Relic Hunter...

[fajrdrako]

I was watching Relic Hunter as I got dressed this morning. Never saw the show before, but I like the idea of mixing old artifacts and adventure. Two remarkable quotes; first, a character who collects comic books says, "Comic books are modern myths, the only place you find heroes these days." I like that, and it encapsulates so much of what I love about comics.

Then he said, "The Templars were the rock stars of their day."

What, because of their acoustical guitars and their wild lifestyles? I'm trying to think in what ways an order of celibate fighting monks is like rock stars and the analogy eludes me.

It's a cute idea. Maybe he just meant 'because they were rich'.

(I know, I know, one doesn't look at a TV show for historical truths. Or if one does... one is either deluded or disappointed.)

Comments

think outside the [idiot-]box

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

Well. The Templars were the rock stars of their day. Beeeeeecause... they were living a romantic, possibly immoral (or at least nominally forbidden) life and were looked up to and envied and maybe even denigrated in public speech but not in the private thoughts of the one speaking. You were maybe being a little bit Irony Lass, there, hm? We know you know Byron was the first rock star! The analogy to "rock stars of their age" certainly can't elude you, O wisest of comic-collecting pandas.

I find that I have very little patience for TV history programs these days. I find fault with everything from the focus of the show to the presentation of the story, and heap great unhappiness upon the content which they choose to distill for the explanation in between. Yikes! Just about the only good thing about any of them is the re-enactors: these people are passionate hobbyists, and are utterly accurate in their costuming, weaponry, accoutrements, and adornment, and it's always great fun to watch them going at it for the camera.

Re: think outside the [idiot-]box

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

they were living a romantic, possibly immoral (or at least nominally forbidden) life

Not "forbidden" till after the fact - they weren't suspected of immorality till after they were arrested for it.

were looked up to and envied and maybe even denigrated in public speech

They were guardians of the public good - heroes of the church. Nobody denigrated them. (Well, not much and not loudly.)

We know you know Byron was the first rock star!

Oh, absolutely! Methos told me.

I find that I have very little patience for TV history programs these days.

And I never did. The more I know about the history portrayed, the stupider the show seems. There are exceptions, but not enough of them.

On the other hand, I don't mind the kind of manic silliness you get with movies like "National Treasure" or "Indiana Jones" and TV shows like "Relic Hunter". The absurdities are part of the genre. I prefer history as drama, but I'll take what I can get.

But I tend to like re-enacters too.