Understanding Adam Banks

The Mighty Ducks Trilogy are some of my favorite childhood films. My siblings and I loved watching them and I believe that D3 was the first film I saw in theaters (I would have 5 almost 6). I seem to have some vague memory that I had a massive crush on Adam Banks (sorry Obi-Wan), and it would make sense that he would be any little girl's first fictional character crush. He's cute, sweet, sensitive and moreover can never seem to catch a break. Even as a child I saw the constant hardships that Adam had to face throughout the series. 

And upon my most recent rewatch (which led to another rewatch), I have only now realized what an absolute injustice was done to the writing of Adam Banks by the time we get to the third movie.

The first two films built up a growing character arc for Adam through constant life alterations, severe injuries, setbacks, jealous teammates, and having to stay true to himself. You would think by the third film that it would come full circle, but unfortunately that was not the plan.

     

Goodbye Anthony Head . 1954 - 2026

With the rewatch of Merlin, this was an utter shock 

He was absolutely wonderful as King Uther Pendragon, the enigmatic, morally grey father to the Once and Future King. 

As I wrote in my review for season 4, that even though I didn't like Uther Pendragon I didn't hate him either.

 For all of Uther's faults, he loved Arthur and the father/son moments between Anthony Head and Bradley James are some of most memorable.

Inklings ~ May 2026

Welcome May Inklings 🌸

1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt.

2. Link-back to Heidi's blog with a link to you Inklings prompt.

May's Prompt

A riddle scene in book or film

I am Mary. Mary is Me (Or...my life as a middle child/sister explained)

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to see The Other Bennet Sister, but I read the book last year and I loved it! I have been able to keep up with clips from the show on Instagram and Facebook and hopefully I can view it sometime this summer. 

 I can relate to Mary on so many levels, the middle child and sister. Serious, introverted, gets lost in the arts, prefers books to people and always having her voice quieted. Oftentimes overlooked and ignored and what attention we get it's usually negative (somebody yelling at you or making you the joke of the situation.) When I saw this scene between Mary and Lizzie it really struck a chord with me.

When Mary started to call out Lizzie on how they were viewed so differently in the family and Lizzie began to deflect by telling Mary how much she admired her, that hit me hard. I've had similar conversations with my own family members; telling them how lonely I was growing up and how I always felt left out of which they go on the defensive and try to appeal to my better nature. I've been told that I seemed so independent and didn't need anyone or I always had such a good attitude about things I didn't seem to need help. 

Everyone...every child needs help. Regardless of if they look like they need it or not. 

After seeing this interaction for the first time, I wondered, "If Lizzie admired her sister so much, why didn't she try and spend more time with her? Why didn't she defend her from her family?" Lizzie's heart may be in the right place, but at the center, she's self-preserving and not willing to admit that she was a part of the problem in Mary's life, because she neglected her just like everyone else in the Bennet family. 

Welcome June

 

June is the pearl of summer, shining with warmth and joy.

L.M. Montgomery

The Adventures of Merlin: Season 5

The finale that put my whole family in a 24-hour depression and after almost 14 years, the fandom has never forgiven the writers for their decisions. All that being said, with the exception of the last 10 minutes of the final episode, season 5 was actually a very good season! The entire Merlin storyline itself takes place in a span of ten years and in that time, we've seen Merlin grow up (very well) from an awkward boy to a confident young man (more on the growing up very well later). 

Merlin's character development can never be underrated. He wasn't perfect, he had fears and flaws, but he was loyal to a fault. Life handed him a raw deal, but he made the most of it. He was a good friend and an exceptional apprentice. While Arthur may be our golden king we admire, it is Merlin who is the common man we all see ourselves in and at end of the day, we all hope to have even half of his bravery and strength.

Goodreads Review: The Frozen River

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My favorite read of 2025. Inspired by real life events and the journal entries of Martha Ballard a wife, mother, midwife and who may even be considered an early feminist. At a time where woman had little personal rights and their voices silenced by the men in power, Martha Ballard manages to stand on her own moral code of conduct and bring to light a horrific act of evil.

Set in 1789 Maine, during what was known as "the year of the long winter," a man's frozen body is found Kennebec River. Martha recognizes the man who was named as an active participant in the rape of her close friend a few months prior, however he was released. As an investigation is made and trials are set in motion, Martha finds herself in the middle of a political, social and spiritual battle between her love of the people she has served for years and protecting a woman who has been shunned by the same people for a crime done against her.

This book is incredible! I couldn't put it down; I was that drawn into the intensity and emotional upheaval of this story. Like The Last Midwife there is a feminist core to midwifery. When women were oftentimes seen as just carriers for children in society, midwives still saw them as human beings far capable of more than just childbearing and rearing. Within the world of midwives, women were seen, heard, loved, nurtured and protected. And the role of midwives in history can never be forgotten or unappreciated.