h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, I'm a happy that's for sure. SVT (the Swedish equivalence of BBC) is showing six episodes, 1.5 hours long each, delving deeper into the story as well as the characters than the films. And it's soooooo good!

So those of you who have access to SVT Play, check it out, please!

That seems only to be you and Milla... I get a "the requested material can only be shown within Sweden" message.

So I guess you'll have to visit Sweden yet again to see it?

Or bet on that DR will show it at some point. They started with the first movie, though...

The way I figure it, SVT Play works like this: if a program or film has been produced by SVT, then it's available from anywhere in the world. I think for example that the news archive is available to everyone:
http://svt.se/svt/road/Classic/department/602/jsp/Render.jsp?d=108658

But if the program or film has been produced by someone else, then it's protected by copyright and only viewable to those that have paid the Swedish TV license.

Which reminds me that I once saw a comment on BBC about a Brit who thought that the UK is one of very few countries to have a TV license, and that theirs was the highest. Bah.

In Sweden, it costs 2,076 kronor per year - that's about 178£.
In the UK, it was raised on 1 April to 145.50£.

we never seemed to be able to bring up the inhabitants of our colonies right

also many US'ians believe europe is still like the countries their forefathers fled from hundreds of years ago because we have kings and queens and thus no democracy and hardly any electricity

Just finished watching the last episode of the TV series - darn, but it was good! Will have to buy it on DVD to rewatch it.

I was quite upset during the trial in the last episode, over the way Lisbeth had been (mis)treated by society. Last time I felt this upset on behalf of the main character was when I watched the film 'Die verlorene Ehre der Katharina Blum', but that was many years ago.

An added bonus for me was that I recognised sooooo many places - look, one of our hotels! I've been there! Look, the main railway station, where I recently had a cup of coffee with a mate from my WoW guild! Aw, Folkungatan where I've walked so many times!

Not to mention Lisbeth's flat - I could (almost) kill for that! Perfectly situated with a gorgeous view!

You have electricity?

You mean you didn't notice when you were over?

I just stocked up on cheap batteries from Ikea

Just rewatching the last episode while it's still available - something that lends the story credibility is that in the TV news after the shooting, the news reporter is an authentic one. I've seen and heard her on the *real* TV news!

And the moment I saw the manager of Milton Security, I knew the actor was Greek! Comes from growing up and going to school with fellow immigrant children whose parents had been lured to Sweden with sweet promises of jobs. Promises that were true, granted.

It's the nose and a very, very slight trace of an accent (the actor must have come to Sweden with his parents when he was very, very young).

Which reminds me that there are at least 183 different nationalities represented among the inhabitants of Stockholm, which leaves only 11 independent countries in the whole wide world unrepresented.

Amazingly enough, 3 of the 11 unrepresented ones are European states: Andorra, Lichtenstein and the Vatican.

Not quite sure where I was going with this posting, but still - we're pretty diversified, wouldn't you think?

'Brad Pitt to star in Millennium'
http://www.thelocal.se/26344/20100428/



I don't know if I can stomach a Hollywoodified version of Millennium. It'll probably be as plastic and superficial as the American version of Trois hommes et un couffin (Three men and a baby). The original was heartwarming, with the characters portrayed as ordinary humans. The American version was a light-weight comedy, steering clear away from any genuine emotions. Possibly somewhat entertaining, but not much else. Any 'emotional' Hollywood films are soppy and sentimental, going too far the other way.

OK, so there might be a few exceptions, but the majority of American films that I've seen have left no lasting impression on me. Except, oddly enough, Pirates of the Caribbean - but that's because I was surprised that Johnny Depp was such a good commedian

Even trying to imagine what a Hollywood version of Millennium might be like makes me shudder with horror - I'd rather buy the original on DVD.

I do hope they make this extended TV one available on DVD!