You’ve heard rumblings about this show and wonder, hum, is it for me? This series doesn’t explain WHAT to watch, but instead HOW to watch.
Sometimes sitting down to “watch a show” feels impossible with a brain primed for skipping, hot flashes and the never-ending fucking list. That is a lot to carry around, let alone try to relax.
Let me help.
How to Watch - Truman Capote Vs. The Swans
from Some Happy Scribbles (one of my favourite places to get show recommendations) mentioned she felt bad for not liking the first few episodes of this drama and wondered if maybe she wasn’t in the right mood? She’s inspired this series.Watching the first episode of a show and feeling bored is bloody annoying.
Everyone tells about this new, fabulous show you HAVE TO WATCH, only to find you’re bored, double-screening and chastising yourself for eating salt & pepper chips in bed before dinner.
Going into episode one of the Swans, armed with Amelia’s knowledge I felt better prepared, which meant putting my laptop and phone in the other room.
I nestled into fresh sheets on my bed, flipped on the old boob tube and saw the credits:
Ah ha! In that moment I knew this called for the full immersion aka my Sony headphones.
Gus Van Saint makes immersive, yet subtle stories. As a middle-class, white, 16 year-old female I took the bus downtown to see My Own Private Idaho in 1991. I came out like Alice from a Queer Wonderland. I felt tingly and confused. And I liked it.
The Swans gives me similar feelings, but now as a 47 year old women in perimenopause I have deep compassion and disappointment in these women and not to mention Capote…jesus, that guy was so fucked up by his mum.
How To Watch:
As I write this the Feud: Truman Capote Vs The Swans is still airing, so get in now, or save it up; the final episode airs March 13th.
Immersion Level
Maximum
Leave your phone and any other device in another room (I’m serious and yes I’m looking at you, the person whose like I’ll be fine.)
If you have headphones use them - this is a dialogue heavy series where you want to grasp every bitter morsel
Tell your family, your roommates or anyone around you that you’re visiting fabulously wealthy New York and shan’t be disturbed unless there is blood or a fire.
Weed
You can go two ways here:
Live a maxamilist lifestyle and emulate Capote. Ie. Get so high you experience epiphanies about friendship, jealousy and insights into the strained relationship with your mother.
Just a light toke so you can hover like a fly at La Côte Basque, resting on a wine glass rim with great pleasure.
Snacks & Drinks
Unusually for me, I didn’t snack. Instead I felt a desperate need for a cigarette - no, I did not go out and buy a pack of DuMaurier Light, but I did dream about smoking.
Every episode slushes around debilitating drinking, so a glass of wine felt wrong.
Session Length
I’d suggest a maximum of two episodes per session - there is a lot to digest and I’m getting more value out of the reflection, rather than the episode itself. It’s rare to find a show like that.
After Watching
I felt a need to talk about women and power and betrayal and love and smoking. If you have that same need, come back and talk to me here :)
I levitate after watching this show. I am confused and angry and sad. When this happens I always book time with my bestie. I tell her how much I love her and I am tethered back to earth.
Overall
The start is s….l…..o…w but my headphones made all the difference. Now I’m hooked like all the folks who’d visit La Côte Basque.
Diane Lane (fabulous!) plays Slim Keith who tells the table of dining ladies, “people in the restaurant come here to see us, not to eat here.”
With love and hopes that you’ll come back and gossip swans with me,
Elizabeth.
Did You Watch The Swans? Tell me in the comments!
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Thanks for being here nerds1.
I’m using nerds in the best possible way. Nerdship: How we love a thing with such verocity that we annoy others, and then one magical day we find other people who feel the same way about the thing we love. That is nerdship.
This is SO clever - and hilarious!
I hadn’t heard of the show but so curious now! Sounds like i should save it until im out of Vietnam and back in a weed friendly country 😂