Yellowstone: I know that I am late to the party for Yellowstone. It is a product of me being unwilling to purchase yet another streaming service, in this instance Prime. So despite seeing the odd episode on a flight, which is always just a tease, I waited until this was released on Netflix. I liked the first season, and season 2 was the continuation of this series that is still Succession on a ranch. The performances make this very watchable with Costner playing the elder patriarch of an established family (John Dutton) who has a massive cattle ranch in Montana. He has a number of adult children, who have their own issues. His wife passed away long ago in a horse-related accident on the ranch which still impacts him and one child in particular. This season has a number of battles for John Dutton to address, both external as well as internal. It seems the external developers and political impacts on him are mounting.

So this was engaging and very satisfying overall. It made me wonder where season 3 can go, but that answered very quickly with yet another external force looking to abut and possibly infringe upon the Dutton property. You manage to get rid of one threat and then another shows up, and that is a recurring theme. The story I think effectively brings forth for indiginous issues as their is a Tribe leader, but also one of John’s son’s who has married an indiginous woman with a young grandson, who Dutton adores. Like a medieval king or godfather, Dutton juggles the issues around him, putting out fires and identifying those that he can trust, and who can carry on the legacy of this ranch and the land that it is on. I haven’t provided many details of the plot for this season, but I don’t think that it is necessary. I think one can view the interaction among the characters and see where it leads. What I will confirm is that this journey is worth the time. I will continue into season 3.

Margin Call: Released in 2011, this movie stars Jeremy Irons, Paul Bettany, the disgraced Kevin Spacey, Demi Moore and Zachary Quinto (known best for his portrayal of Star Trek’s Spock). The cast is quite good. This movie addresses the 2008 housing and mortgage crisis within the US taken from the perspective of an unnamed Manhattan investment firm. The opening sequence features a sombre group of suits entering the floor of the office, and systematically tapping many employees to release them from their position. A downsizing is taking place, and it is starting with the principal manager in the Risk Department, played effectively by Stanley Tucci. Despite his years of loyal service, the laws don’t protect his rights and he is given a shockingly short period to consider a rather inadequate severance package. He exits, handing his young underling Peter Sullivan, played by Quinto, a USB drive and says “be careful”. The intrigue quickly escalates as Quinto pieces together the work that Tucci started.

Sullivan brings his findings to his manager, played by Bettany, who then follows the chain of command to bring it to Spacey’s character who is the head of the traders within the firm. In a matter of hours, the senior-most people of the firm are meeting to establish what their strategy will be given the findings of young Sullivan. At a high level this involves the packaging of various mortgage products into a bundle and then selling them. The same story is addressed by the Brad Pitt film The Big Short. In this story, it becomes very personal as those who are by nature sales people have to make decision impacting themselves, their firm, but also the greater market. There is a poignant exchange between Jeremy Irons the principal and Spacey who is struggling with the ethics of the direction the firm seems to be leaning towards. He is a long-time corporate guy, with over 25 years, but this is something very different, and this is just the beginning. As a manager of people, this is a no-win situation where there is pain to be inflicted on many levels and no one will get away unscathed. Life can be full of tough choices. Seventeen years beyond these choices and decisions this still is a telling film. Well acted, and told from this different perspective, it is good viewing for those even remotely interested in the financial markets. It is on Netflix.

Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox: This is a three part documentary on Netflix. For me as an avid Boston Red Sox fan, this holds a special place near and dear to me, as it shows the historic comeback of the 2004 Red Sox down 3-0 games to the dreaded and hated Yankees in the American League Championship Series. What it does really well, though, is setting the stage and backstory of this point in time and reflecting back on the Red Sox and what happened with them in 2003, and the turmoil swirling with the general manager, on field manager and players. There are many interviews with important participants like Theo Epstein, Jason Varitek, David Ortiz, Johnny Damon (later a Yankee), Kevin Millar, Pedro Martinez, and Curt Schilling.

Pictured above is one of many instances where emotions rose and exchanges took place. A-Rod took exception to the Boston pitcher who hit him, and then Boston catcher stepped in after one too many f-bombs thrown in his direction. The Yankees Roger Clemens, a former Red Sox legend, responded with his own version by going after Manny Ramirez. The show also shows the Don Zimmer intervention in an on-field altercation with Pedro Martinez.

For me I am fascinated more with the team dynamics and the challenge of putting a competitive team on the field. It was the tweaks of players and potential players, along with the glue players that made this possible. Your stars need to have that support and love of the game, especially at times of pressure that allow them to perform. Adding in 2003 Kevin Millar, brought in a character guy who kept things light, allowing the team to bond as a group. I had forgotten about the Red Sox trying to acquire A-Rod from the Texas Rangers before he became a Yankee. I had also forgotten that current Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was on that Red Sox team and stole a base at a crucial time. David Ortiz was a beast. I had also forgotten about the turmoil surrounding star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who had been offered to the Rangers along with Manny Ramirez and pitcher Jon Lester. He was pissed at the offer and his play the following season reflected it. Ultimately at the trade deadline in 2004 he was moved to the Chicago Cubs. History will show that the Red Sox came back from a 3-0 deficit and went on to win the World Series, ending the Bambino Curse (when the Red Sox owner traded superstar and legend Babe Ruth in 1918 to pay for a Broadway musical). The Red Sox went on to win the World Series again in 2007, 2013 and 2018. As a fan, this series in 2004 was the beginning of a new era for the Red Sox. Thank goodness!