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[gwyn]

Holidays are over. Yay for some of that, but boo about not getting to sleep in a few extra days. Of the many, many things I miss about my last job from the time it was wonderful, wonderful, the sleeping in during the entire week plus a day or two that we got off at the end of the year is the biggest.

But I caught up on a few movies (Munich yesterday, Syriana, and a lot of things on DVD), and watched the Dr. Who Christmas Invasion ep. I was incredibly disappointed by the latter, and a little flummoxed by my tepid reaction to Munich, and surprised by how much I liked Syriana. All of these things were not what I expected. I thought I would hate Syriana based on the criticisms leveled at it for being factually incorrect and schematic in approach (and I loathe George Clooney); instead, I thought it was fantastic and that the schematicness worked to its advantage. Munich was about 30 min. too long, and I'm still puzzling out some of the things that left me feeling flat and bored; mostly, though, I sing the praises once again of Ciaran Hinds (Julius Caesar in Rome, Capt. Wentworth in Persuasion), who is simply one of the best actors working today, and Daniel Craig, coming up right behind him and who is also so hot he singes my eyeballs. I'm not sure anyone has ever looked so sexy in early '70s clothes. My god, I'm so afraid of what being James Bond is going to do to him. I hate the Bond stuff with the white-hot passion of a thousand burning suns. But I adore Daniel Craig. Not so much with the new Dr. Who -- I guess this means it's just going to be Christopher Eccleston who really did make that series for me, which is sad, but at least it means one more thing I guess I don't have to try to keep up with on TV. Maybe when Capt. Jack ever comes back...

I spent most of my time, though, mainlining Band of Brothers. Over Christmas the DVDs; then over NY's, the History Channel marathon. Reading Stephen Ambrose's book, putting X's art up for my wallpaper on the computer, and finishing my BoB vid. I even made a panel suggestion to the Escapade site, which I haven't done in about six years. It's odd that after so many of my beloved shows being cancelled nine or thirteen eps in and feeling enormous pain about that, a ten-part series can satisfy me with only that much, but it does. I also had a kernel of a small story running through my head, though I have yet to put it on paper. I have no illusions that my vid will mean anything to people at Escapade, and I am sure most people will tune it out (because, you know, serious subject, war, old times, not model-pretty guys, not fantasy, blah blah), but I just love looking at Nix and Winters together, all the subtle textures of their friendship and devotion to each other.

I liked that meme that was going around a while ago, but I can't imagine anyone asking or caring about these things. I might just do it for fun by myself, with the fandoms I've written most in. Still, if anyone wants to prompt me for a fandom we're into, I am more than willing to play:

1. The character I first fell in love with:
2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now:
3. The character everyone else loves that I don't:
4. The character I love that everyone else hates:
5. The character I used to love but don't any longer:
6. The character I would shag anytime:
7. The character I'd want to be like:
8. The character I'd slap:
9. A pairing that I love:
10. A pairing that I despise:

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_jems_/]

I had the complete opposite reaction to The Christmas Invasion. I never really took to Nine, so maybe Ten is just more my kind of Doctor. Not that I've ever watched Doctor Who before, so I only have the two to compare, but still...

As for the meme, how about Buffy?

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

There's something about Tennant that bothers me, a lot. I just watched him in Bright Pretty Things, and wow, I hated him in that, too! But mostly it was that... he was mean to Harriet! I love Harriet. And I thought, dude, get off your freaking high horse, you ass. He will have to do a lot to overcome this first impression.

OK, for Buffy:
1. The character I first fell in love with: Giles, because I actually tuned in to see him
2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Wes. Honestly, he was just as ass at first. Hit all my embarassment squicks. And then... wow.
3. The character everyone else loves that I don't: Weirdly, there's no one who fits this bill completely. I sometimes hate Xander, though, when he's judgmental and small.
4. The character I love that everyone else hates: Buffy. She's still my girl.
5. The character I used to love but don't any longer: Again, there's not really anyone like this on the show!
6. The character I would shag anytime: Spike.
7. The character I'd want to be like: Giles. Though maybe not hit on the head quite so often.
8. The character I'd slap: Dawn, especially S6.
9. A pairing that I love: Spike and Buffy. Well, duh, yeah, I know.
10. A pairing that I despise: Buffy and Riley. Man, I could never get into that guy.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_jems_/]

And see, I totally think Harriet deserved someone being mean to her. I really don't see what the fuss is about, but then I think that she shows incredible narrowmindedness in only thinking of humans and the Doctor has to think of everyone. The petty revenge the Doctor gets is nothing near what she deserves for mass murder.

As for the meme, I can't even imagine mustering up enough energy to despise Buffy and Riley, he's such a non-entity. *g*

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

See, I think that's interesting, because I saw Harriet's actions as defensive, and rightly so, after they were willing to bring a third of the population to the brink of death, and murder two of her people in front of her. I don't generally think of myself as right-wing and hawkish, but I think her position is probably the safest, and she didn't do it happily or without thinking. I also got the impression that the doctor (at least the last one) would happily mass murder Daleks for being, you know, mass murderers too, and he was none too keen about keeping the farting people around (sorry, I can't remember the names!)... so it seems like a high horse to be on, and that he is creating the foundation for her losing her position. It struck me as not big-picture thinking and dangerous.

BUT -- and this is a big but, I honestly don't know this show well at all. The doctor often seemed inexplicable to me, even when I liked him as portrayed by CE. I had to have people constantly explain his behavior to me, because his responses bewildered me. I expected him to have a big picture omnipotent kind of view, but he often seemed exactly the opposite to me.

But I fear this sounds like I'm trying to have the last word, which honestly, I'm not, I just have only my reactions to go on and so far, I'm not won over to the new guy!

[barkley.livejournal.com]

I'm with you. I completely didn't understand the Doctor's reaction to Harriet at the end. I was under the impression that he's killed in defense. I don't know if I just assume it or if he has, and, yes, I believe that he'd totally annihalate the Dalek's given a chance. It seemed awfully hypocritcal of him to get on Harriet's case at the end. I didn't like the ending for that reason.

[sdwolfpup.livejournal.com]

How about Firefly for the meme?

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Ooo! Yes!

1. The character I first fell in love with: Mal.
2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Mal! I was interested in the series because of Joss, and Adam Baldwin. Who knew that Mal would be so compelling.
3. The character everyone else loves that I don't: Honestly, there's no one. I adore them all.
4. The character I love that everyone else hates: Book. I don't get why people don't like him.
5. The character I used to love but don't any longer: No one! They are all still wonderful.
6. The character I would shag anytime: Zoe. Hot damn.
7. The character I'd want to be like: Wash. So competent, funny, good.
8. The character I'd slap: Jayne. Just because it would be fun.
9. A pairing that I love: Mal and Simon. I think it's there.
10. A pairing that I despise: Despise is too strong a word, but I have to admit I am puzzled and a tad disturbed by Jayne/River.

[barkley.livejournal.com]

I too am afraid that it was CE that made Dr. Who for me. The new guy is too scrawny for me. But I will watch and see if this is perhaps one of those shows where I don't need a lusting character. (There aren't many of them, but this could be one. I'll see how it goes.)

Anyway, if you wanted to do the meme for Numb3rs, that'd be cool. *g*

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I think the fact that I've been a CE fan for years definitely makes a difference. I was never into the series, so it was a first for me, anyway... I guess it's not a big loss, but I was enjoying it. But the new guy was mean to Harriet, and that does not do for me.

Hey, Numbers!
1. The character I first fell in love with: Don
2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Coop. I rarely fall for the one-time guest spot guy.
3. The character everyone else loves that I don't: Coby. Man, I still hate him, even though everyone seems to be warming to him.
4. The character I love that everyone else hates: Amita
5. The character I used to love but don't any longer: Hm. It is still too new, I think.
6. The character I would shag anytime: Don. Coop. Don and Coop together.
7. The character I'd want to be like: Don. Maybe Alan, some days.
8. The character I'd slap: Larry. Sometimes I like him, and sometimes... slapping would help.
9. A pairing that I love: Don and Coop!
10. A pairing that I despise: Well, maybe not despise, but Don and Charlie still doesn't work for me.

[mlyn.livejournal.com]

Deadwood for the meme!

The History Channel really did people in, I think. I was watching it too, and then kadymae wrote me fic! And then I made icons last night. Fandom farrrr...

I rilly rilly rilly want to see the vid. Are you going to put it up or wait for Escapade?

I'm not so sure I'll see Munich now. I might call you to talk about Syriana, though, since I don't even know what you mean about the schematic approach and factual incorrectness.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I will probably put the vid up privately for a few people to DL and give fb on. I still honestly don't know abou the ending. I'm afraid it just goes on too long to get to those last lines, but there is no way for me to edit it that I can see. Also, I suck at editing music.

Let's see, for Deadwood:
1. The character I first fell in love with: Doc. I was genuinely surprised that the one truly likable character at first was played by Brad freaking Dourif.
2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Al
3. The character everyone else loves that I don't: I'm not sure... I don't know enough of how other people see the series. But I do not feel any Cy love, that's for sure.
4. The character I love that everyone else hates: Do people not like Joanie? I can't tell, but I adore her.
5. The character I used to love but don't any longer: No one yet, but I'm a bit uncertain about how things will play out with Martha.
6. The character I would shag anytime: Seth.
7. The character I'd want to be like: Sol. So loving and forgiving, and yet strong and capable.
8. The character I'd slap: Jane. God love her, but she needs a slap now and again.
9. A pairing that I love: Seth and Sol.
10. A pairing that I despise: No one, so far!

[rhiannon-jehane.livejournal.com]

Still, if anyone wants to prompt me for a fandom we're into, I am more than willing to play

*grins and points to icon*

Also, as I'm typing this I'm looking at your list of "Gone, But Not Forgotten" fandoms, and I love the fact that you have MDs listed -- it's good to know that somebody besides me watched it! Unfortunately, I think it was just the two of us...

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we MDs watchers were few and far between. It was on when I first began this LJ, and there were two people on my flist watching -- maygra, and monimala. It was gone too soon, sigh.

Mmmm... Mag 7
1. The character I first fell in love with: Chris. Obviously.
2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Ezra. I'm usually bored with the bad guy who's really a sensitive woobie thing. But he's different.
3. The character everyone else loves that I don't: Ezra's mom. I just loathe her, and her terrible Suthun accent.
4. The character I love that everyone else hates: Josiah.
5. The character I used to love but don't any longer: Buck. I like Buck enough in general, but I do not get the devotion to him that exists in the fandom.
6. The character I would shag anytime: Chris. If you could get those painted-on pants off him.
7. The character I'd want to be like: Vin. So quiet and competent and... guh, gorgeous.
8. The character I'd slap: Mary Travis.
9. A pairing that I love: Chris/Vin. Like no one could figure that out!
10. A pairing that I despise: Chris/Mary Travis. That was so forced, and they never had an ounce of chemistry.

[deejay.livejournal.com]

'Miracles' for the meme, only 'cuz I am so predictable and stuff. =P

Re:

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Now, that is a surprise! Har.

Lessee:
1. The character I first fell in love with: Paul. Right from the get-go, his tortured face just really grabbed me.
2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Alva. Much as I loved Angus, he was so creepy in the beginning!
3. The character everyone else loves that I don't: I don't think there is anyone, but then, I'm not really as in the fandom, so I'm not sure who people hate.
4. The character I love that everyone else hates: I get the impression people hate Evie, and I love her.
5. The character I used to love but don't any longer: No one. They still make me happy.
6. The character I would shag anytime: Paul. Especially in a white undershirt and drinking a bottle of whiskey.
7. The character I'd want to be like: Weirdly, Evie. She's very balanced and calm and is a great middle between two very tightly wound guys.
8. The character I'd slap: Alva. Because sometimes he needs to stop talking. And also, i have the distinct feeling he'd like that and it would make him frisky.
9. A pairing that I love: Paul and Alva.
10. A pairing that I despise: Are there any others? But I think I'd hate to see Paul and Popi. That would just be wrong.

Re:

[deejay.livejournal.com]

3. Funny enough, there really isn't anyone in the series that everybody absolutely hates. Well, maybe that Saint Debbie woman, lol....

4. Nobody hates Evie, so far as I've heard, shrug. In fact, most admire her maternal ability to keep "the boys" in line.

7. Yup, see #4 above.

8. With all those languages he's got, all the words just spill out of him in torrents, I guess. And, yeah, he's got a masochist streak in him, so...umm, yeah!

9. 'Nuff said. =D

10. Nobody writes Poppi much. Not sure why. Maybe it's because he's not "the boys" and is actually trying to lure one of them back "home," as it were.

A fun one!

[merricatk.livejournal.com]

I choose "Gilmore Girls" for two hundred, Alex.*


*that would be Trebek. I was playing "Jeopardy." Weren't you?

Re: A fun one!

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Oooo, Gilmore Girls! That is one I would never have expected!

1. The character I first fell in love with: Lorelai
2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Paris (at first, I thought she was my ultimate character nightmare)
3. The character everyone else loves that I don't: Rory's boyfriends, every one of them. Why can't she go out with someone good like Matt?
4. The character I love that everyone else hates: Emily, but with heavy, heavy reservations, because there are times I really don't like her
5. The character I used to love but don't any longer: Kirk (he has grown especially grating to me since they beefed up his role)
6. The character I would shag anytime: Luke
7. The character I'd want to be like: Michel (I really wish I could be that nasty and selfish and still get away with it, and have fun doing it)
8. The character I'd slap: Oh man... how can I pick one? Emily, many times. Rory, most times. All of Rory's evil Future Rapists of America Club boyfriends or almosts, except limp rag Dean. Sookie and Jackson's children. Babette. Kirk. Miss Patty. but most of all, Taylor.
9. A pairing that I love: Luke and Lorelai, baby, all the way.
10. A pairing that I despise: Rory and pretty much everyone.

[kadymae.livejournal.com]

I spent most of my time, though, mainlining Band of Brothers.

I'm doing the happy dance!

And remember -- don't fight in the snow. ;)

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

You know, it's odd -- there's hardly any snow in the vid! Just a few clips from the whole Bastogne/Breaking Point section. Maybe I have not done my job.

[ms-artisan.livejournal.com]

I'd like to see your meme for La Femme Nikita (if you can remember back that far ;)

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Oh, of course I can remember! I fear that most of my answers will be the same, though!

1. The character I first fell in love with: Michael
2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Michael. Really, I didn't think they could rework Tcheky's character from the movie, or that I would fall for him, and that it would only get more intense.
3. The character everyone else loves that I don't: Operations. There seems to be a big Ops/Maddie faction in the fandom, and I despise them.
4. The character I love that everyone else hates: Nikita. The hero always takes a beating, doesn't she?
5. The character I used to love but don't any longer: No one fits that bill here.
6. The character I would shag anytime: Michael!
7. The character I'd want to be like: Michael
8. The character I'd slap: Madeline.
9. A pairing that I love: Mikey/Nikita
10. A pairing that I despise: Ops/Maddy.

[kassto.livejournal.com]

Ah, Band of Brothers -- fantastic stuff. I still have vivid memories of the terror in the skies just as they do their parachute jump over Normandy at the start.

Ciaran Hinds. Daniel Craig. My, what good taste you have. Hinds is the only Capt Wentworth worth knowing. And I first saw Craig in a very heavy British drama called Our Friends in the North, about four young people (one of the others was played by Christopher Eccleston) from Newcastle, and it follows them from the 1960s through to the 1990s, clocking all their personal tragedies with a social history of Britain playing out behind them. Daniel Craig was extraordinary -- played the most broken man I've ever witnessed on TV, all in that wonderful barely intelligible Newcastle accent: ``What fettle, bonnie lad?'' to which the answer is, of course: ``Cannae fettle!''

If you line up Daniel Craig, Ciaran Hinds, Clive Owen and Sean Bean, you've never want for masculinity anywhere any time ever again. They put that nasty little Jude Law way back the shadows.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

It was funny -- I went to see Persuasion in the theatre right after returning from a trip to Lyme Regis and Bath. And that it was my favorite book... I didn't think they could do it justice, and with the places still so fresh in my mind, I had suspicions, plus, I didn't think Ciaran was the right guy for Capt. Wentworth. But that movie was just perfect, and Ciaran couldn't have been more right. Proud, haunted, sad, loving... yum.

I've wished I could get my hands on Our Friends for a long time, but it seems like it's a hopeless task here in the states. I guess it's one thing I could ask my friend to keep an eye out for in a torrent, but I have a hard time imagining it showing up. As it is, I am settling for having a mini-festival of things of Craig's I've missed and that are available in R1. My multi region player isn't working, unfortunately, so I can't even watch my Brit copy of layer cake.