By Liam Day & Mason Steinberg
Have you ever wanted to make money playing video games every day? Tyler Blevins, known online as Ninja, has recently exploded on Twitch and YouTube playing the popular game Fortnite. He has easily turned his lifetime hobby of PC gaming into a career that makes more By Jackie Lyons
John Green, author of many young adult favorites like The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska, is back with a new book called, Turtles All the Way Down, which tells the story of 16 year old Aza Holmes and her struggles with multiple anxiety disorders. When she finds out a billionaire and her friend’s father goes missing, she and her friends decide to go out looking for him. By Anna Lawson
A symphonic story brightened by vibrant latin song, In The Heights, written by Quiara Alegría Hudes with music and lyrics by Lin Manuel Miranda, tells the story of a lively community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood. By Alexis Kominos & Jessica Lipman
I went to Chainsmokers last summer at Merriweather and the experience was great. I bought the tickets for about 50 dollars. We planned an uber to take us to Merriweather and when we got there I was already having a great time. It lasted for hours and I did not want the night to By Sofia Weddle
Jack Black may be known most infamously for his starring role in the 2003 blockbuster, School of Rock. With its touching storyline, hilarious jokes, and amazingly talented kid musicians, the film was bound to become a hit not only on the big screen, but across stages worldwide. By Sofia Weddle
As expected, this year’s PFW Fall 2018 RTW brought a gust of 40 degree weather, burnt color palettes, and plenty of high necklines. Designers truly brought their A-game on the runway, which ranged from a lush forest to a luminescent path of optical illusion. By David Toronto
The MLB the Show series is the leading MLB video game in the whole world. The series, starting in 1999, has sold over 5.5 million copies. The newest game in the series, MLB the Show 18, comes out on March 27th. By Alexis Kominos
It is a Tuesday night and I still have lots of homework to do. The burning question is, “Should I watch another Netflix episode of my favorite show, or finish my homework?” Netflix always seems to win. It is midnight now, but I just finished an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, and I am on a cliffhanger! By Garrett Athey
Toronto rapper, Aubrey Graham, better known by his stage name “Drake,” recently made many generous contributions to the Miami community in Florida. The donations were involved in the making of his recent music video for his new hit song, “God’s Plan.” By: Jessica Lipman
Musical talent, hilarious jokes, and raunchy puns are three words to describe Glenelg High School’s most recent production, Young Frankenstein. Originally created by actor, director, and composer Mel Brooks, students of the drama department have brought to life the story of Frederick Frankenstein, portrayed by Senior Jake Baker. By: Jackie Lyons
A new medical show has taken FOX by storm. The Resident is about a young doctor named Devon Pravesh who has just graduated Harvard Medical School and has been transported to work at Chastain Park Memorial Hospital. He remains under the supervision of Senior resident, Dr. Conrad Hawkins, played by Gilmore Girls star Matt Czuchry, who spends his time challenging the hospital’s morals and does the wrong things for the right reasons. While Hawkins is out acting like Robin Hood, Chastain’s top surgeon, Dr. Randolph Bell is facing his own issues that include accidents while in surgery. Among the numerous malpractice coverups, Chastain is being forced to go through severe budget cuts that jeopardize their ability to properly run their hospital. Medical dramas are a staple in today’s pop culture. Show such as Grey’s Anatomy and ER have left lasting impressions, and so far, The Resident seems like it’ll fit in. Each episode is jam packed with different problems the core characters have to face. Sophomore, Kelsey Flavin, says, “So far in this season, I enjoy how different each episode is and you never know how each one is going to end.” Having a new hospital show has proven to be more relatable to viewers than the hundreds of supernatural shows currently airing on TV now. Senior, Trey Hensing, says, “Hospital shows are more realistic and relatable than supernatural shows that deal with monsters, so like people understand the stresses of hospitals more easy.” Many viewers, such as Hensing, find this new medical drama refreshing compared to others shows currently being broadcasted. This day in age, cable TV shows are being cancelled left and right due to low ratings. With it’s 93% approval rating from Google users, The Resident may be the biggest hit of the year. By Sayo Jolayemi & Jacob Kersh
Epic Games’ blockbuster video game Fortnite, the unequivocal opening fad for 2018, has captivated American gamers with its free to play game mode, Battle Royale. As an amalgamation of popular video games series such as Minecraft and Left for Dead, the success of this game was inevitable. Since dropping in summer of 2017, the game has seen a sharp increase in fans as time has progressed. For those unfamiliar with the premise of Fortnite, it stems from a Hunger Games-esque style of play, pitting one-hundred individuals onto a battlefield that shrinks in size as the match continues in duration. A big part of Fortnite’s appeal is that, unlike most other console based flagships, the game is a free to play. Money is used only to unlock special aesthetic pleasures appeal to the variants of hardcore gamers. For example, Glenelg Junior Aden Boyer “got the Battle Pass” because “it was only twenty dollars and it made sense considering how much [he] plays.” What Boyer is referring to is the twenty-dollar seasonal pass Fortnite offers that is not necessary, but essentially rewards players for playing the game by dispersing prizes and virtual currency for completing in-game achievements. This package is a good deal for players of the game who play frequently, but do not want to deposit too much money right away. Also, in accordance with the newfound hype and popularity achieved by Fortnite, professional players and teams have begun to arise. YouTube and Twitch personalities such as “TheMyth” and “Ninja” have amassed a huge following due to their stupendous battle royale play, and their fanbases continue to grow in coordination with the game itself. Fortnite has attracted both avid and casual gamers nationwide. Gamers of all ages have come together to enjoy the “winner-takes-all” phenomenon in various ways, joining massive online party rooms to play in virtual squads, the game has forged strong online friendships that have also manifested into real life get-togethers for a vast number of players. The Fortnite community extends to Glenelg High School as well; there have been multiple occasions recently where Glenelg Freshman have gotten together with students from Glenwood Middle to enjoy both the game and each other’s company. One student from Glenwood Middle said “it’s cool to be able to hang out with my brother and his friends because even though they are [...] two years older than me, they still mostly treat me like they treat the people their age.” The student also mentioned that he now talks to some of the people that were there on a daily basis, so it seems as though the friendships people have developed because of Fortnite will likely last even if the game eventually dies out. Although Fortnite has brought the Howard County gaming community together in many ways, there has also been some significant competition between the high schools of the region. Tensions have arisen specifically because Fortnite players from each school claim that they are the best in the county, and because Fortnite has not implemented a private server game mode where students from different schools would be able to face off in head-to-head combat, there is no way to prove who reigns supreme. However, most schools refuse to let up. Many have even resorted to using social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter to post clips consisting of impressive gameplay from students at their specific school only, thus “proving” their gaming abilities to the rest of the county. These accounts have actually garnered fairly substantial followings over the past month, and Glenelg’s page currently sits at about 200 followers. Nevertheless, even with some competition arising in the county, Fortnite is and always will be a consumer game that most users play to relieve stress and have fun. In fact, one of the owners of Glenelg’s profile said that “there’s nothing bad about a little friendly competition” and that “we all are just honestly looking to sit down and play some Fortnite.” So even though Glenelg is undoubtedly the best at Fortnite in the county, enjoying the game is definitely the more important. But let’s just be perfectly clear here—we really are the best! By Mason Steinberg
Commercials are normally a time to get a snack or to go on your phone. However on Superbowl Sunday, viewers around the country stay glued to their TVs during the commercial break. The broadcasting companies charge more than five Million dollars for a thirty second ad. In the past, popular commercials such as Budweiser’s clydesdales, E-trades baby commercials, and the Old Spice Man have stolen the show. This year, a junior at Glenelg said, “ I thought the funniest commercial was the Alexa commercial from Amazon because all the celebrities being substituted for Alexa had me laughing so hard it hurt.” Here are the top five commercials this year according to a poll of randomly selected Glenelg students. 1. Giants Dirty Dancing: In the most popular commercial this year, Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Quarterback Eli Manning reenacted the Dirty Dancing scene. This commercial drew a mixed response while most found it hilarious, some found it strange. The usually boring Manning stepped well out of his comfort zone by performing a ballet routine with Beckham Jr. It was both funny and strange seeing Manning acting like this. 2. Alexa Loses Her Voice: In this commercial, Amazon’s digital assistant loses the ability to talk and the replacements are Rebel Wilson, Gordon Ramsay, Cardi B and Anthony Hopkins. They hilariously scold the users of Alexa for their questions and leave the users wondering what is going on with their Alexa’s. 3. The Bud Knight: Bud Light’s “Dilly Dilly” campaign is the most polarizing ad series today. Many find the catchphrase humorous and constantly repeat it. However, others are annoyed by it and think that the commercials are cheesy. In the ad aired during the Super Bowl, the Bud Knight comes to save the day, but instead jokes that he has to get to a party. At the end of the commercial the Bud Knight ends up saving the day and everyone yells Dilly Dilly! 4. Doritos and Mountain Dew Rap Battle: Doritos has consistently had popular Super Bowl ads recently. This year, they teamed up with Mountain Dew in a “fire vs. ice” rap battle. Two of the most talented actors today, Morgan Freeman and Peter Dinklage, channeled their inner Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliot respectively. The speed of the lip syncing along with their serious facial expressions gave the commercial a humorous vibe. 5. Avocados From Mexico: In this commercial, the people are living inside of a dome. All of citizens are enjoying avocados when someone notices that chips are sitting just outside the dome. Chaos occurs while the leader frantically reminds people that avocados are also good on toast, which is referring to the current joke about millennials being obsessed with avocado toast. At the end of the commercial, people have calmed down, but the wifi shuts off which causes everyone to go crazy again. Commercials in general are designed to get mass amounts of people to buy the companies product. The most effective commercials get stuck in the viewer’s heads. While most try to accomplish this with something strange or funny, some go with a more serious tone. Companies such as Budweiser and Stella Artois focused their campaigns on helping people. 2017 was a tough year for America, much of the country was divided, and major natural disasters caused massive amounts of damage. Budweiser showed its employees passing out water to victims of Hurricane Harvey and the California wildfires. Stella Artois and Matt Damon teamed up to advocate for selling water to third-world countries. The Super Bowl and it’s commercials provide time for everyone to come together and forget about their problems for three hours. Hopefully by the time next year's Superbowl comes around, the country will be more united. By Jessica Lipman
As celebrities walk along the red carpet all eyes are on the stars -- not only because they are famous, but because of what they are wearing. The 2018 Golden Globes, held on January 7th, is where many actors and actresses receive awards for their yearly accomplishments. This year however, had some of the best and worst fashion seen yet at the Golden Globes. Actresses made the choice to wear all black to protest against sexual assault in Hollywood, supporting the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements. Some celebrities took a more formal approach, while others, such as Connie Britton, went overly casual for the ceremony. Britton came onto the carpet wearing a knitted black sweater with white writing over it saying, “Poverty is Sexist”, along with a matching long skirt. Critics from popular social media outlets such as Ok! Magazine and the Daily Express, have described Britton’s outfit as “cheap” and “too gimmicky.” Another actress who caught attention was actress Alicia Vikander. Tori Wright, a Junior at Glenelg High School, describes Vikander’s long, black lace dress as “depressing and dull for such a lively night.” Model Kendall Jenner walked along the red carpet wearing a large, fanned out dress which appeared to swallow her small figure. Sometimes bigger isn’t better. Although there were many fashion mistakes, many actresses brought elegancy and classiness to the show. Angelina Jolie, who wore Atelier Versace, shined on the carpet as she was wearing a feathered, sheer gown which sprung out around her waist then returning back to its slim form. Margot Robbie also stole the show when the actress appeared in a luxurious Gucci gown. As multiple actresses followed the completely black trend, Robbie coordinated her own style into the dress by adding a silver, floral pattern along the front of her dress. Along with her subtle yet eye catching makeup, Robbie’s look for this year’s Golden Globes is one for the books. Sophomore at Glenelg High School, Raj Ukondwa, said that his favorite look at the Golden Globes was Nicole Kidman, who wore a lace gown from Givenchy. Ukondwa loved this look because of the “stylish lace topping to the dress and the way the bottom of the gown flows out.” Kidman’s formal gown and loose updo balanced the entire look causing her to be one of the stars in the spotlight that night. Although many critics view the similarities between all of the A-listers as somber and uninteresting, there is a strong message behind all of it. This year’s Golden Globe Awards brought attention to the sexual assault that has arrived in Hollywood recently and how it is affecting the country negatively. However, this night also brought together not only women, but even men, to stand against sexual abuse in the industry. By Torin Alexander
Most people when thinking of Disney imagine Mickey Mouse and the other whimsical characters. In reality, they've actually been acquiring much more mature films and franchises. Their stock, overall, has risen due to these blockbuster acquisitions that many are fond of. Bob Iger, Disney’s CEO, was able to pick up Marvel Studios that holds superhero movies like Captain America, Iron Man, and the well-known Avengers franchise. Another blockbuster addition was Lucasfilm, which holds the American classic, Star Wars, which still brings millions of dollars, especially since the revival of the franchise. Disney is slowly becoming an even bigger powerhouse than what used to be, and should cast fear into any other competitor. A recent move that could possibly jeopardize Netflix’s fan favorites is Disney taking back shows that were once owned by different networks. An example was when Netflix was unable to renew the hit series How I Met Your Mother. The show was very popular on Netflix, but the network was unable to renew the series due to recent merge of Hulu and Fox. How does that involve Disney? Disney owns NBCUniversal, and because NBCUniversal owns Hulu it ultimately means that Disney owns Hulu. This could also mean that other shows that were owned by Fox, Disney, or NBC could be taken off of Netflix. This includes hit shows Friends, The Office, Parks and Recreations, New Girl, That’s 70’s Show, and many more popular shows. Philip Patchen, a Sophomore, states “I honestly might just switch to Hulu in a couple years, since it seems Hulu will be bringing in what Netflix considers their top hits.” Like Patchen, it would not be a surprise to see many subscribers of Netflix to move to Hulu to continue to watch these popular series. Another move that should scare rival companies is the fact that Disney owns the biggest franchise of movies out right now. Marvel Studios has produced countless blockbusters in the last 10 years and have no signs of stopping. With Marvel producing the highly anticipated Avengers: Infinity War, Disney looks like they'll be bringing in boat loads of money. Jake Baker, a Senior, says “I can't wait to see the new Avengers movie and I don’t think I’m the only one. I have no doubt that the movie will bring in millions of dollars, if not billions, so I think Disney has a lot to look forward to in this upcoming movie”. DreamWorks, another Disney owned production company, holds classics like the Shrek franchise, How to Train Your Dragon, Shark Tale, and Madagascar, but it doesn't stop there. Disney for years now has been making money off of the famous ABC network, which includes the now called freeform. That means Disney is able to receive countless amounts of money off the hit shows The Goldbergs, The Fosters, Black-ish, Greys anatomy, Modern Family, Pretty Little Liars, etc. Clearly, Disney is continuously acquiring new ownerships of very big companies that have very bright futures. Disney is making absolute power moves that should easily scare any other competitors. Netflix, who is top streaming company in the world, has some competition as they slowly have to give up the rights to numerous hits that make their service so popular. Disney is also collecting millions of dollars off of their subsidiaries that include, Marvel studios and Lucasfilm. Because Disney continues to gain money from the popular subsidiaries that they have, it wouldn't be surprising if Disney becomes one of the best, if not the best, filming company in the world. It seems that in a couple of years Netflix will begin to show signs of digression if Disney and the owners of Hulu begin retrieve back beloved shows that boost Netflix’s ratings. By Sofia Weddle
England is the birthplace of many iconic brands. Burberry, Barbour, Alexander McQueen, Jimmy Choo, and Ben Sherman. The design house, unlike the others, has widened its audience to the everyday man with affordable polos and slacks. Although some fashion moguls may turn an eye from ready-to-wear style, Ben Sherman is quickly instigating its brand as a modern fashion force. One that combines both chic attire and a relaxed attitude. High-fashion and high street. Ben Sherman began as revolutionary shirt company in the 1960s, created by the mogul himself. According to the Ben Sherman website, Sherman wanted to offer the “new [post-war] generation of youth” an eclectic, professional, and mod style to fit the electrifying British pop culture era. Shirts transformed into a fully-stocked menswear brand, offering shoes, pants, tops, and accessories-- all for the modern youth. Now, Ben Sherman is a darling of British fashion; a company that nevers ceases to innovate. During the 2018 London Menswear Fashion Week, Ben Sherman took the stage to showcase its Autumn/Winter 2018 line, which the company paired with designer Henry Holland to create. The British brand swiftly traveled back to the time of fur collars, checkered pants, and boldly designed sweaters. Think the National Lampoon’s Vacation movies. If last year harnessed the 90s, then surely 2018 must be the age of the 80s. Glenelg Senior Matthew Lloyd believes that brands are turning towards past eras because “... as a generation we have overdone the modern aesthetic… So naturally, we resorted to older style of clothing. Eras such as the 80s and 90s give our generation a way to express style through bright colors and costumish pieces without becoming insanely revealing”. Ben Sherman’s entire line fits this fashion leaning as it seemingly paid homage to the increasingly popular TV show, Stranger Things (but with an English flair). Each garment, though fit for daily wear, combined throwback grunge with contemporary office style. Classic track pant lines ran down pleated wool, the brand’s name stood plastered in bold colors against bulky sweaters, and sneakers paired with formal blazers and zip-ups. The color palette consisted of burnt oranges, mulled reds, mustard yellows, navy blues, and striking blacks. Each garment fit its model perfectly-- not only in shape, but in attitude. The diverse array of models featured in the show had both fierce jawlines and a fierce walk; a true representation of Ben Sherman’s goal to give youth the power. According to Women’s Wear Daily journalist Lorelei Marfil, “Holland added his own twist and gave an upbeat touch to the label’s classic knitted polos, button-down shirts, T-shirts, jackets, denim, knitwear, trousers and coats”. The collection’s unique statement pieces represent the change that many brands are taking for the new generation. Glenelg High School Junior Anna Haney thinks that this stylistic change results from designers wanting “to increase their sales and to build brand recognition”. Consequently, basic office wear, and even its luxury counterparts, are being transformed into brilliantly colorful garments to fit the modern youth. Thus, although the classic British label will always remain known for its affordable collared shirts and twill slacks, 2018 may mark its beginning as an abstract, revolutionized brand. As the world continues to change along with the growing generation, fashion needs to follow Ben Sherman’s lead in representing that clothing can be more than clothing. It is our insight into the future. By Kendall Howze & Jackie Lyons
Glenelg High School has been around since 1958. It has withstood sixty years of renovations and remodeling. Somehow, none of those changes made to the school to improve its appearance seemed to be focused on artwork. With the exception of the walls by the auditorium and the main staircase, students spend their days walking past blank, white walls. As of recently, it seems that someone has decided to change that. Towards the end of the 2016-2017 school year, a mural was painted in the math hallway across from Mr. Mize’s classroom. At the start of the 2017-2018 school year, another mural was painted. This one is located in the stairwell directly in front of the cafeteria. The artist, Nicole Patsy, painted colorful bubbles floating along the blank, white stairwell walls. The most recent mural is being painted by students Tony Mistichelli, Jenny Giampalmo, Anushka Desai, and Gillian Marx. It is being placed in the English stairwell. While many have assumed that the murals are being painted for Senior art projects, any student can paint one. They do not necessarily need to be done by art students. If a student is interested in painting a mural, they should speak to Mr. Strothers. Mistichelli was asked to present a proposal, along with a realistic design plan, and was cleared shortly after to begin his project. His painting will “promote school spirit” among students when they pass it on their way to class. Many believe that these murals are long overdue. Senior Gopika Gopinath is “relieved that it’s finally happening because it brings out the spirit of the school being a more colorful and pleasing environment for the students.” Perhaps these murals really will increase school spirit. Creating a more pleasant, vibrant environment may encourage students to take more pride in their school. It may even encourage students to make contributions to the environment they are in by creating artwork of their own. Glenelg may be on the brink of finally encouraging students to take an active role in changing the flaws in the surroundings. You can often hear students in passing mention their disdain for the “prison-like” sections of our school such as the long hallway that connects the auditorium and musical or theater arts section of the school to the main part of the building. Finally, instead of simply complaining about the lack of character and dreary ambience, students are taking action and becoming more involved in making a change. By Bethany Stewart
HQ is the hottest new live trivia game, and it can be played right on your phone. All you have to do is download the HQ app from the app store, and play the game at certain times to win money, yes money! The app is free to download, leaving many people wondering how the creators of HQ have come up with the money to award, on average, $2,000 per game. When the game first started, the pool was only $100, but it continues to increase, and the creators hope to eventually have an award of $1 million per game. The player must answer twelve questions correctly in a row in order to split the prize with other winners. Simple right? Well, not exactly. The questions typically get harder as the game goes on, and even though the games start out with about 800,000 players to date, only a couple hundred typically win. The app launched in August and has already gathered a large following. There are typically two games a day on weekdays, one at 3pm est and one at 9pm est, and only one game on the weekends at 9PM EST. There was a special game on New Years Eve at 11:45 est, with a prize of $18,000. Now back to the real question, how on earth do the creators make this kind of money if the app is free? Well, there are many investors, and the HQ founders are some of the founders of Vine, so they have some experience in running an app. One of the early investors is the same person who first invested in snapchat. The issue that investors are finding with the trivia game is whether this will just be a fad, rather than a lasting media company like Snapchat, Facebook, or Instagram. The only source of potential income from this new game is from brands and sponsors that are hoping to somehow fit into the game. Senior, Glenn Brown, says, “I was wondering the same thing,” in reference of HQ making money. The creator says that they only way they would do this is if they truly improved the game. Many Glenelg students enjoy playing this trivia game daily. Sophomore, Mia Stamatakis, says, “I have my notifications on for HQ, I don't want to miss a single game! It is a chance to win free money!” It is no surprise that high schoolers are excited for this game, it is the newest way to make easy money. People have won $500 in a single game, so it is no surprise people are playing everyday. Ultimately, making money is not the main focus for the HQ creators at this time, but it can be for you. Download HQ to have a chance to win some cash in just fifteen minutes. Once you have won over $20, you can get the money transfered to you through a paypal account. So, clear you schedules at 3 and 9 pm est to play along and earn some easy money! By: Nicole King
On November 30, 2017, a series of emotions penetrated the audience at the Billboard Awards Ceremony where singer and actress, Selena Gomez, earned the honorable award of Woman of the Year. This twenty five year old singer was at a loss of words as she gave a heartwarming benediction and dedicated the award to her best friend, Francia Raisa. These best friends started to get close in 2008 when they congregated at a Disney Channel and ABC Family event. The two teenagers were paired together to visit kids in a children's hospital where Raisa stated “We just clicked.” Though the two might be four years apart in age, it has done nothing aside from fortifying their bond. Many fans noticed Gomez laying low over this past summer and not producing any new hits. After the few months where she remained unheard of, Gomez posted a picture of her and Raisa in a hospital bed holding hands. In the caption, Gomez explained that she was informed in the early summer about the severity of her kidney Lupus, an inflammatory disease where a person's immune system attacks it’s own organs. After receiving this poignant news, she returned to her home she shares with Raisa. She grasped a water bottle which she soon came to realize she was too frail to open and launched it across the room. Frightened, Raisa sprinted over to the singer to comfort and soon discover what had the celebrity so feeble. Without contemplation, Raisa immediately shouted “Of course I’ll get tested!”. After many weeks of testing her physical and mental stability, Raisa received the call that she was a perfect match to donate her kidney to Gomez. They then proceeded by going into a lengthy two hour surgery to complete the transplant. Once they safely completed the surgeries, the two best friends got to reunite and see each other before regressing to their rooms. Once Gomez reached her room, she began to drift to sleep in peace. This feeling became very breif as the celebrity started to hyperventilate and was rushed back into surgery. Next up was a six hour procedure due to one of her arteries flipping in her body, causing a great deal of misery. Thankfully, her fresh kidney settled in precisely and she was on the road to recovery. Today, Gomez stands with high blood pressure, energy, and a three to five percent chance her Lupus will ever return. Though this news flattered Gomez, what she really wanted was to spread awareness. Everyone looks at her as if she has it all, but she wants her fans to get a glimpse of the struggles she has encountered. When receiving the Woman of the Year Award, Gomez told the audience “I respect the platform that I have been given so deeply.” Gomez will continue to use this platform to grow as a person and apprise those who look up to her that no matter how good people seem to have life, everyone has their own drawbacks. By Sofia Weddle
It was a cool Sunday evening when Masterpiece Classic took the world by storm. The seemingly dull subject of manor servants in the early 1900s became a full-blown drama entitled Downton Abbey, reminiscent of heavily followed soap operas. Then, five years later, the beloved series ended with a flourishing finale. And that was it. No more 9 pm Sunday nights glued to the television screen. Until Victoria came. After Masterpiece discontinued Downton Abbey, a replacement was needed for the avid fanbase to watch. And truly, what do people love more than highly theatrical, exciting royalty? So in came another British series, Victoria, set in the mid-1800s and based on the famous life of Queen Victoria of England. She was a queen, that according to The Guardian journalist Julia Baird, represented “the model of a modern woman: candid, stroppy and stubborn” and “the 19th century's most powerful and prominent working mother”, but has been unfairly “dubbed a ‘domestic tyrant’”. Victoria works to expose this false mirage of the Queen’s persona and ruling style and develop her as a benevolent, powerful monarch through reenacting the many hardships she endured at the helm of the throne. The opening scenes of the first episode set the dramatic, regal tone of the series. Victoria’s uncle has just died and she must claim the throne at just 18 years old. The show prominently explores Queen Victoria’s trials and setbacks, especially as a petite female whom many party leaders doubt. Her future husband, Prince Albert, is introduced early on and develops arguably the most interesting feature of Victoria’s story. Their love truthfully starts as frustration from each other’s polar opposite personalities, but soon flourishes into an authentic, passionate devotion. The first season left off at a critical point in their relationship, as Victoria had just given birth-- a feat that most political leaders at the time believed would bring the Queen’s untimely death. Unfortunately, avid fans have had to endure a year long wait to continue Queen Victoria’s tremulous tale until the arrival of season two in the U.S. in January 2018. If the next season is anything like the first, viewers will not be disappointed. Throughout the show Jenna Coleman, a Doctor Who alumna, artfully portrays Queen Victoria in her varied emotional states as a new and controversial ruler. Victoria was known for her spunk and fierceness as a ruler, and Coleman becomes just that when her character is faced with doubts from Parliament, her mother, the Prime Minister, and even her own husband. Similarly, Tom Hughes transforms Prince Albert from a shy, overtly-precise aristocrat into a doting, selfless husband who stands confidently by Victoria’s side. However, it takes Albert a few episodes to conform to the English royal rules and etiquette as a Prince Consort, allowing for Hughes to further explore Albert’s insecurities and anxieties about simply becoming a figurehead solely dependent on his wife. Even if the extraordinary acting, dramatic plotline, or emotional investment wasn’t enough, Victoria features an exquisite array of costumes and set designs. Think Kate Middleton’s gowns times 100. Victoria’s dresses feature jaw-dropping details of lace, beading, or jewels that are sure to make the fashion community swoon. According to an anonymous Glenelg High School Junior, the costume designers of royal-based shows such as Victoria, The Crown, and Reign “not only want it [the clothing] to be historically accurate, but beautiful.The intricate designs and gowns in these shows are so thoughtfully put together because it is the only representation of that era we have left. Viewers are attracted to theses time periods as we are always curious what living in a different time would be like”. Likewise, the sets accurately replicate the English royal homes of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle in all their ornate, crystalline glory. Truly, this show is a feast for the eyes. Victoria has all the makings of a hit: drama, romance, suspense, historical accuracy, intrigue, beautiful clothing, excessive jewels. While it will never be the beloved Downton Abbey, PBS Masterpiece Classic has hit the television jackpot yet again with a royal tale that captures seemingly outlandish but realistic events. It was a cool Sunday evening when an enthralling monarch captured the hearts of millions… |
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