum as well.

Heidi Sutter is another teacher turned Iditarod musher this year. She and her hubby run KMA Kennel (and you can guess what KMA stands for). Heidi will be easy to spot as she is BRIGHT PINK hair. Heidi is a great advocate for the sport - she is incredibly active on social media - and brings a positive presence to the races. She says she's using this Iditarod to train her team for the 2016 Yukon Quest. Very excited to see how she does in her rookie year.

Alan Stevens is running a Buser team - most likely puppy team - so that makes his team interesting in and of itself. He's helping train Martin and Rohn's next batch of superstars.

Yuka Honda is a Janitor who lives in the Yukon Territory of Canada - but was born and raised in Japan. After graduating university she moved to Canada where she was a dog handler, then she saw the Iditarod on television and decided she wanted to race. She moved to Alaska to learn the ropes before moving to her home in the Yukon. She has a kennel of 25+ sled dogs. She's not a total stranger to 1000 mile races, she competed in the Quest in 2012.

Ben Harper is one of the more exciting rookies this year - he's running Redington dogs - but in his short time in Alaska he's been a top musher on the "junior circuit" coming in the top 4 of each of his Jr Iditarod runs. This will be a telling rookie year, and just the stepping stone for what looks like a very successful career in the sport.

One week until the Musher's Banquet where the bib numbers will be drawn!

Iditarod 43: Ladies of the Iditarod

Lisbet Norris' team of Siberian Huskies at the start of Iditarod 42.

With 10 days (well 9 days and 23 hours) to go until Iditarod 43 gets underway (with the Ceremonial Start) I figured I'd feature some of my favorite mushers/mushers to talk about. Some made my top ten list, others are favorites or friends of mine, and some are just known to the fandom and it felt wrong not to list them. So I figured I'd start with the Women of the Iditarod. This year there are 25 teams being led by a female musher on the roster of 78.

Leading the charge is Aliy Zirkle. She's a Yukon Quest champion (first and only woman to win that 1,000 mile race) and for the last three years has seen some very close second place finishes in the Iditarod. Team Seavey seems to be her kryptonite, but this year all bets are off with the trail changes and conditions. Zirkle's team ran the Yukon Quest (with Allen Moore running them) and came in second to Brent Sass. They sound like a solid team and are set to take it all the way. Zirkle and team have a great online presence with their blog and facebook accounts keeping accurate and knowledgeable information throughout the race. Zirkle is probably the most exciting lady musher since Susan Butcher, she definitely has the media's attention like Butcher commanded, and a larger percentage of the fandom rallies around her. She's a perfect ambassador for the sport and her rivalry with the big boys is fun to watch.

DeeDee Jonrowe is another favorite among the fans, she was the one that was to take the helm once Butcher retired as top female musher. She did respectably staying consistently in the top 20 and coming dangerously close to winning a few times. She had to keep up with the likes of Jeff King, Martin Buser and Doug Swingley in their primes. Jonrowe is a cancer survivor - running one of her races just months after having surgery to get rid of the tumors. She's tough as nails and is synonymous with the Iditarod. She's easily spotted in her bright pink parkas and kuspiks. You can follow Deedee on facebook. Her team is very good at keeping team updates current. A good group of people who are positive about their musher and her dogs.

Kristy and Anna Berrington - the Berrington twins. Who doesn't love to see double? Kristy runs the B team for Paul Gebhardt (though really between the two of them they share the top dogs) and Anna runs the B team for the Mushin' Mortician, Scott Jannsen. The girls typically run their teams together along the trail, much to the frustration of insiders who feel that both need to be a little more competitive in their racing, but last year Kristy kicked it up a knotch. While they do most things together (they run triathlons and marathons together too), they still have their individual goals and race to run. It's always fun to see them working on the trail, and I've no doubt they'll both make it to Nome again, just hopefully not hand in hand this time around.

Jodi Bailey is probably my absolute favorite musher on this list. She is a joy to talk to (granted I'm too shy to talk to her in person, but thank god for technology!) and cares greatly for her sport and her dogs. Jodi and her husband Dan Kaduce run the Dew Claw Kennel and switch off running the Iditarod each year. It's Jodi's turn this year, and she's trained hard. She's one of the lucky ones who live in the general area of snow. Jodi keeps fans and friends updated on the teams progress throughout the year on her blog. She's also incredibly active on facebook (most mushers aren't tech savy) and shares photos and updates in many mushing specific groups. Jodi, we will be cheering you on through the Tudor Crossing again this year, and throughout the race. Kick booty!

Lisbet Norris was a rookie last year, and is one of the few teams run with all pure bred Siberians. This typically means that the team will not be competitive, but within the Iditarod there is the race of these teams. Whoever gets to Nome first is a winner in their own right. Lisbet grew up in alaska but learned to mush in Norway, and now lives in the Mat-Su valley where she raises and races her team. You can follow her kennel via her blog, facebook, and instagram. With the incredibly warm weather this year, I expect her team to be back of the packers... however, at the same time they've been training in this weather all year so at least they'll be more used to it. At least they'll be one good looking team coming down the trail.

Monica Zappa also ran her rookie race last year and is back again for another go. She's a Peninsula musher (w00t!) and is another musher who is tech savvy enough to keep fans and friends updated with training and races. Zappa grew up in a mushing family in Wisconsin and moved to Alaska in 2010. After meeting Tim Osmar (yes, THAT Tim Osmar from THAT Osmar family) she has begun her own Iditarod racing career. She embraces all that the Alaskan lifestyle has to offer, and brings a lot of flair and color to the trail. I'm excited to see how she continues to improve, and hope this race is a good one for her! You can follow along with her on twitter, facebook, and instagram. I highly recommend that you do!

Michelle Phillips is another veteran to long distance mushing. She runs Tagish Lake Kennel with Ed Hopkins and their son. Michelle is a consistent runner in the top 20, with just a couple of finishes outside the top 20. That's pretty good for only five Iditarods. This year she won the YQ300 beating out Aliy Zirkle (the second time this happened, first being in 2013). With the trail being new to most everyone for the first half of the race (give or take) it would not surprise me that any of the consistent top 20 finishers of past races come out on top. The shake up could be exciting, and I expect Phillips to be in that mix. She has a good team set this year, and she's coming off a very successful race season. You can follow Michelle on facebook and her blog.

Jessie Royer is another lady musher that people expect great things from. She's a consistent competitor and serious about her racing. Jessie is from Montana, and while she has a home in Fairbanks, she and the dogs are based in Big Sky country. Royer learned the mushing ropes from 4-time champion Doug Swingley before branching out on her own. Jessie is in the top 20 just about every time she races, an seems pretty comfy up in the top 10. Her best placement came last year - in what most consider the most difficult race in the history of the Iditarod - when she placed 7th. This season Montana's seen more snow than Alaska, and that just might help Royer and team - their training season wasn't stunted. Plus, she seems to thrive on adversity.

The last person on my list, Zoya Denure, probably shouldn't even make my cut - but she gets a lot of attention. She's a former model from Wisconsin who seems to have a knack for PR and BS. Zoya runs a kennel with her more established "mushing expert" John Schandelmeier. You may recognize his name as he published a not so popular article on the teams that scratched on the Yukon Quest. The irony plays right into this as that seems to be Zoya's go to strategy when things get a little tough out on the trail. Zoya's scratched more than she's finished (though she has finished an Iditarod, once in four tries). It's always something random with their team that keeps them from making it to Nome. I only include her because of her popularity. I don't expect things to go any better in 2015, though if she does scratch I can't see how she and her kennel can save face after John called some of the Worlds most renowned mushers for "quitting" just this month. More power to her if she runs the whole thing, but I wouldn't waste time on hoping for it.


These are just some of the faces out on the trail, each one brings something to the race that makes it worth noting that the Iditarod sparked possibly the greatest slogan for Alaska:

"Alaska: Where men are men, and WOMEN win the Iditarod."

It's time for someone to take up that torch. Will this year be the one?

What do YOU think about the women in this year's race? Drop me a note in the comments.

Iditarod 43 - My Top 10

The 43rd running of the Iditarod is set to take place in just two weeks. Lack of snow has forced the race to run further north than ever before, with the ReStart moving for only the second time in race history to Fairbanks. This levels the playing field in a way as none of the teams have any real experience on the new trail (which visits several villages/checkpoints for the very first time) so their run-rest strategies are at best educated guesses.

This may be one of the races where it truly is more about the dogs and their abilities and not the mushers. Who knows? It's all anyone's guess.

So This year I'm going with 10 names that I think are just on the upswing, or at least have that experience needed to keep the dogs from over doing it before that final push. They're not in any particular order - I'm not that good at predicting (in fact this list is probably going to just jinx them all).

Tonichelle's Top 10 

Brent Sass - Brent just won the Yukon Quest with his team of amazing dogs. His only real issue that was reported on the trail was when he overslept (you'd think he'd learn not to do that after Jeff King lost the Iditarod to Lance Mackey back in 2008 doing the exact same thing). He had to run down Allen Moore running the A team out of his kennel. The same team that Aliy Zirkle will run in the Iditarod. Moore's team kicked it up a notch in the final stretch, but seemed to tire through most of the race. Sass's team seemed to "feed the monster" (as the Seavey's say) at all the right times. After the bad fall last season that ended his Quest and Iditarod runs, Brent finally delivered on his potential. I have no doubt this will BOOST his confidence going into the Iditarod.

Dallas Seavey - Dallas came seemingly out of nowhere last March to win the race. Jeff King was supposed to have the win in the bag, but his team refused to run in the horrible winds as they made their way to Safety. Jeff had to flag down some snow-machiners to help him and his dogs get to the checkpoint. At that point he scratched as teams cannot have outside help. That meant that Aliy seemed to have the race in the bag as Dallas was a long ways behind her - but with the winds being what they were and the news from all weather reports saying it was only going to get worse, she decided to hunker down and wait them out. Dallas was unaware of any of it and ended up continuing (better to just run in the wind than sit in it, afterall) which put him in the lead and gave him just enough time to win the darn thing. He's just that lucky - and he's also just that good. I don't know what his team looks like this year, but his goal is to stay consistently in the top 5. He's young, confident, and a two time champion. There's no way in Hades you should count him out.

Jeff King - Jeff is a wildcard in a lot of ways. He had to scratch on the Quest due to the extreme cold and the fact that he didn't have enough food for the dogs to compensate at the checkpoint he was at. It was a difficult decision, but it was the RIGHT ONE. That a certain kennel that "will be running the Iditarod" (I bet they scratch before the halfway point) called him out for that should not even factor into one's mindset when discussing King's racing skills. Jeff is one of the most experienced mushers out on the trail - it's his dogs that don't seem to have the experience to finish a thousand mile race. They don't like running when the going gets tough in the last stretch. However, that was one of the reasons King ran the Quest. He wanted to train them up. I expect King to finish this year, and I wouldn't bet against him coming in first. He was set to do it last year. He can do it again. Just pray for no wind gusts in the last 77 miles to Nome.

Aliy Zirkle - This is her year. It has to be. Her team has come in second the last three years in the Iditarod, and just came in another close second on the Yukon Quest (husband Allen Moore ran that team). Quito will no doubt still be lead dog over the 1000 mile race, and with that knowledge the team can't fail. So long as those dang Seavey's don't take control of the race in the last leg... as long as she doesn't slow her team down... as long as this isn't another one of those insane races that is completely unpredictable. If there's a team in this race that I desperately want to see win this year - it's Aliy's. She more than deserves it, but she has to be able to take it.

Martin Buser - Buser and son got themselves in a bit of trouble in one of the season's earlier races. They "took the wrong turn" and ended up on a shortcut. Both of them did. Hmmm. Makes the spectators go hmmm. It ticked a certain other musher off who was lower in the standings because of it. It had people discussing issues of the Buser racing "strategies" over the year. Still - Martin is a 4 time Iditarod champion, and a crowd favorite. He made some pretty bold pushes in last year's race, but his team couldn't keep the pace they'd set. After their 24 hour layover they lost speed and ended up in a lower position than they'd planned. Martin's son Rohn is also running this year - and I'm  not sure they aren't splitting the A team in two again. Still, I wouldn't count Martin out. Especially on a trail that no one is familiar with.

Peter Kaiser - Another musher riding high after winning the Kusko in his hometown, Pete is looking good to make a move this year. The last couple of years he's been just outside of the top ten (13th both in 2014 and 2013), but those were warm weather years. While Alaska has been VERY warm this winter, with the race running further north this might help this Coastal team keep from overheating. And it COULD drop in temps like the Yukon Quest for the early part of the race, which should also help teams like Pete's.

Mitch Seavey - I'll be honest, I am completely out of the loop these days with Team Seavey. Last year was my last year with them, so I am not current on training reports, dog reports, etc... but this is Mitch. He's consistent, he knows how to drive dogs. I've no doubt he's got a solid schedule set for the new trail, and I expect his team to run well. He came in 3rd last year... and, oh yeah, his team WON the thing (second time for the musher) in 2013. I think leaving his team off this year would be a very stupid idea. And it's not just because I'm a biased fangirl.

Richie Diehl - I'm gonna give this guy some props, in just his second year he came in 14th, not too shabby. I don't expect him to win the darn thing, but I expect him to break the top 10 if all goes well. Basically he's my dark horse in this whole thing.

Aaron Burmeister - It was said that Dallas Seavey won his first Iditarod title thanks to Aaron Burmeister because Dallas's team consisted of many of Burmeister's A team. Aaron had decided to retire and sold off many of his dogs - Dallas snatched them up and the rest is history. Then Aaron decided to come back to the sport (shocking. most can't stay retired) and it's like he never left.He's stayed consistently in the top 10, coming very close to winning several times. With the trail being new to everyone for the first half, he may have the advantage on the coast - his home base. The dogs know where home is and know how to get there.

Ray Redington Jr - Ray's having a great year, even with his scratch from his rookie run on the Yukon Quest. He's another musher who's had a run of top 10 finishes, and his team seems to be really clicking this season. He's poised for a great race, and should be able to adapt to the new trail with the rest of the best. I'd love to see a Redington finally win the race. They're a strong mushing dynasty - and of course the Iditarod wouldn't even exist had Joe Redington Sr not gotten the crazy idea in his head. Look for Ray to make a move again this year, and don't be surprised if he goes all the way.




So there's my top 10. What's yours? Comment on this blog post and let me know if we agree, disagree, or what you'd like to see happen during Iditarod 43.

Mature bald eagle photos

We've had that Juvenile Bald Eagle visit the bone pile all week. It's been pretty neat to see, though he was getting annoyed with the attention and flying off more and more. Last night we were surprised to find a mature eagle on the bones. Looks like Jr. decided he needed his parental unit to keep us from bugging him.

Joke was on him, though, because we brought out the cameras again to get some captures of the beautiful mature bald eagle. Here are just a few (I may have taken over 100. Yeah, not sorry.) of the photos I took while he ripped into the carrion.

This week's animal shelter photos

Just a few, the shelter was busier this week than it has been all month - but still not close to full. That's a good thing!

They have birds, cats, and dogs all available. There's even a kitten (not pictured, it was at the vet when we were there) and a puppy!

Juvenile Bald Eagle photos

Here in Alaska when a moose gets hit by a car (or hits a car) and dies or has to be put down, the Alaska State Troopers have a list of people to call offering the meat. All the person on the list has to do is butcher and package the moose.

My dad gets the call for their church so that people who are unable to do the butchering can still get the meat. He got a call on Saturday night (during his and mom's Valentine's Day Date) that a moose had been hit and killed and that they'd be dropping it off at our house.

So all this weekend was about blood and meat and bones... and the bones are now sitting out in the backyard to let the birds pick them clean. Normally that means magpies and ravens but yesterday....

 But instead this guy showed up. He is an immature (juvenille) bald Eagle. I don't think I've ever seen one in our backyard munching on moose bones before. They normally perch in a tree or just fly over (did that a lot when Yuka and Lulu were puppies...) but this guy spent all afternoon ripping left over flesh off of a moose's backbone.

Please sign the petition to bring the children home.

PLEASE TAKE THE TWO MINUTES AND SIGN THIS PETITION! There are adopted children waiting to come home and can't because of the ban on exit letters from the Congolese government. Both the Congo and the US have said these adoptions are LEGAL. That they have families. THEY JUST AREN'T ALLOWED TO LEAVE to go home with their families. They've been waiting OVER FIVE HUNDRED DAYS! Enough is enough, bring them home!

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/end-drc-exit-letter-suspension-children-legally-adopted-american-families/GF9Qrb5L

Iditarod ReStart - Official Press Release

This week has been insane so I can't blog about this like I want to. So I'll just leave you with the actual press release the Iditarod Trail Committee released this morning.

Press Release: For further information contact:
Stan Hooley, CEO, 907‐352‐2204 or shooley@iditarod.com
Mark Nordman, Race Director, 907‐360‐1814 or mark.nordman@iditarod.com
 
Iditarod XLIII To Restart in Fairbanks
Anchorage, Alaska – February 10, 2015 – The Board of Directors of the Iditarod Trail Committee held a special meeting earlier this evening to hear a final report from a four person trail committee which spent the day with race staff flying over various portions of the trail via helicopter. The Board was unanimous in making the decision to move the Race Restart to Fairbanks as it was determined that the conditions were worse in critical areas than in 2014 and therefore not safe enough for the upcoming Race.

The traditional Anchorage Start will take place as scheduled on Saturday, March 7, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Restart will now take place in Fairbanks on Monday, March 9, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

This marks the second time in the history of the Race that the Restart has been moved to Fairbanks because of poor conditions in the Alaska Range. The first was in 2003, when Robert Sorlie of Norway, won his first Iditarod.

“While some snow did fall east of the Alaska Range over the past couple of weeks, other parts of the trail, in very critical areas, did not get much or any of it,” said Stan Hooley, CEO.

“It’s unfortunate that we have to make this very important decision this far out, but the task of getting tons of supplies and equipment in the right places, on time, begins this week,” said Mark Nordman, Race Director.

Additional details regarding the Fairbanks Restart will be available on www.iditarod.com as additional planning decisions are made.

Seventy-nine (79) teams, the sixth largest field in the history of the Race, are busy training and preparing for the 43rd running of the Iditarod.

500 Days Waiting and more...

Three-and-a-half/almost four years ago longtime family friends of ours announced they were adopting two babies from the DRC. They shared their story with the online world and we followed along and rejoiced as each milestone happened. The referrals, the call to come over, the meeting of the babies, and the bringing them home. We've gotten to watch them grow up through their blog as well as through social media. I grew up with Casey's family - her dad was the pastor of the church I grew up in, and Casey babysat me a few times. This adoption seemed to go smoother than smooth and Ezra and Evie are happy and healthy kiddos...

Fast forward to today and we learn that it seems the Chappell kids got "lucky". Soon after they came home, the DRC didn't close adoptions, but they closed down the required exit letter program that allowed the legally adopted children to go home with their legal parents. All paperwork is approved and signed by both the DRC and American (or other country) governments, and yet the last signature needed - the one that allows the children to leave the country - cannot and will not be given.

One of Casey's childhood friends and her family are waiting to be reunited with their sons in the Congo. She and her husband were over in the DRC when it was announced that there would be no more exit letters given. After a few weeks with the boys they had to give them a tearful farewell. More than 500 days later they ARE STILL WAITING TO COME HOME. They have weekly skype dates, but as the unrest rises communication can become increasingly difficult.

The financial burden is great, but manageable... it's the emotional toll that needs our help and support.

Some facts (from BothEndsBurning.org):

• Over 350 orphans who have already been legally adopted by American families from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are still stuck in orphanages and temporary foster care waiting for their American families to bring them home. 
• There are at least 400 families that have been matched with children that are in the process of completing their adoptions. As the processing of their adoptions is completed, their children will be added to the list of children who cannot come home, despite having been legally adopted by their adoptive parents in the DRC and having received clearance for a US Orphan Visa from the US Government.
• The immigration and emigration office (DGM) of the Congolese government announced that they would no longer issue “exit permits” for adoptions approved on or after September 25, 2013.
• On May 26, DRC released 15 children to their adoptive families, with no apparent rationale for the cases that were chosen. Since then, 6 children that were in extremely poor health have also been released, after efforts by Ambassador Swan on their behalf. The remainder of the families to whom DGM originally promised exit permits, will not be considered until after September 25, 2014.
• At least 11 legally adopted children have DIED waiting for their exit letter without their forever family there to comfort and love them.

Please join the campaign this weekend and encourage your senators, congressmen, and the White House to end this and bring the children home. Hashtags are: #BEBcampaign #500dayswaiting #uniteourfamilies #DRCstuck

Let's show these families we care.


If you are a family currently waiting to be united and whole and wish to keep in touch please comment on this post so I can pray for and follow your journey!

Weather cooperating for the Yukon Quest

With talk all last month that the Yukon River was open water all along the trail leading out of Whitehorse, concern was growing that major changes to the course were needed to be made. Race officials held off with announcing any such changes, stating they were watching the river and were actively working on alternate routes... but they trusted mother nature to work with them.

And work with them she has. The last few weeks temperatures dropped and snow hit the area; Much as it has elsewhere in Alaska. The trail reports are all positive - the river is frozen, and the more remote parts of the trail are in the process of being groomed. The weathermen predict a -45* start to race day (that's factoring in the windchill).

Yup, it's going to be a good race.

The starting order is as follows:

01. Allen Moore
02. Brent Sass
03. Normand Casavant
04. Cody Strathe
05. Nicolas Vanier
06. Tamra Reynolds
07. Damon Tedford
08. Lance Mackey
09. Jeff King
10. Tony Angelo
11. Dave Dalton
12. Kristin Knight Pace
13. Rolland Trowbridge
14. Torsten Kohnert
15. Scott Smith
16. Ryne Olson
17. Brian Wilmshurst
18. Joar Ulsom
19. Ray Redington Jr.
20. Ed Hopkins
21. Rob Cooke
22. Mike Ellis
23. Magnus Kaltenborn
24. Jason Campeau
25. Matt Hall
26. Hugh Neff

Kenai, Alaska in January... a photo filled blog post

30 Days of Fangirl-ism - Day 17: Favorite piece of art from your favorite fandom

After leaving the college scene a few years ago, I spent a couple of years working as a receptionist for a very large office in Anchorage. It was a lot of fun, and my coworkers came from all spectrum of life. One such coworker was a pretty popular Alaskan artist who did a series of Iditarod prints a few decades ago. ;) He's incredibly talented, and I love all of his work... so trying to pick a favorite is nearly impossible...

But "Visions" I've seen up close and it definitely ranks as one of my top favorites. If I had a cool grand I'd buy it.

30 Days of Fangirl-ism - Day 16: A quote from one of your fandoms that you love

"You know, there's not a ton about my father that I remember that doesn't suck. But he used to tell me that there are no coincidences. Everything that happens, happens by design, and there's nothing we can do about it; forces greater than us conspire to make it happen. Fate, destiny, whatever you wanna called it, the point is... maybe we met for a reason. Maybe something good came from us being together." - Neal Cassidy 

I'm just gonna leave this here... and go in a corner and cry. I'll never be over the loss of this character. Never, ever, ever....

Sons Of Liberty Night 3 - and so it concludes...

Three nights is not enough to encompass everything that the Sons of Liberty and the men of the Revolution were about, but the History did a bang up job hitting on the key parts. The men cast to play these iconic historical figures were spot on - they brought them to life in ways no history teacher ever could. Sure, the creative liberties taken were sometimes in drastic contrast to the men's true character, but overall it wasn't a bad series. It definitely did what it set out to do which was make the time period more interesting and therefore got people looking up the different events and people highlighted in each episode.

Those who had a better than high school grasp of history fell into two categories - those ticked that History dared mess with the history, and those that could pick out the [many] inaccuracies and still cheer on the characters. There's no way Paul Revere was at every American battle on the front-lines leading the charge, and yet I was still sitting on the edge of my seat cheering him on (and not just because I love the actor). The cast and crew did their very best to make history come alive and be more exciting than fussy men in wigs standing in straight lines conducting civilized war. This was a new kind of politics, and a new kind of warfare. And it all started with a few angry men wanting more for their future.

The conclusion really centered around the battle of Bunker Hill. This was a significant early battle in the Revolution, and one that solidified the rebels in their cause. The same can be said of History's fictional Sons of Liberty. The key moment, of course, is when Dr. Joseph Warren refuses to fall back with Revere and the others and instead charges ahead. Revere's last view of his friend alive is that of him shaking his head no before jumping over the barricade. If you knew US History you knew what was coming next - you just didn't know how.

If there was one huge flaw in the entire series, it was Warren's death in battle. The unbelievable happens. Thomas Gage spots him through all of the chaos and charges towards him (uphill on his horse, basically a perfect target for any number of bullets). Warren sees him coming and just basically allows the inevitable to happen. A British soldier shoots Warren in the leg, and Gage comes up to him and shoots him in the back of the head to make it look like Warren was running away. He dips his hand in Warren's blood and leaves the battle field. As he walks away he tells his men to mutilate the body.

This is in direct contrast to what actually happened to Warren on the hill, and I don't know why they did it this way other than to bring the Gage-Warren affair full circle and show how Thomas Gage was a ruthless villain. Okay, fine, but at the same time I think it took some of Warren's glory in death away from him. If they wanted people to feel heartache for his death they could've easily gone with the real story that Warren was a young widower with daughters whom he had to send away while he fought in the resistance. He essentially left them as orphans. There's angst aplenty in that story.

Still when the battle is over and the rebels begin to search the dead and find Warren, Revere's reaction had my heart in my throat. Revere and Warren were not portrayed as being super close in the miniseries, but history suggests the men knew each other well. Revere in the mini series is wounded in the battle, but falls to the ground as he looks upon his friend and brother's mutilated body. The horror evident on his face. A missive is also sent to Sam and John Adams in the Continental Congress meeting in Philidelphia. John announces to Congress of the battle and of Warren's death while Sam stares at the paper in disbelief and profound grief.

Sam leaves Congress feeling responsible for leaving Revere and Warren behind to fight his battle. He's tired of people dying for him and his cause. Half way down the road on his horse he looks up and realizes he can't give up and turns around. Meanwhile Gage returns home to his wife and shows her his bloodied hand telling her Warren's dead. She flies at him screaming "No" he throws her down on a couch and gets on top of her - he doesn't rape her, but the entire audience believed that's what was coming. He leaves her crying there and locks her in her room telling the servants not to let her go anywhere that she was "not feeling well."

After Bunker Hill the ball rolls at a faster pace down the hill, Congress votes to allow Washington to take troops to Massachusetts and off he goes. He meets Revere with some 6,000 men and Revere is all too happy to step aside and let the General take over. Revere is instantly Washington's right hand man - but when they realize that Gage is moving troops from Boston to take New York he dispatches Revere to Congress to warn Adams and Company that they're running out of time. They need to vote to unite and declare independence. This is one of the few times that Revere's story actually follows the actual history.

The rest is a fast paced find the guy to write the declaration, let's all vote, let's all sign... and then the last scene we have is of Washington commanding the rebel troops to charge... and the VERY LAST SHOT is Revere holding the newly sewn American Flag and running ahead with the men.

Overall a successful conclusion to this excellent series. I still say that Night 2 is my favorite episode (it was just the best written/edited of them all), but really from start to finish the action never really let up. I actually had fun seeing where history and fiction intersected. The cast was spot on and brought humor where they needed to, and yet were all totally into their roles. Michael Raymond-James was as badass as ever as Revere, Ryan Eggold as Dr. Joseph Warren was a compassionate man, Jason O'Mara totally transformed himself to become George Washington (voice, nose, composure), Ben Barnes was the perfect [fictitious] Sam Adams, Henry Thomas portrayed John Adams in the standard way, Emily Barrington held her own as Margaret Gage, Marton Csokas was part Thomas Gage part Alan Rickman and it worked, Kevin Ryan was a solid John Pitcairn, and Rafe Spall... what can I say? John Hancock has always been my least favorite Revolutionary hero to read about... and Spall not only made him interesting... he made me fall in love. He was so odd and yet so loveable.

And Dean Norris making a small appearance each night as Ben Franklin. I wasn't sold looking at pictures and all, but wow. I was pleasantly surprised, especially Night 3. It was such a small role, which was surprising how much talk there was about him joining the cast.

Norris plays the elder statesman in the classic way that most actors throughout history have. He's a womanizer, he's intelligent, and he doesn't give a $#*! what others think. He tells it like it is, and he's ready for action. He enjoys the youthful enthusiasm of the Adams boys, and pushes them forward towards action in securing their place in history.

I don't know much of Norris' work, but it was nice to see him in this role. He's definitely one of my favorite Ben Franklins. I wish he'd had a bigger part, but really if we're looking more at the Sons of Liberty and Boston, then it makes sense that he didn't factor into the show much until it was nearly over.

Now I'm in withdrawls. I invested a lot in waiting for this project to premiere, and invested a lot of emotion into the characters and the action as it unfolded. And now it's over. And I don't quite know what to do with myself now. If this doesn't come to DVD I'm going to be horribly disappointed. But! It reairs this Friday (January 30) - and, yes, I have the tv programmed already. And I will be recording it just in case (but you can bet if there's a DVD release I'll be first in line)!

I may gush about individual actors/performances in later blog posts. I really want to gush about MRJ and Ryan Eggold and Rafe Spall... we'll see. Life is starting to get busy.

30 Days of Fangirl-ism - Day 15: Favorite fandom collectible that you most cherish

My grandfather is downsizing, hoping to move into a Senior Residency closer to where we live, and so we've been getting a lot of his old stuff. One of the things that I've recently been given is one of the old cookie jars that sat in the kitchen my entire childhood. I'm not sure how old it is, but it's Donald Duck - my absolute FAVORITE Disney Character.

His paint has seen better days, and he's well loved and used, but I just love him. Not only because of it being Disney and Donald, but because of the memories of my grandparents' house... and the cookies... so many cookies... over the years.

So this is the collectible that I will always cherish. I absolutely love it. I'm never giving it up. Ever.

30 Days of Fangirl-ism - Day 14: A group from one fandom you’d love to hang out with

Who doesn't want to be a part of Once Upon A Time's "Team 7" (or, more commonly known as the 7 Dwarfs). Either the ones on the show or the cast that plays them. I love their version of Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs on Once Upon A Time. And I know I'm not alone, so it's just a given that this is THE GROUP to hang out with.

Sons Of Liberty Night 2 - leaves little room to breathe!

I don't think I've ever been so thankful for commercials as I was tonight. The second night of History's Mini Series - "Sons of Liberty" - hit the ground running. For two hours I was on the edge of me seat - and dang it I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS! It's not like this is something we haven't been "spoiled" on - if you don't know what's coming next, then you either flunked US History... or never took it. But, seriously, while they do take major creative liberty the key points are still going to end the same (so, no, Mom... Margaret Gage will not kill her husband by the end of tomorrow's episode, sorry).

Tonight was all about what led up to the start of the war. John Adams has joined the fight - politically - Hancock is back in the game after Gage takes his home to use as his own, and Joseph Warren is a full fledged member. Paul Revere takes the reigns as being the major player in each and every rebellious act, and being a general smart ass (again, MRJ is typecast, and I love it). We see the end of Governor Hutchinson's reign, and meet the vicious General Thomas Gage. George Washington pushes for the Sons to take matters into their own hands while the Continental Congress argues what to do. Sam Adams is declared a traitor to the crown and must hang.

And it all starts because of a little incident in the Boston Harbor... you might have heard of it, the Boston Tea Party? The Sons dump tea in the harbor right in front of the British Marines. Paul Revere smiles as he begins the effort by sending the first load of cargo to the bottom of the harbor. While the first episode had very little of the blacksmith, tonight's episode has the war veteran front and center for most of the fighting. Revere brings a lot of swagger (and even a "boom", which if you're a fan of Michael Raymond-James that word has special meaning whenever he says it ha ha) and badassery to the show. If they wanted to do a spin off series on just Revere and his buddies I wouldn't mind. Actually, I wouldn't mind if this mini series turned into a regular series. It's that good.

Thomas Gage (Marton Csokas) is the baddest villain in Colonial America - he has to be, he represents good ol' King George. He's a vicious governor who uses fear of pain and death to keep the town of Boston in line. However, whenever he pushes - the Sons push back. When he realizes money will not woo Sam Adams to toe the line, he resorts to attacking men perceived to be Adams' fellow rebels. He does so in the town square and forces the townfolk to watch. Adams nearly charges in to stop the beating of one man but is stopped by his friend.

Revere and Warren are also in attendance and afterwards Revere warns Adams that gage had "fired a warning shot" and that he'd be gunning soon for the Sons. This becomes apparent when Gage takes over Hancock's home for his own residence, and then threatens John Adams with the loss of his livelihood should his cousin continue his plight. Instead of sending the two running back into loyalty to the crown, this is seen as the final straw and both the elder Adams and Hancock run to Sam to join up and support his cause in the ways they best could - Hancock supplies the funds, and John garners political support.

Gage is not alone in his return to the Colonies - he brings along his wife, who was born and raised in New Jersey. Margaret Gage (Emily Berrington) is well spoken, and confident in herself. Her husband is a brute who has affairs while she listens in, and demands she still be a wife in every single way to him. He physically as well as emotionally abuses her, and finally pushes her into action. (Meanwhile history shows that all of this is false and that the couple seemingly enjoyed one another and there is no proof of an abusive home.)

Margaret is horrified at her husband's heavy hand on the Colonials, and defies him by standing up for them. She meets Dr. Warren and strikes up a friendship. As her husband becomes more cruel to her, she allows their friendship to grow into a full on affair (again in direct contrast to what history has always shown). Margaret then decides that she wants to help Warren and his friends by funneling key information of her husbands plans to the Sons of Liberty. (This is based on the "conspiracy" in historian circles that suggest that Mrs. Gage was Warren's source within General Gage's inner circle.) She is the one who warns Joseph that Gage knew where Sam Adams and John Hancock were hiding in Lexington and had sent his army to arrest them. This in turn sends Warren to Paul Revere who then takes his famous Midnight Right to warn the men of what's to come.

Quite frankly the affair is the most off putting thing in the whole series. They show Thomas Gage having his affair first to somehow justify Margaret's actions - all the while promoting on their website and in promos that Dr. Joseph Warren in a man of integrity. They did not need to suggest an affair to bring in a reason for Margaret to trust Joseph Warren much less be his "spy". She was born and bred Colonial. She was more apt to be responsive to their cause even without being "in love" with one of the Sons. It was pointless. But the two of them are pretty and so it stands to reason that Hollywood would bring them together.

John Pitcairn (Kevin Ryan) is Thomas Gage's right hand man. He's happy to carry out whatever task he is given - including the beatings and executions. He's essential in every major British Military movement once he and Gage land in Boston. He is the one sent to bribe Sam Adams to stop the rebellion. He's the one sent to recover Adams and Hancock when it's apparent they are not backing down.

Another ruthless British military man, Ryan's portrayal of Pitcairn leaves little doubt that Bostonians would suffer under the new rule. He's loyal to his King and his General, and will go to any length to prove that loyalty. The episode ends with him telling his men to ready themselves to fire on the green in Lexington after his demands to the Minute Men to hand over Sam Adams and John Hancock are met with mockery. Adams and Hancock are seen riding away when a shot rings out. Depending on which historical account you follow either the Redcoats fired first, or the Militia did... though many historians now believe it was a gunshot heard in town that caused the Brits to fire into the Minute Men.

It will be interesting to see how much of a role Pitcairn has in the conclusion of the series.

Finally, lets talk about our introduction to America's future first president. George Washington, played by Jason OMara is as stoic as we all remember him from History class. The Adams boys with John Hancock meet the brooding man when they head to the Continental Congress to ask for help for Boston. They are met with scorn from the rest of the delegation, saying it was Boston's problem.

Washington knows better, he's worked with Gage before - and he hates him. Washington meets briefly with the men and tells them it's time for them to fight. That it's the only way to gain the upper hand. They have to continue to be a thorn in Gage's side. And maybe, just maybe, the tide will turn and the Colonies will rally together and push the crown aside.

I was very worried about how I would like Washington, and while his part was minimal (one scene) I am highly impressed with OMara's portrayal of Good Ol' George.


And now for the gushy fangirl part. I was disappointed last night with the lack of Paul Revere. With the way they were using the character to promote the show I was expecting a lot more. Well, I can see now why - the second episode is all Revere. Sure it's still the Sam Adams show, but Revere is front and center of all the action. He's the one that Adams sends to recruit men to join the cause and fight. He's the one that sets up the intelligence network. He's the one that takes joy in being a thorn in the side of the British.

I mean he really takes joy and pride in what he does. Kinda like the actor that plays him.

Seriously though, I was very nervous going into this series that I was going to get my hopes up on both the show and MRJ's role in particular. I'm not disappointed, though. I'm totally in love with the Bostonian accent, the swagger, and just the smart alec responses he gives. In a way it's a typical role for Michael, and yet it's completely new. Paul Revere fits him.

But the best part was the ride. It wasn't completely accurate, but it was perfect just the same. From when he encounters the British troops in the woods, to when he makes it to Adams and Hancock and proceeds to tell Sam to run. Sam then says he'll stand and fight and become a martyr if he has to and Paul screams back that the cause needs Sam Adams - that without him it ends. Hancock sees the British Sentries come down the street and says it's too late, and Paul rushes out to his horse and gets the Brits to follow him allowing Sam and John to escape.

Oh, and the BEST PART was when he said "the REDCOATS are coming" for weeks I've been whining that the promos have him saying "The British are coming"... I mean I get it, they aren't going for accuracy, but come on! And then BOOM! there it was. I freaked. I bounced. I totally nerded out. At least the family was entertained.

I know the real history of that night/morning, and yet I was still on the edge of my seat. That's some good pacing right there.


Overall, another successful episode. I know it's getting a lot of hate from history buffs (and uber political minded Tea Party folk) but it's FICTION people. Take a deep breath, let it out, and enjoy the ride.

30 Days of Fangirl-ism - Day 13: Another freebie

Since the prompt for today is "The best cosplayers of your fandom that you’ve seen; the ones you consider to be real-life versions of your favorite characters, OTP, etc." I've decided to do a freebie as I don't really follow anyone who does cosplay. It's a cool part of fandoms, sure, but just not my thing.


So I'm just going to sit here and gush about one of my favorite actors on one of my fravorite shows - Ryan Eggold as Tom Keen in The Blacklist. This comes from basically me watching and fangirling over him in Sons of Liberty where he plays the mild-mannered Bostonian Doctor, Joseph Warren. It just gave me more appreciation for an actor I've enjoyed watching over the last year play an incredibly complex and mysterious character.

gif by dirtyfootballangel on tumblr.

Tom Keen was introduced to us as Elizabeth Keen's somewhat nerdy, but overly adorable and adoring, husband. He is a teacher by day, and a double agent by night... but we didn't know that at first. We just thought he was Lizzie's hubby who got caught in an impossible situation (dude was attacked and nearly died!)... but all that changed as Red gives Lizzie a heads up that Tom is not who he appears to be. We spent all of Season 1 watching Liz deal with the emotions of trying to figure out who and what to believe. We spend ALL seasons trying to figure out just what and who Tom Keen is. I love and hate that last fact all at the same time.

I want to know, so badly, who Tom Keen is. WHAT IS HIS STORY?! We won't get any answers to that when The Blacklist returns Superbowl Sunday. But Tom will be back in the picture at some point in the second season, and I can't wait.  

Ryan Eggold is a great, nuanced actor. He can say more with a look than most actors say in an entire script. As Joseph Warren he's compassionate, quiet, and trustworthy with a moral center. As Tom Keen he plays both sides of the coin to a T... and I'm convinced that he truly loves Lizzie even when he tries to convince her he doesn't. There are so many layers to that onion, and Eggold plays each one as good if not better than the last. 

Like I said, I can't wait to see him come back to The Blacklist...

30 Days of Fangirl-ism - Day 12: Your favorite fanartist or fanfiction writer

I don't read a lot of fanfiction - mainly because when I do it's normally either really good or really bad... and the really good stuff I just sit there and wonder why the tv show of movie its from couldn't "get it right" (like pretty much every AU writing involving Once Upon A Time's Neal Cassidy). However, once in a while someone is just worth following.

Lord Mesa [dot] com

And the most awesome someone doesn't write fanfiction, they draw mini comics of some of the most epic superheros... and they focus a lot on Arrow and The Flash from the CW. "Lord Mesa" is extremely talented. I love love LOVE their work.

The art typically gives a comical or emotional look at the series it portrays and in the case of the TV shows, it references the new episodes. The Arrow series is definitely my favorite. After the midseason finale they were really gutpunching the fans with their very emotional prints. I mean THIS ONE in particular had me nearly in the fetal position wanting to hide. I hadn't even THOUGHT about that part of the program until seeing the drawing. And then it was just DANG IT! WHY?! ha ha.

It definitely brightens my day to see the new art tweeted every other day or so. I wish I had the talent.


For fanfiction when I want to hate myself because I'm going to get all emo and angry because things didn't go my fav character's way - there are several tumblrs I go to. I don't have a tumblr, because I'm already online WAY TOO MUCH as it is... and because I really can't stand fandom wars (and I am always the fan of the guy most people hate it seems) so I think it's safer to just troll the blogs of my friends whom I know I can at least trust to be semi decent about how they conduct themselves on social media. And for the life of me I can't find the links, but they're there. I just reread one the other night about the aftermath of Quiet Minds and how Emma was handling it and OMG... why did we never get a scene like that? It's not like JMo couldn't do it, she seems to be able to easily bring real emotion to the whole "Neal is gone" theme.

Oh well, I'm getting loopy and fangirly so I should probably end this here. Ha ha.

Sons Of Liberty Night 1 - off to an explosive start

History's "Sons of Liberty" premiered tonight and started off running. Literally! The first few minutes were jam packed with action as Sam Adams is chased through the streets of Boston by the British. He's evading capture - there's a warrant out for his arrest for being a tax collector unwilling to collect taxes. There are riots happening in the streets at the same time, punches are thrown... and then it's off to the governor's mansion to do some real damage. Which all in turn gets the soldiers off Adams' back - for the night.

Make no mistake - this miniseries is NOT HISTORICALLY ACCURATE by any stretch of the imagination. History's big wigs came out with that warning several weeks ago. They do not count this among their documentaries, but as a way to show the excitement of the period and hopefully interest viewers in to reading up on what really happened and who these men truly were.

Still, if you aren't looking for a straight up history lesson, you will not be disappointed! I typically cannot get over blatant historical fallacies, but the way this story is told it's not a bother in the slightest. The cast is spot on in their roles. The action is fast paced and intriguing (edge of your seat) and the dialogue - while not accurate for the 1760s - keeps your interest. Each member brings another flavor to the show, and it melds into a very yummy and rich story.

Ben Barnes plays the most important role of Sam Adams, a disheartened tax collector. Adams refuses to force the kings taxes on his friends and fellow Bostonians, allowing them to pay only what they can so they can provide for their family members. This does not sit well with the governor, and he sends his goons after him. This just bolsters Adams and his followers to press against the crown even harder.

Barnes was definitely hired not just for his acting - which is spot on - but also to be the heartthrob. He's one of the better looking drunks, that's for sure. Sam Adams never looked so good, that's for sure. Barnes brings the right amount of rebel to the role, while being very much your classic Robin Hood. While most are pushing Sons of Liberty as a Colonial Ocean's 11, it definitely also is a Colonial Hood and Merry Men.

Adams is likeable, if a little bit annoying. We get to see why the others have joined the fight - but we really haven't seen what sent Adams to the edge. It most likely stems from watching his father go bankrupt and die from the stress, but that's only mentioned briefly and just doesn't seem like much of a catalyst.

Adams' closest friend, at least in the beginning, is Dr. Joseph Warren played by Ryan Eggold (The Blacklist). Warren is one of the more respected physicians in Boston, and is the moral compass of Sam Adams. He also sticks up for his friend, and helps him out of every jam with the British soldiers (warning Adams before hand that they're coming, and lying to them when they get there).

It's good to see Eggold in a role other than the one I know him as on The Blacklist, though I have to admit I'm waiting for him to turn into Mr. Hyde after his Dr. Jeckel routine tonight. It was nice to see a more tender, emotional role for Eggold, and he didn't disappoint. In one of the more dramatic scenes where a young boy is killed after Warren warns Adams that innocents would be hurt, Warren gives Adams a knowing look. An "I told you so" which then sets Adams on edge.

Warren did join up with the Sons of Liberty in the history books, and will eventually embrace the idea in this series. Especially once a certain Mrs. Margaret Gage comes into the picture. It'll be very interesting to see how his character goes from friend helping a friend to a patriot who would die for his country (not looking forward to THAT part of the story).

Quite possibly the most entertaining character in the series is Rafe Spall's John Hancock. I'm not sure what he's trying to portray in his character, but he's rather... flamboyant. He kinda comes off as a colonial Sheldon Cooper (Big Bang Theory) with the way his social norms as an upper class businessman and property owner get in the way of bonding with his compatriots. Hancock is thrust into the rebellion after the Governor goes back on his word to allow Hancock special liberties. The final straw is the Governer suggesting Hancock is no better than the rioters. He's not a British citizen - he's a Colonist. He's second class.

Hancock immediately seeks Adams out to tell him of a plan to boycott the Brits, and still make money. Adams, being against rich society, agrees only because it will fund his larger cause. The men create a smuggling ring and underground market for normal goods that the every man needed, but were being taxed out of affording (you know, things like food).

I was not prepared to like Spall as much as I do. I'm not familiar with his work, but I'm very interested in searching out his other roles. He's definitely a stand out in the series.

One role that, so far, sticks close enough to how history portrays him is John Adams played by Henry Thomas. The cousin of Sam Adams, John is more of a controlling older brother who has had it with his cousin than he is a friend and ally. While John Adams gets most of the credit for being a thorn in everyone's side during the rise of American revolution, Sam Adams did much of the groundwork. John followed the law to the letter, Sam was more free to pick and choose.

Henry Thomas - who most know as the child actor who played Elliot in Steven Spielberg's E.T. - was quite convincing. Next to the more animated Ben Barnes, it gave the elder Adams the maturity and coldness that was needed as he continually lectured his cousin on the finer points of right and wrong. The two clash and at one point John tells his wife to deny Sam access to their home (he charms her anyway so she relents).

The first night ended with the Boston Massacre, so the two will clash in the second episode as John Adams will be hired to defend the British officers who fired on the Colonials.

I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout out to Paul Revere (Michael Raymond-James). Though just in a few scenes, he's the original reason I was excited for the mini series. We meet Revere as a businessman willing to rent out some space to Adams and his crew as they built "lobster pots". It's obvious in the scene that they've not let Revere in on the secret, but he's not an idiot. He knows they're up to something, and he supports their overall cause telling Adams that they next time they go to trash the governor's house to let him know.

Raymond-James gives his normal swagger to the role (hello typecasting), as well as a strong Bostonian accent. Remember, this is a fictitious take on the history of the 1760s-70s. Revere is a selfmade man and is rough around the edges. He's a little less refined than the rest, so his more "Bostonian sound" seems appropriate.

Revere is seen in many of the scenes in the background backing up Sam Adams. He stops Adams from getting too close as the riot begins setting in motion the Boston Massacre, but runs off as the shooting starts. He turns back to watch in horror as Adams beats down one of the British soldiers who is wounded when the rioters return fire. No doubt as the series continues Revere's role will grow - to peak with his "Midnight Ride" (which was really early morning). The preview of what's to come again shows Raymond-James giving off his typical smart ass persona when questioned by British troops. He'll also get in on the fighting, which I'm looking forward to.

More Mikey Ray is always a good thing.


Overall, this series got off to a very exciting start and I'm loving it. That they're playing with accents (Colonials all have American accents, the King's Men all have British accents) and with history doesn't bother me half as much as I worried it would. If you're looking at it strictly as an action adventure movie and not as a history lesson you shouldn't be disappointed. There were quite a few surprises as the characters were introduced (seriously was not expecting to love John Hancock... and I had NO idea that Paul was going to have a Boston accent ha ha) but I have to say I'm impressed. And what's even more impressive is it's not Ryan or Michael that I'm most impressed with (granted they had small roles tonight). Ben Barnes is just wonderful, and Rafe Spall... yeah... I gotta find more of their work.

So now the countdown begins to night two. It promises to be even MORE exciting, if that's possible.