lirazel: An outdoor scene from the film Picnic at Hanging Rock ([heroes] sharp shooter)
lirazel ([personal profile] lirazel) wrote2008-10-07 07:58 pm

Even when I hate the shows, I still love television!

First off, if you have the slightest affiliation with Heroes at all—if you’ve seen one single episode—you must go immediately and join [livejournal.com profile] mugglesandlyle  a.k.a. “the greatest thing that ever happened in the history of things happening.”  That is no misnomer, y’all.  That is gospel truth.  Go. Now.  I command you.

 

Okay, so I never operated under the illusion that Heroes is actually a good show.  Not on the level of my other shows, like anything Whedon or Veronica Mars or Friday Night Lights or Battlestar Galactica.  Often when I’m watching this show, I can’t help but think, “Just imagine what Buffy could have done with a budget like this!”  But then, despite its lower budget, Buffy had charm and wit, a sense of humor (something Heroes seems not to understand) and a way of not taking itself seriously even in the deep, powerful, tragic moments (this seems to me to be the difference between the original Star Wars movies and the prequels, as well.  The not-taking-itself-seriously thing, anyways).  Heroes is just so. Heavy. All. The. Time. 

 

And they aren’t learning their lesson, either.  This season is, admittedly, more entertaining than last.  But I feel like it’s gone too far.  It’s like they’re so ashamed of how slow people thought last season was that they’re MAKING! THINGS! HAPPEN! this season.  Revelations! New characters! More future! More powers! Insanity! Sloppiness!

They really are just throwing stuff at us as fast as they possibly can.  Nathan suddenly converts! (Which could be very, very awesome.  The show’s always been completely humanist, and I always wondered if they were ever going to deal with the idea of a higher power.  If they handled it correctly, this could be a fascinating new twist and give lots of insight into Nathan’s personality.  However, I feel like they’re going to take the cheap way out and write him as just an irrational fanatic.  Which will suck)  I haven’t made up my mind about the Lindermann stuff yet.  I’ll reserve judgment.

 

There’s yet another Ali Larter character.  Who, admittedly, is much cooler than either Niki or Jessica.  But I don’t like her with Nathan (where are Heidi and the boys?), and I feel like she’s going to become way too angsty way too soon.  Also, Micah, the best thing about her, is pretty much a non-entity this season.  Same with Molly (though I was very pleased to see her last night, even if for only a few moments). 

 

Redeeming Sylar?  Writing off all of his horrific actions as something he can’t help?  The devil made me do it?  Lame.  I mean, I actually really liked Sylar in the future with his son and his normal life.  Sweetness.  I just don’t buy it.  It’s such a cop-out to me.  There's no way that wasn't just a reaction to the fan reaction, all those fangirls who totally love him.  The writers are going to have to work really hard to make me even start to believe it.

 

Also, prettyprettyMohinder may never have been the brightest bulb despite his I.Q., but this season he has proved to me that he is an idiot.  When Maya is providing the voice of reason and saying, “Hey, Mr. Scientist.  Maybe you better not inject yourself with an untested liquid you just whipped up having no clue what the side effects might be,” you know something’s wrong.  Also?  I can’t decide whether they’re homaging Spider-man or just blatantly ripping it off.  And the scary future Mohinder in his robe was totally reminding me of Leto turning into the sandworm in the Sci-Fi Channel’s version of Children of Dune (starring James McAVoy!).  Creeeeepy.

 

Angela is actually Sylar’s mother?  Okay, I kind of like that.  She’s gotten even creepier and bitchier and more fabulous.  I love to hate her, even if I officially think she’s insane.

 

Daphne kicks ass.  Not as much as Elle, of course, but I like her a lot, both in the present and future.

 

Peter, Peter, Peter.  I am so over you.  Almost as over as I am over Claire.  But I’ve been over Claire for longer, actually.  So I have nothing to say about either of them.  OH!  Except--Peter Petrelli, have you competely forgotten about your Irish girlfriend in the future?  The one you left there?  She of the cuteness?  Admittedly, not the greatest character ever, but it's all your fault she's trapped there!  You selfish jerk!

 

I really think they had no idea what to do with Matt, so they just sent him off on his little walkabout because they were too lazy to think up a plot for him.  Though I like the new paintings.  Also, I have to mean-spiritedly giggle a bit at all of the Matt/Mohinder shippers who just had their hearts broken.  Not that I really cared either way, but it's always funny to see (other) people get Jossed (it's never fun when it's yourself).

 

I was so excited when I heard Francis Capra was going to be on the show.  I liked to pretend that Kristen Bell was hanging out with Kring one day and was like, “Hey.  Mr. Creator Guy.  I worked with some pretty awesome people on Veronica Mars, most of whom aren’t really working right now.  You should look into that.”  And then they hired him (and they're considering bringing the rest of the VM cast on at some point.  In my dreams).  So I was psyched to see him on the show.  But then he was barely on it at all!  I was loving me some Evil Weevil, but then big baby Peter had to take over it all!  Whatever!  And then Sylar killed him before we got a chance to see any acting on Francis Capra’s part at all.  And that, in truth, my friends, is what I can’t forgive Sylar for.

 

And remember what I said, all those months ago, about Hiro losing the moral high ground?  I stand by that.  Hiro this season isn’t the adorably clueless and sweet-tempered guy I first developed such a soft spot for.  He’s so obsessed with his own destiny that he isn’t making choices for the good of the world but for his own ego now.  I hope he learns his lesson soon and also doesn’t push Ando so far away that Ando has to kill him.

 

But I’m almost willing to forgive Hiro all that because…


The one thing I’d been waiting for since the season started happened this week!

ADAM’S BACK!!! WOO-HOO!!!  And though I’m a bit disappointed that another of my characters didn’t pull a Buffy and claw his way out of his grave (like Dean did in the SPN premiere), the ending of this episode was perfect.  FINALLY!  Adam’s back!

 

Now, if only we can get TONS more Elle and HRG.  Because I haven’t gotten nearly enough of either of them this season.  I’m glad Elle’s dad is dead, though, because I think it’ll give her a chance to really come into her own.  I adore her so much.  And there can never be enough Noah Bennet.  Or Mrs. Bennet.  Or Lyle Bennet. Or Mr. Muggles.  You know.

 


So yeah.  Sloppy, ADHD writing.  But I’ll probably stick with it for a while yet.  We’ll see.

Also, does anyone know of where I can watch Gossip Girl online?  Because I hate having to wait the entire week it takes for the CW to put it up on their website.  Seriously, learn a lesson from NBC and have it up the next day.  Because I'm not going to be able to watch it as it airs, and I don't want to constantly be a week behind.

 

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2008-10-28 05:01 pm (UTC)(link)
I was rewatching the end of the last episode of Heroes again and I just love how venomously he says Hiro's name. Wasn't that wonderful? And then look what they did with all of Adam's wonderful potential! I'm so angry.

But yeah. The villains should win. With Adam and Elle and their crazy, twisted love in command.

[identity profile] madcap-shiny.livejournal.com 2008-10-28 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
SERIOUSLY. *stamps foot*

Mmm, Adam/Elle. They are sociopathic!OTP.

Suddenly I'm wondering, in a contest between Spike/Dru and Blair/Chuck, who would win the crazy twisted love competition.

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2008-10-28 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, my love of all of the above couples is undying. Spike and Dru would probably win just because they've killed the most people. But Blair and Chuck would probably win on an emotional level. They just can't quite manipulating each other, can they? It's like foreplay for them.

[identity profile] madcap-shiny.livejournal.com 2008-10-29 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
Hee, yeah. And they do have the benefit of being a) canon and b) lasting more than a season. Sort of. In the way where they aren't an actual couple.

Although Spike and Dru have been only around since the 1800s, and Adam's 400, right? So maybe he has killed more people. On the other hand, it's probably more likely that Spike and Dru were killing people on a much more regular basis and all, so maybe they still have the advantage in body count.

I bet Adam was the Immortal from that one episode of Angel. *sage nod*

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2008-10-29 01:35 am (UTC)(link)
OH. MY. GOODNESS.

We have exactly the same brain. Hivemind or something. Like the Borg. Or something.

Because I have always, always thought (and by always, I mean, since I first realized that Adam was immortal) that he was the Immortal in "The Girl in Question"! I cannot even tell you. It's canon in my mind. I cannot verbalize how happy it makes me that you thought that, too. I can't even tell you.

It's true that Adam's been around longer, but Spike and Dru would be killing pretty much every day to feed, and Adam, while he has no scruples about killing, would probably only have done it when necessary. So maybe not as much. And I feel like Elle wouldn't kill that often. Probably.

[identity profile] madcap-shiny.livejournal.com 2008-10-29 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
EEEEEEEE. BEST. THING. EVER.
I am conflicted, however, because I think it might have been Adam, or it might have been Captain Jack Harkness. Have you run into your viewing of him in Dr. Who yet? If not, I assure you he is good times. And he gets his own show, Torchwood, and in the second season he makes out with Spike and it's wicked wonderful. (Well, you know, not Spike, but since it's James Marsters back with his British accent and tendency to antagonize all the other characters, I shall call him Spike. His name is really John Hart, but. Spike. Yes.)

Agreed. I think that Elle isn't actually really interested in killing people, you know? She just wants to give them little zaps and giggle at their pain.

LOOK! A really long ago topic!

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2008-12-02 10:58 pm (UTC)(link)
I am conflicted, however, because I think it might have been Adam, or it might have been Captain Jack Harkness. Yeah, that's totally possible. Actually one of my new friends here on lj is writing an epic Buffy/Jack Harknes-is-the-Immortal fic.

Yeah, I've totally seen the Captain Jack-makes-out-with-Spike scene (from your icon, nonetheless!) and giggled hysterically.

but since it's James Marsters back with his British accent and tendency to antagonize all the other characters, I shall call him Spike. I KNOW! *huggles the hottness that is Mr. Marsters* JM might well be my husband. Seriously.

Agreed. I think that Elle isn't actually really interested in killing people, you know? She just wants to give them little zaps and giggle at their pain. That was kind of what I loved most about her.

Re: LOOK! A really long ago topic!

[identity profile] madcap-shiny.livejournal.com 2008-12-06 07:14 am (UTC)(link)
I first heard the idea from [livejournal.com profile] kita0610, I think it was? Somewhere in her circle.

It has been much too long since I've watched any Torchwood eps sans omnisexualTimeAgent!Spike. I'm going to have to YouTube it again.

I know! Sadism was never so charming.

Re: LOOK! A really long ago topic!

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2008-12-12 05:12 pm (UTC)(link)
It has been much too long since I've watched any Torchwood eps sans omnisexualTimeAgent!Spike. What's weird is that I like Jack as a character a whole lot, but I don't really have much desire to watch Torchwood at all, other than the JAMES MARSTERS episodes. Mostly because I have too many other shows to watch.

Re: LOOK! A really long ago topic!

[identity profile] madcap-shiny.livejournal.com 2008-12-13 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
Ooh, at least put it on your list for someday in the future. People say it's a bad show but it's not really. The first series is definitely flawed, yes, but it's still enjoyable, and the second series is a thing of heart-breaking glory.

Re: LOOK! A really long ago topic!

[identity profile] penny-lane-42.livejournal.com 2008-12-18 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Then I will put it on my list for eventually. I had just heard it wasn't well-written, which is a turnoff for me. But I trust you more than anyone random, so there we go.