kmazz

We watched season 4 of one of my favorite TV series ever (disclosure: I don’t watch much on the boob tube), MI-5 ,or “Spooks” as it is known in the UK.

The first three seasons were brilliant. Dazzling, laser sharp dialogue and tightly-woven narrative, sympathetic, close knit characters, fine acting by some of Britain’s best, mordant humor that blew by so quickly it was hard to catch, and suspense that had us addicted and desperate for the next episode. We watched all three seasons in a matter of days last summer. Since then, I’ve referred to MI-5 as “24” for brains. The show wasn’t just about chasing terrorists. It had drama and depth and in the course of events raised questions about the age we live in and the difficult choices we make.

Now the main three characters are gone, with the exception of the excellent Harry, played by Peter Firth (I saw him in “Equus” on stage many years ago). Harry has a strong moral center. He lives in the past when having said moral center mattered to an idealistic lot. He provides an avuncular but hard-boiled anchor to the work of MI-5.

So, now that the first three have been dealt with, each in their own unpredictable way, we have new characters. They are appealing to be sure, and don’t lazily fit into the old formula, but none measure up individually or as a unit to the threesome of the past. We care less about them. They are more thinly drawn.

The writing seems to have suffered a bit. I’d call it smart, but not brilliant except in an occasional flash. The humor is harder to place, and there are traces of a plot line getting desperate.

Still, it is riveting. One of the interesting things about a counter terrorism program made in and set in Britain is the different perspectives you get on things, like torture. MI-5 doesn’t patronize, or glamorize, or fetishize it, but neither does it back away from the reality that it is an attractive tool even outside today’s USA.

Speaking of which, there are lots of references to “you’ll talk because otherwise you know what we’ll do: turn you over to the Americans.”

After making it plain all summer they deserve the same fate as the US auto industry, the US airline industry is going to be facing some overseas competition. I, for one, am delighted at the arrival of Virgin America.

First, they refer to passengers as “guests.” What a concept.
Second, they put a stake in the ground and promise to offer the lowest fares. That’s value. Check this out: $44 from SFO to LAX.
Third, they will try to offer an overall great experience. Leather seats, mood lighting, connectivity everywhere, on-demand entertainment, “fresh food.” (Make that organic and they’ll really set themselves apart.)
Four, they know how to communicate to their “guests.” Check out the web site.

Now, I have to say I flew Virgin a few times in and out of Heathrow, and it was not great. I did have extra legroom and the food selection was broader than normal, but the attendants had attitude and there were not enough toilets on the aircraft.

But the US airline industry is now so plainly not interested in its customers, I’ll give Virgin a shot. I might even join their frequent flier program.

It occurs to me to say something I have not heard before. It came to my mind this afternoon after reading Senator Kit Bond’s letter to the editor in the New York Times. Bond is vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

In it, he criticizes the Democrat “twist” on the National Intelligence Estimate that says Al Qaeda is as strong as ever.

The Senator writes that “our efforts to combat terrorism worldwide have prevented Al Qaeda from attacking the US since Sept. 11, 2001.” Okay, I know this is Republican spin and to be expected. But I’m starting to think folks like Bond actually believe it.

He also writes that the US is safer now in part because “other terrorist groups now perceive the US as a harder target to strike.”

So what I want to say is that the terrorists’ leaders are smarter than our own. Not an original thought, but a very scary one and perhaps why it isn’t spelled out too often. It may be why I don’t like to dwell on it too much myself. But if Congressional leaders don’t get it, what hope is there?

History shows that the terrorists take their time, seal off leaks, test their plans, wait for the right moment like when the Dow is at an all time high and allow us to become lulled or fooled into complacency before they strike. When they strike, they strike big and only exploit our gaping weaknesses. Weaknesses that aren’t bolstered very much to this day, e.g., cargo shipments, nuclear and chemical sites and interstate and international channels of commerce. In fact, our weaknesses may have only grown, e.g., depleted National Guard and depleted FEMA which are nothing compared to our depleted sense of national unity.

While in Tellaro for a stroll and photo-taking, we stopped for lunch at a trattoria specializing in fish. Of course, this being in the province of Liguria, focaccia was also on the table and darn good it was. I stopped in the kitchen at the end of the meal to compliment the baker, who was in the midst of preparing another round of the ubiquitous slab of bread. He held out the dough for me to touch. It was soft as slik and punchier than a marshmallow. The “secret” to a great focaccia? Let the dough rise for 5-6 hours, punch it down, and give another 5-6 hours. Even more if you like.

I asked the server at the convent where we were staying about their own foccacia. Same deal. Apparently no one in his right mind in Liguria goes by the standard instructions of a 1.5 hour rising time. They prepare it the day before baking it in a very hot oven, usually in the morning.

I can handle that. It’s something worth the wait.

For years my husband and I have fantasized about living an everyday life, not some “Under the Tuscan Sun” fantasy, in the city of Trent. Gorgeous, prosperous, progressive and creative, the city is a great blend of the best of Italian and Austrian cultures, with a wonderful cuisine and a beautiful setting at the foot of the Italian Alps.

While in Italy last month, I read that Trent has been named the No.1 city in Italy for livability, and the sixth in Europe (No. 2 was Bolzano and No. 3 Aosta. My mother’s home town, Trieste, was No. 4). It is interesting that these cities should feature so high on the list. They are not towns well known to tourists, and rarely get any notice. They also have a political and economic history with northern Europe.

Should have looked for a teeny plot back when the dollar was riding high (before Bush II).