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bop_radarI love my new show! I'd never considered a Tyra-Julie friendship and I found myself initially delighted by it but then really sad that it helped trigger the Julie-Matt break-up. :-( The little cuties are not dating any more! :-( I thought the tension was well-crafted though. Matt is very honourable, but he will inevitably get caught up in the Panthers shenanigans regardless (the image of him on that car calling out 'they're making me do this' was kind of hilarious). So Tyra's right in some ways, but wrong in others. She's ignoring the fundamental difference between Matt and Tim, and I just hope Julie learns to trust her own judgement. It's good that her naivety is given a shake-up, but I hope she finds her own strength. And it might do Tyra good to learn that not all men are two-timing assholes.
Of course, I enjoyed Timmy's plot with his father--I'm such a hopeless sucker for him, even if the actor isn't brilliant and his pain's all a little cliched. *blush* I can't help it! *shrug* He's just so needy, like a big orphaned puppy that hasn't grown into his own feet yet, or something. Billy's interesting me more too, given the way the family dynamic has been revealed. There's an awful lot of single parenting in Friday Night Lights: I like that. It always seems more realistic to me, since most of my friends come from 'broken' or otherwise unconventional families.
And I love that the courtcase hasn't completely spoiled Coach's relationship with Jason. It was so cool that they could joke in the foyer prior to the hearing. And I'm loving the tension created by Jason's marriage proposal. He's pushing too hard, he's desperate to make everything 'right' and to have everything now, now, now. That's such a believable response to what he's gone through, particularly considering that he has clearly always been very focussed and determined. It's going to be hard for him to understand that Lyla doesn't have that same determination right now. She needs to find it on her own and it may take her years. She's a child in many ways still, whereas what he's gone/going through is forcing him into early maturity. He's blind to the ways in which this pushing for a marriage is a sign of immaturity and I'm just itching for someone to suggest a good psych for him! He's a cluey guy, and I think all he needs is a neutral person to discuss things with for him to find a stronger path than this. Fingers crossed for him! It's going to be tough.
Finally caught up on Heroes! Wow. Way to go with the reveal! LOVED it. Didn't pick it, but love the connection. Heeeee. I really liked Claire's (real) mum, and this has just firmed up Claire's plot as the most interesting. So my two favourite characters in this show are father and daughter? Wow. And will there be Mr Bennett versus Nathan showdowns in the future? I hope so! Although this turn of events has got me really really wondering about Nathan's age and the age gap between him and Peter. *frownies* I would like that clarified. I am having trouble getting a grip on what their childhood would have been like. Peter spoke of always having felt a strong connection to his brother--but (clueless only child here) wouldn't that be unlikely with a big age gap?
I was really scared for Claire's adopted mum and it was awful seeing her get mind wiped, especially since it was played so creepily lovingly by Mr Bennett. I believe he does think he's doing the best thing for her, and I liked those little flickers from him in this episode that he really cares what she thinks and respects her opinion about Claire. Not enough to stop him from raping her brain, of course! ;-) But still--he's my favourite villain in a long time, and I loved his RAGE at Sylar. *g*
The eppy before last (1.13?) was pretty slow, I thought, so I'm condensing my reactions to both eps together in this post. But one of the bestest things to happen on the show is, without doubt, the addition of Christopher Ecclestone to the cast. I've always been a fan of CE, long before Who, and in fact, I'm greatly relieved to see him in a role other than Who because my familiarity with him made it difficult for me to get into him as the Doctor, despite his superlative performance in that role. Anyway, I'm loving his character in Heroes, and I think it is a very wise move on the writers' part to pair him up with emo!boy Peter. I love his snark and the way he cuts Peter down to size. Means I don't have to do it myself. I loved him from the moment he said that Peter being an empath 'means you're a pain my arse'. And they took that even further in this most recent of episodes with his 'you're easy' call. Yes, yes, he IS very easy to pick. It's why I groaned from the first episode about Peter. All I could see ahead of us was lots of emo-ing around about his 'specialness' and his inner pain. But now with CE's character (name?) here to (literally) slap him around, it's way more fun. 'You live like an adolescent' = HEE! I'm glad they've given it that comic twist, and perversely I've found that it's easier for me to get into Peter's angst now--because it's not rammed down our throats and because he's got someone to rail against. I loved it when he lost it and started yelling at CE. That's my boy! Some anger looks good on you!
I've struggled with Nikki's plot, but I think I'm slowly working my way back 'into' it. I really enjoyed the scene in which DL visited her in prison. I thought that episode had some really interesting meta on boundaries--particularly the ways that stress pushes people to break boundaries if they are not mentally 'strong'. All three in that family have a power or secret part of them they can unlock, and when the stress of life gets too much to them, it's all too tempting to break the rules. And there's something so subversive in DL's ability to move through objects and Micah's ability to manipulate technology. So dangerous! And yet, so appealing. I thought that was well crafted and I respected Nikki for saying that Micah needed a firm hand and boundaries--but how can he learn that when his own parents struggle to contain their own powers and set themselves boundaries, morally, physically or even legally! In light of that, Nikki is doing well--at least she's trying to use external structures to control herself. But Jessica just wrenched that control away from her again!
A little rant now: I really really don't like Ando. He's weak and cowardly and mysognistic and selfish and not worthy of Hiro! *huffs* I understand that Hiro needs a companion to define himself against/with at this point in time, in the same way that Claire needs Zach, but... Zach is so much better a character! Ugh. Ando just squicks me out.
I liked the most recent episode's emphasis on self-empowerment. The psych tells Nikki she's aiming for a 'healthy, unified you'; Peter is given the challenge of bringing his powers under his control; Claire explores a hidden aspect of herself in her biological parents and Hiro faces his father and addresses his family responsibilities. Of all of them, Hiro is the most successful--he neatly resolves his father's angst by revealing his sister's hidden talents, and while I found that all a little ridiculously pat, it was too cute to hate. He's such a sweetheart and that was a lovely sidestep that empowered someone else in the process.
I also liked the fact that Simone was drawn back to Isaac. While I find Simone very badly drawn, I was pleased to see the writers acknowledge that she and Isaac had a real connection. We never got to see that before he went off the rails on heroin, but it makes more sense of both characters if their are still unresolved feelings there. Plus, there was great reversal in having Peter see them together, foreshadowed in one of Isaac's paintings. It certainly does raise questions about her connection with Peter--she seems to have this capacity to believe in her guy's ability to change the world (*gags*)--but that's not unique to either of them. How true are her feelings? If she was a better written character maybe I'd know...
Can't wait for more on Nathan and Claire though!
And last but not least, I have personal news. My Smallville review may be late this week, but for a very exciting reason. We're going on a roadtrip on Saturday to pick up our new doggie! He's in the next state so we've got a long day of driving, but I'm so excited about meeting him. He will come for a two-week trial with us and if it doesn't work out can go back to the rescue agency. I just hope my cat doesn't completely freak out! Apparently Bob is good with cats. *crosses fingers*
Of course, I enjoyed Timmy's plot with his father--I'm such a hopeless sucker for him, even if the actor isn't brilliant and his pain's all a little cliched. *blush* I can't help it! *shrug* He's just so needy, like a big orphaned puppy that hasn't grown into his own feet yet, or something. Billy's interesting me more too, given the way the family dynamic has been revealed. There's an awful lot of single parenting in Friday Night Lights: I like that. It always seems more realistic to me, since most of my friends come from 'broken' or otherwise unconventional families.
And I love that the courtcase hasn't completely spoiled Coach's relationship with Jason. It was so cool that they could joke in the foyer prior to the hearing. And I'm loving the tension created by Jason's marriage proposal. He's pushing too hard, he's desperate to make everything 'right' and to have everything now, now, now. That's such a believable response to what he's gone through, particularly considering that he has clearly always been very focussed and determined. It's going to be hard for him to understand that Lyla doesn't have that same determination right now. She needs to find it on her own and it may take her years. She's a child in many ways still, whereas what he's gone/going through is forcing him into early maturity. He's blind to the ways in which this pushing for a marriage is a sign of immaturity and I'm just itching for someone to suggest a good psych for him! He's a cluey guy, and I think all he needs is a neutral person to discuss things with for him to find a stronger path than this. Fingers crossed for him! It's going to be tough.
Finally caught up on Heroes! Wow. Way to go with the reveal! LOVED it. Didn't pick it, but love the connection. Heeeee. I really liked Claire's (real) mum, and this has just firmed up Claire's plot as the most interesting. So my two favourite characters in this show are father and daughter? Wow. And will there be Mr Bennett versus Nathan showdowns in the future? I hope so! Although this turn of events has got me really really wondering about Nathan's age and the age gap between him and Peter. *frownies* I would like that clarified. I am having trouble getting a grip on what their childhood would have been like. Peter spoke of always having felt a strong connection to his brother--but (clueless only child here) wouldn't that be unlikely with a big age gap?
I was really scared for Claire's adopted mum and it was awful seeing her get mind wiped, especially since it was played so creepily lovingly by Mr Bennett. I believe he does think he's doing the best thing for her, and I liked those little flickers from him in this episode that he really cares what she thinks and respects her opinion about Claire. Not enough to stop him from raping her brain, of course! ;-) But still--he's my favourite villain in a long time, and I loved his RAGE at Sylar. *g*
The eppy before last (1.13?) was pretty slow, I thought, so I'm condensing my reactions to both eps together in this post. But one of the bestest things to happen on the show is, without doubt, the addition of Christopher Ecclestone to the cast. I've always been a fan of CE, long before Who, and in fact, I'm greatly relieved to see him in a role other than Who because my familiarity with him made it difficult for me to get into him as the Doctor, despite his superlative performance in that role. Anyway, I'm loving his character in Heroes, and I think it is a very wise move on the writers' part to pair him up with emo!boy Peter. I love his snark and the way he cuts Peter down to size. Means I don't have to do it myself. I loved him from the moment he said that Peter being an empath 'means you're a pain my arse'. And they took that even further in this most recent of episodes with his 'you're easy' call. Yes, yes, he IS very easy to pick. It's why I groaned from the first episode about Peter. All I could see ahead of us was lots of emo-ing around about his 'specialness' and his inner pain. But now with CE's character (name?) here to (literally) slap him around, it's way more fun. 'You live like an adolescent' = HEE! I'm glad they've given it that comic twist, and perversely I've found that it's easier for me to get into Peter's angst now--because it's not rammed down our throats and because he's got someone to rail against. I loved it when he lost it and started yelling at CE. That's my boy! Some anger looks good on you!
I've struggled with Nikki's plot, but I think I'm slowly working my way back 'into' it. I really enjoyed the scene in which DL visited her in prison. I thought that episode had some really interesting meta on boundaries--particularly the ways that stress pushes people to break boundaries if they are not mentally 'strong'. All three in that family have a power or secret part of them they can unlock, and when the stress of life gets too much to them, it's all too tempting to break the rules. And there's something so subversive in DL's ability to move through objects and Micah's ability to manipulate technology. So dangerous! And yet, so appealing. I thought that was well crafted and I respected Nikki for saying that Micah needed a firm hand and boundaries--but how can he learn that when his own parents struggle to contain their own powers and set themselves boundaries, morally, physically or even legally! In light of that, Nikki is doing well--at least she's trying to use external structures to control herself. But Jessica just wrenched that control away from her again!
A little rant now: I really really don't like Ando. He's weak and cowardly and mysognistic and selfish and not worthy of Hiro! *huffs* I understand that Hiro needs a companion to define himself against/with at this point in time, in the same way that Claire needs Zach, but... Zach is so much better a character! Ugh. Ando just squicks me out.
I liked the most recent episode's emphasis on self-empowerment. The psych tells Nikki she's aiming for a 'healthy, unified you'; Peter is given the challenge of bringing his powers under his control; Claire explores a hidden aspect of herself in her biological parents and Hiro faces his father and addresses his family responsibilities. Of all of them, Hiro is the most successful--he neatly resolves his father's angst by revealing his sister's hidden talents, and while I found that all a little ridiculously pat, it was too cute to hate. He's such a sweetheart and that was a lovely sidestep that empowered someone else in the process.
I also liked the fact that Simone was drawn back to Isaac. While I find Simone very badly drawn, I was pleased to see the writers acknowledge that she and Isaac had a real connection. We never got to see that before he went off the rails on heroin, but it makes more sense of both characters if their are still unresolved feelings there. Plus, there was great reversal in having Peter see them together, foreshadowed in one of Isaac's paintings. It certainly does raise questions about her connection with Peter--she seems to have this capacity to believe in her guy's ability to change the world (*gags*)--but that's not unique to either of them. How true are her feelings? If she was a better written character maybe I'd know...
Can't wait for more on Nathan and Claire though!
And last but not least, I have personal news. My Smallville review may be late this week, but for a very exciting reason. We're going on a roadtrip on Saturday to pick up our new doggie! He's in the next state so we've got a long day of driving, but I'm so excited about meeting him. He will come for a two-week trial with us and if it doesn't work out can go back to the rescue agency. I just hope my cat doesn't completely freak out! Apparently Bob is good with cats. *crosses fingers*
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no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 03:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 03:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 03:45 am (UTC)Also, love your comments on "heroes" - I just caught up myself tonight. I don't think Nathan has to be than much older than Peter, who I would say is in his mid-twenties at a minimum) to have a fifteen year old daughter - he could be in his mid-thirties (Claire's biological mom was 21 when she supposedly died, and Claire was already eighteen months old, so the mom was, what, 20 when Claire was born? If Nathan was the same age, then I think he could be 36-37 right now, so Nathan could be about ten years older than Peter? And we don't know when their father died, do we? So he might have been kind of "in loco parentis" for Peter for a long, long time, since they were boys.)
My favorite Christopher Eccleston moment was when he mocked the floppy hair :P Since I've been wanting Peter to PUSH HIS HAIR BACK since the show started!
Lastly, oh, Ms. K., my dream is that you will someday watch "Rome" and write all these lovely insightful posts about it (you know it's a huge fave of George R. R. Martin's, and I think the show has something of the FEEL of his books - the grittiness and the wonderful characters!)
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Date: 2007-02-08 03:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 03:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 04:03 am (UTC)If Nathan was the same age, then I think he could be 36-37 right now, so Nathan could be about ten years older than Peter? And we don't know when their father died, do we? So he might have been kind of "in loco parentis" for Peter for a long, long time, since they were boys.)
That would work well for me, though I still find it psychologically intriguing that he bonded with Nathan rather than resented him acting as a surrogate father. Something's just pinging oddly for me with that family--something to do with the way their mother phrased it about Peter being her 'favourite' but Nathan always taking up more space and energy. With a ten-year age diff, wouldn't it be the younger kid who was more likely to the one requiring attention/energy? I don't mind that they haven't gone with the stereotype of this scenario, but I would like to learn more about their past at some stage so I can plot their inner landscape with a little more ease. ;-)
I've been wanting Peter to PUSH HIS HAIR BACK since the show started!
OMG, yes!! That was BRILLIANT! I was giggling so hard. I love CE on this show SO MUCH! He's so snarky and pointed, but has that edge of total insanity as well--throwing Peter off the roof was a brilliant twist on Peter's whole standing-on-the-ledge-melodramatically thing. I've wanted to give him a good hard shove myself! ;-) And it was cool to see Peter falling when he didn't want it. Seriously, this is the best thing they could have done to stop me hating Peter's plot!
Lastly, oh, Ms. K., my dream is that you will someday watch "Rome" and write all these lovely insightful posts about it (you know it's a huge fave of George R. R. Martin's, and I think the show has something of the FEEL of his books - the grittiness and the wonderful characters!)
Heeeeeeee. So it's ok if I confess that your infectious squee about the show has left me very intrigued? ;-) But isn't the show about to end? I have always wanted to watch it, but it's not airing here in Aus and my downloads are kind of maxing out at the moment. But it would definitely be something I'd be interested in catching up on on DVD one day. There are a LOT of HBO shows on that DVD list of mine.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 04:11 am (UTC)"Rome" is more flawed than the other two HBO shows I worship, but it also has what is for me the best male-bonding friendship I've ever seen and that makes it amazing. And the LOOK of it is wonderful.
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Date: 2007-02-08 04:16 am (UTC)I pretty much agree with you on everything. XP Why is Simone so poorly written? I can't think of another reoccurring character that has so little going on.
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Date: 2007-02-08 04:28 am (UTC)My cousin is going on 18 and his sister is going on 8. For all the stuff going on with his life and university, I really haven't seen a brother that completely devoted to his sister. I mean, she's the first person he asks about when he gets home from school (G) They just basically have each other to turn to for understanding especially when it comes to things - especially their parents. On the other hand, I know siblings close in age and clueless about each other. *shrugs* I think until we know more about their Dad, their mom and their family life, it won't make sense. I do vaguely remember something along the lines of their father being a workaholic (while their mom has always struck me as sort of a society wife, perhaps moreso when they were younger) - so in that way, they would just have each other to turn to as well.
CE is wonderful! I hope he comes back when his arc is done - though I absolutely CANNOT WAIT for him in the "Dark is Rising" movie. My fave book and CE *wheeee* CE mockingly refers to himself as Claude Raines, the original Invisible man. We still have no clue as to his real name. Which is verrry kewl!
no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 04:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 04:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 04:40 am (UTC)True. And I always hate them.
I've seen worse whiners
Also true. Though somehow I find it even less forgiveable in the 'real' world of live action. Why is that? *scratches head*
Why is Simone so poorly written?
I don't knowwwww..... *cries* Although my theory is that the writers didn't think about her beyond 'girlfriend, there must be a girlfriend'. *stabs them*
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Date: 2007-02-08 04:42 am (UTC)I think until we know more about their Dad, their mom and their family life, it won't make sense.
*nods* That's the feeling I get too--I hope the writers are deliberately keeping us in suspense and not just neglecting to write the backstory. I think I have faith that we'll learn more in time.
We still have no clue as to his real name. Which is verrry kewl!
Oh, yessss! Very cool!
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Date: 2007-02-08 05:04 am (UTC)Peter spoke of always having felt a strong connection to his brother--but (clueless only child here) wouldn't that be unlikely with a big age gap? I'm a little confused about the age gap too but me and my sister are nine years apart and we're really close. Although I don't live at home anymore I talk to her a lot on the phone and I call her my good little Gryffindor while I'm the evil Slytherin. I think growing up with the age differnce was good because we never fought and it hasn't seemed to hinder our relationship.
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Date: 2007-02-08 05:06 am (UTC)I agree. Simone's role is the girl in the threesome, which for me always translates into object of sublimation. Because to love someone, they have to be a PERSON and writers forget that women continue to be people when guys want them. Other than that, they've been doing so well with the female character. Maybe because none of the other female characters are a "love interest," but are instead settled or unattached.
no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 05:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 05:17 am (UTC)Oh, that's another anecdote of a large sibling age gap 'working'! Cool!
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Date: 2007-02-08 05:20 am (UTC)Heh. A truer word ...! And yes, I was initially very worried about Heroes' gender politics, but I've settled down. Claire is an awesome character, Nikki continues to bother me, but I like the women in Matt's plot a lot. It's a mixed bag for me. Simone's a problem though. It's a good thing she's not in it that much.
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Date: 2007-02-08 06:38 am (UTC)I agree with you that Claire and Nathan's stories continue to be the most interesting ones on the show, but I'm also still pretty invested in Niki's storyline--I'm really curious what's going to happen now that Jessica's in charge. (And I hope that therapist is ok, though I *did* wonder if she was authentically trying to be helpful or if she was just one of Linderman's stooges.)
Unlike you, I'm not as interested in CE's character. I agree he makes a good foil for Peter, but otherwise he annoys me. I still haven't seen the newest Dr. Who, so I have no particular investment in CE, and I can't say seeing him on Heroes would ever make me seek him out.
Ando, on the other hand, *doesn't* annoy me at all--he continues to amuse me, and I found his reactions to Hiro's sister to be completely classic slash displacement: falling for the best friend's sister as a substitute for falling for the best friend. I'm curious why you think he's misogynist, actually.
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Date: 2007-02-08 07:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 10:03 am (UTC)CE is a chameleon: his role here bears no resemblance to his other roles. I adored his performances in Elizabeth and Jude.
I really haven't recovered from seeing Ando stalk Niki. I know it was played as 'cute' because he's a dork, but I found his arrival at her house presumptuous. It suggested that he doesn't understand that there's a real woman who is different from the image he sees on his screen. Likewise, with Kimiko, he ignored the real social dynamic (he's a lackey in her firm!) and acted as if he 'deserved' intimacy from her: 'you are my friend's sister, therefore you will hug me too'. No! She's not obliged to give him shit! What's more, he sexualised her during a moment that was otherwise about her empowerment. She'd been overlooked as her father's successor because she was a woman. Hiro empowered her, Ando (cluelessly) undermined her again. Ugh. He gives me the shudders.
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Date: 2007-02-08 10:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 03:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 06:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 10:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 10:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-08 11:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-02-09 12:07 am (UTC)Ah, ok, I had forgotten the Ando-going-to-Niki's house thing. Yes, that was creepy, though I have to be honest and say that given the way he was completely pwned by both Niki and Kimiko, neither of those scenes actually made me dislike Ando. And I honestly don't read him making a clueless pass at her as misogynistic--just extremely socially inept. It's not like he was doing it in front of her employees, or even her father (who had already left at that point).
I forgot to say in my comment above that I really agreed with you on Mrs. Bennett. God, that scene with Sylar creeped me out, but honestly what her husband is repeatedly doing to her creeps me out even MORE.
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Date: 2007-02-09 01:29 am (UTC)Meh, Ando: guess we just agree to disagree. Neither the Niki or the Kimiko incident alone make me feel he's mysoginistic--but together they're starting to paint a picture of his view of women that I don't like. I hope I'm proved wrong because he's really failing to be sympathetic to me in any way at the moment. But then I need someone to hate, with Eden gone! ;-)
no subject
Date: 2007-02-09 05:21 am (UTC)