TV Meme (9/30)
Day 09 - Best scene ever
I don't even know how to begin to pinpoint this one down. I have so many shows that I love, each with individual episodes that I love, and each episode has wonderful scenes. It's hard enough to pick a favorite show, let alone a favorite scene.
A scene does come to mind, however. And that scene is in the final moments of "Pusher" from season 3 of The X-Files. In that scene the villain has Mulder under mind control and forces him to play a deadly game of Russian roulette.
Now, is it the best scene ever in the history of television? Um, no. So why do I love watching that episode and specifically that scene over and over and over again? Because I have a not-so-secret passion for mellow dramatic tropes, such as mind control, amnesia, insanity, possession, etc. I happen to love scenes and shows in which a character's mind and/or body is no longer under their own control. Mostly these scenes tend, as I mentioned, to be very mellow dramatic and cheesy. I love them all the same, and go back to watch them over and over again. Scenes such as when a spider crawls inside Will's body, creating a psychic link to another creature and messing with his mind in Sanctuary (season 2, "Kali 1&2"), or when Xander gets possessed by a hyena in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (season 1, "The Pack"), or even the entire concept of The Dollhouse in which Echo is the only one of the dolls who manages to start to break free of the mind control.
When it comes to these kinds of scenes and shows in which the concept of personal control over mind and body is at the forefront, I can't help but be fascinated. It doesn't even have to be good, really. I'm not even fully sure what draws me to this kind of thing, except there is something there about the nature of self and self control, about the mind and who we are if we are not in control of our thoughts and actions. A lot of big questions that don't really have answers, but which are fun to play out in odd, cheesy, mellow dramatic ways.
The Rest of the Days...
Day 01 - A show that should have never been canceled
Day 02 - A show that you wish more people were watching
Day 03 - Your favorite new show (aired this TV season)
Day 04 - Your favorite show ever
Day 05 - A show you hate
Day 06 - Favorite episode of your favorite TV show
[Day 07 - No Topic in original list, so not posted]
Day 08 - A show everyone should watch
...
Day 10 - A show you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A show that disappointed you
Day 12 - An episode you’ve watched more than 5 times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood show
Day 14 - Favorite male character
Day 15 - Favorite female character
Day 16 - Your guilty pleasure show
Day 17 - Favorite mini series
Day 18 - Favorite title sequence
Day 19 - Best TV show cast
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite ship
Day 22 - Favorite series finale
Day 23 - Most annoying character
Day 24 - Best quote
Day 25 - A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Day 26 - OMG WTF? Season finale
Day 27 - Best pilot episode
Day 28 - First TV show obsession
Day 29 - Current TV show obsession
Day 30 - Saddest character death
I don't even know how to begin to pinpoint this one down. I have so many shows that I love, each with individual episodes that I love, and each episode has wonderful scenes. It's hard enough to pick a favorite show, let alone a favorite scene.
A scene does come to mind, however. And that scene is in the final moments of "Pusher" from season 3 of The X-Files. In that scene the villain has Mulder under mind control and forces him to play a deadly game of Russian roulette.
Now, is it the best scene ever in the history of television? Um, no. So why do I love watching that episode and specifically that scene over and over and over again? Because I have a not-so-secret passion for mellow dramatic tropes, such as mind control, amnesia, insanity, possession, etc. I happen to love scenes and shows in which a character's mind and/or body is no longer under their own control. Mostly these scenes tend, as I mentioned, to be very mellow dramatic and cheesy. I love them all the same, and go back to watch them over and over again. Scenes such as when a spider crawls inside Will's body, creating a psychic link to another creature and messing with his mind in Sanctuary (season 2, "Kali 1&2"), or when Xander gets possessed by a hyena in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (season 1, "The Pack"), or even the entire concept of The Dollhouse in which Echo is the only one of the dolls who manages to start to break free of the mind control.
When it comes to these kinds of scenes and shows in which the concept of personal control over mind and body is at the forefront, I can't help but be fascinated. It doesn't even have to be good, really. I'm not even fully sure what draws me to this kind of thing, except there is something there about the nature of self and self control, about the mind and who we are if we are not in control of our thoughts and actions. A lot of big questions that don't really have answers, but which are fun to play out in odd, cheesy, mellow dramatic ways.
The Rest of the Days...
Day 01 - A show that should have never been canceled
Day 02 - A show that you wish more people were watching
Day 03 - Your favorite new show (aired this TV season)
Day 04 - Your favorite show ever
Day 05 - A show you hate
Day 06 - Favorite episode of your favorite TV show
[Day 07 - No Topic in original list, so not posted]
Day 08 - A show everyone should watch
...
Day 10 - A show you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving
Day 11 - A show that disappointed you
Day 12 - An episode you’ve watched more than 5 times
Day 13 - Favorite childhood show
Day 14 - Favorite male character
Day 15 - Favorite female character
Day 16 - Your guilty pleasure show
Day 17 - Favorite mini series
Day 18 - Favorite title sequence
Day 19 - Best TV show cast
Day 20 - Favorite kiss
Day 21 - Favorite ship
Day 22 - Favorite series finale
Day 23 - Most annoying character
Day 24 - Best quote
Day 25 - A show you plan on watching (old or new)
Day 26 - OMG WTF? Season finale
Day 27 - Best pilot episode
Day 28 - First TV show obsession
Day 29 - Current TV show obsession
Day 30 - Saddest character death