Category: TV

The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith

On By Rick McIn books, ethics, human rights, TVLeave a comment

Robert Galbraith is J.K. Rowling. I’m still reading her books — though disgusted with how she has made trans people miserable, driving some to suicide.

This is her legacy.

I haven’t cancelled J.K. Rowling as she’s not ALL bad. She’s donated much to charity. And may even be a good person who somehow stumbled into this issue, getting it way wrong.

She’s caused a lot of harm.

The Hallmarked Man (2025) is the 8th novel in the Cormoran Strike detective series, and a return to form.

Themes explored in the plot involve Freemasonry, human trafficking, the silver antiques trade, corruption in the media, secrecy surrounding the military and intelligence services, mental health issues …

That said, the book is too long, as are most of her books in this series.

The relationship between Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott is agonizing and stupid. I can’t believe so little has progressed over 8 books.

I used to be sympathetic for Robin, as Strike is such an asshole. But she’s just as bad.

The only person to cheer for is Office Manager Pat. 😀

Worse — perhaps — is the plot. WHY did they take on a case to identify a mutilated corpse? WHY spend so much time and manpower on this case?

Who cares?

Story line convoluted and hard to follow. At the end, I read some explainers ➙ and still can’t be bothered to understand the plot.

IF you can get past those flaws, I actually enjoyed this book.

It’s skillful, without question.

I actually like the pretentious epigraphs at the start of each chapter.

Worst in the series was Ink Black Heart (2022). I couldn’t finish that one. This one I can recommend.

BUT — for me — the Strike (TV series) is better than the books.

Nobody’s Fool by Harlan Coben

On By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

Harlan Coben is one of our best working authors.

I can’t imagine how he comes up with his complex plots.

His 2025 book is Nobody’s Fool.

It’s something of a sequel to Fool Me Once (2016) which was adapted into an excellent TV series.

Sami Kierce, a young college grad backpacking in Spain with friends, wakes up one morning, covered in blood. There’s a knife in his hand. Beside him, the body of his girlfriend. Anna. Dead. He doesn’t know what happened. His screams drown out his thoughts—and then he runs.

Twenty-two years later, Kierce, now a private investigator, is a new father who’s working off his debts by doing low level surveillance jobs and teaching wannabe sleuths at a night school in New York City.

One evening, he recognizes a familiar face at the back of the classroom. Anna. It’s unmistakably her. As soon as Kierce makes eye contact with her, she bolts. For Kierce there is no choice. He knows he must find this woman and solve the impossible mystery that has haunted his every waking moment since that terrible day.

His investigation will bring him face-to-face with his past—and prove, after all this time, he’s nobody’s fool.

Clown Town by Mick Heron

On By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

Clown Town (2025) is 9th in the Slough House series of books.

Like the rest, it’s worth reading for the outrageous behaviour of Jackson Lamb. And the smart, funny, cutting dialogue.

Plot? … well don’t worry too much about the plot in these books.

This time around, MI5 First Desk Diana Taverner tries to keep secret an old scandal that might come to light.

Jackson Lamb refuses to help. But his crew of Slow Horses somehow get involved anyway. Something to do with an old book of Cartwright’s grandfather.

In the end, Lamb takes action.

The TV series is better than the books. Season 5 is streaming now.

Foundation – season 3

On By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

I managed to get through season 3.

Very confusing.

I DO admire Apple for making the attempt to adapt Asimov’s books to screen.

On the upside, the Mule has finally arrived. We have an interesting bad guy.

Foundation Season 3 centers on the emergence of the Mule, a powerful telepath who throws Hari Seldon’s carefully planned psychohistory into chaos.

A major 152-year time jump sees the Foundation reset, the Galactic Empire’s Cleonic dynasty fracturing, and Gaal Dornick confronting a new reality with the Second Foundation.

The season ultimately concludes with a game-changing finale featuring the Mule’s shocking true identity, the death of major characters, and the revelation of Earth. 

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Acapulco – season 2

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A fun, light feel-good comedy.

You MUST pay attention, however, as half the dialogue is in Spanish.

Regina Reynoso who plays Sara Gallardo Ramos was a gymnast.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Stick – season 1

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You hate golf?

I’d still recommend this TV comedy.

Owen Wilson plays Owen Wilson, as always.

And, as always, he’s very good as Owen Wilson. 😀

A long-washed-up professional golfer turns towards a rising young star in the game to turn things around.

Cast and dialogue is quirky enough to keep me interested.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

For All Mankind – season 1

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I finally got around to starting the critically acclaimed series about NASA.

GREAT entertainment looking back on the space race. Personally I could have lived without any of the soap opera. 😀

For All Mankind is an American science fiction drama TV series … that dramatizes an alternate history depicting “what would have happened if the global space race had never ended” after the Soviet Union succeeds in the first crewed Moon landing ahead of the United States. …

With the Soviet Union emphasizing diversity by including a woman in subsequent landings, the United States is forced to match pace, equally training female and minorities talents (who were largely excluded from the initial decades of U.S. space exploration).

… Apollo 15 take a significant risk, changing their landing site to be near Shackleton crater, a promising location for finding water that would be essential to any lunar colonization effort. …

… two years later … October 12, 1973, … NASA’s first Moon base.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

TV series – “A Teacher”

On By Rick McIn education, ethics, TVLeave a comment

The FX miniseries A Teacher (2020) was filmed in my old High School, after it had closed and was scheduled for demolition. 

… I don’t recall any teachers like Kate Mara when I was a student.  😀 

Set in the span of 10 years, this series follows a female English teacher in her early 30s as she begins to groom and abuse her 17-year-old male student in the fictional high school of Westerbrook in Austin, Texas.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Broadchurch – season 2

On By Rick McIn TVLeave a comment

A.I. overview:

Broadchurch season two divides viewers. Some find it a compelling continuation of the story, with strong performances and new mysteries, while others feel it lacks the impact of the first season, particularly due to the courtroom drama and the introduction of the Sandbrook case.  Many critics and viewers found the courtroom scenes less engaging and the Sandbrook case less compelling than the initial murder. 

That’s fair.

Great TV — but not as brilliant as season 1.

On the other hand, the cast is even better in season 2 (2015).

Phoebe Waller-Bridge has a bigger role.

Charlotte Rampling was fantastic as Jocelyn Knight Q.C., the prosecutor. The role was written specifically for her.

Still — highly recommended TV.


Ballard – season 1

On By Rick McIn books, TVLeave a comment

Ballard is an American police procedural television series Spinoff of Bosch (2014–2021) and Bosch: Legacy (2022–2025).

Maggie Q was a brilliant choice as LAPD Detective Renée Ballard, something of a younger, female Bosch.

She’s got the gravitas to pull off this role.

I’m happy they stayed true to her surfer girl backstory from the books.

Ballard has been relegated to lead the cold case unit with a underfunded misfit staff of reserves and volunteers.

My favourite character is John Carroll Lynch as Thomas Laffont, a retired former police partner.

Rebecca Field as Colleen Hatteras, is terrific, too, as an enthusiastic volunteer.

Titus Welliver does show up as Harry Bosch. As do some of the other characters from the Bosch universe.

Critics like the show. But it’s only 69% on Rotten Tomatoes with viewers. A good show — but not measuring up to Bosch.

Personally, I prefer the gritty Bosch vibe. Police procedural.

Ballard seems to focus more on the interpersonal dramas of the cast.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

That said. It will be renewed. And I’ll be watching.