TV update

[jedi_of_urth]

1) Since apparently goldy_dollar can dictate my TV watching, I plan on watching Survivors and Revenge soon.. I do have plenty of other shows I mean to watch but those only made it on to the list because of Frances. So...thanks?

2) I have now watch Once Upon a Time


I'm really enjoying this show...mostly. I like the idea, the characters, the story. It's all around fun and enjoyable, and beautiful.

But because I'm a grump I want to talk about the things that aren't working for me. Mainly the storytelling in structure. I like the writing, but I don't like the way it's structured.

First off I think this means I should never watch Lost, because the flashbacks bug me. Well, I like them sometimes but a few times it's bugged me more than I expected it to. I'm fighting with the words to explain what's not working for me, but it's just not entirely.

Secondly, I really want to think the writers have a game plan for this show, but I don't know. And if they don't have a plan now I'd like to think they would allow themselves to write to a natural conclusion eventually. But knowing (particularly American) TV PTB that won't be how it works. They'll hedge and stall until the audience wains and then move forward enough to bring some back but not really let it develop naturally towards a resolution. And that's not to say a resolution to the plot now would end the show, there could be a lot of mileage after the initial premise if they let it develop. But as much as I like the show now I can see the pitfalls they need to be aware of, but don't trust them to avoid falling in.


3) I've also been rewtacing Buffy


I tried to take a step back, like I'm doing with b5rewatch and try and guess what my opinions would be if I was watching this for the first time. And while I like it, at this point I'm glad I know it solidifies into something more...solid in coming seasons. Season 1 isn't exactly BtVS's strongest hour, but there's enough good here to see what it becomes.

What it has at this point is obvious potential and characters. I can see the writing finding its way, but it's obviously finding its way to something good. Even by the end of s1 the writing was doing pretty well so yeah it had that. Although if I'm not mistaken they toned down the X-files-ish endings after s1 and I think that was for the better; it was either that or start doing something with the possible-future-thread endings, and while I would have been okay with that option, if they didn't want to do that I'm glad they toned down putting them in.

The characters...I loved Willow and Giles pretty much straight through. I waffled a bit on Buffy and Xander, and Cordy was...there. I really don't love Cordy until Angel anyway. Oh yeah Angel, he was there too and actually I don't really like him so far and again I don't really like him s lot until his own show.

Shipping wise taking a step back was kind of weird. I can't quite decide if I wasn't able to step back from Buffy/Giles or if they just hit my ship kinks so hard that I like them even when I can. I can see why not everyone would, but I do know that I can't seem to get away from shipping them. Surprisingly I didn't enjoy Buffy/Xander as much as I remember, although I know I do eventually ship them but maybe it was a product of later seasons. Analyzing myself I don't know if I ever shipped s1 Willow/Xander all that much even though I really do a lot in later years. And so far I really don't like Buffy/Angel, and though I never ship them I remember at least understanding them but right now I don't see it.

As much as I still like Prophesy Girl, I was surprised by how...small if felt. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe I've just been watching too many shows where people die or suffer huge repercussions from what happens (and later seasons of Buffy will do it too) that I'm desensitized to the subtler flavor of PG. And yes that is a Doctor Who job, I can't not make a reference obviously.

Anyway I'll be back...either mid season 2 or after it. This should be more of the show I remember.

Comments

[goldy-dollar.livejournal.com]

1) Since apparently goldy_dollar can dictate my TV watching, I plan on watching Survivors and Revenge soon.. I do have plenty of other shows I mean to watch but those only made it on to the list because of Frances. So...thanks?

HAHAHA YOU'RE WELCOME. Both of those are excellent choices. XD XD