The 'Golden Boy' and a 'Divergent'

For those of you who don't know, I absolutely love TV and books. I may or may not want to live a fantasy land. So I thought I would write about my love, annoyance and frustration with the shows I watch- and of course my own reality.

First off, have you seen 'Golden Boy' on CBS.

(Detectives Clark, Arroyo and Owen)

A new show that is only four episodes in and man am I addicted already! For starters, Theo James plays Detective Walter William Clark Jr- you could just look at him all day and not get bored! Then there is Kevin Alejandro as Detective Tony Arroyo (who is known for his role as Jesus in True Blood). In True Blood he portrays a relatively nice guy but in Golden Boy is walks the line of a dirty cop with small signs of a good guy still inside. The complete role reversal shows the ability of being an actor. Plus who doesn't love a bad boy. The other main detective is Don Owen, portrayed by Chi McBride, (Human Target and Boston Public) who is partners with Clark. There is some bad blood between Owen and Arroyo that keeps the viewers guessing and Arroyo stirs the pot with Clark right from the start. Rounding out the team of detectives is Deb McKenzie and Joe Diaco, portrayed by Bonnie Somerville (NYPD Blue) and Holt McCallany (CSI: Miami). McKenzie is partners with Arroyo and also in an intimate relationship that is kept secret until Clark sees them kissing outside a bar. Clark is the only one that seems to know about this. McKenzie brings the rough and tough girl aspect to the show and Diaco seems to bring some of the humor.

The really cool thing about this show though is how it is set in the present but also has a flash forward element to it. Most shows today seem to have a flash black element so this is a different spin. At the beginning of each show (so far) it starts out in the flash forward part- 7 years to be exact. Detective Clark is now the Commissioner and the youngest one at that, ever. The show is about how he got there- the present time of the show.

With all the chest pumping going on between the three main detectives and some of what the flash forwards tell you, it leaves this giant climax coming and you just don't know how it going to go. It almost feels like you are watching a movie and not a tv show. I can't wait to see where this show is going and hope that others are fans of it because I don't want to see it get axed any time soon.

Now on to my book review-
The last series I read was 'Divergent' by Veronica Roth, released in 2011. 

This is three book series with book three set to release in October of 2013. Divergent is the title of the first book and 'Insurgent' is the second title. The third book is still untitled. 

The series is narrated by Beatrice 'Tris' Prior, described as a 16 year old short, youthful looking and moderately attractive girl, with wide, blue eyes and blonde hair that falls to the small of her back.

The plot:

      From the brink of apocalypse, humanity has reorganized itself into five factions, each of which uphold and live by a single core value. Those who believe society fell apart because of greed formed the faction of Abnegation (the Selfless), sworn off of practices considered self-indulgent and pledged to act selflessly. Those who believe the collapse was due to ignorance pledged themselves to the Erudite (the Intelligent), sworn to a never-ending path of complete knowledge acquisition. Those who feel that human duplicity wreaked havoc in the world took the banner of Candor (the Honest), pledging to always speak their minds and the truth. Those who feel that aggression was the root of society’s collapse became the members of Amity (the Peaceful), taking the mantle of peace at all costs. And finally, those who feel that the root of all their problems stemmed from cowardice formed the tribe of the Dauntless (the Brave), the faction of the courageous and strong.

Beatrice is born into Abnegation and also has a brother named Caleb. The book starts out with the two siblings having to pick of the five fractions they want to be a part of for the rest of their lives. Within the first few chapters decisions are made and the core of the book starts. They basically go through a "rush" phase and it weeds out other 16 year old trying to become part of the fraction since there is only 10 opening spots. These phases include learning to fight, brain simulations and of course a final test (which happens to be another simulation). 

Without giving to much away, the title of the book becomes a very important part of what the book is about. A love story emerges between Beatrice and Tobias 'Four' Eaton, that will drive you crazy between the two books so far. Sad losses that have a similar feeling that Hunger Games leaves you with. As started, similar to Hunger Games with a different twist, but all in all this book is five stars!

The good news is if you are a fan of this series then you will be happy to hear that the film rights have been bought and a film is in the early stages of production. According to reports, Summit Entertainment has bought the rights, Neil Burger (Limitless) will direct and Shailene Woodley (Secret Life of an American Teenager) will star as Beatrice. Numerous guys have been linked to the role of Four including Alexander Ludwig (Hunger Games) and Colton Haynes (Teen Wolf). Colton Haynes would win my vote any day.. but that could be because we share a birthday or maybe he is just good to look at also... who's to say.

Back with more love, annoyance and frustration in my next reviews.