I think the Kennedy problem is similar to the Wood problem. She was brought in as a last minute replacement for the Tara storyline(they were forced to dump), as a result was poorly executed, underwritten, and not given enough build-up or development. Compare Tara's introduction in S4 or Oz's in S2 to Kennedy's in S7 and you can see the difference. Far too abrupt. Oz shows up in the early portion of S2 (Halloween - Fall) and is gradually introduced through the season, building layers, and kisses Willow close to the end of the season (Phases - April). Kennedy is plopped in front of us in Bring on the Night (Dec) and is kissing Willow by Killer in Me, which is what? 2 or 3 episodes later, with little build up. Oh we have cliche meetings in the hall but that's really it. They sped that puppy up.
Also agree on Faith. Very disappointed on how they dealt with her character. Especially after Angel dealt with her so well. The only part of the Faith storyline I liked was Faith/Spike - their interactions made sense. But her interactions with Buffy, Willow, Xander, Giles, and Dawn just seemed off somehow. While she did reconnect on a certain level with Buffy. They never really resolved her conflicts with Willow, Giles or Xander and they had plenty of opportunity. As a result, I just could not buy Willow, Xander, and Giles handing leadership over to Faith. If they'd spent more time showing her connecting with them and less on Caleb and dancing potentials - I might have. The only people we saw her connect with seemed to be Spike, Buffy and Wood.
I'm not sure Whedon was focused on the core four. I got the feeling he was focused on other things - Firefly, his kid, and Angel. He obviously was enamored of the Firefly core actors - Fillion, Torres and Baldwin - since he gave them major roles on Angel and Buffy. But he seemed to have lost interest in the shows that were currently on the air. Also got a little too preachy - something I saw happening way before S7 by the way. S6 got a little preachy and message heavy at points as well. It's what happens I think when a writer stops trusting his audience, and wants to tell us the story instead of show it. Or maybe it's simply what you said so well above:
It's also just plain hard to keep turning out season-long editions of a brilliant cutting-edge show year after year after year.
Seven years is a long frigging time to be writing a story about a vampire slayer.
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branchandroot
Re: "These guys make Whedon and Minear look like wimps"
Date: 2004-11-01 05:59 pm (UTC)Also agree on Faith. Very disappointed on how they dealt with her character. Especially after Angel dealt with her so well. The only part of the Faith storyline I liked was Faith/Spike - their interactions made sense. But her interactions with Buffy, Willow, Xander, Giles, and Dawn just seemed off somehow. While she did reconnect on a certain level with Buffy. They never really resolved her conflicts with Willow, Giles or Xander and they had plenty of opportunity. As a result, I just could not buy Willow, Xander, and Giles handing leadership over to Faith. If they'd spent more time showing her connecting with them and less on Caleb and dancing potentials - I might have. The only people we saw her connect with seemed to be Spike, Buffy and Wood.
I'm not sure Whedon was focused on the core four. I got the feeling he was focused on other things - Firefly, his kid, and Angel. He obviously was enamored of the Firefly core actors - Fillion, Torres and Baldwin - since he gave them major roles on Angel and Buffy.
But he seemed to have lost interest in the shows that were currently on the air. Also got a little too preachy - something I saw happening way before S7 by the way. S6 got a little preachy and message heavy at points as well. It's what happens I think when a writer stops trusting his audience, and wants to tell us the story instead of show it. Or maybe it's simply what you said so well above:
It's also just plain hard to keep turning out season-long editions of a brilliant cutting-edge show year after year after year.
Seven years is a long frigging time to be writing a story about a vampire slayer.