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Fandom Bits and Pieces...among other things
1. Everything We Learned at the Star Wars Celebration 2025
Takeaways?
I really want to see Andor S2.
"The second set of episodes chronicles the four years of Cassian Andor’s (Diego Luna) life prior to Rogue One. In fact, Luna told the audience to watch the film again after the final episode of the series because “you are going to be seeing a different film.”
“Each three episodes will be one year,” showrunner Tony Gilroy explained. Additionally, each trio of episodes will be released together week-to-week. “We’re essentially dropping a new movie every week,” he added. “And we’re focusing on the most important three or four days of every year.”
and..
"Tony doesn’t hold back,” executive producer Sanne Wohlenberg said, summing up the experience of making 24 episodes. “And our team really outdid themselves. They put their hearts and souls into creating new worlds to tell this story. 140 sets across 20 stages, two backlots, 156 creatures, 30 droids.” And that was just the accounting we could hear as the crowd began to applaud the effort to bring it to the screen. Their enthusiasm was rewarded with a screening of the first season 2 episode."
Also, apparently the new Star Wars movie starring Ryan Gosling, and directed by Shawn Levy, entitled Star Wars: Star Fighter - takes place post Rise of Skywalker, and with all new characters. (Smart move. The better films pull away from the Skywalker story arcs.)
Also, I may try Ashoska again.
2. Not a fandom bit - but R.I.P Pope Francis. I'm saddened by this news.
Also he accomplished a lot in short period of time - shifting the course of the Catholic Church, promoting kindness and humility. (I also hope he talked some sense into devout Catholic and wannabee Fascist, Vance, who saw Francis before he died.)
3. Buffy Redux
So, I've been rewatching Buffy episodes intermittently. Picked up on a few things that I hadn't previously picked up on? I can tell which episodes were written by Whedon (specifically in S1 and 2, prior to the better writers coming on board). The dialogue is abysmal in a lot of the non-Whedon non-Greenwalt written episodes. Except for Dru and Spike for the most part, their dialogue is usually pretty good, so whoever wrote that portion of the script - or it was how the actors delivered it. But a lot of the dialogue is cringe in S2. Episodes like Reptile Boy (I skipped Inca Mummy Girl), and Halloween have cringe inducing dialogue, as does part of What's My Line (Kendra doesn't date well at all, actually she didn't work in 1997 either). And Cordelia/Xander don't have chemistry - I found their relationship toxic and cringe in retrospect (they are only really together because Xander is crushing hard on Buffy still and Cordy wants Angel. Xander - is, I'm sorry, a class A jerk. An episode doesn't go by in which I don't root for Cordelia to smack him.) Most of OZ and Willow's dialogue makes no sense, but is meet cute.
What works - is the Buffy/Angel, Spike/Dru relationships - and how well they parallel each other. Both are deeply flawed, uneven, toxic relationships in the power department. Also, it's clear that Buffy doesn't know Angel as well as she thinks she does, and Spike doesn't know Dru quite as well as he thinks. Or Dru's relationship with Angel, which is love/hate.
The theme of the season seems to be partly - you can't trust what you see, or do you really know a person, or everything isn't what it seems. Each episode highlights, how the leads are fooled by "appearances". Which of course leads up to the big reveal - that the dark presence that is coming isn't Dru, but Angelus, the demon lurking underneath Angel's skin. Who is so powerful - he was able to exorcise the demon hunting Giles. And is the reason Angel is cursed with a soul - to keep it in check.
It's important in this season that the monsters are pretty - hot even. Because it's harder to see that they are Monsters. In S1, the Monsters were more or less visible or obvious. This season, they are hidden. Lurking underneath the skin. It's why S2 more interesting that S1, and among the better seasons of the series. Also it takes a huge risk in making the male hearthrobe/love interest - the villain. That switch is a stroke of genius, and the reason the show became popular in its second season. It wasn't really done prior to Buffy. It's done a lot now, but it wasn't done that often back in the 20th Century.
That said, there's a lot sexist dialogue in there. When Whedon writes the episodes - it's not as prevalent, and often more of a commentary or a joke. But when others write them - such as Carl Ellsworth's cringe-inducing Halloween (great concept, poor execution) it's hard to over look. Everything about this episode is sexist, but I think the writer intended on commenting on it? It works and doesn't work. Best thing about it was Giles and Ethan Raine. But everything else, Cordy's skin tight cat costume, Willow's skin tight costume, and Buffy's low cut Southern Bell get up inclusive of the accent were cringe. Plus we have Xander in the hero role, along with Giles, who typically aren't. It didn't work. And I can see why Ellsworth didn't stick around as a writer.
What's My Line - has similar issues. They push against it for the most part, but then we have Kendra. Sigh. Where to start? The accent? She's from Africa, and arrives in the cargo hold (obviously meant to be a mislead). The insanely tight and sexy outfit? She has no clothing with her? And is treated like an object? I get the writers were trying to make a point, but I think it was a bit too on the nose, and cringe to boot.
Also, both Cordelia and the lady next door fall for the creepy guy with the free cosmetics samples. Just no. Can we be any more sexist? Cordy throughout the episode is depicted in a sexist and demeaning manner - except for her one-liners against Xander, which made me like her despite myself. Actually the surprising thing about this rewatch? Is how much I appreciate and like Cordelia. Charisma does an excellent job of making the character likable and relatable, despite Whedon's efforts to do the opposite. Upon re-watch, Cordelia is more likable than Xander, and he fully deserves every put down she sends his way. It's very hard to feel sorry for Xander. And Brendan plays him with a bit too much edgy entitlement. (Xander does not age well.) I recently discovered that Ryan Reynolds had originally been tapped to play the role (from Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place) but wisely turned it down. Ever since, I've wondered if he may have provided more vulnerability to it? I still think the role was better suited to a someone who looks nerdy - like the guy who played Jonathan? Brendan, at 6'2, 25 years of age, dark headed, and muscular, is far too sexy and pretty to play nerdy guy. He also doesn't look like a high school kid, but then none of them did. The costume and wardrobe department go out of their way to make Xander and Willow look nerdy and geeky.
Will state that Buffy gets a better wardrobe and hair style in season 2. Either they got more money, or a better wardrobe department.
4. Daredevil Born Again
I liked the season finale, and for the most part the series. It's similar yet different than Netflix's Daredevil, which had defter writing. However both are fairly uneven.
Fisk is clearly Marvel's commentary on the Fascist asshole in the White House or the Hitler Wannabee. Fisk even kind of looks like him, without hair. And that makes watching this - an odd experience.
The message at the end is Daredevil can't take on Fisk alone, which sets up S2 to be more of a group effort. People are speculating already on who will be joining the cast. Already slotted are Karen and Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) aka The Punisher. Also Lily Taylor, and Mathew Lillard in a recurring role.
Takeaways?
I really want to see Andor S2.
"The second set of episodes chronicles the four years of Cassian Andor’s (Diego Luna) life prior to Rogue One. In fact, Luna told the audience to watch the film again after the final episode of the series because “you are going to be seeing a different film.”
“Each three episodes will be one year,” showrunner Tony Gilroy explained. Additionally, each trio of episodes will be released together week-to-week. “We’re essentially dropping a new movie every week,” he added. “And we’re focusing on the most important three or four days of every year.”
and..
"Tony doesn’t hold back,” executive producer Sanne Wohlenberg said, summing up the experience of making 24 episodes. “And our team really outdid themselves. They put their hearts and souls into creating new worlds to tell this story. 140 sets across 20 stages, two backlots, 156 creatures, 30 droids.” And that was just the accounting we could hear as the crowd began to applaud the effort to bring it to the screen. Their enthusiasm was rewarded with a screening of the first season 2 episode."
Also, apparently the new Star Wars movie starring Ryan Gosling, and directed by Shawn Levy, entitled Star Wars: Star Fighter - takes place post Rise of Skywalker, and with all new characters. (Smart move. The better films pull away from the Skywalker story arcs.)
Also, I may try Ashoska again.
2. Not a fandom bit - but R.I.P Pope Francis. I'm saddened by this news.
Also he accomplished a lot in short period of time - shifting the course of the Catholic Church, promoting kindness and humility. (I also hope he talked some sense into devout Catholic and wannabee Fascist, Vance, who saw Francis before he died.)
3. Buffy Redux
So, I've been rewatching Buffy episodes intermittently. Picked up on a few things that I hadn't previously picked up on? I can tell which episodes were written by Whedon (specifically in S1 and 2, prior to the better writers coming on board). The dialogue is abysmal in a lot of the non-Whedon non-Greenwalt written episodes. Except for Dru and Spike for the most part, their dialogue is usually pretty good, so whoever wrote that portion of the script - or it was how the actors delivered it. But a lot of the dialogue is cringe in S2. Episodes like Reptile Boy (I skipped Inca Mummy Girl), and Halloween have cringe inducing dialogue, as does part of What's My Line (Kendra doesn't date well at all, actually she didn't work in 1997 either). And Cordelia/Xander don't have chemistry - I found their relationship toxic and cringe in retrospect (they are only really together because Xander is crushing hard on Buffy still and Cordy wants Angel. Xander - is, I'm sorry, a class A jerk. An episode doesn't go by in which I don't root for Cordelia to smack him.) Most of OZ and Willow's dialogue makes no sense, but is meet cute.
What works - is the Buffy/Angel, Spike/Dru relationships - and how well they parallel each other. Both are deeply flawed, uneven, toxic relationships in the power department. Also, it's clear that Buffy doesn't know Angel as well as she thinks she does, and Spike doesn't know Dru quite as well as he thinks. Or Dru's relationship with Angel, which is love/hate.
The theme of the season seems to be partly - you can't trust what you see, or do you really know a person, or everything isn't what it seems. Each episode highlights, how the leads are fooled by "appearances". Which of course leads up to the big reveal - that the dark presence that is coming isn't Dru, but Angelus, the demon lurking underneath Angel's skin. Who is so powerful - he was able to exorcise the demon hunting Giles. And is the reason Angel is cursed with a soul - to keep it in check.
It's important in this season that the monsters are pretty - hot even. Because it's harder to see that they are Monsters. In S1, the Monsters were more or less visible or obvious. This season, they are hidden. Lurking underneath the skin. It's why S2 more interesting that S1, and among the better seasons of the series. Also it takes a huge risk in making the male hearthrobe/love interest - the villain. That switch is a stroke of genius, and the reason the show became popular in its second season. It wasn't really done prior to Buffy. It's done a lot now, but it wasn't done that often back in the 20th Century.
That said, there's a lot sexist dialogue in there. When Whedon writes the episodes - it's not as prevalent, and often more of a commentary or a joke. But when others write them - such as Carl Ellsworth's cringe-inducing Halloween (great concept, poor execution) it's hard to over look. Everything about this episode is sexist, but I think the writer intended on commenting on it? It works and doesn't work. Best thing about it was Giles and Ethan Raine. But everything else, Cordy's skin tight cat costume, Willow's skin tight costume, and Buffy's low cut Southern Bell get up inclusive of the accent were cringe. Plus we have Xander in the hero role, along with Giles, who typically aren't. It didn't work. And I can see why Ellsworth didn't stick around as a writer.
What's My Line - has similar issues. They push against it for the most part, but then we have Kendra. Sigh. Where to start? The accent? She's from Africa, and arrives in the cargo hold (obviously meant to be a mislead). The insanely tight and sexy outfit? She has no clothing with her? And is treated like an object? I get the writers were trying to make a point, but I think it was a bit too on the nose, and cringe to boot.
Also, both Cordelia and the lady next door fall for the creepy guy with the free cosmetics samples. Just no. Can we be any more sexist? Cordy throughout the episode is depicted in a sexist and demeaning manner - except for her one-liners against Xander, which made me like her despite myself. Actually the surprising thing about this rewatch? Is how much I appreciate and like Cordelia. Charisma does an excellent job of making the character likable and relatable, despite Whedon's efforts to do the opposite. Upon re-watch, Cordelia is more likable than Xander, and he fully deserves every put down she sends his way. It's very hard to feel sorry for Xander. And Brendan plays him with a bit too much edgy entitlement. (Xander does not age well.) I recently discovered that Ryan Reynolds had originally been tapped to play the role (from Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place) but wisely turned it down. Ever since, I've wondered if he may have provided more vulnerability to it? I still think the role was better suited to a someone who looks nerdy - like the guy who played Jonathan? Brendan, at 6'2, 25 years of age, dark headed, and muscular, is far too sexy and pretty to play nerdy guy. He also doesn't look like a high school kid, but then none of them did. The costume and wardrobe department go out of their way to make Xander and Willow look nerdy and geeky.
Will state that Buffy gets a better wardrobe and hair style in season 2. Either they got more money, or a better wardrobe department.
4. Daredevil Born Again
I liked the season finale, and for the most part the series. It's similar yet different than Netflix's Daredevil, which had defter writing. However both are fairly uneven.
Fisk is clearly Marvel's commentary on the Fascist asshole in the White House or the Hitler Wannabee. Fisk even kind of looks like him, without hair. And that makes watching this - an odd experience.
The message at the end is Daredevil can't take on Fisk alone, which sets up S2 to be more of a group effort. People are speculating already on who will be joining the cast. Already slotted are Karen and Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) aka The Punisher. Also Lily Taylor, and Mathew Lillard in a recurring role.