I love my Captain.
So my mother (who is very helpful about keeping up with the intersection of fandom and reality for me) sent me an email last week to let me know that Nathan Fillion has a new show called Drive, which premiered last night. Dutifully, I went and looked at the website. My first thought was, "Wait, The Amazing Race wasn't dumb enough, so they're making a fictional version?" But I promised myself I would watch it anyway, even though (unless you count two episodes of Rome at Auntie Chris') I have not actually sat down to watch a show since... um... well before I moved into my apartment in November '05.
So 7:55, my alarm goes off, I get up from my nap and turn on the television. I watch the last few minutes of The Simpsons, expecting to find Drive equally uninteresting.
By the first commercial break, I'd decided not to order pizza for dinner because I didn't want to waste quality TV-watching time answering the door. I ATE CHEF BOYARDEE FOR THIS SHOW, PEOPLE.
THE RACERS
Oh Captain, My Captain
Nathan Fillion, my entire reason for watching the show, plays Alex Tully, who is, really, Mal all over again. He even has Serenity - only here it's his trusty truck, and he's the captain AND handy with a wrench. But there's that whole dichotomy of being a bad, bad man, while also being a very good man - a BDH, if you will - and I found this very comforting. Though alas, there are no knee breeches and suspenders. *pout*
Also? I squeed shamelessly at Detective Ehrle - also known as our favorite bounty hunter Jubal "Am I A Lion?" Early. This has given me hope for more Firefly/Serenity cameos.
The Stowaway
Corinna Wiles, am I supposed to like you? Because there is just something about you that sets my teeth on edge, and it's not the lying and obfuscation. Let's hope that your last name is not blatant hint-dropping on the part of TPTB, shall we?
The Guy and His Daughter
This is my favorite pair so far, though I confess I about had a heart attack when I first saw Violet, because it was a quick shot and not face-on, and I had the horrifying thought that Lindsay Lohan was playing her. Thank god, my fears were unfounded. Dylan Baker, who plays her father John, is one of those actors who, when I see him, I cannot remember a single thing he's been in, and yet I am always excited, as he trips me out no end.
The Battered Wife and Her Plastic Baby
Melanie Lynskey is another one of those, only it's because even I, cynic extraordinaire, cannot deny that she is adorable. I am supposed to love Wendy Patrakas, and I do, even when I want to smack her. Which is less often than I expected from her first scene.
The Brothers
Or half-brothers, Winston and Sean Salazar. Heretofore known as The Con and The Prep. Their scenes have thus far been mostly plot-driven, but they seem to have a load of potential for a fascinating relationship. And poking fun at the current administration, because hey, their dad's a politician and he sure sounds Republican.
The Katrina Survivors
Not that you would have known that from the show. Am I the only one who missed that part? Was I already so overwhelmed by my intense hatred for Ivy that I tuned it out, or was it really not in there? Because now that I know, I feel like I am supposed to like them, and I really don't. Although the teaser for tonight's episode makes me think that Leigh and Susan may grow on me.
I agree with Wendy, though, that she should have shot Ivy. Ivy gets under my skin like no other character thus far - I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt for the five minutes I thought she might have been the little girl from the 1970's finish line, but alas no. However, Ivy is the only one on the website without a complete bio (height, income, occupation, etc.) so I am putting 20 platinum on a Big Stupid Reveal of some sort later in the season. Sigh.
The Army Guy and His Annoying Wife
And I think I'm maybe supposed to like him, too, because who DOESN'T feel for a guy who's up for his third deployment to Iraq? Rob has a certain charisma, I suppose, but Ellie is clearly the devil incarnate, or at least one of those women who makes me ashamed to be female. You know, the type that's ruined/tortured/trapped all your Guy Friends.
Maybe Wendy can shoot her too.
THE RACE
It's fascinating, though I've not yet decided whether that's an effect of my Immediate Visceral Reaction to at least one character in every car. Some of the clues thus far have been a bit heavy-handed, but I'm putting it down to the pace leaving little room for subtlety. In all, though, I like it. I'm engaged. I'm invested, to the point that I am either going to be disappointed when some of my characters lose, or I am going to be disappointed at a neat and tidy, join-forces-to-win-and/or-take-Them-down ending where they all make it and live Happily Ever After.
I can live with the former.
To keep Tully company, we know nothing. Why is there this race? How are you chosen? Can you... apply in some way, or is EVERYONE made offers they can't refuse? Why did join the race? Specifically, that is. We have vague ideas on most of them, of course, but... well, I dunno about YOU, but I certainly wouldn't be going on an illegal and apparently deadly cross-country race just for a shot at $32 million. And there's another question: the hint from the flashback sequences is that They have a habit of killing some contestants. Is this what most of them can look forward to, or were Corinna's parents speshul in some way? (All right, HE isn't wondering this, but I sure am. And speaking of things he's not wondering: Tully, dearest, are you having hallucinations of your wife because you badly need some sleep, or have you been self-medicating, or are you crazy, or was this a really poor attempt by someone to illustrate your internal monologue?)
So let's hope that these are all going to be neatly cleared up by the end. Ahahaha. Ha. We shall see.
FORMULAE
1. Every character with a speaking part is either a racer, a cop, or one of Them. I realized this as soon as Wendy's "husband" was revealed as such; alas, the characters have not caught on ;)
2. Because black hats are so passé, They just all look kind of... sly. Slimy. Just a bit... off. I confess I would be more disappointed in this if it did not help immensely. Visual cues are nice at this pace.
3. A main character will always be Last. Being Last is Bad, according to Wendy's Slimy Not-Husband, Who Actually Seemed Capable Of Human Compassion. And how interesting would it be if, like, the old people on the motorcycle had to pay the forfeit instead?
JANE, YOU HAVE BEEN IN FANDOM TOO LONG
So there is a Moment in the parking lot at Canaveral, and my brain immediately goes, "*groan* Violet/Sean." Though they might've actually done that on purpose, my first thought was that some teenager somewhere was going to turn off the TV and go write fic. The commercial after that, I actually thought about it, and decided that Rob/Ellie is too boring, hopefully, but there will probably somewhere be some Winston/Sean dub-con, and SOMEONE is going to feel the need to give Wendy a new husband. Alas, the only quality, not-dying man on the show is Tully, so that should make for interesting interpretation and justification. The fact that I can predict the direction of the justification is mildly frightening to me.
But then I am assuming it will be popular enough to HAVE a proper fandom. So I'm probably getting ahead of myself.
So anyway. Yes. Twas a good show. I expect all your adorable arses planted in front of the television this evening at 8/7 Central *glares menacingly about the internet*
So 7:55, my alarm goes off, I get up from my nap and turn on the television. I watch the last few minutes of The Simpsons, expecting to find Drive equally uninteresting.
By the first commercial break, I'd decided not to order pizza for dinner because I didn't want to waste quality TV-watching time answering the door. I ATE CHEF BOYARDEE FOR THIS SHOW, PEOPLE.
THE RACERS
Oh Captain, My Captain
Nathan Fillion, my entire reason for watching the show, plays Alex Tully, who is, really, Mal all over again. He even has Serenity - only here it's his trusty truck, and he's the captain AND handy with a wrench. But there's that whole dichotomy of being a bad, bad man, while also being a very good man - a BDH, if you will - and I found this very comforting. Though alas, there are no knee breeches and suspenders. *pout*
Also? I squeed shamelessly at Detective Ehrle - also known as our favorite bounty hunter Jubal "Am I A Lion?" Early. This has given me hope for more Firefly/Serenity cameos.
The Stowaway
Corinna Wiles, am I supposed to like you? Because there is just something about you that sets my teeth on edge, and it's not the lying and obfuscation. Let's hope that your last name is not blatant hint-dropping on the part of TPTB, shall we?
The Guy and His Daughter
This is my favorite pair so far, though I confess I about had a heart attack when I first saw Violet, because it was a quick shot and not face-on, and I had the horrifying thought that Lindsay Lohan was playing her. Thank god, my fears were unfounded. Dylan Baker, who plays her father John, is one of those actors who, when I see him, I cannot remember a single thing he's been in, and yet I am always excited, as he trips me out no end.
The Battered Wife and Her Plastic Baby
Melanie Lynskey is another one of those, only it's because even I, cynic extraordinaire, cannot deny that she is adorable. I am supposed to love Wendy Patrakas, and I do, even when I want to smack her. Which is less often than I expected from her first scene.
The Brothers
Or half-brothers, Winston and Sean Salazar. Heretofore known as The Con and The Prep. Their scenes have thus far been mostly plot-driven, but they seem to have a load of potential for a fascinating relationship. And poking fun at the current administration, because hey, their dad's a politician and he sure sounds Republican.
The Katrina Survivors
Not that you would have known that from the show. Am I the only one who missed that part? Was I already so overwhelmed by my intense hatred for Ivy that I tuned it out, or was it really not in there? Because now that I know, I feel like I am supposed to like them, and I really don't. Although the teaser for tonight's episode makes me think that Leigh and Susan may grow on me.
I agree with Wendy, though, that she should have shot Ivy. Ivy gets under my skin like no other character thus far - I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt for the five minutes I thought she might have been the little girl from the 1970's finish line, but alas no. However, Ivy is the only one on the website without a complete bio (height, income, occupation, etc.) so I am putting 20 platinum on a Big Stupid Reveal of some sort later in the season. Sigh.
The Army Guy and His Annoying Wife
And I think I'm maybe supposed to like him, too, because who DOESN'T feel for a guy who's up for his third deployment to Iraq? Rob has a certain charisma, I suppose, but Ellie is clearly the devil incarnate, or at least one of those women who makes me ashamed to be female. You know, the type that's ruined/tortured/trapped all your Guy Friends.
Maybe Wendy can shoot her too.
THE RACE
It's fascinating, though I've not yet decided whether that's an effect of my Immediate Visceral Reaction to at least one character in every car. Some of the clues thus far have been a bit heavy-handed, but I'm putting it down to the pace leaving little room for subtlety. In all, though, I like it. I'm engaged. I'm invested, to the point that I am either going to be disappointed when some of my characters lose, or I am going to be disappointed at a neat and tidy, join-forces-to-win-and/or-take-Them-down ending where they all make it and live Happily Ever After.
I can live with the former.
To keep Tully company, we know nothing. Why is there this race? How are you chosen? Can you... apply in some way, or is EVERYONE made offers they can't refuse? Why did join the race? Specifically, that is. We have vague ideas on most of them, of course, but... well, I dunno about YOU, but I certainly wouldn't be going on an illegal and apparently deadly cross-country race just for a shot at $32 million. And there's another question: the hint from the flashback sequences is that They have a habit of killing some contestants. Is this what most of them can look forward to, or were Corinna's parents speshul in some way? (All right, HE isn't wondering this, but I sure am. And speaking of things he's not wondering: Tully, dearest, are you having hallucinations of your wife because you badly need some sleep, or have you been self-medicating, or are you crazy, or was this a really poor attempt by someone to illustrate your internal monologue?)
So let's hope that these are all going to be neatly cleared up by the end. Ahahaha. Ha. We shall see.
FORMULAE
1. Every character with a speaking part is either a racer, a cop, or one of Them. I realized this as soon as Wendy's "husband" was revealed as such; alas, the characters have not caught on ;)
2. Because black hats are so passé, They just all look kind of... sly. Slimy. Just a bit... off. I confess I would be more disappointed in this if it did not help immensely. Visual cues are nice at this pace.
3. A main character will always be Last. Being Last is Bad, according to Wendy's Slimy Not-Husband, Who Actually Seemed Capable Of Human Compassion. And how interesting would it be if, like, the old people on the motorcycle had to pay the forfeit instead?
JANE, YOU HAVE BEEN IN FANDOM TOO LONG
So there is a Moment in the parking lot at Canaveral, and my brain immediately goes, "*groan* Violet/Sean." Though they might've actually done that on purpose, my first thought was that some teenager somewhere was going to turn off the TV and go write fic. The commercial after that, I actually thought about it, and decided that Rob/Ellie is too boring, hopefully, but there will probably somewhere be some Winston/Sean dub-con, and SOMEONE is going to feel the need to give Wendy a new husband. Alas, the only quality, not-dying man on the show is Tully, so that should make for interesting interpretation and justification. The fact that I can predict the direction of the justification is mildly frightening to me.
But then I am assuming it will be popular enough to HAVE a proper fandom. So I'm probably getting ahead of myself.
So anyway. Yes. Twas a good show. I expect all your adorable arses planted in front of the television this evening at 8/7 Central *glares menacingly about the internet*