mrv3000 | Long post is long.

I'm always a bit surprised when they get heavily involved outside the country. I always equate MI-5 with the FBI and MI-6 with the CIA. Does the FBI do a lot outside the country? I'm not sure.

Anyway, I really wish they'd get another character or two -- or at least give us some more info on Dimitri (I finally caught his name) -- instead of bothering with a huge arc about Lucas. I much prefer this show when it's doing its ensemble thing. I really hope this won't turn into another S6 thing, where basically the entire plot revolved around Adam. By the end I was actually happy that Adam died because I was so sick of that arc. Hmmm. Maybe Lucas isn't long for this world.
I'm still having fun reading the Daisy Dalrymple series. One thing that's refreshing is that although it's set in the 1920s, it's clear to point out that not every 20-something really was a flapper and/or Bright Young Thing. Seems like lots of books/shows set in that era have tunnel vision of that first image that pops up in our minds for the 1920s.

Anyway, it's mostly enjoyable although the author has gotten into a patterned rut a couple of times. In a couple of books basically the entire story revolves around interviewing suspects, and that gets to be boring as all get out. Unfortunately the first in the series is like that and I nearly didn't read any more.

I do love the little snips we get between Daisy and her stepdaughter Bel. It's really sweet. And I'm amused every time Alec starts twitching over Daisy's involvement in crime. Reminds me slightly of how the Doctor tells his companions not to wander off, and then is exasperated but also secretly impressed when they do.
I'm slowly running out of new Poirot episodes to watch. D: Even though I prefer Miss Marple, the Poirot show has become like a warm fuzzy blanket. Crimes are solved. Tea is drunk. And Captain Hastings inexplicably continues to sponge off Poirot. What am I going to do for snuggly blanket comfort after I've watched them all?

Side note: it seems like all these old shows/books have some character who is just hanging out all the time. They might not even be related to anyone, but they're just there nonetheless. They make conversation at dinner and make a fourth for cards and maybe bang out a tune on the piano in the evening. HOW DO I GET A GIG LIKE THAT? Can I show up at some country manor in England just stay? That would be AWESOME. XD
You know how hard it is to find holiday flavored decaf coffee? World Marked taunted me with their Pumpkin Pie Spice Coffee, but of course there's no decaf version. Through Amazon I found a place called Red Buffalo Coffee Company and they have loads of flavored decaf coffee! So I bought some Pumpkin Pie and some Holiday Memories. Great coffee! The coffee is very smooth with the flavor coming mainly from the aroma rather than the taste. (Which I prefer since other flavored coffees can go completely wonky, and can even taste sour.) The Pumpkin coffee was very strong when I opened the bag, so I was a little afraid of how it would taste. But it's great! In fact I prefer it over the milder-scented Holiday coffee. Anyway, I was happy to find this place and thought I'd share. I might try Tiramasu next.

Also, I've continued with my love of red tea. And even though I didn't really care for the Republic of Tea's Cedarberg Organic (Twinings still has the best plain rooibos tea, I think), I decided to try their Ginger Chocolate Red Tea on a whim. When I opened to smell it, it was STRONG and thought there's no way I'd like it. But it turned out to be really smooth and not overpowering with the ginger or chocolate flavors. Great balance!