Regarding Apathy

I’ve been really enjoying Warehouse 13 so far (not Party Down or Leverage enjoying, but let’s say Raising the Bar enjoying. For keeping track of on your Jerk-Like-O-Meter. Shut up.), and this week’s episode continued that trend (yay for gropey Ivan Sergei! Mac Ramsey FTW) but there was one bit I wasn’t really buying.

With the running plot thread of someone trying to hack into Warehouse 13, you’d think Artie would be a little more concerned when he found out the strange power fluctuations were the hacker basically pinging the Warehouse via the electrical grid. Up to that point he’d been running around trying to fix things, but then he just kind of gave up and decided it wasn’t important. He also seemed shocked (shocked!) at the end when the hacker found them.

It’s a little complaint, but honestly who’s response to ‘hacker in the electrical system’ is to have a mellow discussion followed by a cookie and a nap?

I’m just assuming Artie did those last two things.

-Jerk

Bit of a Rant on True Blood and Episode Endings

I’m quite enjoying the new season of True Blood, but there’s one tiny aspect that’s changed for the worse. The first season had really awesome cliffhangers on every single episode, as well as a really cool stylistic thing where the next episode would pick up at the exact second where the previous episode ended, continuing that scene. Both of these staples of the first season have changed.

The second season started out following this pattern with the season premiere picking up right where the first season finale ended (the one time I wouldn’t have minded if there wasn’t such a direct continuation), and the end of the first ep led into the second ep. It’s after this point that things changed. Episode three started with the same characters from the final scene of 202, but picked up a little later with a new scene. 203-204 and 204-205 both completely broke the old pattern, with the new episodes opening with completely different sets of characters. Saying as they’ll get back to those episode-ending scenes eventually, I don’t see why they don’t just put them at the start of the episode to keep that little True Blood signature style going on.

Now about the cliffhangers. Season two’s episodes to date haven’t really ended on cliffhangers (although I’d say 202’s ‘what’s Bill going to do to Jessica’s family’ one counts), instead ending on revelations such as Daphne’s Maryann scar and Psychic Bellhop. This I don’t mind so much, because this season has a severe lack of serial killer body count to help power those cliffhangers.

So in conclusion: lack of cliffhangers okay given the storyline, stylistic change lame.

-Jerk

Whats in a voice?

I ran across a hollywood reporter article this morning that announced the recasting of the voice actors on Futurama for financial reasons.  My first thought was ‘Wow, Futurama’s still in production?’ but after that settled I have to question why continue to produce a show if you’re going to replace something as central as ALL of the voice actors?

So I pose the question to you, our loyal and tv savvy readers: Is this the kiss of death? How integral is the authenticity of the voice actors to the quality of the show?

I think this is a really terrible move.  If there isn’t enough money to pay the voice actors then there isn’t enough money to make the show, flat out.  Characters are as much their voices as they are their images. I understand they were asking for ’substantial’ raises, though who those comments are coming from are unknown and therefore questionable but it comes down to an essential service in my eyes.  Negotiate bitches.

Weigh in.  Anybody even still watching?

-DoubleBitch

Warehouse 13: A Couple Hours In

I’ve now seen both the two-hour pilot and the second (third?) episode of Sci–er, SyFy’s new series Warehouse 13. The show seems to be very much the result if you took Fringe, removed the focus on math and science to explain the phenomena, and instead gave the team a variety of awesome tools to capture and possibly subdue  various devices and artifacts that they’ll run across, with a large helping of comedy thrown in.

Now this is a cool premise for the show, but it’s those tools I mentioned that really interest me. The Warehouse 13 crew has a variety of steampunk-y resources at their command, from the ‘created-just-after-the-television’ communication devices to Nikola Tesla’s nonlethal elecro gun. The style and design of these creations is one I’ve long admired, and one that results in some truly amazing props.

Unfortunately, steampunk contraptions are rarely the purview of quality TV, despite their ability to combine technological fetishism with americana. And based on the pilot, Warehouse 13 seems to be a quality show.

This is why I was expecially happy when more steampunk (or more accurately, neo-modern) technology was introduced in the form of Artie’s computer, with it’s keyboard reminiscent of a very old typewriter. I can only hope that they’ll continue to fill the show with awesome gadgets as the series progresses.

Though honestly, those communicator systems are really cool enough to curb my steampunk interests all by themselves. Those without my love for crazy props may not be as big fans of the new series as I am.

-Jerk

*Funk music plays*

So we all made sure we saw Leverage last night right?  of course.  I’m not really going to touch on the “Feeling” of the new season until I get a chance to see another episode or two but there was definitely a difference to be felt.  At this point I’m gonna go with it feeling pretty natural but lets leave it at that.

One thing I think they’ve done is give in a bit to what the fans want.  While sometimes this is a terrible thing it works here because I feel like what the fans want is what the writers and actors want.  I believe that they are all fans of the show as well and with that I think we can feel safe with the show in their hands.

What I did want to touch on here was that gross season one ad that got stuck in between  the first and second act.  What was that?!  One of the things I really enjoyed about Leverage Season 1 was how it was following along with the trend of not having an opening sequence.  I cant really comprehend what exactly it is that made them think they needed this.  The press and promotional material has done a pretty good job of letting us know who the actors are, not to mention the season one shots and the hitter, hacker, grifter, thief being drilled into our heads what 3 times this episode?  I just don’t think it’s necessary and I kinda hope it will disappear as the weeks progress.

-DoubleBitch (yes I’m still alive)

True Blood and Maenads

So I found this interview with Michelle Forbes about her True Blood character, wherein she reveals herself to be a maenad. Now, on one hand this kinda gels with what I’d been thinking, right down to the connection to Dionysus. On the other hand (and I will admit my classical mythology education isn’t as complete as I’d like it to be), I’ve always found maenads to be… you know, human.

In fact, it was Maryann’s parties that originally led me to the connection between her and Dionysus, due to the way the people in attendance acted. With this week’s episode, the crazy food and dirt eating, and punching reaaaaally seemed to fit for the followers of Dionysus, including the maenads though they haven’t quite worked up to the killing and eating of animals or people yet. But see, this is the partygoers, not Maryann, who are all frenzied. She seems to be somehow controlling them, inducing their ecstatic state, and possibly being empowered by it. Basically her followers seem much more like maenads (though not just the women) than Maryann does.

What'chu doin' in there, pig?

However TB has already given us a different take on vampires, so I guess it stands to reason that it’ll do the same with Greek mythology. See along with the maenads, other followers of Dionysus were various half-human creatures like Pans and Centaurs. My best guess is that they combined the maenad and the other followers to create Maryann, which makes sense and goes a long way explaining the very un-maenady bits of her character. The pig’s got me stumped though, I know of no connection between either the maenads or Dionysus and pigs.

Really happy my fav religion is connected to a show for the first time since Hercules and Xena,
-Jerk

Random Question #9

It’s been a while since wa had one of these (I mean a Random Question, not a post. Shhhhh), so I figured I’d take this idea for postness that’s been brewing in my head for a while and change it into an audience participation-type dealie.

Do you have a show where you know and follow the writers as well as you know and follow the actors?

What I mean here isn’t the standard writerly knowledge that we as fans have, where we’re a bit OCD with the facts and statistics and know the names of several writers for a show off the top of our head, and can possibly name some episodes that they worked on. No, what I’m talking about is when you get such a feel for the writer’s voices that you can tell who wrote the episode you’re watching (if you managed to miss the writing credit at the start, and haven’t already gleaned such knowledge off of TV.com or some such site), when you get to have not just favourite episodes but favourite writers, and you get excited when a certain writer’s responsible for the week’s ep.

I’ve had two* such shows, Buffy and Supernatural. It eventually got to the point with Buffy where I could tell by what relationships were the primary focus of an ep, or even by how the comedy bits played out, who had written it. I like many of them enough that their involvement has been a major factor in me watching a new show. It’s the same thing with SPN, I can tell when I’m watching an Edlund ep or a Gamble ep without having seen the credits.

Buffy was my first real foray into TV fandom, so I didn’t really find it all that strange or unique when this knowledge of writers’ styles developed. But as time’s passed and many of the shows I’ve loved dearly have failed to bring about this phenomenon, I’ve realized it’s a special event.

So has anyone else had this happen, and for what shows?

*I listed off Buffy because it was the origin of this for me, but the repetition of writers meant it carried across to Angel and Firefly too.

-Jerk

JDB Actor BINGO: Day 14

People are still playing this, right? Right? Please say something!

Anyway, today’s we’ve got Alan Tudyk! Alan’s best known for playing Hoban “Wash” Washburne in Firefly, and his more recent Whedon appearance as Alpha in Dollhouse. He’s also appeared on CSI, Frasier, Arrested Development, and Strangers With Candy. He’ll be showing up next year in the big V remake, which I’m hoping will be far better than the original.

Outside of TV Alan’s done several Broadway shows, quite a few movies, and even joined his Firefly castmates Nathan Fillion and Adam Baldwin to voice marines based on their Firefly characters for Halo 3.

-Jerk

What Time Is It? Heroes-Rant O’Clock!

So I just came across this bit of Heroes news for season four. To wit: Claire’s gonna be a little gay with her college roommate, more gay if the fans like it.

Let’s start with the second part, with more if the fans go for it. Apparently Kring and company didn’t learn from their sucky-ass third volume to not always listen to the fans. Sure, being aware of your audience and crafting your show to appeal to them is part of the job of showrunning, but don’t try and do everything the fans want you to do! For one thing, sucky-ass, and for another the fans often don’t actually want what they want to happen to happen. We want to watch things play out how you’ve planned them, while wishing they went the way we wanted. And we’ll praise some things and bitch about others. It’s how we do. I really don’t understand how you aren’t getting this, maybe you should talk to other showrunners or something, learn from your peers. Why am I writing this as if Kring is reading it?

Anyway, on to the gay part of this rant. I actually don’t mind this. Has there been any remote indication of Claire being less than completely straight? Unless you count holding hands with a power-malfunctioning KBell on a plane (and I know some of you do), then nope, nuthin’. But on the other hand Claire’s relationships are always super-lame and go nowhere. There was West in season two, who… I don’t know, no explanation of what the hell happened to him post-s2 was ever given. Then there was… Comic Store Gill Guy, I don’t even remember his name, who lasted for about 4 episodes and I can guarantee we won’t see again. I’m willing to bet Madeline Zima will just be more of the same.

I have a theory that all of Claire’s relationships aren’t sexual or romantic, they stem completely from the show needing to have her onscreen and having no idea what to do, so they just throw in a person for her to kiss until the next time Sylar shows up or she disobeys HRG or whatever. So the next plot device relationship being a girl? Sure, I guess. I mean the only meaningful relationship Claire’s had on the show was with her gay/un-gay best friend John Connor in season one. Maybe what they need to do is give her a friend again. Or kill her off.

Besides, everyone knows Heroes gay couples are Parkman/Mohinder and Nathan/Hiro.

-Jerk

DB Pet Peeve – Episode 2

It’s time for another rant and this is one I feel we run into all too often.  As fans of a show we can be pretty demanding but I don’t feel that it’s out of line to ask for a new photo shoot of promo pictures for a show ONCE a year.  One time per year.  I know it’s hard to get everyone together but half of the promo images end up badly photoshopped together anyway.

Smallville is a long time offender on this front.  I’m assuming because it’s next to impossible to get former model Tom Welling into a photo shoot but there have been years where the same photo is used on the promo and the dvd art, with slight color changes to wardrobe.  Season 7 features Welling in a shirt he’s never even had on. This year’s promo sinks to a new low, badly superimposing his body from one year on a head from another season.  If you look back carefully, Durance’s head isnt even on the right body.  I hope she was highly offended by that.   I guess this all just fits in with Rosenbaums Teen Choice nomination.

Smallvile is far from the only offender.  I’m disappointed to report that the promotional photos for Leverage aren’t new either.  I’ve really been hoping to see new photos but as we creep towards the second season’s premier we’re being given new manipulations of old photos.  While I enjoy the ‘artsy’ factor to this photo its not really doing it for me.  The show, to devoted watchers has evolved past these labels.  I also like how they carefully made Kane taller than Gina Bellman but theres still something else off on the proportions.  I’m very impressed with the way the Leverage crew goes out of their way to interact with their fans so I’ll try to give them some extra slack on things.

Just a quick reminder, the dvd comes out on the 14th and the new season starts on the 15th.   Smallville will return Friday nights in late September.

-DB

JDB Actor BINGO: Day XIII

I was going to do this yesterday, but starting a D&D campaign got in the way. Oops. Anyway, today’s actor is Amy Ryan! Amy’s largest television roles have been playing Beadie on The Wire, Chloe Banks on The Naked Truth, and Holly Flax on The Office. She’s also appeared in episodes of Home Improvement, ER, Third Watch, Homicide: Life on the Street, and all three of the American Law & Orders.

Outside of TV Amy has appeared in several broadway plays and earned two Tony nominations. She has also done numerous films, and for her role in Ben Affleck’s Gone Baby Gone she was nominated for and/or won twenty-five different Best Supporting Actress awards.

-Jerk

The Wire Hates Politics – Maybe

So my posting has taken a bit of a break due to various parties and hangings out with family and friends over the past week,  but now I’m back home and all settled, and ready to make a second post about The Wire (which is actually the topic my first post was supposed to be on, until I wrote it and it wasn’t). I’m kind of glad for the break, because while it interrupted my posting it didn’t do the same to my show watching, so I’m writing this post from halfway through the second season of The Wire, instead of at the end of the first season.

What I want to talk about is the absolute disdain some of the characters in The Wire have for politics and careerism. During the first half of season one I would have said this was just McNulty, but later on Lt. Daniels really stepped up in this department too. I can illustrate what I’m talking about best with this great big quote from McNulty:

If only half you motherfuckers in the State’s Attorney’s office didn’t want to be judges, didn’t want to be partners in some downtown law firm, if half of you had the fucking balls to follow through you know what would happen? A guy like that would be indicted, tried and convicted. And the rest of them would back up enough so we could push a clean case or two through your courthouse. But no everybody stays friends, everybody gets paid, and everybody’s got a fucking future!

This is a viewpoint I share completely, and one of the reasons I love McNulty so much. I’m pretty sure I brought up my hatred of politics in a post about Jerry Kellerman one time, and I think McNulty and Jerry would get along fine. Except for the part where Jerry would be trying to free the guys McNulty had taken down. Hurm, getting a bit off topic, so politics! I hate them, I hate the fact that most people would rather try to do what people in positions of power want in order to assure themselves of a career (which is a word I hate, it makes your current job sound like a more vital aspect of your life than it should be).

The fact that people in The Wire actually stand up to the power structure and try to push for a good case is one of my favourite aspects of the show. The number of  crises they come across that could (and sometimes do) undermine their case is so disheartening, but the fact that they (McNulty and Daniels) still try to do good by the case knowing what will happen to them, what did happen to Freamon, makes the show less disheartening but more tragic. They all prove that they’re damn good police, and get punished for it.

I said that having watched half of season two would change this post a bit, and here’s how: In the second season the case really wouldn’t come together if it wasn’t for politics. The reunion of the main characters in a new special detachment only occurs because Major Valchek is pissed about his stained glass window, and he has a great deal of political power at his disposal. Granted the connection between the special detachment and the case (which still isn’t firmly in place where I’m at) comes about as a result of a combination of good police work and McNulty trying to screw Rawls and not because of Valchek, but it’s still his political leverage that gets the gang back together.

So maybe The Wire hates politics, but admits that they can sometimes be inadvertently beneficial would have been a better title for this post.

-Jerk