Tis the season!
I decided to give the LJ layout a garishly holiday spruce job. I think I can live with it until New Year's, or until it fries my retinas, whichever comes first. ;)
I wasn't going to do that "10 Things" meme that everyone else is doing because I simply don't believe I'm as interesting as everyone else, and I'm a little confused if it's supposed to be 10 things you don't know about me, 10 things you do know about me, or just 10 things about me, period. Maybe I'll give the latter angle a go later or tomorrow, if I'm feeling industrious. But, you know, I already did the layout thing, so that probably sapped my creative juices for a while. *snort*
I haven't seen Epiphany yet. I am verklempt. Hopefully this week, though. Some of the commentary on this episode left me more than a little confused so far, I must admit. Like, "was John Sheppard even in this episode?" confused. I'm just saying. *sigh* I think I need to start seeking out more SGA gen fiction, which is normally a foreign concept to my predominantly slashy heart. But I'm feeling an overwhelming desire to read some heavily John-centric explorations of his character, about what makes him tick, especially since I think the producers have already thrown in the towel and given up entirely on providing the viewers any background at all on John Sheppard. I could become very bitter here very soon. I sometimes wonder if Joe Flanigan is getting frustrated with the writing for his character as well.
And while I died inside when I saw that some moron had posed the slash question to Joe in a Q&A at gateworld, given his response I wonder a little (just a little!) who he'd consider a slash candidate for Sheppard to be since the question has been raised and he didn't think McKay would be his first pick (*snort* - it's funny that he thinks McKay is "busy" with Carson besides). *koff* IMO, Joe would pick Ronon for Sheppard because, well, it's just so obvious. >;)
As much as I love all my favorite shows, I really wish they'd all take a break at the same time, leave me alone for the holidays, and come back refreshed and perky sometime in January. Couldn't we all use the downtime?
That being said, here are a few thoughts about the most recent episodes of Lost, Invasion, Veronica Mars, and The O.C.
Now that they've finally given us the "True Hollywood Story" about Kate's crime, I thought there were a couple of nice twists and the events, and especially her mother's stupidity, cast Kate more sympathetically than I would have expected. I don't, however, like the way she fucks around with Jack's feelings, though I did appreciate how Jack is saavy enough to know she's just fucking around with him and is a little bitter about it. I mean, after all, it's not like the guy doesn't have enough stress in his life without Kate playing head games with him. Seeing Jack take off to meet up with Ana Lucia at the beach and share a drink with her also reinforced the spark of chemistry those two seem to naturally enjoy. Ana Lucia really seems to be a different person when she's around Jack.
I think it's obvious that Mr. Eko is to Locke as Jack is to Ana Lucia, and surely there is a grand design in play that would allow Mr. Eko to find and be in possession of the missing piece of the Orientation film just so he can give it to Locke. Or, rather, one of the missing pieces since, if I recall correctly, that little flick jumps and glitches from start to end. Is the piece that Mr. Eko found really the most crucial? I wonder, though in this case and at that moment, probably given how the episode ends with Michael using the computer to talk to someone claiming to be Walt. *ack*!
What is it with these figments/hallucinations that are suddenly being shared? First Sayid sees Walt at the same time Shannon does (and right before Shannon dies), and now Sawyer sees Kate's black horse while he's with Kate (and still weak from being ill). Walt seemed to be more obviously a shared hallucination, but the horse at the end appears to be real enough. Which made me wonder if the horse that Kate sees out the car window back in the past was a premonition of her future on the island? At this point, who knows what's going on?!?
Most priceless line of the episode belongs to Hurley (naturally) when he says, "So Rose's husband is white. Didn't see that one coming." ;D
Clearly Shawn Cassidy loves to play with religious themes in his writing. The theological landscape of American Gothic is pretty cut and dried; but I think the religious overtones in Invasion are not only more subtle, but are an even more clever commentary on the American politics of religion. Having just finished rewatching all of AG and having a chance to compare the two series, I can honestly say that while I still completely love AG and it'll always be one of my all time favorite canceled too soon series, I think the plotting and especially the continuity are much tighter and even smarter on Invasion. There are some similar characterizations between the two series too (like Sheriff Tom=Sheriff Buck, Russ=Dr. Matt/Dr. Billy, a combination of Mariel and Larkin=Gail); but again, on Invasion the characters are not as broadly-drawn, are far more subtle, and therefore, more layered with many more shades of gray. I don't know if Invasion will earn a second season, but I do think it's a smart series with an interesting story that gets better and more intricate with each passing episode.
You know, they really could have ended the episode on the reveal of the skeleton's facial reconfiguration being that of Tom Underlay, which was freaky enough (not entirely unexpected, but a shock for Dave and Russ, and now Russ can't go back to playing the Dana Scully role after that little bombshell). In fact, I admit I would have rather the episode ended at that scene because I had to turn the TV off 60 seconds before it finally ended when I realized that there would be no reprieve for poor Deputy Lewis and that he really was going to walk into that cabin and chainsaw his own arm off at the behest of Tom. OMG!!!!!!!!! The Spousal Unit managed to catch the show in his hotel room, and he confirmed for me the grisly reality when I picked him up at the airport on Thursday night. We were both floored and disturbed by that scene, but he didn't chicken out like I did and watched until the bitter end. *ack*!!!!
I'm convinced that while Tom is a true believer, the poster child for being "Born Again" (literally in this case), he is - or was until recently - unaware of the true reality of his (and everyone else's) conversion. I think until Mariel spotted her own dead body in the Everglades, Tom honestly thought his being "saved" from the plane crash ten years ago was more along the lines of the metaphysical rather than a genuine physical rebirth and transformation. I still think he's not entirely convinced about himself, or he doesn't want to own up to the whole truth yet.
Is it really unsurprising that the invasive species would find its salvation in a red state whose Governor is the President's brother? ;)
If I understand it correctly, not having seen the clip myself, Meg dies in the alternate ending instead of waking up from her coma? Either way, I'm not convinced Meg isn't going to die anyway. But now we know that Meg is pregnant, and the child has to be Duncan's. It's more than a little unbelievable that Meg would not only survive in a bus that plummeted hundreds of feet into the rocky waters of the Pacific (with her pretty face intact, no less), but so would her unborn child. Now that's quite a fantasy. But it also makes for great drama.
What goes around, comes around, in spades. How appropriately ironic that Weevil would find himself tied to the school's flagpole after Logan's homeys get done with him. A not so gentle reminder of how the series started with Weevil's gang tying up Wallace to that very same pole. Which reminds me, still missing Wallace, when's he coming home? A kick-ass scene between Logan and Weevil in the boy's bathroom. Once again, unlikely and unwitting allies who each have to play the game (with punches) so neither loses face (just have puffy ones). Something tells me that Weevil's own crew is going to give him a lot more grief before it's all said and done, though. Weevil may soon find that Logan is one of the only people he can count on in the near future.
Did we always know that Trina was adopted? I don't recall, and I'm thinking this is new information we just got. I'm glad Alyson Hannigan got the chance to reprise her role as Trina, and it was a total fangrrl moment when she and Charisma Carpenter shared a snarky scene together ("Rode Hard, meet Put Away Wet" - *snerk*). Is Beaver really giving stepmommy Kendall a legitimate chance to get back on her feet with his business proposal, or is he setting her up for yet another fall?
I love how this series takes characters we initially think are more on the one-dimensional side, and slowly and realistically gives them interesting layers, as they did a few weeks ago with Sheriff Lamb dealing with Meg's parents, and as they've done all along with VP - now Principal - Clemmons. I loved seeing him use Veronica's wealth of talents to expose the truth about Trina's parentage, thus securing himself the position of Principal. Clemmons, as much if not more than anyone, has been on the butt end of Veronica's snooping and flare for justice, and I think despite himself he's always been impressed by her moxie.
As I've often said, I don't expect a lot from this series, I don't ask too much, and if it makes me smile a few times every week, I'm happy. I know the plot lines could be wildly better, but I just don't think Schwartz has it in him. However, the show continues to excel in snappy dialog, which I always love.
Anyway, I really wish someone would point out to Schwartz that Ryan and Marissa honestly make much better friends than lovers. Whenever they have scenes together, as they did toward the end of this episode, where they interact on a more platonic, friendship level, the camaraderie comes through loud and clear and the easy chemistry between them is real. But they're no good as lovers, and I'm not unconvinced that even the characters (and/or actors) don't realize that.
I really adore the fact that Ryan would seriously consider going to Berkeley because it was Sandy and Kirsten's alma mater, and Ryan is so appreciative of everything the Cohens have done for him that it seems the only logical choice for him. And while I do think it's in character for Seth to want to head east for college, I was a little disappointed that he and Ryan didn't have some discussion about it, especially since Ryan is the one who's kept Seth grounded and much happier in Newport than he'd ever been before in his life. Remember, it's only for Ryan that Seth even returned from Portland last season. I can't believe he hasn't even thought about what it would mean for the two of them to go to school on opposite ends of the country. I find that harder to believe than Seth not considering Summer's feelings on the matter.
I'm also a little confused - are they setting up season three to be the last for The O.C.? If not, then obviously Seth will have to change his mind at some point before the end of the season because you can't really call this show The O.C. and follow Seth at school in Rhode Island. Or is it possible that Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson may not sign on for another season?
I like the thought of Kirsten and Julie going into business together. That would be a far superior story line for both women than they've gotten already this season. Enough with the romantic and scam artist angst! The uneasy yet increasingly true friendship between these two women is ripe for the exploring.
I'm warming up to Taylor too. I hope she sticks around for a while.
I actually have some stuff I want to say about this season's Smallville at some point in the near future. ;)
I wasn't going to do that "10 Things" meme that everyone else is doing because I simply don't believe I'm as interesting as everyone else, and I'm a little confused if it's supposed to be 10 things you don't know about me, 10 things you do know about me, or just 10 things about me, period. Maybe I'll give the latter angle a go later or tomorrow, if I'm feeling industrious. But, you know, I already did the layout thing, so that probably sapped my creative juices for a while. *snort*
I haven't seen Epiphany yet. I am verklempt. Hopefully this week, though. Some of the commentary on this episode left me more than a little confused so far, I must admit. Like, "was John Sheppard even in this episode?" confused. I'm just saying. *sigh* I think I need to start seeking out more SGA gen fiction, which is normally a foreign concept to my predominantly slashy heart. But I'm feeling an overwhelming desire to read some heavily John-centric explorations of his character, about what makes him tick, especially since I think the producers have already thrown in the towel and given up entirely on providing the viewers any background at all on John Sheppard. I could become very bitter here very soon. I sometimes wonder if Joe Flanigan is getting frustrated with the writing for his character as well.
And while I died inside when I saw that some moron had posed the slash question to Joe in a Q&A at gateworld, given his response I wonder a little (just a little!) who he'd consider a slash candidate for Sheppard to be since the question has been raised and he didn't think McKay would be his first pick (*snort* - it's funny that he thinks McKay is "busy" with Carson besides). *koff* IMO, Joe would pick Ronon for Sheppard because, well, it's just so obvious. >;)
As much as I love all my favorite shows, I really wish they'd all take a break at the same time, leave me alone for the holidays, and come back refreshed and perky sometime in January. Couldn't we all use the downtime?
That being said, here are a few thoughts about the most recent episodes of Lost, Invasion, Veronica Mars, and The O.C.
Now that they've finally given us the "True Hollywood Story" about Kate's crime, I thought there were a couple of nice twists and the events, and especially her mother's stupidity, cast Kate more sympathetically than I would have expected. I don't, however, like the way she fucks around with Jack's feelings, though I did appreciate how Jack is saavy enough to know she's just fucking around with him and is a little bitter about it. I mean, after all, it's not like the guy doesn't have enough stress in his life without Kate playing head games with him. Seeing Jack take off to meet up with Ana Lucia at the beach and share a drink with her also reinforced the spark of chemistry those two seem to naturally enjoy. Ana Lucia really seems to be a different person when she's around Jack.
I think it's obvious that Mr. Eko is to Locke as Jack is to Ana Lucia, and surely there is a grand design in play that would allow Mr. Eko to find and be in possession of the missing piece of the Orientation film just so he can give it to Locke. Or, rather, one of the missing pieces since, if I recall correctly, that little flick jumps and glitches from start to end. Is the piece that Mr. Eko found really the most crucial? I wonder, though in this case and at that moment, probably given how the episode ends with Michael using the computer to talk to someone claiming to be Walt. *ack*!
What is it with these figments/hallucinations that are suddenly being shared? First Sayid sees Walt at the same time Shannon does (and right before Shannon dies), and now Sawyer sees Kate's black horse while he's with Kate (and still weak from being ill). Walt seemed to be more obviously a shared hallucination, but the horse at the end appears to be real enough. Which made me wonder if the horse that Kate sees out the car window back in the past was a premonition of her future on the island? At this point, who knows what's going on?!?
Most priceless line of the episode belongs to Hurley (naturally) when he says, "So Rose's husband is white. Didn't see that one coming." ;D
Clearly Shawn Cassidy loves to play with religious themes in his writing. The theological landscape of American Gothic is pretty cut and dried; but I think the religious overtones in Invasion are not only more subtle, but are an even more clever commentary on the American politics of religion. Having just finished rewatching all of AG and having a chance to compare the two series, I can honestly say that while I still completely love AG and it'll always be one of my all time favorite canceled too soon series, I think the plotting and especially the continuity are much tighter and even smarter on Invasion. There are some similar characterizations between the two series too (like Sheriff Tom=Sheriff Buck, Russ=Dr. Matt/Dr. Billy, a combination of Mariel and Larkin=Gail); but again, on Invasion the characters are not as broadly-drawn, are far more subtle, and therefore, more layered with many more shades of gray. I don't know if Invasion will earn a second season, but I do think it's a smart series with an interesting story that gets better and more intricate with each passing episode.
You know, they really could have ended the episode on the reveal of the skeleton's facial reconfiguration being that of Tom Underlay, which was freaky enough (not entirely unexpected, but a shock for Dave and Russ, and now Russ can't go back to playing the Dana Scully role after that little bombshell). In fact, I admit I would have rather the episode ended at that scene because I had to turn the TV off 60 seconds before it finally ended when I realized that there would be no reprieve for poor Deputy Lewis and that he really was going to walk into that cabin and chainsaw his own arm off at the behest of Tom. OMG!!!!!!!!! The Spousal Unit managed to catch the show in his hotel room, and he confirmed for me the grisly reality when I picked him up at the airport on Thursday night. We were both floored and disturbed by that scene, but he didn't chicken out like I did and watched until the bitter end. *ack*!!!!
I'm convinced that while Tom is a true believer, the poster child for being "Born Again" (literally in this case), he is - or was until recently - unaware of the true reality of his (and everyone else's) conversion. I think until Mariel spotted her own dead body in the Everglades, Tom honestly thought his being "saved" from the plane crash ten years ago was more along the lines of the metaphysical rather than a genuine physical rebirth and transformation. I still think he's not entirely convinced about himself, or he doesn't want to own up to the whole truth yet.
Is it really unsurprising that the invasive species would find its salvation in a red state whose Governor is the President's brother? ;)
If I understand it correctly, not having seen the clip myself, Meg dies in the alternate ending instead of waking up from her coma? Either way, I'm not convinced Meg isn't going to die anyway. But now we know that Meg is pregnant, and the child has to be Duncan's. It's more than a little unbelievable that Meg would not only survive in a bus that plummeted hundreds of feet into the rocky waters of the Pacific (with her pretty face intact, no less), but so would her unborn child. Now that's quite a fantasy. But it also makes for great drama.
What goes around, comes around, in spades. How appropriately ironic that Weevil would find himself tied to the school's flagpole after Logan's homeys get done with him. A not so gentle reminder of how the series started with Weevil's gang tying up Wallace to that very same pole. Which reminds me, still missing Wallace, when's he coming home? A kick-ass scene between Logan and Weevil in the boy's bathroom. Once again, unlikely and unwitting allies who each have to play the game (with punches) so neither loses face (just have puffy ones). Something tells me that Weevil's own crew is going to give him a lot more grief before it's all said and done, though. Weevil may soon find that Logan is one of the only people he can count on in the near future.
Did we always know that Trina was adopted? I don't recall, and I'm thinking this is new information we just got. I'm glad Alyson Hannigan got the chance to reprise her role as Trina, and it was a total fangrrl moment when she and Charisma Carpenter shared a snarky scene together ("Rode Hard, meet Put Away Wet" - *snerk*). Is Beaver really giving stepmommy Kendall a legitimate chance to get back on her feet with his business proposal, or is he setting her up for yet another fall?
I love how this series takes characters we initially think are more on the one-dimensional side, and slowly and realistically gives them interesting layers, as they did a few weeks ago with Sheriff Lamb dealing with Meg's parents, and as they've done all along with VP - now Principal - Clemmons. I loved seeing him use Veronica's wealth of talents to expose the truth about Trina's parentage, thus securing himself the position of Principal. Clemmons, as much if not more than anyone, has been on the butt end of Veronica's snooping and flare for justice, and I think despite himself he's always been impressed by her moxie.
As I've often said, I don't expect a lot from this series, I don't ask too much, and if it makes me smile a few times every week, I'm happy. I know the plot lines could be wildly better, but I just don't think Schwartz has it in him. However, the show continues to excel in snappy dialog, which I always love.
Anyway, I really wish someone would point out to Schwartz that Ryan and Marissa honestly make much better friends than lovers. Whenever they have scenes together, as they did toward the end of this episode, where they interact on a more platonic, friendship level, the camaraderie comes through loud and clear and the easy chemistry between them is real. But they're no good as lovers, and I'm not unconvinced that even the characters (and/or actors) don't realize that.
I really adore the fact that Ryan would seriously consider going to Berkeley because it was Sandy and Kirsten's alma mater, and Ryan is so appreciative of everything the Cohens have done for him that it seems the only logical choice for him. And while I do think it's in character for Seth to want to head east for college, I was a little disappointed that he and Ryan didn't have some discussion about it, especially since Ryan is the one who's kept Seth grounded and much happier in Newport than he'd ever been before in his life. Remember, it's only for Ryan that Seth even returned from Portland last season. I can't believe he hasn't even thought about what it would mean for the two of them to go to school on opposite ends of the country. I find that harder to believe than Seth not considering Summer's feelings on the matter.
I'm also a little confused - are they setting up season three to be the last for The O.C.? If not, then obviously Seth will have to change his mind at some point before the end of the season because you can't really call this show The O.C. and follow Seth at school in Rhode Island. Or is it possible that Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson may not sign on for another season?
I like the thought of Kirsten and Julie going into business together. That would be a far superior story line for both women than they've gotten already this season. Enough with the romantic and scam artist angst! The uneasy yet increasingly true friendship between these two women is ripe for the exploring.
I'm warming up to Taylor too. I hope she sticks around for a while.
I actually have some stuff I want to say about this season's Smallville at some point in the near future. ;)