迷靡謎之音 Cozy Mystery and 'Domesticated' Felicity

Spring cleaning and kitchen remodel denoted a hectic but fulfilling March.  The process was never easy and there would be more home improvement projects to come.  At least for now, we can have a moment to celebrate creature comforts - the crystal chandelier purchased several years ago has been hung from the ceiling of the breakfast nook at last.

Something else also triggered my musicality.

Yes, Cinders is finally going to the ball :)  In this wonderful private event last Wednesday after work seeing my special friend Echo in all of her splendor over enchanting chamber music at the historical Villa Taverna where Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo once pondered, the flutist Marco and the violinist Cyrus(he owns one of the Guarneri!) even performed Mozart's mirror duet for us. Thank you, Echo for a magical evening!

新年新氣象, 裝修廚房煥然黑色雲石中島, 於倉庫沈睡多年的復古水晶吊燈也終見天日, 高掛早餐房, 每至午后璀燦滿室.  舒服家居療癒心神, 週末哪都不想去, 下廚, 閱讀, 追看偵探影集… 生活儼然悠悠慢板, 是週間奔波忙碌後的必要紓壓.  我喜歡老派懸疑, 連看幾部濃濃英國風的cozy mystery:

Therefore my 'domesticated'(not to be confused with domestic) felicity has been…  binge watching old-fashioned murder mysteries.

Grantchester (picture credit:  pbs.org)

The plot was never convoluted and its pace on the slow side.  There were familiar elements, be the gentle vicar, the veteran detective inspector, the motherly house keeper… all of these made the story actually quaint and sweet.  

窮牧師Sidney Chambers搭檔老鳥警官Geordie Keating, 案件不外是人性糾葛: 婚外情妒殺, 戰後精神創傷, 醫者執死權… 然穿插Sidney那若有似無的戀曲和小鎮人情, 別有韻味.  飾演牧師的James Norton高大英俊, 角色設定喜歡喝小酒和爵士樂, 帥哥總是ㄧ身黑色牧師服優雅騎著單車, 賞心悅目.

The Bletchley Circle (picture credit:  pbs.org)

The camaraderie between the former code breakers was moving and the emotional struggle of these intelligent women disappearing into ordinary life could be raw at times.  When I felt I was just getting to know these interesting characters, the show already ended and it was not to be renewed :(

二戰時幕後破解密碼的娘子軍, 戰後嫁人相夫教子或退隱平實職務, 直到連續血案殺人狂逍遙法外, 閨密重聚緝兇.  主題頗具批判意味, 前後五位女主角演技精湛且各有特色, 格調有點黑暗有點憤怒, 或許取向小眾, 第二季完篇便不再續十分可惜.

Endeavour (picture credit:  pbs.org)

Sweeping  cinematography, hauntingly beautiful music, well rounded character development… irresistible!  There was a touch of tenderness in the seemingly abyss when the story ventured into dark, dark corners of human existence.  The unwavering faith in justice of the young constable signaled his lonely future path.

據說是英國長壽影集經典神探創新的前傳, Inspector Morse沒欣賞過所以無從比較, 讓我上鉤的是那集pilot run:  牛津學府哥德式尖塔古典建築, 蝴蝶夫人翩翩樂聲, 絕望的愛, 溫柔的悲憫, 格格不入遺世的孤寂.  不可自拔追看兩季, 每集故事獨立, 微妙的細節卻互有連繫, 角色間的羈絆層次豐富, 精緻構圖配襯悠揚曲調, 磅礡的迴響深埋心底的秘密.  

Our favorite family activity lately - 'a cappella' under the chandelier.

LK:  Prima Donna, first lady of the stage…

Mr. LK:  Night time sharpens…

Little V:  Masquerade!