elisi | Hmmm.

First of all, this whole negativity thing really isn't me. I am a Polly-Anna, even trying to find the hidden gems in AYW... I really, truly wish I enjoyed s8. But...

If this is Season 8 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, then please pray tell me - where are the vampires? Every single season (except for s1, but that's different) has opened in a cemetary with the slaying of vampires. The teaser always told us a great deal about what to expect from the year ahead, and how things had been during the summer.

Now I get the fact that s8 is new and different - and we still open with a fight scene (nasty demons, ritual sacrifice, strange markings), and technically I can't fault it. It does a great job and of course we have to move on. We're not in Sunnydale anymore... but surely there are vampires everywhere? Have we even *seen* a stake?

I feel like something's been lost.

And again this is where there's a difference between BtVS and AtS - BtVS is about Buffy: Who she is (Slayer, comma, the. Chosen One) and what she does (She who hangs out in cemeteries a lot). If she's not fighting - if she isn't a vampire Slayer - what's the point? But AtS is about Angel. Full stop. The entire show is inherent in his character (vampire with a soul).

It's very early, so I'm not really sure where I'm going with this. I think it comes down to the fact that I don't think BtVS is complete without vampires. (And no, those in Buffy's subconscious do not count.) [ETA: I also am not thinking about Spike and Angel. I mean vampires that need staking!] I know they might turn up later - but this is the opener! This is the ep. that spells out the themes of the season. And there is not a single vampire.

We have pretty logos all over the place, but so far it feels a little like Disney - when was the last time you actually watched Mickey Mouse?

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there's no 'Buffy', the thing the show was about, the thing that made the show so good even when 'the Buffy' wasn't really about Buffy.
::much nodding:: I think I could probably really like this Buffy, truth be told, if only she'd look like Buffy. And dress like her. *deep sigh* As I said to

aycheb a little while ago, there is nothing in ep 1 for me to latch onto emotinally. And that is it's greatest failing. If we don't care - well what's the point? Also it's disappointing, because Joss could *always* make us care - heck I cared deeply about every single person in Firefly after watching the pilot.

A somewhat broad, meandering term with no real point...kind of like the comics. It's kind of fitting.
Heh. I've still got hope that Joss'll do something interesting, but I'm kinda glad it'll be months before the next one. Currently the whole thing is just bothering me. *goes back to reading Spike:Asylum'*

there is nothing in ep 1 for me to latch onto emotinally.

Uh huh. And to be honest, I don't buy the 'it's just one episode' defense because it's not. It's one arc in the same vein as CWDP-Showtime only not nearly as good. Even if I did think it was really just one ep, like you say, there's nothing there to grab you emotionally and that's sad because the first installment is the one that should latch onto you.

Months. Months. 4-5 years this thing will take to run its course. That in and of itself is enough to convince me Joss has split his nut.

It's one arc in the same vein as CWDP-Showtime only not nearly as good.
Indeed. Anyway, I've discovered that the less I think about it, the happier I am. Also Doctor Who is *awesome* at the moment bringing the squee in spades. S8 brings grumbles. Ergo, S8 can go jump in a lake. And I'll get my Buffy fix from fanfic, which is *also* bringing the squee in spades.

Months. Months. 4-5 years this thing will take to run its course.
It's like a WIP that gets updates monthly... except WIPs are slow because the writers have real jobs to attend to primarily. Oh and did you see this? *whistles innocently*

And also the updates are much more satisfying in fic because they're written to a specific audience. A Buffy fan doesn't have to sift through Giles or whomever exposition in order to get to Buffy's story. Same with a Xander fan or Willow fan. Now, it would be pointless to mention that Joss had the perfect setup for that after AtS S5, but it's true. Here, he's cramming everyone into one storyline. If they're going to do a Faith one, it would be better off if she had her own offshoot comic because the *last* thing they need in the Scotland group is another prominent character. The question is will Joss be able to stop himself from taunting one more shipper group.

And ugh, I just read your other Riley post. I wonder if Joss is going to make him a wonder boy still or, like with other storylines, play to the fanbase who hate him. I think he's probably the most disliked because both Spuffies and Bangels hate him.

That reviewer is a smart woman. The dissenter kind of reminds me of someone. Not gonna mention who. IMO, comics need their own resolution in each issue except in rare cases. Even if it's only a B-plot, there has to be *some* kind of conclusion. In TV, there's next week, not next month.

Here, he's cramming everyone into one storyline.
Indeed. And the thing is, it *can* be done well - there's a reason I mentioned Elfquest, because that is a truly *excellent* comic book series, with an episc plot and a *huge* cast. And yet it is all balanced perfectly, because it is a comic book and not trying to be a TV show... characters not needed easily slip into the background.

Now, it would be pointless to mention that Joss had the perfect setup for that after AtS S5, but it's true.
I am beginning to get *seriously* impatient for S6...

And ugh, I just read your other Riley post.
Heh. Doubt he'll show up, but that quote from 'The Initiative' just popped up in my head, and then I was remembering AYW and all Riley's gear... I really do not like the military set-up for S8!

Even if it's only a B-plot, there has to be *some* kind of conclusion. In TV, there's next week, not next month.
We are very much in agreement! (Are you watching Doctor Who? 'Tis most excellent and brings much squee. I am determined to purge my mind of s8 and concentrate on fic and The Doctor.)

I really do not like the military set-up for S8!

Indeed. :( It didn't really work for me in S4, but at least then it has such strong characterization that more than made up for the faults in the Initiative plot. I mean, yeah, I get it, Buffy's not alone anymore, but since when does Buffy need to tap Willow's magic? Buffy's ingenuity is what made her so cool! Picket fence stake! Hair accessory weapons! Cleverly dosing vamps with holy water! Now she's teaming up with Willow for a Care Bear Stare or whatever.

And no, I can't get Dr. Who. Well, I could, but I don't watch any TV at all anymore, really, and I just can't justify it to myself to spend $60/month on a satellite package just to watch one show.

It didn't really work for me in S4, but at least then it has such strong characterization that more than made up for the faults in the Initiative plot.
Also, of course, The Initiative was shown to be a *failure*. And now Buffy is looking v. smiliar... OK, so she's not experimenting on vamps, but the whole set-up has those echoes. I'm just waiting for her to be codenamed 'Lilac'! ;)

I just can't justify it to myself to spend $60/month on a satellite package just to watch one show.
Ah no, I can see that. Of course there *are* other ways... if you don't mind downloading it? There are people I could talk to. *looks shifty*

I'm just waiting for her to be codenamed 'Lilac'! ;)

or Tara Anne Joyce. :P

I live in a technological backwater in Pennsylvania that can still only get dialup. :| It takes me about 2 hours just to DL the comics. :(

or Tara Anne Joyce. :P
*snicker*

I live in a technological backwater in Pennsylvania that can still only get dialup. :|
Eeeek! Nevermind then. Oh and I was going to re-upload issues for you, wasn't I? Um... come back tomorrow. :)

You are too kind. :)

I think the words you might be looking for are scatterbrained and slow! ;)

Hmmm.

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