Heroes Episode 2.11 - Powerless

[weewarrior]

Interestingly enough, there was a Life episode of the same name a few weeks back. It's all connected, apparently. Spoilers for the episode behind the cut:

So, first of all, when the Alias writing room was disbanded, Jesse Alexander did make away with the stash of very bad crack, didn't he? And he deliberately seems to share it with his new colleagues, if this whole (half-)season is any indication.

Before I start in earnest, let me briefly address that next-to-last scene. I find it pretty unlikely that Nathan is actually dead - they coped out of actually saying it, for one, and the bloodcure has been used so prominently, I highly doubt they wouldn't apply it in this situation. Besides, that whole conversation between him, Peter and Matt in the vault certainly leaves a lot of wiggle room for setups.

Should he stay dead for some reason, though, I'm using this as a handy excuse to drop the show from my schedule - I don't think anyone here will be at all surprised when I say that I'm not really watching for either the plot or any of the other characters.*g*

But onto the rest of the episode:

- Claire's willingness to bring down the Company was admirable, but indeed a little overly risky. Her discussion with Sandra in the beginning was emotionally believable and heartfelt from both sides (yay for Ashley Crow especially) and she finally shows some of the spine she's been missing for so long.

- Said spine thankfully didn't go away when West confronted her about her plan, which - how exactly did he even know about this? Not that I think he'll actually return, so the question whether or not he had a deeper agenda is pretty irrelevant, but with his insistence on Secrets being cool, he was firmly back in creepy territory.

- Claire: "You won't leave me, will you, Mr. Muggles!" - Muggles: *scutters away hurriedly*

- So, Bennet is back with the Company? That's convenient. I still think that wasn't him who shot Nathan in the end, though. Even if it was just a body double, they wouldn't have taken someone who is half Coleman's size and height.

- Lyle actually had text!

- Surprisingly enough, I actually found the scenes between Sylar and Mohinder pretty entertaining - these two actors really have awesome chemistry.

- Maya on the other hand doesn't, with either of them, but as little as I liked her and her storyline, I am relieved that she wasn't just killed off. Maybe they can give her a personality now, or send her on a hitchhiking trip around the world to find herself and fittingly grief Alejandro.

- Poor Molly really needs a lot of therapy now. Maybe together with Micah. Poor kids.

- I loved how open Niki's death scene was - I have heard rumours that Ali Larter asked to be released from the show, so I'm not sure she will be back, but at least they could bring her back if they wanted. And at least she got to kick some ass in the end, even without her superpowers. What a tragic family though.

- Speaking of tragic, I guess this was Monica's Uncle Ben moment? If so, I love it that she got a strong female role model in Niki, and hope she will try to emulate her and her heroics instead of sinking into self-doubt first.

- Adam and Hiro: aww, that was cute. Hiro created his own supervillain nemesis! ...and then he buried him alive, because he couldn't kill him. I guess that means Adam will be back next Volume, depending on how long it takes him to scratch through the concrete. Watch out, Ando!

- Matt and Nathan: "We don't talk about that ever again." - "Agreed." Loved Nathan having to rearrange his back after this. Also - nice subtext here, guys.

- Elle and Bob: definitely challenging the Petrellis for most dysfunctional family dynamics. I like them and am glad they'll probably both stick around, but as of now, Elle's scenes with Daddy Dearest are by far her most interesting ones. Maybe she'll get the opportunity to develop more now that she's made friends outside the Company?

- Angela and Nathan: still as dysfunctional as ever, and for what it's worth, I am glad that he finally gets to be angry at her. Nonetheless I don't believe that her scene with the phone in the end means she put out a hit on him or was otherwise involved in the shooting incident - if it was even orchestrated by the Company that is. As I said above, I hope this was either anticipated by Team Reveal The Powers, or they set it up themselves to put pressure on the Company, which would mean Angela was talking to Nathan in the end.


And that's basically all I have to say about this episode. Writing these reviews has been fun, and I will keep it up in some fashion for the other shows I watch. For Heroes, this mostly depends on Nathan's return, as mentioned above, but even then it won't be regularly as I couldn' t stomach having to think up coherent stuff about something like Kindred again...

Comments

[selenak.livejournal.com]

"You won't leave me, will you, Mr. Muggles!" - Muggles: *scutters away hurriedly*

I so loved this. Truly deeply. The way they use this dog on the show is masterful.

I have heard rumours that Ali Larter asked to be released from the show, so I'm not sure she will be back, but at least they could bring her back if they wanted.

Absolutely. They can bring her back, or not, because again, no dead body shown onscreen, plus fire and explosions, well, I watched Twin Peaks. (Niki as Catherine Martell?)

Matt and Nathan: "We don't talk about that ever again." - "Agreed." Loved Nathan having to rearrange his back after this. Also - nice subtext here, guys.

ROTFLOL. Yes. What is it with Matt and his detecting partners, and Nathan and, well, most people?

Re: Elle, what I really appreciate is that each time we see her, the character gets fleshed out a bit more, she doesn't come across as repetitive or one note, so yes, I think we'll see more development.

Angela and Nathan: still as dysfunctional as ever, and for what it's worth, I am glad that he finally gets to be angry at her.

He was in the season opener, but I know what you mean. The way he said "Mom" the second time was a far colder and hence more cutting way of anger than "You're evil, Ma".

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

The way they use this dog on the show is masterful.

Yup. And such a gifted little dog ... actor.

Absolutely. They can bring her back, or not, because again, no dead body shown onscreen, plus fire and explosions, well, I watched Twin Peaks. (Niki as Catherine Martell?)

Hee. Does that mean she'll disguise herself as a Japanese gentleman, too?

ROTFLOL. Yes. What is it with Matt and his detecting partners, and Nathan and, well, most people?

It's just honest, old-fashioned male bonding.

He was in the season opener, but I know what you mean. The way he said "Mom" the second time was a far colder and hence more cutting way of anger than "You're evil, Ma".

I put his actions in the premiere down to being drunk, so I'm glad they stuck with it, actually.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

Does that mean she'll disguise herself as a Japanese gentleman, too?

And immediately my mind goes to Catherine in disguise kissing Pete Martell, and I wonder whom Niki in Japanese disguise would kiss.*veg*

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Well, who knows... speaking of kissing, that scene where Peter and Nathan hug, and there is a very odd cut right after Pasdar grabs Milo's neck? Apparently they did actually kiss per the commentary, although Allan Arkush emphasized that it was a brotherly kiss. I guess that's why it got cut, then...

[selenak.livejournal.com]

What now? Also, is there a transcript of the commentary already for us non-Americans? Also, DELETED SCENES IN THE DVD!

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

No transcript that I know of, sadly. But yes, deleted broyay scenes would be nice!

(Actually, I sometimes do idly wonder if the actors actually have a thing. Which would be cool in some way. [And yes, in my head Natalie is okay with that.])

[selenak.livejournal.com]

So, if there is no transcript, how did you hear about it?

(Well, it's a cliché about actors and rockstars that they're open to non monogamous relationships. I will say that whether or not they have a thing, they certainly are the two most enamored with each other co-stars of either gender I've heard of, and after two years of working together, the honeymoon period where everyone is nice about everyone else and says good things for publicity is long over.)

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

So, if there is no transcript, how did you hear about it?

One of the Americans in the hoyay thread on TWOP said it. Let me quote:
Yes there was a cut kiss. Adam Arkush said so in the commentary, after Wendy mentioned that,"They look like they're about the kiss". He said it was a brotherly kiss, but we all know what that means."

So, it actually could have been on the cheek...

they certainly are the two most enamored with each other co-stars of either gender I've heard of, and after two years of working together, the honeymoon period where everyone is nice about everyone else and says good things for publicity is long over.

Yes, that was my feeling also. It's cute, somehow.

[selenak.livejournal.com]

So, it actually could have been on the cheek...

Well, I doubt they would have cut either a kiss to the cheek or to the head, as there are precedents to both.

It's cute, somehow.

It is. BTW, have you seen this Pasdar interview?

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20163930,00.html

Mostly about the musical he co-directed, but also about the YouTube vids and other neat things. What he says about Heroes doesn't sound as if he got the "err, Adrian, you might not be back" phonecall from Kring:

We all have great faith in the writing team that puts together Heroes. Season 3 is going to be very interesting to see what happens and how they're able to take the lessons that we've learned, and really tell the story that they want to tell without losing an audience. Because the goal at the end of the day is to have as many people watch the show as you can. What's challenging is: It's not stupid TV, it's not a reality program. It actually is complex. There's many layers to Heroes. Tim's not averse to risk-taking, as he has proven in the episodes of season 2.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

I read that one. I read one other with Kring, that basically said both Nathan's and Niki's situation is "dire" (which to me means they'll both be back), I saw an interview with Adrian by yon harpy Kristin Veitch, where he is all "I can't say anything, but come on, you know how it goes." and that she basically could reuse the footage where everyone asked him about the beard (which could either mean that he comes back or not, since I can't bloody read the guy. All I know is that having to do the whole thing again probably gets on his nerves and that he looks tiny next to Leonard Roberts.).
I've seen another interview with Jack Coleman, where he was basically slithering around the question whether anyone was dead or not, which left me again with the impression that no one kicked it. I've heard other rumours that sound less positive, but so vague that I'm not entirely sure I buy them (I have no idea if you want to know or not, given spoilerfree status and all).

So, ultimately, I stand by my initial interpretation that it would be dumb to let him go, but really, who knows?

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

Wait, what Kring interview? Is it at EW as well?

I'm trying to remember how they handled previous deaths. I don't think they were ever interrogated on Isaac and DL's deaths. Everyone seemed to accept them, and there were vague "oh, you never know"s on the subject of whether they were gone for good. The current cageyness resembles the way they reacted to questions about Matt, Nathan, and Peter after HtSaEM.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

The Kring interview is a TV guide one, and it should still be on their main page.

I agree that the cageyness is pretty much the same way they reacted to the question of Matt, Peter and Nathan last season. Adrian was on a talkshow last night and did the exact same thing where he started out with talking about his involvement in the show in the past tense and ended up somewhere more vague in the present tense. And I don't quite believe that he doesn't know (at least I hope not. Stringing him along for at least until his current contract runs out seems pretty cheap.)

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I saw that one eventually. His phrasing absolutely doesn't sound like they are dead.

And I don't quite believe that he doesn't know (at least I hope not. Stringing him along for at least until his current contract runs out seems pretty cheap.)

He can't possibly be in the dark. They've shot 12, 13, and possibly some of 14. And we know from previous deaths that the actor gets a call about it before they get the script (despite the way the actors joke about worriedly reading their scripts. So if Nathan is dead, Adrian knows. But if he were dead, I don't think he'd be nearly so successful in stringing us along.

BTW, which talk show?

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

He can't possibly be in the dark. They've shot 12, 13, and possibly some of 14. And we know from previous deaths that the actor gets a call about it before they get the script (despite the way the actors joke about worriedly reading their scripts. So if Nathan is dead, Adrian knows. But if he were dead, I don't think he'd be nearly so successful in stringing us along.

One caveat might be that the storyline for 12, 13 and 14 was really supposed to go different, so they may have decided this pretty much on the fly, but either way, he's a regular, they would have told him. (On the other hand, Leonard said in the Eonline interview I mentioned above that they told him pretty late, so take that as you will. I'm not sure I quite believe that, either, though.)

As for Adrian stringing us along - I'm not incredibly good at reading him, but he usually seems to fold like a paper cup when asked in a more roundabout way, and really seems a bit exasperated by the whole need to be this secretive, so he is either really zen about being off the show, or he is reasonably sure that he is still on it.

Talk show: Tavis Smiley. clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr4eJbUo1ew)

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

One caveat might be that the storyline for 12, 13 and 14 was really supposed to go different, so they may have decided this pretty much on the fly, but either way, he's a regular, they would have told him.

Yeah, but we don't really know when they started changing things around. Once they knew the strike was inevitable, they could have started shifting things. And I maintain that, as long as we presume that Nathan was supposed to be in the hospital, it's not that different. If, however, Peter and Matt have a killer to chase, then the episodes have to be entirely different and they can't use any of the stuff they filmed.

(On the other hand, Leonard said in the Eonline interview I mentioned above that they told him pretty late, so take that as you will. I'm not sure I quite believe that, either, though.)

Leonard was in a weird situation, though. He knew before the season started that he wasn't a regular anymore. So what does he mean by being told late? Was he told late that Niki and Micah would have a scene at his grave? Or that he would film a death scene? Or even that his contract wasn't being picked up as a regular?

and really seems a bit exasperated by the whole need to be this secretive, so he is either really zen about being off the show, or he is reasonably sure that he is still on it.

Given that he bought a house in LA and is doing his play there just to be close to Heroes... I somehow doubt he'd be so zen. And, yeah, the other interviews before the episode came out lack any of this cageyness, so I think he easily forgets he's supposed to be doing it.

Thanks for the link!

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but we don't really know when they started changing things around. Once they knew the strike was inevitable, they could have started shifting things. And I maintain that, as long as we presume that Nathan was supposed to be in the hospital, it's not that different. If, however, Peter and Matt have a killer to chase, then the episodes have to be entirely different and they can't use any of the stuff they filmed.

That's a very good point. They would have to tweak it a little bit, since Suffering-from-Virus Nathan would absolutely have been isolated, while Suffering-from-Gunshots Nathan would likely only need protective custody, but they might still be able to use some of that stuff.

Leonard was in a weird situation, though. He knew before the season started that he wasn't a regular anymore. So what does he mean by being told late?

I have no idea, but from one case in VM, I think it is possible that they retroactively rework your contracts. On the other hand, Teddy Dunn simply got his number of episodes reduced, while Leonard became a special guest star instead of a regular, so - I guess he simply didn't know at once that he wouldn't come back? Or that he thought D.L. would make it? I heard rumours that he was originally supposed to be in the promo pictures and was even there when they shot them, so that decision could have come really late.

Given that he bought a house in LA and is doing his play there just to be close to Heroes... I somehow doubt he'd be so zen.

That's a pretty good point, especially since I think I read somewhere that he doesn't enjoy living in LA that much.

Re: cageyness in interviews: I actually meant the way he dealt with not spilling Nathan's situation after last season's finale. He pretty much told all the foreign press that he was alive, unless it was a very official or a print interview.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

since Suffering-from-Virus Nathan would absolutely have been isolated, while Suffering-from-Gunshots Nathan would likely only need protective custody, but they might still be able to use some of that stuff.

There'd still definitely be a lot of retooling, since whatever scenes of containing the virus would have to be cut completely, but we have no idea how far they got with that. They got to the point of scouting locations, but who knows if the ever shot anything.

Or that he thought D.L. would make it? I heard rumours that he was originally supposed to be in the promo pictures and was even there when they shot them, so that decision could have come really late.

I've seen those promo pics, actually. And is it pathetic that I can piece together a time line here? Those pics were shot before Milo cut his hair. I could have sworn he had shorter hair at the wrap party in April. They started shooting in June, and I know the deadline for contract pick ups was sometime in May. So they probably didn't tell him and took him in for promo shots, and then let it go down to the wire about whether to new the contract.

Re: cageyness in interviews: I actually meant the way he dealt with not spilling Nathan's situation after last season's finale. He pretty much told all the foreign press that he was alive, unless it was a very official or a print interview.

Ahahahaha, I'd never heard that. I know that Milo was actually far better at cageyness, but that didn't really amount to much. There was one interview where Hayden practically stomped on his foot to get him to shut up.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

They started shooting in June, and I know the deadline for contract pick ups was sometime in May. So they probably didn't tell him and took him in for promo shots, and then let it go down to the wire about whether to new the contract.

What I'm wondering is whether they would do the same thing to Adrian, but on the other hand the situation does seem to be a bit different, not least since they would probably have to revoke his current contract instead of not renewing it. And, seriously, he doesn't seem to me like he's not in the know. The question is simply whether they'll change their opinion.

Ahahahaha, I'd never heard that.

There were a couple of situations, mostly informal, where he more or less let it slip. I mean, one reporter cornered him in a dressing room during the Global TV thingy back in June/July and asked him if he really died and he answered "apparently not."

And yeah, I think I remember the foot stomping incident.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

And, seriously, he doesn't seem to me like he's not in the know. The question is simply whether they'll change their opinion.

Yeah, I totally think he knows what's going on. Not in the least because it's really implausible. The idea that he doesn't only works on people who don't know they've shot more episodes.

I mean, one reporter cornered him in a dressing room during the Global TV thingy back in June/July and asked him if he really died and he answered "apparently not."

Ha! And here I thought Grunberg was the one with loose lips. Although, of course, he's pretty bad too. I watched an interview with him before 0.07% and ended up getting pretty badly spoiled about his escape.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

The idea that he doesn't only works on people who don't know they've shot more episodes.

My one fear would be that they indeed changed their minds from what would have happened in that storyline.

Ha! And here I thought Grunberg was the one with loose lips.

Greg is really bad, but Adrian under the right circumstances does say stuff. I mean, he did spill that he could fly in one Comic Con interview (although at least he asked the guy if he had seen the pilot first).

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

My one fear would be that they indeed changed their minds from what would have happened in that storyline.

Well, if he's currently around and they shot with him, I think it's probably more reshoots to remove him and a real hassle (I'm hoping).

I mean, he did spill that he could fly in one Comic Con interview (although at least he asked the guy if he had seen the pilot first).

Heh, yeah, that's a pretty bad one.

[mimesh.livejournal.com]

I'm still mildly shocked that I accidentally called the cliffhanger last week although we both quickly dismissed it.

Also re: Your cut:

I'm wondering about Angela's remark. To be honest, Peter and Matt looked too shocked for me to believe the assassination was staged. Apparently Angela and the Company agree that keeping the mutants a secret is the highest priority. Why the assassin was only shooting Nathan and not Matt or Peter doesn't make any sense, though.
Anyway, my guess is that Angela referred to Peter and what he probably in cooperation with the other mutants might do now. I don't know if she knew about Claire's plans to go public but she knows Claire good enough to imagine what side Claire will be on. They are basically asking for a rebellion.

Also another thought regarding Nathan's fate:

Do you remember those location spoilers about Peter and Mohinder? They were looking for a set that could pass a warehouse in Odessa. Mohinder knows about Claire's blood, so Mohinder + Peter in Odessa = good news for Nathan, right? On the other hand I'm not sure how much of the partly filmed episodes and originally planned story lines they scratched due to the alternate ending.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

I'm still mildly shocked that I accidentally called the cliffhanger last week although we both quickly dismissed it.


That was some good guesswork right there, actually! I have to admit after I heard that Nathan has a dead or alive cliffhanger again, I was so convinced they would do the virus outbreak storyline, I didn't even consider anything else.

Re: Shooting: I don't think this makes sense at all, to be honest, but given that they slapped this ending together over one weekend, I'm not particularly surprised. I could imagine if it was a genuine attempt that they mostly wanted to create chaos, but mostly I think it wasn't really well thought out.

Re: Location spoilers: I think those were definitely for the virus storyline, sorry. :/

[red-pen-wrists.livejournal.com]

i love reading your reviews. :)

About Angela's call...(i hope you dont mind if i throw my theory into the mix), what if she was talking to future peter? gah!

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Thank you. *g*

(i hope you dont mind if i throw my theory into the mix)

Not at all!

Future Peter might be a possibility, though it might be a little difficult to explain. They definitely left it rather open as to who it could be.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

oved how open Niki's death scene was - I have heard rumours that Ali Larter asked to be released from the show, so I'm not sure she will be back, but at least they could bring her back if they wanted. And at least she got to kick some ass in the end, even without her superpowers.

I'm starting to think that, despite the flailing it causes, Heroes should write more death scenes. They always bring the characters up to their fullest, most sympathetic potential right before killing them. So, just do that, make them not dead, and keep the positive character development!

If so, I love it that she got a strong female role model in Niki, and hope she will try to emulate her and her heroics instead of sinking into self-doubt first.

Me too. Actually, if Niki isn't dead, I would really love to see a mentoring relationship between those two. Niki may not have a lot of superheroing experience, but she does have a lot of experience with criminals, and could be a cynical, realistic counterpoint to Monica idealism (a partnership set up that Heroes is quite fond of).

I like them and am glad they'll probably both stick around, but as of now, Elle's scenes with Daddy Dearest are by far her most interesting ones. Maybe she'll get the opportunity to develop more now that she's made friends outside the Company?

That's definitely the route they are going, I think. I wonder to what degree Elle will parallel Claire, though. Claire had a rebellion against her father and the Company, so does that mean Elle is next up for that? Contact with Mohinder, Molly, and possibly Maya may change her perspective on the Company. And, of course, Noah will probably undermine her relationship with Bob to the best of his ability.

For Heroes, this mostly depends on Nathan's return, as mentioned above, but even then it won't be regularly as I couldn' t stomach having to think up coherent stuff about something like Kindred again...

:( Although, I suppose we can talk about Life. I haven't seen the new episode yet, though. I'm waiting for part two, and I'm going to watch it with a friend. And then Tin Man! For so-bad-it's-good-hilarity (exact reason we watched Solarbabies last night).

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

I'm starting to think that, despite the flailing it causes, Heroes should write more death scenes. They always bring the characters up to their fullest, most sympathetic potential right before killing them. So, just do that, make them not dead, and keep the positive character development!

You're putting a very pragmatic spin on it. :)

I wonder to what degree Elle will parallel Claire, though. Claire had a rebellion against her father and the Company, so does that mean Elle is next up for that?

I'm pretty sure she is; I mean, she's angry at Bob already, even though it got quickly buried under her fear of being abandoned.

:( Although, I suppose we can talk about Life.

Aww. We can absolutely talk about Life, it's one of the ones I was planning to review, anyway. And I'm sure there will be other genre shows that are enjoyable.

Tin Man - I had thought about watching that. Is it very bad?

Solarbabies - I ... may have seen that a few years after it came out, actually. I really have known Adrian Pasdar for a really long time.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

You're putting a very pragmatic spin on it. :)

Everyone always complains about the characters suddenly becoming likable as soon as they die, so they should capitalize on that!

I'm pretty sure she is; I mean, she's angry at Bob already, even though it got quickly buried under her fear of being abandoned.

And as soon as she finds some security elsewhere and gets used to the fact that she can handle the outside world and doesn't have to be locked up, Bob is in for some trouble. Although, being family, he'll probably be undermining that development every step of the way. Hmm, sounds vaugely Petrelli-like.

Aww. We can absolutely talk about Life, it's one of the ones I was planning to review, anyway. And I'm sure there will be other genre shows that are enjoyable.

I keep meaning to review Life, but I usually watch it on Fridays with a whole slew of other stuff, and inevitably forget.

Other genre shows... uh, not so much, at the moment. There will be BSG soon, but usually thinking about it too much makes me depressed or angry. Or maybe that's just because my only foray into the fandom was extremely negative.

Tin Man - I had thought about watching that. Is it very bad?

It's supposed to be terrible. No idea, but my friend downloaded it, so we're going to find out!

Solarbabies - I ... may have seen that a few years after it came out, actually. I really have known Adrian Pasdar for a really long time.

Hee. I only knew it as "that film that I always picked up and immediately put down in the rental store." Oh-so-bad.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Other genre shows... uh, not so much, at the moment.

There might be new ones, next season. Some might even be good.

It's supposed to be terrible. No idea, but my friend downloaded it, so we're going to find out!

Have fun! Maybe I'll download it, so we could dissect it later.

Life: did you know there is a second episode this Wednesday? Sadly enough they are on hiatus after that.

I only knew it as "that film that I always picked up and immediately put down in the rental store."

I don't remember anything of it, but this should be a very apt description.

One of his older ones which is actually quite good is Near Dark, but seriously, he has gotten a lot better as an actor since then.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

There might be new ones, next season. Some might even be good.

That's what I thought this year, but the only genre show I'm keeping of the newbies is Chuck. :/

Life: did you know there is a second episode this Wednesday? Sadly enough they are on hiatus after that.

Yep, I know! My friend and I are going to watch the two-parter as a movie.

I don't remember anything of it, but this should be a very apt description.

I'd say it's extremely forgettable, but since it involves the kid from witness clinging to a glowy orb that cured his deafness while people rollerskate around a desert and Adrian Pasdar is a pseudo mystic with crazy hair and an owl... it's actually not!

Yeah, I've heard that Near Dark is pretty good. I've always wondered if I could find it in a DVD store here.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

That's what I thought this year, but the only genre show I'm keeping of the newbies is Chuck. :/

Well, admittedly, Bionic Woman and Reaper both suck. Don't know about Journeyman... is there anything else with a sci-fi/fantasy touch?

I'd say it's extremely forgettable, but since it involves the kid from witness clinging to a glowy orb that cured his deafness while people rollerskate around a desert and Adrian Pasdar is a pseudo mystic with crazy hair and an owl... it's actually not!

Oh dear, I'm pretty sure I have seen that...

I've always wondered if I could find it in a DVD store here.

It's worth looking for - I mean, it has all those actors from James Cameron movies, and Pasdar is really pretty!

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

I actually like Reaper okay. I think I'll catch up with it over the hiatus, but it's certainly nothing stellar. It's got CW-itis all over it: potential, but no follow through. Instead they've decided to be repetitive and formulaic. I checked out Journeyman for two episodes, and decided it wasn't for me. The only other genre show right now that I can think of (besides Pushing Daisies) is Moonlight and... no. I watched that show back when it was a) Angel and b) good.

Who knows when Joss will get around to making Dollhouse, too. Maybe next year, maybe not. Sounds like there's not going to be much of a pilot season this year, if the strike goes on any longer.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Reaper: I made the mistake of watching this directly after Chuck, and they are pretty similar on a superficial level, so it was bound to get on my nerves in the first place, but I also really hated the humour and the characters, so I passed this one.

Journeyman: didn't interest me the least; Moonlight: sounds horrible, and after VM I'll need a few years until I can see Jason Dohring's face again without twitching (not because of him personally).

Sounds like there's not going to be much of a pilot season this year, if the strike goes on any longer.

Hmm. We could try to find something older to watch together.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

Yeah, at first I thought I could cope with the similarities between Chuck and Reaper, but as it's gone on, it's just grated. I think they must have known that people would end up choosing sides.

Hmm. We could try to find something older to watch together.

Maybe. I keep meaning to make my way through Twins Peaks and Homicide, but then I get bored. Might be moot point, though, since I'm wandering off to Thailand and Cambodia for a month starting mid-January, and I probably won't spend that much time around TVs and computers anyway.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

I think they must have known that people would end up choosing sides.

Presumably. It's like B5 and DS9, only this time, DS9 is clearly better than the competition.

I keep meaning to make my way through Twins Peaks and Homicide, but then I get bored.

I think Twin Peaks is still almost singularly responsible for a lot of my TV kinks. And for my fear of BOBs. But seriously, the show drops off majorly after the first ten or eleven episodes. No need to watch the rest, unless you absolutely need to see David Duchovny in drag.

Homicide I haven't watched yet, and I'm not sure I'm really into cop dramas anymore.

I've tried to get into Farscape for the longest of times, but it's somehow not my thing...

Maybe we should just stick with Life.

Might be moot point, though, since I'm wandering off to Thailand and Cambodia for a month starting mid-January, and I probably won't spend that much time around TVs and computers anyway.

Holidays?

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

I think Twin Peaks is still almost singularly responsible for a lot of my TV kinks. And for my fear of BOBs. But seriously, the show drops off majorly after the first ten or eleven episodes. No need to watch the rest, unless you absolutely need to see David Duchovny in drag.

That's... kind of a bad sign, because I already find it fairly boring. The high school drama elements of it took me entirely by surprise and really undercut my enjoyment. The David Duchovny stuff I'm sure I could youtube.

Homicide I haven't watched yet, and I'm not sure I'm really into cop dramas anymore.

I like the style of it, but it's a little too dry. I don't care much for most of the characters, and I'm not that interested in the cases. However, it's supposed to be a seminal TV show, so I'm determined to get through it at some point.


I've tried to get into Farscape for the longest of times, but it's somehow not my thing...

I liked Farscape, but I did watch it in all of two weeks. Cracky to the point where I'm not sure I could have been a regular viewer if I'd tried to watch it in real time. The lack of science makes me a little headdesky. But, OTOH, the twinning arc in the third season is such brilliant characterization that I can't help but love it. And I do have my kink for crazy characters.

Maybe we should just stick with Life.

Yeah... I get that feeling.

Holidays?

Yep! I'm pretty far North, and the winter is ridiculously cold (especially for a desert rat like me), so a friend and I are heading down to Thailand for around half of our break, right after the holiday finishes for the rest of the country. Luckily, we get an insane amount of time off in the winter -- due to said ridiculous cold.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

I liked Farscape, but I did watch it in all of two weeks. Cracky to the point where I'm not sure I could have been a regular viewer if I'd tried to watch it in real time. The lack of science makes me a little headdesky. But, OTOH, the twinning arc in the third season is such brilliant characterization that I can't help but love it.

It was a bit too cracky for my taste I'm afraid - and I really have a definite problem with wacky aliens, so a lot of the more sci-fi-y elements didn't work for me. Adding to that, my favourite character is Crais (I know), and I pretty much hate John Crichton. (Love the others, though.) Season 3 I still mean to watch, though.

I'm pretty far North, and the winter is ridiculously cold (especially for a desert rat like me), so a friend and I are heading down to Thailand for around half of our break, right after the holiday finishes for the rest of the country. Luckily, we get an insane amount of time off in the winter -- due to said ridiculous cold.

That definitely sounds like fun. I am envious.
Re: desert rat: Do you come from a desert area or do you simply prefer warm and dry climates?

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

Adding to that, my favourite character is Crais (I know), and I pretty much hate John Crichton. (Love the others, though.) Season 3 I still mean to watch, though.

Crais actually gets a lot of air time in S3. John, though, I can't agree on. I just love crazies.

Re: desert rat: Do you come from a desert area or do you simply prefer warm and dry climates?

I've spent most of my life in New Mexico, so I'm acclimated to 100 degrees F with 15% humidity at a mile above sea level. Needless to say, the rest of the world is somewhat disinclined to meet my requirements.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Crais actually gets a lot of air time in S3.

I know. And then he dies.

I've spent most of my life in New Mexico, so I'm acclimated to 100 degrees F with 15% humidity at a mile above sea level. Needless to say, the rest of the world is somewhat disinclined to meet my requirements.

I can definitely see that. Being a middle European, I'm certainly used to a milder, more wishy-washy climate.
New Mexico must be beautiful, though.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

I know. And then he dies.

Yeah, but he dies well. And Aeryn gets a really awesome character arc.

New Mexico must be beautiful, though.

From a certain perspective. I grew up hating it and I still think the forests in the mountains are more beautiful, but the landscape is amazing.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but he dies well.

So I've heard! I found it a very fitting ending for him (alas, poor Talyn!), but I don't like the show enough to watch it without him, so I'll pass on Season 4.

And Aeryn gets a really awesome character arc.

That is very good to know.


From a certain perspective. I grew up hating it and I still think the forests in the mountains are more beautiful, but the landscape is amazing.

I meant the latter, as I don't know much about NM besides the landscape, shamefully enough. And I've never seen a desert, so it's fascinating to me. I love the ocean - I miss the sea when I don't see it for a while, and I really hated the area where I grew up otherwise. It's very rural and empty and hopeless.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

but I don't like the show enough to watch it without him, so I'll pass on Season 4.

S4 is pretty hit or miss. It has a couple of my favorite over all episodes, but sacrifices characterization and continuity for a crack. A lot.

I meant the latter, as I don't know much about NM besides the landscape, shamefully enough.

Eh, not much else to it. Although the landscape does vary quite a bit. My area is full of mesas and bluffs (and, you know, a volcano; we get a lot of geologists hanging out in our area), but there are a lot of places that look more like the typical sandy deserts you'd see in movies.

and I really hated the area where I grew up otherwise. It's very rural and empty and hopeless.

Ahahaha, oh man, you haven't seen rural and empty and hopeless until you've been in the desert. All the brown and lifelessness really wears on you after a while.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

but sacrifices characterization and continuity for a crack. A lot.

Somehow, that really seems to happen to every TV show. *shakes head*

Ahahaha, oh man, you haven't seen rural and empty and hopeless until you've been in the desert. All the brown and lifelessness really wears on you after a while.

Where I come from, there are fields. With cows. And more fields, and more cows. And the occasional industrial windmill. More cows. Some houses. Cows. And at some point there will be levees with ... SHEEP, not cows, and then you're already at the water.

So, it's a bit livelier, probably.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

Somehow, that really seems to happen to every TV show. *shakes head*

Sometimes I think the UK has it right, with their short series. Because every show seems to go off the rails eventually, if it goes until canceled.

So, it's a bit livelier, probably.

Well, if rocks structures are lively, sure. But there are long stretches without even that. But, yeah, flatness is rather disconcerting to me (never do like going Kansas).

Up in the mountians we tend to have llamas, though. And that's cool, at least.

[wee-warrior.livejournal.com]

I think 12 to 13 episodes is really the best length for a season, and it probably shouldn't be more than 5 to 7. Everything that goes on much longer than 7 years, by my experience, is at least bound to repeat itself. *waves cheerfully at ER*

Llamas. I'd love that.

[cadesama.livejournal.com]

I think it depends on the show. For a non-serialized show, I think 20 is a good number, because then you can do arc episodes and standalone, and still have three fourths of them be very good episodes. Serialized, it's harder to say. The shorter arc certainly didn't do Heroes any favors this season as opposed to last, but many other shows do very well with that. And, yeah, 5-7. They always get terrible after that point.

Well, there are really only two farms I know of with llamas. But they are a nice change from cows and sheep.