Spontaneous Musings

Leg and knee didn't hurt as much today as they did on Saturday, making me think arthritis may be a factor, and sigh shifts in the weather.

The Super decorated the lobby of the apartment in style - we have poinsettias, a tree, a mechanical elf climbing a ladder to decorate the tree, and a carousel on top of the mail boxes, among other things. It's quite festive. Never thought I'd say this?? But I actually prefer a pre-war building of 77 units to a brownstone. Also the building is older - it's 100 years old, and quite sturdy all things considered.

And Momma got a Xmas present for me - today - I know what it is - she got it on Cyber Monday before it went up in price. ( kitchen appliances and where to put them )

I did partake of Cyber Monday. Got shoes for $22 on Lands End, and a pair of pants fo $21. And some underwear via Amazon. Yesterday at Walgreens I bought a cup warmer for work - worked like a dream. Plugged it in and it kept the cups warm. My tea, decafe coffee, and matcha lattes kept getting cold fast. Now they stay warm. It was only $5.

I'm embracing my love of my city and neighborhood. I love NYC. I was talking to Breaking Bad today, and describing how my entire family is spread around the US and lives in suburban and rural areas (ie. you need a plane and car, or in the case of my brother, a train and car to get to them).

Breaking Bad: So you're the sole urbanite?
Me (I think about it): Yup pretty much. I like cities.

I read on Calm or somewhere recently that anxious folks tend to prefer walk in city streets or places where they know all the threats instantly than a nature walk outside of the city. They feel safer. ( Read more... )

***

December Memage:

1. Do you use serviettes/napkins when you eat, or are they just for fancy meals/when you have guests?

When have guests or fancy. I rarely use them other than that. Don't have that many, and I can't find them?

1. Managed to get the flu shot that I'd been procrastinating - I don't like the pharmacy, but I'm no longer working in Jamaica, so can't get it there. And not sure about getting it at City MD in the city.

Also, due to shifts in the jet stream combated another migraine, still lingering but not as bad as it was earlier - and it appears to be dissipating finally. My own fault for forgetting to take an antihistamine. A hot shower helped. I'd taken a walk to pick up batteries and get brandy (actually I was getting rum but all they had was brandy, which actually works better anyhow) for the egg nog that I'd bought. I can also use it for hot toddies, hot apple cider, and baking/cooking. I don't really drink any longer - so it's used more for well egg nog and toddies, and baking.

Put up my Xmas lights in my living room window - which is a miniature evergreen tree (plastic but looks real with snow on it) and yellow lights, and a burlap stand. I call it my Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. It's adorable and make me happy. That and the snowflake fairy lights, and the little Saturn light globe. I'll probably leave them there until well into February. I leave the Saturn Light Globe there year round, just only turn it on during the winter months. Removed the little pumpkin from the window.
My holiday decorations tend to be on the simple side, and mostly in my windows and window sills.

2. Was thinking about Angel today, and it occurred to me that in "Are You There Now or Have You Ever Been" that he doesn't tell his friends what actually happened in the hotel or what he was doing there or that he'd left that poor woman in the hotel to suffer since 1952. I'm not sure what he did with her body or if she was a ghost? But his friends didn't seem to know she was still there or that the bank money was there? Which begs the question how did Angel get all the money he appears to have stashed away? He's clearly not poor, and tends live rather well. Similar to Dracula in a way. The older vampires in Whedon's series live quite well. Or know how to?

Probably over-thinking it too. Mustn't overthink television series, and Disney superhero films. Doesn't keep me and others from doing it...

3. Former Sr. Minister (the Unitarian Minister who left the church to become a rabbi), is writing a blog on substack for subscribers - which she advertises on FB. I wouldn't mention it - except, she surprised me today with this blurb on FB.

"My son and I went to part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade yesterday. I love the marching bands, but the whole thing is increasingly lackluster. And I was struck, as I am every year, by the idolatry. Here's a 100-word reflection on it:

When the Pillsbury Doughboy balloon floated by in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the announcer informed the crowd that this was the parade’s most iconic balloon. Our response, I guess, was muted, because he reprimanded us: “When I say it’s the most iconic, you make the most noise!”

Theologian Neil Gillman taught: when people realize that something is a symbol (or need to be told to cheer for it), the symbol is broken. It no longer carries the magic.Maybe the symbols of consumerism are breaking. We’re finally figuring out that they’re giant idols. Impotent. Full of nothing but air."

I did a double take. [ETA: Sigh, for some reason my mind read Gaiman not Gillman. I have told you all that I'm dyslexic right? [I've certainly written multiple posts on it.] Thank god, I restrained myself from responding to her on FB. I think the reason my mind decided it was Gaiman, is it saw Neil and the similar sounding name, the quote, and the Sr. Minister's name and made that connection. ]


4. Tom Stoppard died. I've read and seen a lot of Tom Stoppard plays.
Known for: Rozencrantz and Guildestern are Dead, The Real Thing, Shakespeare in Love..
( Read more... )

5. Finished Slow Horses S5 - it's only six episodes and fairly tightly written - so it didn't take all that long to binge, unfortunately. By the time I got into it? It was alas, over. Very funny British satire about spooks.

November Memage

29. What types of fruit do you always have in the house to eat?

Granny Smith Green Apples, Raspberries and Blackberries.

Someone on Bluesky didn't understand the holiday, and stated as an immigrant they were struggling with it - why are we celebrating genocide?

Eh, no, that's actually Columbus Day. Which was about two months ago? You've confused the holidays.

Thanksgiving is for everybody - it's when the Pilgrims, immigrants from Europe, who fled for much the same reasons people flee to the US now, celebrated their first harvest after having half the population die out the winter before. The Native American tribe in the area allegedly joined them or so legend has it, history tends to be written by those who never experienced it. It also is a holiday that is in a lot of cultures, just celebrated at different times during the year. Usually, it is celebrated at Harvest Time and in the fall months right before Winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

But mainly, it is a holiday in which people are supposed to take a moment to be grateful for the things they have. And possibly find a way to give to those who don't. (Example giving to good will, donating, spending time in a soup kitchen, etc.) Again, it originated from the Pagan tradition - "Being Thankful to the Gods for the Harvest".

I'm grateful to have all the things that I have, and feel no need to list them off. There's too many to list anyhow. I have a lot to be thankful for this year.

Speaking of being thankful? I baked my little rock cornish game hen, did my green beans and the quinoa, with the dressing for the hen. Lovely little meal. Slice of pecan pie and pumpkin pie with a touch of whipped cream for desert. Was more than happy to be on my own.

***

Touched base with immediate family - which is as unconventional as I am about the holidays.

Bro: Are you a Stranger Things or Football person?
Me: Well, at the moment a Slow Horses person. But yes, Stranger Things. I've neither the patience nor the attention span for football. You?
Bro: Sends me a screen shot of Stranger Things.

I think my mother is the only person in my immediate family who watches football regularly. Although she was enjoying Thanksgiving with friends for the day.

***

Television

* The 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was kind of ...tepid? It had only three Broadway show casts, and no real pop headliners. Same floats. And kind of lukewarm in that arena as well. While the Village Halloween Parade grows in volume each year, this one seems to diminish? I gave up on it around ten, after seeing the three Broadway Shows. Just in Time (which was the most enthusiastic), Buena Vista Social Club, and Ragtime. (Note they have space heaters on the stage, and it's only ten-to-fifteen minutes per act.).

* The Materialists - movie on HBO MAX, was briefly in theaters this year. (Didn't do that well, and kind of a blink and you missed it moment - I can see why? It's not a good movie.) It's a romantic comedy satire - written and directed by Celine Song, and stars Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, and Pedro Pascale. And ...it is sleep inducing? I played Mahjong during it on my phone. The acting was very understated, to the point that I thought everyone was talking in monotone?
There were dramatic things that happened? But I couldn't care. It's a satire, and I don't like American Satire. It's about as subtle as a battering ram? And I like my satire subtle and dry like a fine wine.
( Read more... )

* Slow Horses S5 - it is S5. It's good. The second and third episode are hilarious. Slow to start as always, I kind of dozed off in the first episode.

This season the Horses have to help their dumb as toast incel hacker get out of MI5 prison for well...that would be spoiling things.

I admittedly like absurdist humor. And Slow Horses is an example of the type of satire that works for me? Biting, British, and Subtle.

I don't know why I'm tired all the time. I actually did sleep eight hours last night, or so my watch informs me. But I also woke up periodically, and the leg did bother me, and IBS had its issues, but nothing major.

I had today off due to the doctor's appointment, but I was dragging.( Read more... )

Coming home, I accidentally ended up on the M train, without realizing it, and had to switch at Marcy Avenue (it's somewhere in Queens and I've never heard of it), which meant going down six flights of steps, across a street, and up six flights of steps, taking the M back across the bridge into Manhattan, down more steps, and taking the F back. ( Read more... )

I'll try to get a pie tomorrow at work. I'm near Whole Foods, and the farmers market, which has a gluten free bakery vendor on Tuesdays.

Dinner was hearts of palm spaghetti, asperagus, and broccoli with pesto, grated parmesan, and pepper. Blood sugar was high, so went with a vegetarian dinner that was low in carbs.

***

Television

I finished S3 of Dark Winds on Netflix. AMC is dumping seasons of shows that previously aired on AMC onto Netflix. They've also dumped Interview with a Vampire S1-2, Mayfair Witches, Breaking Bad, and This is Going to Hurt - to name a few.

Dark Winds was hard to follow in places, but overall entertaining. The problem it had - was four different mysteries, none of which were connected, two of which had happened some time ago, and in different locals. Also the mysticism, and a mystery solved during a dream sequence. (I am not a fan of dream sequences in television shows, films or books. I don't particularly like reading about my own dreams. It's also hard to do it well - I honestly think only David Lynch succeeded because he thinks that way.)

I liked the first two seasons better. Not sure if it is continuing or not?
It's based on the Tony Hillerman, Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee mysteries which were written in the 1970s, and this takes place in the 1970s. (I read them in the 90s). What's unique about the series is it is filmed on Navajo reservations, and the cast is mostly Navajo, Native American, and it's written by Navajo and Native Americans. The executive producers are Robert Redford and George RR Martin, who both had a cameo, playing chess, during it.

Also started This is Going to Hurt - a fictionalized account of Adam Kay's non-fiction memoir on his experiences working as a Junior Doctor on an NHS maternity ward in London. I'd categorize it as hyper-realism, and it is a dramedy. Although I don't find it funny - it's a bit too dark for my sensibilities. There is however a somewhat funny bit about the doctor attempting to get a pregnant woman in and out of a lift that won't stop moving. I thought NYC's inner city hospitals were bad - they've nothing on London's NHS, as shown here.

It's gritty, grim, black humor. Ben Whinslaw is brilliant in it. I don't know if I'll make it through all the episodes? There are only seven in all.
It's written by Adam Kay, who wrote it as a 7 episode limited series, focused on himself and another doctor working in the maternity ward. Reminds me a little bit of The Pitt, but far more raw and a little bit more bloody, also we slant into the personal lives of the doctors. Adam Kay appears to be a gay doctor, who is still firmly in the closet at home and at work - causing issues with his significant other.

Made through two episodes so far.

Finally, rewatching Angel S2 and Buffy S5. Of the two, I've watched Buffy S5 quite a few times, but not since 2010.

( Buffy vs. Dracula and the Real Me )

Over on Angel, we establish that Angel doesn't sing (or dance). And likes Barry Manilow. Specifically Mandy. ( Read more... )


Okay done for tonight, I think. Off to work tomorrow.

Finished re-watching Buffy S4 and Angel S1 yesterday, with the iconic episodes "Restless" (Buffy S4) and "To Shanshu in LA" (Angel S1), which were both written and directed by the principle show-runner creator of each series, Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt respectfully.

Both date rather well for the most part, with a few crucial exceptions (the white male writers of Northern European descent have some decidedly judgmental stereotypes about Black and African culture that regrettably end up on screen and are kind of racist) - Gunn and the First Slayer...ugh.

Upon re-watching I picked up on the flaws in the writing, and of the two, I think Greenwalt's is easier to follow and more engrossing, while Whedon's is a bit more on the self-indulgent side (if you doubt Whedon's creativity, sizable ego, or his power on that show - just watch Restless), far more ambitious, and drags a bit. Even if Whedon's is much more memorable and kind of a game-changer in television writing.

Can you skip over Restless and still enjoy the series? Absolutely. It's a stand-alone episode, filled with foreshadowing, but so vaguely and confusingly displayed, that you are almost better off not thinking too much about it? People did at the time (myself included) - and came up with far better plots than the writer did or even imagined, which is never a good thing and alas one of the pitfalls of reading and writing fanfic while a series is airing, and before it's been completed. It's almost better to read it after the fact (which I seldom do) but there you go.

To Shanshu in LA on the other hand is kind of required to understand what is happening in Angel. It's not a skippable episode, and I would state one of the anchors of the series? There's a handful of episodes in Angel S1 that you need to watch to understand what is happening, the arc of the characters, etc. It is not a stand-a-alone, which is why David Greenwalt wrote and directed it. The only problem with it - is I'm not sure Greenwalt knows whether he is writing noir or a classic hero story or both? It's a confusing episode. Because it seems fairly clear from the ending, just as it did from the ending of Blind Date (the episode before it) - that the Senior Partners are gleeful with the result, and busy rewarding both Lindsey and Holland Mathers for executing it. Lilah is just along for the ride.

I think Greenwalt is attempting to do two things here? Hoodwink/mislead the audience and our heroes, while at the same time get across what the villains are doing and how they succeed. Plus, be able to get across to the audience the twist or the mislead upon completion of the series - so if someone were to re-watch it after seeing S5, they'd get it. And that's really hard to pull off well, without a few confusing plot holes. (Especially with the constant turn-over in writers and show-runners. But Whedon was most likely the instigator of the mislead, as was Minear.) It's more coherent than Restless, but then just about anything in either series is? And overall, I'd say Greenwalt was slightly more successful in the mislead than Whedon was in Restless, although it's not real clear Whedon knew what he was doing in Restless. Or if he was, he didn't do a good job of communicating that to anyone else?

Take-aways and Reviews of the two upon re-watching years later, are below:

Restless - written & directed by Joss Whedon (who wrote about four-five episodes per season in the first four-five seasons, and often the first episode and the last episode, this is common with show-runners of broadcast television shows with large team of writers and 22 episodes).

There's a dream sequence episode in Dark Winds S3, where the lead character Joe Leaphorn is wrestling with his own inner demons, and goes through this confusing dream sequence in the desert - while being attacked by someone that he believes is a monster in reality. The dream sequence finally gets across to him, as he figures out who killed a priest in his distant past during it, that there are no monsters, just men. And the thing fighting him the desert isn't a monster, but a man.

Restless is kind of similar set up? ( Read more... )

Overall, an okay episode? I kept falling asleep during it yesterday and found it, as I always find dreams shown in art and media - to be mentally exhausting and exhilarating at the same time.

To Shanshu in LA - written and directed by David Greenwalt (who was technically the show-runner of Angel, with oversight by Whedon).

Before Angel the Series, there was another cult noirish vampire detective series known as Nick at Night and later Forever Knight. It was about a Vampire who solved cases, while dealing with his creators. Moonlight reminds me a lot of Forever Knight. Angel the Series is kind of merger of Forever Knight (a Canadian 1980/early 90s series) and Kojack the Night Stalker (which was a cult show in the 1960s). It is at its heart - a noir or dark anti-hero series about a Vampire and his friends attempting to help people, and solve crimes, for a fee. Notably, a big difference between Angel Investigations and the Scooby Gange - is Angel is "paid". Often with big checks by folks who can afford it. Up until To Shanshu in LA? I'd say Angel the Series was very similar to Forever Night, Nick at Knight (earlier version of Forever Knight) and Kojack the Night Stalker. After that it goes in another direction entirely.

The beginning of the episode, two things happen worth noting. ( Read more... )

Overall a good episode, if a bit clunky and confusing in places. I did enjoy it more than Restless, in that I stayed awake during it.

***

Now that I've finished my rewatch of Angel S1 and Buffy S4, I'd say they were both a mixed bag? Buffy's stand-a-alones are better, while Angel's arc episodes are better.

( Buffy S4 Rewatch Over-view, cut for length )

If you really dislike S4, and preferred S1-3, and love those seasons and their narrative framework, setting, etc, then, you probably are better off sticking with the first three seasons and not continuing with the series. If however, you were like me, and loved aspects of S4, then yes, it gets better as we go. And is a very different series post-S4.

Takeaways?
( Read more... )

Angel S1 overview.

Better than I remembered. Less skippable episodes than I recalled, although they are there. It is more noirish than I thought. And dives deep into many noir tropes. Every single episode has a dark twist, some better than others.

Also the characters are well developed, and more likable and relatable here than they were on Buffy. Angel, Wes, and Cordelia are far more developed and more three dimensional. We get inside each's point of view. And they are given room to breath and develop that they never had on the other show, too busy competing for screen time.

The writers clearly aren't good at the stealth anthology or case of the week format, and by the end of the season give into serial for the most part. A recurring theme with this series.

WRH may be among the best villains in television. They work on multiple levels, the evil law firm on speed. It's a trope that has been done repeatedly of course, but the Angel writers kind of run with it and take it to new lows. And they keep with the noir themes and landscape - Angel is the classic Noir anti-hero, along with Wes and Cordelia.

I'm looking forward to rewatching S2, which I've mostly forgotten.

I'm procrastinating dinner, mainly because I don't know what to eat? (I have to throw out the chicken and chicken soup that I made last weekend - and haven't touched, after getting incredibly ill. I didn't get ill because of it? But the idea of reminds me of it - so just no.)

Both Crazy Workplace and Apartment Complex are having holiday parties the second week of December, and since I will be around - I should probably go to them. ( Read more... )

There's a new list of top 100 books - that is kind of interesting? - it's the Australian Radio List or what I want to call the Top 100 Books that have been, will be or are soon to be adapted into movies or television series. I've either read, tried to read, seen or tried to watch over half of them - some I have on my to see/to read list, and actually own. I could literally go down a good portion of that list and give recommendations. I'm tempted.

Decided on the left over baked salmon, celery, carrots and some quinoa.
Then watched Buffy S4 Primeval, after watching Yoko Factor the night before.

Buffy S4 Rewatch - Yoko Factor and Primeval

After watching Yoko Factor again, I get why the fandom split over the character of Spike to the degree it did? I'd forgotten how cool Spike was as an anti-hero character, and how good an antagonist. ( Read more... )

What's interesting about Angel and Buffy's cross-overs to each other's series - is that Buffy only crosses over to Angel in S1. ( Read more... )

At any rate, Yoko Factor reminds me of why I love this series. Snappy banter, which is just a joy to behold (a lot of television writers ironically can't write dialogue - how they become television writers without being able to write good dialogue is beyond me?). Also, Adam is actually palpable in the episode - due to Spike. I was actually rooting for him to get his chip out and disappointed he didn't. Although, they'd have to kill him off. So that wasn't happening.

There's a hilarious scene where Xander gives Spike a gun, and Spike gleefully points it at him - only to get a migraine. ( Read more... )

Primeval - eh, this feels like watching a bad comic book brought to life. I remember liking it better in the early 00s. It doesn't age well, and is kind of on the campy side? Forrest is ...annoyingly misogynistic - so much so, that it doesn't surprise me that Whedon went there again with Warren and Caleb. I prefer the villains who aren't misogynistic. I really did not like the villians in S4 at all. This episode just reminds me of why.

( Read more... )

Note while this is the last arc episode? It's not the last episode of the season. Which is interesting, and different from S1-3, in which it would have been the last episode. Showing that S4 was meant to be a bridge episode between S3 and S5.

Some say this is the best episode of S4, IMBD did, which makes me wonder about some of their reviewers? I mean obviously HUSH is the best episode, with several others coming close. HUSH is among the best of the series. Each season has one or two standout episodes. S4 is hands down - HUSH.

***

Crazy Workplace

Breaking Bad: I swear this place could be a Paddy Chafesky play. It is a Paddy Chafesky play. It might even be better if it was.
Me: Paddy Chafesky wrote Network right?
Breaking Bad: Yup, excellent writer.
ME: Agreed. I read all his plays in high school. (Don't remember them, but I did read them.)

I even put a Paddy Chafesky quote from NETWORK in my high school yearbook. "I'm Mad as Hell and I'm not going to take any longer." I kind of regret doing that. But I found it amusing at the time.

***

Now that the Vertigo is blessedly gone, I've a ENT on Monday about it. (Taking the day off.) I'd rather have had the ENT appointment on Tuesday when it was still there, bugging me. On the other hand - I wouldn't have been able to get to the ENT appointment or provided coherent information, so maybe not.

Now, I just have to decide if I want to keep the ENT appointment on Monday. I'm thinking it's probably a good idea, since I've had the vertigo twice this fall - and both times associated with severe sinus congestion and weather fluctuations.

But, it's nice that it is blessedly gone now. The pills I was taking for it - really did help. Along with the nasal spray.

Already decided to switch the Personal Day from Friday to Monday. Works better all around.

Buffy S4/Angel S1 Rewatch

It's worth keeping in mind that the two shows have definitively different tones and are different genres. Angel is paranormal horror noir, while Buffy is paranormal horror romance (well, romantic horror at any rate).
Angel S1 makes it a lot clearer than I thought, mainly because the Angel fandom kept insisting it was the Classical Hero's Journey (all evidence to the contrary). I can kind of see why they thought that? And Whedon didn't help. But if anything they are undercutting that trope in Angel.

Blind Date, the 21st episode of Angel S1 - is another WRH episode, which are by far the best episodes in the season. And it is an arc episode.
The episode has all the main arc players except for Kate (who I think the writers were re-thinking as a potential romance at this point, Angel isn't really a romance? Nor does Angel really need one?). Gunn is there instead of Kate, in the thankless role of distraction - playing up the stereotypes.

What is interesting about the episode is how cleverly the writers manage to hoodwink their audience. I didn't realize they did it - when I first watched ages ago, when it aired live. I wished I had, I would have kept watching, instead of jumping in and out of it like I did - skipping episodes. When I first saw it live, and even the second time I saw it prior to seeing Season 4, I didn't see the twist. They completely fooled me along with the fandom. I thought the episode was lame and it annoyed me. Now that I see the twist. It's kind of hilarious and rather clever. And perfectly foils the characters. I see it now, of course. After having seen S5 several times, it's pretty obvious - but it wasn't then.
( how they fool their audience )

Buffy S4: New Moon Rising - there's several things the writers need to accomplish in this episode. In a way, Blind Date is easier? I liked it a lot better, because it's nice and twisty, and they hoodwink the lead characters and audience. And once you see it - it's hilarious. I love episodes like that. With hidden twists. Even if I don't see it until years later and I was also hoodwinked. I think I would have enjoyed the series more the first go-around, if I'd seen the twist and not been hoodwinked.

In New Moon Rising - they need to somehow get Adam and Spike together. Also firmly shut the door on the Willow/Oz romance, and open it on the Willow/Tara (also firmly state that this is a romantic relationship and have Willow come out of the closet to Buffy). And, get Riley to cut ties with the Initiative. (Not to worry, he returns in S5. Take the boy out of the military, but you can't take the military out of the boy - which is kind of clear in this episode.)

It's a very plotty episode, so not the best. Much like S3 - the arc episodes aren't as good. The problem here is Riley/Adam and the Initiative, while in S3 it was the Mayor/Faith (although I liked the Mayor/Faith better than Riley/Adam - I like S4 better than S3, mainly due to the characters, and the situation).

That said - this episode is among the better arc episodes, and works better than a lot of the previous ones did in hitting all the crucial points. Not sure who wrote it? Ah, Marti Noxon. (Jeannine Renishaw wrote Blind Date Angel s1). Explains a lot. Noxon wrote Willow/Tara the best.
( Read more... )

1. Someone decided to "Monopolize" to be read or TBR reading lists. Basically they created a Monopoly version of a game to figure out what to read next from their home libraries.

Welcome to the internet - where you get everyone's opinions on things, and find out about weird game ideas that never occurred to you.

I don't know, sounds time consuming. Some people have a lot of free time on their hands, or don't watch as much television as I do. Granted television is pretty much all that my Vertigo will allow at the moment. Reading just aggravates it. This (DW) isn't as taxing - I can skim.

2. Buffy S4 and Angel S1 Rewatch - eh, Where the Wild Things Are is actually, gasp, better than War Zone. Both shows are attempting to be more diverse and failing miserably. Buffy S4 has Forrest, who well...just no? On a good day he's a chauvinist, on a bad day, a misogynist. War Zone picked the wrong family member to join up with Angel, it should have been Gunn's sister. Who was more interesting, and less obvious. I mean, they called him "Gunn" - how stereotypical can they be? I can't quite decide if they meant it ironically - it's possible? Except he kind of works as the proverbial "gun" on the show. Also Angel desperately needs more badass female characters. These are both weak episodes but for very different reasons. Gunn's sister didn't have an obvious name, and had character.

( War Zone, not the best episode )

Where the Wild Things Are - is written by Tracey Forbes, who also wrote Beer Bad, (& I think Something Blue) and possibly owned the kitten that Willow and Tara adopt, and we never see again. It's a mixed bag. The whole thing flops, but there are separate bits that work - actually everything that is not connected to the Initiative, Riley, Adam, or Buffy works in this episode. Xander/Anya are further developed, and the writers appear to notice their relationship is too much about sex, and in a nice twist have Anya upset with Xander for not wanting more of it. In previous seasons - Xander was dying for it, but once Faith takes advantage of him, he calms down. (I don't think he and Cordy ever slept together. It's pretty clear Faith was his first from their comments on it.) Also, more development of Giles - we get to see Head sing finally. But the skeevy sweaters have got to go? And the best scenes in the whole episode are actually between Spike and Anya, and Spike and well everybody. He's stealing every scene he's in. He's on for about ten minutes and steals all of them.

( Read more... )

Woke up, thought all was fine and dandy, made it to work - and dizziness hit. ( TMI health update or ack Vertigo ack )

***

Television and books

1. Watched more of Newman/Woodward doc last night - it does go into their political activities (both were liberal political activists), and into their films - and family dynamics. I'm loving the documentary - because it's not just about Newman/Woodward, but about filmmaking, and how to put a documentary together. The process geek in me - is in heaven.

Takeaway quote: When Camus read the story of Sisphysus, he said, Ah, this is a happy man, he knows his job and is satisfied in it.

Which never really occurred to me, or Ethan Hawk for that matter.

2. "The Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem by Manda Collins" - is a historical rom-com/mystery hybrid, which I think is the Victorian period?
Checks - yes, 1865 (I honestly can't remember when the Victorian Period started, and well, Vertigo issues - so if you know, feel free to fact check.)

The teaser is below. But right now, it appears to be female friendship? We have a newspaper columnist/publisher hooking up with a cookbook author to co-author a column about murders - currently the Commandment Murders. And they decide to investigate murders through their column. Apparently the Inspector investigating the murders in none too pleased (seriously, why would he be?). Much chaos ensues.

( Amazon blurb )

So far it's easier to read than Spinning Silver or Remarkably Bright Creatures - mainly because it is in third person and the point of view is rather clear. And there's, voila, dialogue.

3. Buffy S4 Rewatch - Superstar - sigh, there's a trope in sci-fantasy, where a Marty Stu or Mary Sue secondary character gets center stage. It's targeted towards a certain portion of the audience, which is NOT me. But, it is admittedly very popular - as evidenced by how often its done. I've never enjoyed it - I feel like it takes me away from the action, characters and story, to spend time with the author's stand-in or the author's idea of an audience stand-in (which isn't me). To give Espenson, who wrote the episode, credit - she kind of parodies/satirizes the trope? And makes fun of it. (Not my sense of humor - but I give her marks for detail, even if it's a touch too on the nose.) And she does manage to further each characters arc and relationship along the way.
( cut for length and spoilers for the few out there who never saw this and still want to )

4. Buffy Sequel - Chloe Zhao - the director, and executive producer of Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale - has officially stated it is a sequel, and she fully plans on bringing back the original characters.

Go HERE

And.. HERE

"Zhao is offering some additional insights on the project and the importance of bringing in original series and new viewers, while sharing how much the original series meant to her during an interview with Variety's Awards Circuit podcast to discuss her film, Hamnet.

"It is not a reboot. It's a sequel. You can never replace these characters. I would never allow that," Zhao made clear regarding the sequel series. "And Sarah's [Michelle Gellar] back. I love my cast, the new cast. We will bring back OG characters for sure. And it is a show that bridges two generations — it's not just about the kids. I think the fandom is so important to us. We want the fandom to see themselves mirrored in the original fandom. And of course, we want new fans to join, and it's very much about both generations."

In previous interviews, Gellar has shared how Zhao's pitch for the new series and the impact that the original series had on her (and could still have on new generations) was a significant factor in her decision to return to the franchise. During the podcast, Zhao revealed how she reacted to the series finale, "Chosen" (S07E22), which aired on May 20, 2003.

"I watched religiously. I was at Mount Holyoke. We would all gather — I think it was every Thursday or Tuesday — and we would watch, because you only get one episode and you're waiting a week. It's such a ritual. I remember the last episode finishing, and we sat there; everyone was crying, and we were all holding hands. I remember looking at the screen, tears streaming down my eyes, and I said, 'Good luck to you, Buffy Summers, good luck to you.' Seeing Sarah in real life was probably one of the most stressful moments of my life."

There is something to be said for fans writing and directing the sequel? [Because often the fans of a show - watch it closer than the creator does, and notice things the creator doesn't.] But isn't it still just published fanfic, and the only reason it got this far is the fan in question has some clout and knows the right people? Also, at the end of the day - we're getting this group of fans take on the series or perspective, which may vary significantly from our own? Since we all see things so differently?

Then again, who am I to complain? I watch a daytime soap and read comic books - also watch Doctor Who off and on, not to mention Star Wars sequels and Star Trek - and that's, well, also fanfic in a way? With varying perspectives on the same thing? At the end of the day aren't all continuations by new writers a kind of fanfic? They are in a way playing with someone else's toys but in their sandbox?

Ponders. Is it fanfic or isn't it? And what exactly is fanfic? [See? This is what happens when Vertigo eats my brain? I ponder existential questions about Fanfic.]

Been battling a sick sinus headache from hell all weekend and got really sick last night with it. ( TMID )

***

Not wanting to watch anything that requires too much concentration or movement. I watched Grey's Anatomy's Season Finale, and have been watching per yourlibrarian's rec on tv talk, "Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, the Last Movie Stars" - a documentary on HBO MAX directed/edited by Ethan Hawk, and the Newman children, along with someone else. It surprised me. It's not just a documentary, but rather a series similar to what was done with Billy Joel. And Hawk, who was given the task during the pandemic, decides to approach it from the angel of well, a fellow actor, director, and artist - not a gossip columnist or journalist. Which from my perspective - makes it far more entertaining and interesting. And looks at how the personal lives of the actors interacted with, informed, enhanced, and at times got in the way of their work - and how the work often got in the way of their personal lives.

( Read more... )

Be prepared for more on this, since I liked it. Oh, Ken Burns documentary, The American Revolution is on PBS tonight. You know the guy who did The Civil War documentary, Jazz, and Baseball. I've discovered I like documentary's well enough depending on the subject and how they are done. I don't like watching people talk to me through a television or computer screen, but over video footage or film footage - works really well for me.