More often than not, professions are used to provide settings for TV series. Whenever we watch a TV show related to the course we are studying, we go, “Hey, I know that feel!” Internet memes drawing comparisons between such TV shows and various fields of study are also common. And, well, I’ll show restraint and not talk about binge-watching.
Shows that are related to our course make us start fantasising about a life that is majorly similar to that of the characters. Here’s a list of some shows that relate to our college majors:
Law – Suits
Image credits: booktrib.com
It’s sad that we live in a world where Harvey Specter doesn’t exist. Suits is a legal drama revolving around a law firm called Pearson Hardman. The protagonist of the show is Harvey Specter, a Manhattan-based corporate lawyer who hires Mike Ross as his associate. Mike is a college dropout who takes LSATs for a living and possesses an eidetic memory. Together, they solve cases while maintaining the fact that Mike isn’t actually a lawyer.
Journalism – The Newsroom
Image credits: macaulay.cuny.edu
Just the fact that Aaron Sorkin is the creator of this extraordinary political drama show should be enough to make one binge-watch it. Two great things about The Newsroom are an ensemble cast and the intricate Sorkin dialogue. Together with his staff, amidst various obstructions, Jeff Daniels as ACN’s lead anchor presents a show called ‘The News Night with Will McAvoy’. The episodes are based around actual events, an attribute that makes the show seem more realistic.
Medicine – Grey’s Anatomy
Image credits: netflixlife.com
Grey’s Anatomy tells us about the gruelling schedule that doctors adjust with. The show’s protagonist, Meredith Grey, together with a group of other doctors, starts working as an intern in Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in Seattle. During a course of 11 seasons, they evolve into experienced doctors and manage to deal with their adulthood.
Physics – The Big Bang Theory
Image credits: uncyclopedia.wikia.com
The heroes of the show are Leonard and Sheldon, two physicists in California. Their life changes dramatically when Penny, a pretty waitress, starts living across the hall. The men along with their friends, Howard and Raj, represent a group of geeks who face frequent social awkwardness.
Computer Science – Person of Interest
Image credits: seriable.com
This show is a quintessential combination of sci-fi, crime and drama. A former CIA officer, John Reese, is hired by Harold Finch, a reclusive billionaire. They join forces to combat crime in New York City. Finch has designed a program called Contingency which utilizes the concept of pattern recognition to ascertain individuals who will soon be involved in violent crimes.
Political Science – House of Cards
Image credits: techcrunch.com
A political drama, the series demonstrates the manipulation and pragmatism required in a political scenario. Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood is deceived by Garret Walker, the President of United States. Frank and his wife Claire begin seeking revenge and decide to destroy Walker and his allies, one by one.
Hasn’t this season given us the perfect welcome with the death of Joffrey Baratheon? At last, the debt has been paid! Though it would only be fair to praise Jack Gleeson for his flawless depiction of one of the most notorious characters ever created by George R.R. Martin in his medieval fantasy book series, A Song of Ice and Fire! It must be remembered that Joffrey wasn’t intentionally or ambitiously evil. Book readers would know of his confused upbringing, courtesy a drunk ‘father’ who spent most of his time in brothels or hunting and him secretly being an incestuous child. Fans of the TV show will surely remember him. (Remember him? Yes. Miss him? Definitely not!)
DU Beat brings you a detailed review of the 7 episodes of the fourth season of Game of Thrones that have been aired till now.
This season has swung in all directions, from giving us the best moment of our lives with the death of Joffrey Baratheon early in the season, to almost making us cry when Tyrion Lannister is tried for the same murder. His little speech at the trial is surely worthy of a second Emmy Award for the actor Peter Dinklage!
But let’s begin with the beginning. The season began with Tywin Lannister melting a sword, made of Valyrian steel, to make two swords for Jaime and Joffrey. The scene went quite unexplained, so for those who didn’t understand, that was the ancestral Stark sword taken from Ned Stark when he was announced a traitor in season one. In that same episode, Arya is depicted as a rising character when she melodramatically kills Polliver (who was responsible for killing her friend Lommy) and gets her own horse amidst some majestic Game of Thrones background music.
The season progresses to Joffrey and Margaery’s wedding, also called The Purple Wedding, which ends when King Joffrey dies of poisoning. Cercei accuses Tyrion of the murder, since the two never got on well (not that anyone got along particularly well with Joffrey!) The half-man had imparted a couple of slaps across Joffrey’s face in the past. The real culprits however, are later revealed to be Olenna Tyrell and Petyr Baelish.
At the trial of Tyrion, many testify against him. But the biggest disappointment was Shae’s betrayal. Shae is a prostitute Tyrion fell in love with, but because matters in King’s Landing had started turning dangerous, Tyrion wanted Shae to stay away from the city. He told Podrick, his squire, the same and he adhered. Shae was persistent on staying, compelling Tyrion to insult her as a ‘whore’ just to make her go away to a safer place. She returns and, possibly on the persuasion of Cercei, testifies against Tyrion and lies, saying that to please Sansa Stark, Tyrion had promised to kill King Joffrey. When Tyrion cries to her to stop lying, she replies, “I am a whore, remember?”
This has undoubtedly been the lowest moment of the season. It was followed by an outburst of Tyrion as he reminds the court that it was him who saved the city from being sacked at the war fought at Blackwater Bay. He says he’s not on trial for a murder, but on trial for being a dwarf. Finally, he demands a trial by combat, to the shock of everyone present.
One character who has started to turn out more important to the story than we ever expected him to be is Lord Petyr Baelish. Lysa Arryn discloses that she had poisoned her husband Jon Arryn on the request of her love, Petyr. He also reveals to Sansa that it was him who murdered Joffrey. At the end of the seventh episode, Petyr kisses the young Sansa on her lips telling her she is more beautiful than her mother and pushes a heartbroken Lysa out of the gaping Moon Door as she played an uninvited witness to the moment after telling her that the only woman he has ever loved is Sansa’s mother Catelyn Stark. Just your typical, happens-all-the-time, GOT drama.
Hopes are high for episode eight as the new entrant of the series, Oberyn Martell a.k.a. The Viper, has volunteered to be Tyrion’s champion in the trial by combat, for which Cercei plans to introduce Gregor Clegane a.k.a.
(and very rightfully so) The Mountain. Gregor is responsible for raping and murdering Oberyn’s sister Elia 15 years before the beginning of the series, for which Oberyn is vengeful. Who knows what will happen next; well, except for the ones who’ve read the books! The rest of us can treat ourselves to the following blessing of the internet.
Yes. It has happened. Ten seasons. Innumerable magical moments. Life long memories. And Sandra Oh has bid the final adieus to Grey’s Anatomy and her on screen shade – Doctor Cristina Yang.
As fans across the world cope with the departure of one of the strongest characters of television and the GA fans wait for the next installment of show starting from September 25th,2014 here is the journey of Cristina Yang’s life and her friendship with Meredith Grey in twelve highlights.
1. The getting along of the ‘Twisted Sisters’
The beautiful relationship of Meredith Grey & Cristina Yang that went through all phases of happiness, gloom, success, failures, irrevocable personal losses and proud professional highs has had to its credit an equally dramatic start. Both of them, as interns at Seattle Grace Hospital, were working upon the same case. Grey got to be the intern who performed the surgery which Yang longed for. However, the professional competitiveness soon subdued, for the relation had to thrive.
Cristina – “We don’t have to do that thing, where you know, I say something, and then you say something, and somebody cries, and there’s like a moment…”
Meredith – “Yuck”
2. My person, my soul mate, my sole partner in crime
As Meredith drowns in a lake while rescuing a patient in an outstation medical emergency, Cristina gets worried over her sudden disappearance. Cristina, on being questioned about her anxiousness by her husband to be Dr. Preston Burke says, “She’s my person. If I murdered someone, she’s the person I’d call to help me drag the corpse across the living room floor. She’s my person.”
3. All they could do, was to keep breathing!
Dressed in a white wedding gown, Cristina Yang is all set to get married to Preston Burke. The man she loved, for whom she got her eyebrows plucked and the person for whom she performed dozens of extra ordinary Cardiothoracic procedures she wasn’t authorized to, left her at the altar on their wedding day. Yang gets overwhelmed and Meredith consoles her and gets her out of the wedding gown. However, this incident inspires Yang to stand up, for all she says after she retains her composure is, ” He is gone, I am free, Meredith.”
4. Have some fire and be unstoppable!
Cristina who had been the significant pillar for Preston Burke when his hand injury had rendered him incapable of performing surgeries, got no mention when the latter won the prestigious Harper Avery award. This along with her disturbed personal life, made her grow ruder day by day. On being questioned about her well being by a fellow, she said what became, one of the most famous quotes of the show.
Lexie Grey: “Are you okay?”
Cristina Yang: “Don’t ask me if I’m okay. Have some fire. Be unstoppable. Be a force of nature. Be better than anyone here, and don’t give a damn about what anyone thinks. There are no teams here, no buddies. You’re on your own. Be on your own.”
5. The ‘Cro-wen’ Paradox
Cristina Yang gradually falls in love again with a trauma surgeon, Dr. Owen Hunt who joins work at hospital after a tough life as a surgeon in the army. The spark between the two is amazing, the love is bold and passionate. However, their life isn’t that easy, courtesy Owen’s initial aggressive flashbacks and their different desires from and meaning of life.
6. Had I known how to save a life!
As a shooter enters the premises of Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in a bid to murder all the surgeons to avenge his wife’s death, Dr. Derek Shepherd is shot in chest. To save the life of her friend’s husband Cristina performs a surgery with gun at her temple with amazing grit and smartness. This by far continues to be, one of the strongest moments of the show.
7. I know she likes the trauma
The act of shooting and operating at gun point leaves Dr. Yang traumatized for months. Not being able to come to terms with the excruciating pressure, she gives up medical practice and finds alternative employment, including bar-tending at Joe’s bar. However, as Derek takes her off on a fishing spree, she catches a giant one. As she feels the taste of success and rush of adrenaline again, she realizes what is missing from her life after giving up surgery. That moment of tears of happiness from Cristina Yang’s eyes, priceless!
Cristina Yang after quitting medical practice, bar tending at Joe’s.
Cristina’s wake up call, the adrenaline rush from fishing, that drives her back to work.
8. The continuous consuming interrogation by Teddy Altman
After months of training under cardiac surgeon Dr. Teddy Altman, Yang has to perform an emergency surgery on Altman’s husband due to her pre-occupation. Cristina puts the best of her medical skills to test, but the patient dies. When informed about Henry’s death, she asks Cristina to repeat the procedure followed time and again to evaluate it. She says, “You did all what I would have done in that OR, Don’t be sorry.”
One of the most emotional scenes of the series, it shows the actress’s talent of conveying most in the minimal words.
8. Seattle Grace Mercy ‘Death’, the place where bad things happen
Post the plane crash that claims the lives of two major doctors of the hospital and with terrorist attacks and shootings in backdrop, Cristina Yang gets sick of the place replete with deaths, dearths and disorders and decides to leave the hospital for a job elsewhere. However, her tuning with Meredith is the same, relationship is no where strained, they stay in touch. The catch phrase “You’re my person” comes up again, Yang gradually overcomes the fear of planes and ultimately gets back to her parent hospital to revive it from a financial crisis. ( now called the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.)
9. Somebody that I used to know!
Competition, jealousy and ego can ruin all relations. The same happened in the relation of ‘the twisted sisters’. As Meredith became a family woman, Cristina’s career scaled new heights. Consequently, there were things said and interpreted, all of which envisaged a cold war. However, soon came a face off, where in things got cleared.
10. If love could be ‘enough’ to keep people together!
Cristina and Owen were deeply in love, but sadly there wasn’t a way in which both of their lives could run in parallel without making the compromises that would alter their individual definitions and existence. Hence, Cristina found that the best way was to let it go.
11. Tall towers, false shadows: The Harper Avery fiasco
One of the most hyped and prestigious awards in medicine, the Harper Avery Award – 2014 had Cristina Yang as a nominee, she being one of the five forerunners. However, the internal politics at the Harper Avery Board and Board’s relation with the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital screwed up the chances of Yang winning the award, even though her 3D conduits had the jury’s vote.
12. This is not the end, this is not the beginning!
While addressing a conference about her 3D conduits in Zurich, Yang meets Preston Burke again, the man who once left her at the altar, offers Yang to takeover for him at a research hospital in Switzerland. Yang knows this is the next step for her, gradually finishes over her work and dealings at Seattle and shifts her base of operation to Switzerland bidding adieus to her companions of over ten years with some ‘stay in touch’ promises, compassionate hugs,pieces of advice, emotional goodbyes and the last ‘Cristina -Meredith’ 30 seconds dance party.
It is rather magical how both of the friends have been there for one another in all times, despite of difference of opinions, attitudes and cultures. Even though the television saga would continue to go on without her, but for sure, both the friends would continue to influence each other’s lives for ever. For that’s what friendship means, to be together, even if not physically around.
Thank you Sandra Oh for the beautiful, motivating and unforgettable portrayal of Dr. Cristina Yang.
You’ll be always remembered and thoroughly missed!
Happy friendship day to all our readers and Grey’s Anatomy fans!
Featured Image Credits: Meredith Grey Quotes ( Facebook Page)
Dracarys! After the end of How I Met Your Mother, it’s time to lose ourselves in the magical world of Westeros and Essos in the fantasy HBO television series, Game of Thrones, based on the popular novel series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. For those of us who haven’t read the books, there are many questions left unanswered and many mysteries yet to be revealed! As we gear up for season 4, DU Beat takes a look at six things the viewers are looking forward to the most!
[Spoiler alert for those who haven’t seen season 3 yet!]
Dragons, Dragons, Dragons! Do we want to see more of Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons? Yes! The ‘Mother of Dragons’ has done a fine job taming the only dragons left, North and South of the wall. Now it’s time for them to be put to action! Whether they go up against humans as we’ve been seeing till now or the White Walkers, remains to be seen! The latter would definitely be fascinating.
The fate of the (remaining) Starks: The clan portrayed as the protagonists of the show seem to have all died tragically with the exception of the children – Bran, Arya, Sansa and Rickon. While Sansa is living in King’s Landing against her will, Bran is discovering his powers as a Warg or ‘skinchanger’, Rickon’s existence in the story has sadly not played a very important part till now and Arya is burning in the fire of revenge with her new potential ally, the Hound. Will the fierce Arya finally take the limelight and score some Lannisters with her ‘needle’, after episodes of repeating and memorising the names of everyone she vows to kill? Will the handicapped Bran, being towed by Hodor, be able get inside the minds of his enemies? Or is there something better awaiting us?
Tyrion’s condition and whereabouts: Clearly the only Lannister most viewers like, the trailers of season 4 have had us wondering why he is shackled. Whose prisoner is he? He seems to have lost Shae’s trust and the rest of his family doesn’t like him either (not that they were very fond of him to begin with!). In fact, after Jaime’s return, do the Lannisters even need the half-man? Life-in-danger and conspiracies detected.
Cercei and Jaime’s relationship: The twins and the incestuous parents of Joffrey Baratheon, the couple is finally reunited at the end of season 3. With Robb Stark dead and Jaime back in King’s Landing, the Lannisters are undoubtedly in their most powerful times ever, since the war for the Iron Throne began. Though we certainly can expect Tywin and the Tyrells to openly challenge the two’s relationship.
The role of the White Walkers: Curtains fell on season 3 with hundreds of White Walkers, marching towards Westeros from beyond the wall. What role will these creatures be playing in the upcoming season?
Theon Greyjoy’s possible rescue: Most of us spent a large portion of the previous season wondering who Theon’s mysterious and cruel torturer was! Though we didn’t feel all that bad for him, it was an unanswered question till the end. Will Yara be able to rescue to her brother from Ramsay in the coming season?
Another question that still eludes is, when exactly is ‘winter coming’? It’s been 3 years since the phrase started echoing from all parts of the kingdom. Also, let’s just say that we’re hoping for the death of a particular Baratheon soon.
We’ll have to wait for the new season for a lot of those answers! One thing is for sure, we can definitely expect brutally crafted battle scenes, acts of vengeance and passion, along with startling turns and many more deaths; all in the quest for the Iron Throne. As they say, valar morghulis.
The Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady and is currently in its seventh season. It premiered in December in India on Zee Cafe and is halfway through.
It is based on four socially awkward scientists each with their own quirks. The sixth season ends with Howard and Bernadette happily married, Leonard out on a sea voyage, heartbreak putting an end to Raj’s selective mutism, Amy still in love with Sheldon and Sheldon as his usual annoying but hilarious self! The seventh season starts with Penny dealing with Leonard’s absence and their daily lives follow suit.
The latest season takes a break from romance and relationship troubles which were the central theme of the last two seasons and turns its focus back to Sheldon’s eccentricities which is a breath of fresh air. The comedy is great and the end will leave you laughing. There’s no trouble in paradise when it comes to Leonard and Penny and its fun watching a different side of their relationship. Raj can now talk to women without being drunk and that adds a whole new dimension to the program and makes it entertaining. This season also sees greater involvement of Stuart who was otherwise seen occasionally.
The eleventh episode ‘The Cooper Extraction’ is one of the best episodes. Sheldon leaves for Texas for a day and the rest of them imagine how their life would’ve been had they not met Sheldon. The scenarios created are rib cracking and will leave you in fits of laughter!
The Big Bang Theory delivers everything it promises and more. It continues to be a great show cast with interesting characters having amazing comic timing and a good script to compliment them. Each episode induces smiles if not laughter. It is a good watch and a treat to Big Bang Theory fans. It definitely leaves you asking for more! You can catch it on Zee Cafe every Sunday at 1:30 pm.
I do not watch Comedy Nights with Kapil, not FIR, or any other comedy serial that comes on Indian Television today. I find most of them low on content and high on antics that serve no purpose. Therefore, most of the weekends find myself going back at the episodes of “Khichdi” and “Sarabhai V/s Sarabhai” to revisit the time of good Indian Comedy.
“Office Office” starring the brilliant actor Pankaj Kaapor in the lead role as Musaddi Lal, the distressed common man instantly struck a chord with the masses. One of the best satires on Indian bureaucracy and administration, the show managed to highlight the shortcomings of the officers , and making the audience simultaneously laugh. The characters of “Patel” and “Pandey ji” instantly became a part of household vocabulary.
“Khichdi” with its diverse characters with outlandish traits was always a treat to watch. From the voracious eater Bhavesh Kumar, to the incessant complainer “babuji”, from the dumb Praful to gossip queen “Jaishree”, all of these people always managed to bring a smile to my face. “Khichdi” was the amalgamation of various silly but kind-at-heart characters who established a connection with the Indian masses because of their simplicity and “typical Indian family” image. Set in a gujarati background with equally gujarati idiosyncrasies, it made “bade log” and “praful tu to gadha hai” a part of common usage.
Then comes my personal favorite- Sarabhai V/s Sarabhai. A satire on the elitism of the high class society, Sarabhai never ceased to make me double up with laughter. Be it Rosesh’s poetry or Monisha’s “middle classiyat”, Dushyant’s obsession for machines or Maya’s narcissism , the show was one of the most realistic sketching of the present society.
Most people were excited about the first episode of Sherlock season three than they were for New Year, and rightly so. The secret of the world renowned detective’s escape from Jim Moriarty’s plan of killing him in The Reichenbach Fall was what everybody waited for, breathlessly.
The very first scene gives us a glimpse into how he made the escape, but we are later told that it was just Anderson’s conjecture. Meanwhile, we meet Sherlock and Mycroft in Siberia where the younger Holmes has been trying to break Moriarty’s connections.
Now is the time to come back to life for Sherlock, who has been “dead” for two years and meet his dear friend, Dr. John Watson. Watson has just begun to move on, when Sherlock sweeps in and pulls the rug under Watson’s feet. Sherlock does receive some well-earned punches from Watson and gradually everything gets back to normal, after Sherlock gives Molly a try as his new sidekick.
Trouble begins when Watson is abducted on November 5th and Sherlock must find him within minutes. The duo later discovers the legacy of Guy Fawkes, a bomb waiting to explode just beneath the Westminster Palace. Do they save Westminster? You must watch the episode.
The Empty Hearse was partially worth the wait, since it did not blow the mind away, as was expected by many, but it had moments that made you clutch your hair and wait. Anderson’s little group of people drawing conjectures about how Sherlock made the escape shows the obsession people have regarding Sherlock, even those who seemingly hate him.
Adorable Mrs. Hudson takes us on a laugh riot with her motherly comments about Watson’s sexuality and the relationship of the Holmes brothers. One of the best things about the show, its beautifully shot scenes, has been maintained in the episode.
In the end, we see Sherlock telling Anderson how he escaped, and it sounds rather plausible, but Sherlock again puts a doubt in the mind about how he actually did it. Does he finally tell us how he did it? You must watch the series.
Ever since Arthur Conan Doyle’s first published novel on Sherlock Holmes, we have witnessed the popularity of this fictional character growing by leaps and bounds. Perhaps its influence and fame has been a reason for various adaptations of the novel in television and cinema. One is always attracted towards the wit, intelligence and charisma of the great Sherlock Holmes.
Whether you read, watch the famous movie or follow the renowned TV series you will be charmed by the character. With the new season of Sherlock out *excited jump in the air*, the Sherlock fan community had a better New Year than planned. So, what is it that we love about Sherlock? Rather, what is it that Sherlock teaches us? Here is a list of five things that learned from Sherlock:
1. Brainy is the new sexy
Sherlock Holmes has been known for his brilliance and knowledge that leaves everyone spellbound. To fit every single important thing in the funny little head is no cakewalk. This goes for all nerds and brainy people out there who seldom feel they are like outcasts among the sexy and fun loving people. Sherlock clearly defines that to be brainy is the ultimate sexiness and attracts attention equal to a striking face.
2. Sentiment is a chemical defect found in the losing side
From what I learnt from Sherlock Holmes is that cold and unemotional behaviour often helps in achieving success. One does not deviate from the aims and objectives to be achieved due to feelings and emotions. To have some control over the heart and emotions is no easy task yet Sherlock Holmes is the pioneer in that sphere.
3. Work is worship
Sherlock often says that his mind rebels at stagnation. To be tired and weary is a common predicament to most of us. Sherlock Holmes never gets tired of work rather he gets exhausted by idleness and inactivity. Funny it may appear to most of us how Sherlock Holmes gets mad when he doesn’t work, firing a gun at a wall is an example of his frustration. It’s a thing that I am yet to learn from Sherlock how to focus all my energies on my work and never get tired of it.
4. Observe Everything
We often despise the little details and are indifferent towards the common things. To evaluate a person’s personality and background with a single meeting is the USP of Sherlock Holmes, the way he knows all about Moriairty within five minutes of meeting him. It often leaves the fans enthralled with his science of deduction and detection the crimes in a minute’s time.
5. To be socially awkward is totally fine
Yes, that’s right. Man is a social animal and it’s imperative for us to be civil and cheerful to fit in the society. Sherlock breaks the general norms of the society and is a self proclaimed ‘high-functioning sociopath’. So whenever I am trying to fit in this world with any odd ideas and behaviour, I remember my favourite character and just get lost with myself like Sherlock Holmes.
Any inputs from fellow Sherlock fans are most welcome!
