Ramblings from the Pacific Northwest: September 2012

'Once Upon a Time' Steveston to Storybrooke

Snow White and Prince Charming had their passionate
reunion in front of the Marine Garage in season 1 finale

When I first moved to the Vancouver area, I lived near Steveston which is a small fishing village within a larger city of Richmond which is located near Vancouver. It reminded me a lot of the small village I came from in Ontario so that's probably why I instantly liked it...that and it was also featured as Steveston, Massachusetts in an episode of the 'X-Files' in its first season.

Steveston has been featured in many films and television shows, the latest being the big breakout hit of last season 'Once Upon a Time' where it is known as Storybrooke, Maine. 'Once' brings the classic Disney fairytales to life as the characters navigate the modern world. In the first season, only a few characters knew their origin, however, in the season finale magic was released and lifted the curse so now everyone remembers who they are...enter season 2. 'Once' is my favourite guilty pleasure, it is the perfect light fare to start the week. Season 2 debuts September 30.

Here are some of pictures I took this summer when visiting Steveston. You can also follow @Steveston on Twitter. Do visit Steveston when you have the opportunity, it has lots to offer...aside from some television magic.

Storybrooke Town Hall, aka Fort Langley

Granny's Diner

This is an actual functioning bakery
in Steveston aka Storybrooke

Rumpelstiltskin's hangout aka Mr. Gold

Mr. Gold's storefront

'Homeland'

Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison and Damian Lewis
as Nick Brody in 'Homeland'

The 64th Emmy Awards air on Sunday, one of the television shows nominated this year, is 'Homeland'. It has been nearly one year since this show debuted and what a year it has been. There are only a handful of TV programs that I really truly adore and are must-see for me (in no particular order) these are 'Mad Men', 'The Newsroom', 'Boardwalk Empire', 'Justified' and 'Homeland'.

The premise for 'Homeland' revolves around a returning prisoner of war from Iraq, Nicholas Brody played by Damian Lewis, whose outward demeanor of a returning American war hero may not be all that he appears to be. Claire Danes plays a CIA agent, Carrie Mathison, who suspects Brody has something to hide...and is determined to find out what it is. It is rather surprising that this show was an almost immediate hit when it first aired on Showtime given the current political climate in the US.

The writing is superb, which is supported by a stellar cast which is rounded out by Mandy Patinkin and Morena Baccarin. Memorable episodes in season 1 for me were 'The Weekend' where Mathison and Brody spent a couple of days together finding out more about each other and themselves, amazing. The second standout episode for me is the first season finale 'Marine One', the interaction between Brody and his daughter which took place primarily by phone is intense, suspenseful and heart breaking.

Below is the trailer for season 2 which starts September 30. The choir heard in the trailer singing the Police's 'Ever Breath You Take' is Belgium's Scala & Kolacny Brothers.

Reports are that Claire Danes is the odds-on favourite to win the Best Actress Emmy and hopefully Damian will win Best Actor, they certainly deserve it.