Glenda Atkins (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
gateslacker) wrote2012-10-28 04:00 pm
gateslacker) wrote2012-10-28 04:00 pm
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My big, fat Geek TV post, again
This weekend I did a fair amount of "unwinding" in front of the TV. Some weeks, real life is just so (hormonally driven?) unsatisfying that all I want to do is lose myself in good stories so I played a bit of TV catch-up. First of all, I cannot believe I am watching not just one, but, two NEW shows. How uncharacteristically reckless of me!
Revolution continues to intrigue me in this slow burn kind of way. Even though I haven't "fallen" for the characters, yet, I continue to be pulled into the story week to week. It was glad this week to learn more about Neville's motivation, even if it did make me sad. I figured after the first couple of flashbacks that Nate was really his son. I thought they were gonna off Nora this week. I'm still sad that Maggie didn't last longer. I'm also confused about how Monroe and Rachel were "once friends". Prior to the flashbacks, it didn't seem that Ben and Miles really saw one another all that often, if Charlie's memory is to go by and, by extension, Monroe, since he is Miles's friend from the military. I am assuming this friendship happened after the blackout, then. When Rachel says this, I feel that she is talking about the collective we which includes Ben but maybe she knew Monroe from before. I was disappointed when she started drawing the pendants though I can understand why she did it. It seems like it wouldn't take too much to put in together since Nate saw the pendent. But, 12 of them! I do like the mystery of it and the flashbacks are used well. But, did I miss a week or something because I thought there were two waiting on my DVR. And the dates don't quite match-up. But, I don't feel I've missed anything when I am watching.
Speaking of flashbacks, I'm not too certain about the use of one (only one!) in "Heartache". First, I loved all the bromo we got in this episode. I just think I expected more with regard to the flashbacks to Sam's year. I want to know more and I kept waiting for it all through the episode. We've seen loads of purgatory and still have more to see. I think I just felt a bit short changed because, again, we are full up with what's happened to Dean and have so very little Sam experiences in comparison. Of course, this is not without precedent but, still.
That, and that music was so cheesy in the flashback it was jarring. The purgatory flashbacks have flowed with what is going on in the main story. Not so much, Sam's. It almost seemed unreal, which made me wonder, is that just poor music choices or was it really unreal? Did it even happen? Or, contrasted with the darkness in the impala, was it meant to be that way. That where Sam is now is so far removed from where he was then that it's almost as though he dreamed that reality. It's like the difference between night and day, literally. I lean toward the second explanation though it is fun to consider the first. Still, it'd be nice to have more.
But, I was definitely digging the parallels between the MotW story and Dean/Sam when they are reading the letters and, especially, during that scene with Eleanor. So. Much. Love.
"Bitten" to me is just a one off. I enjoyed it to a certain extent but it will never be an episode I rewatch, mainly because there just wasn't enough Sam and Dean and what we did see wasn't always particularly interesting. I did like how they did the scenes in the diner and when Sam and Dean come calling. I liked how the kids put it together by stalking Sam and Dean. But I just couldn't bring myself to really care about these one off characters in the episode. TBH, they were sort of annoying as characters go. I feel that this sort of thing has been done better with the Ghostfacers episode. One thing I noticed at the end of the episode is that Sam and Dean are just touching everything in sight all over the crime scene. I have noticed this before but it really stood out to me in this episode because it was just so obvious!
In any case, I am looking forward to next week because there's bound to be some interesting (and probably painful) conflict with regard to Benny. Is it terrible of me to look forward to the (likely) gut wrenching tension because of what it could reveal about the past year for both Sam and Dean?
Okay, so here's how it has gone with Arrow. Week one: interesting and intriguing. I will watch more for the sake of this interest and the promise of John Barrowman. Still not sure of this Oliver, fella, as far as TV boyfriend material but he's easy enough on the eyes. I really like body guard dude. Can we keep him and let him in on The Secret. Week two: Boy, this is getting GOOD! I really wanna know what happened to Oliver on the island. Please have body guard dude follow Oliver when he makes one his many escapes. (Please oh please oh please.) You're growing on me, Oliver, but I'm not sure how I'm gonna like you playing that spoiled rich guy routine ALL the time. Katie, I liked you way better as Ruby. You're kindof Meh, here. Whiny sister. Be gone with you! And do we have to have angry cop father dude being a complete ass in every episode? it seems that he shouldn't be assigned these cases involving this family because of his conflict of interest. Week three: I am loving this show! The action sequences are awesome! Oliver admitting that he needs help and the way he "works with" angry cop father on the case! Fantastic. But letting body guard dude in on the secret! Makes me giddy! I think I yelled at the TV, "Yes" and "Hooray" So very satisfying!!
Yes, an immensely satisfying reveal scene in the third episode, no less! Which, now, brings me to Merlin.
Revolution continues to intrigue me in this slow burn kind of way. Even though I haven't "fallen" for the characters, yet, I continue to be pulled into the story week to week. It was glad this week to learn more about Neville's motivation, even if it did make me sad. I figured after the first couple of flashbacks that Nate was really his son. I thought they were gonna off Nora this week. I'm still sad that Maggie didn't last longer. I'm also confused about how Monroe and Rachel were "once friends". Prior to the flashbacks, it didn't seem that Ben and Miles really saw one another all that often, if Charlie's memory is to go by and, by extension, Monroe, since he is Miles's friend from the military. I am assuming this friendship happened after the blackout, then. When Rachel says this, I feel that she is talking about the collective we which includes Ben but maybe she knew Monroe from before. I was disappointed when she started drawing the pendants though I can understand why she did it. It seems like it wouldn't take too much to put in together since Nate saw the pendent. But, 12 of them! I do like the mystery of it and the flashbacks are used well. But, did I miss a week or something because I thought there were two waiting on my DVR. And the dates don't quite match-up. But, I don't feel I've missed anything when I am watching.
Speaking of flashbacks, I'm not too certain about the use of one (only one!) in "Heartache". First, I loved all the bromo we got in this episode. I just think I expected more with regard to the flashbacks to Sam's year. I want to know more and I kept waiting for it all through the episode. We've seen loads of purgatory and still have more to see. I think I just felt a bit short changed because, again, we are full up with what's happened to Dean and have so very little Sam experiences in comparison. Of course, this is not without precedent but, still.
That, and that music was so cheesy in the flashback it was jarring. The purgatory flashbacks have flowed with what is going on in the main story. Not so much, Sam's. It almost seemed unreal, which made me wonder, is that just poor music choices or was it really unreal? Did it even happen? Or, contrasted with the darkness in the impala, was it meant to be that way. That where Sam is now is so far removed from where he was then that it's almost as though he dreamed that reality. It's like the difference between night and day, literally. I lean toward the second explanation though it is fun to consider the first. Still, it'd be nice to have more.
But, I'm sticking with my premiere thoughts about just how weary Sam is. JP is playing that so well. His whole countenance and bearing is of someone who is just so damn tired. He is just going through the motions for Dean! What I don't get is how people don't get that. Why is it so hard to comprehend that Sam is not Dean; that he doesn't want the same things as Dean? Why does that make him a "bad" or "selfish" person? I chose my profession and I am pretty glad that I am not working in the same field as my brother and sister. They probably wouldn't be keen on doing what I do. Sure, it's not anything as monumental as averting the apocalypse and hunting monsters, though my actions have saved a few folks during my time, but I feel the thought stands. If John and Dean were firefighters who come from a long line of firefighters, would Sam be considered selfish because he wanted to be an lawyer or an accountant? "But what about all those folks who could die in a horrible, fiery blaze because you wanna go crunch some numbers" would not even be a valid argument or consideration. "Don't you feel horrible about all those kittens left to languish about in trees while you were off balancing the books, Sam," would never be used for guilt tripping.
So, yeah, even though I like the brothers together, hunting things because that is the show, I just don't get the level of flack Sam gets about being selfish just because he doesn't want what Dean wants. It's the opposite, really, because Sam is doing something he does not want to do for Dean and Dean alone. It doesn't have to be all or none but, to Sam, it must seem that way as he was shut out during his previous attempt to have a different sort of life. Even though its hard for me to picture Dean and Sam not having contact during those years at Stanford, based on what we know now (and the enormous amounts of fanfiction that has colored my perception), in the pilot, I got the distinct impression that they hadn't seen one another in years. It's sad, really, that it must seem to Sam that in order to have his brother, he must accept a life he does not want. If Sam's perception is accurate, then Dean is the selfish one. Dean has had his down times but he clearly embraces the life, for better or worse.
But, I was definitely digging the parallels between the MotW story and Dean/Sam when they are reading the letters and, especially, during that scene with Eleanor. So. Much. Love.
"Bitten" to me is just a one off. I enjoyed it to a certain extent but it will never be an episode I rewatch, mainly because there just wasn't enough Sam and Dean and what we did see wasn't always particularly interesting. I did like how they did the scenes in the diner and when Sam and Dean come calling. I liked how the kids put it together by stalking Sam and Dean. But I just couldn't bring myself to really care about these one off characters in the episode. TBH, they were sort of annoying as characters go. I feel that this sort of thing has been done better with the Ghostfacers episode. One thing I noticed at the end of the episode is that Sam and Dean are just touching everything in sight all over the crime scene. I have noticed this before but it really stood out to me in this episode because it was just so obvious!
In any case, I am looking forward to next week because there's bound to be some interesting (and probably painful) conflict with regard to Benny. Is it terrible of me to look forward to the (likely) gut wrenching tension because of what it could reveal about the past year for both Sam and Dean?
Okay, so here's how it has gone with Arrow. Week one: interesting and intriguing. I will watch more for the sake of this interest and the promise of John Barrowman. Still not sure of this Oliver, fella, as far as TV boyfriend material but he's easy enough on the eyes. I really like body guard dude. Can we keep him and let him in on The Secret. Week two: Boy, this is getting GOOD! I really wanna know what happened to Oliver on the island. Please have body guard dude follow Oliver when he makes one his many escapes. (Please oh please oh please.) You're growing on me, Oliver, but I'm not sure how I'm gonna like you playing that spoiled rich guy routine ALL the time. Katie, I liked you way better as Ruby. You're kindof Meh, here. Whiny sister. Be gone with you! And do we have to have angry cop father dude being a complete ass in every episode? it seems that he shouldn't be assigned these cases involving this family because of his conflict of interest. Week three: I am loving this show! The action sequences are awesome! Oliver admitting that he needs help and the way he "works with" angry cop father on the case! Fantastic. But letting body guard dude in on the secret! Makes me giddy! I think I yelled at the TV, "Yes" and "Hooray" So very satisfying!!
Yes, an immensely satisfying reveal scene in the third episode, no less! Which, now, brings me to Merlin.
Initially, I wasn't going to watch "Another's Sorrow" since I never could get last week's episode to work but then I considered that watching Merlin is increasingly like watching a standalone every week where you keep expecting something big to forward the overall story arc and then it never really does so it's not like I really missed anything by missing last week's episode. And, it seems that I made the right call.
I liked the suspense of it as Mithian tries to get away or warn the others about the real plan. I loved Arthur and the Knights in this, too. But, again, I am flummoxed by the lengths Merlin will go to keep his secret. Really? Allowing Morgana to nearly kill you is a good plan? Again we have Gaius saying that he hopes Morgana doesn't become as strong as Merlin cause then we're all in some deepass doo doo. Really? Cause where I'm sitting Morgana is pretty much always besting Merlin. (even though we know how powerful Merlin is....the writers keep telling us all about it.) Come on! It was just the two of them! I didn't really see the point in Merlin not defending himself, here, especially since Morgana seemed bent on killing him, except that the writers/producers want to hang on to the secret forever it seems.
If I thought that it was because they are saving it for a Merlin/Morgana showdown of epic proportions or for this amazing reveal scene that fanfic writers/readers have been writing/dreaming about since the very beginning, I could let it go.
But, I am beginning to fear that its all just sloppy writing and there is no real endgame plan. If this is the last series, and it really seems that this is probably the case, you'd think they'd be stepping up the storytelling a bit other than How Morgana's 23rd attempt to take over Camelot was foiled.
I really hope I am wrong. IDK. Maybe it is because I have been watching shows that do this so much better *cough* SPN *cough* that have shown me that you can have huge secrets and an engaging overall arc that doesn't drag on for five years with very little forward momentum; that you can reveal the secrets and create new ones all at the same time and still leave the viewer satisfied. Characters can demonstrate how they are affected week to week and grow/change in response to what has happened without leaving all of the fallout to the imagination or fanfiction. The plot can be engaging AND character driven at the same time.
And I know that the characters have changed, most especially Arthur. He is the one who has grown and come into his own the most realistically. And I totally loved him in this episode. It's hard to count Morgana, even though she's changed so much, because she is so one dimensional and, often, ridiculous as she was in this episode. I had high hopes for Merlin at the end of last season what with his showdown with Agravaine. I enjoy his relationship with Arthur and I know he has some influence, as shown in this episode. But, I come out of these episodes feeling as though something is just missing. Even if the story is good overall, which I felt is the case with this episode and the opening two-parter, I am left feeling unsatisfied and I don't know if it is because the characters are always plot driven, which makes them inconsistent, if it is because we are going on five years, series wise, and Merlin is still hiding and allowing Morgana to nearly kill him for the sake of keeping his secret, or if I feel that time is short for the series and there's just so much momentum and character development possibilities that are just there for the taking and it NEVER happens.
I certainly don't want to be one of those fans who crosses the line between discussion and just whining all the time because that's not what I intend or how I really feel. There have been some really good things about this series thus far. I just think they could do so much more, especially with regard to the storytelling possibilities that a true reveal would bring.
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It almost seemed unreal, which made me wonder, is that just poor music choices or was it really unreal? Did it even happen? Or, contrasted with the darkness in the impala, was it meant to be that way. That where Sam is now is so far removed from where he was then that it's almost as though he dreamed that reality.
Yeah. Until shown otherwise, I'm kind of thinking it's a perspective thing? Not that it wasn't real, but that Sam felt like a relatively happy life was too good to be true, and so his memories of it are schmaltzy and OTT.
If Sam's perception is accurate, then Dean is the selfish one. Dean has had his down times but he clearly embraces the life, for better or worse.
THANK you. It is not selfish and wrong to decide what YOU want to do with YOUR own life. It is self-interested, but it isn't taking away from anyone else. It is, however, extremely selfish to expect SOMEONE ELSE to do only what YOU want them to do, and it is flat-out abusive to try to coerce or manipulate them into that life. And I can't help but feel like a lot of the backlash against Sam is because his desires are so completely reasonable that it makes people uncomfortable to realize how cruel it is to root against him getting them.
One thing I noticed at the end of the episode is that Sam and Dean are just touching everything in sight all over the crime scene. I have noticed this before but it really stood out to me in this episode because it was just so obvious!
This bugs the crap out of me too! It was most obvious in the earlier seasons, but it's gotten pretty bad again lately.
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I won't miss Nora if she does die in tonight's ep. I think she's pretty inept for this supposedly indispensible rebel leader. Charlie drives me a bit bats but she is getting layers so I'm going to be patient. As for Rachel and Monroe...not sure how that tracks but since we saw so little of before the blackout there could be things so far unrevealed. Monroe knew Miles so knowing Miles' sister-in-law isn't so far fetched. I was disappointed that she drew the pendant but really that doesn't tell the whole story since we don't know what, if anything, has to happen once all 12 pendants are together in order for the power to be restored. This whole first season is going to be about finding those pendants I'm sure.
These last two eps have been my favorites so far. Even with Maggie passing. It was nice to see the human side of Miles and to discover Neville's origins (no we didn't peg Nate as his son until the reveal) And I LOVED all the stuff with the train. Go Miles, Charlie and Danny.
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