Just for rosiespark....

[fajrdrako]

Because she asked me so nicely and said such nice things about my story: a collection of Ioan Gruffudd pictures for rosiespark - mostly Horatio Hornblower pictures from various sources.

Comments

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Ooh! I'll have you know that I've gone all wibbly. And that was the result of a quick skim through the pictures while at my desk... I shall drool at my leisure once I get home.

And aww, they're just for me! Thank you sweetie! ::hugs::

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

There's nothing wrong with being Wibbly.

Glad you enjoyed 'em. I certainly enjoyed picking them out and putting them up.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Can't let myself get too wibbly while I'm at work. It's only fair to keep at least a corner of my mind on what they're paying me for, after all. ;)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

True, but if you succed, you have a strength of character worthy of Horatio himself!

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm at home now, so am wibbling, drooling, squeeing and generally indulging in fangirly behaviour to my heart's content. :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Oooh, how nice! I'm still at work but I'm *anticipating* being at home soon and doing all of the above....

[widget-alley.livejournal.com]

Um, yum? 0_0

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I should think so! The yummiest of sailor boys....

[widget-alley.livejournal.com]

::points to Johnny Depp:: I dunno, he's got competition in my book. ;)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

True, but... but Captain Jack Sparrow is, strictly speaking, a Pirate, not a sailor boy.

[spherissa.livejournal.com]

he's just so adorably yummy

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Always. It's been a while - too long - since I've watched the early episodes of Horatio Hornblower and I had half-frgotten (but never quite forgotten) how lovely he was then.

[spherissa.livejournal.com]

It's always a relief to know your mind hasn't made him even More than he really is...

I havent watched Horatio in more than too long; I think I'll have to see if i can dig the series up...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I think I want to have a big massive Horatio Hornblower party.

What a beautiful series it is!

[spherissa.livejournal.com]

what a wonderful idea!

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

I've right-click-saved most of the above. The 3rd one is from the duel with Simpson, isn't it? And the next one has a lovely glimpse of chest and shoulder. Mmm.

And he may moan about his long thin girly legs, but I'm not complaining - see photo before last. *g* Thanks for sharing!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Third pic: yes, duel with Simpson. I loved the way he looked there.

I think his legs are terrific.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

I loved the duel - in an edge-of-my-seat sort of way, *g*. I love the way Horatio couldn't bring himself to shoot Simpson in cold blood. It felt completely in character. As did Simpson's attempt to stab him in the back, and Captain Pellew's intervention. Almost Dunnett-like, somehow.

Maybe we could watch Hornblower together at my house next October? As well as LotR. LOL. At this rate, your sightseeing on the island will be limited to the interior of one small house in Zebbug!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I love the duel too. It's so climactic. In character, and of course I love it that Pellew does the heroic deed. Dunnettlike indeed - it's no surprise that my favourite writers and stories have dramatic, heroic and suspenseful things in common.

Okay, we'll watch HH and LOTR and PotC and I'll just have to get myself many weeks of holidays!

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Yes, PotC is a must. And I've just ordered Solomon and Gaenor on dvd - want to add it to the list?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Solman and Gaynor? LOL. Have you seen it yet? I'm not sure I can handle it a second time. I'll avoid saying more for fear of spoilers. Let's just say I'd rather see PotC twice... and LOTR tree times....

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

No, I haven't seen it. As with so many other obscure little (and not so little) films, buying the dvd is the only way I'm ever going to get to see it. I know it's a sort of Romeo and Juliet story - which doesn't bode well for the ending. I'm assuming that's what you mean by not being able to handle it a second time...?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

As with so many other obscure little (and not so little) films, buying the dvd is the only way I'm ever going to get to see it.

It showed in Ottawa. I'm not sure maaboroshi and I weren't the only people in the audience.

I'll say more about it *after* you've seen it, okay?

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

And yes, his legs are indeed terrific. *g*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Among the best. Other contenders for the great legs award: Viggo Mortensen and Daniel Day Lewis. It's something about proportions.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

I've got some great long lean shots of Ioan. Oh help, more picspam's coming up...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes please!

Looking forward to it.

Have you found any sites with particularly good pictures of Ioan as Lancelot?

Did you watch Century City?

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

The pic-spam's up. I'm getting better at html - in other words, it didn't take me hours this time. *g*

I haven't seen Century City. I'm sure we didn't get it here, even on cable - which I don't have, BTW. My tv is connected to the video and dvd players, and to the power socket. Viggo Mortensen apparently has the same setup. *g* So I don't watch television, and most of the time I don't miss it at all.

You wouldn't have taped Century City, would you? (she asks hopefully)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm getting better at html - in other words, it didn't take me hours this time.

There's nothing like incentive to learn a new skill!

I would offer to send you tapes of Century City but I'm not sure what format of video-tapes you use. Yes, I taped it, and I can make a copy for you if you can watch American-and-Canadian-style video tapes.

My big extravagance in life is having cable and digital TV, which I justify it because I have a cable connection to my computer. I don't want TV nearly enough to justify the expense but it's a package deal - and I spend much more than enough time online to make it worth it. And I'm enough of a compulsive fangirl that I really appreciate being able to catch obscure and strange things on TV, even though I never watch 99% of programming. (I make it a point to never watch the news.)

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Ooh, have been flailing wordlessly at your more than generous offer! I would love to have it on tape - my video player can handle US tapes with no problems - glinda_north has sent me several - as long as they're recorded in standard play mode and not in long play or extended play i.e. 2 hrs per tape rather than 4 or 6 hours. Which would mean that it would require rather a lot of tapes for the series! Still, I'd be happy to reimburse you for the cost of the tapes and the postage. I don't suppose you could get the tapes put on dvd? The extra cost would probably be offset by the reduction in postage. This is really very kind of you - and is helping make a rather dismal day feel less like a total loss. ::hugs::

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'll see what I can do about copying "Century City" for you. Yes, I have it at two hours per tape. I might be able to put the tapes on DVD with some help from a friend of mine - I'll see if I can!

Sorry you're having a dismal day. Think warm thoughts of Ioan!

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Thank you, darling. And I'm wondering if there's anything I have, in terms of films or music, that you'd like copied. Maybe we should continue this by email...

And now I think I'm going to take something for my headache and curl up on the sofa with Horatio.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

And I'm wondering if there's anything I have, in terms of films or music, that you'd like copied.

Almost certainly, since we seem to have such similar taste. Yes, we can compare notes with e-mail.

I'm moving furniture and you know, watching Horatio Hornblower while doing so might be fun. Which one are you watching? I might flip a coin... or go for "The Frogs and the Lobsters" because it's my favourite - probably - but only by a hair. (And because it has Edrington, and some fine Pellew moments.)

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

The Examination for Lieutenant - I'm working my way through the series for the second time in just over two weeks. *g* I didn't think this was one of my favourites, but ended up enjoying it a very great deal. Ioan really is adorable as Horatio - and I spotted the bare chest and shoulder shot that you posted the other day. ::drools:: Other favourite bits include Horatio's reaction to being called "Captain", by Stiles I think, when he first takes command of the Caroline. He gives this pleased look of mingled (suppressed) delight and surprise that had me squeeing out loud. And the dynamics betwen Horatio, Pellew and Dreadnought Foster are also wonderful - and poor nervous stammering Horatio at his fortunately interrupted examination, and then the heroics on the fireship. And the hysterical exchange between Foster and Hammond in the rowing boat, and the look of horrified disbelief on Horatio's face as he hears Foster provoke Hammon into calling him out... I could go on and on - I really think we need to watch them together!

Yay, next is The Duchess and the Devil, and the return of Archie - making it a definite favourite. *g* Based on one viewing, The Frogs and the Lobsters is my least favourite - of the first six, at least. But as with TEFL, my opinion of it may change - do tell me why it's your favourite!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

The Examination for Lieutenant - I'm working my way through the series for the second time in just over two weeks

A fine plan. Was that the first time you'd seen them?

the Examination for Lieutenant is the one called The Fire Ships in the States, right? I love that one for many reasons, the main one being that Ioan is so beautiful in it. Yes, that "Captain" moment is priceless. I think Foster is a lot of fun as a character. I like the interaction of the soldiers in that one, too.

Why love TEFL! Oh, let me count the ways. (1) Horatio is beautiful - okay, that goes for all of them. (2) I love the scene in Pellew's cabin in the end where Horatio is weeping for the failure of the enterprise and Pellew is telling him how to handle it, and praising him. (3) I like the reactions Pellew has to authority - he believes the mission is doomed and dangerous, but he has to obey orders anyway. (4) I love Major Edrington with a passion, especially some of his lines. "You have to show him who's master" (and Horatio's muttered, "He knows!"), or his comment to the nasty French aristocrat, "I am thankful daily that I was born an aristocrat for I fear I would make a terrible peasant." (5) I love Horatio's near-escape at the end. (6) A bit of heresy among HH fans here, but I actually like Mariette and the plot concerning her. (It's no rival to the slash because Horatio is just being heroic.) (7) I love it that Pellew gets out and rows. I love Pellew's whole crisis of conscience. (8) I iek the setting - Brittany is one of my favourite places on earth, especially the Quiberon peninsula. Okay, it was filmed in Portugal or somewhere and it doesn't look in the least like Quiberon, but they say it's Quiberon so I can pretend. (9) I love Archie's moment of panic and shame, and the way Horatio handles it. (10) I love the whole business about Horatio's horse-riding. (11) I love the French aristocrat accusing Horatio of having republican sympathies and Horatio's indignation; and then his futher indignation when the man slights the British Navy. (12) I like the plot - the way Horatio is given an impossible mission and has to cope.

To boil it down to two facile reasons, I love it because I love the portrayals of Edrington and Pellew.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

And I forgot to mention how I love the scene where Horatio is being outfitted for his Lieutenant's uniform and worrying about the cost.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Yes, first time! And I devoured all eight within the space of a week. *g* So this is only my second viewing, and I'm sure I'll find lots of details to appreciate that I missed the first time around. I can see myself watching them obsessively for quite some time to come...

You're right, Ioan is particularly beautiful in The Exam. for Lieutenant, or The Fire Ships. His hair is particularly lovely and he still looks very boyish, though he's starting to mature. I thought the straw hat really suited him too. *g* Another bit I loved was his shouted conversation from the boat with Pellew when he retuns to the Indy to let them know that he won't be returning because of the plague. So responsible and brave and alone, my heart goes out to him. ::wibble:: And asking for his books, which has Pellew puzzled for a moment...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I saw the first four together and then had to wait for the rest to come out - rather like reading Dunnett the first time round. I've actually seen the last two parts much less than any of the rest and don't know it as well.

Yes, Fire Ships/Exam is full of great visual moments.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Forgot to mention Horatio's grin when Pellew's steward agrees to lend him the flatiron in exchange for Horatio's spirit ration. And the bit where he bursts into the wardroom, shirtless and in an obvious flap about not having a clean shirt. And Pellew barking at him in his Captain's voice about feasting on fresh beef every day, and then saying how good it is to have him back... Verrry nice!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, I love all of those scenes. Such nice characterization. Such wonderful dialogue. I like the whole thing about the fresh beef.

I also love the way the diplomat who seems such an ass at first become a sympathetic and even likeable character. That reminds me of Dunnett.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

P.S. Of course I taped Century City. With Ioan in it, how could I resist? He's very cute in it too, and in the middle of an interesting sex/romance subplot that we will never know any more about, more's the pity.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Of course I taped Century City. With Ioan in it, how could I resist?

There speaks a true fellow-obsessive! *g*

Do you know why the series wasn't continued? Ah well, hopefully we'll get more Hornblower eventually. ::crosses fingers::

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I don't know why "Century City" was cancelled; the best reason I've heard is that it was too intelligent for the producers to understand. Or that the sponsors objected to its parody of sponsors. Who knows?

More Hornblower - yes! I'm waiting.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

the best reason I've heard is that it was too intelligent for the producers to understand.

LOL. Very likely. Unfortunately for us, and for Ioan. Sounds as if what there is of it will be hugely enjoyable.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It was certainly enjoyable. It wasn't the most brilliant thing to hit TV in years but it was clever, original, different and it kept my interest in each episode - while making me interested in and curious about the characters. Moreover, it raised interesting questions about the way the world is going and proposed interesting problems and solutions to such questions as genetic engineering, cloning, sex changes, disabilities and health issues, etc.

I've never seen (or imagined) a science fiction show like it and I'm sorry to lose it for that reason alone. And, of course, others.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

P.S. Did you enjoy the long lean pic-spam? :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes indeed I did. Saved them all, smiling happily at the sight.

I'm doing housecleaing today - I think I may have to watch some HH while I'm doing it.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Have you found any sites with particularly good pictures of Ioan as Lancelot?

Not really. I thought he stole every scene he was in, but the stills are disappointing. My icon pic, frex, took a lot of searching for and some careful cropping before I was happy that it captured the look I wanted. Will let you know if I find any particularly good ones.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I did a search and didn't find any good pictures. I will continue to look.