I watched Season 4’s Episodes 1 and 2 and it reminded me how much I liked this show. Sure it’s sad, but this is a drama not a comedy. I can’t wait to get the next disc from Netflix.

You know from the beginning that Ayla and Jondolar are going to be together. So why that doesn’t happen for 2/3 to 3/4 of the book is beyond me. Sometimes Auel got a bit too wrapped up in her descriptions of things like stone knapping. argh. I don’t mind the research that I’m sure went into it, but the point shouldn’t be to show off what the author’s learned for the book, but just use it to advance the plot. Otherwise I’d say the last 150-200 pages of the paperback version I have was ok to good. I’m undecided whether I want to continue reading this series.

It was interesting to see the Dalai Lama speak about Buddhism and how he believes some of it relates to modern life. I especially liked his relation between Buddhist cosmology and modern science (physics, biology, etc.). Having him go through a translator was a little irritating, but eventually I got used to it.