Oh where oh where has Wylie been...
Yes, aside from two little blips this past week, I haven't been much of a blogger lately. October was a month where a bunch of little niggly things collided and made me tired, grumpy, stressed and uncreative.
To escape real-life, I ended up spending the last few hours of every evening watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I missed this show when it was on television (we didn't get the WB in Bermuda back then) and besides... I couldn't really understand the appeal after having sat through the original movie.
A grainy season one (had me appreciating high def) was very short compared to the other 22 episode seasons, and I really had to leave my adult sensibilities aside and try to let my inner angsty teenager come into the light.
It worked, (must have been my mood, cause it was actually pretty easy!) and I eagerly plunged into season two.
By this time, I realized that even if the monsters were bordering on ridiculous, the acting was superb, the writing tight and the characters BRILLIANT!
It goes without saying that Sarah Michelle Geller was the perfect choice for Buffy... but Willow, Xander, Giles, Angel, even Oz -- incredibily well fleshed out characters that made the show shine. They were easily people you would know in high school (except maybe Angel, the vampire with a soul *snort*) and kudos to Joss Whedon who didn't rely on the transparent trick of slotting people in to stereotype slots.
And I finally completely 'get' why the Angel & Buffy story resonated with my fellow romance writers. WOW -- the chemistry between those two characters was palpable.
By the time I was deep into season three, the Buffy & Angel 'theme song' (a gorgeous, haunting melody by Montreal composer Christophe Beck) would squeeze my heart whenever played.
*SPOILER ALERT - don't continue unless you've watched the show, or don't intend to*
My inner 17 year old felt every ounce of Buffy's pain by the end of season three (you know, when Angel... and Buffy... yeah, then she became Ann). Anyway, I had to rush out and buy season four that very day and only then realized that Angel doesn't come back because the bugger went off and got his own show!!! Course, now I'll have to ask Santa for the Angel series...
Late last night I watched (end of season five) the Buffster jump off the tower to save her sister. And the world.
She died??? But... but... but... I happen to know there's two more seasons!! I've seen them at Best Buy - and she's on the cover so... HOW??!!!
Oh, the look on Willow's face when she saw her friend's lifeless body.
And SPIKE!! The anguish on his face.... he just broke my heart.
Speaking of Spike. He's become my absolute fave character.
Ever.
On any television show.
Double kudos to Mr. Whedon for this guy. His character grew into something multi-faceted and imo, overshadowed even Angel in his depth. The good-bad guy, complete with unrequited love.
Have you seen Buffy?
For writers - if so, have you drawn on it for inspiration/ideas/arcs, etc??
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11 comments:
OMG You're up to that!! Oh wait until the next season. One of my favourite episodes of all time is there, Once More With Feeling.
I love Buffy and Angel, but Buffy and Spike was hot...
And honestly, the whole Buffy and Giles dynamic worked so well for me. Tony Head is such a phenomenal actor.
Haven't seen much Buffy, but it's one of those things I'd like to do, check out the series in more depth. And wow, "Close Your Eyes" is a gorgeous piece of music. :)
Christine -- I agree... Giles and Buffy were an interesting team. The character could have come across as campy, but Tony Head totally made it work.
TL - I wouldn't have appreciated the subtleties if I'd watched it spread out over years.
Little things - like how Buffy's wardrobe and makeup change as her character grows not only in age but as she explores her feelings, her maturity, etc.
All the characters have very interesting arcs, and I can say no more without giving away too much ;)
And seriously, when you're done Buffy, I'm giving you Torchwood, just so you can watch season two and see James in it...he's awesome!
Yup, Buffy's dead at this point in time. What happens next has HUGE repercussions.
And does Spike remind you even a little of a certain bass player? He does to me...but then, I'm biased.
I've never watched buffy. I've been meaning to grab season 1 on DVD. One day soon...
I hope you're a bit better now :)
Brad and I often devour whole series like that, and I agree that watching episodes back to back gives a more intense reading of a series. I love watching shows like that.
Brad watched the first three seasons so far (and me, too, out of the corner of my eye while at the computer.) Right now we're devouring Britain's 'MI-5' (also known as 'Spooks'.)
I'd have to be able to devote my full attention to 'Buffy' to comment properly, but the episodes I did watch swept me up immediately.
Hee. Welcome to the obsession. I didn't get caught until season 6 myself, and then I couldn't get enough of it.
Yes, you'll definitely have to get the Angel DVDs next. I like Angel even better than Buffy, believe it or not. :)
Christine keeps wanting me watch Buffy. Of course I'm trying to get her hooked on Grey's Anatomy.
One day I will get to it. LOL.
Joss Whedon is my hero.
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