What a lazy Saturday I've had...
1. Finally got around to watching the latest ep of Vampire Diaries. HOLY CRAP. <--My reaction to every episode.
Loved loved LOVED the Damon/Stefan/Katherine confrontation. Let me take a moment to be completely lame and say that I was beyond giddy that it was Damon who hesitated at staking Katherine because it would also kill Elena. I don't know why, but I found that moment kind of epic (it was probably the vulnerability in Damon's face, that always gets me). Once again I found Stefan/Katherine ridiculously hot and Damon's love for Katherine ridiculously tragic. His face when she revealed that she's kept tabs on Stefan all these years (and remembered every little detail about him from a moment that happened 23 years ago) while she found Damon's "obsession" with her to be troublesome (I love how she said "obsession" and not "love"). The ending was a stupid move by Damon, but pretty much expected. She's too valuable as a villain for the show to kill her off, plus, I never really thought that Damon would actually be able to kill her (nor Stefan. He already had the chance once and couldn't do it).
The moment where Katherine killed the girl who was always chasing after Matt made me gasp out loud. This show always seems to have a moment in EVERY EPISODE that does that to me, where it just shocks me out of nowhere. This one was especially gasp-worthy considering the fact that Katherine did it in public (and somehow no one noticed???).
Caroline was super awesome in this ep, as was Bonnie. And... I think I'm totally on board with this Bonnie/Jeremy development? I probably wouldn't have been last season, but Jeremy is so... er... hot this season, and much less emo than he used to be, and somehow these two just work great together (not sure where the idea for the romance came from considering this is the first time they've ever really shared screentime together, but I am loving their chemistry that is both awkward and sexy. Plus, it's got a bit of that forbidden vibe since Jeremy is Bonnie's best friend's little brother). I approve of Bonnie/Jeremy, is what I'm saying, and hope that this ep wasn't just a one-off for them. Although, looking at Jeremy's track record with women, perhaps Bonnie should stay away from him...
2. Just watched ep 18 of Sungkyunkwan Scandal, and it was not nearly as tragic as I thought it would be, though the ending angered me greatly.
IS JAE SHIN GOING TO DIE? I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE SUCH AN ATROCITY. This show has been fairly lighthearted, so I don't think he will, but that sure looked like a death slice. And if he dies while Sun Joon and Yoon Hee WERE FREAKING HUGGING INSTEAD OF ESCAPING then I will be irrationally angry at those two. Also, I was kind of disappointed that the show revealed that Sun Joon's father hadn't ordered the killings, because I found the idea of Sun Joon having to go up against his father pretty interesting, but I should have known that it was the Minister of War's doing. He's the sloppy, impulsive one while Sun Joon's father has always had to clean up his messes, so it makes sense. Still though, Sun Joon's father is guilty of being an accessory to murder, and he was the one who ordered that the document be destroyed, so... hmm.
Anywho, favorite moment:
Heeeeeeeeee. ♥
3. MERLIN. Fact: Merlin is 20 times more awesome whenever Gwaine shows up. CAN HE BE A REGULAR, PLEASE? Especially since he gives Merlin the love that Arthur never will. Merlin deserves to have a friend that actually appreciates him. While I've enjoyed Merlin/Lancelot in the past, it seemed like Lancelot's true loyalty lied with Arthur, so it's nice that Merlin gets to have a friend who is loyal to him and doesn't give a fig about Arthur. And is it just me, or did Gwaine look totally envious of Arthur in the end? Like he was depressed that he couldn't travel around with Merlin forever and ever while Arthur gets to have Merlin all to himself 24/7. No? Just me projecting, then? Okay. Seriously, you have no idea how much I wanted Merlin to turn around and follow Gwaine, but silly Merlin will always only have eyes for Arthur. This kind of kills my soul a little, because this season has pretty much stomped all over my OTPs for this show, and suddenly I find myself OTPing the heck out of Merlin/Gwaine even though Gwaine is just a recurring character. *sigh*
I haven't spoken much about this, but lately I am really not enjoying Arthur/Gwen. I didn't mind them when we only got a moment here and there, but now it's like every single episode has to shove in a reminder of their EPIC LOVE for each other and it's kind of annoying. Not so annoying that it will deter from my enjoyment of an episode, but just annoying enough that it makes me sigh wearily whenever they have a scene together. I think my main problem is that Arthur is the one that is supposed to be hopelessly in love with Gwen, and yet I simply don't feel it from his end. Not one bit. Their scenes just end up being awkward because of that. Angel is doing her best to sell it, but Bradley is just... not great at romance, apparently. He almost seems bored with it, you know? Or I guess I'm just projecting again, I don't know, but the dude who plays Lancelot manages to sell the crap out of the Lancelot/Gwen romance and they've only had two episodes of development, while Arthur and Gwen have had an entire season and a half of development and I am still not feeling it. I think I felt it more last season than I am this one. As for Arthur/Merlin, I am still loving their banter and unintentionally suggestive scenes, but I am bummed at how emotionally distant they seem to be, lately. Merlin used to be Arthur's best friend, his emotional other half, but now he's just... that smart-mouthed serving boy who occasionally has moments of useful insight. I MISS THEIR BROMANTIC LOVE FOR EACH OTHER. They still flirt like they've always done, but a lot of the emotion seems to be missing this season. Bah.
"Evil" Morgana is starting to get on my nerves. I wish they wouldn't make her so one-note. I don't get why she was allowed to be morally ambiguous when she was one of the good guys, but now that she is on the bad side she has to be eeeeeeeeeevil, smirky, I-want-to-kill-everyone-just-because-I-can Morgana. IT MAKES NO SENSE. Like, I get her need/want to kill Uther, I think that's deserved. But getting such pleasure out of the thought of killing Arthur? Her own brother who has done absolutely nothing awful to her whatsoever? Just... can't she at least be briefly troubled by the idea of killing Arthur? Can't she have a moment here and there to stop and remember that she used to love these people? Couldn't she be on Morgause's side but still be good at heart? I just hate that they've completely changed everything about what Morgana used to stand for. She had her idea of what a just world should be, and she did everything in her power to accomplish that. Why couldn't the show use this as her motivation in going against Camelot? Right now it just looks like a lust for power and a need to please Morgause. Augh, I hate what they've done to her. Luckily she wasn't in much of this ep, though, since it was all about Gwaine's love for Merlin.
4. Did anyone else catch that Daily Show/Colbert Report Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear? My oldest brother actually went to it and invited me to come along, but I didn't want to drive up there all on my own, so I didn't go (plus, I bet the Metro was super crowded and a total pain to ride today). I did manage to catch the last hour or so on Comedy Central though. It... wasn't that good, so I'm kind of happy that I declined the invitation. I did quite enjoy Stephen getting angry at Jon for wearing the same American flag pull over fleece sweater, though, and their song about who was more American. Also, I loved Jon's speech at the end of the show. I am not a big Jon Stewart fan (I'm a Colbert gal through and through), but when he's being serious and trying to get a non-partisan point across, he does it really well.
5. K-dramas I've watched over the past month:
Snow White - This one was so-so. Good for mindless entertainment, I suppose. No joke, I originally only watched this because the lead girl looked like she had a bit of an Ugly Betty thing happening, and I was like, "Hmm... wonder if that's true?" Well, it was nothing like Ugly Betty, but it was still a cute show. I was really, really enjoying it in the beginning, but then it started lagging in the middle and I just wanted to get to the end. I think the show made a huge mistake by making the best friend eventually fall in love with her, because it completely changed their dynamic and I was seriously missing the relationship that they had prior to that (plus, that guy was really likable and it was just sad to see him end up with no one). Also, it took me ages to figure out that the main guy was the same one from Tree of Heaven. He is so completely different in this that it just shocked me that it was the same guy. During the first episode I had a fleeting thought that it was him, but then I was like, "Nah, I only think that because I just watched Tree of Heaven." But, no, it was totally him. (speaking of Tree of Heaven, I still can't bring myself to go back to that show. I've watched the first three eps and just cannot take anymore of that heartbreak. But I want to know what happens! But it's so damn sad. But their love is epic! But it hurrrrrrts to watch that show. *sigh* I am not good with angsty melodramas, apparently) Anyway, Snow White was enjoyable, but nothing about it really stood out to me.
The Vineyard Man - I seem to enjoy Yoon Eun Hye's dramas without fail, and this was the only one [where she's the main star] that I hadn't watched, so I gave it a try. It was adorable, but not as good as good as Goong, Coffee Prince, or Take Care of the Young Lady. Actually, it might be on par with TCotYL, but I enjoyed the pacing of TCotYL much more than I did The Vineyard Man. It took two (or maybe three) episodes to get the characters to the vineyard, and then I got a little frustrated with how long it took the characters to get together, but the fact that it took them so long and contained so much pining kind of made the payoff so very good. Plus, I just really enjoyed the supporting characters on this show and the scenery was beautiful, and it really made me want to be a farmer even though I would be horrible at doing hard labor, especially in the dead of summer, but dramas like this always make me long to live in places where the entire neighborhood is like one big family, and people are actually outside conversing with each other for fun instead of watching TV or playing on the computer. THAT LIFESTYLE IS SO FOREIGN TO ME. And, really, if you were to throw me into that lifestyle right now I would probably be completely miserable, but it looks so wonderful on TV! Anyway, this drama was super cute (as are all of Yoon Eun Hye's dramas), and it's one of the few dramas that actually gives us a completely satisfying ending, so, I enjoyed it.
Also, I finished watching I am Sam for a third time. I JUST CAN'T STOP WATCHING IT. My favorite bits of it, anyway. I'm pretty sure that it really is my favorite romance ever, even though it isn't epic by any means and we never get a kiss. But guuuuuh, they are such adorably bickering soulmates that it is so damn beautiful when Jang finally admits to himself that his feelings for Eun Byul are of a romantic nature. I just love how completely lost he is without her, how his life falls apart and has no real meaning after they're kept apart the first time, and then the second time he is just depressed and going through the motions, trying to get used to living life without her (but then he runs away with her because he can't bear the thought of losing her for good and it's so utterly beautiful how they are still them, only slightly more intimate, allowing themselves the hand touches and them rough housing with each other in the water and him giving her a piggy back ride and them holding hands as they fall asleep and GUH, I LOVE THEM SO FREAKING MUCH). I still find the ending a little far-fetched though. These are two people who couldn't deal with one day of not seeing each other (and this was before they both realized that they were in love), so now I'm supposed to believe that they went FOUR YEARS without even contacting each other? Psh. But then again, he did wait for her for four years without really knowing if their love meant the same thing to her as it did to him, so... I guess that makes their romance kind of epic? Anyway, they are super adorable and their romance is full of bickering and manipulation and repressed emotions and inappropriateness, so, it's really not a surprise that I am so very addicted to Eun Byul/Teacher Jang.
Loved loved LOVED the Damon/Stefan/Katherine confrontation. Let me take a moment to be completely lame and say that I was beyond giddy that it was Damon who hesitated at staking Katherine because it would also kill Elena. I don't know why, but I found that moment kind of epic (it was probably the vulnerability in Damon's face, that always gets me). Once again I found Stefan/Katherine ridiculously hot and Damon's love for Katherine ridiculously tragic. His face when she revealed that she's kept tabs on Stefan all these years (and remembered every little detail about him from a moment that happened 23 years ago) while she found Damon's "obsession" with her to be troublesome (I love how she said "obsession" and not "love"). The ending was a stupid move by Damon, but pretty much expected. She's too valuable as a villain for the show to kill her off, plus, I never really thought that Damon would actually be able to kill her (nor Stefan. He already had the chance once and couldn't do it).
The moment where Katherine killed the girl who was always chasing after Matt made me gasp out loud. This show always seems to have a moment in EVERY EPISODE that does that to me, where it just shocks me out of nowhere. This one was especially gasp-worthy considering the fact that Katherine did it in public (and somehow no one noticed???).
Caroline was super awesome in this ep, as was Bonnie. And... I think I'm totally on board with this Bonnie/Jeremy development? I probably wouldn't have been last season, but Jeremy is so... er... hot this season, and much less emo than he used to be, and somehow these two just work great together (not sure where the idea for the romance came from considering this is the first time they've ever really shared screentime together, but I am loving their chemistry that is both awkward and sexy. Plus, it's got a bit of that forbidden vibe since Jeremy is Bonnie's best friend's little brother). I approve of Bonnie/Jeremy, is what I'm saying, and hope that this ep wasn't just a one-off for them. Although, looking at Jeremy's track record with women, perhaps Bonnie should stay away from him...
2. Just watched ep 18 of Sungkyunkwan Scandal, and it was not nearly as tragic as I thought it would be, though the ending angered me greatly.
IS JAE SHIN GOING TO DIE? I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE SUCH AN ATROCITY. This show has been fairly lighthearted, so I don't think he will, but that sure looked like a death slice. And if he dies while Sun Joon and Yoon Hee WERE FREAKING HUGGING INSTEAD OF ESCAPING then I will be irrationally angry at those two. Also, I was kind of disappointed that the show revealed that Sun Joon's father hadn't ordered the killings, because I found the idea of Sun Joon having to go up against his father pretty interesting, but I should have known that it was the Minister of War's doing. He's the sloppy, impulsive one while Sun Joon's father has always had to clean up his messes, so it makes sense. Still though, Sun Joon's father is guilty of being an accessory to murder, and he was the one who ordered that the document be destroyed, so... hmm.
Anywho, favorite moment:
Heeeeeeeeee. ♥
3. MERLIN. Fact: Merlin is 20 times more awesome whenever Gwaine shows up. CAN HE BE A REGULAR, PLEASE? Especially since he gives Merlin the love that Arthur never will. Merlin deserves to have a friend that actually appreciates him. While I've enjoyed Merlin/Lancelot in the past, it seemed like Lancelot's true loyalty lied with Arthur, so it's nice that Merlin gets to have a friend who is loyal to him and doesn't give a fig about Arthur. And is it just me, or did Gwaine look totally envious of Arthur in the end? Like he was depressed that he couldn't travel around with Merlin forever and ever while Arthur gets to have Merlin all to himself 24/7. No? Just me projecting, then? Okay. Seriously, you have no idea how much I wanted Merlin to turn around and follow Gwaine, but silly Merlin will always only have eyes for Arthur. This kind of kills my soul a little, because this season has pretty much stomped all over my OTPs for this show, and suddenly I find myself OTPing the heck out of Merlin/Gwaine even though Gwaine is just a recurring character. *sigh*
I haven't spoken much about this, but lately I am really not enjoying Arthur/Gwen. I didn't mind them when we only got a moment here and there, but now it's like every single episode has to shove in a reminder of their EPIC LOVE for each other and it's kind of annoying. Not so annoying that it will deter from my enjoyment of an episode, but just annoying enough that it makes me sigh wearily whenever they have a scene together. I think my main problem is that Arthur is the one that is supposed to be hopelessly in love with Gwen, and yet I simply don't feel it from his end. Not one bit. Their scenes just end up being awkward because of that. Angel is doing her best to sell it, but Bradley is just... not great at romance, apparently. He almost seems bored with it, you know? Or I guess I'm just projecting again, I don't know, but the dude who plays Lancelot manages to sell the crap out of the Lancelot/Gwen romance and they've only had two episodes of development, while Arthur and Gwen have had an entire season and a half of development and I am still not feeling it. I think I felt it more last season than I am this one. As for Arthur/Merlin, I am still loving their banter and unintentionally suggestive scenes, but I am bummed at how emotionally distant they seem to be, lately. Merlin used to be Arthur's best friend, his emotional other half, but now he's just... that smart-mouthed serving boy who occasionally has moments of useful insight. I MISS THEIR BROMANTIC LOVE FOR EACH OTHER. They still flirt like they've always done, but a lot of the emotion seems to be missing this season. Bah.
"Evil" Morgana is starting to get on my nerves. I wish they wouldn't make her so one-note. I don't get why she was allowed to be morally ambiguous when she was one of the good guys, but now that she is on the bad side she has to be eeeeeeeeeevil, smirky, I-want-to-kill-everyone-just-because-I-can Morgana. IT MAKES NO SENSE. Like, I get her need/want to kill Uther, I think that's deserved. But getting such pleasure out of the thought of killing Arthur? Her own brother who has done absolutely nothing awful to her whatsoever? Just... can't she at least be briefly troubled by the idea of killing Arthur? Can't she have a moment here and there to stop and remember that she used to love these people? Couldn't she be on Morgause's side but still be good at heart? I just hate that they've completely changed everything about what Morgana used to stand for. She had her idea of what a just world should be, and she did everything in her power to accomplish that. Why couldn't the show use this as her motivation in going against Camelot? Right now it just looks like a lust for power and a need to please Morgause. Augh, I hate what they've done to her. Luckily she wasn't in much of this ep, though, since it was all about Gwaine's love for Merlin.
4. Did anyone else catch that Daily Show/Colbert Report Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear? My oldest brother actually went to it and invited me to come along, but I didn't want to drive up there all on my own, so I didn't go (plus, I bet the Metro was super crowded and a total pain to ride today). I did manage to catch the last hour or so on Comedy Central though. It... wasn't that good, so I'm kind of happy that I declined the invitation. I did quite enjoy Stephen getting angry at Jon for wearing the same American flag pull over fleece sweater, though, and their song about who was more American. Also, I loved Jon's speech at the end of the show. I am not a big Jon Stewart fan (I'm a Colbert gal through and through), but when he's being serious and trying to get a non-partisan point across, he does it really well.
5. K-dramas I've watched over the past month:
Snow White - This one was so-so. Good for mindless entertainment, I suppose. No joke, I originally only watched this because the lead girl looked like she had a bit of an Ugly Betty thing happening, and I was like, "Hmm... wonder if that's true?" Well, it was nothing like Ugly Betty, but it was still a cute show. I was really, really enjoying it in the beginning, but then it started lagging in the middle and I just wanted to get to the end. I think the show made a huge mistake by making the best friend eventually fall in love with her, because it completely changed their dynamic and I was seriously missing the relationship that they had prior to that (plus, that guy was really likable and it was just sad to see him end up with no one). Also, it took me ages to figure out that the main guy was the same one from Tree of Heaven. He is so completely different in this that it just shocked me that it was the same guy. During the first episode I had a fleeting thought that it was him, but then I was like, "Nah, I only think that because I just watched Tree of Heaven." But, no, it was totally him. (speaking of Tree of Heaven, I still can't bring myself to go back to that show. I've watched the first three eps and just cannot take anymore of that heartbreak. But I want to know what happens! But it's so damn sad. But their love is epic! But it hurrrrrrts to watch that show. *sigh* I am not good with angsty melodramas, apparently) Anyway, Snow White was enjoyable, but nothing about it really stood out to me.
The Vineyard Man - I seem to enjoy Yoon Eun Hye's dramas without fail, and this was the only one [where she's the main star] that I hadn't watched, so I gave it a try. It was adorable, but not as good as good as Goong, Coffee Prince, or Take Care of the Young Lady. Actually, it might be on par with TCotYL, but I enjoyed the pacing of TCotYL much more than I did The Vineyard Man. It took two (or maybe three) episodes to get the characters to the vineyard, and then I got a little frustrated with how long it took the characters to get together, but the fact that it took them so long and contained so much pining kind of made the payoff so very good. Plus, I just really enjoyed the supporting characters on this show and the scenery was beautiful, and it really made me want to be a farmer even though I would be horrible at doing hard labor, especially in the dead of summer, but dramas like this always make me long to live in places where the entire neighborhood is like one big family, and people are actually outside conversing with each other for fun instead of watching TV or playing on the computer. THAT LIFESTYLE IS SO FOREIGN TO ME. And, really, if you were to throw me into that lifestyle right now I would probably be completely miserable, but it looks so wonderful on TV! Anyway, this drama was super cute (as are all of Yoon Eun Hye's dramas), and it's one of the few dramas that actually gives us a completely satisfying ending, so, I enjoyed it.
Also, I finished watching I am Sam for a third time. I JUST CAN'T STOP WATCHING IT. My favorite bits of it, anyway. I'm pretty sure that it really is my favorite romance ever, even though it isn't epic by any means and we never get a kiss. But guuuuuh, they are such adorably bickering soulmates that it is so damn beautiful when Jang finally admits to himself that his feelings for Eun Byul are of a romantic nature. I just love how completely lost he is without her, how his life falls apart and has no real meaning after they're kept apart the first time, and then the second time he is just depressed and going through the motions, trying to get used to living life without her (but then he runs away with her because he can't bear the thought of losing her for good and it's so utterly beautiful how they are still them, only slightly more intimate, allowing themselves the hand touches and them rough housing with each other in the water and him giving her a piggy back ride and them holding hands as they fall asleep and GUH, I LOVE THEM SO FREAKING MUCH). I still find the ending a little far-fetched though. These are two people who couldn't deal with one day of not seeing each other (and this was before they both realized that they were in love), so now I'm supposed to believe that they went FOUR YEARS without even contacting each other? Psh. But then again, he did wait for her for four years without really knowing if their love meant the same thing to her as it did to him, so... I guess that makes their romance kind of epic? Anyway, they are super adorable and their romance is full of bickering and manipulation and repressed emotions and inappropriateness, so, it's really not a surprise that I am so very addicted to Eun Byul/Teacher Jang.