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Alien Royalty on the Run: Vagrant Queen and Class

18 Oct

The Bezoar of Kings (Vagrant Queen Dramatized Adaptation)
I became a huge fan of Vagrant Queen when the graphic novel was adapted as a TV Show on the Sy-Fy network it had a great diverse cast, a sweet slow burn love story, and lots of campy fun (there was even an episode based on the movie Clue). Unfortunately it only lasted for one terrific season. But whether you are missing the TV show or are new to Vagrant Queen, if you are fan of Space Operas you will want to take a listen to The Bezoar of Kings, a dramatized adaptation (with music and sound effects) of Vagrant Queen (think a movie with out the images or an updated version of radio dramas). The story centers around kind hearted scavenger Elida who has been on the run since the age of ten when her powerful royal family was overthrown. When she learns about her mother’s location she returns to the kingdom she never thought she’d see again, but the reunion doesn’t go as planned. You can also check out A Planet Called Doom a dramatized adaptation of the second graphic novel in the series.

Class (from the Universe of Doctor Who)
Class is the 2016 Young Adult spinoff of Doctor Who which features a brief cameo of the Doctor in his current visage at the time (Peter Capaldi). I’ve streamed the first three episodes which include “For Tonight We Might Die,” where the alien/monster drama begins when a battle erupts during a school dance where two alien refugees, the last of their people, including a Prince are revealed with devastating results; “The Coach with a Dragon Tattoo” about a dragon seeking vengeance; and “Nightvisiting” about an alien who can appear as loved ones who have passed away. The creatures and situations are used as metaphors or allegories for issues teens frequently experience. Although mostly focusing on the teens, my favorite character of the show is Katherine Kelly as Miss Quill, a snarky alien royal bodyguard disguised as a Physics teacher. As a fan of Doctor Who, I was curious to check out the show, but if you have not watched Dr Who, you still can get immersed into this new series. I also enjoyed it because it reminded me of Buffy, another favorite show from my 20’s, since the students at Coal Hill Academy go to school located in the Science Fiction equivalent of a Hellmouth due to thinning of space and time, which brings all sorts of alien creatures to them which they must battle (the school has previously appeared in episodes of Doctor Who since the 1960’s).

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager


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Recipe Roadtrips: Terry & Mason’s Great Food Trip and State Plate

5 Jul

Terry & Mason’s Great Food Trip
The BBC show, Terry & Mason’s Great Food Trip, stars radio and television broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan and cabbie Mason McQueen who drive around in Mason’s cab to different areas of of Great Britain and see historical sites and learn about famous dishes from the past and present. Their trip is partially inspired by British Bouquet: An Epicurean Tour of Britain by Samuel V. Chamberlain, who took a similar journey in 1963 as the country was rebuilding from the war. Both funny and informative, I enjoyed sampling several episodes, which can be enjoyed in any order. The journey starts in the seaside town of Weymouth where legend has it the Black Death first came to the UK; Terry instead catches an assortment of succulent seafood including crabs and oysters. A visit to York includes sampling local beers and exploring a recreation Viking Village complete with a celebratory feast. Oxford we learn is famous not only for its colleges, but also marmalade and a lesser known, yet still tasty sausage that has a unique taste of lemon. In Bath they explore the Roman Bath’s of course, but also sample locally prepared coffee whose grounds are recycled to grow oyster mushrooms. When in the Chester episode they eat baked potatoes with unusual toppings in another underground roman bath turned into a seating area that dated back 1,800 years, it really put in perspective how far back the country’s history goes and how much it has changed over the years.

State Plate
Jumping across the Ocean from York’s historic chocolates to New York’s cheesecake, State Plate’s three seasons takes a look at the signature dishes of the United States. The show stars restaurateur and musician (he won the 5th Season of American Idol), Taylor Hicks, who each episode creates the ultimate plate of food, which represents that state’s unique cuisine. Of course I couldn’t resist checking out the New Jersey episode in Season 2 that included Italian hot dogs, pork roll, disco fries, and salt water taffy and another about nearby Pennsylvania home of cheesesteaks and Amish delicacies like chow chow and shoofly pie, which I sampled on a recent visit. Probably my favorite US cuisine and food culture though is Louisiana’s Cajun cuisine including po’boys, beignets, jambalaya, and etouffee. The episode about Massachusetts had me feeling nostalgic for my grad school days with Boston Baked Beans and their creamy version of clam chowder (which I prefer to New York’s tomato based style). It was also exciting to learn about places I’ve never been such as Nebraska, with the tasty sounding but caloric bomb appetizer, the cheese Frenchie a deep fried grilled cheese sandwich loosely based on one of my favorite French comfort classics, the Croque Monsieur, or West Virginia’s Pepperoni Rolls, which originated as lunch for coal mining Italian Immigrants. The show will definitely give you some tasty ideas for your next road trip.

Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager

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