NetPix: BBC's SHERLOCK Reboot Is Brilliant

Over the weekend, I got introduced to the new Sherlock....no, not Robert Downey Jr.  but a true British gentleman by the nam of Benedict Cumberbatch.  Yes, that's his real name.  It almost sounds like the name of a character who comes to Sherlock for help in one of Arthur Doyle's original novels.  But Benedict, who cut his teeth with a great deal of UK theatre (of course) and a surprising amount of radio dramas (don't you love that they still exist even?!), is a unusually articulate and oddly perfect choice for the detective of 221B Baker Street.

I only got to catch one of the episodes, "A Scandal In Belgravia" but it was brilliant.  I'm generally not a fan of crime procedural shows but this is quite far removed from the genre; sexy and literate and smart and funny.  These are not words that come to mind when thinking of, say, an episode of LAW & ORDER. So I was pleasantly surprised and a bit hooked too.  There are three "seasons" of this show which is really more like a mini-series as the episodes are feature length and there are only 3-4 per season.  A curious schedule but perfect for an equally curious show.

Death Row Inmate's Victim Sues State To Stop Execution

Forget Casey & Caylee--if you want a true crime story that not only amazes but actually inspires, here it is. The shooting victim of a man who is now on death row petitioned Texas to commute his sentence to life and, now that the Supreme Court has turned his request down, he is suing the state for violating his rights as a victim.  This is no frivolous lawsuit either.  This is a man on a mission.

Rais Bhuylin, a conveience store clerk, was one of three people shot in Mark Stroman's post-9/11 rage shooting spree.  Bhuylin (pictured here shortly after the shooting) was the only one who survived but he was left blind in one eye.  However, in line with his Muslim faith, he has not only forgiven his assailant but believes he does not deserve to die and has been lobbying for the a life-without-parole sentence. For his part, Stroman, age 41, deeply regrets his admittedly stupid and deadly actions nearly a decade ago but will now face his death by lethal injection Wednesday morning. In Texas, there is no room for forgiveness

This story was featured on the CBS Evening News last night but the only version of it I can find online today is over at BBC News...go figure.  It's 10 times more fascinating than the tabloid-obsession over Casey/Caylee because it gets to the heart of the American justice system and the continuing battle between retribution and rehabilitation.

When Polar Bears Attack Video Cameras

Below is a video clip from a UK nature show in which polar bears, who are being secretly filmed by some very clever spy cams, get a little too curious about these strange objects that are following them around.  Apparently, more than any other animal they have filmed before using these stealthy cams, the polar bears not only take notice of their new "friends" but also get incredibly curious as well.

The bears are sorta playful but sorta scary, especially when they crack open these pieces of machinery with their bare paws as if they merely were just another walnut.  While polar bears may be cute, they are pretty damn strong too and best viewed from a distance....or a reinforced spy cam.