Insult my intelligence, please.

For those of you who do not know me personally, I am a complete nerd. I love history, foreign policy and all things French (even stinky-feet cheese). So much so, I wasted my college education studying these very useful topics…because…let’s face it, no matter what a Liberal Arts major chooses to study, he/she is not going to get a job actually using his/her education.

Tonight…my interest was piqued while scanning the tv channels. PBS is running a series called The War That Made America. Oooooh…something about history, war and foreign policy, rolled up into a tidy, little package for my television viewing. I was especially pleased because I have been feeling unusually un-smart as of late and am in dire need of something, anything to spark the firing of the synapses.

Now…here’s where I start to complain. Why is it that these sorts of history shows feel compelled to pepper the documentary with ridiculous reenactments? Yes…I understand that there’s not a lot of film footage floating around from the Revolutionary War era (wait…you mean there is none???). But, there is something smarmy and annoying about watching some guy in the triangular, pointy hat looking at me and lecturing me in Colonial English. I do not mind reenactments for the sake of telling a story, nor do I mind narration. I do mind that whole theatrical nonsense though.

You know what sucks the most, though? I find this particular show absolutely fascinating. Reminiscent of running through the German bunkers in Ouistreham with those crazy mannequins staring at me like they have just dropped tons of acid.

So…I’m going to suck it up, Kang style, deal with the histrionics and hopefully learn something. Because…if I don’t…I’m going to start sounding like Paul McCartney after years of perpetual pot usage. Then again…this Red Coat in the tavern, lecturing me, is making me want to pull an Elvis.