Stretching My Fandom Muscle
It's been clear to me for awhile now that I've been running dry when it comes to reading new fic in my veteran fandoms and if I wanted the ability to increase the amount of new fic I might like to read I would have to go outside my stand-byes and watch some new series to get the ball rolling. Here's how it's going:
Merlin - The first season is running on NBC and i've heard about it for awhile now and intended to look into it even before a US network decided to air it. Seen 5 episodes so far and it feels like a series I'm going to have to be patient with. The growing rapport between Merlin and Arthur is nice to see but like I think I mentioned before the Merlin saving the day while keeping his magic secret is going to grow old real quick for me. Not the most original tv hero angle here. I think the latest episode with Lancelot was the best so far, and to have it end how it did left me a bit disappointed because I liked what Lancelot brought to the show in his brief time.
Chuck - All of the fan support and fic writing that kept popping up on my friends list for Chuck made my interest in the series grow from it's nearly non-existent state. When the series started I was at my old job that had me working nights most of the time which meant I had no time for prime time tv, as a result I never caught the show and one habit I tend to have is not wanting to jump onto a show well into the series. However this was one show I made an exception for and I'm glad I did so far. The premise I had vaguely known "average joe + spy woman" turned out to be a lot more entertaining than I had imagined. I've been double dipping on the last few chuck me mondays and have seen the first 5 so far. I have to say my favorite character so far is John Casey and I must admit I was a bit disappointed that the last two episodes I watched didn't have any time for Captain Awesome.
Spectacular Spider-Man - I was skeptical when I was hearing that there was going to be yet again another incarnation of Spider-man as a cartoon but the premise and look has blown me away. Each time I watch an episode, I keep thinking this is how Ultimate Spider-man should have been, or how they should've just rebooted the 616 Spider-Man instead of doing OMD/BND crap. I've seen 7 episodes so far of SSM and I smile during each episode almost like clockwork. I like that the two thugs Spider-Man kept capturing ended up being turned into Rhino and Sandman. I like the use of Tombstone as a big time nemesis for Spider-Man (totally wasn't expecting him to be the voice Hammerhead was talking to), and right now the hints (which could be a red herring) that Harry is the Green Goblin (which would be cool) and is starting his addiction with goblin juice. I was surprised to see MJ show up in episode 7 but I loved her attitude and personality (although it was sad how Peter and Harry treated Gwen). Gwen has always been one of my favorite characters of the Spider-man universe so I'm glad the show has her as a main character. I thought it was funny how Aunt May scared off Betty Brant from taking Peter's dance offer, and it's been interesting to see the innovative use of Eddie Brock. Great show. And I look forward to watching more.
Star Wars Clone Wars - The next installment of Star Wars goodness that I'd been eagerly anticipating and tried to watch when it debuted last fall but slowly fell behind as time went on. This is the third incarnation of Clone Wars and I think that fact is keeping a lot of people from getting into the series, but it's total STAR WARS geekage going on. I love how they're going indepth to the nth degree and introducing a new character like Ahsoka as Anakin's padawan totally makes the fanfic possibilities limitless when considering how her presence would change Revenge of the Sith or not. Saying that I hope however they end this series when they do, that they don't just kill her and leave it open to interpretation. I've seen 6 or 7 episodes and really want to make icons from this series.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - It was Terminator: Salvation that renewed my interest in the Terminator series. Like Chuck, this series debuted at the same time when I was working nights and I missed it. And since Chuck has been such a welcome addition to my viewing life, I decided to take a chance and start watching this series as well. I've only seen the first two episodes and I tend to jump between feeling silly to acceptable when watching the show. Tiny Summer Glau as a Terminator is something that always needs a double take, I love Lena Headey and she's perfect to pick up Linda Hamilton's place as Sarah Connor. I do think the kid playing John Connor looks eerily like Zac Efron to me. The whole time jumping to 2007 made me roll my eyes but I'll keep watching. It's been interesting so far, but still early on.
Iron Man: Armored Adventures - A cartoon I didn't even know about until I stumbled upon it one day watching Nicktoons. It's surprised me how much I/how easy it is to like the show. The change of history shook me for a minute but I think watching Smallville has adjusted my thinking to accepting more easily other incarnations of series over different mediums and not expecting them to have to work together (unlike everyone else it seems). So what if Tony, Pepper and Rhodey are in high school, or some kid is using the Mandarin powers. It's been an entertaining show to watch, and beautiful to look at. I've seen all 9 episodes that have aired so far, and I'm thankful I have because this is one show hard to find online I just noticed. Even though it's only platonic in the show and they haven't really touched pairings, just seeing the characters helps keep the Tony/Pepper shipper alive in me while I wait for the next Iron Man movie.
Legend of the Seeker - A show I've known about peripherally and having seen a few episodes here and there, I'd always meant to give it more of my time but time kept passing until like Chuck, I saw friends getting adamant about the fandom and I decided with summer and the tv dead season upon us I'd give the series a shot from the beginning. I just watched the first two episodes of the series last weekend and already have interesting thoughts and questions wondering what will happen in the series. If Kahlan's sister truly died since she was left to die and Darken Rahl knows a lot of wizards, or if Richard's brother becomes a part of the story again even if they crossed through the barrier. I truly can't wait to watch more of the show, it reminds me how I felt watching other syndicated series in the past like Hercules & Xena.
If I remember I'll try to post my updated thoughts every week, unless I have something more important to say but I doubt that. :P
Merlin - The first season is running on NBC and i've heard about it for awhile now and intended to look into it even before a US network decided to air it. Seen 5 episodes so far and it feels like a series I'm going to have to be patient with. The growing rapport between Merlin and Arthur is nice to see but like I think I mentioned before the Merlin saving the day while keeping his magic secret is going to grow old real quick for me. Not the most original tv hero angle here. I think the latest episode with Lancelot was the best so far, and to have it end how it did left me a bit disappointed because I liked what Lancelot brought to the show in his brief time.
Chuck - All of the fan support and fic writing that kept popping up on my friends list for Chuck made my interest in the series grow from it's nearly non-existent state. When the series started I was at my old job that had me working nights most of the time which meant I had no time for prime time tv, as a result I never caught the show and one habit I tend to have is not wanting to jump onto a show well into the series. However this was one show I made an exception for and I'm glad I did so far. The premise I had vaguely known "average joe + spy woman" turned out to be a lot more entertaining than I had imagined. I've been double dipping on the last few chuck me mondays and have seen the first 5 so far. I have to say my favorite character so far is John Casey and I must admit I was a bit disappointed that the last two episodes I watched didn't have any time for Captain Awesome.
Spectacular Spider-Man - I was skeptical when I was hearing that there was going to be yet again another incarnation of Spider-man as a cartoon but the premise and look has blown me away. Each time I watch an episode, I keep thinking this is how Ultimate Spider-man should have been, or how they should've just rebooted the 616 Spider-Man instead of doing OMD/BND crap. I've seen 7 episodes so far of SSM and I smile during each episode almost like clockwork. I like that the two thugs Spider-Man kept capturing ended up being turned into Rhino and Sandman. I like the use of Tombstone as a big time nemesis for Spider-Man (totally wasn't expecting him to be the voice Hammerhead was talking to), and right now the hints (which could be a red herring) that Harry is the Green Goblin (which would be cool) and is starting his addiction with goblin juice. I was surprised to see MJ show up in episode 7 but I loved her attitude and personality (although it was sad how Peter and Harry treated Gwen). Gwen has always been one of my favorite characters of the Spider-man universe so I'm glad the show has her as a main character. I thought it was funny how Aunt May scared off Betty Brant from taking Peter's dance offer, and it's been interesting to see the innovative use of Eddie Brock. Great show. And I look forward to watching more.
Star Wars Clone Wars - The next installment of Star Wars goodness that I'd been eagerly anticipating and tried to watch when it debuted last fall but slowly fell behind as time went on. This is the third incarnation of Clone Wars and I think that fact is keeping a lot of people from getting into the series, but it's total STAR WARS geekage going on. I love how they're going indepth to the nth degree and introducing a new character like Ahsoka as Anakin's padawan totally makes the fanfic possibilities limitless when considering how her presence would change Revenge of the Sith or not. Saying that I hope however they end this series when they do, that they don't just kill her and leave it open to interpretation. I've seen 6 or 7 episodes and really want to make icons from this series.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles - It was Terminator: Salvation that renewed my interest in the Terminator series. Like Chuck, this series debuted at the same time when I was working nights and I missed it. And since Chuck has been such a welcome addition to my viewing life, I decided to take a chance and start watching this series as well. I've only seen the first two episodes and I tend to jump between feeling silly to acceptable when watching the show. Tiny Summer Glau as a Terminator is something that always needs a double take, I love Lena Headey and she's perfect to pick up Linda Hamilton's place as Sarah Connor. I do think the kid playing John Connor looks eerily like Zac Efron to me. The whole time jumping to 2007 made me roll my eyes but I'll keep watching. It's been interesting so far, but still early on.
Iron Man: Armored Adventures - A cartoon I didn't even know about until I stumbled upon it one day watching Nicktoons. It's surprised me how much I/how easy it is to like the show. The change of history shook me for a minute but I think watching Smallville has adjusted my thinking to accepting more easily other incarnations of series over different mediums and not expecting them to have to work together (unlike everyone else it seems). So what if Tony, Pepper and Rhodey are in high school, or some kid is using the Mandarin powers. It's been an entertaining show to watch, and beautiful to look at. I've seen all 9 episodes that have aired so far, and I'm thankful I have because this is one show hard to find online I just noticed. Even though it's only platonic in the show and they haven't really touched pairings, just seeing the characters helps keep the Tony/Pepper shipper alive in me while I wait for the next Iron Man movie.
Legend of the Seeker - A show I've known about peripherally and having seen a few episodes here and there, I'd always meant to give it more of my time but time kept passing until like Chuck, I saw friends getting adamant about the fandom and I decided with summer and the tv dead season upon us I'd give the series a shot from the beginning. I just watched the first two episodes of the series last weekend and already have interesting thoughts and questions wondering what will happen in the series. If Kahlan's sister truly died since she was left to die and Darken Rahl knows a lot of wizards, or if Richard's brother becomes a part of the story again even if they crossed through the barrier. I truly can't wait to watch more of the show, it reminds me how I felt watching other syndicated series in the past like Hercules & Xena.
If I remember I'll try to post my updated thoughts every week, unless I have something more important to say but I doubt that. :P