Ask the next 10 people you meet—or interact with on Facebook or Tumblr—if they’ve heard of Benedict Cumberbatch, and you’re likely to get at least a few affirmative answers. The actor’s popularity has been building steadily since he started playing Sherlock Holmes in the BBC’s update of the series, and his brilliant turn as the villain in Star Trek: Into Darkness may be the role that finally makes him a household name. (Not an easily pronounceable one, admittedly, but a household name nonetheless.)
But ask people if they’ve heard of Cabin Pressure, and you’ll get more than a few blank looks. However, if you have a Cabin Pressure fan in your circle of friends, trust me, you will be assimilated…The show is sweet and funny and thoroughly addictive. And more than that, I think it helps explain what makes Cumberbatch such a rare and compelling actor.
It turns out the man who’s rapidly becoming known for playing cold, calculating geniuses has a completely different side. Once you hear him play Cabin Pressure’s Martin Crieff, the almost pathologically insecure captain of a decrepit charter plane, you’ll never look at him the same way again—and that’s a good thing. It shows just what a well-rounded, versatile actor Cumberbatch truly is, and it reminds the rest of us just what an important quality versatility is.
In fact, a lifelong obsession with classic movies has convinced me that versatility is one of the best tools an actor can have…But this kind of versatility, it seems to me, is becoming rarer among actors these days. The British, to their credit, still seem to encourage it, but Hollywood, not as much. I’m not sure we even understand anymore what genuine versatility looks like…Maybe having a strong sense of who you are makes you more comfortable in a wide variety of circumstances and genres. And that in turn gives you even greater confidence and security as an actor.
Does the same hold true for Benedict Cumberbatch? It’s a little early in his career to say for sure. And it’s true that the hilariously awkward Captain Martin Crieff and the ruthless “John Harrison” (I’ll use the alias for the sake of those who haven’t yet seen the new Star Trek) have little in common. Or is it? Mannerisms and motives—and willingness to wipe out human life on a massive scale—aside, they’re both passionate, driven, eccentric loners who are nevertheless deeply committed to the relationships they do have. As is Cumberbatch’s Sherlock.
We may have found a pattern here, after all. It looks as if, deep down, there’s something much more substantial and consistent to Cumberbatch’s persona than an ability to jump down from great heights wearing a long coat.
Also, the fact that he’s stuck with Cabin Pressure throughout its run, even while he was busy shooting to stardom on TV and in film, says something about Cumberbatch’s dedication to his craft. Drama is impressive, but comedy, as Cary Grant firmly believed, really proves an actor’s mettle. Many of the qualities Cumberbatch shows in Star Trek: Into Darkness—the excellent timing, the physicality, the veering between superhuman restraint and uncontrollable emotion—are qualities that may be best developed by sweating to get a laugh out of an audience.
There’s no doubt that if you saw that simultaneously icy and ferocious performance of Cumberbatch’s on the big screen this past weekend, you saw something special. But if you haven’t yet heard him desperately hunting up and down a cabin full of passengers for an elusive lemon, or being tricked into delivering a cabin address in the world’s worst French accent, or saying things like “I carried the sheep for you. I climbed the tree. I rode the back of the truck. But now I have to X-ray these geese” … you’re missing out.
-The Atlantic [x]
I am mainly reblogging this because CABIN PRESSURE. If you have NOT listened to Cabin Pressure, then you really, really should.
I, err, possibly listen to it most days. My commute is about an episode long. I think that the last series that aired was perhaps the best-crafted thing ever. I have a crush on John Finnemore that has gone beyond epic, and into that “writes crap on eyelids, bats eyes at Indiana Jones” stage. It’s just so ridiculously funny and heartwarming and just…
HOW, FINNEMORE??? HOW DO THE WORDS COME FROM YOU LIKE THAT???
Ahem.
Upshot is: Cabin Pressure. If for nothing else, do it for the fantastic Stephanie Cole. The things’s just brilliant.
“And we also request your CEO to select at random a member of the cabin crew to fill out a questionnaire, rating you on various attributes from ‘poor’ to ‘very good’. In your case, the respondent drew in and ticked an additional box at the end of each line, labelled ‘brilliant’.”
“Gosh! I wonder who that was.”
Mr. Sergeant is my fave minor character in Cabin Pressure.
Yes! I want to be him when I grow up, and occasion no bleedin’ mirth whatsoever.
^5
Okay, I wrote THIS in answer to a Ficwar2013 prompt, you’ll want to read if first, if you haven’t. Feels were requested, so the Muse and I gave some feels. Now the lovely Linguini17 and Tysolna have beseeched the Muse (and me) for some closure. The Muse has decided to take you to a birthday party. That’ll teach you to ask her for stuff, won’t it? ;D
(Six Months Later):
Martin watched with a sort of amused, yet bewildered horror as eleven seven- and eight-year-old girls squealed and giggled their way through a very confusing version of musical chairs, all wearing costumes ranging from Disney princesses to what Martin could only label ‘ballerina Batman’.
Douglas’ daughter wore a getup which seemed some sort of cross between a pirate and a WWII-era fighter pilot; goggles, faux leather bomber’s jacket, boots, red sash with plastic sword and pistol tucked in, a faux leather flying helmet with a skull and crossbones on either side, and one golden earring.
“More punch, Skip?” Arthur said—well shouted—as he appeared at Martin’s side with a pitcher. Arthur wore his steward’s uniform with the addition of a bright blue sash and plastic scimitar, along with an eyepatch and a drawn-on curly-tipped moustache decorating his upper lip.
Holding out his plastic mug shaped like a tiki statue, Martin nodded. “Yes, please. Arthur, I have to ask: I can’t figure out what you or Antonia are meant to be. Pirates is the closest I can come.”
Pouring punch for Martin, Arthur grinned, leaning down to be better heard over the high-pitched shrieks and laughter at the other end of the large room. “We’re sky-pirates, Skip! Toni’s the pilot and I’m the first-mate. Isn’t that brilliant?”
“Sky pirates?” Martin chuckled. “Of course, how could I miss that?”
tysolna replied to your post: I dont know that I believe you. Ill need to see some sort of evidence.
YES! YES! FIX IT! & poor Douglas&
You, too? *grin* Okaaaaaayyy… I’ll come up with something.
*grin*
I shall consult with the Muse - if only to get a little epilogue snippet or summat. *hug*
(RE: This Post)
*giggling* ORLY?
I’m guessing you want this evidence in the form of words and sentences and paragraphs and some stuff like that, eh?
<3
(Re: This Post)
I wrote this much earlier - but have been hosting a Birthday Party for a friend, so no chance to post previously. Hope I squished in enough feels for you Scoffy! ;D
When Martin arrived at MJN’s portacabin somewhat bright—it was drizzling—and early, he was a bit worried to see Arthur standing under his cheery polka-dot umbrella looking absolutely anything but cheery. In fact, MJN’s perkiest employee was shifting from foot to foot and looked as if he were on the verge of tears.
“Arthur, what’s wrong? Are you locked out?” It had happened a few times, though Arthur had made a point of having three spare keys to the portacabin and G-ERTI after the last incident; one set on his key-ring, one set in his car, and one set stashed in a false rock behind the portacabin.
Before Martin’s rather battered umbrella could bump Arthur’s, the younger man was already babbling in a rapid, strained almost-whisper. “Oh, Skip, I’m so glad you’re here! I don’t know what to do! It’s just that I usually make coffee and that helps, or maybe tea, but even when he’s got the grumps it’s never as bad as this. Only even when he was going through the divorce stuff he wasn’t this bad, and I think it’s worse, maybe worse than worse, only I don’t know how worse because he just sits there and I think, I think he’s been crying and—”
Awwww! *grinning hugely* YES! Lovvit! Thank you! ^5
So, erm, this happened…
John Finnemore wrote a card of thanks for the Lemons and Landmarks project and made this video to thank everyone involved.
You should all be very proud of yourselves- thank you for helping and you can still donate if you so desire to have a pdf of the book.
(And here’s a link to a video of the presentation- if you type in ‘Lemons and Landmarks’ on youtube you’ll find two more as well).
BASICALLY I HAVE A STRONG STRONG URGE TO FIND OUT JUST HOW BIG THIS FANDOT IS, SO LET’S ALL PLAY SOME TRAVELLING LEMON SO WE CAN SEE.
Is the lemon in play?
I AM CABIN PRESSURE [Nikon ad style]
edited by tracionn and thekaskproject
this is so awesome!
*I squee and flail wildly to get your attention and then point at this video excitedly.* If you love Cabin Pressure, you’ll prolly love this video, it’s absolutely awesome!
I am wondering if I should post an extract of one of my CP smut fan fiction (MartinxDouglas ;p)…. but then again, English isn’t my native language… and I have never posted anything from all the things I’ve ever written… xD
You should! You can point out that English isn’t your native language in the author notes. It’s always tougher to start out, but once you get rolling, it’s a little easier each time. I, for one, would be very interested in seeing what you’ve written! :D
