A quick follow-up post

[lirazel]

So, the consensus on my last post seems to be that I should try Torchwood first (and then West Wing! Yes, I'll get to that! Back off! ;p). madcap_shiny has suggested such a heterodox move that it makes my chronology- and continuity-loving heart tremble:

Watch S2 first.

Now, her reasoning for this is that S1 really is really bad and that I won't really like it till S2 and that by watching S2 without the bad taste of S1 in my mouth, I'll enjoy the whole thing a whole lot more.

I trust her, but the idea of this petrifies me. But what think you, flist? Is this wisdom or folly?

I just want to take this opportunity to say that for some reason, I love it when people tell me which characters/pairings I'm gonna love on a TV show before I watch it. Y'all are almost always right, and it fills me with glee. The predictions for TW thus far are: Owen and Tosh. I suspect this will be proved correct. :D My personal hypothesis is that I will continue to not be a fan of Jack and might even like him less after this show.

Also, to those of you--whoever you are--who wrote me love notes for the meme, y'all are awesome and adorable and creative and wonderful. I adore you.

Comments

[ineffort.livejournal.com]

Haha, I didn't even know people hated the first season? So my opinion is invalid here. (I need to talk to Kyrie and find out what was so bad about it.)

But I enjoyed watching from the beginning if that counts for any. I think watching the second would result in some confusion because everything is set up in the first.

Then you might hate the first season so IDK IDK.

[madcap-shiny.livejournal.com]

IDK IDK YOU HAVE SUMMED UP MY FEELINGS ON ALL THIS CORRECTLY SO I DO NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO OFFER. Perhaps you could cherry-pick a few s1 eps and then watch s2?


(ETA: ALSO HURRAH TURCHWAD GETS ITS OWN TAG)

[next_to_normal]

The predictions for TW thus far are: Owen and Tosh.

I agree with this, mostly because that's who I liked - although I hated Owen in S1 (okay, I hated everybody in S1, but especially Jack, Gwen, and Owen), but I liked him more in S2. I think you might also like later Gwen.

I also predict you will love Captain John. I have no idea what makes me think that. *g*

ETA: Oh, and re the watch in order or not question, I'd say maybe watch the first episode and the last episode of S1 and then skip to S2. (I say this having only watched the show once through, and that was a good while ago, but I'd say if there's anything important you need to know about S1, it happens in the beginning and the end.)

[shamoogity.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think this is definitely wisdom. S1 is terrible. Although I may not be the best one to ask as I didn't like S2 that much better. I only really love the S3 miniseries.

[ghostrunner7.livejournal.com]

She is completely correct. Season 1 took itself way too seriously while being simultaneously ridiculous. Season 2 realized it was crack and was way, way better.

[ohwaluvusbab.livejournal.com]

I love it when people tell me which characters/pairings I'm gonna love on a TV show before I watch it.

Oh man, same. Except I generally have less luck in that department :(

[finkpishnets.livejournal.com]

NO! NO NO NO!

DON'T DO THAT!

You absolutely need to watch S1 first, I am not even kidding! It is not bad - yes, it is not as good, but it is still brilliant!

Ohgosh, please please please start at the beginning....♥

[elisi]

Watch S2 first.
No. And not just because I'm a canon and continuity whore (although that plays a part too). First off, I agree that S1 is the weakest overall, and wildly uneven. But.

1. One reason S1 was such a drag first time round was because Jack was a big question mark. Why was he immortal? Why was he on Earth? Why was he so full of angst? Etc. We didn't find out until he then appeared on DW, but since you already know, it should make things a lot more palatable.

2. Continuity. There's a TON of stuff you won't appreciate in S2 if you've not first seen S1. Just... imagine doing the same with Buffy, and not having seen 'Prophecy Girl' or not know who Darla is when she shows up in flashbacks...

3. It's not a bad thing to start out with something that's not great and then watch it become better and better. Seriously. Because everyone starts out all fucked up, and then slowly re-gain their grasp on life and each other. It's... it's like starting with S6, and a ton of angst, and then everything gets better. :)

And - that's all for now. Gotta go wake the family. And I'm trying very hard not to go 'SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE you're going to watch Torchwood!!!eleventy!!!', 'cause I love that show to absolute distraction, despite/because of the angst and the crack and the total ridiculousness. ♥

[anythingbutgrey.livejournal.com]

i would say watch the pilot and then watch s2. that is generally an excellent suggestion (that's what i did). s2 is ridiculous but kind of a good ridiculous. ships you may love. i hope you will love. that show does otps well.

[shapinglight]

You should definitely watch season 1 first. Okay, it's mostly bad - mainly because it takes itself too seriously - but there are a couple of good episodes and some so bad that they're good.

[moonlightrick.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I pushed myself through s1, and I only enjoyed parts of it--it was just all over the place. I watched the first half of s2 before I quit, but at least then the characterizations were getting a little more even? Everyone I've talked to has told me that I quit right before it got amazing, but s1 just made me too over the show to enjoy any s2 improvements, let along to give it another go.

As for Jack...um, yeah. I like DW!Jack, but TW!Jack is just sort of. Urk. And. I'd probably better let you watch and decide for yourself :\ :p Tosh and Owen are cute, though! :D?

[ava-leigh-fitz.livejournal.com]

I'd say watch the pilot (and perhaps S1 finale if you're nervous) but then move on to S2. Seriously. So many issues with this show. I mean I love it, but S1 is all over the place. ALL OVER THE PLACE. IN A BAD WAY. S2 is all over the place but in a good way, and there's plenty of gay and of awesome backstory.

Also, Children of Earth? First three episode are the most glorious three hours this show has ever done. BUT MY FEELINGS ON THE OTHER TWO ARE SO CLOUDED BY PAIN STILL. But watch it. It's so entirely worth it.