The word Viking was a verb. Norse people didn't call themselves Vikings, they did it - they went out and traded and raided. I was reminded of that when I too went a viking to recover some knowledge from Melbourne Museum's new, temporary exhibit Vikings: Beyond the Legend. While there, as it was the opening … Continue reading Review: Bec went a viking
Vikings
Review: Knightfall
What with my new HEMA past time, I want to love Knightfall, but so far (after two episodes), it's more like curious skepticism. I will keep watching...it's just, well. Let's get medieval on this. On the side of the Angels: Yes to sets and landscapes. Yes to castle keeps and cathedrals. Yes to swords. Yes … Continue reading Review: Knightfall
Doctor Who: Hybrid History
Some of the appeal of Doctor Who is that a single episode can unfold in unexpected directions. A straight Vikings vs Aliens episode was made more frustrating and then heart-felt by its twists. I know it's a family show, and I know it's story, not history, but if programs are going to have a play … Continue reading Doctor Who: Hybrid History
Shock of the real
Historically speaking If you leave aside plots, the need to pack events into neatly paced blocks of action, continuity issues, language and location, most of the difficulties to do with depictions of historical events are related to how actors do not generally look like their characters. Take for example The Man Who Would Be Bond … Continue reading Shock of the real