15 Comments
User's avatar
Rachel Sager's avatar

Yes, the gratuitous violence is tough. I close my eyes.

Expand full comment
Leslie Jean's avatar

Sometimes I peak through my fingers providing a “the monster can’t see me” blanket.

Expand full comment
Nancie T Mills Pipgras's avatar

I am just about to rerun Peaky Blinders one of my top 10 series in the last 10 years. You got it right! He's right up there with Tony Soprano!

Expand full comment
Elizabeth Lamont's avatar

My grandfather was an electrician in the coal mines of southwest Virginia in the Peaky Blinders era. He was incredibly dapper in his photos so I wasn't surprised to later learn that a tailor would come to the house to measure his suits. The first thing I said when I saw the first episode of PB was, "Tommy Shelby looks just like my grandfather!" The Welsh miners in Virginia had a reputation for being "Dapper Dons."

Expand full comment
Gabi's avatar

I also love the show. The violence can be hard to watch but let's not forget that although our comfortable present (at least for those of us watching Netflix) is not so violent, the past certainly was. WW1 was hell on earth. And tbh if Hollywood is glamorizing, the violence is probably toned down quite a lot. A sobering reminder.

Expand full comment
Rachel Sager's avatar

Very good point. Post WW1 taught many regular people to abhor war. Watching the boys come home with the faraway stare. Ruined so many.

Expand full comment
Shelley Nilson's avatar

There are several yourube channels by people traveling today on the Industrial Revolution canal systems in England. Lots of history of coal,big brick manufacturing buildings and glorious countryside. A favorite is the Mindful Narrowboat...botanical artist, poet,photographer plying the waterways with her dog Zephyr. A calming interlude during these chaotic times. PB is too much!!!

Expand full comment
Rachel Sager's avatar

The Mindful Narrowboat. What a great name.

Expand full comment
Leslie Jean's avatar

Oh yeah… now I am going to watch Peaky Blinders..

Expand full comment
Leslie Jean's avatar

Oh my! I just love all your rabbit holes to investigate.. You are a great story teller, that adds all encompassing sound, vision and pliable space to direct us to the thin places where the extraordinary exist.

Expand full comment
Rick Richardson's avatar

A great series.

Expand full comment
Rhonda Newton Smith's avatar

My son has been trying to get me to watch this, but I wasn't sure whether I could handle the violence. I'll give it a try. Thanks for your storytelling and sharing your life and The Ruins with us.

Expand full comment
Susan Reep's avatar

Interesting as always. This leaves me with something to contemplate: “A short fifty years from now, storytellers will be fabricating our details and turning them into the truth.” Like Donkey says in Shrek, layers.

Expand full comment
Rachel Sager's avatar

Thank you, Susan. Shrek made its way into a Ruins comment section!

Expand full comment
Maureen Bauer's avatar

My husband loves that show! I’ve tried to watch it but the violence is way too much for me 🫣 I do agree with you about the actors , the clothing and the sets … all stunning! If they could just make it a little less violent!!

Expand full comment