Saturday 2 April 2016

B - Thelma Bates & Banquo - Fictional Phantoms #AtoZChallenge 2016


Welcome to the second day of Fictional Phantoms in the 2016 AtoZChallenge, I very much hope you enjoyed yesterday's post. Today I have two much less bloody phantoms for you. These ghosts are out to get the baddies, not the innocent.

Thelma Bates (Hex)


My first choice today is the wonderful Thelma Bates (Jemima Rooper) from the underrated TV show Hex.

Thelma is a kick-arse lesbian ghost who is in love with the main protagonist Cassie. She gives her life to save Cassie, but unfortunately is the catalyst which allows Azazeal (Michael Fassbender) to regain full power.

She then helps Cassie find out about her heritage, being descended from witches, and tries to keep her out of the clutches of Azazeal.

Then she comes to the aid of Ella Dee, a 500 year old witch, who is forever battling against the Nephilim, fallen angels, of which Azazeal is the leader.

Thelma might be dead, but that doesn't stop her fighting.

Banquo (Macbeth)


I could not leave out the bloody phantom from my favourite Shakespeare play.

Banquo, Thane of Lochaber and ally to Macbeth; a brave man cruelly murdered.

Banquo is there when Macbeth meets the three witches who prophesize Macbeth's kingship, however they also tell Banquo that his descendants will be kings.

This, unfortunately, seals his fate.

Macbeth comes to see Banquo as a threat to his kingship and so has him murdered, but Banquo keeps the assailants at bay long enough for his son to escape.

Banquo then returns as a terrible spectre at Macbeth's feast, driving the terrified Macbeth further into madness. His silent judgement helps seal the fate of the murderous Thane of Cawdor.

Do you  have any favourite ghosts or ghoulies that begin with B? Are you a Hex fan, or a Shakespeare junkie?

~*~
My Other Blogs
I am sharing blogging duties with my sister, Sophie, on two other blogs for the AtoZ as well :

And Sophie also has her own blog in the AtoZ too:

~*~
Other People's Blogs
Don't forget to check out the other participant in this years AtoZChallenge. Click on the image to visit the main site and see the full list.

60 comments:

  1. Shakespeare it is. I have watched a modern Macbeth some hours ago. But there was no ghost but a spooky message on the mobile. If you want to know more: https://claowue.wordpress.com/2016/04/01/bbc-2005-macbeth/

    I'm taking part in a2z challenge with www.claowuepotpourri.wordpress.com

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    1. I have that version of Macbeth (I love James McAvoy), but I keep forgetting to watch it. I really must get round to it.

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  2. I LOVED the show Hex! I wish they'd kept it going. :-D

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    1. They always cancel things at the wrong moment, don't they!

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  3. I haven't heard of Hex; I'm trying to grasp the concept of a lesbian ghost. I never thought of ghosts sexual, know what I mean?

    betty

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    1. She was a lesbian before she was a ghost - promise :) She simply maintained that when she passed over :D

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  4. I have not seen either of these! Interesting though! I was just getting into the witch show about a mother and her two daughters, and I think they cancelled it. Hate that. I did enjoy the story of witches in New Orleans from American Horror.

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    1. It is a royal pain when they just go about cancelling good shows isn't it. Usually it's down to bad marketing, or its not appealing to 18-25 year old men, so it doesn't count!

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  5. Favourite out of these two is definitely Banquo, I wasn't into Skakespear much but we did Macbeth at school and I really loved the play!

    Glad they are not as scary as yesterday...

    Mars xx
    @TrollbeadBlog from
    Curling Stones for Lego People

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    1. Macbeth is my favourite Shakespeare play - we did is at school too and I loved it. Who doesn't love a bit of murder and mayhem? ;)

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  6. You have such wonderful posts, I am a dork for only coming around during the challenge... I would love for you too write for my magazine... :)

    Welcome in the letter "B"... thank you!
    Jeremy [Retro]
    AtoZ Challenge Co-Host [2016]

    Stop over and find a free "SIX STRINGS: BLOGGING AtoZ CHALLENGE" Here: http://www.jmhdigital.com/

    HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
    You know you want to know if me or Hollywood... is Nuts?

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    1. Thank you :) I really enjoy coming up with new posts - so much fun ... well usually ;)

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  7. HEX sounds like a great show. Don't recall seeing any of it, but wish I had.

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    1. It will probably pop up in repeats somewhere sooner or later. You'd think it would start showing up more given that Michael Fassbender is in it :)

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  8. Interesting theme. I know of Hex, but haven't watched it.

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    1. I haven't seen all of Hex, but I enjoyed watching it when I used to catch it.

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  9. Good ol' Banquo. Poor guy. Fun theme :)

    Happy B Day!
    ~AJ Lauer, an A-Z Co-host
    Twitter: @ayjaylauer

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    1. Thank you. I always felt sorry for Banquo too, but he did get Macbeth good :)

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  10. I don't think I ever watched Hex but it sounds pretty good.

    Susan Says

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    1. It's one of those shows I remember bits of, but not all - what I remember was good :)

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  11. "Kick-arse lesbian ghost" :D We need more characters like that.

    @TarkabarkaHolgy from
    The Multicolored Diary
    MopDog

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    1. Definitely :) Although some alive lesbians who don't die would also be good.

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  12. I haven't heard of that show. But if it features a kick-ass lesbian ghost I might have to look it up. And I actually played Banquo once as part of a school project. Not that I had many lines though :)

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    1. Hex is definitely worth a look. When I was reading about Banquo it mentioned that even though he is very important he doesn't get much to say. Did you have to be silently accusing?

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  13. I do not have this version of Macbeth but will see if I can get it.
    Shalom,
    Patricia @ EverythingMustChange

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    1. There are many, many awesome versions of Macbeth - I wish you enjoyment.

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  14. I vaguely remember reading MacBeth years ago. I've read quite a number of Shakespeare stories back in college. I recall even taking a Shakespeare class and having to act out a scene in class for a grade.

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    1. I love Shakespeare - especially the modern interpretations where they don't orate the lines, but just act them. I saw James McAvoy in Macbeth the other year and it was amazing ... and very bloody :)

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  15. There are so many great horror/supernatural shows out now. I haven't seen most of them...no time!

    But it's awesome to at least hear about them through posts like this. Hex sounds like a good one.

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    1. My kingdom for a time turner :)
      Hex was worth a watch - it's a shame they ended it on something of a cliffhanger.

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  16. Scottish play has to my almost favourite Shakey play, after King Lear - and seen Hamlet more times.

    Devoted 'Hex' watcher, especially as some v good friends's actress daughter was going out with Jamie Davis (played Leon Taylor) - now married to each other.

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    1. I'm not overly fond of King Lear, but I do enjoy a good production of Hamlet :)

      Yay, someone who has seen Hex :) Aww, that's lovely.

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  17. I think I watched hex. Didn't Cassie succumb to the the angel and have a kid with him? Didn't she die too? Didn't see much of the second season of it with the witch. Didn't she have dyed red hair?

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    1. Well, who wouldn't succumb to Michael Fassbender eventually ;) and yep, you're right.

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  18. These are great! Haven't seen Hex.

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  19. I have never heard of Hex show, but I can tell you that Macbeth is one of my favourite plays. Ghosts and witches... I'm partical, I know...

    @JazzFeathers
    The Old Shelter - Jazz Age Jazz

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  20. Ah! Banquo is perhaps my favorite ghost. It's hard to say though. I'm enamored of quite a few. I saw a production of the Scottish play where Banquo's ghost rose out of a fountain on stage and dripped bloody water everywhere. It was amazing!

    @mirymom1 from
    Balancing Act

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    1. That does sound like an amazing entrance :) I love how productions try to out do each other in Banquo's grisly appearance.

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  21. Nope, I can't think of any ghosts that start with B!

    Piper Presley
    B is for Blinded by the Blaze - Blogging from A to Z

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    1. I am sure there must be a few more, but I can't think of any at the mo either :)

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  22. I'd never heard of the show Hex, which is a shame as I would have enjoyed the ghost helper part. I was pretty bummed when Tru Calling was cancelled. Sigh. I do love Banquo, though. Can't think of any other ghosts that start with the letter B other than the one I'm highlighting.

    @deb_atwood from
    Pen In Her Hand

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    1. I started watching Tru Calling, but for some reason I stopped - I can't remember why :). Might just have been timing - there are so many things to watch!

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  23. I've never heard of Hex. Shakespeare? I can watch a play or movie and enjoy the experience, but reading it hurts my head.

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    1. Shakespeare was my favourite to read in class at school because our English teacher was so enthusiastic about it. She was a little Scottish lady, so of course she loved The Scottish Play :)

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  24. I've never heard of Hex. Shakespeare? I can watch a play or movie and enjoy the experience, but reading it hurts my head.

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  25. Hi there!

    I’m stopping by from the #AtoZChallenge. I also have never heard of HEX but enjoy Shakespeare.

    I have two blogs in this challenge…my author blog at THE STORY CATCHER (www.donnalmartin.com) and my KICKS Kids Club blog (www.kickskidsclub.blogspot.com) . If you get a chance, check them out and good luck with the challenge!

    Donna L Martin

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  26. Love your A to Z theme, Tasha!

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  27. Love your A to Z theme, Tasha!

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  28. Oh, yes! Thank you for including Shakespeare in this! I love, love, love the Bard, and his phantoms are wonderful harbingers of ilk for those who have done wrong. Banquo, the ghost of Hamlet's father...all of them are wonderful creations!

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    1. I remember Banquo making quite an impact when reading the play at school, and, of course, he is always important in every production. He deserved a mention :)

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  29. Great post and yes Hex was so underrated! Loved that show!
    Heather

    @xstitchchick

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    1. Thank you :) So many shows don't get the recognition they deserve.

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  31. I loved Hex too and am lucky enough to own both seasons on DVD...might be time to watch them again! Thanks!

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  32. (Catching up) I've never heard of Hex, but it sounds interesting.

    It's also interesting how so many stories say the Nephilim were the fallen angels. Even though it does translate to fallen ones, they're basically described in the Bible as the equivalent of demigods (when the sons of God mated with the daughters of Adam).

    I think I finished Macbeth in high school...I remember the "moving trees," so I had to. lol

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    1. Hex is fun - I haven't seen it in year, but I remember enjoying it.

      I always forget about the moving trees :)

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