tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63768696561814336622024-03-14T03:09:23.128-07:00The TV ChroniclesSome people watch too much television. I think it is fair to say that I am one of them.RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-70219091499295393832017-08-08T20:36:00.003-07:002017-08-08T20:36:45.711-07:00The Westerosi Transporter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Standard warning. If you have not watched episode 4 of the seventh season of<i> Game of Thrones</i>, move on. There be spoilers ahead.<br />
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The <i>Spoils of War</i> was a thrilling episode, and certainly ended on quite the cliff hanger. I don't think Jamie Lannister is dead, as otherwise, why would we bother with Olenna Tyrell's confession that she killed Joffrey? But I digress.<br />
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Who would have thought that Westeros would be set up with a transporter? I mean, there are dragons, white walkers and wargs. But these kind of fit the medieval fantasy setting of <i>Game of Thrones</i>. A transporter seems a little more science fictiony.<br />
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<a href="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e1/21/58/e12158e34cb8b58e99e3a94c7f756ca5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="460" height="320" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e1/21/58/e12158e34cb8b58e99e3a94c7f756ca5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But I can find no other explanation for some of events that have occurred on the show. It started at the end of Season 6. Varys meets with Olenna Tyrell and Ellaria Sand in Dorne at the beginning of the finale, only to be present with Daenerys and Missandei as they sail from Mereen, finally headed to Westeros.</div>
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<a href="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4X6KOCAmX1U/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4X6KOCAmX1U/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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How did he do that? Clearly, his transporter.</div>
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This season, Euron Greyjoy sure found his niece and nephew awfully fast on the high seas, but perhaps that's just good sailing. On the other hand, Jamie Lannister and his forces had to use the transporter to make it from King's Landing and Casterly Rock to Highgarden in next to no time. After all, at the beginning of <i>The Queen's Justice</i>, he was in King's Landing, having an incredibly uncomfortable conversation with Euron about Cersei's sexual proclivities, but he still managed make it to Highgarden to rout the Tyrell forces and poison Olenna Tyrell (and learn that she poisoned Joffrey). </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Euron just gives me the creeps.</td></tr>
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Where in King's Landing is the transporter? And who dusted off the transporter at Dragonstone? I could have believed that Dany and Drogon caught up with the Lannister forces, but I don't see Drogon agreeing to carry the entire Dothraki army. Nor do I believe that they rode their horses that quickly. They must have used their transporter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWcAcWdNRBOijmjaml5M2MPM0oigqivpCGBFlPjxg-Liq-QqkgRpUV81RuVU7Sa2m9QBtGfF0keitQVUpIQ9CIY1LYuqlv9fZC5XP9S-C3PD8t4RLmvDYKQQdhi4xTtgo1536ySyBVaRM/s1600/vlcsnap-2017-05-24-21h55m06s899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="800" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWcAcWdNRBOijmjaml5M2MPM0oigqivpCGBFlPjxg-Liq-QqkgRpUV81RuVU7Sa2m9QBtGfF0keitQVUpIQ9CIY1LYuqlv9fZC5XP9S-C3PD8t4RLmvDYKQQdhi4xTtgo1536ySyBVaRM/s320/vlcsnap-2017-05-24-21h55m06s899.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, there's probably no transporter on Westeros. Maybe Highgarden, King's Landing, Casterly Rock and Dragonstone are all so close to each other that these events are not as unlikely as they seem. It's not like I would look at a map of Westeros to study the issue. I guess that the show runners have a plan, and it involves specific things happening at a specific time in a specific way. But considering it took six seasons for Daenerys to even head to Westeros, it seems like we're now moving at warp speed. Oh, wait. That's science fictiony again.</div>
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I did warn you that I would have a post on <i>Game of Thrones</i>. I believe that anyone who comments on television is contractually obligated to write at least one post on <i>Game of Thrones</i>. Today alone, I have seen the following articles:</div>
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<a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/08/game-of-thrones-jon-daenerys-fall-in-love-incest-george-rr-martin" target="_blank">Game of Thrones: The Explosive New Conflict Hiding in George R.R. Martin's Original Outline.</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/game-of-thrones-hints-at-incestuous-romance-between-jon-snow-and-daenerys" target="_blank">"Game of Thrones" Hints at Incestuous Romance Between Jon Snow and Daenerys</a>. (I know. It was quite obvious).</div>
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<a href="http://nerdist.com/game-of-thrones-littlefinger-dagger-bran-plot-against-jon-snow/" target="_blank">Why Littlefinger's Gift to Bran Was a Plot Against Jon and Why It Won't Work</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/game-thrones-could-daenerys-become-real-tyrant/" target="_blank">Game of Thrones: could Daenerys become the real tyrant? Or is her future more complex</a>? (Hmmm....what do you think?).</div>
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<a href="http://www.indiewire.com/2017/08/game-of-thrones-bran-littlefinger-hbo-1201864456/" target="_blank">"Game of Thrones": Why Bran Will Be the One to Beat Littlefinger at His Own Game.</a></div>
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<a href="http://mashable.com/2017/08/08/game-of-thrones-theory-symbolism-jaime-lannister-dragged-down/#Uwd68Q0raOqk" target="_blank">There's a huge bit of key symbolism in the final shot of "Game of Thrones" Episode 4</a>. (Cersei, anchor, Lannister armor, sinking).</div>
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/one-game-of-thrones-character-you-should-be-paying-more-attention-to_us_5989d1a0e4b0a66b8baed08c" target="_blank">One "Game of Thrones" Character You Should Be Paying More Attention To</a> (I'll save you the trouble - it's Bran).</div>
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<a href="http://time.com/4890649/game-of-thrones-jon-snow-dragon-daenerys/" target="_blank">Two Game of Thrones Theories Point Toward an Important Meeting for Jon Snow</a> (with dragons).</div>
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<a href="http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/entertainment/tv-and-film/arya-brienne-fight-game-thrones-527859" target="_blank">The important details you missed from Arya and Brienne's intense fight</a>. (Do you want a blow-by-blow description of their sparring? This is the article for you!)</div>
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<a href="http://uproxx.com/tv/best-game-of-thrones-moments-the-spoils-of-war/" target="_blank">"Game of Thrones" Ranking: The Most Unforgettable Moments From "The Spoils of War"</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/08/game-of-thrones-arya-brienne-fight-left-handed-maisie-williams-right-handed" target="_blank">Game of Thrones: The Tiny Detail that Makes the Arya/Brienne Duel Even More Impressive</a>. (Maisie Williams is right-handed, but Arya Stark is left-handed. She's also a head and a half shorter than Gwendoline Christie).</div>
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<a href="https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/NfeWXhi3UgR977Eg91CD5PV0GVo/160x160/filters:format_auto-!!-:strip_icc-!!-:sharpen-!1,0,true!-/2017/08/08/827/n/1922398/1309820a4788bf0b_GettyImages-452819000/i/Gwendoline-Christie-Maisie-Williams-Pictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" src="https://media1.popsugar-assets.com/files/thumbor/NfeWXhi3UgR977Eg91CD5PV0GVo/160x160/filters:format_auto-!!-:strip_icc-!!-:sharpen-!1,0,true!-/2017/08/08/827/n/1922398/1309820a4788bf0b_GettyImages-452819000/i/Gwendoline-Christie-Maisie-Williams-Pictures.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://mashable.com/2017/08/08/golden-company-game-of-thrones-cersei-daenerys/#mzH86Gi1Xiqr" target="_blank">You probably missed this tiny clue that could be key to Dany's "Game of Thrones" Victory</a> (Cersei will have to pay sell-swords).</div>
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<a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/jaimes-death-on-game-of-thrones-would-be-even-sadder-thanks-to-this-one-detail-74982" target="_blank">Jaime's Death on "Game of Thrones" Would Be Even Sadder Thanks To This One Detail </a>(not being able to tell Cersei that Olenna murdered their son).</div>
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<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2017/07/18/hidden-meaning-behind-sansas-costumes-game-thrones/485568001/" target="_blank">There's a dark hidden meaning in Sansa Stark's newest "Game of Thrones" costume</a> (belt tightly wound around her to protect her from Littlefinger's advances). </div>
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<a href="http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/game-of-thrones/news/a835063/game-of-thrones-fan-theory-daenerys-missandei-betrayal/" target="_blank">Game of Thrones fan theory suggests Daenerys could be betrayed by a close ally</a> (I'll save you the trouble - Missandei. I don't buy it). </div>
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I don't know if all these articles were posted today, but they were all written and posted following an episode that aired two nights ago. They are not recaps. They don't discuss the hacking HBO is currently dealing with. No. Just article after article going over every single detail, every single theory, every single possibilihty from what turns out to be the shortest Game of Thrones episode. Quite the rabbit hole. And now I've proud to add this post about the transporter in Westeros.</div>
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Here is the obligatory picture of Jon Snow.</div>
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RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-25665505036553674002017-07-30T18:20:00.000-07:002017-07-30T18:20:11.211-07:00Catching Up With...The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I first heard that O.J. Simpson was suspected in the deaths of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, I was shocked. Not O.J.! He had been the fun-loving, charismatic football player from my youth, who did commercials and movies. He seemed like such a nice guy. Surely not he.<br />
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But then the 911 recording was released, and it was quite clear that Nicole was a battered wife, and O.J. her batterer. It made me sad, but as a social worker, I was more than aware that a battered wife's life is never more in danger than after she leaves her abuser. I had made up my mind that O.J. was more than likely guilty, and moved on with my life.<br />
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So I was more than a little bemused when I discovered that America did not move on. All the channels switched to the helicopter following the white Bronco as Simpson pondered suicide (I presumed). I was extremely annoyed. They had interrupted Raymond Burr's last performance as Perry Mason for this (granted, the television movie was not very good, but still!)! I turned the television off in disgust.<br />
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I watched from afar, not because I was more than passively interested in the case, as eventually O.J. was brought to trial, but because there was no avoiding it. The news was consumed with the case, talking heads pontificated about it, people gossiped about it. And I couldn't figure out why. I didn't like football, I knew none of the parties involved, and I lived no where near California. Why would anyone care so much? The verdict came and I was again disgusted, because, obviously I thought he was guilty, I was again bemused, because Americans responded along color lines, whites were disappointed, blacks were jubilant (the only exception I observed were the mentally ill adults I worked with as a social worker - almost all of them, regardless of color, were happy he was exonerated).<br />
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Decades passed. I moved across the country, met the love of my life and entered a new profession. O.J. and his trial were millions of miles and years away. Except, suddenly, he was back. And not just Simpson, but the trial. What was going on? There was <i>O.J.: Made in America</i>, a documentary about race and celebrity, and Ryan Murphy's limited series, <i>The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story</i>. I refused to watch either.<br />
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I was bemused at all the critical attention that arose from the series, and the number of Emmy nominations and wins it earned. Critics I respect loved the series. Finally, my husband said, we should watch it. So we did.<br />
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The first thing that impressed me was the quality of the acting. Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clark, Sterling K. Brown as Chris Darden, Courtney B. Vance as Johnnie Cochran, John Travolta as Robert Shapiro, and Nathan Lane as F. Lee Bailey were all excellent (and how depressing that I knew the names of the characters they played so well). I had no issues with Cuba Gooding, Jr.'s performance. Granted, he didn't look a thing like Simpson, but he carried himself with the swagger and narcissism that I associated with O.J. And I did think that David Schwimmer's Robert Kardashian had a lot of Ross Gellar in him, but I thought that was as much due to the character he was playing as to Schwimmer's skill (or lack thereof) as an actor.<br />
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What also impressed me was what a human story it was. Clark and Cochran were both extremely confident and cocky about their trial skills and the rightness of their cause. Darden and Kardashian were outsiders, who served as the moral center of the piece. Shapiro quickly realized he was out of his league, so he quickly brought Cochran on, only to lose control of his big case. And the air went out of me as I watched <i>Marcia Marcia Marcia</i>, in which Clark was humiliated from beginning to end. None of these characters were left unscathed by the trial, with perhaps only Cochran and some of the minor characters (lawyers) coming out better than they started. Even Simpson, the man who was exonerated, found himself a pariah following the verdict.<br />
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It was worth revisiting this trial, both from an artistic perspective, but also from a personal one. The show made clear the animosity that existed between the L.A. police force and the African American community. For many African Americans, the trial represented more than just the trial of a man accused of brutally murdering his ex-wife and her friend. I feel like I understand that now, even though I still feel that Simpson was guilty and should not have been exonerated. What I still don't understand is why white Americans care so much. Even today, people are still litigating in comments sections both the murder trial and his subsequent imprisonment for another crime. And not just in an academic way, but in a personal, passionate way, much the way we now argue about politics. At least politics are actually related to our lives. Whether Simpson gets out on parole really doesn't affect me at all (though I guess you could get into a philosophical argument about how the unjust imprisonment of a person diminishes our society and makes us all a little less free from abusive police power, but I'm not going to with O.J. Simpson. Just ain't gonna happen).<br />
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It took me longer to decide what to write about for this week. I have not kept up with <i>Orphan Black</i>, and I've one episode to go to finish <i>Orange is the New Blac</i>k. And <i>Game of Thrones </i>has just started, and I'm not sure I want to contribute to the apparently thousands of articles about the show (though we all know I will). I'm including a picture of Kit Harrington however, because I suspect that just about every blog post would be improved by his image.<br />
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<i>Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip</i> fan alert: Sarah Paulson starred as Harriet Hayes, Aaron Sorkin's conservative voice for the show. I really wanted to like this show, but the episodes following the premiere were slogs, partially because Sorkin decided that Harriet would be more interesting as a conservative scold than as a fully fledged character. She was not.<br />
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<i>Army Wives</i> and <i>Person of Interest</i> fan alert: I'm so happy that Sterling K. Brown is doing so well for himself. He was one of the main characters in this Lifetime drama. Yes, I watched it. Get over it. He also played a love interest to Carter on <i>Person of Interest</i>, only to be tragically murdered. He can now be seen in <i>This is Us</i>.<br />
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<i>Law and Order: Criminal Intent</i> fan alert: Courtney B. Vance's role as the prosecutor left him sorely underused.<br />
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<i>Friends</i> fan alert: David Schwimmer was Ross. I never watched the show consistently, but he was in it. I preferred Matthew Perry's character.<br />
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I could add <i>Welcome Back Kotter </i>fan alert for John Travolta, but I think he's more famous for other things now.RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-8066777468928956502017-07-19T18:42:00.000-07:002017-07-19T18:42:48.971-07:00No One Expected Them to Be Nominated, But They Should Have Been<br />
It's that time of year, when the Emmy Nominations are announced. And while everyone agrees that the voting process is better than it was, it still results in some very foolish choices (how did Michael McKean not get nominated? And <i>The Americans</i> should be nominated for best series every.single.year. And Shannon Purser's Barb was nominated?).<br />
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Each year there is a list of surprises, a list of people and shows who you thought would be nominated but were not and a list of people and shows who were nominated but really don't deserve it.<br />
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Well, this list doesn't truck with that. No, I want to look at the people no one thought would be nominated. The people who provide finely tuned performances, who make it all look easy, who let the "stars" shine. This is for them.</div>
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<b>Adrienne C. Moore, Black Cindy on Orange is the New Black, Supporting Role in a Drama</b></div>
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A lot of actors have been awarded through the years for their performances on <i>Orange is the New Black</i>. Danielle Brooks and Adrienne C. Moore have both been nominated by the NAACP Image Awards. If Brooks had been nominated for an Emmy, it would be a pleasant surprise, but not nearly as surprising as it would be had Moore been nominated.<br />
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Why would I nominate Moore? Because Black Cindy kills it, every single time she's on the screen. Black Cindy has lived her life as essentially one big joke, and is probably in federal prison for her constant stealing while a TSA officer in an airport. But as with most of the characters on this show, there's more to her than that. When she first declared she was Jewish, it was because she heard the kosher meals were better than the slop the prison was forced to serve. Kosher meals were more expensive than slop, so Cindy had to prove she was Jewish to continue receiving them. At first it was all for laughs, but it soon turned out her conversion was sincere, much to the surprise of the rabbi and the Jewish inmate who was helping her. Moore has managed to make all these changes organic and a natural part of who Black Cindy is, all with wit and as much grace as Cindy can muster. <br />
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Oh, and if you are ever in Litchfield and need some truth, Black Cindy's the one to see. While it won't be sugar coated, it will be on target and hilarious.<br />
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Ms. Moore, thanks for your work.<br />
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<b>Jordan Gavaris, Felix Dawkins on Orphan Black, Best Supporting Actor in a Drama</b><br />
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Tatiana Maslany sucks out all of the energy awards-wise from <i>Orphan Black</i>, which, while she deserves all the accolades she has received (and more), is a shame, because Jordan Gavaris is doing excellent work as her foster brother who loves his family but just wants to live his life too.<br />
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First, the flawless accent. Apparently, even the European actors from <i>Game of Thrones </i>were surprised to learn that Gavaris was <a href="http://ew.com/article/2014/03/16/orphan-black-jordan-gavaris-felix/" target="_blank">not British</a> - he's actually Canadian. But as the linked article says, his performance is flawless as well. He's funny, he's poignant, and like Black Cindy, he's usually right. And his relationships with each clone is unique and endearing (my favorite mix is Felix and Alison). The clones would be lost without Felix, and <i>Orphan Black</i> would be much less of a show than it is. Gavaris bring a great deal of humor and humanity to his role, bringing nuance to what could been just a stock "gay best male friend" character.<br />
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Mr. Gavaris, please keep it up!<br />
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<b>Finn Wolfhard, Mike Wheeler on Stranger Things, Best Actor in a Drama</b><br />
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Everybody knew that Millie Bobbie Brown would get nominated for her role as Eleven, and I will not begrudge her that. She was spectacular. But I would argue the harder role in <i>Stranger Things </i>was that of Mike Wheeler. When Will Byers disappeared after playing Dungeons and Dragons at Mike's house, Mike and his friends decide to look for him. It is their search that leads them to Eleven, requiring Mike to navigate his growing feelings for her, conflict with his friends and finding Will, all while keeping Eleven hidden from his family (which he almost achieves). He's out of his league, he knows it, but he keeps doing what he thinks is best. And Mr. Wolfhard plays it all authentically. He doesn't play Mike precociously, but as a normal boy with a big heart.<br />
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You'll note that I nominate Mr. Wolfhard for Best Actor, not Supporting Actor. That was on purpose. Yes, yes, both David Harbour and Winona Ryder are the adult leads, but I'd argue that both Mike and Eleven were the real leads.<br />
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Mr. Wolfhard, looking forward to seeing you in season two.<br />
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<b>Yvonne Strahovski, Serena Joy Waterford on The Handmaid's Tale, Best Supporting Actress in a Drama</b><br />
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No one is surprised that Elisabeth Moss, Samira Wiley and Ann Down are all nominated for their work on <i>The Handmaid's Tale</i>. But I sure wish that Yvonne Strahovski had been recognized too.</div>
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It's not easy being a woman in Gilead, and while the Wives certainly have it better than say, 99.9% of the other women caught within its borders, Strahovski manages to show that Gilead is a prison for Serena Joy, too. Of course, it is partially her fault. She even wrote the book on it, a work on domestic feminism called "A Woman's Place". She helped orchestrate the revolution that allowed Gilead to take over the United States. It seems she did not anticipate that she would not be allowed to read her own book, participate in the leadership of the country or even have sex with her husband.</div>
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In this unnatural role, she has charge only over the domestic realm in her own home, forced to participate in the "ceremony" where her husband rapes a handmaid in the hopes the woman will conceive. Unfortunately for the handmaids, all named Offred after Serena Joy's husband Fred (Of-Fred), Serena Joy has not found contentment with her lot. She needs a baby and she needs it now, and knowing that her husband is probably infertile, arranges for Offred to copulate with another man. When Serena Joy learns that her husband has been taking Offred to a clandestine pleasure palace, she threatens Offred's daughter. </div>
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While we may feel sorry for Serena Joy, her abuse of the power she has over Offred ultimately makes her unsympathetic. And Strahovski absolutely nails that dynamic, as the brittle, angry woman trapped by the society she created.</div>
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Ms. Strahovski, you absolutely scare me. Thank you for that!</div>
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<b>Joel de la Fuente as Chief Inspector Takeshi Kido in Man in the High Castle, Best Supporting Actor in a Drama</b></div>
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I had actually written an entire piece on the wonderfulness of Rufus Sewell's performance in <i>Man in the High Castle,</i> praising it as the highlight of the show, when I realized that was wrong and that there are two highlights: the Japanese in San Francisco are riveting. And while I love Sewell, and I love Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa's Nobusuke Tagomi, the character that holds my attention the most is Chief Inspector Takeshi Kido, played by Joel de la Fuente. </div>
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Kido is chief of the Kenpeitai in Japanese San Francisco, and as such, he slithers throughout the action. He is a cold and calculating man who will do everything in his power to protect Japanese interests. Called upon to investigate when the Crown Prince is shot, he nearly commits seppuku for his failure to find the culprit in a specified time. Fortunately, clues are found, and Kido survived to make everyone else uncomfortable.</div>
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Season 2 ended with Kido flying to Germany to give John Smith a film showing our America (I guess) doing nuclear bomb testing. He knew what he had, and knew it was the only way to stop war. Smith offered Kido a place to stay, but Kido demurred - if he had to die, let it be on Japanese soil, or in this case, the Japanese embassy.</div>
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Kido is not a nice man. He killed Frank Frink's sister and her two children while trying to coerce Frink into turning his girlfriend in. Yet de la Fuente is so charismatic in the role that I still root for him. He has taken what could have been a one-note character and embraced the nuances that make Kido an interesting man. </div>
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So, Mr. de la Fuente, you are even scarier than Yvonne Strahovski. Thanks.</div>
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<b>Aden Young as Daniel Holden in Rectify, Best Actor in a Drama</b></div>
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The fact that none of the actors in <i>Rectify</i>, especially Aden Young, and the show itself were never even nominated for an Emmy tells you everything you need to know about the awards system. It's stupid. I'm sure that all the actors that were nominated were fine, but none of them put in nearly as subtle or refined a performance as Young.</div>
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Daniel Holden was on Death Row for 19 years after confessing to raping and killing his girlfriend, Hannah Dean, during a drug-fueled night. He was released, but not exonerated, when DNA testing found someone else's DNA. <i>Rectify</i> covers those first few months following Daniel's release, and its effect on his family and his community. There are no easy answers; it is hard, it is slow, and it is beautiful.</div>
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Young hails from Australia, not Georgia. But his accent is spot on, as are his facial expressions. Holden grew up not that far from where I did, and while not many were as good looking as he is, many sounded like him and moved like him. Young showed us the childlike wonder of being free and experiencing nature, as well as the fear and uncertainty of picking up a life that has been so horribly interrupted. </div>
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Had Aden Young an ice cube's chance in hell of being nominated, the other actor from his show I would have selected is Clayne Crawford, for his role as Teddy Jr. </div>
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Oh, Teddy, you were such an asshole that first season. I do not use that epithet lightly. It fits. But by the end of the series, Teddy broke my heart as much as Daniel did.</div>
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Clayne Crawford's from Alabama, and is experiencing a career high right now. He's playing Martin Riggs in the <i>Lethal Weapon</i> television series that was renewed for a second season. </div>
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But since Aden Young had no chance to get nominated, proving the Emmy system is stupid, I'll give my hat's up to him. </div>
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I don't think Aden Young ever smiles,</div>
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<i>Chuck</i> Fan Alert and <i>Dexter</i> Fan Alert: Yvonne Strahovski will always be Sarah Walker. Do you think she ever remembered Chuck? She also played some character in <i>Dexter</i>, but I never watched that show. I loved her character in <i>Chuck</i>, but never in a million years did I think she could pull off such an unlikeable role.</div>
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What about you? Anyone you wish had been recognized?</div>
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RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-46273529519304316892017-07-15T11:37:00.000-07:002017-07-15T11:37:51.672-07:00A Memorial and A Look Around<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, I'm back. I've been thinking of you for a while now, wondering what you are watching, wondering if you are watching what I'm watching. I'm wondering if now is really the time for yet another television blog. But I just spent a weekend celebrating the life of one who died too young, a writer, a man of many passions, a great husband and father, a brilliant friend. I have no idea if Tudor ever read my blog, and it's okay if he didn't. But this post is dedicated to you man. </div>
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Scroll down for a picture of Tudor.</div>
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I don't plan to post more often than one time per week. I will eventually return to the Buffy Rewatch, but it will be revamped. I didn't enjoy writing the recaps and I don't think that people enjoyed reading them. I'll probably still add obituaries, because when an actor I love dies, it hurts. And I'll try to be timely with my posts about shows. Oh, and I will also have to write an update on my relationship with spoilers. Spoiler alert: it's complicated.<br />
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Since I last posted regularly, a television executive declared this to be the time of <a href="http://uproxx.com/sepinwall/how-much-good-tv-is-too-much/" target="_blank">peak television</a>. And it is certainly true. How ironic for me that there is so much terrific television out there, and I get to watch about an hour a day. No binge watching for me. Unless I'm sick. It's hard to keep up, and even harder to watch shows I missed when they first aired. And streaming television makes it even harder to keep up. I just can't.<br />
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Here's a few shows what I've been watching. This list is in no particular order. Curious to see what's on you've been watching!<br />
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<b>Orange is the New Black</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taystee Washington is one of the greatest characters ever.</td></tr>
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This series follows women in a federal prison that was taken over by private company. The show excels in creating and portraying the many types of women who might find themselves in prison. The plots may be overstretched at times, but I don't care. There's Red, Poussey (RIP), Suzanne, Sophia, Gloria, Nicki, and most specially Taystee. I love them all dearly, and I love watching them. I'll never stop. No matter how long it airs.<br />
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<b>Orphan Black</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One actress, many roles. How does she do it?</td></tr>
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Tatiana Maslany is the best actress of her generation. There, I've said it. No one beats her. In <i>Orphan Black</i>, Maslany plays a number of young women who discover they are clones. Being clones, of course, means that they all look like her. But despite that, these women all so clearly have their own personalities. I still do not see how the same actress who plays hothead Sarah Manning also plays tightly wound Alison Hendrix. And all hail to Felix, as well, the best little brother ever, although I have to fault the show for not giving him enough of his own storyline.<br />
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<b>Sense8</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Capheus, Wolfgang, Nomi, Sun, Riley, Kala, Lito, and Will</td></tr>
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<i>Sense8</i> is the brainchild of the Wachowski siblings and J. Michael Straczynski, and depicts eight persons around the globe who, thanks to Daryl Hannah, are psychically connected. Yes, the orgies and the karaokes are fun, and the fight scenes are amazing, but the show wouldn't work without great characterization and acting. You would think that with eight main characters, there would be one or two that I just wouldn't love as much as others, and at first that was true. But the show didn't leave it alone, and managed to show aspects of each. I love them all. This was an extremely expensive show to produce, as they filmed in the location of each character. I was a little surprised when the show was renewed for a second season, but I was still devastated when it was canceled after the second. I wasn't alone, and after a protracted plea from fans, we were granted a two hour movie to wrap up the loose ends. I hope that Lito tells Hernando and Daniela about the sensates (they really deserve to know), and that we figure out where Jonas stands. But most importantly, #freeWolfgang.<br />
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<b>Game of Thrones</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jon Snow and hair.</td></tr>
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I've written about <i>Game of Thrones</i> prior to my disappearance from the blogging stage, but it's coming back and it dominates. If you read anything about television, you will see article upon article about the show, with teasers, pictures, and theories galore. Apparently no one can talk about anything else these days. It is with <i>Game of Thrones</i> that my relationship with spoilers became even more complicated, as the Red Wedding was spoiled for me. Oops. I've never read the books, and, despite my love for fantasy, I doubt I ever will. But that's okay, because I have the series, and it is worthy of every accolade it has received. Spoiler alert - if you love a character, they'll probably die. And nothing is fair. Ever. The show has thirteen episodes left to show us who wins the Iron Throne and who's left when the Night's King crosses the Wall. I have no idea how they'll do it, but I know I'll be enjoying it. <i>Game of Thrones</i> returns tomorrow, so I'm sure I'll be writing a bit about it.<br />
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Other shows I'm sure I'll write about at some time: <a href="https://thetelevisionchronicles.blogspot.com/search/label/Person%20of%20Interest" target="_blank"><i>Person of Interest</i></a><i>, Preacher, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Transparent, Man in the High Castle, Fargo, Stranger Things, Legion, Big Little Lies, The Americans, The Handmaid's Tale, Outlander, Search Party, Marvel's Agents of Shield, Black Mirror, The 100</i> and many more I'm sure I'm forgetting. And that doesn't even include the list of shows on my wish list!<br />
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<i>Star Trek Voyager Fan Alert</i>: Up until now, Kate Mulgrew would be best known for her role as the first female captain on Star Trek. And while that particular first will never change, I suspect she will be most famous outside of genre nerds like myself for her role as Red in <i>Orange is the New Black.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His hair is back! </td></tr>
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<i>Lost Fan Alert</i>: I'll not lie. Naveen Andrews is one of the reasons why I started watching <i>Sense8</i> in the first place. I hope that we find out if Jonas Maliki is a good guy, just because I really love Mr. Andrews.<br />
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<i>Black Mirror Fan Alert</i>: Tuppence Middleton plays Riley Blue in <i>Sense8</i>, while Jerome Flynn plays the sell-sword Bronn in <i>Game of Thrones</i>; both had memorable roles in different episodes of <i>Black Mirror</i>.<br />
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Here is a picture of Tudor.<br />
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<br />RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-89823032768565182552014-07-26T11:21:00.004-07:002014-07-26T11:22:21.855-07:00The Great Buffy Rewatch: Teacher's Pet, Season 1, Episode 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, we move from a really good episode to an episode that is only so-so. A giant praying mantis? Really? But, it does serve as an excellent showcase for the psyche of Xander. Let's get started.</div>
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The episode starts in the Bronze. Xander suavely saves Buffy from a vampire, then mounts the stage to play the guitar. Buffy looks on, helpless and adoring.<br />
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Suddenly, Xander is awakened from his daydream by his science teacher. None of it was real. Class ends, but Dr. Gregory asks Buffy to stay behind. He knows that she burned down the gym at her old school, but he feels she has potential, and encourages her to try hard. Buffy is touched. Sadly, right after she leaves his classroom, he is killed by an unseen something.<br />
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At the real Bronze that night, Xander's manhood is questioned by his class mate, Blayne, who is bragging about his sexual conquests. Xander asks Willow and Buffy to pretend to help him deflect Blayne's criticisms. But as Xander puts his arm around Buffy, she wanders off, having seen Angel in the background. Angel notes she is cold, and gives him his leather jacket. His arm shows the wound from what looks like a huge fork. He then gives Buffy a cryptic warning and disappears.<br />
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This is the first time that Xander and Willow see Angel. Xander is a little intimidated.<br />
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The next morning, Xander informs Buffy that Dr. Gregory is missing. As they're discussing it, Ms. Natalie French saunters up, exuding sexuality and gazing at all the boys. The boys, including Xander, are appropriately entranced. She asks Xander where Science 109 is, but Xander is tongue-tied; Blayne helpfully escorts her there.<br />
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In science glass, Buffy finds Dr. Gregory's glasses, which disturbs her. Ms. French is substituting for Dr. Gregory, and it becomes clear she is obsessed with bugs, finding them noble and beautiful. She focuses on the praying mantis.<br />
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In the lunch line, Xander focuses on how much Ms. French is obsessed with him. The gang overhear Blayne brag about his scheduled one-on-one with Ms. French. Meanwhile, Cordelia opens one of the cafeteria refrigerators, and finds the body of Dr. Gregory. His head is missing.<br />
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In the library, the gang and Giles discuss what could have happened to Dr. Gregory. Giles is able to tell the group about the mysterious vampire Angel warned Buffy about - apparently a vampire who had displeased the Master and had his hand cut off. However, Dr. Gregory's body was not drained of blood. <br />
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Buffy is patrolling in Sunnydale at night, interrupted by a homeless man who warns her about how dangerous it is. Buffy finds a small storm drain where apparently the de-armed vampire lives - he has replaced his missing hand with three sharp claws. They fight unconclusively, but are disrupted by the homeless men who are actually undercover cops. Shaking them off, the vampire finds another victim - Ms. French. But, sniffing her, he turns tail and runs, obviously terrified.<br />
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Buffy tells Giles about it the next morning. Giles suggests Buffy keep a close eye on Ms. French. But on the way to class, Buffy is waylaid by Principal Flutie, who insists that Buffy needs to speak with a counselor since she saw the body of Dr. Gregory. Buffy overhears Cordelia talking with the counselor.<br />
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Buffy runs to science class, and sees that Ms. French has given the students a pop quiz. She notes Blayne is absent, and sees Ms. French draping herself over Xander. Somehow, Ms. French turns her head around 180 degrees, which is creepy (I really wish I could have found a picture of that online!).<br />
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In the library, Buffy tells Giles and Willow what they saw. Buffy hypothesizes that Ms. French is perhaps some kind of an insect. She looks for a book on bugs.<br />
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Xander shows up for his one-on-one with Ms. French, but she reschedules for that evening at her home. Xander is understandably excited. When Xander leaves the room, she prepares her sandwich - with crickets. Yuck.<br />
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Back in the library, Buffy theorizes that Ms. French is somehow a praying mantis, since they are the only creatures that can turn their heads like that. Willow discovers that Blayne never returned home last night. Giles agrees to call a friend from Oxford who studied entomology and mythology.<br />
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Buffy runs into Xander. She tries to warn Xander that Ms. French is an insect, but Xander is incensed.<br />
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Later that evening, Xander shows up at Ms. French's home. She is wearing a low-cut dress. She serves him a martini. Xander becomes woozy, and admits to Ms. French that he loves Buffy. Ms. French turns into a praying mantis, and Xander passes out from the drug in his drink.<br />
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At the library, it turns out that a female praying mantis rips off the head of her mate while they're...mating.<br />
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Xander wakes up in a cage, and finds Blayne in a cage next to him. Blayne warns Xander about what happens when she mates - she does rip the head off the poor sap.<br />
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Back in the library, Giles gets off the phone with his friend. It turns out the "She-Mantis" turns herself into a beautiful woman to lure innocent virgins to her nest. Willow tries to call Xander, but finds out he left for Ms. French's home already. The best way to kill a She-Mantis is by cleaving her with a sharp blade. Buffy also suggests using a bat sonar, which she believes will immobilize the mantis. Willow finds Ms. French's address, and her birthday - she's in her nineties. Indeed, upon arriving, they find an elderly Ms. French, She used to be a teacher.<br />
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In the cellar, the She-Mantis approaches the two cages, and appears to use eenie, meenie, miney, moe to select her next mate. Xander "wins". She binds him up and lays her eggs.<br />
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Helpless, Buffy decides to use "fork-hand" vampire to locate Ms. French, so she goes down the storm drain and finds him. Bound, the vampire finally cringes at one house, just in time to escape. But that's okay, Buffy dusts him.<br />
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The gang run into the basement to find the She-Mantis approaching Xander, ready to mate. Buffy kills the Mantis, and, while Xander and Blayne are glad to be freed, they are both horrified when Willow reveals that both are virgins. Xander takes Buffy's blade and destroys the egg sacs.<br />
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The episode ends in science class, with the new teacher droning on. In the closet, hanging from a shelf is a glistening egg sack that moves and cracks. The episode ends.<br />
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What do I think? Well, the horror movie serving as a metaphor for the predatory behavior of an older woman with children is especially prescient with the number of teachers who have affairs with their charges. Granted, this particular teacher would end up killing her virgin mates, but otherwise, I think Xander's response is spot on. Of course he'd be attracted, especially given his frustrated attempts to secure the affections of Buffy. Finding out he was destined to be bug food and the father of more bugs, the episode ends with him destroying all his progeny in rage.<br />
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A lot of people online have expressed frustration that the show ended with the egg sacs in the classroom, a menace that was never mentioned again. I don't mind. It felt very Twilight Zone to me. Maybe they took years to mature, and were destroyed when the high school blew up? That's my theory.<br />
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<b>Best Quotes:</b><br />
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<b>Xander</b> (in response to an insult from Blayne): Something really cutting. (to Willow) Sometimes I just go with the generic insult.<br />
<b>Willow: </b>Why pay more for the brand name?<br />
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<b>Xander </b>(about Angel): Well, he's buff. She never said anything about him being buff.<br />
<b>Willow:</b> You think he's buff?<br />
<b>Xander:</b> He's a very attractive man! How come that never came up?<br />
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<b>Ms. French</b> (to Xander): Could you help me?<br />
<b>Xander:</b> Egguh - yes.<br />
<b>Ms. French:</b> I'm looking for Science 109.<br />
<b>Xander</b>: Sure. It's...uh..I go there everyday - oh, god, where is it?<br />
<b>Xander </b>(after Blayne takes over, walking away with Ms. French): Funny how the earth never opens up and swallows you when you want it to.<br />
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<b>Xander:</b> You two might be a little young to understand what an older woman sees in a younger man.<br />
<b>Buffy:</b> Oh, I understand.<br />
<b>Xander:</b> Good.<br />
<b>Buffy:</b> A younger man is too dumb to wonder why an older woman can't find someone her own age and too desperate to care about the surgical improvements.<br />
<b>Xander:</b> I'm not too dumb to....what surgical improvements?<br />
<b>Willow:</b> Well, he is young.<br />
<b>Buffy:</b> And so terrible innocent.<br />
<b>Xander:</b> Those who can, do. Those who can't laugh at those who...can do.<br />
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<b>Principal Flutie</b> (escorting Buffy to the counselor): We all need help with our feelings, otherwise we bottle them up, and before you know it powerful laxatives are involved. I really believe if we all reach out to one another we can beat this thing. I'm always here is you need a hug - but not a real hug, there's no touching in this school, we're sensitive to wrong touching.<br />
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<b>Cordelia: </b>...it was...let's just say I haven't been able to eat a thing since yesterday...I think I lost like seven and a half ounces - way swifter than the so-called diet that quack put me on...I'm not saying we should kill a teacher everyday just so I can lose weight, I'm just saying when tragedy strikes, we have to look on the bright side- you know, like how even a used Mercedes still has leather seats.<br />
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<b>Giles: </b>I had a chum at Oxford, Carlyle, advanced degrees in entomology and mythology...<br />
<b>Buffy:</b> Whosy and whatsy?<br />
<b>Giles: </b>Bugs and fairy tales.<br />
<b>Buffy: </b>I knew that.<br />
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<b>Giles:</b> This computer invasion Willow's performing on the Coroner's office...one assumes it's entirely legal?<br />
<b>Buffy and Willow</b> simultaneously: Of course - entirely.<br />
<b>Giles: </b>So I wasn't here, didn't see it, couldn't have stopped it.<br />
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<b>Xander</b> (after Buffy informs him Ms. French is a mantis): It's not weird, it's perfectly understandable. I've met someone, you're jealous.<br />
<b>Buffy: </b>I'm not jealous..<br />
Xander: Nothing I could do about it. There's just a certain chemcial thing between Ms. French and me.<br />
<b>Buffy:</b> I know, I just read about it, it's called, uh, a pheromone, this chemical attractant insects give off.<br />
<b>Xander: </b>SHE'S NOT AN INSECT - OK!? She's a woman. Hard as it may be for you to conceive, a human woman finds me attractive. I realzie she's no mystery guy handinhg out leather jackets - and while we're on the subject, what kinda girly-name is Angel, anyway?<br />
<b>Buffy: </b>What's that got to do with...<br />
<b>Xander</b>: Nothing! It just bugs me!<br />
<br />RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-90917659981967651832014-05-26T11:46:00.001-07:002014-05-26T12:14:33.168-07:00Kick-Ass Women: Lt. Uhura<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="text-align: start; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: start; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHx2PRZJyqdbt_9KH6dpUHJPNtjxkgmDaLZEIV0IiQxejJtKvjgALuyyCnFHx9FopbfRqriQ46rfY9_BDmyqKrfzPZfFlBZt4JrP3UtJJnhXXaiStq2PWj6Tw1ZA_aPWhyphenhyphenbHPZ4t3SBlVO/s1600/Uhura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHx2PRZJyqdbt_9KH6dpUHJPNtjxkgmDaLZEIV0IiQxejJtKvjgALuyyCnFHx9FopbfRqriQ46rfY9_BDmyqKrfzPZfFlBZt4JrP3UtJJnhXXaiStq2PWj6Tw1ZA_aPWhyphenhyphenbHPZ4t3SBlVO/s1600/Uhura.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="text-align: start; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I can't remember a time when I didn't watch <i>Star Trek. </i>My first memory of television was an episode (and no, I've no idea which one). One of my favorite characters was Lt. Uhura. And why wouldn't she be? Granted, she technically was the telephone operator, but otherwise, she was the epitome of the kind of woman I aspired to be. She was beautiful, good at her job, and had a full life. She was an accomplished singer and seemed to love life. Even more importantly, unlike those two blond women, she didn't pine after any of the men on the show (I have decided that the William Shatner-directed <i>Star Trek V</i> in which Uhura announced to Scotty she had always loved him doesn't really exist). She was a woman who had a career and a life, and stood on her own two feet. She didn't need a man to define her. Which, if you think about it, is what we all. </span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: start; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: start; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And for years, the real reason I wore hoop earrings is because I wanted to be as much like Uhura as I could. </span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: start; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: start; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlLSR3O8jt57W554ptSyEC0HaUZOvTxFjgC4lUBzk8jCzkrSiupr3w8s4szknUgMaZ0th6FAtkzMXeEkQvXDkqdcw8M14WMoAGnCibUX7qF81zdKANh-E-ujFvaChmwOpG9wl6eDcAGXs/s1600/Janice+Lester.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlLSR3O8jt57W554ptSyEC0HaUZOvTxFjgC4lUBzk8jCzkrSiupr3w8s4szknUgMaZ0th6FAtkzMXeEkQvXDkqdcw8M14WMoAGnCibUX7qF81zdKANh-E-ujFvaChmwOpG9wl6eDcAGXs/s1600/Janice+Lester.jpg"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Uhura was the only woman on <i>Star Trek </i>I admired. The show was produced in the 1960s, and despite its creator's progressive attitudes (<i>Star Trek </i>had one of the most diverse casts at the time) women were mostly seen through the prism of the men around them, caring and loving them, sex objects, and almost always scantily clad. Gene Roddenberry recognized the plight of women, however, as evidenced by the last episode ever, the horrible <i>Turnabout Intruder</i>. Even in Roddenberry's utopia, women were prohibited from captaining starships. Janice Lester was a classmate of Kirk's, and just as talented, but the Federation's refusal to promote her drove her insane. The only way she could become captain was to use advanced technology to change bodies with Kirk. But because of her gender or impaired mental health (or her lack of experience, to be fair), she was clearly incapable of leading. Spock eventually figured it out, bodies were switched, and everyone felt sorry for the poor woman whose ambitions were frustrated by her gender. It was a terrible end to a great show. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This series comes as a result of my discovery of Starbuck on the <i>Battlestar Galactica</i> reboot. As I loudly pronounced at the time, Starbuck was easily one of my favorite characters ever. The fact that she was female was perhaps the best part - otherwise Starbuck would have been just another cliche. As I bought about Starbuck, I thought about all the other kick-ass female characters I've loved through the years. I decided to start with the original. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Who are your favorite kick-ass women?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><br></div></div>RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-24446079325168899802014-05-10T16:46:00.000-07:002014-05-23T14:53:26.719-07:00The Great Buffy Rewatch: The Witch, Season 1, Episode 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the first episode following the pilot, and no vampires, none. Not even Angel (boo). Indeed, the "big bad" of the episode is not a monster but a parent, the very person who is supposed to cherish and protect her children. Let's proceed.<br>
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The episode starts with a greatly agitated Giles, outraged that Buffy, chosen to vanquish vampires, choses to engage in something as banal as cheerleading. Buffy points out that Giles can't stop her, especially as she wants to do something normal and...safe. Famous last words.<br>
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Giles may not approve of Buffy trying out for the squad, but Willow and Xander willingly accompany her to the gym. Xander awkwardly offers Buffy an I.D. bracelet that's inscribed "Yours always". He quickly claims all the bracelets had the same inscription.<br>
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As the tryouts begin, Willow greets Amy, who is clearly anxious about the audition. As they watch, the first would-be cheerleader breaks out into flames. Buffy quickly douses her. The girl had been talented, but no way she would be on the squad now. By the way, the use of a body double for Amber, the girl on fire, is pretty obvious. <br>
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The team gathers in the library to discuss what happened. Deciding vampires are not involved, Willow decides to hack the school systems and Xander will ask around about the charred cheerleader.<br>
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Buffy goes home to find her mother preoccupied with her first deliveries for the gallery she will be opening. Joyce can't even remember what Buffy is trying out for. Upon being reminded, Joyce remarks Buffy quit cheerleading right before she started getting into trouble. Buffy mentions that Amy's mother trains with Amy hours everyday. Joyce comments that Amy's mom clearly doesn't have much to do.<br>
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Back at school the next day, the auditions have resumed, and Buffy, Cordelia, and Amy are in the first group performance audition. Amy starts out strong, but eventually misses a few moves and crashes into Cordelia.<br>
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Buffy catches up to Amy in front of the trophy case. Amy tells Buffy about her mother, the former head cheerleader who took her squad to the tri-county tournament. Mom was the Homecoming Queen who married the Homecoming King. But sadly, her high school days were her best years, and the King left his family for "Miss Trailer Trash". Buffy tries to encourage Amy, but Amy clearly is under a lot of pressure by her mother.<br>
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Cordelia threatens Amy in the locker room.<br>
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The list is posted. Cordelia has made the team, but Buffy and Amy are alternatives. They explain to Xander that being an alternative means they are only on the team if one of the cheerleaders on the team drops out.<br>
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We then watch a witch intone a spell. We can see she is casting a spell on Cordelia.<br>
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Buffy's at home, and her mother is clearly trying to reconnect. When Joyce suggests Buffy join the yearbook staff, Buffy tells her its not her thing. Joyce gets angry, telling Buffy that Buffy's "thing" got her kicked out of school, requiring them to move to Sunnydale as it was the only decent school that would take her. Buffy is hurt and leaves.<br>
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As Xander tries to gather his courage to ask Buffy out, Buffy notes that Cordelia doesn't seem right. She follows Cordelia who gets in the driver's seat in driver's ed. (Why are other students in the car?) Anyway, Cordelia loses control. When she gets out of the car, she wanders into the road. Buffy saves her from an on-coming truck. But Cordelia can't see anything - her eyes are covered up by a murky film.<br>
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Giles declares witchcraft is involved. Amy is the first suspect. Giles is surprised that someone with power would be willing to use it to become a cheerleader, but Buffy points out the pressure that Amy's under from her mother to be a cheerleader. They decide to use a test to determine whether Amy really is the witch.<br>
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Xander, Willow, and Buffy decide to try the test during chemistry class. The test is positive - Amy's a witch. But at the same time, one of the other cheerleaders in class suddenly loses her mouth. Everyone is shocked, even Amy. Perhaps she doesn't know what she's doing?<br>
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Amy is walking home. Entering her surprisingly nice home, she seems to change. She mocks her mother for watching television all day. She orders her mother to write her history report, then notes that Buffy stole her hair. She dangles the bracelet that Xander had given Buffy.<br>
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The next morning, Buffy wakes up in an extremely good mood. She's singing and bouncy. When Joyce tries to apologize for her words yesterday, Buffy waves it away. She tells her mother that it's hard for people to understand about the whole vampire slayer thing. She somehow escapes without revealing too much more and her mother's just confused.<br>
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At cheerleading practice, Buffy is still verbose - loud and clumsy. She finally flips a girl too far. She's kicked off the team, and Amy's made a cheerleader. Xander and Willow get Buffy out of practice and take her to the library.<br>
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Giles diagnoses Buffy as afflicted with a Bloodstone Vengeance. Apparently it makes you feel exceedingly drunk, then shuts your immune system down. Whoever cast the spell wants Buffy dead. Giles and Buffy will go to Amy's house to talk to her mother, while Xander and Willow will keep an eye on Amy.<br>
<br>Giles's car is a piece of crap. I don't believe it's the same one he drives later. Giles confronts Catherine, Amy's mother, but Buffy, clearly dying, realizes the woman is really Amy, that Amy and her mother have switched places. This apparently occurred a couple of months ago. Amy-Catherine shows Giles the attic where her mother works her spells. He finds what he needs and the three go to school.<br>
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Catherine-Amy is cheering with the rest of the squad, very ecstatic, with Xander and Willow looking on. Giles, Amy-Catherine, and Buffy are in the chemistry lab. Giles starts spells. As the spell starts working, Catherine-Amy realizes what is going on, and, furious, heads to the lab. Xander and Willow try to delay her, but Catherine-Amy uses her magic to fend them off.<br>
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Chaos seems to ensue when Catherine-Amy arrives. The two are switched into their proper bodies, and Catherine is furous at her daughter, berating her for causing her nothing but trouble. She then starts to cast what looks like a particularly nasty spell. Buffy interferes, and somehow blocks the spell, reflecting it back on Catherine. With that, Catherine is gone.<br>
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Buffy's back at her home. Joyce acknowledges that she just doesn't understand Buffy and has no clue what she's thinking. It's a biological imperative that she can't understand her sixteen year old daughter. Buffy asks Joyce if she'd ever want to be sixteen again. Joyce says no, not even to understand Buffy. Buffy is pleased and declares she loves her mother. Who continues to be confused.<br>
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Buffy and Amy are talking in the halls. Amy is describing her life with her newly returned father; she's clearly very happy. No one has seen Catherine since the spell. They're confident they will never have to worry about her again.<br>
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We see the trophy from the cheerleading championship. It then becomes clear that Catherine is stuck inside the trophy.<br>
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My thoughts watching this:</b> Instead of monstrous vampires outside the house, this episode focuses on the monsters inside the home. Catherine took everything from her daughter - her body, her dreams, her autonomy. Contrast her with Joyce, also disappointed in her daughter, but who struggles to understand and accept Buffy as she is.<br>
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We also get to see Xander's unrequited attraction for Buffy and his bumbling attempts to connect. In the background is Willow, the good friend, who clearly has some unrequited feelings herself. It's sweet.<div><br></div><div>The characterization of Catherine-as-Amy seems off to me. At one point, Amy describes how great her mother is to help her train for the auditions. But later she tells Buffy about the pressure she's under from her mother. And why did this great former cheerleader who's been in Amy's body for months have such a hard time with auditions? Surely she should have gotten used to Amy's body in that amount of time. </div><div><br></div><div>That said, this episode builds in the promise introduced in the pilot, further developing a world where the bad guy might be a neighbor, not just a monster. The relationships building among the characters is also progressing. Already, the personalities of the characters are pretty well-established. A great chapter. </div><div>
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What we learned about Buffy: </b>Buffy's parents are divorced, something hinted at before, but now made clear.<br>
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Best quotes:</b><br>
<br><b>
Xander</b>: Oooh, where was I?<br><b>
Willow</b>: You were pretending that seeing scantily-clad girls in revealing postures was a spiritual experience.<br><b>
Xander</b>: What do you mean, pretending?<br>
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<b>Willow</b>: That girl's on fire!<br><b>
Cordelia</b>: Enough with the hyperbole!<br>
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Giles</b>: Well, that is the thrill of living on the hellmouth - one has a veritable cornucopia of fiends, devils and ghouls to engage...Pardon me for finding the glass half full.<br>
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Xander</b>: I laugh in the face of danger. Then I hide til it goes away.<br>
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Willow</b>: Average student - got detention once for smoking - regular smoking, with a cigarette. Not being smoky.<br>
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Buffy</b>: Mom, I accepted that you've had sex. I'm not ready to accept that you've had Farrah hair.<br><b>
Joyce</b>: This is Gidget hair. Don't they teach you anything in history?<br>
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Giles</b>: Why would someone want to harm Cordelia?<br><b>
Willow</b>: Maybe because...they met her. Did I say that?<br>
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Xander</b> [upon Willow announcing that Xander has checked out a number of books on witchcraft]: All right, all right. It's not what you think.<br><b>
Willow</b>: You like to look at the semi-nude engravings?<br><b>
Xander</b>: Oh. Well, then, it is what you think.<br>
<br><b>
Giles</b>: I think all the spells were reversed. Of course, it's my first casting. I may have got it wrong.<br><b>
Buffy</b>: You saved me. You were a god.<br><b>
Giles</b>: One doesn't want to be immodest, but I am not unsatisfied.<br><b>
Buffy</b>: Giles, stop being so proper. You're in America. Brag.<br>
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Cordelia</b>: Hey, I'm really sorry you guys got bumped back to alternate. Hold it - wait - no, I'm not.<br><b>
Amy</b>: Well, I know I'll miss the intellectual thrill of spelling words out with my arms.<br><b>
Cordelia</b>: Ooh, these grapes are sour.<br>
<br><b>Buffyverse fan alert:</b> Sarah Michelle Geller's comedy, <i>The Crazy Ones</i>, has been cancelled. Meanwhile, Alyson Hannigan has just finished her run in <i>How I Met Your Mother </i>and is set to co-star in <i>More Time with Family</i>. <br>
<br></div>RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-10304696129813149282014-04-14T15:43:00.000-07:002014-04-15T20:47:51.013-07:00Game of Thrones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you've not seen the 13 April 2014 episode of the <i>Game of Thrones</i>, step away from the computer, and all of social media, for you will be spoiled. </div>
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The irony is that I just had to delete an entire draft of a post about <i>Game of Thrones</i> I had written last week; I had not gotten an opportunity to edit it. It was a dull affair, which is one reason why I delayed looking at it. But there's no way I could post that generic article on the parts of <i>Game of Thrones</i> I love. Not after watching Episode 2 of Season Four.</div>
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He's not merely dead; he's really most sincerely dead.</div>
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Yes, Joffrey finally bit the big one last night, poisoned at his own wedding feast. And the internet exploded.</div>
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Let's face it. It was bound to happen. And not just because he was the most reviled character in Game of Thrones (if not ever), but because the society in which he lived would not long tolerate this brutal boy's oppression. He was sadistic, cruel, mercurial, and capricious. His mother taught him that he was the center of the universe and that once he was king he could do whatever he liked. How shocked she was when he did just that, exactly what he wanted.</div>
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You can find other websites that will list this boy's crimes (and they were many), but any who watched this show recognized that Joffrey was a poison in Westeros, who could only cause harm. How convenient then, that he should be poisoned?</div>
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Ironically, however, his kingdom had experienced a brief period of peace following the death of Robb Stark, the erstwhile King of the North. Joffrey's death may throw the kingdom in further chaos, as presumably his younger brother will succeed him. Whether the boy is a minor or not, Tywin Lannister will retain his grip on the throne, but don't forget about Stannis Baratheon, who believes himself the lawful king, given that neither Joffrey nor his surviving siblings were in reality the children of the recently deceased Robert Baratheon. </div>
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Stannis will be further emboldened, as this is the second king to die following Melisandre's spell with Gendry's blood-filled leaches. Surely, the God of Lights does want him to be king? Will that make the three souls who were burned at the stake for heresy rest easier?</div>
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Joffrey's death has a number of implications for other characters, especially fan favorite, Tyrion.</div>
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Yes, Joffrey's last act, literally, was to point to his hated uncle, giving the impression Tyrion poisoned Joffrey. And who would have blamed Tyrion if he had? Joffrey had spent his last five minutes before choking to death tormenting his uncle, pouring wine on him, mocking him with a spectacle of dwarfs playing out Joffrey's victory over the other contenders to the throne, and forcing Tyrion to be his cupbearer, an honor that was not intended to be an honor. Joffrey wouldn't even let Tyrion leave gracefully. </div>
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So it was Tyrion who poured out Joffrey's last goblet of wine, getting a serious look from the Queen of Thrones as he did so. Presumably, it was the wine, and not the cake (which the camera did linger on) that poisoned Joffrey, and since Tyrion gave it to him, it must be Tyrion who poisoned the King. Cersei has long hated her brother, and is more than willing to believe that he would do such a vile thing.</div>
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I know I love Tyrion, but I don't think I'm biased in asserting that there is no way Tyrion poisoned his nephew. Of all the players in the <i>Game of Thrones</i>, Tyrion is smart enough to know that he would be the first suspect if Joffrey were poisoned. And no matter how humiliated he may have been by Joffrey, Tyrion seemed to buy the family line of supporting the little bastard. Besides, why poison Joffrey when he could have escaped with Shae? It just doesn't make sense.</div>
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The other character most affected is the widow, Margaery Tyrell. I'm afraid her dreams of being Queen may be over, now that not one but two of her grooms have died before the marriages could be consummated. It is possible that Tywin will try to arrange for Margaery to marry Joffrey's brother, a marriage I presume she'll agree to. </div>
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And let's not forget the bereaved mother. I believe it is possible that Cersei is a more hateful a human being than her son. They are both alike in a lot of ways, and, as much as I don't believe in blaming the mother, she bears much blame her in raising her tyrannical heartless son. Cersei was quite surprised to find that once her son became King he not only no longer relied upon her for advice, but also appeared to despise her. Her precious boy turned into a viper at her breast. But she still dearly loved her son, and her grief will be real and protracted. If she emerges, her memories of Joffrey will be as she wanted him to be, not as he really was. In the meantime, watch out Tyrion. In her mind, you murdered her baby.</div>
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So, if I don't think Tyrion killed his nephew, who do I think did so? Well, I've two candidates right now. </div>
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Olenna Tyrell, the Queen of Thorns, gave Tyrion what now seems to be a very significant look when he filled Joffrey's last of wine. At first, I thought it was sympathy for the humiliation that Joffrey had heaped on his uncle. But I also remember her giving her condolences to Sansa about Robb, commenting on how awful to be killed at a wedding feast. Could she have done this? And will her having committed this murder affect how I feel about her? Of course not! I adore this character. She is never less than thoroughly entertaining.</div>
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My other candidate is Dontos Holland, the one-time knight turned jester. He certainly appeared at Sansa's side awfully quickly. Her certainly has reason to hate Joffrey, as he so helpfully reminded us in the first episode of the season. </div>
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I don't know if we'll find out who killed Joffrey, for that matters less than on what people think happened, and on the machinations of the survivors to win at the game of thrones. All I do know is that I'll be watching, eager to see what happens next. </div>
RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-80146278395116924592014-04-01T15:02:00.000-07:002014-04-06T19:03:15.766-07:00The Great Buffy Rewatch: The Harvest, S. 1, E. 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This episode finishes what <i>Welcome to the Hellmouth</i> started. Which is good, because things weren't looking so good for our new heroes.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where's Jesse?</td></tr>
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Luke's on Buffy, but while attacking her he screams. The cross Angel had given her burns his hand. This gives her time to escape. She finds Willow and Xander, and rescues them from the vampires who were taking off with them. She manages to dust one, but the others escape. That's when they realize that Jesse is missing.<br>
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The next scene shows Xander and Willow with Giles and Buffy in the library. Giles explains about demons and how vampires were created. Xander and Willow are understandably disturbed.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesse looks more confused than scared.</td></tr>
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We then go underground where Jesse is brought to the Master. The Master notes that someone has "tasted" Jesse. Darla begs forgiveness, bringing up that they had more "offerings", but "there was trouble. A girl." Luke and the Master supposed the girl was a Slayer.<br>
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Back in the library, Buffy reveals her plan to find Jesse, on the chance that he might be alive. They realize that the vampires might be nesting in the electric tunnels that run under the town, but they don't have time to find the diagnostics, until Willow interrupts...<br>
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Under the town, Luke and the Master decide to use Jesse as bait.<br>
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Back in the library, Willow demonstrates her hacking skills, bringing up the diagnostics to the electric tunnels. Buffy then realizes that there's access to the tunnels in the mausoleum. Xander volunteers to go with her, but she refuses, reminding him that she's the Slayer. Willow offers to help, and Giles asks for help in researching the Harvest.<br>
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Principal Flutie finds Buffy at the gate, trying to leave the school grounds. Although she protests that Giles was sending her for a book, he shuts and locks the gate. That doesn't stop a Slayer, however, as she jumps over the fence.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's scared.</td></tr>
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Buffy's in the mausoleum when she realizes Angel is behind her. He reveals that the Master's group doesn't like him, and finally shares with Buffy his name. He warns her to not go, as the Harvest is tonight and only Buffy can prevent it. He also acknowledges that he's afraid of the Harvest.<br>
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Buffy's in the tunnels when she's joined by Xander, who refuses to leave. Buffy accepts.<br>
<br>
Giles figures out the Harvest and that it will be tonight.<br>
<br>
Willow, Cordelia, and Harmony are in computer class, developing programs. Cordelia and Harmony are struggling through their work, while talking about their evening plans. They're going to the Bronze.<br>
<br>
In the tunnels, Xander quizzes Buffy about how to slay vampires.<br>
<br>
Back in the computer lab, Cordelia tells Harmony about Buffy's attempt to stake her. Willow interrupts, drawing Cordelia's ire. She suggests that Cordelia save her program by pressing "Deliver". You know, the key marked "DEL".<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4kMtADJxak8dlaRLzqaDh8XriboF79Ujqsp1PfmsbkE7IuMl4aEZ9Dfe_mb8HrAi6R_gL1Zox2W7iBzscVihdenSEM42NTGv3N4acuaygHxSMSIkqauoXcOcN3nE_D5pKs6HXo_-V-0w/s1600/Jesse%2527s+a+vampire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4kMtADJxak8dlaRLzqaDh8XriboF79Ujqsp1PfmsbkE7IuMl4aEZ9Dfe_mb8HrAi6R_gL1Zox2W7iBzscVihdenSEM42NTGv3N4acuaygHxSMSIkqauoXcOcN3nE_D5pKs6HXo_-V-0w/s1600/Jesse%2527s+a+vampire.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too late! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
Back in the tunnels, Buffy and Xander find Jesse. Jesse leads them through the tunnels, finally leading them to a closed room. Jesse then reveals his vampire face. Xander is sad, but Jesse's not: "I feel good, Xander. I feel strong." Xander uses the cross to prevent Jesse from getting closer to him. More vampires are coming. Xander and Buffy somehow escape.<br>
<br>
Willow joins Giles in the library. Willow tells Giles that in 1937 there were several months of murders that could have been perpetuated by vampires. This was stopped following an earthquake.<br>
<br>
Luke and the Master are engaging in a vampiric rite. The Master announces that every soul Luke, now called the Vessel, takes will strengthen the Master.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcUAQeut37O6yTrx_5JLgnPl8VTx7tF_lmmtxoUTgnq5jpAI8gREIKF8cKBPx5PPRBfqiQIDA_SYJCxocW4qo1yQAuXQJnwLraBiOR9MEAIuQf43ScdC61H26mSEZt4rYgpdCNjx5hSR2/s1600/Luke%2527s+Thing+on+head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXcUAQeut37O6yTrx_5JLgnPl8VTx7tF_lmmtxoUTgnq5jpAI8gREIKF8cKBPx5PPRBfqiQIDA_SYJCxocW4qo1yQAuXQJnwLraBiOR9MEAIuQf43ScdC61H26mSEZt4rYgpdCNjx5hSR2/s1600/Luke%2527s+Thing+on+head.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see what's on his forehead?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
Buffy and Xander return to the library, sharing the news with Giles and Willow about Jesse. Giles reveals that the end of the world is upon them. In 1937, a very old and powerful vampire came to Sunnydale, called by the Spanish Boca del Infierno - roughly, the Hellmouth. It is a portal from this reality to the next, and the vampire hoped to open the door and bring the demons back. However, the earthquake buried half the town and the vampire, preventing him from following up on his plans. Giles then describes the Harvest, in which the Master draws power from one of his minions to break free and to open the portal. The Vessel, as the minion is called, will wear a specific symbol. That vampire needs to be killed before the Master gathers enough power.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUulRgPnfu8Q1xfcTkTNKtDZayoaBJlYrvFaQ32tCv30CVelErtoxpAsqdjcE6SuSYiwqONlyqHJjTGSMQu4As8io9vfOU9-5K8wZvV7EjRKWNtYCn8oh0xcpG0UYhY4yzipRTiKqqN_d/s1600/Just+say+no.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUulRgPnfu8Q1xfcTkTNKtDZayoaBJlYrvFaQ32tCv30CVelErtoxpAsqdjcE6SuSYiwqONlyqHJjTGSMQu4As8io9vfOU9-5K8wZvV7EjRKWNtYCn8oh0xcpG0UYhY4yzipRTiKqqN_d/s1600/Just+say+no.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joyce finally puts her foot down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br></div><div>
Buffy goes home to get supplies. While she's digging through her trunk, her mother comes in, concerned. Buffy' second day at school and she's already missing classes. Buffy says she has to go, but Joyce says no, grounding Buffy. Buffy waits for<b> </b>her mom to leave, then leaves with her bag of tricks though the window.<br>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjIlxRjCqPAmJ3_21H9-M_C3_tDiLWhA00xiI03Vern-rHuIY_R1Z_29SzDXhLf6BrHHLhmcMneCVcjEPPeivTXSANT4oXlSWHszJjeqALD2C-svktSEVGeGNI8e9fezhmQbyDkuCSNjE/s1600/Just+this+one+time..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjIlxRjCqPAmJ3_21H9-M_C3_tDiLWhA00xiI03Vern-rHuIY_R1Z_29SzDXhLf6BrHHLhmcMneCVcjEPPeivTXSANT4oXlSWHszJjeqALD2C-svktSEVGeGNI8e9fezhmQbyDkuCSNjE/s1600/Just+this+one+time..jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just this once.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br></div><div>
Cordelia's at the Bronze with her friends, talking about the value in dating seniors (cars), when they decide to dance. Jesse watches her. Outside the Bronze, we see a number of vampires approaching, Darla skipping in front, Luke in the midst of them. Inside , Cordelia is heading to her seat when Jesse approaches her, and, despite her weak protestations, they dance. The vampires come in and block the exits. </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Darla turns out the lights, and Luke takes the stage. Cordelia sees that Jesse's face has changed. Luke tells the crowd that they will have a glorious death, then eats the bouncer. Meanwhile, we see that the Master is getting stronger, and the barrier that hems him in is weaker.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtV9InBSpwvJUbWCnoG3vp7JUeVZBZYHF420frTO80RC1S_qwSxK9MKoXWm7yfuyeXHDfIFqLV9qMEvAQ4aQdF91IgmNkFqIS_vH3jGMf2Cs7KoqZtq0pITLeUJ8RMn18NZBwMtx-Ktgj1/s1600/Breaking+Through.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtV9InBSpwvJUbWCnoG3vp7JUeVZBZYHF420frTO80RC1S_qwSxK9MKoXWm7yfuyeXHDfIFqLV9qMEvAQ4aQdF91IgmNkFqIS_vH3jGMf2Cs7KoqZtq0pITLeUJ8RMn18NZBwMtx-Ktgj1/s1600/Breaking+Through.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Harvest is working.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br></div><div>
Buffy and the gang find the doors locked. She sends the others to the back door with her bag of tricks while she gets in through an upstairs window. She notes the symbol on Luke's forehead. Luke has finished with his second victim when Darla brings him Cordelia. Buffy throws the vampire who is supposed to have guarded the window down to the first floor, interrupting the proceedings before Cordelia is bitten. </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Buffy dusts a vampire and she and Luke proceed to fight. Xander, Willow, and Giles make it inside, and start herding people out. Buffy sees a vampire going for Xander, so she throws a cymbal, decapitating the vampire. Jesse takes the opportunity to grab Cordelia. Xander, hearing her scream, confronts him. </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div>
Buffy is still fighting Luke when Giles is jumped by Darla. Willow douses Darla in the face with holy water. Darla runs out, screaming in agony. Jesse is belittling Xander when a woman knocks him onto Xander's stake. Stabbed in the heart, Jesse turns to dust. Xander is grabbed by two other vampires. </div>
<div>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfasbolmqaskLlCUmLHQz2FSioZZLxIbog8e4Ho2rZK5fICzAmI_J7NR5VL1h_J2r60IUd2O0tjeZsDdulr47hMZXYrWCby_soOEqYY-1SIYlOBwwCcgdGCrH_4IqZEciPFJ_ph3HsCpJF/s1600/It%2527s+not+the+sunrise%252C+moron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfasbolmqaskLlCUmLHQz2FSioZZLxIbog8e4Ho2rZK5fICzAmI_J7NR5VL1h_J2r60IUd2O0tjeZsDdulr47hMZXYrWCby_soOEqYY-1SIYlOBwwCcgdGCrH_4IqZEciPFJ_ph3HsCpJF/s1600/It%2527s+not+the+sunrise%252C+moron.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's too early for sunrise, you moron.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br></div><div>
Buffy somehow tricks Luke into thinking that it's sunrise, bursting a window so that light streams on him. Luke is surprised when he isn't burned by the sun but it's too late. Buffy stakes Luke, and he's dusted. We see the Master, as he realizes his plan failed. </div>
<div>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzPDJCpvou_c1RbsIIgbk2PvJQJFaSL5QW5-hWNB7xlgUlBMZGN8O85qXuIDNdy8-Of-4wj5mf1Xj0usyTTs-W-7xyBzugaUb19tS8D_VhZfYQKk09phJrY5-t9wQKxOrpk7Kn3_NhraI/s1600/Iconic+buffy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzPDJCpvou_c1RbsIIgbk2PvJQJFaSL5QW5-hWNB7xlgUlBMZGN8O85qXuIDNdy8-Of-4wj5mf1Xj0usyTTs-W-7xyBzugaUb19tS8D_VhZfYQKk09phJrY5-t9wQKxOrpk7Kn3_NhraI/s1600/Iconic+buffy.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you really want to mess with me?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br></div>
<div>
Xander is struggling with the two vampires holding him. Buffy looks up at them, in one of the most iconic images of the show, and the vampires scamper away. The gang gathers, and Xander notes that nothing will be the same </div>
<div>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4r2nsf4yLdHTEH_vIVHPVKAMAsGrzY_DYqS00mHwPLG3Dcq_62lS8CVN5nTjuhSASPvfQKBCUEO-4oziz_sAy1Pj6AkrI9Ize4XQwLlXG-LQbwg_zoK3fV26jTPerd0PsxnqKg2a2H9X/s1600/Everything%2527s+Normal+The+Next+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4r2nsf4yLdHTEH_vIVHPVKAMAsGrzY_DYqS00mHwPLG3Dcq_62lS8CVN5nTjuhSASPvfQKBCUEO-4oziz_sAy1Pj6AkrI9Ize4XQwLlXG-LQbwg_zoK3fV26jTPerd0PsxnqKg2a2H9X/s1600/Everything%2527s+Normal+The+Next+Day.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing's changed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br></div><div>
And yet, the next day, everything is the same. Cordelia is overheard telling a friend that the incident involved a rival gang, a gang that Buffy knew. Xander is in disbelief, but Buffy says she's seen it before. Giles reminds the gang that this is just the beginning, and that they may face worse than vampires. </div>
<div>
<br>
<b>About the Episode</b><br>
<br><b>
My thoughts</b>: High school is literally hell here in Sunnydale. For most people, getting out of high school with your psyche relatively intact is the goal. But for our heroes, getting out alive becomes the challenge. It's the first example we have where Buffy saves the world (or at least, Sunnydale) in front of vast numbers of witnesses, but no one seems to remember it. The show implies it is not a magical spell but our own human nature protecting us from the horrors of the supernatural.<br>
<br>
Several themes that run through the show are introduced, including Joyce's uninformed perspective on Buffy's behavior. To her, Buffy is acting like a typical sixteen year old who believes the world will end if she doesn't go out. And of course grounding Buffy is the logical response to a daughter who skips class. Lying to your mom is just one of the things you have to do when you have a secret identity to protect. </div><div><br></div><div>Jesse is the first of many reminders that no one is really safe. Joss Wedon had hoped to put Eric Balfour's name in the main credits, but didn't have the money for the ink. It certainly would have made his demise more heartbreaking. A it was, we barely knew him, and Xander's attachment to him was only slightly established. I feel sad he didn't make it, but I wasn't devastated. Other losses will affect me much more. Just wait. <br>
<br><b>
What we learn about vampires</b>: The first vampire was created when the last Old One, or Demon, fed off a human and mixed their blood. What was left was a human who was possessed or infected by the Demon's soul. Many vampires are waiting for the Old Ones to return. They can be killed by a stake through the heart or beheading. They also don't like crosses, holy water or garlic. Crosses and holy water burn their skin. We also learn that it takes no time to turn a human into a vampire (that changes in <i>Angel; </i>some theorized the Master turned Jesse.). <br>
<br><b>
What we learned about Sunnydale</b>: The Spanish learned of it's mystical convergence whatevers. The Master must have known of it too, as he came to the town in 1937. However, as he was trying to open the Hellmouth, there was an earthquake, that his actions may have caused. He has been crippled since.<br>
<br><b>Body Count</b>: Humans - 3; Vampires - 5. Jesse is represented in both numbers. <br>
<br><b>What we learned about our characters</b>: We see the Scooby Team roles solidify. Giles and Willow research, Buffy slays, and Xander tags along. We also see Willow exact some revenge for the cruelty suffered at the hands of Cordelia. Go girl! We learn Angel's name and that he is acquainted with the Master. We first meet Harmony, too, as one of Cordelia's followers. </div><div><br><b>
Quotes</b></div><div><br><b>
Giles</b>: This world is older than any of you know, and contrary to popular mythology,
it did not begin as a paradise. For untold eons, Demons walked the earth;
made it their home... their Hell. In time they lost their purchase on this reality, and the way was made for
the mortal animals. For Man. What remains of the Old Ones are
vestiges: Certain magicks, certain creatures... The books tell that the last Demon to leave this reality fed off a human,
mixed their blood. He was a human form possessed -- infected -- by
the Demon's soul. He bit another, and another... and so they walk the
earth, feeding. Killing some, mixing their blood with others to make more
of their kind. Waiting for the animals to die out, and the Old Ones to
return.<br>
<br><b>
Xander</b>: Okay, this is where I have a problem, see, because we're now talking about
vampires. We're having a talk with vampires in it.<br>
<br><b>
Giles</b>: All right: They hunt vampires, one Slayer dies, the next is called, Buffy is
the Slayer, don't tell anyone. I think that's all the vampire information
you need.<br>
<br><b>
Giles</b>: So all the city plans are just open to the public?<br><b>
Willow</b>: Uh, well, in a way. I sort of stumbled onto them when I accidentally...
decrypted the city council's security system.<br><b>
Xander</b>: Someone's been naughty... <br>
<br><b>
Xander</b> (to Jesse): It's cool! Buffy's a superhero!<br>
<br><b>
Xander</b>: I don't like vampires. I'm gonna take a stand and say they're not good.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div><b>
Joyce</b>: I know. You have to go out or it'll be the end of the world. Everything is life or death when you're a sixteen year old girl. </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div><b>
Luke</b>: Ladies and gentlemen, there's no cause for alarm. Actually there is cause for alarm. It just won't do any good. </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div><b>
Xander</b> (as Buffy decapitates the vampire who was about to pounce): Heads up.</div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div><b>
Buffy</b>: Well, we averted the apocalypse. You gotta give us points for that. </div>
<div>
<br></div>
<div><b>
Buffy</b>: Well, I gotta look on the bright side. Maybe I can still get kicked out of school. </div>
<div><b>
Xander</b>: Hey, that's a plan. 'Cause a lot of schools aren't on the Hellmouth. </div>
<div><b>
Willow</b>: Maybe you could blow something up. They're really strict about that. </div>
<div><b>
Buffy</b>: I was aiming on a subtle approach. Like excessive not studying. </div>
<div><b>
Giles</b> (to himself): The earth is doomed. </div><div><br></div><div><i>Bones</i> Fan Alert: There are no real guest stars different from Welcome to the Hellmouth, so I'll write about one who started as a guest star, became a full-fledged cast member, and then headline his own show. Prior to his role as Angel, David Boreanaz's biggest role was as Kelly's cheating boyfriend on <i>Married With Children</i>. Shortly after Angel ended, he took on the role of Seeley Booth, opposite Emily Deschanel's Temperance "Bones" Brennan. </div>
</div>RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-71560426218714160742014-03-20T10:16:00.000-07:002014-03-20T10:16:17.768-07:00The Great Buffy Rewatch: Welcome to the Hellmouth, S. 1, E. 1<div>
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<div>
One of my goals since getting a DVD player (Blu-Ray) and Netflix is the opportunity to rewatch some of my favorite shows, such as<i> Buffy</i>. I should start with my first favorite show, <i>Star Trek</i>, but I'm confident that I can watch that with my children relatively soon. However, I'm pretty that the mature subject matter of Buffy means that I won't be able to watch that with them until at least a decade from now. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Buffy</i> is the first show after <i>Star Trek</i> that taught me what television could be. And I almost missed it. The title alone is not just a mouthful, but implies a bubbly cheerleader who must happens to slay vampires. It doesn't help that the show was preceded by a movie that received mixed reviews. It didn't sound promising and I had no interest. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But there must not have been a whole lot on on Mondays, so I ended up watching a few episodes. To my surprise, I liked it. Then I moved to Illinois to live with my best friend. It turns out <i>Buffy </i>was her favorite show. Together we watched the fabulous second season, and I was quickly hooked. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Why did <i>Buffy </i>make such an impression on me? Well, there's the snappy dialogue, the sharp acting, the mythology. But I think there's more to it, which I hope to explore further during the Great Buffy Rewatch. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let's get to it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>Welcome to the Hellmouth Recap</u></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The show opens at night in a dark high school, one which looks very similar to the one in <i>Beverly Hill 90210</i> (because it is!). The music is eerie and suspenseful, and a sense of foreboding fills the air. The silence is broken by glass breaking. A former student has brought a naive young girl, supposedly to show her the view from the gym roof.<br />
<br />
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<div>
But she's skittish, and thinks she hears a sound. He soothes her, telling her it will all be alright. Yet, it's clear his plans for her are not in her best interest. She finally says she feels safe. Then it all changes. </div>
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Because the boy is not the monster. The girl is. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-a62QYPW2TlZQsbp-FGNZC6MLqUZVCwWgBjUgWSL0lcBs1LAEAA4AwclYtQ-5yQaMxmhBwO2tT6dRFlfHAw7E8ZoNa_vbg6PzvZfDZUNNitrgUzYOHJL-MCsfOcSPR7gGx8kQBL6h2SQ/s1600/Buffy's+Dream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-a62QYPW2TlZQsbp-FGNZC6MLqUZVCwWgBjUgWSL0lcBs1LAEAA4AwclYtQ-5yQaMxmhBwO2tT6dRFlfHAw7E8ZoNa_vbg6PzvZfDZUNNitrgUzYOHJL-MCsfOcSPR7gGx8kQBL6h2SQ/s1600/Buffy's+Dream.jpg" height="159" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next morning, a teenage girl is in bed, having a nightmare. She wakes up to a sense of foreboding. It turns out, she's Buffy Summers, and today is her first day of school at Sunnydale High School. Her mother asks her to try not to get kicked out of school. As she walks up the stairs, we meet Xander, who is doing a fine job swerving around the obstacles on his skateboard, until he spots Buffy.<br />
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We meet Willow, too. It's clear the two have been friends for a long time. Xander needs her help with math. They agree to meet in the library. </div>
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Buffy meets Principal Flutie, who tears up her transcript. But something catches his eye, and she's then horrified to see him tape it up. Although he's still talking clean slate, he discusses her colorful transcript. It turns out she burned down the high school gym. She protests that he doesn't understand. The gym was full of vampires....asbestos. Oops. </div>
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Buffy bumps into someone when she leaves Flutie's office, and the contents of her bag spill. Xander approaches and helps her gather her belongings. He tries to be witty, but utterly fails. Buffy walks off, leaving behind something. </div>
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Buffy's in history class, and the teacher instructs the students to look at their text books. A surprisingly helpful Cordelia shares hers with Buffy, then offers to escort her to the library where she can find her own textbooks. On the way, Cordelia quizzes Buffy to determine her coolness factor. Buffy passes when she declares that John Tesh is the devil. </div>
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On the way to the library, they run into Willow. Cordelia belittles Willow, telling Buffy that if she wants to succeed at school she needs to know her losers. She invites Buffy to the Bronze. Buffy watches Willow scurry away. </div>
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Buffy meets Giles. When she mentions her name, he says he has just the book she needs. He pulls out an ancient tome titled "Vampyr", the same book she saw in her nightmare. She runs out of the library. </div>
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The young man from the opening scene is found, quite dead. </div>
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Buffy finds Willow at lunch. Willow expects to be bullied, but is pleased that Buffy wants to talk with her. Buffy asks about Giles. Willow reveals he's new, and that she thinks he's cool. </div>
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Xander and Jesse join them, allowing Xander to return Buffy's stake. She explains that everyone in LA has one. Cordelia comes up, stating she doesn't "want to interrupt your downward mobility", but gym has been canceled because of the corpse found in the locker room. Buffy's interest in this disturbs Cordelia. </div>
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Buffy breaks into the locker room area and finds that the body indeed has two puncture wounds in the neck. She's angry, as she recognizes a vampire bite.She marches to the library to confront Giles. She tells him about the boy, then remarks that she doesn't care. But she stays, and Giles asks her questions about the body. She is angry, deflecting the conversation. She announces that she is the Slayer, and he announces he is her Watcher. But she says she's retired. Giles tells her that things are getting worse, and feels that there are signs of a "crucial mystical upheaval". Frustrated, they leave together. </div>
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It turns out Xander is in the library, having heard the entire conversation.</div>
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Now we're underneath Sunnydale, and hear a voice intoning. It is a large vampire with a deep voice. He chants, "The sleeper will awaken. And the world will bleed. Amen." </div>
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Buffy's trying to pick an outfit for the Bronze when her mother comes in. They talk a little, somewhat uncomfortably. Buffy agrees that all their problems are behind her, "I'm only hanging out with the living. I mean, the lively - people."</div>
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As Buffy is walking to the Bronze, she senses someone is following her. A dark, mysterious, handsome man enters an alley. We see Buffy doing a handstand on an overhead pipe. She swings and knocks him down. He refuses to fight, and they talk. He tells her, "I don't bite" He then adds, "Truth is, I thought you'd be taller. Or bigger." She tells him she wants to be left alone. He says, "You really think that's an option anymore? You're standing at the mouth of Hell. And it's about to open." He gives her a box, telling her she needs to be ready for "The Harvest". He leaves, and she opens the box to find a cross.</div>
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Buffy enters the Bronze, and embarrasses herself when she waves to someone waving at another person. She finds Willow, and they talk. Willow admits she has difficulty dating because she has difficulty talking. Buffy encourages her to seize the moment. She then spots Giles on the second floor. She excuses herself.</div>
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Giles is horrified at the mass of students at the Bronze, seeing it as a perfect breeding ground for vampires. Buffy mentions her encounter with the mysterious, good-looking man, but Giles doesn't know who he is. He asks her see if she can reach out with her mind and determine who on the dance floor is a vampire. She notes one, not because of an internal feeling, but because his clothes are out of style. She's casual about this, until she notes he's dancing with Willow, who was "Seizing the moment."</div>
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Meanwhile, we suffer through a conversation Cordelia is having with her friends. Jesse comes up to ask her to dance, but she treats him horribly.</div>
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Buffy fights the crowd to find Willow. She goes to the alley, and grabs the first person who comes out an exit, pointing a stake at her. Sadly, it's Cordelia, followed by her posse. Cordelia is not interested in where Willow is. Buffy finds Giles and tells him she'll handle it.</div>
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Jesse is Bronze, chatting up the woman we say in the opening shot. She's flirting with him. She tells him her name is Darla.</div>
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We're now back underground, and the big vampire, Luke, watches as the Master rises from a pool of blood. He is weak. Luke tells him he'll be restored by the upcoming Harvest. He says he needs to eat, requesting something young.</div>
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Buffy meets Xander, asking him if he's seen Willow. He's impressed that Willow found a guy at the Bronze. Xander, seeing Buffy's concern, says, "I hope he's not a vampire. 'Cause then you'd have to slay him." He thinks she is delusional or joking. But seeing she's serious, he agrees to help her find Willow.</div>
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Willow and the vampire are at a mausoleum. Willow is increasingly nervous. He pushes her into the mausoleum. She announces she's going, but backs up into Darla. Darla's brought Jesse, who's bleeding at the neck. He thinks it's a hickey. Darla and the other vampire let their faces turn into monsters.</div>
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Suddenly, Buffy's in the mausoleum, letting off the one-liners she's famous for using when confronting vampires. She almost gracefully dusts the male vampire, startling Xander and Willow. Buffy tells Xander to take the others and go, and proceeds to fight Darla. For whatever reason she doesn't know that Buffy is the Slayer. </div>
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Behind Buffy, Luke appears, grabbing her by the neck. Darla flees and we see Willow, Xander, and Jesse surrounded by vampires. Buffy fights Luke as he quotes his sacred text. He throws her into the crypt, then jumps in on top of her. Buffy's pinned.</div>
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TO BE CONTINUED!!!!</div>
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<b>About the Episode</b></div>
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Aired on March 10, 1997 - ten years ago??? <i>Welcome to the Hellmouth</i> and <i>The Harvest</i> aired together, but I separated the entries.</div>
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<u>My thoughts the first time I watched this:</u> Well, true confessions: I didn't watch this the first time it aired. See my prejudices above. The first time I saw this was when FX aired it. Thus, I knew exactly who Darla was when she broke into the school with her victim. Oh, well. </div>
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<u>My thoughts now: </u>Seeing the high school and listening to the opening credits made my heart sing. How I've missed you, Buffy. </div>
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The opening scene says it all. We've seen it a million times, especially those of us who have seen too many Lifetime movies. The boy is going to have sex with the innocent blond girl. And if she refuses, well, he'll rape her. But as evil as his intentions might be, it turns out he's the innocent, probably never having met a vampire before. The sweet innocent blond turns into a vampire, and drains all the blood out of him. She then stuffs his body into a locker. </div>
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That says just about everything you need to know about Joss Whedon's creation. He wanted to turn the tropes on their head, the tropes in which the pretty young blond is sacrificed to the horror movie villains. In the opening scene, the blond is not the victim but the villain, and a pretty horrible one at that. But even more important to Whedon, another young blond is not a victim either, she's the hero. It's her actions that save herself and her friends (and the world!) many times. Not your typical television or movie fare.</div>
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I always expect the first episodes of a series to be rocky as they try to settle on the correct tone, pacing, and characterization. This episode pretty much has all that established. The comedy with the horror are intermixed well, though the pacing a little rocky. The characterization is pretty good. Buffy is the reluctant heroine who just wants to be a regular high school student, while Giles is the stuffy British guy flummoxed by the world of American teenagers. Willow is terrified of her peers and tries to sink into the woodwork. Xander is a self-deprecating jokester.</div>
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Some of the special effects are ... well ... not so good. See the Master coming out of the pool of blood as an example. I'm also surprised that neither Darla nor Luke recognize that Buffy is the Slayer. </div>
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The story makes clear how Xander first found out Buffy was a Slayer (and I love that he thought she was delusional or playing a game). Besides Giles, he was her first partner in Slaying, as he eagerly joined her in searching for Willow. I'm surprised she allowed him to help her. </div>
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I did not remember that Cordelia was such a bully. Her treatment of Willow and Jesse is horrifying, and she would now be the poster child for the evils of bullying. I will be curious to see if her transition from horrible mean girl to full-fledged member of the team feels organic or forced. However, she always gets the best lines!</div>
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Angel doesn't get much to do, except stand around and look both creepy and mysterious. No evidence of either the brooding for which he is famous or the charisma that has made the actor a leading actor on not one but two shows. I know it'll come!</div>
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<u>What we learned about Slaying:</u> Let's quote Giles: "Into each generation a Slayer is born, one girl in all the world, a Chosen One, one born with the strength and skill to hunt the vampires, to stop the spread of their evil..." Slayers have prophetic dreams and are able to recognize vampires with their enhanced senses. </div>
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<u>What we learned about vampires:</u> To create another vampire, the victim must suck the blood of the vampire. They look completely normal until they are about to feed, when they reveal their demonic visage. Some vampires are religious. Not all vampires recognize the Slayer.</div>
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<u>What we learned about Sunnydale:</u> Sunnydale was built on the Hellmouth (thanks Angel, for that bit of information). There's been a steady stream of fairly odd occurrences, according to Giles.</div>
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<u>Body Count: Humans:</u> 1 (the boy Darla ate); <u>Vampires:</u> 1, Thomas, dusted by Buffy.</div>
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<u>What we learned about our characters:</u></div>
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Buffy was kicked out of her high school for burning down the school gym as she flushed out a vampire nest. She and her mother apparently moved to Sunnydale afterward to start over. Being a Slayer has cost Buffy quite a lot, including losing all her friends and having to fight for her life. Buffy is rather lazy with her Slayer powers, as she is unable to recognize a vampire using her Slayer-sense. Although she claims to be retired from Slaying, she carries a stake in her purse.</div>
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Willow and Xander have been friends for a very long time. Willow's feelings for Xander are much more romantic than his for her. Willow's mother apparently buys Willow's clothes for her, and they don't appear to fit very well. She is considered to be one of the smartest girls in the school. Xander, on the other hand, is really good on the skateboard (do we see him on that ever again?) who is not excelling at school and seeks Willow's help. </div>
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Cordelia is the mean girl everyone went to high school with. She initially likes Buffy, mainly because Buffy was from LA, but Cordelia's opinion changed because of Buffy's association with Willow, Xander, and Jesse, Buffy's fascination with the corpse, and then Buffy's attempt to stake her. I really can't blame Cordelia for not wanting to be staked. We also learned that Cordelia's mother stays in bed all day and has been diagnosed with Epstein-Barr (which is not cool enough for Cordelia).</div>
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Giles is Buffy's Watcher, and he's new to the school. </div>
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<b>Best quotes:</b></div>
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<u>Buffy:</u> (when Xander returns her stake) Oh. No. That was for self defense. Everyone has them in L.A. Pepper spray is so
passe. </div>
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<u>Cordelia:</u> I don’t want to interrupt your downward mobility. I just thought I’d tell you
that you won’t be</div>
meeting Coach Foster, the woman with chest hair, because
gym has been canceled due to the<br />
extreme dead guy in the locker.</div>
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<u>Buffy:</u> Prepares me for what? For getting kicked out of school? Losing all my friends?
Having to spend</div>
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all my time fighting for my life and never getting to tell
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them? Go ahead. Prepare me. </div>
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<u>Buffy:</u> Come on. This is Sunnydale. How bad an evil can there be here?</div>
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<u>Willow:</u> I think boys are more interested in a girl who can talk. </div>
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<u>Buffy:</u> You really haven't been dating lately.</div>
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<u>Cordelia</u> (after nearly getting staked): God, what is your childhood trauma? </div>
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<u>Buffy</u> (in response to Darla asking who she is): Wow, you mean there’s actually somebody around here who doesn't know already?
That’s a relief. I’m telling you, having a secret identity in this town is a
job of work.<br />
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<b>Fan Alerts:</b><br />
<br />
I may have a special page about the activities of the main cast. Instead, I'll provide fan alerts for those who are guest stars on the episode on which they first appear.<br />
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<i>24 </i>Fan Alert and <i>Six Feet Under</i> Fan Alert - Eric Balfour, Jesse in Buffy, has been around for a long time, and has had many roles. You may remember him as Clare's druggie boyfriend on <i>Six Feet Under</i> and as Milo Pressman in <i>24</i>.<br />
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<i>Dexter </i>Fan Alert and <i>No Ordinary Family</i> Fan Alert (no, no one was a fan of <i>No Ordinary Family</i>, but I did cover it in my blog...once). Julie Benz plays the criminally underused Darla (Whedon recognized this and resurrected Darla on the spin-off, <i>Angel</i>). Benz has has many roles, but I suspect she's most famous as Dexter's tragic wife, Rita. She also played a mom on the horrible <i>No Ordinary Family</i>. </div>
RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-62038661658440985742014-03-18T10:49:00.001-07:002014-03-21T13:06:59.193-07:00True Detective Ends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Did you love it? Or were you gnashing your teeth because so little was answered?<br>
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My guess is, if you hated the end of <i>Lost </i>and you hated the end of <i>Battlestar Galactica</i> (and not because they were ending), you hated <i>True Detective</i>.<br>
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Because the whole Yellow King and Carcosa turned out to be pretty unimportant. The focus of the finale was on the investigation and capture of the scary man with the scars on his face, and then the healing of our detectives. It turns out the story was not so much about the case, as about the two men who solved it, or at least, part of it.<br>
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Hart and Cohle finally worked together and so, were able to figure out who the scarred face with the green ears belonged to. We knew they were right because we'd been introduced to Childress and witnessed the depravity of his life. Cohle knew the moment they drove up to the compound. We were treated to the trip into Carcosa, an abandoned fort that has been used by the Tuttles and the Childresses for their murderous, rapacious impulses. Finally, that scene, with an injured Hart holding an injured Cohle, looking up to the helicopter spotlight. The men were saved.<br>
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At the hospital, Hart finally let down his guard in front of his ex-wife and estranged daughters, as tears fell down his face. Cohle entered a long coma in which he was washed over by his daughter's love. In a final discussion on darkness and light, it is Cohle, of all people, who realized that if he can see a little light in the world, then the light might be winning after all. So, together, they walk off the hospital grounds, with Cohle leaving nothing behind.<br>
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For me, it was just about as perfect as a finale can get. Watching the finale, I realized that Cohle was not the titular true detective. Nor, obviously, was Hart. It's only when they combined forces, truly became partners, that they became the true detective, capable of delving into secrets hidden by powerful forces.<br>
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The Yellow King? And Carcosa? Well, they were fun to hear about (I honestly had paid no attention to the terms when they were first introduced). But we never had enough information to really derive any answers that would be worthwhile of our time. Sure, they could have made Cohle into the Yellow King (or even Hart, for that matter). They could have had Hart's older daughter be murdered by Childress.<br>
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But how much better and more interesting to have the redemption of these men, as they caught a man who was quite skilled in perversion, but otherwise was nondescript and lowly. We spent a little time on him, as he talked to the desiccated remains of his father, "made flowers" with a woman who turned out to be his half-sister, and painted a school. It was only as he painted the school that my hair stood up. Which of these children, which of these teachers was his next victim? But we didn't need to spend too much time with him, and any more would have felt like we were being cheated of the real story.<br>
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True Detective was by no means perfect. But it was extremely well-done. Matthew McConaughey has already confirmed what we already knew: <i>True Detective</i> is meant to be an anthology series, with different actors and different settings. So, we won't see Hart or Cohle, ever again, which makes me very sad. I suspect we will also desperately miss the direction by Cary Fukunaga (I've not heard if he's attached to Season Two). But we will see more of the vision that Nic Pizzolatto has. I'll be there.RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-24649543329431463032014-02-10T10:54:00.001-08:002014-02-17T09:32:27.023-08:00Who Knew? Evangeline Lilly and Elisabeth Rohm<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Sometimes, an actor can surprise me, often for the better. Here's two that have, recently. </span></div>
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<div><br></div><div><b>Evangeline Lilly</b></div><div><br></div><div>Lilly had the dubious honor of playing Kate Austen on <i>Lost. </i>Kate was a great character at first, as the female center of the primary triangle with a mysterious past. Who didn't feel for her when it was revealed she killed her abusive stepfather? But as her story unfolded, it became evident that her storyline was half-baked. She robs a bank to get a toy airplane? She marries and then leaves Nathan Fillion because she doesn't do taco night? It doesn't help that her inability to pick between Jack and Sawyer seemed more like wishy-washiness than anything else. </div><div><br></div><div>It was hard to tell whether a different actress would have made Kate more bearable. Lilly's Kate was a mopey sad sack. After a while, the character became a deadweight. And having never seen Lilly in anything else, I had no idea whether it was the actress, the character or both.</div><br>
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<div><br></div><div>So I was a little bemused to hear that Lilly was starring as an elf in the Hobbit movies. Would she drag down that bloated series too?</div><div><br></div><div>Our first clue was her appearance on <i>The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. </i>She was actually funny! Amusing! What? Who was this woman? Where was she during <i>Lost</i>?</div><div><br></div><div>Then, we finally saw <i>The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug</i>. She stars as Tauriel, the created-for-the-movie Chief of the Guards of the Elven King in Mirkwood. She and Legolas are colleagues and good friends. Together, they are formidable foes of Orcs. She becomes enamored of a dwarf, Kili, and abandons Legolas to heal Kili from his Orc-inflicted wounds. </div><div><br></div><div>So, it reads as soap operish, but somehow it works, in large part because of the charm Lilly brings to the role. She's happy in her life, except when being manipulated by Thranduil (but who wouldn't be?), and loves what she does. She's powerful, she's strong, and she doesn't get people killed so she can get a toy airplane out of a bank safe deposit box. </div><div><br></div><div>Who knew Evangeline Lilly can act?</div><div><br></div>
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<div><br></div><div><b>Elisabeth Rohm</b></div><div><br></div><div>Another revelation in the movies comes from Elisabeth Rohm. </div><br>
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<div><br></div><div>I first came to know Rohm from her morose turn as Kate Lockley in <i>Angel. </i>The character was justifiably a sad, brooding woman, so I was happy for the actress when she got a role on the original <i>Law & Order</i> as the second chair for the District Attorney. I was actually still watching that show when she started. I tried really hard to like her, I did. But the woman was so flat-affected, so unable to express an emotion, that I decided she just couldn't act. I gave up on her, and the show, and basically forgot about her. </div><br>
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<br><div>Then, I saw<i> American Hustle</i>, a fabulous movie. Great acting, a tightly developed plot, and a fun premise. If you haven't seen it, I suggest you do. One of many characters I enjoyed was Jeremy Renner's wife, Dolly Polito. She was an over the top Italian woman who loved her husband and loved her life. She was loud and dynamic (and possibly shrill). Emotion and affect dripped out of her. She was a great character. And she seemed familiar. </div><div><br></div><div>So imagine my shock when watching the credits to discover Dolly Polito was played by one-note Elisabeth Rohm. </div><div><br></div><div>Who knew she could act? And good for her! Keep it up, Rohm. You've earned my respect, again. </div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Lost </i>Fan Alert</b> - Evangeline Lilly was Kate Austen. Apparently her talents were wasted. </div><div><br></div><div><b>Buffyverse Fan Alert</b> - Elisabeth Rohm was perfectly fine as Kate Lockley, a potential love interest for Angel. </div><div><br></div><div>And an extra....</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Pushing Daisies </i>Fan Alert</b> - Ned's Lee Pace is weirdly warped as Thranduil, King of the Wood Elves in Mirkwood. Watch his scene with Tauriel. That elf has issues. </div>RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-699892608123905272014-02-10T10:53:00.000-08:002014-03-02T12:30:19.948-08:00True Detective<br>
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<div><br></div>Tonight, you might be watching the Oscars; B and I will be watching this show. Yes, I know we could tape it or watch it On Demand tomorrow, but I can't wait to watch. I wanna throw a pair of three year-olds in bed and run downstairs to watch this. <div><br></div><div>If you haven't seen this, get On Demand and binge, now. I'll wait for you. </div><div><br></div><div>First, a confession. Although I've always thought Matthew McConaughey was a beautiful man, I also thought of him as more celebrity than actor. Part of this is due to his penchant for starring in mediocre to bad romantic comedies. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind an actor making a living in rom coms; everyone's got to eat. Just don't expect me to respect you. Especially if you don't rise above the bad scripts that are the source of most modern romantic comedies. </div><div><br></div><div>My disdain for McConaughey had another root, however. See below. </div><div><div>
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<br>It doesn't help that for years I have detested Woody Harrelson. <br>
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<br></div></div><div>This show has radically altered my opinion of both men. </div><div><br></div><div>This season of <i>True Detective </i>focuses on two Louisiana detectives. McConaughey plays the extremely damaged Rust Cohle while Harrelson plays his reluctant partner, Marty Hart. They've just become partners when they pick up a case that makes an impression on both of them. They seem to solve it, but years later, Cohle receives information that leads him to believe that more perps were involved, and more women and children are being murdered. He resumes his investigation, despite opposition from everyone, including Hart. Meanwhile, Hart's life is falling apart because of his self-destructive habits. </div><div><br></div><div>There are a number of elements that elevates this far beyond your average procedural. There's the cinematography, lovingly directed by Carey Fukunaga. The six minute single take scene in which Rust and his hostage navigate a race riot in the projects to Marty's car is justifiably famous, but Fukunaga adds a movie-like quality, making the Louisiana bayous not just the setting but another character. </div><div><br></div><div>The scripts by creator Nic Pizzolatto are fantastic. The lines he gives Rust are nothing short of brilliant. Here's an excellent example:</div><div><br></div><div><b>Rust Cohle</b>: I know who I am. And after all these years, there's a victory in that.</div><div><br></div><div>And another:</div><div><br></div><div><b>Rust Cohle</b>: I think about my daughter now, and what she was spared. Sometimes I feel grateful. The doctor said she didn't feel a thing; went straight into a coma. Then, somewhere in that blackness, she slipped off into another deeper kind. Isn't that a beautiful way to go out, painlessly as a happy child? Trouble with dying later is you've already grown up. The damage is done, it's too late.</div><div><br></div><div>And last:</div><div><br></div><div><div><b>Marty Har</b>t: Can you imagine if people didn't believe, what things they'd get up to? </div><div><b>Rust Cohle</b>: Exact same thing they do now, just out in the open. </div><div><b>Marty Hart</b>: Bull... shit. It'd be a fucking freak show of murder and debauchery, and you know it. </div><div><b>Rust Cohle</b>: If the only thing keeping a person decent is the expectation of divine reward, then, brother, that person is a piece of shit, and I'd like to get as many of them out in the open as possible.</div></div><div><br></div><div>But enough of that. What really separates this show is the caliber of acting. And it is indeed top-notch. McConaughey, still skinny from playing an AIDS-inflicted man in his Oscar-nominated role in <i>Dallas Buyers Club</i>, plays Cohle in three different time periods: 1995, 2002, and 2012. Each version is different. In 1995, Cohle is tightly controlled, his arms held close to his body, distant from the world around him. Seven years later, he's looser, more involved and affected by events. By 2012, he's a shell of a man, burned out. Each iteration is distinctly drawn and cannot be confused with the others. I hope McConaughey has cleared room on his mantle for an Emmy. </div><div><br></div><div>I don't want to leave out Harrelson, either. McConaughey's is the tour-de-force performance, but the role is also written that way. Harrelson's character is a self-righteous jerk who has difficulty adhering to what he believes are the ways all men should behave. So, he cheats on his wife, beats up his mistress's one-night stand, and and treats the women in the life as set pieces. At times he seems genuinely remorseful, but also completely unable to change. </div><div><br></div><div>Tonight we find out whether Rust or Marty are involved in the killings that have afflicted Louisiana. I really hope neither is,especially Rust. Even with his many flaws, I think that Rust might be one of the most decent men on television. But if he is, I suspect it will be a delight to explore. </div>RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-41779078084196428802014-02-10T10:50:00.002-08:002014-02-16T20:23:12.059-08:00Intelligence<br>
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Oh, <i>Intelligence. </i>If only you wrote as good as you want to be. <br>
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<i><div><i><br></i></div>Intelligence </i>centers around Josh Holloway as a decorated veteran who just happens to have a genetic defect that allows a chip to be implanted into his head. This chip allows him to access the internet and anything connected to it, which can be mighty handy. Meghan Ory as his Secret Service guard, tasked with keeping Gabriel's inherent recklessness from getting him killed. Marg Helgenberger is the head of Cyber Command, of which Gabriel is an agent, charged to investigate episodes of cyberterrorism. Or something like that.<div><br></div><div>The problem with <i>Intelligence </i>is not its premise, which is about as far fetched as other shows, such as <i>Chuck </i>and <i>Person of Interest</i>. The problem has to do with the cardboard characters and the show's insistence in setting stakes too high too soon. In the first episode, the scientist who created the chip is kidnapped - high stakes, but who cares? In the second episode, the team is forced to deal with Gabriel's wife, a CIA agent turned terrorist. She's turned into a suicide bomber and dies In front of Gabriel. In the next episode, a Chinese agent with a similar chip hacks into Gabriel's chip. </div><div><br></div><div>So many things happens to Gabriel in the first three episodes, episodes that are supposed to make us feel for the pain he's experiencing. But we don't know Gabriel or his team enough to care. They haven't earned our empathy. They would have done better to follow the example of <i>Person of Interest</i>, the show it is most similar to. Show your heroes working their weekly cases, building up comaraderie amongst themselves, and with us. Then, when the stakes are high, when our heroes are brought to their knees, so are we. We care. We're as devastated as they are. <i>Intelligence </i>never gave us the time and opportunity to develop that relationship with their characters. </div><div><br></div><div>The best part of the show is that it's a cornucopia of Fan Alerts. A lot of good actors are given work in this pedestrian show:</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Lost </i>Fan Alert</b> - Josh Holloway is not the only alum who shows up. His character's wife is played by Zuleikha Robinson, Ilana herself. That really amused me, for some reason. Tania Raymonde, Ben's daughter, Alex, also makes an appearance as a murderous CIA agent. </div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Once Upon a Time </i>Fan Alert - </b>Meghan Ory plays Ruby, aka Little Red Riding Hood, on OUAT. I think it's a little worrying that her character's been missing all season, and no one's said anything. What's that about?</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Fringe </i>Fan Alert </b>- Is it me or is Lance Reddick everywhere these days? I'm not complaining. On<i> Intelligence </i>he's the secretive head of the CIA, but I keep expecting him to be called Lt. Broyles. And don't forget he too was on <i>Lost</i> as the mysterious Matthew Abaddon. </div><div><br></div><div><b><i>BSG </i>Fan Alert</b> - Michael Trucco, Starbuck's husband Sam, also makes an appearance as a Secret Service agent who shares a past with Ory's Riley. </div><div><br></div><div><b><i>The 4400 </i>Fan Alert </b>- I laugh as I write this, as Peter Coyote's been in everything. But his Dennis Ryland was in charge of the agency investigating The 4400. Now he's Marg Helgenberger's father, and apparently in the president's administration. </div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Life Goes On </i>Fan Alert </b>- Another laugh. Corky's dad, Bill Smitrovich, also makes an appearance. </div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Star Trek: Deep Space Nine</i> Fan Alert </b>- Rosalind Chao played Keiko O'Brien, Miles's wife, on both <i>Deep Space Nine </i>and <i>Next Generation. </i>Here she played a Chinese diplomat.</div><div><br></div><div>Don't waste your time. Let's hope <i>Intelligence </i>dies an early death and Holloway finds a vehicle worthy of his talents. </div>RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-73060330933215300582014-01-07T10:44:00.000-08:002014-01-07T10:44:01.312-08:00The Best of 2013All the critics are creating their best-of-2013 lists, and while I'm no critic, I feel compelled to write up what my favorite shows of the year were.<br />
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But it's a funny list. Because I'm limiting it to shows that were first aired in 2013. One of my favorite shows I watched this year is <i>Battlestar Galactica</i>, which did not first air in 2013. So it doesn't belong on this list.<br />
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Another funny thing about this list. The critics' lists this year are teeming with shows from all types of distribution channels: pay channels, cable channels, networks, and now streaming channels. Sundance got into the episodic television series this year, with fantastic results. But I've not seen nearly as many of these shows as I would like. So while the critics (who, unlike me, are paid to watch television) had difficulty limiting their lists to ten or so, I could only come up with five.<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Please understand that there are a lot of shows that might be on this list had I seen them (or in some cases seen the entire season). </span><br />
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No ranking, because they are all great in their own way. I therefore submit in alphabetical order my best of 2013.<br />
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<i><b>Broadchurch</b></i><br />
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If you haven't seen this yet, do so, now. Airing on BBC America, <i>Broadchurch</i> takes place in a small seaside village of the same name in England, and centers around two cops, an outcast detective played by <i>Doctor Who</i>'s David Tennant and the woman who wanted the job he got. Tennant plays Alec Hardy, who's first day on the job puts him in charge of the investigation of a boy's death. Does this sound like any other procedural you ever saw? Well, the comparisons end there, because it is really a moody exploration of the effects of that death on the boy's family, the detectives, and the town. Small town secrets are revealed to devastating effects, and the town turns on one of its own in a witch hunt. The revelation of the killer is almost irrelevant when it comes, as families have been destroyed and friendships ruined. But there is also hope, and at the end, it is clear that the town will move on, stronger and better.<br />
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<i>Broadchurch</i> showcases some of the best acting this year, especially Tennant (who is now on "my list"), Olivia Colman as his reluctant colleague, and Jodie Whitaker, who's grief at her son's death is palpable. I'm a little concerned, though, because <i>Broadchurch</i> is a series, with a second season guaranteed. I'm not sure what next season will be. What also concerns me is that Fox is also remaking <i>Broadchurch</i>, with a different name and a different place (California), but with Tennant in the same role. The same producers are involved in both projects, so I will try to put aside my skepticism.<br />
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<i><b>Game of Thrones</b></i><br />
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Word of warning about this show: do not, I repeat, do NOT get attached to any character in this show. You would think the viewing audience learned this in Season 1 when the head of Ned Stark was removed from his neck, but the Red Wedding proved that we may never be ready for George R.R. Martin's nihilistic fantasy epic. <i>Game of Thrones</i> is beautifully filmed, with numerous sets in numerous countries for the various different story lines. The plotting is usually tight and the costumes are delightful.<br />
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But none of that would matter if it weren't for the characters, who are beautifully drawn and excellently acted. Why do you think it is so devastating when one of them dies? Tyrion Lannister, Brienne of Tarth, Arya Stark, and Tywin Lannister are among my favorites, with the Queen of Thornes, played by a transcendent Diana Rigg, being the newest to the pantheon.<br />
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It is easy to nitpick on <i>Game of Thrones</i>. However, it's one of the few shows that B and I both have to watch as soon as possible. <br />
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<i><b>Orange is the New Black</b></i><br />
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If I had to pick one of these five shows as number one, this would be it. OITNB is not for the fainthearted; its depiction of violence and sexuality is brutally frank. It follows Piper Chapman, an upper-middle class, sheltered woman who finds herself behind bars. She enters prison and finds it has its own rules and culture, which she has difficulty understanding. She immediately offends the head cook, somehow acquires a girlfriend, and gets another prisoner sent to solitary.<br />
<br />
But Chapman is actually the weakest link among a wealth of character riches. The breakout character is Crazy Eyes (you may have heard of a Caucasian celebrity dressing up as Crazy Eyes for Halloween, in full black face), who doesn't understand why everyone calls her Crazy Eyes. There's Taystee, who refuses to let prison bring her down, until she's released and realizes how little she has going for her in her on the outside. There's Miss Claudette, who's rumored to have killed someone but keeps her life neat and clutter-free. There's Yoga Jones, the soul of the prison, teaching yoga classes. I could go on - I love them all.<br />
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There are a few weak spots in OITNB, such as meth-head, anti-abortionist avenging angel Pennsatucky. But otherwise, this show is just about the best I've seen in a while.<br />
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<i><b>Person of Interest</b></i><br />
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I know, surprising, right? <i>Person of Interest</i>? A network show? A procedural?</div>
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Well. Yes. I enjoyed POI's first two seasons, but it didn't really hit me until this year how much I really love it. Granted, I thought it's primary conceit of a machine that could essentially spy on us to detect terrorism was a bit paranoid. Everyone trying to get control of this machine for their own nefarious purposes seemed far fetched. I laughed and thought little of it.</div>
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Until Edward Snowden. Oh.</div>
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This season still has its weekly POI that must be protected by our heroes, but the story arcs have been tremendous. There's now a group of privacy terrorists (I laugh as I write that) who will do anything to destroy the machine and anyone who exploits it. But the corrupt cops and politicians that made up "HR" made the last three or four episodes into nail biters, culminating in the death of one of our heroes. Carter's death has unmoored Jim Cavaziel's John Reese, but has given Fusco moral clarity. (Ironically, the promos made it seem Fusco was the intended victim. Carter's death was truly shocking primarily because it was so unexpected).</div>
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I'm furious at the show right now, since it has left us on a cliff (I used words I probably shouldn't). But when it returns next year, I'll be there, on the edge of my seat to see how my heroes save themselves from this predicament. </div>
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<i><b>
Top of the Lake</b></i></div>
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Sundance entered the drama field with this and two other dramas, all three of which ended up on many critics best-of lists. I've only seen this one.<br />
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Directed by Jane Campion, <i>Top of the Lake</i> takes place in a part of New Zealand never seen by hobbits. It's isolated and peopled by rugged and solitary individuals. Like <i>Broadchurch</i>, the central storyline involves an unspeakable crime against a child, this time a pregnant twelve-year old. Elisabeth Moss stars as a Sydney detective in town to care for her ailing mother. She's called into service by David Wenham's Al to investigate the child's presumed rape.<br />
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Among the people she must investigate is the father of the girl, played to discomforting perfection by Peter Mullan. Also appearing is Holly Hunter as the cryptic leader of a commune of women, who are apparently trying to find themselves.<br />
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This mini-series is marked by stunning cinematography, moody scenes, and excellent acting. One of the central mysteries is pretty obvious well before it is revealed, but it hardly matters. Instead, we were on an exploration of the town as it's past is revealed and justice is explored. There are no easy answers, and a lot is left unclear, but the show is satisfying.<br />
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I want to give a shout-out to my favorite new network show:<br />
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<i><b>
Sleepy Hollow</b></i><br />
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<i>Sleepy Hollow </i>hit the ground running and hasn't stopped the crazy since. The show is marked by one of the best pairings ever in Tom Mison and Nicole Beharie. I'm on the record as hoping they never set these up as romantic partners. </div>
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<br />
<i>Doctor Who</i> Fan Alert - I've already mentioned David Tennant plays Alec Hardy in <i>Broadchurch</i>, and is expected to reprise his role in the Fox version.<br />
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<i>Game of Thrones </i>Fan Alert - David Bradley, the evil Walder Frey in <i>Game of Thrones</i>, plays <i>Broadchurch</i>'s Jack Marshall, a storekeeper with ties to the murdered boy and a past.</div>
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<i>LOTR </i>Fan Alert - yes, that is Faramir you see in <i>Top of the Lake. </i>David Wenham's Al has a way of making your skin crawl.<br />
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<i>Lost</i> Fan Alert - in case you've forgotten, Michael Emerson plays Harold Finch in <i>Person of Interest</i>. He became famous as Ben Linus. <br />
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<i>Mad Men </i>Fan Alert - Elisabeth Moss, Peggy Olson, plays the Robin on <i>Top of the Lake</i>, demonstrating her acting skills, though her New Zealand accent was iffy, at best.<br />
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<i>Star Trek: Voyager</i> Fan Alert - Kate Mulgrew, Captain Janeway on <i>Voyager</i>, is nearly unrecognizable as Red, the domineering head chef in OITNB. </div>
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RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-9360475117332060402014-01-07T10:41:00.000-08:002014-01-07T10:41:28.566-08:00IntelligenceSo, you may have heard of a little show coming on tonight, called <i>Intelligence</i>. It's about a cocky special agent who just happens to have a chip in his head. This chip lets him access everything online, including stuff that requires hacking. He has to be tightly monitored, because, of course, he's reckless, and likely to get himself killed. Why do they always put chips in guys like this?<br />
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It sounds kind of boring, doesn't it? Except for one thing:<br />
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The holder of the chip is played by Josh Holloway. You heard that right. Sawyer himself. This means I'll be watching. Maybe not tonight, since it is DVRed, but I will be watching, despite the middling reviews it has gotten. Because, you see, I miss seeing that face on television. And as I posted on my <i>Lost </i>blog, Holloway turned out to be a pretty good actor.<br />
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But I now have a question. Do I miss seeing Sawyer?<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Or do I miss Josh Holloway? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ies4EvxmbPgsnmIAn_SdLuvPOb-o9tRXTHpsJi5ksaYoC33_RYaWwabti3jl1d4KFl8UAmVVDwxM3vuBL1jgbsvcil1pgxBEcFWm4pKOLmIHsKxJoHkHdfWTGTEtTEBWPAPcY8iHvVgX/s1600/Josh+Holloway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ies4EvxmbPgsnmIAn_SdLuvPOb-o9tRXTHpsJi5ksaYoC33_RYaWwabti3jl1d4KFl8UAmVVDwxM3vuBL1jgbsvcil1pgxBEcFWm4pKOLmIHsKxJoHkHdfWTGTEtTEBWPAPcY8iHvVgX/s1600/Josh+Holloway.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well, we'll see. I'm sure I'll share my conclusions soon.</div>
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<i>Lost </i>Fan Alert: okay, really? </div>
RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-26472347315626944892013-12-09T20:36:00.000-08:002013-12-09T20:36:03.545-08:00The Mythology of Battlestar Galactica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjL87i3S9jS5MkvxQRF9_hn6_PJUAk_qWYoDoH5dLPYpZjcFL6pIH-3n34ilv8zwOwEr_CQ_xc_yfIwVfFOfHeiGFyZowPy23W34krrsa4HaHnGE_V57Kl_JWbByR2UWZPW-fJS8nE51d/s1600/TheFinalFive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjL87i3S9jS5MkvxQRF9_hn6_PJUAk_qWYoDoH5dLPYpZjcFL6pIH-3n34ilv8zwOwEr_CQ_xc_yfIwVfFOfHeiGFyZowPy23W34krrsa4HaHnGE_V57Kl_JWbByR2UWZPW-fJS8nE51d/s320/TheFinalFive.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Spoiler warning: if you've not watched <i>Battlestar Galactica</i> and you hope to, without being totally spoiled, don't read this post! <br />
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I didn't realize when I linked to my last post on <i>Battlestar Galactica</i> that I would start an impassioned discussion on the qualities of the two versions of <i>Battlestar Galactica</i>. In reading the discussion, my friend P added something that I feel deserves further exploration. Here is his post:<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">...One of the
continuing themes (indeed, the overarching theme) in the reboot is that
of the Eternal Return--"All of this has happene</span></span><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">d
before and all of this will happen again." With this in mind, the
reboot doesn't need to be absolutely true to the original, as it is not a
retelling of the original story. It is a telling of a different
iteration.</span><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[6]">...</span><br data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[7]" /><br data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[8]" /><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[9]">The
characters in the reboot--including the Cylons--are not merely
journeying to Earth, they are each on their own personal journey. </span><br data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[10]" /><br data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[11]" /><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[12]">The
reboot isn't perfect--there is a lack of plotting and overall story arc
that makes things like the reveal of the Final Five seem like they just
pulled the names out of a hat and then retconned the character's back
stories. Other than that, IMHO, the reboot is superior to the original
in every way.</span></span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[12]">P was basically defending himself as to why he thought the reboot was better than the original. I've edited out a lot (but feel compelled to leave in his criticisms of the reboot). What he touched on, however, was one thing I left out of my original post that added so much to the reboot, and that is the mythology of the show.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[12]"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[12]">I haven't talked a lot about <i>Star Trek: Deep Space Nine</i> (I'll call it <i>DS9</i> for brevity) before, but it is my favorite of the new Star Treks. What I loved about it drove a lot of people crazy: the mythology. Because the space station was stuck in one place, the show had time to fully explore Bajor, including it politics and religious beliefs. The mythology suffused the show, and added a depth and texture lacking in most modern dramas. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[12]"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[12]">The mythology that was added into <i>Battlestar Galactica</i> was an unexpected pleasure. Some of this was found in the original series, but there it seemed like it was just window dressing. In the series, the humans believe in twelve gods that seem based on the Greek gods. The Cylons, however, believe in the one true God, and Head Six's conversion of Baltar from atheist to true believer (and he was a true believer) is one of the best parts of the show. I didn't touch on this in my original post, because it's a little spoilerific, but Baltar's entire journey into his beliefs and his role in them is a fantastic plot. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[12]"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[12]">Had I watched <i>BSG</i> (I'm getting a little lazy now!) from the beginning, or if I had not binged watched the show as I did, I probably would have produced quite a few more posst exploring the more interesting parts of the show, including the mythology. Other questions I would have explored (and may still) include the humanity of the Cylons, what the treatment of captive Cylons says about the humanity of the humans, Baltar's journey, the President's journey, Cylon politics, Kara Thrace's journey...well, it goes on. However, I still have to finish the show!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[12]"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[2kk5a].[1][3][1]{comment10201759513844004_6283252}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[12]">Maybe I'll name a male cat Malcolm after Mal Reynolds on <i>Firefly</i>?</span></span></span></span></span>RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-4249172190355507662013-12-07T09:43:00.001-08:002013-12-07T09:44:25.374-08:00If I Can't Be Buffy Summers When I Grow Up, I'll Be Twilight Sparkle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichz-2bsgtEe0zvFyKtPh-s4dePB9rg5cj7tA-Ch0A8MWjMnhW7SWaM7nyqXsj0rXUwxvYNGd2oFMpv4msbFo61k5Qgb87cfaKcSJuDe6q9b9OxcFU8SNNqREi_F91NYgppdz0Bc7snYoR/s1600/MLP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichz-2bsgtEe0zvFyKtPh-s4dePB9rg5cj7tA-Ch0A8MWjMnhW7SWaM7nyqXsj0rXUwxvYNGd2oFMpv4msbFo61k5Qgb87cfaKcSJuDe6q9b9OxcFU8SNNqREi_F91NYgppdz0Bc7snYoR/s320/MLP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Picture the scene. It's a dank room, with faded streamers and deflated balloons strewn around. A bunch of embarrassed people are seated in chairs in a semi-circle. I step up to the podium. "Hello, my name is Carol, and I'm a bronette." The group shuffles shamefacedly as they declare, "Hi Carol."<br />
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Yes, I'm a bronette.<br />
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If you're like I was, just a short year ago, you would have no idea what I'm talking about. I'm talking about My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.<br />
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I never intended for this to happen. It all started innocently enough. B and I went on a date, and our daughter, N, (don't ask - it's complicated) babysat. And she turned the television on to the Hub and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. The next day, my children, boy and girl, demanded to watch "the ponies". We sighed, we moaned, we gave in and coped.<br />
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And one day, we realized, hey, this isn't so bad. We then later realized, hey, this is pretty good.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1XLQqz5vm-URJTl7h3lh_2j2NWeNuovW2qby5I3SfMJiNp0ZOJq-pIXfUE-ukXBZv6evfjhAE2wMiwY0GLP1XmGoCYpXG_Ut3QUoShbVY72Kr5fjcMG1cPIzUD6x4OPcqPJucZq0Px27/s1600/Twilight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1XLQqz5vm-URJTl7h3lh_2j2NWeNuovW2qby5I3SfMJiNp0ZOJq-pIXfUE-ukXBZv6evfjhAE2wMiwY0GLP1XmGoCYpXG_Ut3QUoShbVY72Kr5fjcMG1cPIzUD6x4OPcqPJucZq0Px27/s1600/Twilight.jpg" /></a></div>
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Let me give you a little background. Equestria is a country with earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi, ruled by a very, very old (but young looking!) Princess Celestia. Her most faithful student is Twilight Sparkle, a brilliant but socially awkward unicorn who is assisted by a green baby dragon (I didn't say this is based in reality). Princess Celestia sends Twilight to Ponyville, with an unusual assignment - learn about friendship. She meets five ponies there, and becomes friends with them. She discovers, to her surprise, that she and her friends represent the powerful Elements of Harmony.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kwUaPutumTKiU95bwLE_XlApApzOu3XPvO-l1BTDOLNONL30Y0gcpA9p0046jxon8ypsyQ5L3VAMzVoij8Rv3N-36BasItfh5OMj3vuJLlY7KkvAvNzZydp7yfgdHpPdu7zquK7BnFcs/s1600/Applejack.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kwUaPutumTKiU95bwLE_XlApApzOu3XPvO-l1BTDOLNONL30Y0gcpA9p0046jxon8ypsyQ5L3VAMzVoij8Rv3N-36BasItfh5OMj3vuJLlY7KkvAvNzZydp7yfgdHpPdu7zquK7BnFcs/s320/Applejack.png" width="296" /></a></div>
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Applejack represents honesty. She speaks with a Southern twang and runs an apple farm with Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, and Apple Bloom. She's forthright, plain-spoken, and hardworking. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3Im5hhD-P7UMcvMuVa5wxqDn7jtFVVS0ekVG2iT3RjJgHW0Pu7vFl1mDgBvijdNxs3AFeagKqc1dqyyJJIPxE2G8qu3rgtpKfUJnYU6Ke-rd9IhJpL6M6uuwpq_0lAUoJIMTe4uLJpYP/s1600/Pinkie+Pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3Im5hhD-P7UMcvMuVa5wxqDn7jtFVVS0ekVG2iT3RjJgHW0Pu7vFl1mDgBvijdNxs3AFeagKqc1dqyyJJIPxE2G8qu3rgtpKfUJnYU6Ke-rd9IhJpL6M6uuwpq_0lAUoJIMTe4uLJpYP/s1600/Pinkie+Pie.jpg" /></a></div>
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Pinkie Pie represents laughter. Born on a rock farm, she realizes she has a passion for parties. Her goal is to make everyone happy, and she's pretty much friends with everyone. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiERcC1-M6-mN4n1pLQmNYXdwSneWkjo7XN2tyCyQr1YLlc3FPcP8Ra6mkyXfXaaVhaevuTMAm9Owi_DPg-7HyMPCJXcKjSDer5BDtONd0QUCpL5_JyHCwpXwxTbAWx1lSrx8pQJ4bmvz/s1600/Rarity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiERcC1-M6-mN4n1pLQmNYXdwSneWkjo7XN2tyCyQr1YLlc3FPcP8Ra6mkyXfXaaVhaevuTMAm9Owi_DPg-7HyMPCJXcKjSDer5BDtONd0QUCpL5_JyHCwpXwxTbAWx1lSrx8pQJ4bmvz/s1600/Rarity.jpg" /></a></div>
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Rarity represents generosity. She's a fashion designer with a gift for making the world a little more beautiful. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4D-FmvgOhhYf0D-mIYvIPQdjtnPy9hHInqgrsZmfByufpvelrJplmbL_qWmxpo9ilyJ93FgkJ9mn7lUDThLrkuDU089ZHDKZ3P4nVUbzIFHdOtF8IkcSFwCfO6oMqGfiWhd04a67BC5F/s1600/Fluttershy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4D-FmvgOhhYf0D-mIYvIPQdjtnPy9hHInqgrsZmfByufpvelrJplmbL_qWmxpo9ilyJ93FgkJ9mn7lUDThLrkuDU089ZHDKZ3P4nVUbzIFHdOtF8IkcSFwCfO6oMqGfiWhd04a67BC5F/s1600/Fluttershy.jpg" /></a></div>
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Fluttershy represents kindness. She communicates with animals and has a soft and gentle manner.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uHGaFchhNmPZ2XAP4CDjNiOZnzySmIRE4HApmvn5l7IEFyQ7nOUa1E5A8D1HdrbEgSwTD4YSog26BH792__imL75L3jTT70R6kvDIc1c69r_avDS65VBVyWY8Kld9xErQoEOj05Xwz2M/s1600/Rainbow+Dash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uHGaFchhNmPZ2XAP4CDjNiOZnzySmIRE4HApmvn5l7IEFyQ7nOUa1E5A8D1HdrbEgSwTD4YSog26BH792__imL75L3jTT70R6kvDIc1c69r_avDS65VBVyWY8Kld9xErQoEOj05Xwz2M/s1600/Rainbow+Dash.jpg" /></a></div>
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Rainbow Dash represents loyalty. She's an athletic tomboy who wants to join the Wonderbolts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Byj1hWcpuHVL2ZbPRgJ7vR18CYc7HDDZ5oT5INmlsb1miU46tg6BbsB4IJmq77-UdNpMR1xr51XotjSxtNxhAujxOTcjd6-5PgB7awpohpISLweWhzrZg8OlH2EPJp6KTTARlikKucn9/s1600/Twilight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Byj1hWcpuHVL2ZbPRgJ7vR18CYc7HDDZ5oT5INmlsb1miU46tg6BbsB4IJmq77-UdNpMR1xr51XotjSxtNxhAujxOTcjd6-5PgB7awpohpISLweWhzrZg8OlH2EPJp6KTTARlikKucn9/s1600/Twilight.jpg" /></a></div>
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And Twilight represents magic. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODc3SsIzb3-KtnKIvBg_Lnqp3W1p8pAXz6didfjjeiTT6xGTZynFsfLxr0ce1FAXGP0VK-H24lf1vLzLJUl_hk-icxhOSlL3JYrVArBqFmJo9dlRbC9hsMuyA8_5lgnlR8K16gHMNyPkO/s1600/Spike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODc3SsIzb3-KtnKIvBg_Lnqp3W1p8pAXz6didfjjeiTT6xGTZynFsfLxr0ce1FAXGP0VK-H24lf1vLzLJUl_hk-icxhOSlL3JYrVArBqFmJo9dlRbC9hsMuyA8_5lgnlR8K16gHMNyPkO/s1600/Spike.jpg" /></a></div>
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I didn't want to leave out Spike, Twilight's dragon friend. He provides a lot of comic relief, often through his sarcastic one-liners.</div>
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I'm sure you think I've lost my touch on reason at this point. What in the world is wrong with me? But like the best in cartoons, MLP (as we've taken to calling it) provides more than entertainment for children. The stories appeal to children, but they do to adults as well, because they are funny and don't take themselves too seriously. They've referenced Music Man, Indiana Jones, and The Big Lebowski. And who can't love it when they hire John DeLancie to provide the voice of Discord, a chaos demon?</div>
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But there's more. I love the fact that the main characters are all strong characters in their own right. They aren't all interested in shopping, cooking, or boys. The only one interested in finding her prince is Rarity, but when she finds one and he treats her like a door mat, she lets him know exactly what she thinks (and even smashes the glass slipper she left behind to prevent him from finding her!). Rainbow Dash is a typical tomboy, tough and competitive, with no time for boys (except to rescue them when they need it). But neither one of these extremes is promoted as superior to the other. Rarity demonstrates that even if she wants to be a lady she can still take care of herself, as the Diamond Dogs discovered after kidnapping her. Rainbow Dash thinks reading is for sissies and eggheads, until she finds herself with nothing to do in the hospital. I don't know what my daughter will be like, and I want her to be able to explore all aspects of herself, not just a limited idea of what femininity is. I like that the ponies are all so different and yet, so okay. <br />
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I also like that the ponies aren't smart-mouthed brats who are smarter than their clueless out-of-touch parents. Instead, they work together, and if there is conflict, it is based on character differences (see Rarity and Applejack learn they can be friends even though they are so different). The friendship between the ponies is important, and I really like what it is saying about being friends.<br />
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But I'm a little unnerved that I've joined a seemingly clandestine group of adults who like this show. It appears that most are male, many of them fathers of their own pony-loving children. There are many websites devoted to the show, most run by males. And one man even found that being a brony can <a href="http://gawker.com/thirtysomething-father-claims-he-was-fired-for-being-a-1426714513">get you get you fired</a> (and being a brony is not a protected class). Why does it make us uncomfortable for men to be fascinated by this show? Although they don't appear to be predators, I guess their love of MLP makes them seem so. All I know is I will not make a picture of Rainbow Dash as my screensaver at work any time soon.<br />
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The Hub aired a MLP special over the fall in which Twilight Sparkle went through a magic portal to a world in which she and her friends were all humans. The kind of humans where the girls had teeny bodies and big heads. I didn't live the images as much, but the focus was still on the friendship, so it wasn't too bad.<br />
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The show airs on the Hub, the channel owned and operated by Hasbro, a toy company. Yes, the show is designed to make you want to buy their products. Yes, we have a number of My Little Pony ponies. Yes, you can comb their hair. Yes, we bought MLP bandages. Oh, well.<br />
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Be that as it may, we'll keep watching MLP. We usually watch On Demand (and have bought the first two seasons on DVD), so we get minimal commercials. And we aren't going to stop, until our children tell us they don't want to watch it anymore. (Seriously, did you think the two adults watched it on our own?).<br />
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Star Trek: TNG Fan Alert: John DeLancie, Q, is the voice of Discord. He also narrated a DVD on bronies (which I don't own!). RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-57086963214192264862013-12-04T13:09:00.000-08:002013-12-04T13:09:56.151-08:00Catching Up On....Battlestar Galactica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, "Catching Up On..." is a new segment for when I want to write about a show that I didn't watch when it was originally on. Thanks to the wonders of Netflix (my new favorite!), I have a whole host of entire seasons of shows waiting for me to watch. I'm starting with <i>Battlestar Galactica</i>.<br />
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First, my excuse for not watching it when it was first on. According to Wikipedia, the rebooted <i>Battlestar Galactica</i> aired its opening miniseries in 2003, right during the time I was studying for my first set of law school final exams. Exams are never easy, and law school exams are particularly strenuous. I had no idea what to expect. I certainly wasn't going to watch a miniseries based on a television show that wasn't all that great when it first aired. The first season aired during the Fall of 2004. You may have heard of another show that started at the same time: <i>Lost</i>. I hadn't seen the miniseries, and I never tried to catch up.<br />
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I was surprised to read and hear how fabulous the reboot was. The original show was mildly entertaining, but it had as much depth as a party princess. The reboot, on the other hand, was serialized, had a dark tone, and existed on multiple layers. Themes abounded. In other words, it sounded like a show I would love, the original be damned.<br />
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What cinched it was this. I posted on Facebook how obsessed I was with <i>Lost</i>. A friend of mine, I'll call him "P", responded that he was feeling the same way about <i>Battlestar Galactica</i>. I was annoyed by his post, as I was all about <i>Lost</i> at the time, but I filed it away for the future. "P" might have annoyed me, but he has good taste in television.<br />
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Fast forward to 2013. B and I have bought a "smart" television and signed up for Netflix. Spotting <i>Battlestar Galactica</i>, I save it on my list. Thanks to what I'm now calling "preschool crud", I was home for an entire week, wishing for an early death. I was also binge-watching <i>Battlestar Galactica</i>. It is every bit as good as I thought it would be. It's got science fiction, it's got mythology, it's got beautiful people, it's got great characters, it's got suspense. It was like a book I couldn't put down (which is a problem with binge-watching). <br />
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I'm currently at the beginning of Season 4, the final season. I don't know how long it will take me to finish, but as much as I'm looking forward to it, I'm also going to be sad when it is over.<br />
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A brief overview of the plot (if you need it): humans created Cylons, who eventually turned on them. After a 40-year truce, the Cylons invade, and with the unwitting help of a randy scientist, are able to ride over the defenses of the Twelve Colonies. The Colonies are destroyed in a nuclear holocaust, while computer viruses make the battlestars and other spaceships inert, and easy victim to the Cylons. Humanity is almost wiped out. Only the fact that Battlestar Galactica was too antiquated to be wired into the system that was infected by the virus kept it from being similarly defenseless. A ragtag group of survivors in various types of spaceships try to find Earth, the missing thirteenth colony. <br />
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In the meantime, here are some initial thoughts, trying to keep the spoilers down (don't worry, I'll write a spoiler-laden post soon).<br />
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<b>1. Edward James Olmos.</b><br />
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I've been afraid of this man since his taciturn Martin Castillo in <i>Miami Vice</i>. One glance, and it seems that he has weighed your soul and found it wanting. In <i>Battlestar Galactica</i>, he is just as intense, but he's a bit less of a cypher. Olmos takes over from Lorne Greene, playing William Adama, the commander of Battlestar Galactica when the Cylons attack. His divorce has haunted him, one son has died, and his remaining son won't forgive him for that son's death. (Adama in the original series also had a daughter, Athena, but she doesn't exist in the reboot). But in the crisis of the Cylon attack, he is a major force in keeping the survivors together. Watching Olmos bring Adama to life is a treat and one of the best parts of the show.<br />
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<b>2. Two characters I adore: Starbuck and Gaius Baltar</b><br />
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First, Starbuck. In the original series, Starbuck was played by Dirk Benedict, who is male. The reboot rebooted Starbuck, by making the character female, much to <a href="http://www.dirkbenedictcentral.com/home/articles-readarticle.php?nid=5">Benedict's disgust. </a> Other than gender, the two are remarkably the same. Both smoke cigars, both are hotshot pilots - the best in the fleet, both are sexually active, both flout authority. But as played by Katee Sackhoff, Starbuck became a fantastic character.<br />
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Kara "Starbuck" Thrace is more than just a tough pilot. She cares deeply about the people in her life, but makes some really bad and impulsive decisions. She flees from emotional intimacy, drinks too much, and acts before thinking. But what gets me are her eyes. Her facial expression may say she doesn't care, but her eyes prove differently. She acts like she doesn't feel deeply, but in reality, she does.<br />
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If my next cat is female, I'm naming her Starbuck.<br />
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Baltar in the original series was a moustache-twirling villain who sold out the humans to the Cylons for power and whatever it is that one-dimensional villains want. In the reboot, Gaius Baltar turned into a much more complicated figure. He didn't exactly betray the humans to the Cylons, he just wanted to get into a pretty girl's pants. He had no idea the pretty girl was a Cylon who was using Baltar to get the security codes to the Colonies' defenses.<br />
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Baltar is a fabulous character. He's vain, he's a coward, he's brilliant, he's conniving. Actually, all that sounds like he's a typical villain. So I'm clearly not doing my job. Because he's more than that. He's cynical, sarcastic, insightful, sometimes caring and sometimes harsh, but he's always intriguing. He's an unpredictable character and his presence is always appreciated.<br />
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As much as I love the character, I am not naming a male cat Gaius Baltar. <br />
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<b>3. Tricky roles for actresses: Tricia Helfer and Grace Park</b><br />
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The tricky thing about Cylons is that they have somehow managed to create Cylons that look just like humans. There are twelve models, two of whom are in the main cast of characters. Tricia Helfer plays Six. One of the Sixes was sent to Caprica to get the security codes from Baltar. Another was on the Pegasus, trying to get its security codes (it was offline when the Cylons sent the virus through the systems). Baltar finds himself haunted by another Six, who can only be seen by Baltar. <br />
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Grace Park plays Eight. One is on Galactica - Sharon "Boomer" Valerii. Unlike the Sixes, Boomer at first has no idea she's a Cylon, until it is too late. Sharon "Athena" Agathon knows she's a Cylon, but she's imprinted with Boomer's memories so she can seduce Karl Agathon. <br />
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Despite the fact that the Sixes are the same and the Eights are the same, somehow, their experiences have made them different. Caprica Six is different from the Six that was raped and tortured on the Pegasus. Helfer managed to make each iteration of Six unique. Caprica Six, Gina (the Pegasus Six), and Head Six (Baltar's Six) each have their own personalities, and I can always tell which one is which, just by the way she carries herself and her facial expressions.<br />
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Grace Park struggled a bit more, perhaps because the differences between Boomer and Athena were less pronounced (remember, Athena had Boomer's memories). However, she did a fine job, and I wonder if she finds her current gig on <i>Hawaii Five-0</i> to be somewhat dull in comparison. <br />
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<b>4. Danged spoilers.</b><br />
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This is a hazard if you are watching serialized shows that have already aired and read a lot on television. I went in knowing a few things that I shouldn't have, but it turns out that most of what I knew I would have known if I had seen the entire miniseries. But right before I was about to start the third season, I read a TV Guide article about the 50 biggest surprises on television and read something about <i>Battlestar Galactica</i> that truly did surprise me. Because it hadn't happened yet. This meant that as I watched, I was able to pick up on all the hints that I probably wouldn't have picked up on before. Has it ruined my enjoyment? I don't know. It's a different level of enjoyment, I believe.<br />
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Finally...most of the actors I'd never heard of before <i>Battlestar Galactica</i> aired, but many have moved on to other roles.<br />
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<i>Hawaii Five-0</i> fan alert: Grace Park played Boomer on <i>Battlestar Galactica</i>, a character that was originally male. She did a similar gender switch in another reboot, <i>Hawaii Five-0,</i> where she plays Kono.<br />
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<i>Dollhouse</i> fan alert: Tahmoh Penikett, "Helo", played Paul Ballard on <i>Dollhouse</i>, an FBI agent who's obsession with the doll Echo led to his expulsion from the FBI.<br />
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<i>Flashforward</i> fan alert (were there any of these?): James Callis, the brilliant and beloved by me Baltar, played a character at the tail end of <i>Flashfoward</i>. I had long stopped watching by that time.<br />
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<i>Major Crimes</i> fan alert: Mary McDonnell, President Roslin, plays Sharon Raydor on both <i>The Closer</i> and its spin-off, <i>Major Crimes</i>. I get a little confused at times when watching <i>Battlestar Galactica</i>, since they too have a major character known as "Sharon".<br />
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<i>24 fan alert</i>: Katee Sackhoff, beloved by me as Starbuck, was a series regular on the eighth season. She now starts in <i>Longmire</i>, another show I'm hoping to watch one day. RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-9615339155135233882013-11-04T15:19:00.000-08:002013-11-04T15:20:35.632-08:00TV RevolutionI know, I know...it's been a long time since I've written. One might say nearly two years. In that time, I've been quite busy, trying to survive parenthood and writing a food blog, which is also in abeyance at this time. What can I say? I'm doing the best I can.<br />
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B and I have finally caught up to the times. Yes, that means we've finally acquired a flat-screen HD TV and a Blu-ray, and even signed up for Netflix. Yes, you read that right. Netflix.<br />
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We were the last hold outs, not because we didn't want this stuff, but because we felt we should put our money into other things. But I've been wanting it all for a long time. Far more than my husband, but there you have it.<br />
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So, what happened? What changed? Well, our fancy new basement. Yes, we finished our basement. It was quite the undertaking, involving lots of headaches and annoyances. We didn't finish it ourselves (it would never have happened if it had depended upon us to be done). It's an open space with an area for toys, an area for music, and an area for watching TV. We have a 60-inch HD on one wall, with a sectional surrounding a corner, facing the TV. The basement is still relatively unfurnished, but it has the important stuff!<br />
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I got to select the TV. Yes, I selected the TV. I repeated it in case you didn't believe me. It's almost impossible to get an HD TV without it being a "smart" TV, with 3-D capability. I didn't initially care one way or the other about the "smart" functions, but they've grown on me. YouTube and Netflix. All very cool. <br />
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These changes have mirrored a change in how we view TV.<br />
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Let's talk about the past for a minute. Growing up, there were four channels: ABC, NBC, CBS, and PBS. You watched what you could when it was on, otherwise, you missed it. I remember when we got an independent channel - how exciting it all was! Shortly thereafter, we got cable, and we had so many more options. WGN, WTBS, and WOR. And I was a first generation MTV watcher, back when MTV actually showed music videos.<br />
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At some point, the VCR was introduced. If you were smart enough you could program it to tape your shows, so you wouldn't miss your shows, so you could go out and have fun, come home and watch your show! It wasn't perfect, but it was better than nothing.<br />
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A couple of decades later, the DVR was born. What a wonderful device! We could record not just show by show, but whole seasons. Our DVR allowed us to record two episodes a time even. It was awesome.<br />
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But now, it's all upended. Thanks to On Demand and Netflix.<br />
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Both have been around for a whole, I admit, and we've had access to On Demand for years. We used to watch movies through On Demand, but this year I've discovered the TV shows On Demand. If my DVR missed a show, I watched it On Demand (except for Person of Interest, which, for reasons beyond me is not On Demand). I've caught up with Burn Notice and watched Elementary solely On Demand. Really cool. Of course, the problem with On Demand is that the cable company can decide to drop the show after a period of time. And they don't have entire seasons.<br />
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Netflix, on the other hand, has entire seasons of shows. It's like a candy store for someone like me. So far, B and I have watched Orange is the New Black and Top of the Lake (and highly recommend them), and I've watched most of Call the Midwife (which I also highly recommend). I'm finally going to see Battlestar Galactica, Dr Who, and The Fall. I can't wait! Binging is fun!<br />
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<br />RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-69347997478777115722011-12-11T11:55:00.001-08:002011-12-12T19:16:05.530-08:00Grading the New SeasonI can't believe it is nearly Christmas. I also can't believe that Rudolph was shown so soon after Thanksgiving that B and I missed showing it to the kids. We really need a DVD player.<br />
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But that means it is time for the annual (more or less) grading of the new season's worth of shows, both old and new shows.<br />
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Where to start? How about alphabetical order?<br />
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<i>Chuck</i> - This season has seen Morgan derailed as the broken Intersect and Chuck rediscovering his hacker roots. It turns out that Jeff without carbon monoxide is a rather normal, moral guy who turns Lester in for trying to kill him. Casey finds a love interest as geeky about guns as he is, and our team of spies is now on the run from the federal government. Morgan as the jerk Intersect was a little dull, and bad for a character who had grown on me so much, but the last episode is a return to the best of <i>Chuck</i>. At the end of last season, I gave Chuck a B. I'm giving it a B+ for this season.<br />
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<i>Community</i> - Fans of <i>Community</i> were devastated to learn that NBC decided to leave <i>Community</i> off its spring schedule. This failure to schedule is a big indication of the network's lack of trust in this excellent comedy. And this season has been fabulous. Although I feel Britta for some reason has been drawn a little more broadly this season than in the past, the characters are all still funny and unique. Pop culture has never been skewered as well as <i>Community</i>. Granted, it's not everyone's cup of tea, but <i>Community</i> goes from a B to an A.<br />
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<i>Fringe</i> - As I've <a href="http://thetelevisionchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/11/fringe-peterless.html">noted before</a>, the disappearance of Peter from the timeline has left a few viewers in the cold, especially considering that this may be this show's final season. I've personally enjoyed watching the evolution of a Peter-less <i>Fringe</i> team, especially with the addition of Lincoln Lee, but I also know that <i>Fringe</i> is always best seen as a season, not even as a half season. I'm lowering it's grade from an A to a B. We'll see if it improves.<br />
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<i>House</i> - This is most likely the final season for this show as well - seems to be a theme for this post so far! Cuddy is gone, House is on parole (with Foreman holding his ticket out of jail), and he has two new team members. For the first time ever, <i>House</i> has a female doctor that I like - Park is a socially awkward woman who isn't "hot" and doesn't fit in. The other doctor - the one House met in prison - is fairly typical for the show. I can't even remember the character's name. Thirteen left on a lesbian love affair or to pursue her movie career (I can't remember which), but Taub and Chase remain. House continues to play his mind games on his team and on Wilson, and manages to find a diagnosis for the desparately ill patient in the last five minutes. It's good the show is ending, but it is better than last year, so far. I'm giving it a B+.<br />
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<i>Once Upon a Time</i> - I didn't even include this show in my list of what I'd be watching this season. See what happens when you don't get the annual TV Guide Fall Preview issue? It is, of course, right up my alley. Jennifer Morrison (quite annoying as Cameron in <i>House</i>) stars as Emma Swan, who will somehow save our favorite fairy take characters (you know - Snow White, Prince Charming, Jiminy Cricket, the works!) from the Evil Witch's spell. I'll not go further into this other than to say that some <i>Lost</i> producers are behind it. That should make clear that there's no way to explain it all in one blurb. However, I don't want to imply this show is as good or as riveting as <i>Lost</i> - it's not. But it is good - it just needs to find itself. I'll give it a B.<br />
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<i>Person of Interest</i> - Okay, I'll confess. this is probably my favorite new show. I'm a little embarrassed, mainly because it's a procedural. There's the usual deep, dark arc that we get little bits and pieces of each week, about both characters, Finch and Reese. Benjamin Linus - oh, wait, I meant Finch, has created a master program that lets the government monitor and prevent terrorist activity. The program also detects your run-of-the-mill planned murders, but the government doesn't care about that. Finch does, so he engages an unemployed Green Beret/CIA agent called Reese. Some people don't like Jim Caviezel's performance as the laconic, intense Reese, but I like it. And I have to say that I would probably pay good money just to watch Michael Emerson to read a phone book, and he doesn't disappoint as the genius Finch with secrets of his own to hide. I'll give it an A-.<br />
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<i>Ringer</i> - this tale of two twins has been written about <a href="http://thetelevisionchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/10/i-have-girl-crush-smg.html">before in this blog</a>. It's fall finale didn't make the series that much better. C. It killed off the annoying Jemma and Charlie; otherwise, this would be a C- or worse. And yes, I'll still watch it. Get over it.<br />
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<i>The Good Wife</i> - This was one of my highest rated shows from last year. Sadly, I can only give it an D or F now, because I'll never see it again! The powers-that-be decided to put this gem of a show on Sundays, after football. I saw the first episode, but the second episode was half Amazing Race. I deleted it (you know I don't watch anything in real time), as I have each subsequent episode. I can report that my mother is not as big a fan this year as she was last year. Hmph.<br />
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So, what have you been watching?<br />
<br />RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-39637485474307075932011-11-26T18:57:00.001-08:002011-12-12T19:18:38.787-08:00Fall Finales - Really?The last episode of <i>Fringe</i> was promoted as a fall finale. <i>Ringer</i> airs its fall finale this Tuesday. Many shows have promoted their fall finales, promising surprises, thrills, and cliffhangers. I'm not a fan.<br />
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It seems that expectations for the final episode of a season are pretty high. A couple of years ago, <i>Bones</i> aired a season finale in which Bones either read a book or Booth dreamed that they were a couple who owned a nightclub. It was a fun episode, had all the squints and Zack in silly roles. It was a trifle, but it was entertaining, which is what a show should be. But oh! the lamentations in the blogosphere - this was no kind of finale.<br />
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What? A procedural needs a certain kind of an episode to air for the final episode of the season? That doesn't make sense to me.<br />
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Some shows require a finale to be an event. The finales of <i>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</i> always resolved a season-long arc in which the season's "big bad" was finally vanquished, killed, or otherwise neutralized. On the other hand, <i>Lost</i>'s finales usually elicited more questions than resolution, but they were for sure events to be anticipated and savored. <i>Lost</i>, of course, produced cliffhangers so we'd return the next season to figure out what it all meant.<br />
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One of the best finales I've seen was <i>The Best of Both Worlds</i> of <i>Star Trek: The Next Generation</i>. The tension on board the <i>Enterprise</i> mounted as the Borg kidnapped Picard and turned him into a Borg. It was a bold move for a series that up til then hadn't been very bold.<br />
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But I don't require most of the shows I watch to have finales. If they do, so be it, but I won't think less of any show in that category that fails to produce one. Personally, I'd rather have a good episode than a mediocre attempt at a finale.<br />
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But now we're expecting shows to have "fall finales"? Are you kidding me?<br />
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One of the biggest complaints TV viewers have each year is the month and a half or so that TV turns off. It's the holiday season, and usually starts sometime around Thanksgiving and ends sometime after the New Year's Day. Television programmers have to face the fact that people are very busy during the holidays, going to parties, buying gifts, and mailing greeting cards. So television is placed on hiatus while people are distracted. It makes sense.<br />
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We viewers are a demanding lot - we're quite irritated by these breaks in our favorite shows. Some seem to take it quite personally. Finally, some shows like <i>Lost</i> and <i>24</i> just waited until the new year to air so that viewers could watch with few if any interruptions.<br />
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But now we're expecting shows that air on both sides of the New Year's to have "fall finales"? Please. <i>Fringe</i>'s finale showed that Nina Sharp is leading scientists in extracting something from Olivia's body? Wow. Knock me over with a feather. <i>Ringer</i> has promised that they'll reveal something that will change everything. Whatever.<br />
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I guess my primary objection to this is that it just seems like a trick, an illusion that forgets that good story telling is what every show should rely upon to keep viewers. Focus on that, and everything should fall into place. Viewers will come for the good stories, not for the cliffhangers. At least, unless you make them expect it.RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-83298947463612536682011-11-21T13:47:00.001-08:002011-11-21T14:24:55.385-08:00Fringe - PeterlessAw, <i>Fringe</i>, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.<br />
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This has been a difficult season for a<a href="http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/monkeys-as-critics/posts/recap-fringe-wallflower"> number of <i>Fringe</i> fans</a>, following the traumatic finale when the Observers decided to wipe Peter off the face of the Earth. It turns out that Peter was not supposed to survive his dumping in the lake and the Observer was supposed to ... well...observe Peter down. So, what kind of a world is it that was Peterless?<br />
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For a number of people, it's a sad one. Fringe is trying to make up for it, however, by having Peter return, in the same lake in which he died, or didn't. Peter remembers everything, but no one else does.<br />
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He tried to reconnect with Walter, but Walter would have none of it. He decided that Peter's death was a just punishment for his hubris in taking Peter from his universe. We watched Walter completely ignore Peter in <i>And Those We've Left Behind</i>, and he's made no effort to talk with Peter. He acknowledges that Peter is his son (genetic tests don't lie), but he's stubborn. Peter notices: He didn't even look at me.<br />
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Peter is astounded to find that Olivia has had dreams about him, but when he presses her for the emotional content, she claims she can't have an emotional response - she doesn't know him. She figures out that he had a relationship with "the other Olivia", and is kind, but she clearly lacks any regard for him. Instead, Peter observes the burgeoning relationship between Olivia and Lincoln Lee, and gives Lincoln a pair of "readers" that will make his look less bookish.<br />
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Peter also has the discomfiting position of being considered a "fringe event". He has an agent "friend" who "escorts" him everywhere, and discovers that his "friend" is under orders to limit Peter's interactions with "civilians". He clearly doesn't belong and doesn't appear to be wanted. <br />
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These events have caused Peter to believe that he is misplaced - he is from another universe (the third we know of, if he's correct). He now refers to "the other Olivia", and spent his time in <i>Wallflower</i> looking at the schematics to build the time machine (or whatever) that placed him in this universe. <br />
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I'm certain Peter is wrong, and that it is this universe that he belongs in. The question is, how will that resolve? Will the Observer(s) somehow intervene? Will Peter's machine "fix" everything? What?<br />
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Ryan McGee, over at Hitfix, <a href="http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/monkeys-as-critics/posts/recap-fringe-wallflower">has been very vocal about his dissatisfaction with this season</a>. He's not alone, if his comments are any indication. I'm not so negative. The show isn't as good as last season, but I'm enjoying seeing the differences brought upon our characters by the current situation. Ryan does have a good point, however; if this is the last season of <i>Fringe</i> (as appears likely), do we really want to see it without the core threesome in harmony?RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-84031065380157131502011-10-29T12:19:00.000-07:002011-10-29T12:19:45.421-07:00I Have a Girl Crush - SMGYes, I must admit, I have a girl crush. Now, those of you who are thinking inappropriate thoughts, shame on you. You clearly don't know me that well, and get your head out of the gutter.<br />
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Those of you who know that the initials "SMG" stand for "Sarah Michelle Gellar" probably think, well duh - Buffy's one of your favorite characters in the whole wide world. And you would be half right in your assumptions. Of course I've had a girl crush on Buffy for over a decade. First, a brief view of my crush on Buffy.<br />
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Joss Whedon, in my opinion, is a genius. He took the old horror movie trope of the beautiful blond in the negligee walking down the stairs to investigate that scary noise. Any intelligent watcher is screaming at the television for the idiot blond to stay away, but she never listens, and sure enough, ends up brutally killed. You knew Buffy would be a different type of show from it's opening scene. A high school jock, clearly with nefarious plans in mind, is escorting a tremulous blond through the halls of Sunnydale High School. She's nervous, scared of every noise, but the jock assures her it will all be alright. Sadly for him, the blond isn't a high school girl, but a vampire well over 400 years old. The jock didn't score, but Darla had a nice meal.<br />
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Buffy was not the victim but the heroine, the slayer, the chosen one, who has supernatural powers that enable her to kill vampires and other evil creatures. Slayers were normally solitary creatures who were infused with the essence of demons so that they could kill demons, often dying young. Buffy wanted nothing to do with being a slayer after getting kicked out of high school in LA, but, of course, her destiny followed her, and she eventually gave in. But she always played by her own rules. First, she had friends who knew her "secret identity" and frequently took part in the battles against the forces of evil. She was determined to maintain her sense of style, being the mall rat she was. She also had a sense of humor that wouldn't stop, no matter how serious or tragic the circumstances. Look at the following quotes:<br />
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In <i>Faith, Hope, and Trick</i>, about her life returning to normal: "All
right, yes, date and shop and hang out go to school and save the world
from unspeakable demons. You know, I wanna do girlie stuff."<br />
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In <i>Real Me</i>, after Giles complains about his new car's automatic transmission:<br />
Buffy: Giles, are you breaking up with your car?<br />
Giles: Well, it did seduce me, all red and sporty.<br />
Buffy: Little two-door tramp.<br />
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And
in the final episode, <i>Chosen</i>, to Angel, explaining her complicated
feelings about Angel and Spike and her desire to wait before deciding
between the two: "I'm cookie dough. I'm not done baking. I'm not
finished becoming whoever the hell it is I'm gonna turn out to be. I
make it through this, and the next thing, and the next thing, and maybe one
day, I turn around and realize I'm ready. I'm cookies. And then, you
know, if I want someone to eat (eyes go wide as she realizes what she's saying) ... or enjoy warm, delicious cookie me, then...that's
fine. That'll be then. When I'm done."<br />
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Let's face it, I could talk for hours about Buffy, and what she means to my life and my view of popular culture and television. But I must remind you the title references Gellar, not Summers.<br />
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One of the most difficult things I think that we as television viewers have to do is dissociate the actor from the character. We're adults, and we learn early on the distinction between the two. But this can be harder to achieve than it appears, as evidenced by comments that actors who play polarizing characters receive from members of the general public. But I think I've done a pretty good job of making that distinction. Patrick Stewart is no Jean Luc Picard, James Gandolfini is no Tony Soprano, and Valerie Harper is no Rhoda Morgenstern. I get it.<br />
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And Sarah Michelle Gellar is no Buffy Summers. Gellar started in Hollywood very young, staring in a series of Burger King commercials that were involved in a lawsuit by McDonald's. But she first really became famous when she starred as Erica Kane's long lost daughter Kendall on <i>All My Children</i>. I've long heard about the professionalism of Erica's portrayer, Susan Lucci, and even before Buffy hit the television air waves, I had heard that Lucci and Gellar did not get along.<br />
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I also read some silly magazine articles about Gellar, in which she impresses the author because she and her friends had "girls weekends" in which no one was allowed to wear make up. Wow.<br />
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But I truly lost respect for Gellar when she announced via Entertainment Weekly that she was quitting Buffy, before she told her co-stars. Yeah, you just don't do that in my world.<br />
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Post-Buffy (and, to be fair, during), Gellar appeared in a number of movies, with only Scream 2, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Cruel Intentions and The Grudge being remotely respected. How many movies with Gellar have I seen? None. I'm just not interested in any of them.<br />
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Her personal life is quite boring, certainly, compared with her contemporaries. She married one of her movie co-stars, Freddie Prinze, Jr., who, honestly, is one of the most boring actors ever, and had a daughter in 2009. I never see her in the tabloids and rarely in the magazines. I think better of her for that, certainly.<br />
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But really, her biggest problem is that she's not Buffy. No one is.<br />
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All that said, I was excited to hear that Gellar was scheduled to star in a new series, <i>Ringer</i>, about identical twins, one of whom takes over the life of the other. The trailer was intriguing, and if Gellar did as good a job on this show as she did on Buffy, well, what's not to like?<br />
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My first clue that it might not be such a great show was before it even aired - it went from CBS to the CW. The CW is famous for its teen and young adult soaps. And critics I trust who had seen the pilot episode didn't have much good to say. But I had to see it.<br />
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And see it I have - all episodes that have aired. And it's horrible. The story lines don't make sense, the characterization missing, and the tension untense. The basic story is this: former prostitute Bridget is in protective custody because she plans to testify about a murder she witnessed. Newly sober, she somehow escapes from protective custody and reconnects with her wealthy identical twin sister. Apparently the two had a falling out related to Bridget's drug use and the death of Siobhan's child (presumably related). Siobhan appears to commit suicide, and Bridget decides to take her sister's identity to hide from the murderer.<br />
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Bridget discovers that Siobhan's life isn't all great - she and her husband have a hostile relationship, her stepdaughter hates her, and she's having an affair with her best friend's husband. Worse yet, it becomes clear that someone was paid to kill a woman named "Siobhan Martin". Bridget is doing her best to take on Siobhan's life and hiding the fact that she isn't the same woman. All the slight differences between the two women don't seem enough to clue anyone that the woman isn't Siobhan. Seriously? <br />
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Of course, Siobhan was not dead, but living in Paris. It's clear she has an agenda, against her husband and against Bridget. We don't know why, but it appears we'll learn soon enough.<br />
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And the two men in Siobhan's life - Andrew (husband) and Henry (lover) are both dull as dishwater (maybe Freddie Prinze, Jr. was the model?). I guess that Siobhan had an affair with Henry because Andrew ignored her for his work. But it feels like not only is the wife new in this marriage, so is the husband. A man who put work before his family has made lots of changes in his life, apparently. I don't know. The men are pretty to look at but not much else.<br />
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The tension, beyond Bridget trying to be Siobhan, comes from Bridget trying to hide the body of the man who killed her, or trying to hide a gun, or staying out of Henry's bed. Gemma, Siobhan's boring best friend, discovered that Siobhan and Henry were having an affair. Bridget finally confessed to Gemma that's she's Bridget, and Gemma then blackmailed Bridget to get Henry to sleep with her so Gemma could ensure Henry gets none of her money. Bridget refused, and shortly thereafter, was Gemma was apparently killed. I guess that's a mystery now.<br />
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No matter what I write, I know that I am fighting a useless battle. There's no way I can convince you that this show is good and worth your time. It's not. The show gets a C- or D. If only I could stop watching.<br />
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What makes me watch this show week after week? There's only one possibility: SMG. So, it's true, I have a crush.<br />
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<i>Veronica Mars</i> fan alert: Jason Dohring, Veronica's bad boy boyfriend Logan Echolls, plays a teacher in the high school of Andrew's daughter attends.<br />
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<i>Lost</i> fan alert: Nestor Carbonell, Richard Alpert, is the FBI agent determined to find Bridget.<br />
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Buffyverse fan alert: Well, duh.RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6376869656181433662.post-45667493621850511202011-10-02T12:31:00.000-07:002011-10-26T18:57:21.684-07:00What New Shows Am I Watching This Season?Well, folks, here it is, the new fall season of television, usually one of my favorite times of the television year. Last year was rough, with no new shows making my list of must sees. This year I believe will fair a little better.<br />
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On Monday nights, Fox airs <i>Terra Nova</i>. <i>Terra Nova</i> presents a dystopian future, that has somehow figured out how to send people back to a far distant past, before pollution, greed, and overpopulation made our world an environmental disaster. So far in the past, that dinosaurs rule the earth. <i>Terra Nova</i> features the very likable Jason O'Mara as a cop who had been imprisoned for daring to have three children. His wife, a noted physician, is recruited to Terra Nova, but she can only take their two oldest children. A little bribery and chicanery later, the entire family makes it to Terra Nova. I'm going to give this show a try, but I'm not convinced I like it. It features not one but two stereotypical teenagers, and O'Mara's character was rather easily accepted by the leader, played by the exceptional Stephen Lang. <i>Terra Nova</i> is clearly trying to make itself the <i>Lost</i> of the season, with its hints at mysteries under the surface. Indeed, several times, I felt like I was watching scenes from <i>Lost</i>.<br />
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On Tuesday nights, the CW is airing <i>The Ringer</i>. This soap opera/thriller focuses on identical twins, both with so many secrets that nothing is what it seems. There's only one reason I'm watching this show: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Buffy herself, plays the twins. So far, there are holes a-plenty, and the male characters are especially one-note. But I can't help myself. I must watch. I'm sure I'll have more to say on this later.<br />
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On Thursday nights, <i>Person of Interest </i>airs on Fox. What happens if there is a computer that can monitor humans so much, it can determine when a crime of violence will happen? Michael Emerson's character created such a computer to combat terrorism. The fact that the computer could predict other crimes was an unexpected, and apparently unwanted, side effect. For reasons yet unknown to us, Emerson has hired the man who once played Jesus, Jim Caviezel, to help him prevent murders and other kinds of violent mayhem. Both men are extremely serious and driven, and both have secrets and painful pasts. Like <i>Lost</i>, little bits of the characters' pasts will be revealed week by week. Some critics are not fans of Caviezel's stoicness, but like Anna Torv's Olivia on <i>Fringe</i>, I think it fits.<br />
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One show I hope to watch and just haven't yet is <i>New Girl</i>, with Zooey Deschanel. As soon as I have, I'll give my impressions.<br />
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Buffyverse Fan Alert - Buffy herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar on <i>The Ringer</i>. Duh.<br />
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Lost Fan Alert - Michael Emerson, the mysterious Ben, plays a mysterious do-gooder billionaire on <i>Person of Interest</i>. Nestor Carbonell, the immortal Richard Alpert, plays an FBI agent trying to catch one of the twins on <i>The Ringer</i>.<br />
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In the meantime, what are you watching?RcCarolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03130995857564124848noreply@blogger.com0