Fannish viewing
Apr. 7th, 2008 09:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gwynOh, I never talk about the shows I'm watching lately. I guess I just don't feel that inspired to dissect and discuss and analyze the way I used to. When I'm enjoying something, I just want to, you know, enjoy, and when I'm thinky about something, I think about it to myself and then am too lazy to post. But this weekend I caught up on a lot of stuff. Most importantly
I think this finale of Torchwood was a lot stronger than last year's, maybe because it involved more of a cost. It's still totally cracktastic and makes no sense when you think about it. First off, that Jack's not utterly mad after 2,000 years and how many deaths, and I get a headache when I even think about those "crossed my own timeline" things. Also, not so much with the Ianto snark, and I can't help it, Ianto is king for me. But I thought that everyone was really on the top of their respective games in this episode, and everything is also better for having James Marsters in it, if you ask me. No sniffles, but I did indeed feel very sad about poor Tosh, and I had actually started to not hate Owen at the end, so it's interesting that killing him off made him the most likable he's ever been.
I keep contemplating what makes me hate Owen so much, besides his looks (and the fact that I can't forget his role as the unctious and sleazy Mr. Guppy in Bleak House) and his detestable character traits. And I keep returning to the fact that Burn Gorman is really a fantastic actor, and in a way, he's made Owen so creepy and dislikable and he's so very good at it, that I can't help but feel that way over him. In the hands of a lesser actor, Owen would just be dispensible and you'd hate him but not with fervor. The fact that we who hate him can get so much mileage out of our hatred? The mark of a really good actor (cf. Mr Guppy for more of that proof). And well, I love Tosh, but truly... she has never been much of a presence to me. Though Ianto is much more of a cypher, Tosh has been kind of empty as a character for much of the series, only really coming to life in the WWI soldier story and in the next to last episode where we see how she came to Torchwood. So I don't know quite what to make of her death. It was a great scene, that she kept it to herself (how Toshlike), but in a way, that exemplifies the problem the producers seem to perpetuate with her character. I hope there is a reset button for S3. I hear rumors, and it would certainly be nice. OTOH, she went out with a good death, and she made a difference, and would coming back in some way make her worse? She never had peace, not after going to UNIT prison, and this way, yes, she's done at last.
I really loved what they did with Capt. John here, how we come into the episode blind, and he just keeps rolling along in this ruse, all the while trying to find some way to save Jack, because he does, in fact, really love him. That kiss at the end, with Jack turning his cheek, was really affecting to me, and I hope that he does come back next year. He's fun, but when he's serious, there's a gravitas he brings out in Barrowman that I really like. I have to agree that Grey's actor was not up to par, but for once, a couple of actors looked like they really were related, and that worked for me more than his quality of acting. I wondered if he was American himself -- if he was British, it would make some sense, that he was struggling with the accent (it certainly sounded like at times he was struggling with language) and that became too much of a focus for him. But I've only seen it once, so I am not sure about all that -- and I saw it from the halfway point first, and had to go back and see the first half later.
I don't normally watch the 10th doctor much. I've seen a handful of episodes, but I'm not a huge David Tennent fan(I know, blasphemer! So sue me). But the funny thing is that I loved Nine and Rose, and then I didn't really want to see it after Nine left, even though I loved Rose, and then I saw Martha and loved her, and I couldn't get past the fact that they then dumped Martha, and... and... on and on. I saw the Runaway Bride ep and just loathed Donna, so I wasn't super keen on the Marthaless Ten and Donna back. It was like, recipe for misery. Nevertheless, they did a good job toning her down, I loved her gramps, and OMG, the Baby Fats!!! I adored them. I want one to hold and cuddle. They were so cute! I don't care if they're fat!! (I can't believe I'm waving to fat) I liked the Evita-esque nanny, though I thought if she put her glasses on and immediately took them off one more time my head would explode.
Much of what I hated about Ten is still there, but I think Tennent (Tennant? Sp?) has toned down a lot of his more annoying mannerisms. I do still wish he'd stop talking through clenched teeth so I could understand more of what he says, but overall, he's growing on me. I loved his darkness in Family of Blood (though couldn't help wondering what my beloved Christopher Eccleston would have done as well), and I think when he dials it down, he can be really good. And it was nice to see a woman in a role who was shaped as a ... you know, woman. (Though, sweetie, you may need a sports bra if you're going to run like that so much -- the girls are going to get sore if you keep that up.) That is definitely a nice change. I cannot for the life of me understand why Martha fancying him is such a horrible thing (and yes, children's show blah blah, except, you know it's not a kid's show anymore and hasn't been for a long time), but I do like the fact that she affected him and he's lost without her at first.
Also, I have this big issue with him throwing away the sonic pen. There are so many reasons why it's a Very Bad Idea, not the least of which is: Remember the kid in Torchwood who put together the alien technology he found and got himself into a boatload of trouble? People go through rubbish bins! And then, why not have an extra sonic thingie for when you need two? How wasteful. And don't even get me started on improper disposal of batteries. Who knows what those things will do to the environment?
I wasn't going to watch this right away, and didn't in fact till today. I just... I'm having trouble going there. The show has become so annoyingly manipulative and stupid that I wasn't sure I wanted to come back, especially after such a long hiatus. (Yes, all TV shows with arcs are somewhat manipulative in a way, to get people to come back, but BSG has become far more than that.) That whole thing with Bob Dylan in space just drove me batshit, and the "let's pull this out of our asses" reveal of the human cylons just... at that point I thought it might be best to just stop the show. But I can't seem to quit the damn thing, even though I hate being one of those people who watches something and does nothing but nitpick and complain. I HATE THAT. People should watch what gives them joy, whether it's the human race being wiped out or silly sitcoms about office workers. When it starts to cause pain, then you should leave. And yet I keep wanting to see what they're going to do next. So now I'm going to keep tuning in, pissing and moaning. Garr.
I am still not on board with any of the major story lines -- I was hoping they really would cut Baltar's throat, and the idea of a season of him with this concubinage just galls me. I think the whole cylon human thing sucks. The Starbuck storyline is a yawn and I can tell before every beat they hit just exactly what they're going to do next, it's so scripted and trite. And yet... the performances are still really compelling. I still think Roslin and Adama are wonderful together and alone. I like Apollo's angst. I enjoy the basic concept of Sharon's storyline, with her choice to reject her cylonness. I thought they handled the fight scenes really well this time, and the attempted murder of Baltar was really good. And that scene between Lee and the Admiral was outstanding and reminded me why I had started watching in the first place. So I keep tuning in to see what's next. Next time you see me, slap me and tell me to snap out of it.
And then tonight, I made![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
mlyn come over to watch Vin Diesel's first full-length movie, Strays, which only came out on disc a while ago. I didn't think I could handle it without someone to help me through cringing, but it actually wasn't as bad as I expected. Vin was much goofier and sweeter than I had expected, and he does love showing off his bod, so I can't complain in that regard. Though a lot of wine also helps. But we got a glimpse of the bootay, we got to see him in black boxer briefs, and he spends most of the movie in a white undershirt or variations thereof, so... really, you can't ask for a lot more. Also, he sings. And pretty well, too.
I think this finale of Torchwood was a lot stronger than last year's, maybe because it involved more of a cost. It's still totally cracktastic and makes no sense when you think about it. First off, that Jack's not utterly mad after 2,000 years and how many deaths, and I get a headache when I even think about those "crossed my own timeline" things. Also, not so much with the Ianto snark, and I can't help it, Ianto is king for me. But I thought that everyone was really on the top of their respective games in this episode, and everything is also better for having James Marsters in it, if you ask me. No sniffles, but I did indeed feel very sad about poor Tosh, and I had actually started to not hate Owen at the end, so it's interesting that killing him off made him the most likable he's ever been.
I keep contemplating what makes me hate Owen so much, besides his looks (and the fact that I can't forget his role as the unctious and sleazy Mr. Guppy in Bleak House) and his detestable character traits. And I keep returning to the fact that Burn Gorman is really a fantastic actor, and in a way, he's made Owen so creepy and dislikable and he's so very good at it, that I can't help but feel that way over him. In the hands of a lesser actor, Owen would just be dispensible and you'd hate him but not with fervor. The fact that we who hate him can get so much mileage out of our hatred? The mark of a really good actor (cf. Mr Guppy for more of that proof). And well, I love Tosh, but truly... she has never been much of a presence to me. Though Ianto is much more of a cypher, Tosh has been kind of empty as a character for much of the series, only really coming to life in the WWI soldier story and in the next to last episode where we see how she came to Torchwood. So I don't know quite what to make of her death. It was a great scene, that she kept it to herself (how Toshlike), but in a way, that exemplifies the problem the producers seem to perpetuate with her character. I hope there is a reset button for S3. I hear rumors, and it would certainly be nice. OTOH, she went out with a good death, and she made a difference, and would coming back in some way make her worse? She never had peace, not after going to UNIT prison, and this way, yes, she's done at last.
I really loved what they did with Capt. John here, how we come into the episode blind, and he just keeps rolling along in this ruse, all the while trying to find some way to save Jack, because he does, in fact, really love him. That kiss at the end, with Jack turning his cheek, was really affecting to me, and I hope that he does come back next year. He's fun, but when he's serious, there's a gravitas he brings out in Barrowman that I really like. I have to agree that Grey's actor was not up to par, but for once, a couple of actors looked like they really were related, and that worked for me more than his quality of acting. I wondered if he was American himself -- if he was British, it would make some sense, that he was struggling with the accent (it certainly sounded like at times he was struggling with language) and that became too much of a focus for him. But I've only seen it once, so I am not sure about all that -- and I saw it from the halfway point first, and had to go back and see the first half later.
I don't normally watch the 10th doctor much. I've seen a handful of episodes, but I'm not a huge David Tennent fan(I know, blasphemer! So sue me). But the funny thing is that I loved Nine and Rose, and then I didn't really want to see it after Nine left, even though I loved Rose, and then I saw Martha and loved her, and I couldn't get past the fact that they then dumped Martha, and... and... on and on. I saw the Runaway Bride ep and just loathed Donna, so I wasn't super keen on the Marthaless Ten and Donna back. It was like, recipe for misery. Nevertheless, they did a good job toning her down, I loved her gramps, and OMG, the Baby Fats!!! I adored them. I want one to hold and cuddle. They were so cute! I don't care if they're fat!! (I can't believe I'm waving to fat) I liked the Evita-esque nanny, though I thought if she put her glasses on and immediately took them off one more time my head would explode.
Much of what I hated about Ten is still there, but I think Tennent (Tennant? Sp?) has toned down a lot of his more annoying mannerisms. I do still wish he'd stop talking through clenched teeth so I could understand more of what he says, but overall, he's growing on me. I loved his darkness in Family of Blood (though couldn't help wondering what my beloved Christopher Eccleston would have done as well), and I think when he dials it down, he can be really good. And it was nice to see a woman in a role who was shaped as a ... you know, woman. (Though, sweetie, you may need a sports bra if you're going to run like that so much -- the girls are going to get sore if you keep that up.) That is definitely a nice change. I cannot for the life of me understand why Martha fancying him is such a horrible thing (and yes, children's show blah blah, except, you know it's not a kid's show anymore and hasn't been for a long time), but I do like the fact that she affected him and he's lost without her at first.
Also, I have this big issue with him throwing away the sonic pen. There are so many reasons why it's a Very Bad Idea, not the least of which is: Remember the kid in Torchwood who put together the alien technology he found and got himself into a boatload of trouble? People go through rubbish bins! And then, why not have an extra sonic thingie for when you need two? How wasteful. And don't even get me started on improper disposal of batteries. Who knows what those things will do to the environment?
I wasn't going to watch this right away, and didn't in fact till today. I just... I'm having trouble going there. The show has become so annoyingly manipulative and stupid that I wasn't sure I wanted to come back, especially after such a long hiatus. (Yes, all TV shows with arcs are somewhat manipulative in a way, to get people to come back, but BSG has become far more than that.) That whole thing with Bob Dylan in space just drove me batshit, and the "let's pull this out of our asses" reveal of the human cylons just... at that point I thought it might be best to just stop the show. But I can't seem to quit the damn thing, even though I hate being one of those people who watches something and does nothing but nitpick and complain. I HATE THAT. People should watch what gives them joy, whether it's the human race being wiped out or silly sitcoms about office workers. When it starts to cause pain, then you should leave. And yet I keep wanting to see what they're going to do next. So now I'm going to keep tuning in, pissing and moaning. Garr.
I am still not on board with any of the major story lines -- I was hoping they really would cut Baltar's throat, and the idea of a season of him with this concubinage just galls me. I think the whole cylon human thing sucks. The Starbuck storyline is a yawn and I can tell before every beat they hit just exactly what they're going to do next, it's so scripted and trite. And yet... the performances are still really compelling. I still think Roslin and Adama are wonderful together and alone. I like Apollo's angst. I enjoy the basic concept of Sharon's storyline, with her choice to reject her cylonness. I thought they handled the fight scenes really well this time, and the attempted murder of Baltar was really good. And that scene between Lee and the Admiral was outstanding and reminded me why I had started watching in the first place. So I keep tuning in to see what's next. Next time you see me, slap me and tell me to snap out of it.
And then tonight, I made
mlyn come over to watch Vin Diesel's first full-length movie, Strays, which only came out on disc a while ago. I didn't think I could handle it without someone to help me through cringing, but it actually wasn't as bad as I expected. Vin was much goofier and sweeter than I had expected, and he does love showing off his bod, so I can't complain in that regard. Though a lot of wine also helps. But we got a glimpse of the bootay, we got to see him in black boxer briefs, and he spends most of the movie in a white undershirt or variations thereof, so... really, you can't ask for a lot more. Also, he sings. And pretty well, too.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-04-08 06:19 am (UTC)It's not that I dislike David Tennant, it's just that I love Eccleston so. He's a terrific actor. He can be both endearingly goofy and quite the bad man. If you haven't seen it, a movie called 'The Seeker' just went to dvd about 3 weeks ago starring CE. It's really quite good. Better than I had expected.
I stopped watching Torchwood after the episode where Owen came back to life. I've never liked his character, although, as you said, Burn Gorman is an excellent actor. And knowing that the next episode was going to focus around Owen a lot, I just wasn't in that big a hurry to watch it. But I have been faithfully downloading the eps each week and I know that soon I'll have a big Torchwood gorge.
Poor Tosh. She's not my favorite, simply because her character was very under utilized and left rather hollow, but I do like her.
It's a good thing that spoilers don't bother me. *G*
no subject
Date: 2008-04-09 09:58 pm (UTC)I've not been fond of the Who women at all, 'cept for the one in the (sp?) Poseidon Adventure ripoff of a Christmas special - but of course, she had to die, given the original movie's structure. Tired of all the so-called "strong" women on the tv who are really whiny, stupid, vapid and wimpy. Donna may yet be different, we'll see. But I do think (yes, blaspheming again) that all the bits lately are re-defining Who in a non-Whosian manner, and that it's just wrong. Funny, too, since my hubby feels the same way, and he's watched Dr. Who for like forever (I came in on #9).
I haven't been fond of much of the re-structuring of Torchwood this season, so while the season ender was painful - I don't know, it's just not the show it was the first year anyway, so perhaps it doesn't matter? I wonder, will it be a rather different show each series, as long as it lasts?
And yeah, Owen is a complete wanker - maybe we're touched because he finally started growing up? And Tosh started growing a spine. And if she'd used that communicator to call the rest, not just Owen, maybe she could have been saved. But I think she didn't want to go on after Owen died. Too bad - _can_ you have a romance with a radioactive, never-crossing-over ghost?
Oh, I'm blathering on again, apologies. :)
no subject
Date: 2008-04-10 06:12 am (UTC)I'll check out Seeker -- sometimes he makes the most horribly depressing movies. I think I'm still scarred for life over Jude. They made the story worse, weirdly.
no subject
Date: 2008-04-10 09:36 pm (UTC)BUT - I'm nervous, since I read and loved the original books (Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising books [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
/The_Dark_is_Rising] ), and the author really didn't like what they did (user SC 864412, commenting on the Netflix reviews posted).
no subject
Date: 2008-04-08 11:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-09 10:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-08 12:12 pm (UTC)As for Baltar, I can't say I like the character and I'd be violently happy to get rid of all the (pseudo-)religious mumbo-jumbo overall, but I was pleased by Apollo's upholding of the law. (I live in a secular country with no capital punishment, can you tell? *g*)
no subject
Date: 2008-04-10 06:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-04-11 05:54 pm (UTC)My family stopped at that point, and I never saw the last year or so until I saw the marathons on Sci-Fi channel.
It was interesting to note that Starbuck and Apollo essentially became either saints or angels in original BSG - the end point made was rather to get them to deny their loose lives and cleave to (the Christian) God, and in so doing denying and casting out the old gods (Greek pantheon) they had worshiped before. _Then_, you see, they could save the lost Humanity (the fleet from the colonies).
It's also interesting to note that the pro-xtian push doesn't seem to be happening in the new BSG, or at least, not in the way one might predict.