by Catherine Eaton

Musing over this year, it was funny the things that stood out. Some of what struck me was enlightening, an unusual word to link with pop culture. Yet it happens. Enlightenment generates from our culture whether we aim for it or not. Thanks, Chris for letting me join in on your great idea. Here are the 5 top moments I’ll remember from 2013.

5. Austenland fails Jane Austen

I’ve been reading Jane Austen since the age of thirteen, when I first discovered my mother’s beat up pea-green college copy of “Pride and Prejudice” crowded on the bookshelf. Austen was the first author to make me sputter with laughter and delight from page one and I’ve been laughing with her ever since.

Imagine my shock and disbelief when I discovered Stephanie Meyers of “Twilight” fame producing an Austen-inspired film based on a novel, “Austenland.” I have nothing against Meyers, but sparkly vampires do not lead smoothly to Austen’s 18^th century wit. Or anyone’s take on Austen’s wit. Or anything remotely to do with Austen, except obsessed fans. The movie burned and sank proving my point.

Sparkly vampires do not lead to further paths of glory.

4. Cumberbatch redirects our attention

I like to think I keep my eye on the news. I read Google News semi-regularly. I try to keep up on our government and I read the local paper. I knew in August about the same-sex marriage amendment that passed in Minnesota and about the terrible fires ravaging the West. Then this image sprang up.

It’s Benedict Cumberbatch holding up a sign to the paparazzi and until I saw his sign, I had no idea what was going on in Egypt. I did my reading and ended up following the riots but it was an eye-opening moment. Thanks, Cumberbatch, for reminding me about to pay attention to the world. We’re all in this together.

3. Finding Tiatiana Maslaney

This year, Tatiana Maslaney from Orphan Black showed us all how it’s done. I loved “Dollhouse,” Joss Whedon’s series about people programmed with a temporary personalities to play out customers’ desires. But let’s be serious. Eliza Dashku gave a consistently terrible performance and “Dollhouse” suffered. as a result. She didn’t switch her body language or gestures with each new personality she played.

Maslaney, however, creates a completely different woman with each clone she embodies. Her skill is a marvel.

2. Miley Cyrus

No Pop Culture Moments List can be complete without Miley Cyrus. The amount of responses that flowed in after her performance at MTV’s VMAs was incredible and covered a spectrum of feeling and thought, from Sinead O’Connor’s letter to Amanda Palmer’s nearly opposite response. Cyrus created a space for us to talk about young women and sexual behavior, a loaded topic that’s long overdue for open cultural conversation.

Responses continue to ripple out, with Lily Allen crafting a dubious and humorous music video. And now a young New Zealander Lorde, has followed fast on Cyrus’ musical heels, turning the conversation towards yet another direction as she climbs into Cyrus’ top position on the music charts. Lorde’s catchy music and lyrics are soft spoken and her message is entirely different from Cyrus’ loud lifestyle.

1. A New Doctor

The New Year gets a New Doctor. Peter Capaldi was announced as the new reincarnation of the Doctor. He’ll bring an older, more mature Doctor than we’ve seen since the Doctor Who reboot. Capaldi has a long and respected career and he could bring just about anything to the role. Whatever he chooses to bring will no doubt be fascinating.

With his Scottish accent, there’s hope too that we’ll finally get a Scottish Doctor.

Catherine Eaton contributed this article to The Stake. Catherine is a writer living in a western suburb of Chicago. She blogs over at sparrowpost.com and enjoys foraging around the neighborhood in her spare time.