This is America, ain't it? Who the fuck's stoppin' ya?

[flowerings]

Oh god. Please, please believe me when I say I did not type this long entry out all in one sitting. It was a week's process-a long proper week's process. I even documented my progress on Tumblr and Twitter multiple times. I have proof. I can show you the receipts. I also may have driven myself mad plenty of times while writing and cried blood but

Comments

[calikalie]

This post is a thing of beauty. I am hard-pressed to find anything here that I disagree with. Amazing. I especially agree with you about the HBIC rant. I might be more receptive to the term if it wasn't used to prop up female characters for their "toughness" and demean those who show even the smallest hint of traditionally "feminine" traits. The ability to kick someone's ass physically is not the defining trait of a "strong" (god, I'm using the quote symbol far too much in here) character. Like you said, there is more than one definition or one perception of what makes a strong character. To be honest, I find fandom's perception of what defines strong female characters to be incredibly narrow.

Regarding Mad Men, the whole Blankenship subplot saved the episode for me. I kind of needed those moments of levity, which is funny, because only this show could have a subplot about a secretary dying and make it hilarious. And yes, more Pete indeed, but as always he is golden in those few seconds he has been on screen these past few episodes. I mean, helping to carry off Blankenship? "When did we get a vending machine?" GOLD.

Undercovers was so delightful and exactly what I expected this show to be. The comments in your ONTD post yesterday had me cringing because of all of the "bland" comments. I wasn't expecting the pilot to be "Alias With Black People", as you so succinctly put it. Anyone who was expecting something similar to that with more drama and mythology were probably left disappointed. I'm actually glad that J.J. is doing something lighter. He is legit one of my favorite television directors (I would add film director to that, but I'm pretty sure he's only directed two films at this point and they were both for franchises). I love the things that he does with film - the lens flares, the establishing, long shots. He has a wonderful eye for these things. He hits basically every single one of my cinematography buttons. But yeah, I'm excited to see where this show eventually goes. The pilot was solid, but it has so much potential to be better when it finds its footing. If the ratings stay steady, it should be fine.

I have nothing to add about The Vampire Diaries except YES. YOU GET ME. Also, I need to catch up with Law and Order: UK since I haven't seen beyond the first episode of series two. And Doctor Who/Sherlock can come back into my life any minute now. I wish the DVDs were coming out sooner, because November 9th seems so far away. I cannot deal.

[flowerings]

I am pleased you enjoyed this post, Kalie. You don't know how often I thought about quitting as I wrote this through Google Docs-which, in hindsight, I am glad I did due to recent computer problems-because it was getting ridiculous to load everyday to finish thoughts and add new ideas. I was seriously getting stressed out over this even though I don't reserve the same feelings with my school work. That's another reason why academia and I are bitter revivals. You are so right with the whole idea of HBIC. I would've been okay with the term if people didn't use it against other female characters but they don't. It's just depressing seeing how sexism is so internalized with women.-I mean, I am no way the 'perfect' feminist and I'll never be because 'perfect' doesn't exist but I at least realize there are multiple ways to be strong and, if men can have different categories for that, why can't we do the same with women? GOD, FANDOM MAKES MY HEAD HURT.

Pete Campbell is strangely enough the only adult male running Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.-Okay, we can add Pryce to the list when he's not having his dates with Don. I just love how it was implied that Pete was so far into doing business, he didn't even notice they got the vending machine. HE CARES ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF SCDP NO MATTER WHAT. He could've gotten candy bar after candy bar but NO his clients come first. I am still waiting on another Pete and Ken moment though. I never know how to describe their relationship because they both view each other in a different light but LOL they are perfect together and I want to see him going to each other's apartments.

I HATE EVERYTHING ONTD CHOOSES TO BE. I laughed when I read the comment who said she expected the show to be more dramatic due to the trailers. LOL what. I don't understand what trailers and interviews these people were watching but the ones I watched all presented the show as a light-hearted drama. There was the beautiful ballroom promo but that also made light of the situation. These people need to grow a sense of humor and probably a brain. Oh god, yes, regarding J.J. Abrams. I don't know. Whenever I hear his name, I turn into a little screaming fanatic. I hope he does more directing for all his shows; it's always exciting knowing he's the one behind the camera. I think it should be fine too. Even if the show does dip in the ratings, it at least has Abrams' name attached and that should save it from cancellation. I believe FOX did the same with Fringe after its first season.

I am glad I took the words out of you re: TVD! IT'S ALWAYS AN HONOR LEAVING MISS KALIE SPEECHLESS! And, lol, you definitely should check up with Law and Order UK. Sometimes I am just stuck on how beautiful the show is. Law and Order Proper was never a cinematic masterpiece but there's something about UK that's so gorgeous. The colors and shots aren't want you would expect from a crime show. I hope it never ends. If Gap continues to give me serious hours, I should be able to order Doctor Who and Sherlock without any issues November 9th. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE GETTING THE BOXSETS IN THE MAIL RIGHT NOW. I'll probably let out a high pitched scream. I am such a nerd.