Summer viewing
Jan. 14th, 2004 12:53 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meteordustWarning: long, rambling, and occasionally ranty, especially when Channel Nine is involved.
The Professionals
Thanks to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
calla_s, I got a chance to sample a few episodes of one of the oldest shows in fandom. I wasn't sure what to expect going in. All I knew was that there was Bodie and there was Doyle and out of this there was much Bodie/Doyle. Or maybe Doyle/Bodie - I don't know.
It took me a little while to warm up to the show - I think it took me those first two episodes to get used to the style and feel of it, and to get to know the characters and their relationships.
The third episode, 'In the Public Interest', had me riveted from the start. Maybe it was because the themes - abuse of authority and police corruption - were closer to the heart for me than superweapons and political kidnappings. Being targeted because you don't look like you fit in - that's not tv drama, that's *real*, and it has a chilling immediacy for anyone who's ever been on the receiving end of bigotry or discrimination.
The danger to civil liberties posed by a police state - however well-intentioned - is just as important an issue now as it was then. Also, I'm not sure exactly when this series was made, but I was impressed that they were dealing with issues like violence against gays in such an open and unflinching way.
As for Bodie and Doyle? Mmm, they have a nice camaraderie, but I have to confess things are bit subtle for me to be waving flags yet. Or maybe my expectations are too high. (Especially after Witchblade, where they just hit you in the face with it every week.) Maybe I just need to watch it again.
The OC
This is the second time where I've fallen into a fandom before I've had a chance to watch the actual show. Although I guess readinghackthis's lovely OC fic and her occasional recs doesn't really constitute involvement in the fandom.
Anyway, after months of hearing about Seth, and Ryan, and Seth and Ryan, I finally got to see the boys for myself. What's funny is that when I saw the ads on tv, it *so* looked like the kind of show I would normally run a mile from - a variant of Beverly Hills 90210, with lots of pretty people chasing after other pretty people. My sister, who knows my usual tastes, burst out laughing when she found out I was planning on watching this show. ("But it has a fandom!" was my somewhat weak defence.)
Anyway, it was watchable enough. Ryan - oh man, he does such an impressive kicked puppy look, as though he's saying, "I'm resigned to being unloved and unwanted, so I'll just be leaving now if you don't want me around anymore." And Seth, adorably geeky and unselfconscious Seth, who complains loudly to his parents that they want to send away the one cool person he's met.
So cute.
So much love.
Oh yeah, and Channel Nine took it off the air after two episodes and says it "will be back mid-year". Bastards.
Farscape
Imagine this scenario: Farscape airs once a week, every week, in the same timeslot, for a whole season. And then next season, it returns and does the same thing.
If this sounds familiar to you, then you're living in a fantasy world. Or maybe in the US. Because in Australia, Channel Nine seems committed to treating Farscape like dirt.
Season One aired several years ago in a reasonably regular fashion. After a break, Season Two was aired *over the space of four weeks* with two episodes playing each day in different timeslots, the episode in the earlier one being cut because of the rating for that timeslot. (The reason for cramming a whole season into four weeks was apparently so that Channel Nine could make their quota of Australian content by the end of the year.) Season Three, which we are now in, aired for a few episodes about a year ago, stopped, and came back recently on an erratic schedule.
I swear, what amazes me is that Farscape has managed to develop and retain a following in Australia considering Channel Nine's shoddy treatment of the show. I suspect many of the fans have already imported the DVDs or downloaded the episodes instead of waiting to be jerked around some more.
Oh yeah, and I love this show. It's clever and funny and bold and it's Aussie science fiction, and it just burns me that it's not getting the treatment it deserves.
John Doe
So this guy wakes up on a deserted island with amnesia - no idea how he got there, no clothes or possessions to indicate who he is. But even though he has no clue about his identity or personal history, his brain is crammed full of knowledge about everything else imaginable, from complex scientific theories to pop culture trivia.
When he gets off the island, he tries to make a new life for himself and unravel the mystery of his missing past.
He calls himself John Doe.
This show reminds me a bit of The Pretender and a bit of Nowhere Man. Every week, John Doe uses his abilities to help solve other people's problems, while trying to get closer to the answer of who he is.
There's quite a bit of dodginess in the plots sometimes, but I still find it compelling viewing. Mostly because they're doing a good job with the mystery of who John Doe really is, with new and tantalising hints unfolding with each episode. I just hope the setup pays off.
Iron Chef
I've never really been into cooking shows, but this one has me watching every week. There's always spectacle and drama aplenty. Cabbage battles! Sea urchin battles! The extravagant use of truffles and foie gras! Chairman Kaga's glittery outfits! The commentary of the judges, which ranges from long, sophisticated, gourmet opinions to muffled grunts of "Mmm, this is good!" And the dishes the chefs come up with - I wish there was a magic button on my remote to bring them through the tv screen.
And what is it with Iron Chef Italian? He appears in the credits every week, but there's no sign of him on the show itself. It reminds me of Freakylinks, where there was this one guy in the credits who never appeared on the show except once or twice, and then he would just appear to spout enigmatic ravings at the main characters before vanishing again. I kept hoping they would explain him, but the show was cancelled before they could. Sigh.
Smallville
Back at last, but not, alas, uncut, as last Saturday's episode testified. Even the most clueless viewer would have realised something was wrong - the final confrontation scene was all over the place and made no sense at all. And even though Smallville is now screening in an 8:30 timeslot, Channel Nine is still showing the censored version.
Well, fuck you too, Channel Nine.
Senseless plot discontinuities aside, it's still a pleasure to be watching Clark and Lex and company again. (Well, mainly Clark and Lex, but anyway...) 'Ryan' was an excellent episode and genuinely moving. It was also interesting to see Cancerman make an appearance as - who else? - the corrupt mayor, and Agent White from Dark Angel also featured as a sinister doctor. 'Dichotic' hit us with a cheese anvil in the first five seconds (surely a new record) but there were also some nice moments. Finally got to meet Helen after all these months of hearing about her. It can be hard to keep up with a fandom when you're so far behind with the source material.
But that's a topic for another day.
The Professionals
Thanks to
calla_s, I got a chance to sample a few episodes of one of the oldest shows in fandom. I wasn't sure what to expect going in. All I knew was that there was Bodie and there was Doyle and out of this there was much Bodie/Doyle. Or maybe Doyle/Bodie - I don't know.It took me a little while to warm up to the show - I think it took me those first two episodes to get used to the style and feel of it, and to get to know the characters and their relationships.
The third episode, 'In the Public Interest', had me riveted from the start. Maybe it was because the themes - abuse of authority and police corruption - were closer to the heart for me than superweapons and political kidnappings. Being targeted because you don't look like you fit in - that's not tv drama, that's *real*, and it has a chilling immediacy for anyone who's ever been on the receiving end of bigotry or discrimination.
The danger to civil liberties posed by a police state - however well-intentioned - is just as important an issue now as it was then. Also, I'm not sure exactly when this series was made, but I was impressed that they were dealing with issues like violence against gays in such an open and unflinching way.
As for Bodie and Doyle? Mmm, they have a nice camaraderie, but I have to confess things are bit subtle for me to be waving flags yet. Or maybe my expectations are too high. (Especially after Witchblade, where they just hit you in the face with it every week.) Maybe I just need to watch it again.
The OC
This is the second time where I've fallen into a fandom before I've had a chance to watch the actual show. Although I guess reading
hackthis's lovely OC fic and her occasional recs doesn't really constitute involvement in the fandom.Anyway, after months of hearing about Seth, and Ryan, and Seth and Ryan, I finally got to see the boys for myself. What's funny is that when I saw the ads on tv, it *so* looked like the kind of show I would normally run a mile from - a variant of Beverly Hills 90210, with lots of pretty people chasing after other pretty people. My sister, who knows my usual tastes, burst out laughing when she found out I was planning on watching this show. ("But it has a fandom!" was my somewhat weak defence.)
Anyway, it was watchable enough. Ryan - oh man, he does such an impressive kicked puppy look, as though he's saying, "I'm resigned to being unloved and unwanted, so I'll just be leaving now if you don't want me around anymore." And Seth, adorably geeky and unselfconscious Seth, who complains loudly to his parents that they want to send away the one cool person he's met.
So cute.
So much love.
Oh yeah, and Channel Nine took it off the air after two episodes and says it "will be back mid-year". Bastards.
Farscape
Imagine this scenario: Farscape airs once a week, every week, in the same timeslot, for a whole season. And then next season, it returns and does the same thing.
If this sounds familiar to you, then you're living in a fantasy world. Or maybe in the US. Because in Australia, Channel Nine seems committed to treating Farscape like dirt.
Season One aired several years ago in a reasonably regular fashion. After a break, Season Two was aired *over the space of four weeks* with two episodes playing each day in different timeslots, the episode in the earlier one being cut because of the rating for that timeslot. (The reason for cramming a whole season into four weeks was apparently so that Channel Nine could make their quota of Australian content by the end of the year.) Season Three, which we are now in, aired for a few episodes about a year ago, stopped, and came back recently on an erratic schedule.
I swear, what amazes me is that Farscape has managed to develop and retain a following in Australia considering Channel Nine's shoddy treatment of the show. I suspect many of the fans have already imported the DVDs or downloaded the episodes instead of waiting to be jerked around some more.
Oh yeah, and I love this show. It's clever and funny and bold and it's Aussie science fiction, and it just burns me that it's not getting the treatment it deserves.
John Doe
So this guy wakes up on a deserted island with amnesia - no idea how he got there, no clothes or possessions to indicate who he is. But even though he has no clue about his identity or personal history, his brain is crammed full of knowledge about everything else imaginable, from complex scientific theories to pop culture trivia.
When he gets off the island, he tries to make a new life for himself and unravel the mystery of his missing past.
He calls himself John Doe.
This show reminds me a bit of The Pretender and a bit of Nowhere Man. Every week, John Doe uses his abilities to help solve other people's problems, while trying to get closer to the answer of who he is.
There's quite a bit of dodginess in the plots sometimes, but I still find it compelling viewing. Mostly because they're doing a good job with the mystery of who John Doe really is, with new and tantalising hints unfolding with each episode. I just hope the setup pays off.
Iron Chef
I've never really been into cooking shows, but this one has me watching every week. There's always spectacle and drama aplenty. Cabbage battles! Sea urchin battles! The extravagant use of truffles and foie gras! Chairman Kaga's glittery outfits! The commentary of the judges, which ranges from long, sophisticated, gourmet opinions to muffled grunts of "Mmm, this is good!" And the dishes the chefs come up with - I wish there was a magic button on my remote to bring them through the tv screen.
And what is it with Iron Chef Italian? He appears in the credits every week, but there's no sign of him on the show itself. It reminds me of Freakylinks, where there was this one guy in the credits who never appeared on the show except once or twice, and then he would just appear to spout enigmatic ravings at the main characters before vanishing again. I kept hoping they would explain him, but the show was cancelled before they could. Sigh.
Smallville
Back at last, but not, alas, uncut, as last Saturday's episode testified. Even the most clueless viewer would have realised something was wrong - the final confrontation scene was all over the place and made no sense at all. And even though Smallville is now screening in an 8:30 timeslot, Channel Nine is still showing the censored version.
Well, fuck you too, Channel Nine.
Senseless plot discontinuities aside, it's still a pleasure to be watching Clark and Lex and company again. (Well, mainly Clark and Lex, but anyway...) 'Ryan' was an excellent episode and genuinely moving. It was also interesting to see Cancerman make an appearance as - who else? - the corrupt mayor, and Agent White from Dark Angel also featured as a sinister doctor. 'Dichotic' hit us with a cheese anvil in the first five seconds (surely a new record) but there were also some nice moments. Finally got to meet Helen after all these months of hearing about her. It can be hard to keep up with a fandom when you're so far behind with the source material.
But that's a topic for another day.
