In yet another time-warp, the Act III party scene subjects Senta (who has become a sort of she-wolf by her embrace of the Dutchman's satanic curse) to gratuitous gang rape by the chorus, costumed as characters in some weird video game.
To begin with, the star of the film is not Ms Howard, a pretty tomboy, made up to look slightly cadaverous, who is initially taciturn, then unconscious after being attacked by a grass-covered wolf intent on making mincemeat of her before she carries out her mission.
In an interview last month with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Palin said she was unsure about her re-election bid because she needed to focus on her state and her family.