OMG

One week after this clown was elected President, it still hurts.

And the pain got worse after this issue of Time magazine arrived in the post.

As the turmoil in America continues - and I highly doubt the protests will change anything - the world watches anxiously as Trump assembles his White House team and picks his Cabinet members.

So far, it looks extremely depressing. And I've decided to avoid travelling to the U.S. until the next election is over.

This is democracy at its worst. Not that democracy per se is bad, just that it can still go terribly wrong.

It's obvious that a significant number of Americans feel very disenfranchised - by globalization, industrialization, etc. - and government leaders everywhere should learn from this election. Because even I harbour some resentment towards the ruling party, and while no-one is expected to be perfect, there will come a time when something reaches deal breaker status and one's vote shifts to the opposite side.

Pray for America, everyone. They need it.

On to something a little less awful.

Netflix's The Crown has been garnering rave reviews, and I totally agree with the critics.

Since I'm incapable of binge watching no matter how hard I try, I'm currently at episode 9, with one more to go before completing season 1.

It is an absolutely breathtaking series, lavishly costumed and set designed, full of political intrigue.

But Peter Morgan's script is the real star here, managing to make the British monarchy highly entertaining and, according to my knowledgeable mum, historically accurate as well.

Claire Foy is luminous as Queen Elizabeth, and John Lithgow's magnificant performance as Sir Winston Churchill is sure to be Emmy nominated ( with a good chance of a win ).

But my eye has been caught by Matt Smith, who plays Prince Philip. I knew of him in passing from Doctor Who articles I'd come across, and didn't realize I'd seen him previously as Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies ( a really stupid movie, FYI ).

Whoever cast him as Prince Philip is a genius! Matt is a lot of fun to watch, even when he's hovering in the background. He has enormous screen presence, and is at his best when sparring with Foy.

Episode 5 is a definite standout. Philip and Elizabeth tussle verbally during preparations for her coronation, as he implores her to forego the traditional kneeling segment of the ceremony, and she stubbornly refuses. Later, when the moment of truth arrives, Philip's inner conflict is evident, and I found myself holding my breath as I wondered if he would submit ( he did ).
Those tense few seconds sealed the deal for me. I am now a huge fan of Matt's. And I just discovered he's dating Lily James ( Cinderella, Downton Abbey )!

The Crown is currently my 2nd favourite TV series for 2016, after Narcos season 2. But of course, things might change again when Gilmore Girls comes out!


And as the year draws to a close, I welcome 2017 because 2016 has been rather crappy, to be honest. Not just on a global scale, but on the personal front as well.
All I can say is, change is coming, and I'm greatly looking forward to it.
Not to mention concerts featuring Coldplay ( Singapore ) and Bruno Mars ( Paris ), the French Open, Paris Disneyland, a possible detour to London, and a couple of other trips around Asia.

My 2016 roundup entry will follow soon. Stay tuned!