Any Questions?

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Any Questions?

Comments

laughing 'at' not 'with'.

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though I would've chosen 'Smile Time' if I was choosing one quick reason.
Can you explain to me why that keeps getting praises as one of the best Angel episodes?
Easy, people are stupid.

I'm starting to feel like I missed something in not watching it, which I'm sure isn't true.
You missed the contrived set-up for the next episode, Wes gets together with Fred, Gunn makes a deal w/ Dr. Brainenstein. And of course The Muppet-rey ...

For me I saw this as taking the whole Angel paradigm and making fun of itself in a cheap dumbed down way. It's not like cleverly making fun of itself, it's like cheap slapstick almost, very deliberate and weak in my opinion.

Like I said, It was a 'funny' episode. I say see it for yourself, maybe I'm sci/fi snob or something who can't laugh at the funny. But If you've ever taken Angel too seriously, which I think you have, you'll be terribly annoyed, every joke feels to me like its at the series' expense. Let me know if you see it, I'm curious about you're thoughts agree or disagree.

This is where I like my Star Trek comparison.
I never watched enough Star Trek (and I was too young for most of it) so I'll have to take your word for it.
Um ... yeah me too, too young ... yeah.

I could've done without ½ of this season or less. That's why the movies were a good idea. Six great (maybe 2hour?) episodes could've been better, that much of the crap they threw in our direction.
That's where the cable idea comes in handy. What does the Sopranos show? 9 episodes? 13? something like that.
HBO costs money, and I'm too young too. I've heard good things about it though. I waste too much time w/ T.V.. It'd be bad if I paid for more.

Though a similar idea. I do like Monk. Not as rich perhaps, but still very good. Seasons haven't been so long so far. Most episodes are worth watching.

Re: laughing 'at' not 'with'.

[faith21]

Easy, people are stupid.
Oh, good, I was expecting that one.

Like I said, It was a 'funny' episode. I say see it for yourself
I'll try to catch a rerun of that sometime in the future. Right now I'm only up to the middle of season two. But I feel less like I'm wasting time on it if I'm watching the rerun. I think I'll be on your side though, from what I did see of it.

Um ... yeah me too, too young ... yeah.
-smirk-

HBO costs money...Not as rich perhaps, but still very good. Seasons haven't been so long so far. Most episodes are worth watching.
Too much in my opinion. I don't have HBO either, I'd probably really never leave the house if I did. But I hear they're even thinking of doing this with Alias next year. 20 episodes, starting midseason. That way, less breaks in between, and I'd rather have somewhat fewer episodes if they were all good quality. (knock out the 'smile time' and 'why we fight' and mexican wrestlers)

AtS, Alias, Jane of Arc, and such.

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Easy, people are stupid.
Oh, good, I was expecting that one.
Curious about your tone? You're not meaning to be condescending, right? -- I'm just paranoid?

Like I said, It was a 'funny' episode. I say see it for yourself
I'll try to catch a rerun of that sometime in the future. Right now I'm only up to the middle of season two. But I feel less like I'm wasting time on it if I'm watching the rerun.
{head-scratch}.
The middle of S2 is the place to be ... like I said I'd be curious to know what you think of it. If you care to share.

HBO costs money...Not as rich perhaps, but still very good. Seasons haven't been so long so far. Most episodes are worth watching.
Too much in my opinion. I don't have HBO either, I'd probably really never leave the house if I did.
DVD?

But I hear they're even thinking of doing this with Alias next year. 20 episodes, starting midseason.
Alias {eye-roll} as if it's worth the bother, I've seen every episode of that ... I usually kick myself for wasting my time. Another useless compulsion. Though for better, or perhaps worse, some of Angel's writing staff is defecting over to Alias.

... (knock out the 'smile time' and 'why we fight' and mexican wrestlers)
Smile Time, yes and you can say that w/o having seen it. Mexican Wrestlers, yes... I'm not saying it was Whedonesque-type gold, and while the '1943 episode' did walk along the lines of being stupid, it never crossed over said line, and wasn't the worst thing that happened this year ... I didn't deem it as horrible or offensive, sadly that was a victory with this season.

Off topic: Jane of Arc looks to be curious this evening... or at least I thought it looked curious ... Unless you're with the drinking, partying, and such, which I hope you are, in the context of safety of course ... if not ... something to watch.

Re: AtS, Alias, Jane of Arc, and such.

[faith21]

Curious about your tone? You're not meaning to be condescending, right? -- I'm just paranoid?
Nope, I was being completely serious. Making fun of the stupid people, not you. (we really, really need the sarcasm font)

Too much in my opinion. I don't have HBO either, I'd probably really never leave the house if I did.
DVD?
Huh?

Alias {eye-roll} as if it's worth the bother, I've seen every episode of that ... I usually kick myself for wasting my time.
I think I've watched one episode of that. The big kiss between Sydney & Vaughn after the Super Bowl.

Jane of Arc looks to be curious this evening... or at least I thought it looked curious ... Unless you're with the drinking, partying, and such, which I hope you are, in the context of safety of course ... if not ... something to watch.
The drinking and partying was last night. -facetiousness- Not much partying yet, as I've only been off a week. (and am sadly too young to obtain liquor by legal means) I hope to watch it, however (and this will come as a horror to both of us) both of our televisions are broken. The one in the living room has taken on a greenish hue (tube must be busted) and the one in my room will only show a picture when it feels like it. It lasted half way through the Angel credits Wednesday night. I've been watching the other TV (which is considerably older, but works better at the moment). Anyway, not sure if I'll get to see it, although I want to.

Jane, Alias, etc.

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Curious about your tone?
Nope, I was being completely serious. Making fun of the stupid people, not you. (we really, really need the sarcasm font)
See ... {eye-roll} or some other such gesture if not {facetiousness} ... we solved that months ago ... or I did ???

DVD?
Huh?
If you don't have HBO, how do you watch the Sopranos?

Alias {eye-roll} as if it's worth the bother, I've seen every episode of that ... I usually kick myself for wasting my time.
I think I've watched one episode of that. The big kiss between Sydney & Vaughn after the Super Bowl.
That one while albeit a bit over the top, was the probably best one.

Jane of Arc looks to be curious this evening ... Unless you're with the drinking, partying, and such, ...
The drinking and partying was last night. -facetiousness- Not much partying yet, as I've only been off a week. (and am sadly too young to obtain liquor by legal means)
Alcohol's nifty, but not the end all be all. Though some sort of fraternization, is nice when/where it can be found.

I hope to watch it, however ...both of our televisions are broken.
Do you see it? thoughts?

Re: Jane, Alias, etc.

[faith21]

See ... {eye-roll} or some other such gesture if not {facetiousness} ... we solved that months ago ... or I did ???
But I don't need the eye-roll tag when I'm being serious. -smirk-

If you don't have HBO, how do you watch the Sopranos?
I don't watch them, that's why I was wondering how many episodes they run for.

Re: Alias
That one while albeit a bit over the top, was the probably best one.
Then I'm definitely not missing much.

Do you see it? thoughts?
Did see it. Oddly enough, my television held up (and worked during today's rerun of Ats - Salvage). It was odd. Interesting that the whole thing could have been a hallucination, but then probably wasn't because of the reappearance of 'God'. Slightly apocalyptic feel to it.

Jane & condensed version of every episode of Alias.

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I don't need the eye-roll tag when I'm being serious. -smirk-
Of course not, I can tell my your tone of voice prose, what you mean ... {head-scratch}.

I don't watch [the Sopranos], that's why I was wondering how many episodes they run for.
No clue, probably as many as they want/will do, as everybody talk about it like it's God's gift {questioning the hype}.

Re: Alias
That one while albeit a bit over the top, was the probably best one.
Then I'm definitely not missing much.
Oh No. Not at all.
condensed version:
we'll open where we left off. They used to always end w/ cliff-hanger like scenarios, Kim Possible would be in trouble, death would seem eminent. Of she'd Weasel out of the situation in 2 secs at the beginning of next episode. They talk about some McGuffin, which the fate of the free world rests upon. She is send half-way around the world to get it. Then usually they get the McGuffin which actually leads to the 'real' McGuffin upon which the fate of the free world actually rest. She then sent the other-half-of-the-way around the world for that one. Meanwhile there is much Soap Opera type to do, chief among these, Her strong, but silent hunky unattainable Boyfriend-type person (hmm ... some of this sounds very familiar {head-scratch & smirk} ). Anyway somewhere along the way, there is always a wig, 2/3 of the time also a provocative outfit, and there is always the omp omp club type/pseudo James Bond Music, which accompanies the inevitable chase/running away from/high tension scene spy-type-thing. The they always try to 'shock' at the end, this is typically not been effective, save for a few instances.

i.e. in short 'No', you've seen Buffy, this is a bad retread in James Bond format. If you've ever seen Kim Possible, you get the idea I think.

Jane.
Do you see it? thoughts?
Did see it. Oddly enough, my television held up (and worked during today's rerun of Ats - Salvage). It was odd. Interesting that the whole thing could have been a hallucination, but then probably wasn't because of the reappearance of 'God'. Slightly apocalyptic feel to it.
I liked it, but didn't love it. They're trying to regain their edge. They didn't quite do it, but at least they're trying. I thought the getting together of Willow and Brother was a bit trite, and sloppy, but the rest was good. I liked 'The Shinning twins' a bit stupid, but a disturbing enough to be interesting. I thought it was amusing/stupid they were sentimental over her lime(sp) disease, 'but we like her as she is [w/ lime disease]' {rolls-eyes smacks-forehead}. but I did like mother being having pseudo-visions and Grandma everwood with the father, those were nice touches.

I'm sure I've said it before, but Salvage is the best Faith episode ever, and definitely one of the best Angel's as well.

Re: Jane & condensed version of every episode of Alias.

[faith21]

I don't need the eye-roll tag when I'm being serious. -smirk-
Of course not, I can tell my your tone of voice prose, what you mean ... {head-scratch}.
I just mean that I would have said if I was joking in that case. This is too complicated now. On to Alias, which is so simple that it's multiple season can be summed up in a paragraph.

i.e. in short 'No', you've seen Buffy, this is a bad retread in James Bond format.
That's what I figured/what it looks like. Although don't forget the running to techno music while wearing the skimpy outfits. That happens too.

Re: Jane
I liked it, but didn't love it.
Same here. I thought it was interesting that they never exactly told her she had lime disease. I'd be a little worried that I was 'crazy' but I'll 'get well soon.'
but I did like mother being having pseudo-visions and Grandma everwood with the father, those were nice touches.
I liked those parts as well.

I'm sure I've said it before, but Salvage is the best Faith episode ever, and definitely one of the best Angel's as well.
It really is. I had forgotten about it being on, so I tuned in right before the decapitation of Lilah. Today's rerun was 'Happy Anniversary.' Amusing in parts, but nothing wonderful.

Classic heroism, Alias, Angel S2

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On to Alias, which is so simple that it's multiple season can be summed up in a paragraph.
I didn't sum up the last 3 seasons, but I see the specific events as being unimportant, as it all is just a frantic race to get to the next McGuffin, or 'earth shattering' realization. Every episode is super over the top tense, there are few quiet or subtle episodes it's always over the top-end of the world, It loses (or lost) its impact very quickly.

i.e. in short 'No', you've seen Buffy, this is a bad retread in James Bond format.
That's what I figured/what it looks like. Although don't forget the running to techno music while wearing the skimpy outfits. That happens too.
ahem ... I didn't forget (see condensed description for details).

Re: Jane
I liked it, but didn't love it.
Same here. I thought it was interesting that they never exactly told her she had lime disease.
I think that's assumed.

I'd be a little worried that I was 'crazy' but I'll 'get well soon.'
huh? {confused} I'd be worried I was psychotic, thus didn't know what I was doing, but if I'm getting well soon, that's a good thing, I'd think? Save for if you're Jane of course and that means that 'God is Dead'.

I'm sure I've said it before, but Salvage is the best Faith episode ever, and definitely one of the best Angel's as well.
It really is. I had forgotten about it being on, so I tuned in right before the decapitation of Lilah.
As I recall, the episode up to that point is okay, but then they start with Faith. Was Buffy ever that cool? Maybe S5, and here and there.

I loved that. No B.S., totally in control, no crap, -- just right down to business. Of course if they did that every episode the series would be short, either A) because all the bad guys would get killed in 20 minutes, or B) because 'our heroes' would get killed.

I understand you need to have some character conflict and whatnot every now and then, but why can't they have an episode like that every now and again too. Hero takes charge. I'm not talking didactic nobility, but a classic type hero against the odds. Despite the B.S.

Every other show (and even Whedonesque, much of the time), there so much Soap Opera crap to sort through, it does go w/ the story, but some time it gets old and tired. I think that's why I liked Firefly. Didn't they do this type of thing a lot. Not as pointed as 'Salvage', but still sort of in that spirit. Like when Mal shot the Dobson 'Serenity'.

Today's rerun was 'Happy Anniversary.' Amusing in parts, but nothing wonderful.
Yeah, when referring to the greatness and wonder of S2 I wasn't talking about that (Though Lorne is in top form in that episode),
'The Shroud of Rahmon' (there was just something about that one I didn't like),
or 'Guise Will Be Guise' (which while cute and funny was a bit obnoxious as well, I think this is the last good appearance of Wesley 'Rogue Demon Hunter').
There are no terribly horrible episodes I can think of, and even those have their almost redeeming qualities or charms.

Re: Classic heroism, Alias, Angel S2

[faith21]

ahem ... I didn't forget [the running w/ skimpy outfits]
ah, I thought you were mentioning them as happening separately, what I've seen of the show she has to put on the skimpy outfit & then run around.

I'd be worried I was psychotic, thus didn't know what I was doing, but if I'm getting well soon, that's a good thing, I'd think?
Makes it sound like they're shipping you off to an institution. All I was expecting was, "you had lime disease, but the doctor is going to make you all better"

I understand you need to have some character conflict and whatnot every now and then, but why can't they have an episode like that every now and again too. Hero takes charge.
Instead of Buffy's 374214 speeches in season 7, you mean?

Like when Mal shot the Dobson 'Serenity'.
Such a great scene. Never so much with the talking on that show, mainly because people had guns.

Yeah, when referring to the greatness and wonder of S2 I wasn't talking about that
-laughs- Yeah, I figured. Lorne is great in it though.

'The Shroud of Rahmon' was silly or something also. I didn't like it either. [although I liked Angel's impersonation of the guy that he kills]
'Guise Will Be Guise' not great, but like you said, cute and funny. More focus than usual on Wes, which was nice. And surprisingly enough, Virginia actually appeared on the show after that instead of disappearing immediately.

T.V. analyzed.

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Alias
ah, I thought you were mentioning them as happening separately, what I've seen of the show she has to put on the skimpy outfit & then run around.
Usually she already has it on... putting it on is usually not a feature. I assume you're referring to the super-bowl one... with the black and red lingerie, while they are unabashedly selling sex, sadly it's usually not that blatant.

Events in the said condensed version, may not be in sequence, though most of them are likely to occur in a given episode.

I'd be worried I was psychotic, thus didn't know what I was doing, but if I'm getting well soon, that's a good thing, I'd think?
Makes it sound like they're shipping you off to an institution. All I was expecting was, "you had lime disease, but the doctor is going to make you all better"
Oh the pacification. "We're going to take you to a place where they're going to take good care of you."

I understand you need to have some character conflict and whatnot every now and then, but why can't they have an episode like that every now and again too. Hero takes charge.
Instead of Buffy's 374214 speeches in season 7, you mean?
They would be interesting speeches if they didn't all say the same thing... The first and last ones were good. but between, If I recall correctly, is when S7 got into a bit of a rut.

It's not so much the speeches or the action, it's about laying things out in a concise clear-headed manner and making choices, instead of being whiny and dramatic about it all the time.

Feeling have their place, but it seems like most shows and sometimes Whedonesque, want to put them prominently displayed in the forefront of every scene. It's more interesting when you have the subtle subtext. That's part of went wrong with AtS S5, little subtext, hardly any of it subtle.

Like when Mal shot the Dobson 'Serenity'.
Such a great scene. Never so much with the talking on that show, mainly because people had guns.
Sometimes talking, But sometimes not. I like how they spend about half 30 - 20 minutes building up the tension of that plot line, and they resolve in about 1 - 2 minutes.

Yeah, when referring to the greatness and wonder of S2 I wasn't talking about that
-laughs- Yeah, I figured. Lorne is great in it though.
Lorne was great in S2, S3, and the first half of S4. Then he became a cast member and received. No more character development. S2 I think was his best. Maybe Lorne's tenure as cast member was Andy Hallet's deferred compensation.

'The Shroud of Rahmon' was silly or something also. I didn't like it either. [although I liked Angel's impersonation of the guy that he kills]
You mean Vegas obnoxious? I hated that. I hated the 'joker' outfit. I think that might be the worst episode of the season.

Re: T.V. analyzed.

[faith21]

I assume you're referring to the super-bowl one...
Yes I am, the rest I only know of in commercials and such.

You mean Vegas obnoxious? I hated that. I hated the 'joker' outfit. I think that might be the worst episode of the season.
Yep. I liked David goofing around. The episode as a whole was terrible though, I agree on that.

Angel goofiness.

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The best episode for Angel goofiness is 1.13 'She' the beginning of the episode is fantastic, the actual plot of the episode is an obnoxious thinly veiled allegory in the style of Star Trek, as well as other offenses, but the beginning is great.

Re: Angel goofiness.

[faith21]

The best episode for Angel goofiness is 1.13 'She' the beginning of the episode is fantastic
Ahh yes, the dancing and such. I also love the scene where Angel sings 'Mandy'. Especially the outtakes at the end.

Manilow & disco.

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Yeah, that was a great bit 'cause it left Angel all dark and dank, but that doesn't mean he can't have an occasional kooky thought. The "I don't dance" after that disco-sequence, was icing on the cake. See 'witty' not 'stupid'.

The Angel Karaoke was a great bit before they decided "Mandy" was Deanna Troi's Chocolate. To make it more so plain, they every time they mention his Manilow obsession, it's always 'Mandy', which granted worked great in that bit, but Manilow has other songs ... I imagine many of them would also work in a similar over-the-top-comical vein.

Off-topic: Though it is in reruns now, they moved Scrubs back to Thurs. @ 9:30, just to piss me (us?) off.

Re: Manilow & disco.

[faith21]

Though it is in reruns now, they moved Scrubs back to Thurs. @ 9:30, just to piss me (us?) off.
I'll have to watch when I remember/if I get a chance because I haven't seen most of them. At least they renewed it for two years.