1670 (TV 2023)

Rotten Tomatoes

1670 (TV 2023): Poland. Satire. A 17th century nobleman deals with a village's problems using a modern mentality. There's an ensemble cast that gives the comedy life. Most of the jokes are anachronistic takes on life in Poland in 1670. It's worth watching, when you have time. B-

Netflix

#VeryTardyReview

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (TV 2026)

Rotten Tomatoes

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (TV 2026): Stuart spends 10 episodes bouncing around the multiverse trying to set things right. Much of the pleasure comes from seeing different timeline versions of the original TBBT characters. A refreshing departure from the style of the original. B-

HBO Max

The Worst Places to Eat in Richardson Last Month

Graphic by City of Richardson.

The City of Richardson is rightly regarded as having some of the best and most diverse dining options in north Texas ("Eat & Drink"). But that doesn't mean every restaurant in Richardson exceeds in every measure. Here is a list of the worst places to eat in Richardson last month, based on the City of Richardson's Health Department Restaurant Scores from inspections last month. Not all Richardson restaurants are inspected each and every month. Only those inspected last month are ranked here. Only the lowest scores are shown.

POTD: Cruising the Douro River

From 2025 12 31 Porto, Lamego, Castelo Rodrigo

Today's photo-of-the-day is of the Douro River in Portugal. It's wine country. Full of vineyards. Grapes are harvested, crushed, fermented and transferred to oak casks for shipment down the river to Porto cellars where the wine matures before export to the world. We visited in mid-winter when things are quiet. Even the river seems to be at rest.

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"Winter on the Douro.
Vines sleep beneath leaden skies.
Wine dreams in the dark."
— h/t ChatGPT

POTD: Vista da Avenida Dr. Alfredo de Sousa

From 2025 12 31 Porto, Lamego, Castelo Rodrigo

Today's photo-of-the-day is of the magnificent boulevard in Lamego, Portugal (pop. 24,000). This wide, tree-lined avenue is seemingly many times too big for the small city. On a foggy, mid-winter day like the one we visited, not just the end of the boulevard is lost in the mist, but even the sides of the avenue seem to fade into the fog.

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"Trees line the wide street.
Lamego fades into the mist.
Lost in winter fog."
— h/t ChatGPT

Council Member Justice Calls for Charter Change

Source: ChatGPT (mostly)

On September 28, 2026, the Richardson City Council appointed Daniel Burdette to fill a vacancy for Place 3 on the Council. Council Member Jennifer Justice's comments on the experience were not a glowing endorsement of the process.

I will say it was the hardest decision that I've made since joining the Council...I genuinely hope a future Council is not forced to make a similar decision, and I support changing the Charter the next time it's reviewed so that the council does not have to stand in for the voters should this situation ever arise again.

Source: City of Richardson.

His & Hers (TV 2026)

Rotten Tomatoes

His & Hers (TV 2026): Murder mystery. Jack and Anna, detective and TV reporter, married but estranged, both investigate a murder in which they each suspect the other. Deliciously entangled relationships in small town where everyone seems to be sleeping with everyone else. B+

Netflix

The Choral (2025)

Rotten Tomatoes

The Choral (2025): WWI leads to recruitment of soldiers for the war and, in turn, replacements for a choral group in Yorkshire, England. Ralph Fiennes plays the new director, just returned from living in Germany, adding tension to the drama. Movie is worth watching just for the climactic concert. B-

Netflix

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)

Rotten Tomatoes

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026): A quest with lots of battles. Adds nothing to the TV series, or the Star Wars universe as a whole. The masked Mandalorian character and his puppet apprentice are just too difficult to breathe life into. Overall, this feels like a money grab by Disney. C-

Disney+

Dan Barrios: His Own Man

Source: City of Richardson

On September 28, 2026, Daniel Burdette is expected to begin representing Richardson's Place 3 on the City Council, replacing Dan Barrios. I discussed whether this will make a difference in Richardson policy. I believe it will, although I couldn't find evidence for that notion in this term's voting history. I have more on Barrios's voting history in today's post.