Multifocus

Alec Guinness appears in both Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Our Man in Havana-two films that turn the spy archetype on its head, but in opposite directions. In the former, Guinness's Smiley laments how incompetents "are promoted with startling regularity," and in the latter, he becomes that very figure as Wormold, the accidental hero propelled by fabrication. In the Department Q series, Matthew Goode-though not playing a spy, brilliantly channels both shades. He's shown he can be either Smiley or Wormold, depending on how the production team chooses to shape him. The series holds remarkable promise-witness that I'm comparing him to Guinness, and the writing to the finest television has offered. The decision to return for Season 2-and to embrace the honour of writing brilliant TV-rests with the producers. Goode is ready for his close-up.

In this episode an Italian client says he is from Calabria and that the area is 'wild'. Compared to where? To the cities in the North, like Milan?

Southern Italy is an agrarian region that serves as breadbasket for Italy, Europe and abroad. It boasts artisanal methods, grows protected ancient grains, and other staples unavailable in other parts of the country. Yet it gets treated like a burden instead of a backbone, facing discrimination --as seen in YOUR program. It is particularly offensive when it comes from someone born in Calabria.

This agricultural identity is similar to other agricultural regions around the globe. We don't call Nebraska wild because it doesn't match Silicon Valley's GDP. We don't dismiss Saskatchewan, Canada as lagging behind for not generating the wealth of Toronto's financial district. We don't shame Occitanie in France as lacking in development like at La Defence, Paris. Nor do we shame La Montérégie in Quebec for not rivalling the economic success of Montreal.

Regional diversity is celebrated in countries like Canada, the U. S, and most of Europe. But in Italy it is used to divide, belittle, and distort. Comparing Southern Italy to Milan and then branding the South as "wild" is not only intellectually lazy, it's historically untrue and contextually dishonest.

Edit that horrible remark OUT of your program.

How quickly this move went from cinema to Disney+, and no wonder, by then it had already LOST $25.5 million. After watching it I did find myself singing the old show tunes, however, everything I enjoyed about this version was already in the 1961 version. The original had balanced the social issues and the beautiful romance. The musical numbers were glorious. We left feeling hopeful. This version, supposing to be an update, was violent even the dance numbers are filled with fury and the much loved lyrics have been changed. There was NOTHING to enjoy, there was no balance. You come away horrified at what you have just seen. One character tells the Jets, if they have not left the neighbourhood it is because they can't "make it". A very narrow view on poverty, not an update at all, it has regressed!