I don’t often write about personal things on this blog, but an exception needs to be made here. Yesterday afternoon I attended my wife’s doctoral dissertation defense. It was the culmination of a number of years of hard, hard work. She first presented a summary of her research in 30 minutes to the audience, which consisted of her five-person committee and anyone else who wanted to attend. Other faculty, some of the nurses who assisted her during data collection, friends and family members.
At the end of the presentation, the committee members took their first crack at questioning her, and I could tell from their demeanor that they were favorably inclined toward passing her. Then the floor was opened to the audience. I took a big risk in asking her a question that occurred to me during the presentation and was a bit dismayed when one of her committee members picked up on it for a little more questioning, but it turned out all right in the long run. She handled everything like a pro. The audience was dismissed and the committee continued to question her behind closed doors. Then she was released while they conferred and then summoned back a short while later for their decision: she passed. She still has some changes to make to the dissertation, but the worst is behind her.
The PhD density in our household doubled yesterday afternoon, I joked at the time. It’s a major, major accomplishment and I’m so proud of her that I could burst!
Back to your regularly scheduled ruminations: I think the Zapatera tribe made a strategic mistake in the person they voted out last night on Survivor . What evidence do they have of Sarita’s ongoing loyalty? It seems to be based on negative evidence: she didn’t do what Stephanie did, so she’s loyal. Stephanie made one strategic mistake in the early goings, and for that she’s been on the outs, even when she’s demonstrated that she can be an asset to the tribe.
I was one of the people who applauded the tribe’s decision to throw a challenge to get rid of Russell but in retrospect it looks like a terrible choice. It’s been all downhill for them ever since. Rob continues to play strong and smart. Who else would notice a clue to the hidden idol and let someone else find it as part of his strategy? He’s definitely thinking on his feet, all the time. Philip is starting to fall prey to Jimmy T.-syndrome. Nobody appreciates me. Wah.
We finished the third and final season of Deadwood last night and I have to say that the season was ultimately a big letdown. I could feel the building force of tension toward a big showdown. Hawkeye arrived with his bunch. Wu brought back his team. The Pinkertons were amassing. I couldn’t wait for the big showdown. And then, nothing. Hearst got on his wagon and rode off to his next dig. Megafizzle. And there were all sorts of plot developments that served no purpose. Why did Odell have to die? It happened off screen and didn’t do much. His body showed up at Charlie’s depot…with no impact on the story. The fire engine? Nada. The tree in the schoolhouse? Shrug.
I think the writers made a serious mistake when they made a real person with a known history the villain. It was obvious that Hearst was going to survive Deadwood…because he did. His progeny are still around. Without turning it into an alternate history, he had to survive. It took all the tension out of every threat to his existence, including Tolliver’s impotent raging at the end. The third season had some good moments, but ultimately it didn’t live up to the rest of the run.
