Glen Campbell 1936-2017

I was sad to hear of Glen Campbell's passing earlier today, as I've always felt a weird kinship to the man. When I was but a wee one, the family would watch his television variety show, "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour," and when I was learning to read and spell, his name was an example of 'the wrong way' to spell my name.

I grew up with Glen Campbell, his songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and "Wichita Lineman" were AM radio staples just "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Southern Nights" were the same on FM when I discovered that bandwidth. His role as Texas Ranger Le Bouef in the original True Grit was one of the things that made the flick one of my favorite movies.

As I grew older, his participation with the Beach Boys and studio work as one of the Wrecking Crew were more than impressive. He was way more than a country guy my parents liked and a movie cowboy. Much later I was struck by the tragedy of his living with Alzheimer's in the documentary I'll Be Me.

Those not familiar with the man's work should seek out three of his final albums - Adios, Ghost on the Canvas, and Meet Glen Campbell, an album of covers with guest-stars, all proof positive he was vital and vibrant toward the end, even fighting that horrible disease. May he rest in peace.

Arrow S04 E14: Code of Silence

Just when you thought you'd seen it all when it comes to political debates, "Arrow" gives the concept a bit more bang for its buck. Preceding the big mayoral debate between Oliver Queen and Ruve Adams (the wife of Damien Darhk), Team Arrow and H.I.V.E. have a throwdown. Way to keep things friendly.

H.I.V.E. leadership is beginning to get a face, or faces, now. It seems that both Malcolm Merlin and Milo Armitage, from waaay back in "Tremors," are part of it now. There's some great team action with Team Arrow, brief as it is. It looks like Spartan has had a helmet upgrade, perhaps saving the T for Mr. Terrific when he finally shows up.

The soap is wide and deep this episode, what with the wedding planning, Oliver's illegitimate son, and Quentin breaking up with Donna in order to keep her safe. Wouldn't it be wiser to keep her closer to protect her? Sometimes the cliches fly as hard as the soap in the show.

Speaking of cliches, the villains of the week are the Demolition Team, some lame baddies who fought Green Lantern back in the 1980s. Basically mercenaries with demolition tools, these Wrecking Crew wannabes basically cause collateral damage, more pests than villains. They get a slight realistic, and ridiculous, upgrade here on "Arrow" working for H.I.V.E.

And then there's Curtis curing Felicity's spinal injury. Things like this are always dicey in superhero universes. One wonders if there are metahumans, alien civilizations, and satellite headquarters - why can't they cure cancer? Here's why. Will everyone get the benefit of this cure, or just Felicity? Still it was nice to at least hear Curtis called terrific.

Next: Vixen!