So.

[lirazel]

I watched the first few episodes of Caprica. I found myself mostly reading Jezebel articles while I did so, which is a pretty good indication that it wasn't working for me and I wasn't connecting to it.

I was amused by the idea of the Adamas being in the mafia. That was pretty epic. And it's nice enough to look at. But I felt nothing for the characters. Plus, it's got the same over-the-topc serious nature of BSG, except that in BSG it's forgivable because ALL OF HUMANITY HAS BEEN DESTROYED and also Gaius was around to funny things up. Over-the-top grim for its own sake (or to prove how this is Serious! Art!) usually doesn't work for me.

[eta] I don't mind dark or angsty, though: keep in mind that S6 is my favorite BtVS season. I just have to care about the characters themselves not because they're angsty but for other reasons and then I can suffer with them through the angst. If that makes sense.

So now it's your turn to convince me that OMG I HAVE TO WATCH THIS SHOW. That it's worth my time and energy, that there are characters I'll actually care about. Also that it won't make me feel like the show thinks I'm stupid--or a potential terrorist--for being religious (it seemed to be heading that way to me).

Note: James Marsters is hot and evil in it is a good and convincing point, but it isn't enough. There's gotta be more. Also, you know how I am: if there's something I can ship hardcore, I'll probably be there.

Also: more answers to the fic-meme to come! I love you all and will tell you which of your fics I love, never fear!

Comments

[ava-leigh-fitz.livejournal.com]

I'll be sure to let you know if there are episodes that are omgwatchthemrightnow.

I know right? How has it already been so long? And believe me, if I could, I would be on a plane to Nashville so fast.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Now I really, really need to watch this again because I watched that show in such a rush that I don't even know if I picked up on the fairy tale stuff but OMG I LOVE FAIRY TALES.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Do!

I wish we both had the money/time. We're having fantastic weather here, finally, so it'd be wonderful.

[ava-leigh-fitz.livejournal.com]

I really hope I remembered that right, other wise I feel like I totally set your hopes up only to dash them. But from what I remember, things with her mum get referred to in terms of Sleeping Beauty?

[ava-leigh-fitz.livejournal.com]

I STILL ADORE THAT ICON SO MUCH.

Our weather is beyond schizophrenic. I honestly don't know what to do with it.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

I really wish that I could use like EVERY ICON EVER from those icon posts all the time. What if I got rid of all of my icons and JUST had those Twilight-y ones?

I would never do that, but the thought makes me laugh.

Ours usually is. Right now all the trees are blooming--my grandparents' tulip poplar is glorious--and I'm so scared we're gonna have one more cold snap before it stays warm. *nail biting*

[slaymesoftly.livejournal.com]

I lost interest after the first couple of episodes, too. Then, when I dipped back in because it was getting close to James time, I found myself more interested. I can't say at this point that the Adama plot line is doing much for me, but then, I'm not a BSG watcher, so the character doesn't mean anything to me. Last week's show, with James being very bad, was very good. It was the mid-season finale (whatever the hell that is) and left us with a lot of cliffhangers. I definitely plan to watch it again when it starts back up. I think, if you give it chance, you will find that some of the characters grow on you a bit. I'm much more invested in Zoe than I was at first.

[ava-leigh-fitz.livejournal.com]

Seriously, that icon post was made of epic amounts of win. Nothing I like more than mocking Twilight, as well you know.

Aw that sounds lovely. Yesterday we had hail. This morning: bright sunshine. This afternoon: heavy rain. I seriously don't understand or like it.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Good to know. That gives me some hope. Thanks!

[slaymesoftly.livejournal.com]

*nods* Zoe is what brought me back into it.

[anythingbutgrey.livejournal.com]

THERE ARE 60 COMMENTS TO THIS POST. NOW THERE ARE 61.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

DUDE, ALL OF A SUDDEN MY JOURNAL IS LIKE, POPULAR. LOTS AND LOTS OF COMMENTS. WHAT?

[anythingbutgrey.livejournal.com]

sometimes my journal EXPLODES and i'm like omgwhathappened. one time izi and marcasite (i think?) and i somehow made one post get 115 comments or something. BETWEEN THE THREE OF US. and ontd_beinghuman was born.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

THAT IS INSANITY.

Confession: I still haven't seen like the last three or four episodes of BH. And I can't download anything right now for some reason. But as soon as I watch it! I will join!

[hkath.livejournal.com]

Well, here's how I fell in love with it: I did something I NEVER do, and just started watching randomly in the middle. I think I tuned into the second half of episode 6, and it hooked me without me knowing anything about what came before. I'm usually that gung-ho person who watches everything in order without missing a single minute, for continuity's sake. I still haven't completely caught up with the first episodes, but I know I love the show. Maybe it started slow?

Of course, I've recently accepted that I'm obsessed with robots, so that might have a lot to do with it ;)

[eilowyn.livejournal.com]

I just left a bunch of word vomit on eowyn_315's journal about the lack of really compelling characters - characters like Starbuck, who are so original and so dynamic that any interaction they have is worthwile, even if it's dealing with something as contrived as the maguffin love triangle with Lee and Dee. I say word vomit because it focused on the concept of awesome characters - and I was not sparing with the word awesome at all. There really aren't any compelling characters that I want to follow on their journey. It's like Angel season 5 without Spike - Cordy's gone, so why should I watch it? Lorne isn't in it enough to compel me to watch it; Fred, Gunn and Wes are a little too Team Angel for me, and Angel? He never did anything for me anyway, so why should I invest time into it?

As clever as the premise and world-building are, it's not enough to get me hooked. I may be fascinated by the theological debate going on, but if I don't care enough about the characters and if James doesn't have much screentime, why should I watch it?

[next_to_normal]

Also, I think part of the reason I quit watching was that I didn't like Sister Clarice and I couldn't figure out if the show wanted me to like her or not. Which made for some dissonance.

This is not just you. David Eick has said that Clarice was supposed to be a Baltaresque villain/comic relief character, but it totally wasn't working, so that had to do some re-jiggering with the character (and in fact, reshot a lot of her scenes). I don't think they ever landed on anything that worked, honestly.

[next_to_normal]

Community (which is a 'shipper's paradise)

OMG I KNOW. I want to ship everyone with everyone on that show. Except Pierce, 'cause he's creepy, but IDK maybe with Jeff... AGH!

JEFF/ANNIE OTP!

[prophecygirrl.livejournal.com]

I think Tamara might be the right entry point for you, as you've guessed. Her arc is a bit Buffy-esque (a bit, mind you). Starting off as a scared and whiny little girl who finds herself in an incomprehensible situation and ends up seizing her power and her destiny with both hands.

That being said, we've only had hints of her potential, so it may well be I'm reading to much into it. I do love the layered storytelling, and the complexity of the Gteystone relationship. I loved watching them struggle to understand their daughter and their grief, because parenthood is not all hearts and flowers and macaroni art and family picnics as TV would have us believe -- it's pretty damn messy, and can gut you like a fish, but that's the risk you take when your heart is really in it. They're doing that bit really well. I do love the Amanda actress, so we may just be differing on that one. Another interesting question for me is how do the best of intentions, or a series of small and big incidents, struggles, failures, coincidences, lead up to the civilzation's downfall.

We like what we like, though -- don't sweat it if it's not for you. Fandom should be fun.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Even the thought of starting in the middle stresses me out! How did you do it? ;D

I definitely think it started slow, but I'm one of those people who's willing to invest if I know it'll pay off down the line.

Ha! You know, sex with robots is more common than people think. *nods*

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

I don't actually like Starbuck. But I totally understand what you mean about lack of dynamic characters.

LOVE SQUARE YOU MEAN. Poor Sam! *wibbles*

I actually love Gunn, but he's always been woefully underwritten, so I know what you mean--no Cordy, no Lilah, no Darla--what's the point?

I may be fascinated by the theological debate going on, but if I don't care enough about the characters and if James doesn't have much screentime, why should I watch it?
You are me.

[penny-lane-42.livejournal.com]

Starting off as a scared and whiny little girl who finds herself in an incomprehensible situation and ends up seizing her power and her destiny with both hands.
I like this!

it's pretty damn messy, and can gut you like a fish, but that's the risk you take when your heart is really in it. Beautifully said, and I know what you mean. Well, I don't, because I'm not a parent, but I can guess. ;D

Another interesting question for me is how do the best of intentions, or a series of small and big incidents, struggles, failures, coincidences, lead up to the civilzation's downfall.
I'm absolutely mad about that idea, too, but it isn't enough for me if I can't connect to the characters, you know?

That's usually how I know when to stop watching a show--when it starts to feel like homework and there's no joy. Fandom should definitely be about fun.

[alocalmaximum.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

I haven't started the show yet, besides the pilot which I liked (I plan to, but probably after the season is done). I am a bit surprise that it's all doom and gloom though. Is Jane not bringing the funny?

[eilowyn.livejournal.com]

YES, LOVE SQUARE I MEAN.

Well, Sam wasn't maguffined (ooh! did I make a new word?) into the love polygon of doom (let's throw Zac in there to make even more fun shapes!), his relationship with Starbuck was organic in it's formation, rather than a half-assed cock-up thrown together before we even have a chance to mourn Billy (BILLY! Oh, poor, poor Billy!) *wibbles with you for dead love interests*

[sarahlovesa.livejournal.com]

Arghhhhhhhh! A show with JM in it and I am reading VERY mixed reviews. So do I hope it comes on the tv here or do I not?! I never really saw BSG so would I really get the new show? Anyway, my obsession is more for Spike than JM, fab as he is. I have to think carefully as I do take certain kinds of shows very (too?!) seriously and find myself emotionally attached and then I HAVE to watch it which can be a pain. Do I want to do that to myself again? Is Caprica worth the effort? I will have to ponder that as I go and make an omelette