The aqueduct hummed. Marcus Varro had never noticed it before — not in fifteen years of service, not through three postings across the empire. But standing here in the pre-dawn stillness of the Virginian hills, listening to the ancient water channels feeding the sprawling city of Nova Londinium below, he noticed it now. A low, … Continue reading The Weight of the Eagle
Question of the Week #490
Welcome back to another Question of the Week here at The Confusing Middle! This week's question comes, as always, from Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions. And I want to say upfront that this one is probably the easiest question I've encountered in this series, at least for me personally. Which is either a sign … Continue reading Question of the Week #490
The Character Couch – Sheldon Cooper
Welcome back to The Character Couch! Today's patient — and I use that word with the full awareness that he would immediately correct my use of it, inform me that he is not crazy because his mother had him tested, and then produce a laminated copy of the Roommate Agreement just to make sure I … Continue reading The Character Couch – Sheldon Cooper
New Members, Old Grudges: The Characters Who Changed the Avengers Forever
There's a moment in Avengers: Age of Ultron that I think about more than I probably should. The Avengers are at a party. Thor's hammer is sitting on a coffee table. One by one, Earth's mightiest heroes step up to try to lift it, and one by one they fail — with varying degrees of … Continue reading New Members, Old Grudges: The Characters Who Changed the Avengers Forever
The Character Couch – Hannibal Lecter
Welcome back to The Character Couch! Today's patient — and I use that word with the full awareness that he would correct my pronunciation of something, offer me a glass of wine I definitely should not drink, and then evaluate my bone structure with the quiet, professional interest of a man deciding whether I'd pair … Continue reading The Character Couch – Hannibal Lecter
Rewatching Smallville – Episode 100
Welcome back to Rewatching Smallville, my weekly dive into the iconic series that explores Clark Kent’s journey before becoming Superman. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the show, you’re invited to join in each Tuesday as I revisit episodes and share my thoughts and observations. Be sure to share your own memories and … Continue reading Rewatching Smallville – Episode 100
The Worst 23 – Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace 1987 Directed by Sidney J. Furie Welcome back to Movie Monday. And as always, before we go any further, let me be clear: everything that follows is my own opinion, shaped entirely by my own experience with this film, and none of it is meant as a criticism of … Continue reading The Worst 23 – Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
The Weight of Ash
The summons came at the third bell of the night cycle, when the Celestine Throne's corridors were empty and the great ship hummed to itself in the dark between stars. Maren Solís had been awake anyway. She sat at her desk in the cramped antechamber adjoining the Chancellor's private quarters, pretending to review trade manifests … Continue reading The Weight of Ash
Question of the Week #489
Welcome back to another Question of the Week here at The Confusing Middle! This week's question comes, as always, from Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions. And I'll be honest — this one stopped me in my tracks a little, because it's the kind of question that sounds like it has an obvious right answer … Continue reading Question of the Week #489
Fred and Illyria: The Dual Identity of a Beloved Angel Character
There's a particular kind of grief that Angel specialized in — not the explosive, dramatic loss that rattles you in the moment and then fades, but the slow, creeping kind that lingers because the show never quite lets you forget what you've lost. I've been thinking about that a lot in the context of Winifred … Continue reading Fred and Illyria: The Dual Identity of a Beloved Angel Character
The Confusing Middle 