"BAND OF BROTHERS" (2001) - Episode Two "Day of Days" Commentary

"BAND OF BROTHERS" (2001) - Episode Two “Day of Days” Commentary

The last episode, ”Currahee” ended with Easy Company leaving England by air on June 5, 1944 to participate in the Allies’ invasion of Normandy. This second episode, ”Day of Days” re-counts Lieutenant Richard Winters and some members of Easy Company’s experiences during the drop into France on June 5 and during their assault of the German guns at Brécourt Manor on D-Day.

Although the episode occasionally shifted to different viewpoints, the episode mainly focused upon Bill Guarnere, Donald Malarkey and especially Richard Winters. Winters became Easy Company’s new commander following the death of Lieutenant Thomas Meehan during the flight to Northern France. Before learning of Meehan’s death, Winters had to contend with the chaos and confusion that followed the airborne units’ drop into nighttime Normandy. Winters also had to deal with a hostile Guarnere, who was still angry over his older brother’s death. As for Malarkey, his first 24 hours in France proved to be interesting. He met a German prisoner-of-war who was born and raised nearly a hundred miles from him in Oregon. And he may have witnessed (or heard) the massacre of German prisoners-of-war by one Lieutenant Ronald Spiers of Dog Company. Or not. The following morning on D-Day, Winters assumed command of Easy Company and led a famous assault (which included Guarnere, Malarkey and Spiers with a few members of Dog Company) on the German artillery battery at Brécourt Manor, which was delaying the Allies’ assault upon Utah Beach.

This was a pretty good episode that featured two exciting combat sequences. The longest, of course, featured the assault upon Brécourt Manor. And I must admit that I found it very exciting. The way director Richard Loncraine shot the sequence almost made it feel as if I had been watching it in real time with very little editing. Ironically, the one action sequence that really impressed me was Easy Company’s jump into France the previous night. The sequence, which started the episode, began with the viewpoints of various characters – even Easy Company’s doomed commander, Thomas Meehan. But when the sequence focused upon Winters’ time to jump, the camera followed him from his departure from the plane to his landing on French soil. The photography and special effects used for Winters’ jump was very effective. But I found myself really impressed by those opening moments featuring the German flak that the planes conveying Easy Company to their drop zones. It struck me as exciting and terrifying and it effectively conveyed the dangerous and claustrophobic situation that Easy Company and the planes’ pilots found themselves.

The acting in ”Day of Days” proved to be solid. But I must admit that I cannot recall any exceptional performances. Damian Lewis continued his excellent performance as Easy Company’s premiere commander, Richard D. Winters. He handled both the dramatic and action sequences with ease. Frank John Hughes was just as effective handling William “Wild Bill” Guarnere’s emotional state during those first 24 hours of the D-Day Campaign, which varied from anger and aggression to grudging acceptance of Winters as a leader and a return to his sense of humor. And Scott Grimes was marvelous as Easy Company trooper, Donald Malarkey. Although I must admit that I found his determination to find a Luger for his younger brother a bit silly in one scene. Matthew Settle made his first appearance as Ronald Spiers, the junior officer from Dog Company, who will become Easy Company’s last commander by the end of the series. Although his appearance was minor, he gave a memorable performance as the young officer, whose aggressiveness will prove to be the talk of the 506th regiment. Actors such as Neal McDonough, Donnie Walhberg and Andrew Scott also gave solid support.

I have a few quibbles about ”Day of Days”. One, I thought the episode was a bit too short. I realize that the following episode, ”Carentan”, will also focus on the Normandy invasion. But I think that this episode could have stretched at least another 10 to 15 minutes by focusing a little more on Guarnere and Malarkey’s experiences before they and Carwood Lipton encountered Winters on the night after they dropped into France. And I must admit that I found some of the dialogue rather cheesy. I also feel that screenwriter Loncraine could have left out Winters’ narration in the episode’s last five minutes. I found it unnecessary and a little clichéd. In conclusion, ”Day of Days” turned out to be a pretty solid episode. I would never consider it as one of my favorite episodes of the miniseries. But it did feature two top-notch action sequences and good performances, especially by Damian Lewis.

"Lessons in Witchcraft" [PG] - 3/9

"LESSONS IN WITCHCRAFT"

Chapter 3

NOTE: In the previous chapter, the three Halliwell sisters learn about magic tools and their status as witches, and unlearn a few misconceptions. The story picks up with Olivia McNeill discussing the previous lesson with Cole.


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The doorbell rang. Exhausted from the lessons with the Halliwells, Olivia rose reluctantly from the sofa and walked toward door. She barked, "Yeah, who is it?"

"Cole," a muffled voice replied.

"You know how to get inside."

As she returned to the sofa, a tall figure materialized in the middle of the living room. "Hey," Cole greeted. Then he leaned down and planted a light kiss on the edge of Olivia's mouth. When she failed to respond, he frowned. "Something wrong? You look a little beat."

Olivia sighed. Heavily. "I feel worse. I just spent the entire afternoon teaching Paige and her sisters about the Wiccan Rede, some history on Wicca and magical tools. All afternoon. I even had to demonstrate on how to use each tool. And I had planned to talk about magick altars, but I never got the chance." Another sigh left her mouth.

Cole sat down on the sofa and lifted Olivia's legs upon his lap. "Poor Olivia. I guess you're not cut out to be a teacher."

Responding with a derisive snort, Olivia continued, "The problem is that I had overestimated on how much the Halliwells knew about the basics of witchcraft and Wicca. I mean, they've been practicing magic for nearly five years - at least Piper and Phoebe have, and Paige, for two years. I realize they're talented and all, but they really have no knowledge of the basics. What the hell were they doing all this time?"

"Dealing with attacks by the Source and his minions," Cole replied. He began to rub Olivia's right foot. "I guess they really didn't have the time to learn the basics."

Olivia nodded. "I can understand that. I remember what it was like when I had to deal with a lot of demonic and warlock attacks, a few years ago. That's how I first met Richard. The thing is, I never knew why."

Cole continued to rub Olivia's foot. His long fingers felt so good; she had to bite her lower lip to keep from moaning out loud. "You really don't know," he said. "Do you?"

"Know what?"

Pausing briefly, Cole shook his head. "Never mind. Let's just say the Source had considered you a threat . . . along with Phoebe and her sisters. Only a threat of a different nature."

Olivia frowned. "Wha . . .? What on earth did the Source have against me? Had the Oracle foreseen that I would one day become the Aingeal Staff's bearer?"

"No, nothing like that. Although the Source did fear your Cousin Keith. He, uh . . ." Again, Cole paused. "Well, it seems that you had developed a reputation as a redeemer of daemons. Especially high-level daemons."

Olivia sat up and stared at her boyfriend. "You've got to be kidding! Just because I had managed to convince one or two daemons . . ."

"Actually, you had turned eight daemons, Olivia. You had turned eight daemons and . . . and a powerful warlock against the Source, during a period of ten years," Cole continued. "That's a feat unheard of for any witch. Or any enemy of the Source."

The whole matter seemed ludicrous to Olivia. She found it difficult to believe that the Source would consider her a threat over eight daemons. "I'm sure there have been plenty of daemons and warlocks that managed to 'redeem' themselves without my help, over the years."

Cole resumed massaging her foot. "True. But you're the only witch who's ever had such an impact on the Source's Realm. Killing them is one thing, but convincing them to turn against the Source and everything he stood for? He was never able to deal with such a betrayal. Why do you think he was so determined to go after me?" He switched to Olivia's other foot. "Strange that I had forgotten all about that, until now."

"I think my opinion of the Source has lowered another notch, after what you had told me," Olivia grumbled. "Sending assassins after me, for what . . . over eight daemons and Richard?" She shook her head in disgust. Then she returned to the previous topic. "As for the Halliwells - I understand that they had been busy fending off attacks, but the Source has been dead for over a year. Only Paige has made efforts to study more on witchcraft, since then."

"Don't have an answer for that one."

Olivia continued, "However, I really blame old Mrs. Halliwell. I mean I understand why she had to bound their powers when they were young. Some warlock or daemon was after them. But couldn't she at least teach them some of the basics of the Craft, while they were growing up? They were all in their twenties when she died!"

Instead of answering, Cole merely continued his massage. Then he asked, "By the way, what's the next lesson about?"

Sighing, Olivia replied, "Herbal craft. I had called Bruce and asked if he and Barbara would hold the next lesson."

Cole snorted with derision. "That will be a short lesson. If there's one thing the Halliwells know, it's herbal craft. In fact, it's Piper's specialty."

"Which is why I think Bruce had no problem in volunteering for this particular lesson," Olivia retorted wryly.

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On the following Saturday morning, the Charmed Ones appeared at the McNeills' resplendent Spanish-Colonial manor for their next lesson. Upon entering the foyer, the family's manservant led them to the large kitchen, where the newly married Bruce and Barbara awaited them.

"Okay," the oldest McNeill sibling declared. "This morning, we'll be talking about the use of herb magick. Or herbal craft."

Piper heaved a small sigh. "Is this really necessary? I mean, if there's one thing we know is using herbs for magic. Including Paige."

The youngest Charmed One glared at her older sister. "Gee Piper, thanks a lot. I'm thrilled that you finally believe that I know something about herbal craft. Even after two years."

As her face turned red with embarrassment, Piper replied, "Look, I didn't mean to imply that . . ." She paused. "Never mind."

"All right," Bruce said, "let's see how much you know about herbal craft. What is snapdragon used for?"

Phoebe replied, "That's easy. Protection."

"Um-hum." Bruce nodded his head.

Barbara asked, "And what's the herb for an exorcism?"

Looking almost bored, Piper answered, "Basil. Look, why don't we just skip all of this?"

Bruce held up his hand. "Just one more question. What other herb can be used for protection? Aside from snapdragon?"

The question took the Halliwells by surprise. "Wha . . .?" Phoebe began. "What do you mean? Is this a trick question? Snapdragon is the only herb used for protection. At least according to our Book of Shadows."

Both Bruce and Barbara exchanged knowing looks. "Are you sure?" Bruce asked. "For a protection spell, we sometimes use mallow. Or ague root."

Barbara added, "And basil isn't just used for an exorcism. It can also be used for love spells, spells for wealth, flying . . . and protection."

The Halliwells, stunned by the couple's revelation, merely stared at them - boggle-eyed. "Do you understand what we're trying to say?" Bruce asked. "A witch has to discover what works for him or her - whether we're talking about spells, potions, or any other kind of magickal tool. What may work for one witch, may not work for another. It all depends upon the individual."

Shaking her head, Paige said, "I don't understand. What are you saying?"

"In regard to herbs . . . or even spells," Barbara began, "it's not about following the recipe. Paige. Didn't you once tell Maddy about the trouble you had with transforming objects into animals and reverse?"

The young witch nodded. "Yeah. I was having trouble using Prue's spell. The one she had used to turn into a dog. Even though I had finally managed to do it, I'm still having trouble."

"Honey, maybe the reason you're having trouble is, well . . ." Piper paused. "Well, you're not as experienced in magic, as we are." The older woman's words earned another glare from Paige. "I mean Phoebe can transform herself and other people, using Prue's spell."

Paige opened her mouth to retort, but Barbara spoke first. "I suspect that the real reason why Paige is having so much trouble with Prue's spell, is that it simply doesn't work for her. Paige, maybe you should try to find your own spell, using herbs or some other kind of tool that might work for you."

Bruce added, "Or try to use what you already have. Let's say that you want to do a prosperity spell . . ."

"Isn't that personal gain?" Phoebe asked. Her question drew stares from her sisters and the McNeills. "What?"

Frowning, Bruce said, "I thought Olivia had dismissed the notion of personal gain, as part of the Wiccan Rede?"

Phoebe's mouth hung open. Then, "Oh, uh . . . I . . . never mind."

"Anyway," Bruce continued, "let's say that you want to do a prosperity spell. Now, some witches believe that patchouli oil should be used. There are some who would use clove oil. Personally, I prefer jasmine."

Piper asked, "You've done a prosperity spell?"

Bruce shrugged his shoulders. "For a few friends, who are into Paganism."

"By the way," Barbara added, "not only herbs are used for prosperity spells. Many witches like to use candle spells. What we're getting at is that you need to determine what color candles, herbs, oils, stone or any other tool will work best for a spell or potion you are creating. Or using. Just use what works best for you. However, when using these tools for a spell or potion, make sure that you use three herbs. I'm sure that you guys know why."

Paige nodded. "For the physical realm, the mental realm, and the spiritual realm."

Smiling, Barbara said, "Nice to know that you have been listening. Now, as you all know, you might also need some form of animal part . . ."

"I thought Wiccans weren't into animal sacrifice," Piper coolly asked.

"I'm not saying that you should go out and kill an animal for a spell or potion. Just use the part of a dead animal. After all, didn't your potion to vanquish Cole require a pig's foot?" Barbara paused dramatically. "Along with a piece of his flesh?"

Phoebe remained silent, while Piper murmured a quick, "Yeah. Forgot about that."

Bruce spoke up. "Do you guys know anything about the background on herbal craft?"

"Not really," Paige replied. Her sisters shook their heads.

Bruce continued, "According to tradition, witches would go out on a full moon to collect strange plants. It seemed that the full Moon had special significance for Witches. At certain times of the year, the full Moon coincided with the one of the Sabbats, when they gathered to worship the God and Goddess. This is still true, today. Now, during these meetings, ritual ointments, made from the plants were employed to promote particular experiences."

"What type of experiences?" Phoebe asked.

"Of the spiritual kind." Bruce paused. "Like 'flying'."

Paige frowned. "Flying?"

The older witch nodded. "Yeah. There is a folklore about witches flying on broomsticks at night to meet the God and Goddess."

"I've flown on a broomstick," Phoebe commented. "Remember, Piper? Back in the seventeenth century?"

Barbara gave Phoebe an enthusiastic look. "You too? Both Livy and I did it at least twice. During a coven gathering in Modesto, when we were in college. Wasn't it great?"

Looking somewhat nostalgic, Phoebe nodded. "Yeah, it was."

Paige regarded Bruce with inquisitive eyes. "Have you ever flown on a broom?"

"No," Bruce promptly replied. "Nor do I ever intend to. The idea of whizzing through the air on a stick of wood doesn't appeal to me. If I'm going to fly unnaturally, I'll do it inside a 747." He paused. "But . . . there is another method for 'flying'. I'm talking about using plants and ointments to experience an 'out of body' experience. Or in other words, communicate with the Spiritual World. Many ancient religions throughout the world, practice this. Like, the Native American shamans. For example, I do know that peyote is commonly used by shamans in the Southwestern region, Mexico and other Central American countries."

Phoebe commented, "But is it really necessary to use plants to do this? Paige and I once used a spell to get into Piper's mind, when she was kidnapped by the Source."

"Something I hope I never experience again," Piper murmured.

Bruce continued, "Traditionally, there were other reasons why witches collected plants on a full Moon, at night. Witches also believed that the collecting of plants at night, especially when the moon was full had some kind of basis in plant biology. They felt that these plants were at its highest active drug content around this time. If you take away some of the magical aspects of Witchcraft, you'll probably find a deep understanding of Herbal Lore and Medicine."

"Is this why witches are highly regarded as healers?" Paige asked.

"Yeah. As a matter of fact, today's modern medicine owes a lot to traditional use of herbs in Witchcraft and other Pagan religions."

Barbara added wryly, "Of course, not many doctors would admit that, today."

Bruce nodded. "True. But there is an 18th century doctor named William Withering, who had admitted in his book on Foxglove that he owed his knowledge of the herb and for its use on those with heart conditions to Witchcraft herbal lore."

Piper frowned. "Foxglove. You mean Digitalis?"

"You do know your herb, don't you?" Bruce smiled at Piper, who looked slightly pleased. "Have you guys ever used herbs and other plants for medicinal purposes?"

"I once made an aromatherapy treatment for Phoebe," Paige piped in. "A facial crème. To help her relax for her wedding."

Phoebe murmured, "Now that's one memory 'I' would like to forget. I ended up being invisible." She glared at Paige.

"That's not my fault!" the youngest sister protested. "It was Cole . . . or should I say, the Source, who messed with the crème, after I had given it to you."

Phoebe merely heaved a sigh, and shook her head.

Bruce asked, "Anything else?"

The sisters glanced at each other. Piper shrugged her shoulders and said to Bruce, "Well, this Gypsy named Jenna once helped us make a salve for Phoebe's arm. And other than using herbs to make tea . . . no. Why?"

"You mean you've only made this salve for healing, once? Don't forget, one of the main tasks of a witch is healing."

Phoebe shot back, "We realize that herbs can be used for healing, but isn't that what we have whitelighters for?"

"Not all witches have whitelighters," Barbara countered, sarcastically. Everyone looked at her. "In fact, most of them don't. Many have refused to acknowledge the whitelighters' authority. I've never had one. Apparently, the Whitelighters Council has never been concerned about me."

For a moment, Paige wondered if she had heard a glimmer of resentment in her employer's voice. But considering the McNeills' prevalent view on whitelighters, she decided that she might have been mistaken.

Barbara continued, "Regardless on whether or not we have whitelighters, witches are healers. Which is why herbal craft is one of the first arts we study to become witches."

"I had found the recipe for the facial cream in some recipe book, left by Grams," Paige said. "But I couldn't find anything else, in regard to healing or medicine. So, where do we find stuff like that?"

Bruce replied, "There are plenty of books on the subject. And it's possible you might find something, either in your Book of Shadows or on the Internet."

"How are we supposed to know which herb to use for a specific reason?" Phoebe demanded. "Especially since it's apparent that our knowledge of uses for herbs isn't that great."

A smile lit up Bruce's face. He extended a hand toward Barbara, who placed in it, a yellow envelope. "I have copies of a list of herbs for magick uses, right here." He emptied the enveloped and passed out the lists to the three sisters. "We'll be visiting the greenhouse and the garden, while we go over the list. Okay?"

The Charmed Ones exchanged long-suffering looks, as they followed the couple out of the kitchen.


END OF CHAPTER 3

"HEREAFTER" (2010) Photo Gallery

Below are images from "HEREAFTER", the new fantasy drama. Directed by Clint Eastwood, the movie stars Matt Damon, Cécile de France, and twins Frankie and George McLaren:


"HEREAFTER" (2010) Photo Gallery

Social Class and the Bennet Family in "PRIDE AND PREJUDICE"

SOCIAL CLASS AND THE BENNET FAMILY IN “PRIDE AND PREJUDICE”

Considering how long I have been a fan of Jane Austen’s 1813 novel, ”PRIDE AND PREJUDICE” and its numerous television and movie adaptations, I am surprised that I have never considered something about its heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, and her family. Ever since I have been reading numerous articles about the novel and its adaptations, I have noticed that many have labeled the Bennet family as members of the middle-class or the upper middle-class in Regency England. And it finally occurred to me that many of these fans were in error.

I can see the doubt rising in the eyes of those reading this article. The Bennets were not middle-class or upper middle-class? How can that be? After all, Austen’s novel made it clear that Fitzwilliam Darcy had married beneath him when Elizabeth Bennet became his wife. But if one knew the truth about social classes in Great Britain around that time, one would understand that Mr. Darcy actually married a woman from his own class. Elizabeth, her father and her sisters were members of the landed gentry. Members of Regency England’s upper class.

It is quite apparent that Mr. Darcy was a member of the upper class. He was the owner of a vast estate in Derbyshire called Pemberly. His estate earned him £10,000 pounds per year. The Darcy family had been members of the landed gentry for generations. And his mother, Lady Anne Darcy (formerly Anne Fitzwilliam) came from an aristocratic family. In other words, his maternal grandfather was a peer. But what many fans of Austen’s novel failed to realize that aside from her mother’s family connections, Elizabeth also came from the landed gentry.

Landed gentry is a traditional British social class consisting of "gentlemen" in the original sense. In other words, those who owned land in the form of country estates to such an extent that they were not required to work except in an administrative capacity on their own lands. The estates were often, but not always, made up of tenanted farms, in which the gentleman could live entirely off rent income. The landed gentry were among the untitled members of the upper class, not the middle class.

Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth’s father, was an English gentleman who owned the estate, Longbourn. His estate earned him at least £2,000 pounds per year. Many of the novel’s fans tend to assume that because his estate earned this small amount, he was a landowner that happened to be a part of the middle class. What fans have failed to remember is that ”PRIDE AND PREJUDICE” was written and set either during the late 18th century or the early 19th century. Social status was determined by family connections and on a smaller scale, how one earned money. If Mr. Bennet was really a member of the middle class in Regency England, he would be a tenant farmer (one who rented land from landowners) or a yeoman farmer (one who owns land, but has to work the fields himself). Since Mr. Bennet was neither, he was a member of the upper class.

However, Mr. Bennet did marry beneath him. He married a young woman, whose father was an attorney in Meryton. Her brother, Mr. Gardiner was a businessman (or in trade); and her sister, Mrs. Phillips, was married to another attorney. In other words, Mrs. Bennet and her siblings originally came from the middle class. Mr. Darcy and the Bingleys (sans Charles) had been expressing contempt at Mrs. Bennet’s social origins, not Mr. Bennet’s. But Elizabeth and her sisters were not African-American slaves from the Old South. Meaning, they did not inherit their social status from their mother. They inherited their status from their landowning father, also making them members of the landed gentry . . . and the upper class. And as it turned out, Mr. Bennet was not the only member of his immediate family who married someone from what was considered a socially inferior class.

Austen hinted in ”PRIDE AND PREJUDICE” that the Bingley family’s wealth originated in trade. She also hinted that Charles Bingley’s father had intended to purchase an estate for the family before he died, but failed to do so. Which led to Bingley leasing the Hertfordshire estate, Netherfield, around the beginning of the novel. In other words, Bingley was NOT a landowner. Bingley earned at least £4,000 or £5,000 pounds per year from his businesses. But since he did not own an estate and his wealth came from “trade”, he and his sisters were not members of the upper class. Like Mrs. Bennet and her siblings, they were members of the middle class. No amount of money or education would change their status, unless Bingley joined the landed gentry by purchasing an estate . . . and severing all financial ties with the business that had made his family wealthy, in order to cleanse the "taint of trade". It is ironic that Bingley’s sisters spent most of the novel making snide remarks about Mrs. Bennet’s middle class connections, when their own family came from the same class via trade. Even more ironic is the fact that Jane Bennet followed her father’s example by marrying a man who was socially beneath her.

Looking back on Mr. Darcy’s first marriage proposal, I can see why Elizabeth would feel insulted by his words and attitude. Not only did he personally insult her, but made certain comments about her family connections being inferior to hers that now strike me as ironic. Darcy considered Elizabeth inferior to himself, due to her mother’s middle class origins. Yet, he failed to consider that Elizabeth was the daughter of a gentleman and the landed gentry. More importantly, he failed to consider that his closest friend came from “trade”, making their origins the same as Mrs. Bennet. Not only do I find this ironic, but also hypocritical. And what I find even more interesting is that because of the attitudes of Darcy and Bingley’s sisters, many fans of ”PRIDE AND PREJUDICE” seemed to believe that the Bennets were members of Regency England’s middle class, instead of the upper class.

"Lessons in Witchcraft" [PG] - 2/9

"LESSONS IN WITCHCRAFT"

Chapter 2

NOTE: In the previous chapter, Paige had decided to get extra lessons in witchcraft after reading a book she had purchased during a vacation in Scotland. Paige ended up being surprised that her family's views on being a witch and Elise McNeill's views were far apart. The story picks up with Paige informing her sisters about her lesson with old Mrs. McNeill.

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Both Phoebe and Piper stared at Paige in disbelief, while she repeated Elise McNeill's words.

"That can't be right!" Phoebe declared. "Our Book of Shadows specifically states that it is our duty, as witches, to protect the innocent!"

Piper added, "And how else would you explain all of those demonic attacks that we've endured over the years?"

Paige heaved a sigh. "I don't know, Piper. The Source, himself? I mean we all know that the Oracle had foreseen us killing him. Maybe he had put a bounty on us. To make sure that didn't happen. Isn't that what Cole had told us?"

"Yeah," Phoebe replied. "But still . . ."

"But what?" Although she understood her sisters' reaction to what Elise McNeill had told her, Paige also felt a slight twinge of frustration at their reluctance to even consider that the elderly witch may have been right. "C'mon, Pheebs! Has it ever occurred to you that whoever said we had a duty to always fight evil, may have been wrong? Maybe the reason the McNeills have managed to live long lives is that they don't go around chasing after demons and warlocks at the drop of a hat."

Piper rolled her eyes. "Paige, I realize that you think the world of the McNeills, but it is possible that the, uh . . . old lady may be wrong."

"Or she could be right," Paige countered. "Anyway, why are you arguing against this? Wouldn't you like to accept the possibility that being a witch doesn't mean that we have to go around vanquishing demons all the time? You don't even like being a witch. Remember?"

The oldest Halliwell looked away, her dark eyes unfathomable. "Don't forget that I had a chance to give up being a witch . . . and I didn't take it."

"Yeah Piper!" Paige's voice dripped with scorn. "And we all know why. Don't we?"

"Paige . . ."

Paige heaved a sigh. "C'mon Piper! Be honest! You had turned down the chance to give up your powers, because of us. Because Phoebe and I had decided to remain as witches. You had accepted our decision, because you had no choice. Majority rules."

Piper's mouth tightened. "What are you getting at, Paige?"

"Maybe you should join me in these lessons," the younger witch replied. She glanced at the middle Halliwell. "Both you and Phoebe. I mean, wouldn't it be nice to find out that being a witch is more than just killing demons and warlocks? I swear, sometimes I feel that we're nothing more than supernatural killers. And we're no better than the people we go after." Both Piper and Phoebe exchanged uneasy looks. "C'mon guys!" Paige added. "What's the harm? We all know that the McNeills know a hell of a lot more about the Craft than we do. And Phoebe, haven't you always said that we need to learn a lot more? Well, here's our opportunity."

Piper was the first to speak. She sighed. "Well . . . okay. I'll join you for one lesson and see how it works out. Pheebs?"

The middle Charmed One hesitated. Then she growled, "Okay. Sure. Although I think we're wasting our time."

Paige ignored Phoebe's last barb and continued, "Great! I'll call Olivia right now."

"Olivia?" Phoebe looked unpleasantly surprised. "But I thought Mrs. McNeill was . . . Paige wait!" But the youngest Charmed One had rushed upstairs, before Phoebe's cries could sink in.

-------

The following Sunday afternoon, Olivia appeared at the Halliwells' manor, carrying a large knit bag. "Hi guys!" she greeted upon entering the house. "Ready for today's lesson?"

Paige replied cheerfully, "I'm ready! And so is Phoebe." She indicated her older sister, sitting morosely in one of the living room's chairs. "Piper's upstairs with Wyatt. She'll be down in a few minutes."

While Olivia removed a few objects from her bag, Piper appeared on the staircase. "Okay, I'm here for the lesson," she drawled. "Although I think I know all there is to being a witch."

Olivia responded with a polite smile. "If you say so." She continued to remove more objects from her bag. "So Paige, what did you learn from my grandmother?"

After taking a deep breath, Paige replied, "I learned that the word, witch, means 'wise one'. And that witches are basically are basically healers, teachers and spiritual leaders." She paused before adding, "And not protectors of innocents." Piper's eyes rolled, while Phoebe's mouth formed a tight line.

"Anything else?" Olivia asked.

"Oh yeah. Mrs. McNeill talked about the history of Wicca, and its origins in British Mystery Traditions, like the Picts, who were around before the Celts. The early Celts, and aspects of Celtic Druidism. She also added that modern day American Wicca is descended from British Wicca, which was originated by some guy named Gerald Gardner, back in the 30s."

Olivia corrected, "Actually, many witches believe that present-day American Wicca comes from the studies of Gerald Gardner, Alexander Sanders, and Celtic Paganism. Did Gran tell you how people become witches?"

Before Paige could answer, Piper turned to her. "I don't know about your grandmother, but Paige didn't say anything. Paige? Did she?"

The youngest Halliwell hesitated, before she finally replied, "Oh yeah. I forgot about that. Mrs. McNeill told me how people become witches."

Both Piper and Phoebe looked confused. "How they become witches?" the former repeating. "What are you saying? That people aren't born witches?"

"That is exactly what she's saying, Piper," Olivia answered. "I was not born a witch, and neither were you or your sisters."

A half-hearted laugh escaped the oldest Halliwell's mouth. "Okay, I know this is a joke. We weren't born witches? Now, I really find that hard to believe. I mean, we all had our powers when we were born. Well, I don't know about Paige . . ."

"I had my whitelighter powers," the younger woman interjected.

"This is different, Paige," Piper continued. "I'm talking about witches' powers. When I was young, I already had the power to freeze, Prue had her telekinesis and Phoebe . . . well, Mom was able to use her power of premonition, while she was still in the womb. Shouldn't that have made us witches from birth?"

Olivia shook her head. "Sorry honey. You're confusing psychic abilities with magick. There are plenty of people with powers similar to ours, but they're not practicing witches. I know what I'm talking about. My telekinesis had manifested when I was very young. But I didn't first become a witch until I was eighteen. I had began studying to become one, about a year or two earlier." Piper began to speak, but Olivia interrupted. "Let me finish. People become witches by Initiation. And that involves contacting and forming a good relationship with the God and Goddess of Wicca. A person who wants to become a witch, studies real hard for about a year and a day, until a qualified Wicca priest or priestess initiates him or her in a ceremony. The latter two are used as channels to pass some their power onto you, as newly made Priest or Priestess. Or a witch. That's how all of us became witches. Gran and a priest named Walter Goodman were the ones who had initiated Bruce and me." She paused. "Have any of you ever been initiated?"

The two Charmed Ones stared at the red-haired witch with dumbfounded expressions. The youngest merely sighed. "No," she answered. "Not really. Although I did study to become a witch, under both Piper and Phoebe." She turned to her sisters. "Have you guys ever been initiated? Piper? Pheebs?"

Phoebe remained speechless, while Piper managed to squeak, "Uh . . . no. Wait!" She shook her head, as if trying to comprehend what she had just heard. "Are you saying that technically, we haven't been witches all this time?"

Olivia responded with a shrug. "Unless your grandmother had initiated you, no."

"Then what the hell have we been for the past five years?"

Another shrug lifted Olivia shoulders. "I don't know. Ceremonial magicians? Magick practitioners?" Aware of the uncomfortable pause that followed, Olivia added, "So . . . Paige? Did you and Gran discuss anything else? Like the Wiccan Rede?"

"Huh?" Paige croaked.

Olivia bit back a sigh. "The Wiccan Rede. Did you guys talk about that?"

"Well . . . yeah."

"Do you know anything about the Rede?"

It was Phoebe who finally spoke. "At least this is easy. 'An Ye Harm None, Do What Thou Wilt'."

Olivia nodded. "Actually, the Rede is longer, but it all comes down to that line. What about the Law of Three? What do you know about that?"

The Charmed Ones fell silent. Each shot anxious looks at the other. "I think that sort of went by us," Paige replied sheepishly.

"Okay, basically the Law of Three or the Threefold Law is this - any energy you send out, will come back to you in threefold. Or, the actions and thoughts of an individual are visited back upon him or her in threefold the intensity of the original. This is otherwise known as either 'what goes around, comes around' or 'karmic payback'." She paused. The Charmed Ones remained silent. "Any other questions?"

Phoebe hesitated before she asked, "What about personal gain? Where does that fit into the Wiccan Rede? Or the Law of Three?"

"It doesn't," Olivia quickly answered.

Her questions produced gasps from the three sisters. Piper frowned. "What do you mean, it doesn't? Isn't there a rule about personal gain?"

"No."

"But . . . there has to be! It's mentioned in our Book of Shadows!"

Olivia shot back, "Not in mine."

Piper, however, refused to give up. "But Leo . . ."

"Ah, yes! Leo!" Olivia nodded. "That whole thing about personal gain? Whitelighters' rule. Now, there are many complexities to both the Wiccan Rede and the Law of Three, but I have to tell you that for witches, it basically boils down to not deliberately harming someone. Or using magick on a person, against his or her will."

Shaking her head, Phoebe shot back, "That can't be true! When we had first became witches, I used magic to win at the Lottery. I had the winning ticket, but it disappeared. That means, using powers for personal gain . . ."

"If you had studied Wicca a little more thoroughly, Phoebe, you probably would have realized that the ticket had disappeared for reasons other than personal gain." Olivia paused. "Your little magical ticket would have prevented the real winner from collecting his or her prize. Remember the Wiccan Rede . . ."

Phoebe sighed. "'And Ye Harm None, Do What Thou Wilt'," she quoted morosely.

Nodding, Olivia added, "That's right. By conjuring up that ticket, you were in the process of robbing the true winner." She paused to stare at the sisters. "So, anymore questions on what we had just talked about?" No one answered. "Okay, let's move on to something less controversial. Like magick tools for a witch. Do you guys know anything about that?"

After a brief hesitation, Piper asked, "Will this be about herbal craft or spells? Because we know all about that."

A wry smile touched Olivia's lips. "Not exactly. I'm referring to tools used by witches as part of a symbolic system. A provider of a map for entry into, say . . . unfamiliar psychic spaces." She paused and frowned at her audience. "Did anyone understand what I had just said?"

"We got it," Piper replied sarcastically.

"Good." Olivia continued. "Now, one example of a witch's tool is my staff. Which, by the way, symbolizes the Fire element. So does a wand."

Paige piped in, "Like in HARRY POTTER."

One of Olivia's brows formed an arch. "Ok-ay. I suppose that's a good comparison. Now, the properties of fire represent will, transmutation, life force and power." Olivia picked a small black cauldron. "This cauldron corresponds to the Water element - cleansing, regeneration and emotion. A cauldron is also the symbol of the Goddess. Filled with water, it can be used to glimpse into the future. Which is basically called Divination."

"What?" Phoebe's eyes grew wide. "Did you just say . . .?"

Olivia interrupted, "That's right. I did. A cauldron can be used for Divination - scrying into the future. So, if you ever lose your power of Divinity, you can always use a cauldron." She picked up a silver chalice. "This chalice also represents Water. Like the cauldron, you can fill it with water and use it for Divination. You can also use the chalice to hold the ritual wine. Now, the broom, which also represents Water, usually involves cleansing and protection."

"I remember that," Phoebe said. Everyone stared at her. "Remember Piper? When you, Prue and me went back to 1670 Virginia? We had learned about the uses for a broom. Only," her face fell, "I guess we just forgot about it."

Piper nodded. She wore a reflective expression. "Oh yeah. I had forgotten about that."

Pleased that the sisters had learned a few lessons about certain magick symbols, Olivia smiled. "That's great! Do you know anything about the ankh?" Confusion appeared in the Charmed Ones' eyes. "I guess not. Well, the ankh, the Keppen rod and a quartz crystal all represent the Spirit element. Which symbolizes perfection, summation, balance, illumination and eternity."

Olivia picked up an athame. Paige crooned, "Ooooh! Phoebe has one of those," she declared. Olivia glanced at her questioningly. "It once belonged to Cole. You know, the one she had used to kill that Crozat warlock on the night we had first met."

Comprehension gripped Olivia's mind. "Oh my God!" she cried in horror. "I had forgotten." She stared at Phoebe. "Do you still have that athame?"

"Yeah, sure." Phoebe nodded. "Why?"

Olivia harshly ordered, "Get rid of it. Now!"

Before Phoebe could speak, Piper demanded, "Why?"

"Because an athame is suppose to be a tool used for spiritual and magical rituals. It's not a weapon to be used to harm someone." Olivia heaved a sigh. "Goddess, I wish I had told you this, when we first met. That athame is tainted with blood. Do yourself a favor and get rid of it."

Aside from the grandfather clock ticking in the background, an uncomfortable silence filled the living room. Olivia noticed that Phoebe's face had grown considerably pale. "Um, what element is the athame associated with?" the middle Halliwell finally asked.

Olivia quietly replied, "Air. Like the sword. Of course, there are certain Wicca sects who associate both the athame and the sword with the Fire element. The athame is used to direct energy. And it's an instrument of power and manipulation. The handle is usually a dark color . . . to absorb power."

"Anything else?" Piper asked.

On the table before Olivia, laid a stone. She picked it up. "Well, there are the tools representing the Earth element. A stone and the Pentagram."

Nodding, Piper said, "We know about the Pentagram. In fact, the manor lies in the center of a pentagram's five points - the five elements. In the center of a Nexus."

"Hmmm," was Olivia's only reply. She glanced away.

"What?"

"Nothing. I . . . uh, I have a few ideas about the pentagram. But I'll talk about that later. In fact, we'll discuss the pentagram in another lesson." Olivia cleared her throat. "As for the stone, or any other kind of mineral - like salt, is used to symbolize the Earth properties - communication, vitality, intellect and understanding." She paused. "And that's it. That's the lesson for today on magical tools. Any questions?"

Confusion darkened Phoebe's eyes. "Are you sure that you haven't missed something. Because I have this feeling . . ."

"I have a question," Piper said, raising her hand.

Olivia directed her gaze toward the eldest sister. "Yes?"

Piper hesitated. Then, "Do you mind repeating all of that? The list of magic tools? I think I might have to take notes."


END OF CHAPTER 2

"AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS" (1956) Photo Gallery

Below is a gallery featuring photos from the 1956 Oscar winning film, "AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS". The photos originally came from "LIFE" magazine and the movie was produced by Michael Todd and starred David Niven, Cantinflas, Shirley MacLaine and Robert Newton:


"AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS" (1956) Photo Gallery

"THE KINGDOM" (2007) Review

"THE KINGDOM" (2007) Movie Review

Based upon a real life incident regarding a terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh Compound Bombings), ”THE KINGDOM” tells the story of an FBI Counterterrorist unit sent to Saudi Arabia to investigate a terrorist attack upon an American compound in Saudi Arabia. Directed by Peter Berg (”FRIDAY NIGHTS LIGHTS”) and produced by Michael Mann, the movie stars Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Chris Cooper and Jason Bateman.

The main question is . . . did I like ”THE KINGDOM”? And the answer is yes. In fact, I had enjoyed it very much. It had plenty of suspense, drama and especially action that should not leave anyone disappointed. Most of the story seemed to be focused upon the theme of American cops forced to deal with their country's own bureaucacy and with the hostility of foreign cops who resent the idea of Americans invading their turf. There have been other Hollywood crime dramas with similar themes. But in "THE KINGDOM", this theme is intensified due to the story's setting - namely Saudi Arabia and the Middle East culture and the current concern of terrorism. And I feel that screenwriters Matthew Michael Carnahan and Michael Mann did a great job.

The entire cast is first-rate . . . especially Jamie Foxx as FBI Agent Ronald Fleury and Ashraf Barhom as Col. Faris Al-Ghazi of the Saudi police, who managed to create a very credible relationship of two men whose different cultures would automatically make them enemies during this time in history. Yet slowly . . . surely, they managed to form a close friendship. My only problem with the casting was Chris Cooper. His character seemed a bit irrelevant and a little hammy at times.

About a month before the movie was released in the theaters, someone had written a review of the movie and considered it a potential for Academy Award nominations. To be honest, I do not know if I would agree with that assessment. As good as ”THE KINGDOM” was, I really do not see it earning any award nominations. At least of Oscar caliber. To me, it was simply a solid action-drama with a first-rate cast and good, solid writing. Worthy of an entertaining trip to your local movie theater.