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[rusty_halo]

What a dull, clichéd, shallowly characterized filler episode. Please let this be an exception and not the new norm. I got so bored I got up and made tea in the middle of it. There were two or three funny moments, but not nearly enough to make it good based on humor alone. And there were so many interesting issues right under the surface, but the episode managed to gloss over all of them! They could've used the werewolf girl to really explore Angel's (and Spike's) way of dealing with his own inner darkness, but instead they just used it as an excuse for Angel and the girl to have a "connection." A connection that you know won't last because she's just a girl-of-the-week; it would've at least been meaningful if there'd actually been some possibility of a relationship. What a waste. (And you know the reason Angel wanted to help that particular girl so much was that she looked like Darla. If it was a big hairy old man, I seriously don't think he would've made it so personal.)

What was with the tacked on happy ending? The reason Angel has those people is largely because he erased all their memories, especially when it comes to Wesley. And shouldn't Connor at least have been mentioned when it came to Angel and "family"? And, oh yeah, they just let a group of people who eat werewolves alive continue to do so! With no indication that they were going to stop with the scientist guy. WTF? If they're going for moral ambiguity then maybe they should skip the tacked on happy ending, otherwise it just comes across as really cheesy. And are we really supposed to think that Spike's a jerk for not caring about the girl, but not hold Angel to the same standards? Because he let every accessory to murder in that room get away.

What was with the sappy musical montage? The girl stormed out after a big fight; where the hell did the happy little reunion come from? Since when does AtS gloss over real issues like this? It was blatant manipulation of the characters and situations to serve the "family" theme, and it was lazy. Why is AtS suddenly turning into Full House?

Wesley's cool, though. I vote for more Wesley doing cool things, please.

Frankenstein! That was funny. Not funny enough to save the episode, but still funny.

And I get that Spike was being an ass because he was hurt and terrified, but I don't think they showed that in a very convincing way. I suppose (hope) that's what next week will be for. His characterization felt very shallow and one-dimensional in this ep--I've been saying that I love that Spike has his snark back, but this really felt like a reversion, and I don't buy it. Souled Spike wouldn't be so dismissive of the girl's plight. I suspect that there's more to it than that; maybe he's identifying with her and transferring his self-hatred onto her, but the writers didn't let us see that. Or he's in so much pain that he literally just can't see beyond it, but again, they didn't show that. Instead they showed us Spike through other people's perspectives, where he came off like a total jerk. I suppose that's my problem; I loved that we were seeing through Spike's POV in Just Rewards. I hate that we were seeing Spike through the POV of people who don't like him and don't care about him in this episode. I mean, it got to the point where I was annoyed when he popped up with some inane comment. And me being annoyed by Spike is, well, pretty surprising.

The best thing about tonight was the preview. Next week is the episode that made JM take up smoking again around the time of DragonCon. Hee! Graphic nudity! And I love the WB promotion tactic. They're trying to find a tasteful way to say "Check it out! Next week, we've got NAKED SPIKE!" So they hide behind a "GRAPHIC NUDITY" warning. >:)

Also, I watched the preceding Smallville episode and that Lana chick is SO ANNOYING. How do the Smallville fans stand her? I really don't think I'd be able to put up with her, even for lots of Clark/Lex subtext.

In other news, jaydk and I went to a preview screening of the new Robert Downey, Jr. movie, The Singing Detective. It was interesting--very well-made and experimental. Robert Downey, Jr. is an amazing actor, and he really shows it in this movie. Overall, I'm glad I saw it, but I probably wouldn't want to see it again--it was very disturbing and difficult to watch. (To clarify: I don't get disturbed by movies generally, but some parts of this film were very upsetting because they were so realistic). I liked the mix of different genres, I thought some of the psychobabble was a bit irritating, and I thought the end didn't fit the rest of the movie. But overall--it's good, I recommend it for Downey's performance if nothing else.

Comments

[mildmay.livejournal.com]

And, oh yeah, they just let a group of people who eat werewolves alive continue to do so! With no indication that they were going to stop with the scientist guy. WTF? If they're going for moral ambiguity then maybe they should skip the tacked on happy ending, otherwise it just comes across as really cheesy. And are we really supposed to think that Spike's a jerk for not caring about the girl, but not hold Angel to the same standards? Because he let every accessory to murder in that room get away.

I agree with everything you said about tonight's Angel episode! Everything. Especially that part. It bugged me too, but I couldn't really articulate it. I was bored and irritated with the episode and just didn't feel like thinking about it very much.

I also agree with you about Spike acting like he did because he was scared. That's definitely how I saw it, too.

And, about Smallville? Most everyone I know who watches Smallville hates Lana. Personally, I tend to be more bored by her than annoyed, but there are times (like tonight) where even manages to make me move past apathy into irritation towards her.

[(Anonymous)]

Actually they mentioned the fact that they got those people when they were in Angel's apartment. It was only like one or two short lines. You must have missed it.

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

They may have stopped the guy who was running it (though they addressed the issue in a very perfunctory manner; who's to say he's not going to set up shop somewhere out of Angel's reach?), but what about everyone else in that room? Every person who was standing there ready to eat that girl alive knew exactly what they were doing. I didn't see Angel taking names or making arrests; they all went home safe and sound, where they'll probably find a new werewolf-eating operation, start their own, or get into some other nasty thing. They're all accessories to murder and Angel let them all go.

[herself_nyc]

So how naked is he gonna be? Because we already saw most of him on BtVS. Are we getting--what's the opposite of full frontal? Full backal?

Hee.

[carolyn-claire.livejournal.com]

Surely they will. How can they not? It's Spike. I mean, if NYPD Blue could do it...::shudders at memories::

Backal. Heee.

[sparkledark.livejournal.com]

I mean, it got the point where I was annoyed when he popped up with some inane comment. And me being annoyed by Spike is, well, pretty surprising.

Yes! God, that was a strange experience. Did not like this episode one bit. Thanks for articulating why better than I did/could.

[carolyn-claire.livejournal.com]

I'm glad it wasn't just me. Every time he popped in, I winced. Bad, bad feeling. Their treatment of him here exemplified everything I was worried about, as far as how they were going to use him on the show. I'm kinda depressed. The whole ep was unlikeable.

Except Wes and that whole 'look' moment, at the end--I guffawed. Could that bit actually have been meant the way it looked? (I mean, to me, at least? ::chortle::)

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

treatment of him here exemplified everything I was worried about, as far as how they were going to use him on the show.

I know! And I thought they used him so well in Just Rewards, too. I really hope this episode is an exception. Here I've been rolling my eyes at the naysayers, telling them to give it a chance, Spike will be respected--and then this episode exemplifies everything the naysayers have been worried about! I almost want to apologize to shipperx and deborahmm for mentally dismissing their concerns.

[cindergal.livejournal.com]

I mean, it got the point where I was annoyed when he popped up with some inane comment. And me being annoyed by Spike is, well, pretty surprising.

Well, at least it wasn't just me. What a bizarre experience - I really didn't like him tonight. Blech.

Wesley was cool, though he really needs to get over Fred. Now. And I liked Nina - too bad she was just girl-of-the-week.

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

What a bizarre experience - I really didn't like him tonight.

Bizarre is really the word. Me not liking Spike? Is this an alternate universe? I mean, I don't always approve of Spike, but I've never disliked him before. Even in "Crush" or "Seeing Red," horrified as I was by his behavior, I still understood and deep down wanted to give the poor guy a big hug. Maybe it's just that in those situations I could feel his vulnerability, and here I couldn't.

Yes, Wes/Fred must end. I hope it's just a time-filler till they get to the real Wes story mid-season. These people are paid to write; I can't believe they're still dragging out that tired old storyline.

[queenofattolia.livejournal.com]

And, oh yeah, they just let a group of people who eat werewolves alive continue to do so! With no indication that they were going to stop with the scientist guy. WTF? If they're going for moral ambiguity then maybe they should skip the tacked on happy ending, otherwise it just comes across as really cheesy. And are we really supposed to think that Spike's a jerk for not caring about the girl, but not hold Angel to the same standards? Because he let every accessory to murder in that room get away.

The best thing about tonight was the preview. Next week is the episode that made JM take up smoking again around the time of DragonCon. Hee! Graphic nudity! And I love the WB promotion tactic. They're trying to find a tasteful way to say "Check it out! Next week, we've got NAKED SPIKE!" So they hide behind a "GRAPHIC NUDITY" warning. >:)

I love you, Laura, because you always, always write exactly what I'm thinking. Heh.

Right with you with the "could this ep. have been any more boring and pointless?" thoughts. I mean, when they resort to stealing from "The Freshman" (an amusing but minor Brando film), you know they've totally run out of story ideas.

And BTW, I thought Nina looked more like Kate, but same diff -- Angel just has a hard-on for the moon-faced blondes.

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :)

I thought Nina looked more like Kate, but same diff -- Angel just has a hard-on for the moon-faced blondes.

Yeah. I think Kate, Nina, all the little blondes in alleys, and even Buffy basically go back to Darla substitutes for Angel. She was the most important woman in his life and shaped his desires so intensely; I'm not sure if he realizes it, but unconsciously he's trying to re-create that relationship.

Did you notice how many times he referred to her as "the girl" in this episode? I'm not sure what's worse, the BtVS brand of pseudo-feminism or the not-even-trying old fashioned sexism of AtS. Weak little blonde girls need to be rescued by big strong Angel! Dude, it's 2003! Get over it. At least Lilah brought a strong female presence to the show (though you could argue she was playing into the virgin/whore stereotype, seeing as the only strong woman was evil). But the little group of blonde girls (not women, girls, we're told several times) needing to be rescued by Angel is just so... ugh. Like they're consciously defying the BtVS premise of the girl in the alley who can protect herself. BtVS had a royally fucked up view of women, but at least it tried to move beyond sexist stereotypes.

RE - Lana on Smallville

[juno.livejournal.com]

Mute button. Know it, love it, use it. Blana, the pink power ranger is much better if you mute and then make up your own dialogue.

Re: RE - Lana on Smallville

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

Heh. I don't even think I could take that much of it. I was only watching because I taped it for a friend. Maybe I could tape it and fast-forward to the Lex parts? Probably not really worth it.

[wickedgillie.livejournal.com]

i thought there were so many mixed messages in this oh-so-dull episode. that they left john billingsley's character there to get eaten was just--bizarre. is this supposed to be funny? more of angel's new moral ambiguity? and spike was SO out of character. i coudln't even rationalize it to "oh, spike is being an ass to cover his pain"--it was just...painful. makes me wonder if jm really knew was he was in for when he signed on. and while, of course, i will be watching nekkid!spike next week, i still have a bad feeling that it's a tease, and almost an apology that said "we knew this week's episode sucked, but we'll make it all better with promises of gratitous violence and nekkid!spike so y'all come back now, hear?"

sad sad sad. and i feel like a cheap whore for following jm to this show based on what i've seen so far.

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

If it helps, I think next week will be better. DeKnight episodes are always complex and well-written, and he gives great Spike.

[wickedgillie.livejournal.com]

always a relief, but so far i feel cheap and used for crossing over to AtS

[piedmargaret.livejournal.com]

I can't believe they Hollywooded The Singing Detective. That's sodding sacrilege. I haven't been so horrified by the idea of a remake since the revolting travesty they made of Wings of Desire.

/me fumes and not so quietly.

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

Well, it wasn't really all that Hollywood. At least, it certainly didn't feel like a typical Hollywood film. This one was very (purposely) disturbing and experimental, not words I usually associate with Hollywood. Also, the genre mixing was not at all Hollywood; they're going to have a hell of a time marketing it.

I suppose maybe I'm a bit defensive because the director was there and actually talked about the movie beforehand, and he really impressed me. (It was Keith Gordon, and I'm still trying to figure out if Keith Gordon the director is the same Keith Gordon as the actor from The Legend of Billie Jean and Christine; he was too far away to see). I'm not quite sure why he was there talking to us, since we were a preview audience who got in through pretty random free tickets. But he struck me as someone very passionate who really cared about the subject matter and took great care to preserve the author's vision. He was incredibly respectful and worshipful to the author and continually emphasized how they didn't change a word from what the author wanted. Oh, and how if we hadn't, we should all go out and read the guy's work, 'cause he's so wonderful. And how this was this director's dream job because he loves the material so much. Etc. Very geeky-sincere.

And I was so impressed with Robert Downey, Jr. The role seemed like it was made for him, and he really rose to the occasion.

I could definitely see the argument that it's a poor film, but I didn't really think it was all that "Hollywood."

[darling-effect.livejournal.com]

I heartily agree with your assessment of this weeks' Angel.
I'm really writing because I'm dying of curiosity about this remake of The Singing Detective.
While I appreciate Keith Gordon's geeky sincerity, I can't imagine how the new version could be anything but a pale imitation of the original BBC series. I'm really curious how they compacted the narrative into —two hours? three?— and still brought it to a satisfying conclusion. Sounds impossible, but I'd like to see it for myself. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it.
And yes, he's the same Keith Gordon.

[rusty_halo.livejournal.com]

Dude! I was in the room with Keith Gordon and I didn't even realize it! *cries* I had the hugest crush on him for, like, a week, ten years ago.

Well, I guess they must have cut a lot (though supposedly everything they did was according to the author's wishes). I've never seen the original so I can't compare them. I guess I'd just recommend seeing it; even if you hate what they did to the story, Robert Downey Jr is amazing.

[darling-effect.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'll see the new one, definitely. I felt a lot better about the remake when I found out just how closely Dennis Potter was involved before his death.
I still think the original is one of the finest things ever broadcast on television.

[jidabug.livejournal.com]

You said perfectly what I was trying to get at in my own thoughts about the ep, but couldn't quite nail down. Bad writing is what I blame. Lame plot and characterization all around, really. And could they be any more obvious that Angel has a thing for petite blondes? Darla, Buffy, Kate, and now werewolf girl. Sheesh. How shallow.

I'm finding it a revelation that I'm not alone in my disgust with the way Spike was protrayed (written, whatever) in this episode. I mean, if they've managed to completely turn off the loyal Spike lovers in fandom, what are the long-time Spike haters feeling?