Driad

Sounds like spending eternity in middle school, or at most high school. The ghosts were more or less functional adults when they were alive, but they seem to have regressed.

Week 32: 2/5, no *

All I knew about Dr. Doolittle was that he talked to animals and lived in England, so I ruled him out. Looking it up later, I learned that there were several books.

Since this couple's first child has spina bifida, would later children be more likely to have it? In the real world, the parents would probably have relatives with opinions on what to do with June. But the TV world usually doesn't have time for those. I forget who suggested the name June, but I was half expecting "She was born on Saint ___'s day, so let's name her ___ ."

He has talked some about his own genealogy, and showed the photo of Jane Gates, in at least one earlier episode. Sometimes it takes a long time to solve a mystery like this. Maybe they wanted to be extra thorough.

This episode reminded me a bit of the Sherlock Holmes story The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

Mr. Cromwell, think about your boss's temper. You may wish you had accepted Jenneke's invitation to move to Antwerp.

They said the surgery on baby June was successful (whatever that meant) but did not predict how much she might be able to do. They said earlier that there could be a range of outcomes, but after the surgery couldn't they say more, e.g. whether she could move her legs? I found this frustrating, and June's parents apparently assumed the worst.

Apparently this episode went back to the "show who did what to whom" formula, but not for me. I couldn't watch it live, and I don't have a recorder or streaming service, so I watched it on CBS.com the next day. The images were very dark (even with the brightness on my laptop turned up) so when the crime happened I couldn't see anything. Luckily the guilty person looked guilty and I was able to figure things out. I have had to watch on CBS.com before, but it usually isn't a problem because this show is usually well lit. I just wish CBS.com was not so much darker than watching on TV.

Week 31: 4/5 + 1*.

The police did not have much choice in the short term, and the children would not necessarily be in foster care for a long time. Hopefully the authorities are trying to find their parents (DNA tests etc.).

Interesting to see the research on Jane Gates and her family. In one of Prof. Gates's earlier shows, he had his father on (so this was 2010 or earlier), and looked at both their DNA to find some traits that he had inherited from his mother, who had died in 1987. Jane Gates's obituary referred to her as "Aunt Jane." AIUI, in the late 1800s many White people addressed certain Black people as Aunt or Uncle, perhaps indicating some level of affection or respect. In some cases they were actually related but they may not have known that. I liked seeing Laurence Fishburne meet his half siblings. Many of the guests say they want to go see where their ancestors lived; some of those trips might be interesting to watch.

As another example, Wes Hazard, a Massachusetts storyteller who is a host of PBS's "Stories from the Stage," was a 3-time Jeopardy champ in July 2018. I recognized him but I don't recall that anyone else in the season thread mentioned knowing who he was.

Week 30: 3/5, no *. YTD: 96/150, 18 *. Bringing marzipan buzzers.

Wondering what Grandma told the neighbors. In not-so-olden days it was not unusual for Teenage Daughter to stop going to school and stay in the house. At some point TD's mother would show off "her" new baby, who would be brought up as TD's sibling. Neighbors were expected to congratulate TD's mother and not mention having heard all about her hysterectomy a few years earlier.

Joan probably did not die of lung cancer (four packs a day?). She looks too healthy (and dressed).

Thor, before you engage in a battle of wits with Alberta, remember that you are comparatively unarmed.

Yawn, runaway games are boring. Hoping for strong competitors tomorrow. As for beards, I like some but not others. I don't like Bryce's. IMO, some men look better with beards. I dislike is the "several days' scruff" look: either grow a beard or don't.

NPR "All Things Considered" interview: With 'The Mirror and the Light,' Mark Rylance closes the door on Wolf Hall ETA: spoilers for what happened to Thomas Cromwell.

Did anyone suggest contacting the boy who got the girl pregnant, and at least telling him what he did? Or did the parents not want anyone -- even him -- to know the girl's situation?

I wish the characters would address each other by name more often. There are so many characters that it's hard to keep track of them.

Week 29: 3/5 + 2 *.

Good for John, to suggest that people be aware of the symptoms of pancreatic cancer. Here's the Mayo Clinic's page: Pancreatic Cancer Causes and Symptoms

The Characters of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light

Agreed. That's why I asked if someone is doing medical reviews.