The big balancing act for the Duffer Brothers IMO is that Stranger Things works because it is sort of cosy horror - heartbreaking deaths, jump scares, but ultimately it is a horror story set in a world of joy, not despair. Anyway, some thoughts on that, and on nostalgia here:

Yeah, part of what makes football such a wild game (and probably why it's so popular). How precarious any match situation is, especially with 2 closely matched teams like tonight.

True. Gotham's CBs were excellent. It felt striking just how poorly Washington used the ball once they went behind. Obviously gamestate changes so much after the goal. Would have been interesting to see if eventually the pressure told and the Spirit broke through if it stayed 0-0.

Indeed not. But in this one, Hershfelt isn't able to affect the move at all. It felt a 1-0 game, but Washington at the time appeared more likely to get it.

And think Gonzalez made one huge error, and it cost them the match.

I admit I haven't read those. Haven't read any of him in years but devoured the novels as a kid. But yes, often bc he was punching down, the dyspeptic nature of them worked.

Although you'll be much more qualified to discern that than I am.

I've found that w/quite a few. I'm done w/them once I find out <insert egregiousness>. But think you've touched on where most draw their subjective line - how much is the art a clear reflection of the artist? Maybe it's bc I was a child, but I don't recall the aroma of antisemitism in Dahl's books.

So, is your argument - and I’m not automatically disagreeing, it’s an interesting point - that you can’t separate art from artist with Buffy, because who the artist was had a negative effect on the art?

Yeah, I get the worry. Rodman's such a good player and understandable the league doesn't want to lose her. But any sustainable league can't rely on a handful of star names. Because they end up leaving or retiring. No-one can play forever.

Glad to hear you're safe.

Live on BBC2, too 😊

I'd feel better if it meant an improvement on the execrable coverage we currently get. I somehow suspect it'll just be the same dreck from TNT parachuted over to Paramount.

It’s definitely given a little stability to a group that badly needed stabilising.