Looking Back on 2018

It's that time again.

This is my first "year in review" blog entry after moving to not just a new workplace, but a completely different sector of healthcare.

I'm happy to report that I've settled in very well, have been given many opportunities to contribute and collaborate, and successfully guided my department through a few major changes.
For the first time ever in my career, I'm being treated like an adult, working with mature and caring superiors.
I've also been offered additional roles for which my strong clinical background is a great advantage.
My advance here in 8 months has far outpaced that at the former hospital, which I loyally served for 13 years.

I guess many friends and colleagues took notice, judging from the inquiries I've received about job prospects.
I consider it a compliment when people want to come work with me, so thank you. :)


Aside from work, 2018 was a banner year in terms of musical entertainment.
I don't recall attending so many amazing shows within a 12-month period.
This year, I saw Celine Dion, The Script, OneRepublic, Jason Mraz, Charlie Puth and Kygo.
1R and Jason were a special treat because they're my favourite band and favourite singer, respectively. I never thought I'd be able to see them both in the same year. Woohoo!
I also met 1R backstage, which was such a thrill for a longtime fan. Ryan Tedder is a genius songwriter, and the guys were very sweet. I'll treasure the memory forever. :)

Two short overseas trips focused on Asia - i.e. Hanoi and Bangkok - during which I soaked in the cities' history and culture, and stuffed myself with food, haha.


Favourite movie of 2018 - Mission: Impossible - Fallout
MI4's still my favourite from the franchise, but MI6 is currently the most mind-blowing.


Favourite TV series - Narcos season 4
Others worthy of mention - Godless, American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace, The Haunting of Hill House.


Favourite book - The Travelling Cat Chronicles
Major use of tissues.


This is a brief entry but more detailed ones may follow if I have time.
There's so much to discuss in Narcos and The Travelling Cat Chronicles. They deserve one long entry each.


Upcoming in 2019:

More career developments.

More awesome musical entertainment - Maroon 5, Jason Mraz (again!), Phantom of the Opera, Josh Groban and John Mayer ( assuming I can get tickets to the last one, haha ).

A return to Europe! Very excited about that. :)


Hope your year was a good one too. Thanks for reading!

Review: The Haunting of Hill House ( Netflix )

This series was high on my watch list for a few reasons, the main ones being 1) I love the horror genre, 2) the cast is superb, and 3) I had a vivid paranormal encounter when I was a child, so I believe 100% in the existence of a supernatural dimension.

I just finished the last episode and consider it one of Netflix's best productions, right up there with Narcos, The Crown, House of Cards and Godless.
( And it really amazes me how Netflix churns out such high quality fare in huge quantities. )

So what's my verdict?

Is it scary? A definite yes.
Hats off to director Mike Flanagan for his amazing skill in building tension and scaring the crap out of me - an extremely difficult feat, considering my high fear threshold.
Of course, THOHH has a major advantage over films - it spans 10 one-hour episodes, with ample room to develop characters and storylines.
Still, on the flip side, I could also have lost interest, or Flanagan might have run out of novel ways to frighten me. I'm happy to report that neither of these occurred.

To be fair, the first 3 or 4 episodes didn't pack much of a wallop. That's when each character was being fleshed out, with Flanagan taking his time to do so. But I remained intrigued and invested, and my patience finally paid off in episode 5, which made my hair stand.

And let's not forget episode 6! One of the most incredible achievements I've ever witnessed in television, with beautifully choreographed one-shot takes that lasted up to 17 minutes. The acting - including that from the young cast - was phenomenal. This better not be overlooked at next year's Emmys.


What makes it scary?
There're a few run-of-the-mill tricks, of course. Sudden loud noises, corpses sitting up, spirits floating around, horrible creatures crawling towards the screen.
But the ones that most affected me involved blurring the lines between fantasy and reality, and believing something no matter how evil it sounds, out of a sense of hopelessness and despair.

Special mention goes to the numerous "Where's Wally?" moments, where Flanagan hides ghostly figures in various spots in the background. I only noticed them after stumbling upon an article. IT CREEPED ME OUT.

It's no wonder Stephen King has been effusive in his praise, although I stop short of calling it "a work of genius".
However, it won't be easy to match or surpass THOHH anytime soon.


Is it only about ghosts? No, it isn't.
In fact, I would say that the bulk of the story revolves around the Crains rather than Hill House.
And this is where my repeated descriptions about the series being "really sad" comes in, as a previously happy family is irreparably damaged, and an earlier tragedy continues to haunt them decades later.
This particular story arc probably won't touch people who are haven't personally experienced great loss or dysfunctional family dynamics. For someone like me, however, the tissue moments were abundant.
I read online comments from viewers who found this boring. I feel sorry for them - they've completely missed the best part of the series.


The adult cast is absolutely magnificent. The actors are all terrific in their own ways, but my favourite is Michiel Huisman, who plays Steven Crain. He doesn't have as many dramatic scenes as the others, who get to portray characters with mental illness, substance abuse and psychic abilities. But Steven is the one who grounds the entire family - the most level-headed, the stable one, though still far from perfect.

In the last minutes of the final episode, Huisman delivers a poignant monologue, an excerpt of which I've posted here:
"Ghosts are guilt. Ghosts are secrets. Ghosts are regrets and failings. But most times, a ghost is a wish."

This encompasses the essence of THOHH - i.e. the many meanings of the word "ghost". Sometimes, real life is far more terrifying than anything supernatural.


Next on my watch list - Bodyguard, starring Richard Madden. :)

Review: Operation Finale

People who know me well are aware of my deep interest in certain historical events. Slavery is one of them. The Holocaust is the other.

My knowledge about Nazis began in early childhood, ironically, through a deceptively fluffy little adventure film called Raiders of the Lost Ark ( I was only 6 or 7 when I saw it at the cinema ). That, coupled with a detailed narrative from my history buff mother, nurtured a lifelong fascination with the Third Reich and its unspeakable genocidal acts.

Operation Finale (OF) recounts the capture of Adolf Eichmann, nicknamed "the Architect of the Holocaust", in Argentina, after which he was tried, convicted and executed in Israel for his crimes.

The story itself is pretty straightforward, and even shares quite a few similarities with the plot from 2010's The Debt ( Jessica Chastain and Sam Worthington ) - also about Mossad agents hunting a Nazi in a foreign country. Both movies are greatly helped by terrific casts, plus a number of memorable scenes.

It's interesting to note that Oscar Isaac is one of the producers of Operation Finale. It illustrates his passion for the project, with significant personal investment, even though he's of Guatemalan descent. Speaking of which, the choice of actors is rather odd, with Americans and a French playing Israeli characters, and Ben Kingsley retaining his crisp British twang as Eichmann.
Lots of Hollywood films do the same thing, of course, but it did perplex me, and I felt they could've at least tried to have more authentic accents like in The Debt.

Aside from that little flaw, I though OF was well done, satisfying and at times very moving. Without revealing spoilers, moments which stood out include a secret Nazi gathering in Argentina ( unsettling ), the Israeli prime minister's soft but poignant speech to the Mossad agents ( heart-wrenching ), and Isaac's one-on-one scenes with Kingsley ( enlightening ).

An article about the actual events versus the film's depiction offers good insights.
A choice quote from Peter Malkin ( played by Isaac ) is how "his conversations with Eichmann helped him to realize that the former Nazi was not a monster but a human being, which made Eichmann's actions during the war even harder to comprehend... a monster can be excused for his behaviour... The problem is not how a monster could do it, but how a human being did it."

This observation permeates many well-known movies about the Holocaust and Nazis. Amon Goeth ( Schindler's List ) developed a romantic attachment to his Jewish maid, while Reinhard Heydrich ( The Man With The Iron Heart ) was a devoted father. Their capacity for selective hatred and justification of clearly heinous acts is something I still struggle to understand.

Special mention goes to Isaac for yet another stellar performance. OF didn't make a huge impact at the box office, but neither did The Debt or The Man with the Iron Heart, and I found all three very compelling and highly recommend them.

I've followed Isaac's career since 2010's Robin Hood, before he found stardom with 2013's Inside Llewyn Davis. He's one of the finest actors of our generation, but is sorely underrated. It could be a result of his unconventional choices ( a preference for smaller films over mainstream blockbusters ), but every time he appears on the screen - ruggedly handsome, with a constantly melancholy expression, speaking in a soft yet urgent tone - I dare you to remain unmoved.

His scenes with Kingsley are superb. They speak in gentle, hushed voices, belying the horrific nature of their conversations. The power shifts are mesmerizing, and what I found most inspiring was how Malkin managed to overcome his disgust for Eichmann to play an integral part in the mission's success.


I visited Washington, D.C. in 2014. It included a tour of the Holocaust Memorial Museum - a place which none of my friends who've been to Washington saw ( very wasted, IMO ). Even in a museum setting, the pain and sadness that permeated the entire building was overwhelming, and the mood of all the visitors ( including high school students ) was sombre.
As I passed the huge pile of shoes which belonged to those who perished at the death camps, I remember wondering how mankind could be capable of such depravity. Then came the display of heroes' images, including Oskar Schindler's - angels who stood up to an evil regime and restored my faith in humanity.

My journey will continue next year, as I plan to visit Auschwitz and central Europe, where much of the Holocaust took place.

I will end this entry with a beautiful quote from the Holocaust Museum's Hall of Remembrance, from the Bible's book of Deuteronomy: Only guard yourself and guard your soul carefully, lest you forget the things your eyes saw, and lest these things depart your heart all the days of your life. And you shall make them known to your children, and to your children's children.


We will never forget. We must never forget.

Netflix Rom-Coms

It's been 30-plus years, but the age of the teenage rom-com is making a comeback!

Thanks to Netflix, the past few weeks have been filled with nostalgia, after I watched Sierra Burgess Is A Loser and To All The Boys I've Loved Before ( which I viewed twice ).

Both have been compared to the late, great John Hughes' classics, and I heartily agree. Not because they're 100% similar - the '80s was a much less complicated time, sans mobile phones and promiscuity - but because they share the spirit of Hughes' films ( and pay outright tributes to the beloved director ).

Young audiences are more demanding these days so both movies feature rather convoluted plots ( and a few not quite plausible moments ). But it's all in good fun, and the casts are extremely likable.

Noah Centineo deserves special mention ( it's especially interesting to note that he has leading roles in both films ). I already spotted him in TATBILB, as he reminded me of a younger version of Mark Ruffalo. But I liked him even more in SBIAL, so I watched TATBILB again, lol.

Noah is now getting a lot of attention, which is perfectly understandable. He isn't conventionally handsome like, say, Logan Lerman or Nick Robinson. He has a facial scar from a childhood injury and a habit of contorting his face ( subconsciously, I suspect ). And he isn't overtly sexy or hunky. But he possesses an awkward, sweet charm that is the core ingredient of any successful rom-com. Like John Cusack in Say Anything, Andrew McCarthy in Pretty In Pink and Mannequin, and Chris O'Donnell in Circle of Friends.

He's also being called the Tom Hanks of his generation, and I'm inclined to agree. I remember Hanks from Big, Splash and Joe Vs The Volcano. Noah is definitely in that category.

Someone should put him in a movie with either Tom Hanks or Mark Ruffalo. I'd love to see that!

Another terrific Netflix rom-com I recommend is Set It Up, starring Lucy Liu, Taye Diggs, Zoey Deutch and Glen Powell. It's more suitable for adults and I loved it.

Now getting prepared for the November onslaught, when new seasons of House Of Cards, Outlander and Narcos will air. My eyeballs are going to explode, haha. :)

Reviews

It's been another months-long hiatus, but it's time to post an entry because I'm inspired. :)

Succession

8 episodes into the 10-episode first season, and it's become one of my favourite new TV shows of the year.
( Actually, I already knew this after episode 1. So glad they've renewed it for a second run! )

I'm always excited about and intrigued by new series, because I love getting invested in the stories and characters. But my tastes are unpredictable and sometimes eccentric.

What appeals to me about Succession is the writing. There're loads of shows about powerful families in turmoil - and I personally detest melodrama when it isn't handled properly. Succession is no less dramatic, but the writers somehow manage to balance the various elements so that I never feel overwhelmed. And even though the characters are deeply flawed - with a few who are downright detestable - they still remain relatable and compelling.

The general premise is simple: the patriarch of a wealthy clan suffers a stroke, setting in motion a power struggle over a multi-billion dollar business empire.

The Roy children comprise four siblings, all of whom are strong-willed and difficult. Two are essentially slackers living off their trust funds, while the others are type A personalities with their own personal demons.

The buildup is so effective that when the Survivor-like episode 6 finally arrived, I was literally chewing my nails off. And despite knowing the outcome would be 50/50, I was shocked and devastated by the result. One of the best TV episodes I've seen in a while.

If you enjoy dark family sagas, there's a wide range of subjects to choose from here: chronic daddy issues, festering rivalries, unspeakable secrets, alcohol and drug addiction, etc.

But there's also a generous amount of humour, albeit the sarcastic, slightly off-colour type. Right up my alley haha.

The review is short because I don't want to reveal any spoilers. But I highly recommend this to anyone who's interested.


Mission: Impossible - Fallout

Just watched this at the cinema 2 days ago, and LOVED it!

I've seen every single MI film ( 22 years and counting ), and while the 6th installment isn't my favourite ( that would be MI4, followed by 3 and 5 ), Fallout is the second most exciting and definitely the most visually stunning in terms of action sequences and cinematography.

( It could also have something to do with the locations - Paris, London and New Zealand - which I've visited and enjoyed immensely. )

Tom Cruise is 55 and still as fit as a 20-year-old. He looks more haggard these days but remains as gorgeous as ever. A decade ago, I went through an anti-Tom Cruise period after reading Andrew Morton's biography, which detailed his Scientology-driven beliefs and weird behaviour. But over the years, my appreciation for his work cancelled out the negative feelings, and I'm back to being a massive fan again.

Spectacular stunts have become a staple in the MI franchise, and I was endlessly entertained by car / motorcycle / foot / helicopter chases and hand-to-hand combat scenes.

One that really made an impression was Tom zooming around the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It was so magnificent it took my breath away. Paris is so unbelievably beautiful, OMG!

Then there's Henry Cavill, whom I've watched in various shows for about 20 years now. He is HUGE, I kid you not! The fight scene in the men's restroom is INCREDIBLE!

The storyline isn't strong, with many loopholes and conversations which made no sense to me. But on the whole, MI6 is wonderfully executed and should have no problem making hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office.


And to end off ( fighting a URTI at the moment ), 2018 is bleeding me dry thanks to a long list of concerts that I can't bear to miss.
I've already seen The Script, OneRepublic and Celine Dion. Next up are Jason Mraz, Charlie Puth, Kygo and a tribute featuring George Michael's music.

At this rate, there'll be nothing left for 2019.

Till next time!

The Pursuit of Happyness

I'm a year older today, but for the first time in I can't remember how long, I don't feel it.

I made the decision to improve my situation in late 2016, when it became clear that I wasn't valued and the work environment was affecting my health.

It took a year to find the right place to move to, and another 6 months before I finally started my new job. So far, it's proven to be one of the best decisions I've ever made, and has done wonders for my physical and emotional well-being.

I also bumped into a number of former colleagues at the new place. It's pretty amazing how they still remember me after so many years, including a urologist who was my registrar when I was a house and medical officer. Despite being famous for being strict and extremely hard to please, I managed to make a good impression on her and she paid me a great compliment when I met her in the ward a few weeks ago. Her opinion still means a lot to me. :)

There are many who call the private sector The Dark Side, but I beg to differ. Of course, the main obstacle will always be cost, but that's reality, even at public institutions. Many factors affect patient care, from doctor seniority to ward class. And based on accounts from multiple friends, even paying top dollar at public hospitals doesn't guarantee you'll see your consultant daily.

Public hospitals still serve an important role as a safety net for vulnerable groups and those with financial concerns, especially when multiple chronic and/or serious illnesses develop. But everyone is aware of the need for significant improvement in many areas, from manpower to service delivery. Or even something as basic as agreeing to see referrals, instead of passing snide remarks when you call, or discharging patients who fulfill criteria for admission.

Anyway, enough about that. I don't need my blood pressure to go up on my birthday. :D


Working in a different system has been liberating. Everyone is happy and always ready to help. You can order any scan you want without hitting a wall, and the specialists are never displeased when you call them, even for a phone consult which doesn't incur a fee.

The patients are pleasant, well-informed and comply with treatment instructions. The positive impact is significant when you don't have Hokkien vulgarities and f-bombs hurled at you on a daily basis.

Most of our patients may not be in the P1 category, but the casemix has been quite stimulating, especially in the paediatric population, whom I rather enjoy seeing. Even succeeded in setting an IV on a toddler on the first attempt, which was very rewarding!

My non-clinical duties are also interesting, with my long experience in the public sector coming in handy. And many thanks to my EM colleagues from various institutions, whom I contact regularly, for openly sharing information and offering great advice. :)


On the personal front, my energy level has bounced back, and I no longer feel ancient, probably because I have no more night shifts on my roster, yay! The shifts are manageable, and supervision is minimal since everyone in the department is experienced. The headaches, chest and epigastric pain and giddy spells have completely disappeared. Everything was work-induced.

Many continue to slog it out at public hospitals and clinics, and kudos to you for persisting. But the Facebook posts about stress, unhappiness and exhaustion continue to appear, and I'm saddened by them. Not just because these people are my friends and I care about their welfare, but also because they reflect serious issues in the healthcare system which need to be addressed urgently, but never seem to be.

My only advice to you all is: if your health starts to go downhill, it's time to consider leaving. The healthcare landscape is changing and other options - better options - are available.

I, for one, almost forgot how wonderful it was to wake up in the morning and not feel like crap. To have the energy to go out, cook, exercise, or stay awake long enough to read or watch a show. To regain my sense of humour about life. TO LOOK FORWARD TO GOING TO WORK!


Last year, I celebrated my birthday in Paris, catching Bruno Mars in concert and the French Open finals. It was probably the best birthday I ever had, but this year, despite keeping it low-key ( I actually worked a shift today - something I haven't done for ages as it would depress me severely ), I am equally upbeat.

My new bosses always say that nothing happens by chance, including the fact that all of us have been brought together at the same time for a reason. I fully agree, as I believe my departure was made possible only through divine intervention, and that while certain doors were closed, it was meant to steer me in the right direction.


Thanks for reading! Till next time...

Thank You, OneRepublic!

Making my second entry of the year, in honour of my favourite band, whom I still can't believe I got to meet, after being such a huge fan for 10 years!

I first saw them at Fort Canning Park in 2008, when they were part of the day lineup for SingFest. They were still relatively new at that time, so the prime night slots were reserved for the likes of Jason Mraz. But I can still clearly remember what happened - from the sweltering weather and already significant crowd ( I couldn't get anywhere near the stage even at that early time ), to Ryan Tedder's perspiration ( poor guy ) and of course, THAT VOICE. Belting recent hits like Stop And Stare and Apologize, I recall shaking my head in pure wonder at the sheer power of his performance. Even in the unrelenting heat, his voice soared to the heavens and gave me chills!

It took another 9 years before I saw them again at the F1 race in 2017. Somehow, I missed their 2013 show at Sentosa's Coliseum ( maybe I was overseas? ). Strangely enough, none of my friends is a 1R fan ( you don't know what you're missing! ), but that didn't stop me from flying solo. And it was mind-blowing! Crammed within a horde of 50,000-plus screaming, jumping fans, it was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life, and everyone was so well-behaved that I made it through fully intact. OneRepublic was magnificent, but I would like to express my gratitude to them and the organizers for making the whole event possible, for yanking me out of my comfort zone so I could be part of this incredible experience.

Although I didn't watch them live for 9 years, I followed their career closely, purchasing their albums, subscribing to their social media account and watching their beautiful music videos. The F1 gig was such a treat, as they covered hits from the entire past decade, whipping the audience into a frenzy. What I love most are the melodies ( since I'm really bad at memorizing lyrics ), which possess a haunting quality and stick in your head forever. And their anthems! Singing along with 50,000 fans is something I will never forget!

It's highly unusual for the band to return to Singapore after just 7 months without a new album, but they did exactly that, and the response was spectacular. The Star Theatre was packed to the rafters, and nobody sat down for 90 minutes. While the set list was quite similar to the one they did for F1, the venue was much smaller, more intimate, and thankfully, air-conditioned. And this made all the difference in Ryan's performance. He was amazing at F1, but not being dehydrated definitely augmented his energy level, and he was ON FIRE that night! From the first song to the final encore, his voice never flagged, and he was all over the stage. At one point, he even decided to hop over the barricade and mingle with the audience, though he couldn't get beyond the first few rows as fans went running over and he ended up getting mobbed. It looked 100% unplanned, since security was nowhere to be seen. But thanks for trying anyway, Ryan, we appreciate the thought. :)

As for the photo, a million thanks to Live Nation Singapore, who picked 5 entries from about a hundred for a meet and greet contest, and I honestly never imagined that mine would be selected. All I can say is, the judge(s) is/are extremely perceptive!

The M&G was tightly regulated, so our time with the band was short. No hugs, autographs or chatting were allowed, but in spite of this, the 1R guys were really friendly, and blessed us with a beautifully posed picture. We couldn't see the band from the holding area where we were asked to wait, so everything happened super quickly. When it was my turn, I walked over, smiled, waved and said hello, then scanned their faces to figure out where Ryan was standing so I could position myself in front of him. As the photographer started focusing, I felt someone's hand gently rest on my right shoulder, and turns out it was Ryan's! Before we left, he said, "Thank you for coming, enjoy the show." then put his hands together in the "namaste" position. I recall having to tilt my head up 'cos he's so tall, and he looks better up close in person - definitely younger compared to the photos and videos.

There were 4 other fans behind us so I didn't want to ruin anything by flouting the rules. But if I'd been last, I might've tried shaking Ryan's hand, or requesting a hug if he seemed up for it. Having met other famous people previously, rules aren't always strictly followed, and ultimately it all depends on the celebrity. But at least I got to pass him a gift and a fan letter. The gift is food-related, since it's been mentioned that he loves to cook, co-owns a restaurant franchise with Justin Timberlake, and loves Singaporean cuisine. Hope he gets to try some of the stuff I gave him. :)

Aside from 1R, I also had contact with another famous rocker earlier this month - Danny O'Donoghue from Irish band, The Script. He spent a considerable amount of time among the audience during their Indoor Stadium show, and touched my hand as he passed me. Woohoo! :)

So as the month of April comes to a close, I prepare to begin a new chapter in my life, with a new job and new colleagues. The past 3 months have been a godsend, allowing me to rest, do what I love, reconnect with people who matter to me, and fully enjoy experiences like attending concerts.
My mum's in her 70s but I took her to see OneRepublic because I wanted to share the evening with her. FYI, she was also with me at SingFest 10 years ago, so this isn't her first time seeing the band. She's been instrumental in shaping my love for music, taking me to shows when I was a child then a teenager, watching a wide selection of artists from Barry Manilow and Cliff Richard, to Sarah Brightman, Take That, Robbie Williams, Michael Bolton and even the late Michael Jackson. She's one of the coolest people I know!

If you're not a fan of concerts of any kind, you don't know what you're missing. They're nothing like listening to music on the radio or on your MP3 player. Concerts are communal events, where you connect with fellow fans and often with the artists themselves. And the feeling is palpable, both when I'm at the Esplanade Concert Hall being moved by the SSO Pops playing John Williams, and at the Padang singing my guts out with Maroon 5 and OneRepublic. I live for such moments!

Not sure when I'll be able to make my next entry, but in closing, here's a recommendation: watch The Alienist. It's on Netflix, it's R21, based on Caleb Carr's novel about a serial killer hunting boy prostitutes in 19th century New York, and stars Daniel Bruhl and Luke Evans. It's awesome. :)

Godless

My blogging frequency has dropped significantly, partly because of lack of time and/or energy, but also due to a change in mindset, such that the urge to write no longer occurs as readily as it used to.

So when the urge does come, it's a compelling one, and here's my first entry for 2018: a review of Netflix's Godless.

This series debuted a few months back but I got sidetracked by other shows ( Riverdale, in particular, is very good ).

I knew about Godless but guess I might've been a little put off by the Western premise, since I'm not exactly a fan of this genre ( the ones I like include Silverado and Dances With Wolves, which are considered more Western-lite ).

I can't say why I finally decided to put Riverdale on pause and switch to Godless, but the latter is now my second favourite Netflix show so far ( just behind Narcos ), and one of the best TV series of all time, IMHO.


***spoilers alert***

***spoilers alert***

***spoilers alert***


There's A LOT going on in the various story lines but I don't want to ruin it for those who haven't watched the show yet. So let's just say there's an evil villain out for revenge, his young protege who's gone into hiding in a town with an unusual demographic makeup, and many colourful, memorable characters everywhere you turn.

Written and directed by Scott Frank - who wrote the screenplays for Logan and Minority Report, among many others - Godless boasts an exquisite script and powerful performances from the entire cast, so huge credit goes to Frank.

Even the subplots are excellent - examples include Roy Goode's paternal nurturing of a fatherless young boy at the ranch where's he's hiding, the town sheriff's personal struggle with visual impairment and losing the respect of the people he failed to protect, how the deaths of practically every man in the town change the women's life choices, and there's even one about a reporter propagating fake news.

But the show clearly belongs to the 2 lead characters, Frank Griffin and Roy Goode, played flawlessly by Jeff Daniels and Jack O'Connell.

I've watched Daniels in quite a few movies these past 2 decades ( Speed, Dumb and Dumber ), but was most pleased when he clinched leading man status with The Newsroom ( a terrific series I love very much, but which didn't garner a following that warranted a renewal after season 3 ).
He plays Griffin with great relish, no doubt buoyed by the deliciously nasty lines he gets to deliver in every scene. I especially appreciate Frank's style of using short flashback sequences ( plus a few choice monologues ) to give viewers tidbits about the characters' backgrounds.
Griffin is what you might call the inevitable result of a violent history - irreversibly altered by the savagery he witnessed as a child, then groomed by the monster who murdered his family to become a beast himself. Here's a man who proudly wears a priest's collar and calls himself a preacher even though he's far from one, then spews Scripture to the cowering masses before having his posse slaughter them.
His ability to "see my own death" is a recurring theme and fuels his bold aggression, but more on this later.

The best reason to watch Godless is, of course, Jack O'Connell. He first caught my eye ( and blew my mind ) in Angelina Jolie's superb 2014 directing effort, Unbroken, but I recently discovered that I actually saw him much earlier, in the unnerving 2008 horror film Eden Lake ( costarring Michael Fassbender ).

I still don't quite understand how a British chap got cast as a cowboy, but kudos to whoever selected him, because I can't imagine anyone else playing Roy Goode.

I haven't delved in-depth into any interviews yet, but it's possible O'Connell had no experience in horse-riding, twirling guns or lassoing livestock before this role. And he nails the Southern accent and the swagger! I'm really really impressed.

Look out for a number of standout scenes: the one where Roy shoots the head off a rattlesnake that's about to strike a toddler, where he teaches an awkward boy to find the courage and strength to break a wild horse, and definitely the epic shootout in the final episode, during which he switches guns at lightning speed when the bullets run out ( reminds me of John Wick: Chapter 2 haha! ).

Perhaps the only grouse I have involves Griffin's aforementioned "see my own death" pronouncements, since we're never told what he saw, just that every time he stared down the barrel of a gun or walked into a house full of dying smallpox victims, he said he knew it "wasn't my time" yet.

So when he and Roy finally confront each other, mano a mano, why is there no reference to this? Mr. Frank, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?!


But as I said, it's a very minor complaint about an otherwise stellar piece of work. The last 15 minutes of the finale were extremely moving, and I realized how invested I was in the characters as I frantically dabbed my eyes with tissue. The closing shot of Roy on his horse, admiring the Pacific Ocean, is one I will remember for many years to come.

p.s. Pay attention to the soundtrack - it's incredible!

No word about season 2 yet, and chances are slim that it will happen. Even if it doesn't, 7 episodes of Godless are better than none, and you can be sure I'll watch them again in the not too distant future.

Jack O'Connell is now in the top 3 of my favourite actors list. I look forward to seeing him win an Oscar one day!