Interesting
Mar. 18th, 2004 02:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lonelybritHmm. Interesting.
Right, firstly, again I am happy as I've handed in my latest Nuclear and Particle Physics homework. And I pretty much managed to do it all by myself, bar bits of question 3 where my brain decided to curl up and die.
Also, finally managed to sit down and read (i.e. get a friend to read and translate) my mother's latest letter. Lots of nice news from her and the family. As well as the 'hmm, okay' part. Will need to ponder for a while before reacting officially.
In lighter news, these very fun thing is gakked from![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
anyasbuttmonkey.
what's your battle cry? |
mewing.net | merchandise!
ETA: Hey, I'm back. I'm a very happy happy cookie. Plus, I find another fun 'fill in your username' thing...
And did I mention the part where I've finally just managed to sit down and actually watch both 'Hole In The World' and 'Shells'?
Well I have. Very happy. Thank you.
Initial thoughts:
First off, second ep better than the first ep by miles.
Secondly, yes, AD is a very acomplished actor, and yes, Wesley in pain is a very pretty thing to behold. But credit really has to go to Amy Acker and J. August Richards. They were both brilliant and made several of my favourite moments in both episodes.
Thirdly, oh sweet Jesus. Yes. Yes, when AtS finishes AD should so think about doing a few audio books. That is all.
I think most people have said what I want to.
The first ep had moments of greatness. But it was very nearly buried by all the men going all manly and loudly declaring their grief and determination that no ill should befall Miss Winifred Burkle. That scene with them all in the office....
**hissss**
However, four things rescued Hole In The World.
1) The beginning. Yes, it was sweet. Overly sweet, but it was also blessedly short enough that you actually felt for the characters rather than being completely overcome by nausea. When two people get together for the first time, love is like that. It is cheesy lines and slightly overlong kisses, and it is being told to 'get a balcony' :) Which makes what followed all the more painful.
2) Amy Acker. Apart from the part where she woke up and made the unfunniest joke in the world, Fred really came through. Her anger that after everything she had already endured and survived, she was still fated to be defeated by a Old Flu was oh so sad. At least for me. Whilst those around her were a little to extreme to feel genuine sympathy for, she felt real, and so I felt for her.
3) JAR. The scene between him and the Conduit. Always a risky business having a double scene like that. If you don't buy that the two are completely different characters, all you wind up thinking is 'Hey, it's Gunn trying to be evil!' But JAR sold it. Very well. 'Oh, I already got that.' Brilliant line, brilliant delivery, favourite scene in the whole ep :)
4) The end. Touch and go, but AA and AD managed it. Just. The problem is that while they are both very good actors, and their characters are lovely individuals in their own right, Fred and Wes just have no chemistry. Meaning that if a scene's drama hinges on the audience believing and feeling this apparently undeniable attraction between the two, nuh uh, not going to work. But the final scenes didn't rely on this. The final scenes were about two people, who cared for each other a great deal, trying to deal with the inevitable. One of them accepting it and feeling terribly alone. The other in terrified denial; 'I am not going to lose you.' It could have been between two lovers. It could have been between two friends. Brother, sister. Father, daughter. It was that kind of caring that was required, and thankfully that is something Fred and Wes had going for them. Even so, it was the very very very end that fully saved the episode.
'This will do.'
Kick ass :)
Shells?
Again, Amy Acker and JAR really shone. Illyria was an Old One who just happened to have Fred's body, other than that I totally bought her being a completely new character. And a character I am really looking forward to seeing more of. (Illyria I mean. I like Fred, I'll mourn Fred, but I don't need her to come back.) And of course, Gunn's troubles just kept on coming this ep. In fact, he went up in my esteem this ep. He was wrong, yes. He was weak, yes. But he has the maturity at the end of the day to at least accept that and apologise.
Angel and Spike. First we had them debating cavemen vs. astronaughts, then fighting together to save Fred, and then finally deciding to try working together. About bloody time too and I'm glad they've finally realised that, truely, two vampires with a soul are better then one. I mean, did you see them fight? Limbs and swords all over the place. Blood everywhere. Scenes of terrible devestation.... Just what LA needs :)
Wesley. Fully forgave him the histronics of the previous ep when he calmly took the axe to Illyria's head. That's Wes. Just because you're brokenhearted does not mean you can't still be one cold hearted and slightly scary person too. (Look at how he promptly rallied Faith after, eventually, decapitating Lilah.) The difference this time was that, for once, he wasn't capable of fully 'burying' all his emotions and feelings as he has done in the past.
And by the way, Angel, that has got to be the worst advice ever to give to a guy like Wes. Burying? Not a good idea. He's done it before and, in case you don't remember, it never ended well.
While I don't support the Wes/Fred ship, I will accept that Wes really did love her. Or rather, he loved everything she represented. Only at some point, it all got turned on its head so rather than Fred just being someone who had many of the traits in people that gave Wes the faith to fight, she actually became the reason incarnate. So when an Old One guts that reason from the inside out, burns her soul away to nothing, one can then begin to understand why Wes was so unstable. Normally when the shit hits the fans he closes down and goes on nothing more than the knowledge that the good fight must go on, no matter what. When he tried to do that this time, however, it all went to pieces because, in some way, the good fight had already been lost. There was nothing left to fight for, and for Wes that's the first time this has happened and it must have been pretty damn scary.
And how cool is Illyria?
'Yes, I know. Worship.'
All haughty and self-assured and disgusted at the world... Crushed and lost by the time the credits roll. While the line may have been a little melodramatic, Wes was right. They had both just lost their reason. Their world was lost.
I'm very much looking forward to seeing how this new relationship turns out between former Watcher and former All Powerful Being. Wes needs someone right now to remind him that actually his reason to fight is still out there and alive. Maybe Illyria will unintentionally do that. She does still have the potential to cause great harm, but for the moment she appears to be willing to try living in this new world rather than decimating it. Meaning that if Wes fails and she rejects humanity, he could help bring about the next apolcalypse. Even in his state, I think he'll fully understand the responsibility placed on him right now, and hopefully he might not actually snap completely like he nearly did this ep.
So, how many more weeks till the next new episode?
Right, firstly, again I am happy as I've handed in my latest Nuclear and Particle Physics homework. And I pretty much managed to do it all by myself, bar bits of question 3 where my brain decided to curl up and die.
Also, finally managed to sit down and read (i.e. get a friend to read and translate) my mother's latest letter. Lots of nice news from her and the family. As well as the 'hmm, okay' part. Will need to ponder for a while before reacting officially.
In lighter news, these very fun thing is gakked from
anyasbuttmonkey.what's your battle cry? |
mewing.net | merchandise!
ETA: Hey, I'm back. I'm a very happy happy cookie. Plus, I find another fun 'fill in your username' thing...
And did I mention the part where I've finally just managed to sit down and actually watch both 'Hole In The World' and 'Shells'?
Well I have. Very happy. Thank you.
Initial thoughts:
First off, second ep better than the first ep by miles.
Secondly, yes, AD is a very acomplished actor, and yes, Wesley in pain is a very pretty thing to behold. But credit really has to go to Amy Acker and J. August Richards. They were both brilliant and made several of my favourite moments in both episodes.
Thirdly, oh sweet Jesus. Yes. Yes, when AtS finishes AD should so think about doing a few audio books. That is all.
I think most people have said what I want to.
The first ep had moments of greatness. But it was very nearly buried by all the men going all manly and loudly declaring their grief and determination that no ill should befall Miss Winifred Burkle. That scene with them all in the office....
**hissss**
However, four things rescued Hole In The World.
1) The beginning. Yes, it was sweet. Overly sweet, but it was also blessedly short enough that you actually felt for the characters rather than being completely overcome by nausea. When two people get together for the first time, love is like that. It is cheesy lines and slightly overlong kisses, and it is being told to 'get a balcony' :) Which makes what followed all the more painful.
2) Amy Acker. Apart from the part where she woke up and made the unfunniest joke in the world, Fred really came through. Her anger that after everything she had already endured and survived, she was still fated to be defeated by a Old Flu was oh so sad. At least for me. Whilst those around her were a little to extreme to feel genuine sympathy for, she felt real, and so I felt for her.
3) JAR. The scene between him and the Conduit. Always a risky business having a double scene like that. If you don't buy that the two are completely different characters, all you wind up thinking is 'Hey, it's Gunn trying to be evil!' But JAR sold it. Very well. 'Oh, I already got that.' Brilliant line, brilliant delivery, favourite scene in the whole ep :)
4) The end. Touch and go, but AA and AD managed it. Just. The problem is that while they are both very good actors, and their characters are lovely individuals in their own right, Fred and Wes just have no chemistry. Meaning that if a scene's drama hinges on the audience believing and feeling this apparently undeniable attraction between the two, nuh uh, not going to work. But the final scenes didn't rely on this. The final scenes were about two people, who cared for each other a great deal, trying to deal with the inevitable. One of them accepting it and feeling terribly alone. The other in terrified denial; 'I am not going to lose you.' It could have been between two lovers. It could have been between two friends. Brother, sister. Father, daughter. It was that kind of caring that was required, and thankfully that is something Fred and Wes had going for them. Even so, it was the very very very end that fully saved the episode.
'This will do.'
Kick ass :)
Shells?
Again, Amy Acker and JAR really shone. Illyria was an Old One who just happened to have Fred's body, other than that I totally bought her being a completely new character. And a character I am really looking forward to seeing more of. (Illyria I mean. I like Fred, I'll mourn Fred, but I don't need her to come back.) And of course, Gunn's troubles just kept on coming this ep. In fact, he went up in my esteem this ep. He was wrong, yes. He was weak, yes. But he has the maturity at the end of the day to at least accept that and apologise.
Angel and Spike. First we had them debating cavemen vs. astronaughts, then fighting together to save Fred, and then finally deciding to try working together. About bloody time too and I'm glad they've finally realised that, truely, two vampires with a soul are better then one. I mean, did you see them fight? Limbs and swords all over the place. Blood everywhere. Scenes of terrible devestation.... Just what LA needs :)
Wesley. Fully forgave him the histronics of the previous ep when he calmly took the axe to Illyria's head. That's Wes. Just because you're brokenhearted does not mean you can't still be one cold hearted and slightly scary person too. (Look at how he promptly rallied Faith after, eventually, decapitating Lilah.) The difference this time was that, for once, he wasn't capable of fully 'burying' all his emotions and feelings as he has done in the past.
And by the way, Angel, that has got to be the worst advice ever to give to a guy like Wes. Burying? Not a good idea. He's done it before and, in case you don't remember, it never ended well.
While I don't support the Wes/Fred ship, I will accept that Wes really did love her. Or rather, he loved everything she represented. Only at some point, it all got turned on its head so rather than Fred just being someone who had many of the traits in people that gave Wes the faith to fight, she actually became the reason incarnate. So when an Old One guts that reason from the inside out, burns her soul away to nothing, one can then begin to understand why Wes was so unstable. Normally when the shit hits the fans he closes down and goes on nothing more than the knowledge that the good fight must go on, no matter what. When he tried to do that this time, however, it all went to pieces because, in some way, the good fight had already been lost. There was nothing left to fight for, and for Wes that's the first time this has happened and it must have been pretty damn scary.
And how cool is Illyria?
'Yes, I know. Worship.'
All haughty and self-assured and disgusted at the world... Crushed and lost by the time the credits roll. While the line may have been a little melodramatic, Wes was right. They had both just lost their reason. Their world was lost.
I'm very much looking forward to seeing how this new relationship turns out between former Watcher and former All Powerful Being. Wes needs someone right now to remind him that actually his reason to fight is still out there and alive. Maybe Illyria will unintentionally do that. She does still have the potential to cause great harm, but for the moment she appears to be willing to try living in this new world rather than decimating it. Meaning that if Wes fails and she rejects humanity, he could help bring about the next apolcalypse. Even in his state, I think he'll fully understand the responsibility placed on him right now, and hopefully he might not actually snap completely like he nearly did this ep.
So, how many more weeks till the next new episode?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
You go, girl!
Date: 2004-03-18 03:19 pm (UTC)Word. I totally agree with everything you said.
And about Illyria? Love her! Personally, I think Wes has better chemisty with Illyria than Fred. I like Fred, but Illyria is bad as hell. Man, can AA work the 'badass', or what?
Re: You go, girl!
Date: 2004-03-18 03:43 pm (UTC)There is alarming chemistry between the two, isn't there? I am hoping that we will not get any attempt at 'romance' between the two, but certainly it's a relief to see the sparks fly once more between Wes and a female who isn't Lilah. I *am* rooting for some new and interesting type of respect and friendship to blossom between the two.
Ooh, and I hope we get to see Gunn's expression when he sees Wes and Illyria for the first time. Both still at W&H. Salt in the wound...
I am very envious of AA right now. Not only does she get to do a long dramatic deathscene, she gets to stay on the show, get cool make up, brilliant outfit (not to mention the fact she can wear that outfit!), *and* manage to singlehandedly defeat both Spike *and* Angel, at the same time pulling off one of the best damn fight scenes this season. She definitely got a good deal this season!
p.s. Ooh, we have lurkers? Feel free to delurk if you want, or not, it's entirely up to you! :)
no subject
Date: 2004-03-18 03:29 pm (UTC)Ye gods, had to avert my eyes from the lovely spoilery stuff here - but had to let you know my haiku - be afraid, be very afraid! And we share the same battle cry - now why do I find that unsurprising?
On a more personal note, hope the home news was okay. *sends you Pryce, Wesley Wyndham-Pryce, 007, in full spy gear to cheer you up if necessary* (I am so motivated to write this!!)
no subject
Date: 2004-03-18 03:50 pm (UTC)I would be afraid, but clearly we are fighting for the same side since we a) both holler 'Mew?', and b) will go 'Squeee!' at the idea of 00-Wesley :)
Hmm. Which means I'm on the same side as someone who apparently has rickman's clouded valmont dried blood on them. Possibly alarming... ;)
Home news is fine. It really was just a slight 'blink and go "O-kay"' moment. *hugs*
no subject
Date: 2004-03-18 03:37 pm (UTC)I don't know how they're going to go on from here, and I don't know what I want them to do...it's hard because I thought they were two great episodes, but yet, I wish they didn't happen..it's weird. I love them for being fantastic tv, yet hate them for taking away Fred. And for hurting Wes. Geesh. I think I'm a little to devoted to Wes ;)
no subject
Date: 2004-03-18 03:55 pm (UTC)Yes, they hurt Wes. Again. Bastards! How could they?!
Ah, I do feel your pain. Us Wes/Lilah shippers were pretty much going 'Noooooooo!' after certain eps had finished rolling. They were gret eps, and there were great moments, but it didn't stop the end result still being a big downer. i.e., she was dead!
And yes, these two episodes were briliantly acted by all, the slight cheesiness of AHITW aside. Everyone was great. Even Knox's ever so unrepentent and slightly amused 'Oops' was perfect :)