TV of 2007

[snowystingray]

For the third and final part of my Fictional 2007 review, I bring you my year in television shows. This post has been an embarrassingly long time in the making (as evidenced by the fact that I did the first two within the same day and yet have been adding onto this one for the better part of the week), because, wow. I don't think I quite realized just how many new TV shows I've picked up on the wayside. I remember a few years ago making an agreement with myself to limit my major TV fandoms to only House and Lost, because I was HUGELY invested in both of those and didn't think I could make room for another obsession of a similar caliber. And then somehow I justified watching a few summer shows, some reality TV, maybe some educational programming... and holy bejeebies where did all these fandoms come from? I also blame the fact that, through some installation mix-up or something, I've been getting full cable (70+ channels) at school for the past semester despite the fact that I only pay for basic (about 15 channels); and being the terrible person that I am, I've decided to milk the mistake for as long as I can (and, ooh, spooky coincidence -- my Comcast bill literally just popped up in my inbox as I typed this. Weirdly enough, this is one bill I don't get annoyed at paying; instead, I get excited about having another month of TV!!! :D Yes, I am in desperate need of a life).

Caution: contains lots of large-ish images, as well as spoilery discussion of the most recent seasons of Lost, House, Robin Hood, Psych, Star Trek: TOS, Star Trek: DS9, American Idol, and Pushing Daisies

Part Three: Television

Lost

Oh, Lost. Where would I be without my weekly mindfuck from you? (Trying to distract myself with other fandoms for the last nine months, that's where.) After leaving me on tenterhooks during the winter hiatus over whether Ben would make it through his surgery or not, the second part of the season came back with a vengeance. A few episodic highlights:

-DFSAKSDFASDKDF WAS "FLASHES BEFORE YOUR EYES" NOT THE MOST GLORIOUS MOMENT OF OMGWTFAWESOMMMMME EVER?
-"Tricia Tanaka Is Dead" played perfectly into my love for strange surreal macabre humour. It also features on of my all-time favourite Lost quotes: "Let's look death in the face and say, 'Whatever, man.'"
-"Enter 77" - PATCHY!!!!

Mikhail as Best New Lost Character of the 2007, amiright?
-So we finally learned how Locke ended up in that wheelchair in "The Man from Tallahassee," and it wasn't from slipping on a banana peel as Damon & Carlton have always maintained! Shocking! This episode also inspired the insanely funny Dad in a Box parody.
-Say what you will about Nikki and Paulo, but "Exposé" was a terrific send-off of their characters. I mean, how many other shows respond to negative fan reaction by burying the offending characters alive and then completely forgetting about them? The writers must have previous experience as a "cleaning crew" for a mob boss or something.
-Thank you thank you THANK YOUUU for the Ben flashback in "The Man Behind the Curtain." About. friggen. time.
-And then the finale. OMG. Lost is the one show where I never ever never want to read any spoilers EVER because I wouldn't trade my reaction to the fast forward reveal for anything. Just. OMG. AWESOME!

Even though this was the big season of Jaters vs. Skaters, I've decided to spare myself the mental anguish of deciding where I stand on the issue by instead focusing on other ships.



Forget about flashback!Goodwin/Juliet; Ben/Juliet is where it's at, people. theirloveissomanipulative!



For me, the highlight of Kate's flashbacks will always always be Kate/Marshall. theirloveissostalkerishlyobsessive!



And then my one actual, legitimate, romantic OTP, Penny/Des. Because the girl knows a hot monk when she sees one. theirloveissoGreekepic!

House, M.D.

Much to my frustration, the majority of the House clips on YouTube have been removed recently, preventing me from sharing my top moment from the show this year. Well, I'm sure you can already guess what it is anyway, but it was so filled with win that it bears repeating.

HOUSE TELLS WILSON "I LOVE YOU." HOUSE TELLS WILSON "I LOVE YOU." HOUSE TELLS WILSON "I LOVE YOU." HOUSE TELLS WILSON "I LOVE YOU."


House: I love you.
Wilson (and everybody else ever): 'Bout damn time.

I seriously cannot believe that a lot of fans have been complaining about the decay of House/Wilson this season, because. Honestly. HOUSE TELLS WILSON "I LOVE YOU." HOLY CRAP I DID NOT THINK THAT WAS EVER GOING TO HAPPEN BUT IT DIDDDDD. And it was beautiful! And I'm certain I let out a fairly audible, "Oh my GOD!" while watching it in a dorm room full of non-House fans.



And let's not forget the total brilliance of the season premiere (with much delicious casual Wilson, dreamysigh). Really, I think that is where a lot of grumblings are coming from, because the House/Wilson/Cuddy-centric episode set a standard that no team, old or new, could ever live up to. "Are you erasing my TiVo? House, not the season finale!" "You ever tighten a guitar string really, really slowly? Past the point it can handle the strain? It makes this weird... sound. Almost like a scream. Eee-eee-eeeek!" Then going back to the beginning of 2007, the second half of season three featured perhaps the greatest run of House/Wilson ever, with the four-episode block of "Act Your Age" through "Resignation." "I'm not on anti-depressants, I'm on speeeed!!" Ohhh, Wilson. Plz to be makin babies with me. From here to eternity.

I have to give House major props for having the balls to fire half the cast at the end of season three (even if they all sort of came back, but whatever. It was still an impressive risk), for having so much fun with hiring the new fellows, and for bringing Cutthroat Bitch into my life. ♥ ♥ ♥



Smart, sassy, mini-skirt wearing Amber Volakis: you were too precious for this world. I already ranted about how much her firing sucked, so instead I will commemorate the happier times.



Swaying public opinion with donuts! I'm pretty sure there's a chapter on that in How to Win Friends and Influence People.



"I wasn't exactly popular in high school." "Really?" "People said I had a superior attitude but that's just probably because they were all so stupid." (From that other show with an overachieving young doctor)

As a corollary to my CTB obsession, I also became seriously invested in Amber/Taub. They're such an unlikely match, and yet at the same time so weirdly perfect for each other. Perhaps the greatest tragedy of Amber's demise is that this relationship never got a chance to fully play out -- but they still had plenty of great moments.



Dating tip: couples who manipulate Cameron together, stay together.



Amber: Can I have a kid too? I'm working too hard.
Taub: I could hook you up.
Amber: If I had two minutes and some anti-nausea meds, I'd take you up on that.

Then the thong stealing in 4.08 wins as the best childish plot contrivance ever, if only because it gave us so many glorious Amber/Taub scenes.



Amber: Thought you weren't playing?
Taub: I'm not.
Amber: She'll fire you if she catches you.
Taub: I don't think she can fire me for not trying to steal her panties.
Amber: You trying to will them off?
Taub: If I had a plan, the first part would be not telling you what the plan was.

And yet they plan together anyway, because they just can't fight their love.



OMG HE HAS APPROPRIATED HER UNDERWEAR! Even if House sees through it right away, this plan is still made of SO MUCH WIN for all of the intriguing suggestions of how exactly Taub went about getting his hands on these.



"Way to blow our cover -- now everybody's going to know I let you feel me up in the locker room!" (And I swear I started writing this fic ages ago, but it's still sitting neglected on my desktop.)

ETA: Oh, snap! At the time of this posting, the panty challenge is actually still up on YouTube, so watch it while you can.

Robin Hood

Dear show,

Goddamn you for ruining my entire life.

Sincerely,
My residual FINALE OF DOOM-induced trauma

Yeah, that's one blow I don't think I'm going to wholly recover from ever. I mean. Just. Yeah. My OTP was quite literally run through with a broadsword, and my major girl!crush of the year is gone from the show FOREVER. In all of my worst, most tragic mental scenarios for the finale, I don't think I came up with anything could even hold a candle to the amount of soul shearing horror incurred by this episode.

That said... despite occasional relapses into despair, I have made my peace with the finale. I even quite like a lot of it, reaffirming my belief that my brain secretly hates me and revels in my pain. And, yes, I'm sticking around for next season, at least for the first few episodes.

As with Amber's firing, however, I know I've already shared my very lengthy feelings on this upsetting turn of events; so let us look rather to all of the goodness this show has brought me during the past year. Because, wow -- my entire relationship with Robin Hood thus far has been contained within 2007. Considering my recent level of obsession, it's weird to think that I only started watching the first season in April on BBC America, and I only became really hooked with the second season in October. I'm quick to bestow my affections, apparently -- but who can blame me? All (and by "all" I primarily mean "two"; I think you can guess who they are) of the gorgeous, wonderful, non-traumatic reasons to explain my torrid love affair with this show:



1. Guy



2. Marian. And that's all you really need to know. Oh! I forgot something...



Guy and Marian! These two together seriously rock my world.





I can't decide if I prefer them more when they're being flirty or angsty; but we're given such a wide array of both that I don't really have to choose, now do I? And either way, they are simply swimming in awesomesauce.

And just to make up for how much I've been ragging on Robin lately, I'll include a hugely adorable Robin/Maz scene.



Robin: *squinting* OMG, Marian! Your overwhelming awesome is too brilliant for me to gaze into directly.
Marian: Hmm, yes, I do seem to have that effect on a lot of people.



Marian: What do you mean, the show's named after you? Everybody knows The Night Watchman >>>>> Robin Hood!

Because these, my friends, are TRUE FACTS.

And then all of the good things I'm going to remember about season two:



Gratuitous displays of muscles and bosoms.



Tender comfort and emotional bonding.



INSANELY PASSIONATE MAKE-OUTS!



And, bascially, Team Leather FTW. Even if you don't follow the show, do yourself a favour and spend ten minutes watching all of their scenes from this episode. It'll take you on a perfect journey of everything life changing about their relationship -- their unlikely love borne out of betrayal. And, y'know, their overwhelming hotness. Plus, ooh, a bonus side of Allan! (Run, don't walk, to team_leather.)

Psych

Public Service Announcement: Psych starts back this Friday!! The EPIC LULZ begin 10 PM on USA. If you, like me, are in dire need of some fluffy happy time after suffering through the aforementioned fandom implosion, Psych is the cure for what ails ya. Let's revisit some of the moments of wonder and hilarity (and slashiness!) the show has bestowed upon us in the past year.

The second half of season one resumed in January, bringing with it "From the Earth to the Starbucks," or what I like to call, "The Finest Hour of Straight Up Shawn/Lassiter."



Slightly shortened version of their conversation:

Shawn: Lassy?
Lassiter: Spencer! Why am I surprised? Listen, there is something I have got to get off my chest.
Shawn: Is it your shirt? Please say no.
Lassiter: You astound me.
Shawn: Come again?
Lassiter: It's beyond astounding. It is some of the most impressive reasoning I've ever seen.
Shawn: Is there a punchline coming? Let's get to it.
Lassiter: I don't know how you do it. I mean, it's not psychicness; we both know that's a crock of crap. You, sir, are unstoppable. Guaranteed arrest.
Shawn: What's happening here?
Lassiter: Can I tell you a secret?
Shawn: I wouldn't recommend it, no.
Lassiter: You know how everyone thinks my wife and I have been separated for nine months?
Shawn: ...Yes?
Lassiter: Two years. Two years tonight, and I'm the one who keeps trying to fix the thing.
*Lassiter further bewails his career, while Shawn tried to reassure him*
Lassiter: Spencer, stop, okay? I am done. Here, I want you to have these. *pulls out cuffs* I don't need them. I am over.
Shawn: All right, stop this. This is nonsense. You're not over. Look, you're a striking man with strong features, eyes that women wanna do cannonballs into, you have great posture, and penmanship the likes I've never seen.
Lassiter: No. I have officially hit rock bottom.
*more depression over his current case*
Shawn: Come on, you'll figure it out.
Lassiter: No, I won't. I can't, and I've accepted that.
Shawn: All right, look, Lassy -- *struggles with calling him by his first name* -- Carlton, I believe in you. I really do.



And then at the end of the episode, Lassiter grabs Shawn to offer his private thanks for helping him on the case. And! And! They exchange their coded version of "I love you"s -- "Detective, you astound me."

The next episode also features an adorable Shawn/Lassy scene, which is just so perfect that it requires no fangirl reinterpretation whatsoever.



Shawn: Jules, may I please have a pen, and something to write on. *scribbles semi-orgasmically* *hands off pad to Gus, who then runs it to Lassiter*
Lassiter: *reading* "To Lassy: On the alpine highway of life, you're my all weather tires. H&Ks, Shawn." What the hell is this?
Juliet: "H&Ks" stands for "Hugs and Kisses"!
Lassiter: Not that part, this part!

Ahahahaaaa I love how completely Jules is fangirling it up here.



The season two premiere, "American Duos," wasn't one of my favourite overall episodes, buuut this performance is too funny to pass up. Despite my disappointment with the season opener, I felt like the episodes were immediately back on track. (Okay, quick aside, but does anybody know of a good place for Psych screencaps? I'm afraid the scenes I have represented here are fairly scattered because I had to cap them myself and only had a small smattering of season two episodes on my computer.) Best out of context quote EVER, said by Lassiter in episode two: "Spencer! Enjoying your time riding my behind?"

And then "Psy vs. Psy" was fan-freakin'-tastic. After the guest hottie of the week has revealed that she and Shawn slept together...



Lassiter: ...You... what?
Shawn: OH NO! Why'd you say that? And in front of mah boyfriend? Sooo busted. D:
Lassiter: Time to take out the competition!
[But it's okay, because she ends up being the baddie so we're allowed to hate her.]



Shawn: You're not still made at me about the whole sleeping-with-the-criminal thing, are you?
Lassiter: That would be a, "Yes."
Shawn: Come on, man. Let me make it up to you with my sweet, sweet lovin'. Kisses? Or possibly hugs?
Lassiter: *not quite ready to forgive*



Oh, but don't be too upset when they fight. Juliet doesn't let it bother her; instead, she imagines the hot make-up sex. (Seriously, Jules is SUCH A SHAWN/LASSITER SHIPPER. I love it!)



Random love for Lassiter's mugs in the final summer episode (never mind the fact that Kevin Sorbo is drinking out of it -- Lassiter doesn't appreciate him spreading his cooties everywhere!). In addition to the "SHOOT FIRST, DRINK COFFEE LATER," mug, later in the episode he has one which says "REAL DETECTIVES DO IT WITH A CHALK OUTLINE" (couldn't get a good cap of it, sorry).



And... yes... I do so love this scene...



Detective Carlton Lassiter: Officially Cooler Than You

Star Trek: The Original Series



Living in a family of giant nerds, Star Trek was always a fixture in our household as I was growing up. My parents were big fans of both Next Generation and Voyager, and I would often sit through an episode with them. I enjoyed both series, but neither left a huge impact on my life.

...And then I went to college and discovered the wonders of late night TV -- or, more specifically, the remastered episodes of TOS on the CW. And. Just. What? After watching my first full episode ("The Immunity Syndrome," which is still one of my favourites), I recall a distinct feeling of betrayal towards the world at large for never introducing me to it sooner. I mean, yeah, okay, so everybody knows Captain Kirk, but I never knew that somewhere behind all those William Shatner jokes laid one of the most innovative and entertaining television programs ever -- not to mention the greatest OT3 the world has ever seen.


Kirk/Spock/McCoy surrender to their love for one another.

Honestly, I sometimes get the strange feeling that TOS has been tailored precisely to my preferences. Aside from the rampant male bonding, the show features awesome costumes and hairdos and plenty of campy storylines; and yet it often surprises with a depth which is thoughtful without being (too) self-indulgent.



So much shiny! No wonder I'm having a hard time deciding on who to dress up as for the Star Trek XI opening.



For the most part, I think my favourite episodes are those filled with ridiculous plot contrivances and coincidences...



...Although Kirk would like to remind you that he still means business, thank you very much! (Never mind the alligator head on the wall.)

Even though I generally identify as an OT3 shipper (awesome parody and yet also kind of hilariously good Kirk/Spock/McCoy music video), if forced to choose I must express my preference for Spock/McCoy.



McCoy: Spock, I know we've had our disagreements. Maybe they're jokes. I don't know. As Jim says, we're not often sure ourselves sometimes, but what I'm trying to say is--
Spock: Doctor, I am seeking a means of escape. Will you please be brief?
McCoy: Well, what I'm trying to say is you saved my life in the arena.
Spock: Yes, that's quite true.
McCoy: I'm trying to thank you, you pointed-eared hobgoblin!

(Kirk can just... go make out with his lady of the week or whatever. arcadiaego linked me to this video of Kirk's many kissing scenes. Which, wow. It's slightly mind-boggling -- and also slightly disturbing that I actually find some of them to be sweet and romantic. When he's frolicking with Miramanee? He's so happy...! And then that episode makes me so sad! And God help me but I kind of love their kissing scene.)

As with Robin Hood, almost all of my TOS viewing has been encapsulated within 2007. I still have four more episodes left to watch (This Side of Paradise, Devil in the Dark, The Cloud Minders, and The Way to Eden), but with the help of TVLand I should hopefully close that gap sometime soon.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

DS9 is the other Trek series that I very sadly missed out on as a child -- why, Mom and Dad, why? I really don't understand their distaste for this series, because for me it is second to only TOS. I watched it a few times the summer before last with my sister thanks to reruns on SpikeTV, but didn't become seriously invested until this summer. Consequently, my viewing schedule has been a bit wonky. I've seen bits of the seventh season with my sister; in 2007, since deciding to watch the whole series, I made it through all of seasons two and three (almost done with four).

What I enjoy most about DS9 is that it has one of the best ensemble casts. Everybody plays so well of each other, providing an endless combination of character interactions. It makes it hard to get bored with any one storyline, because each episode handles it from a unique perspective. Keeping that intriguing, layered characterization in mind, I have a confession to make: I totally have a thing for Kira/Dukat. Back when I was first getting into the show, I saw that pairing mentioned on ship_manifesto and had a definite "Where the hell does that come from?" moment because it just made zero sense to me.

...And then I recently watched "Indiscretion" and "Return to Grace," both of which were amazing. It doesn't help that I watched them in the midst of my Guy/Marian obsession, either -- because Kira/Dukat is basically a much, much, much more sinister version of GM (and again, this is me feeling guilty for perhaps subconsciously jinxing Guy/Marian. I drew up all these comparisons before the Robin Hood finale, already knowing how completely doomed Dukat's pseudo-redemption arc was; so perhaps the comparison is more apt than I originally intended).



Unlike G/M, however, I am at a point of total acceptance with all of this, and can appreciate Kira/Dukat for its brief moments of brilliance while turning elsewhere for my OTP warm fuzzies. Not that Kira/Dukat are lacking in occasionally adorable scenes -- obligatory out of context screencap:



(Okay, not all that out of context; she's pulling a burr from his bum.)



And there's no getting around the fact that Dukat is a great character, be it as a villain or as a potentially redeemable man.



You know, I was watching a few Jake-centric episodes recently, and realized that, if this show were real life where it'd be inappropriate for me to lust after alien overlords or middle aged married men, I'd totally have a crush on Jake. At the point where I am with the show, he's just about my age, and he's the "sensitively artistic" type who every girl wishes was in her college writing class (or maybe just me, whatever -- I'm generalizing to keep from feeling like too much of a dork).

...But since this isn't real life, I instead spend the majority of the show fixated on Bashir/O'Brien.



So very canon! Except for that whole part where Miles has a wife and a kid.



Keiko: *cleaning up all of his goofy costumes* Miles, what exactly is it that you and Julian spend all of your time in the holosuites doing? I mean, gosh -- looking at these big furry jackets, I'd think you were arctic snugglebunnies or something.
Miles: Heh! How ridiculous... *awkward* [That would be Battle of Britain snugglebunnies, actually.]

*flash to all the Bashir/O'Brien Guy Love scenes, most of which consist of the two of them getting totally wasted and then overly grope-y with one another* One of the very best drunken B/O'B exchanges:

Miles: You're not an in-between kind of guy. People either love you or hate you.
Julian: Really?
Miles: I mean, I hated you when I first met you.
Julian: I remember.
Miles: And now...
Julian: And now?
Miles: Well... Now, I don't.
Julian: That means a lot to me, chief.
Miles: And that is from the heart! I really do... not hate you.

YouTube has another great clip exploring the differences between Miles' relationships with Keiko and with Julian. Really, I can't hate on Keiko too much for interrupting my OTP, because she does plenty to get the two of them together.



Slightly edited version of their actual conversation:

Keiko: I'm going to be working for another few hours. If you want to go do something [other than mope around our quarters all night]...
Miles: I'm fine.
Keiko: Why don't you go find Julian? You know... cheer him up.
Miles: Maybe I should spend an hour with him. [ZOMG YAAAAY!! Wife-approved boyfriend time!] *dashes out of the room*
Keiko: Maybe two.

American Idol



... ... ...Did I seriously spend the majority of my summer fangirling these two? *sigh* I think that's a record low, even for me. Ohhh, American Idol -- remember the good old days when you were just a silly pointless show that I had on for background entertainment? Before you became the show that sucked up two nights of television a week, not to mention all of the time spent online in between shows frantically refreshing for news? And then the show that still gnawed at my brain even when you ceased to be a show, forcing me to mooch off everybody's tour videos because I was too poor to go myself? American Idol has stripped me of my dignity. D:

But whatevs -- at least I got some CAKE in return! It's pretty long (7+ minutes), but Chris's elimination still totally breaks my heart every time I watch it. It qualifies as one of the most bittersweet TV moments of 2007 (because sob for him leaving, but awwwwwadorable!! for them declaring their love on national television).



Pushing Daisies

I just started watching the show over Thanksgiving, and even accounting for the truncated season, I've only seen about half the episodes. I passed it up initially because I figured the over-stylized cuteness couldn't be sustained for a full series; I still sort of feel that way, but I'm willing to stay around for as long as that adorable glimmer lasts. :D I haven't formed many solid opinions about the characters yet, other than OLIVE ROCKS MY WORLD.



I would say hello to my new girl!crush, but I haven't exactly been having the best track record with those lately so I don't want to jinx Miss Snook just yet. She's seriously so amazing that, as boring-and-doomed-to-go-nowhere as Ned/Chuck is, I can't even bring myself to ship Ned/Olive because Olive is just too cool for him. Seriously.



Weirdly, the only ship I'm into at this point is Chuck/Oscar; who knows if that's every going to go anywhere, but I like the idea. Oh, and Chuck's Wardrobe/My Closet, because that's one hookup which needs to happen ASAP.

Resources: Lost caps from Lost Media; House from jukebox_grad; Robin Hood from Gisborne fanlisting; Psych by me; Star Trek from Trek Core; Cake from I honestly don't remember where; Pushing Daisies from Pushing-Daisies.com

Comments

[maddeinin.livejournal.com]

*concentrates on Robin Hood because she's a weird, self-torturing person*

GAAAAAAAAAHH. Why do I keep doing this? I'll start to feel OK with life, and then I go and read stuff about the finale, and then it's all HI, RUN THROUGH WITH A BROADSWORD again.

And, like. I figured the huge bonus with shipping BOTH Robin/Marian and Guy/Marian - conflicting multishippery has seriously never happened to me before - would be that at least while my heart got crushed there'd be something to call a silver lining. Ahahaha. I guess I SHOULD THANK THEM FOR SHOWING ME THE ERROR OF MY WAYS. *cry*

Also: What do you mean, the show's named after you? Everybody knows The Night Watchman >>>>> Robin Hood!

TRUEST OF TRUE FACTS, MAN.

And. That thing with Guy and the dagger and the scar seriously makes me wibbly in dirtybadwrong ways. Gaaaahh.

OK, trauma. Must start watching s1 tonight.

[snowystingray.livejournal.com]

*concentrates on Robin Hood because she's a weird, self-torturing person*

I have such a weird, unhealthy fascination with all of this. I mean, I can't remember being more crushed/angry/devastated/disappointed by ANYTHING EVER, which in spite of myself keeps me from moving on. I just keep going back to, "HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? And on Robin Hood of all shows??" It's so shocking and disturbing and yet I simply cannot avert my eyes.

I guess I SHOULD THANK THEM FOR SHOWING ME THE ERROR OF MY WAYS. *cry*

AHAHAHA I KNOW. I can't even get over the irony gushing out of this finale, because it just ruined me in ways I didn't even know existed. I mean, I was hugely convinced that Guy was going to die, and wondered what could possibly be worse than having to see him killed. OH, HOW LITTLE I KNEW. And, MAN. In another pre-finale discussion, I also made a joke about how maybe Marian should die again, because the only time Robin seemed to make any emotional progress was when she "died" in the first season. I CAN'T BELIEVE I REALLY TYPED THOSE WORDS. I JINXED THIS SHOW SO BAD. And it just gets worse, too... I don't know if you read through the Star Trek: DS9 part of this post, but there's a character there who has some Guy-like qualities (former tyrant, twisted sense of loyalty/duty, and yet some desire for forgiveness and redemption) and also flirts with the kickass heroine -- and then everything falls apart and he becomes the Big Bad of the show. So the day before the finale, I was trying to distract myself from the anticipation with a few episodes of DS9, and started outlining all these comparisons to my little brother (gosh, poor him, having to listen to all my ramblings!). "But," I said, "at least Guy is actually becoming a nicer person, and at least Marian actually likes him, so I don't think I have to worry about him turning into the same levels of psychotic evil as Dukat." AUUUUGHHH THE UNWITTING FORESHADOWING, IT BURNS!

[maddeinin.livejournal.com]

It's so shocking and disturbing and yet I simply cannot avert my eyes.

I KNOW. *clings*

I though Guy was going to die, too, and I was pretty much OK with it. But then I was always more of a Marian fangirl than a Guy one. (Admittedly, frequent chants of BABYKILLER were required during certain scenes to keep me that way.) HAHAHA *SOB*

I JINXED THIS SHOW SO BAD.

I KNEW SOMETHING MUST'VE HAPPENED. I HOPE YOU'RE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF AND HAVE LEARNED YOUR LESSON, YOUNG LADY.

[snowystingray.livejournal.com]

Oh, I've always been more of a Marian fangirl, to the point where it honestly didn't not enter into my mind in any way, shape, or form that should could be the one to die. Like, not even the remotest possibility. Damn you, show, for luring me into a false sense of security! *shakes fist*

[todayimfine.livejournal.com]

So I completely agree with all (well, everything except about CTB. To be honest, I was never really a big fan of hers) you said about House. I loved the "I love you." And don't worry, I fangirl-ed in an apartment full of House fans that knew nothing of my obsession love for House/Wilson during that scene.

Psych--It was great. I love Shassi and they gave us some great Shassi moments. And I completely think that Jules secretly ships Shawn/Lassiter.

CAKE=♥ I love these two men. They were basically the only reason I watched last season of American Idol.

[snowystingray.livejournal.com]

Ha, yes, I realize that CTB is something of an acquired taste... But I did love her very much. Sigh. Oh well, I'm okay with both Taub and Kutner (I don't really feel like I've gotten much of a handle on 13's character to decide either way), so I look forward to fun times with the newbies. :D Nice to know I'm not the only one who occasionally struggles with keeping the House/Wilson squee under check -- and it's even worse when I do it while watching the show with my mom, haha (as if she didn't already have enough reason to think that I was crazy).

Jules is so adorable that it shouldn't even be allowed. I mean, what? Aren't we always supposed to hate the obligatory female love interest for being so annoyingly pretty and perfect? But Juliet is basically just a bundle of smiley cuteness with which it is simply impossible to not fall in love.

...I loved Chris/Blake so much that I know I'm going to have a hard time getting into the season of AI, because every episode without them will remind me of the cake-shaped hole in my heart. But, hey, we'll be on the lookout for some worthy replacements, right? ;)

[arcadiaego.livejournal.com]

Aside from the rampant male bonding, the show features awesome costumes and hairdos and plenty of campy storylines; and yet it often surprises with a depth which is thoughtful without being (too) self-indulgent.

Sometimes I just can't believe that TOS exists, it's so awesome.

I want to hear some more of your Dukat thoughts! I can't see Kira/Dukat because there's just no chance for anything on Kira's side as far as I can see - to the Bajorans Dukat is almost as bad as Hitler. But Dukat definatly had a thing for her...have you see "Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night" yet? I won't say anything more in case you haven't, but that adds a whole new dimension to the Kira/Dukat relationship. I was kind of gobsmacked by that episode the first time round, so it's well worth a look!

Mark Alaimo was both Dukat's greatness and his undoing I think. He was so good in the role that they kept giving him more to do...and then people got too keen on the character, and the writers freaked. I don't know where you are with the series yet, but what I mean will become very very evident towards the end. After Waltz in Season 6, Dukat was never as great again, but had become such a iconic villain for the show that he had to be brought back. Alaimo occasionally said that he was as disturbed as the writers that people were fangirling Dukat (clearly some people just don't get that you can fangirl an bad guy without thinking it's a good idea to brutally oppress an entire race of people...) but he was also obsessed with his own character to a rather delusional degree at some points - he both thought that Dukat could be redeemed and that the character had a chance with Kira. But I guess the point was that Dukat believed he wasn't evil as well, and believed that he had a chance with Kira.

I shouldn't complain about what happened with Dukat really: Waltz was a dream of an episode.

I can't slash Trek. I can't even het Trek really, unless it's there in canon. It's probably something to do with it being from my childhood, but I just can't do it. The only slash pairing I can see is, god help me, Julian/Garak. There were pretty strong rumours at the time that Garak was actually supposed to be gay, but with the writers never stating anything in the script so people could just go on assuming if they wanted, which many did. And then (oh how used I got to this refrain) the writers got a bit worried and so made him have the relationship with Ziyal. None of this has ever been confirmed, but I'm pretty positive from watching the early seasons that it was true and that Andrew Robinson was playing him both as gay and manipulating Julian in a way that suggests he's interested in him in a bit more than one level. :-P Robinson hiself only ever said that the character was neither gay or straight, and as he had such an influence on the development of the character and was so passionate about him, I tend to take his view as canon. :D

As you may have guessed, the continual faliure of Trek to live up to Gene's promise there would be explicitly LGBT characters happily going around in the future kind of irks me. Especially as I'm pretty damn sure it comes from people involved in the franchise - people thankfully NOT involved in the upcoming film *glares* - and not the studio.

[snowystingray.livejournal.com]

(clearly some people just don't get that you can fangirl an bad guy without thinking it's a good idea to brutally oppress an entire race of people...)

SO TRUE. There's a very important distinction between being a good person and a good character. To put it bluntly... nice people are boring, and generally speaking do very little to facilitate drama -- which although often ideal for real life, isn't something I would go out of my way to watch on a television show. I remember back when I first started really getting into DS9 over the summer, you made a comparison between Dukat and Benjamin Linus in terms of most compelling TV villains, and seeing as how Ben is perhaps my favourite character on Lost... Maybe this speaks to some deeper inner issues, haha, but I think they are both so utterly fascinating to watch, to explore the deluded mentality of somebody who could commit all of these atrocities and yet still retain this deluded sense of righteousness. Personally, I always enjoy that type of villain more than the unabashedly evil, "Muahahaaaa I will destroy the whole world and cover it in my terrible disgusting darkness!" because... well... if they're purposely destroying everything they consider to be beautiful and desirable in the world, what exactly do they plan to do afterward, you know? It never makes much sense to me in the long run.

I can't see Kira/Dukat because there's just no chance for anything on Kira's side as far as I can see

Oh, I totally agree with this as well, which is why the impossibility of Kira/Dukat doesn't ruin me on every single level like Guy/Marian does (I swear ONE DAY I will be able to have a conversation without bringing up Robin Hood... but that day is not today!). I mean, I appreciate the K/D dynamic for the fact that it is such an unsettling overlap of two characters who, for all the intersections in their lives, could never be brought to a point of understanding or acceptance of the other's choices. With G/M, though, I think Guy in some small way really is as much a victim of circumstance and situation as any of the outlaws, and there is very real potential for bridging that gap through Marian -- it's much less of a manipulation than it is with Dukat.

I can't slash Trek. I can't even het Trek really, unless it's there in canon.

Haha, I sometimes think I have the opposite problem! But, well, I do know what you mean in terms of annoyance the lack of canonically LGBT characters on the show. It's like they just throw in silly subtext or sly innuendo without ever actually committing to anything -- which can be fun, but ultimately quite frustrating.

[arcadiaego.livejournal.com]

I think with me the bad guy thing is also about being able to explore things that one couldn't (and wouldn't want to, I hasten to add!) in real life: you can sort of explore and learn more about your own morality by watching them. I do tend to like the like characters like Dukat over the cartoonish Bond villain type, although - somewhat worryingly I do also seem to be drawn to the really mad villains - not the megalomaniac mwahaha type, but the ones like Caligula in I Claudius, or Sylar in Heroes, where they are actually just insane, but in a way that the show makes believable - with that type it's the subversion of the cartoonish mad scientist thing that I find interesting; there's a reason and a logic behind what they're doing, but it's all completly fractured.

[crushed-yuppie.livejournal.com]

I recall a distinct feeling of betrayal towards the world at large for never introducing me to it sooner.

Ach, I feel exactly the same. (Even growing up in a home full of Trekkies... I mean, my father used to have science officer PJs when he was little! Jeez.)

I really owe you a lot of thanks for this post, lol. Googling "TOS" - before feeling stupid for missing "Trek-less" - got me interested in the show. XD

Star Trek is pretty much the greatest thing of my entire life so... yea. THANK YOU.

[snowystingray.livejournal.com]

!!! Awww, you really have no idea how many warm fuzzies I got from this comment. :) It's a really weird fandom experience, getting excited over Trek as something "new" in my life even though it's really always sort of been there in the background, but I am so very very glad that I had some small part in guiding you in the same direction.

Also, I've been meaning to ask you... A few weeks ago I had a very mixed up online shopping experience (http://snowystingray.livejournal.com/255654.html), which resulted in me getting two copies of the same Star Trek CD (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000153U). It's a rerecording of the music from four episodes; I don't know if that's something that would interest you, but if it does, it's totally yours. It was free to me, so really I'm just looking for a good home for it, free of charge. I know that television scores aren't exactly appealing to everybody, haha, so I would more than understand if it wasn't something you'd ever listen to -- but if it is just let me know, and I'd be happy to mail it to you!

[crushed-yuppie.livejournal.com]

Wow, I'd love to be the CD's new and loving home. XD My sister and I are always saying to each other how much we like the music, actually. And right now I'm in SRS BSNS collecting mode. I've been getting new Trek-related books and such from the local flea market just about every week... o_O This is the greatest thing I've found so far. :)


Also, an update -- Your present is almost done. Sorry it's taking so long!

[snowystingray.livejournal.com]

Your collection sounds awesome! AND THAT MCCOY FIGURE IS DSLKFJASFHYU;SADF THE GREATEST THING EVER!!! But anyway, cool -- if you want to send your mailing address to the e-mail listed on my profile (I promise not to stalk you :D), I'll try to pass the CD along ASAP (I'm currently in the process of moving back to school, BLAH, but I should hopefully be able to send it within the week).