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Miracle Day ep 4.
- Still shiny & American & nicely entertaining. (Feels a bit like 24 or similar, but with Torchwood-y guest stars.)
- Still zero thoughts, and no particular attachment to anything.
- Have decided that Jilly is my favourite though. (Amy icon in honour of her, what with the shared awesome ginger-ness!)
ETA: Rex's grumble at how Torchwood 'see it as a game' rather grated, to be honest. Not that I don't know what he means, but this is quite simply how they deal with things. This is their life. (Or was, and they slip easily into back habits.) They've watched all their friends die. They know the stakes far better than Rex does. And the way they deal is by treating it as a game, because otherwise they'd end up like Suzie and put a bullet through their brain, y'know?
Also, I'm really tired of Jack being a blank. It's a little like S1 all over again. I'm not THAT bothered, because I'm not really invested, but I'd like to know what's happened to him since we last saw him. Because currently I've got zero idea of what's going through his head.
(This brought to you by Thoughts In The Shower.)
- Still zero thoughts, and no particular attachment to anything.
- Have decided that Jilly is my favourite though. (Amy icon in honour of her, what with the shared awesome ginger-ness!)
ETA: Rex's grumble at how Torchwood 'see it as a game' rather grated, to be honest. Not that I don't know what he means, but this is quite simply how they deal with things. This is their life. (Or was, and they slip easily into back habits.) They've watched all their friends die. They know the stakes far better than Rex does. And the way they deal is by treating it as a game, because otherwise they'd end up like Suzie and put a bullet through their brain, y'know?
Also, I'm really tired of Jack being a blank. It's a little like S1 all over again. I'm not THAT bothered, because I'm not really invested, but I'd like to know what's happened to him since we last saw him. Because currently I've got zero idea of what's going through his head.
(This brought to you by Thoughts In The Shower.)
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I'm curious about your thoughts on the Blonde American One. I'm not sure if it's her I find irritating or the way the other's (particularly CIA Agent--as you may have noticed, I am very very bad with the names of television characters--is it Rick? It starts with an R I think...) anyway, I think I am just really, truly annoyed with the way everyone, him in particular, treats her over having personally natural if slightly stupid tendencies. But then I might be annoyed with her for being genuinely stupid. Or annoyed with everyone because she's at least understandably stupid so why don't they just stache her somewhere safe and go away from her stupid?
Also I wish she would stop crying. :|
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So there's that.
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Personally I don't really care. It's perfectly serviceable TV and I enjoy it while I'm watching it (although it's so slow - again American TV). I dunno. It's just... *waves hands around* Just TV. Nothing more.
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This is why I like Jilly and her amoral ways. Although it was that scene where she tells Oswald that she can't stand his hands that I really began liking her followed by her genuine glee at him working the media so well. :)
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Yeah, I'm a bit the same. I'm actually enjoying the plot and its ramifications more than I'm interested in the characters, which is unusual for an RTD series.
Have decided that Jilly is my favourite though.
Jilly is played by Lauren Ambrose who was Clare in "Six Feet Under", a brilliant series which if you haven't seen, you really should.
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Weird, isn't it? I think it might be because Gwen's an open book, Esther and Rex and nice, but I'm... kinda dumping them in with all other random TV series people (like all those lovely characters from the different CSIs whose names I can never remember) - they're very watchable, but they've not grabbed me. And Jack... I need something new, y'know? I've turned him inside out from start to finish, so I want something else. Not that he isn't watchable, but it feels like fic. (Actually someone likened it to a Big Bang story, and I thought that was quite apt.)
Jilly is played by Lauren Ambrose who was Clare in "Six Feet Under", a brilliant series which if you haven't seen, you really should.
I watched about the first half of S1, and remember her, definitely!
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Just something, anything. I'm easy. Something other than those contact lenses.
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Speaking of which, do we know how Gwen got them? I thought Bridget had them at the end of COE?
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*yawns*
Ah well, it's too early for that kinda thing. I should probably just file it away under: 'Torchwood - there is no logical explanation'. ;)
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Let it never be said that you are not easy to please ; ) I think I get what you mean, though--that is a very essential part of the Torchwood-y-ness. And the crack-y-ness! Realistic drama . . . *shakes head*
Alan Sepinwall, whose opinions I tend to trust, just posted a deliciously zingy review of the fifth episode explaining why he won't be blogging the show anymore, with added 'arrrgh, Rusty, why are you being Rusty again, you were doing so well!' So, yeah . . . *smiles placidly and unconcernedly*
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Heh. As it happens Watchmen was on the telly last night, and oh. ♥ So damn bleak and horrible and about humanity's worst impulses (I love The Comedian to pieces!), but all done through the use of 'superheroes' and someone Other (Dr Manhattan hits about fifty million of my kinks), so it's not even *aliens* I want, just otherness. And in MD there's none. Re. the Miracle, I remembered this quote from The Incredibles:
Helen: Everyone's special, Dash.
Dash: [muttering] Which is another way of saying no one is.
*pokes Miracle Day*
They took out all the sci-fi and just kept the HUMANITY. Which... I like to explore through things which are not human. Well, at least there's Jilly.
Alan Sepinwall, whose opinions I tend to trust, just posted a deliciously zingy review of the fifth episode explaining why he won't be blogging the show anymore, with added 'arrrgh, Rusty, why are you being Rusty again, you were doing so well!' So, yeah . . . *smiles placidly and unconcernedly*
LOL. Yeah, I think that's it. Also - like I've said before - it's so SLOW! So much of it is just STORY. Moffat has totally spoiled me with his insane stripping down of plot to the bare essentials, where you have to watch stuff at least twice to know what's going on. And then a few episodes later there'll be A BIG REVEAL and everything that came before will have to be re-watched in light of this and... *sigh* I'm looking forward to the 27th. ;)
ETA: Sorry about all the edits. You know, I think it's basically a Conspiracy Theory thing, what with all the Evil People Controlling Everything. I'm eagerly awaiting someone declaring: 'You have no idea what you're dealing with!' (Unless someone's already said it. That's entirely possible.)
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You are just so entertaining sometimes. That was a good movie, though. Although I'll be one of those people and say the book was much better.
so it's not even *aliens* I want, just otherness. And in MD there's none.
Huh. Whenever you bring thing kind of stuff up I go to myself "oh, ok" and scratch my head and move on. I think otherness rarely strikes me as markedly . . . other. Or, at least, not of greater magnitude of otherness than your average human otherness. I don't know that I've got such a coherent idea of what counts as human to find the distinction that exciting--Rose Tyler is as strange a thing to imagine as Illyria.
They took out all the sci-fi and just kept the HUMANITY.
Hahaha! Russel T. Davies?!?! I'm shocked! ; )
Which... I like to explore through things which are not human. Well, at least there's Jilly.
I'm having an amusing time imagining all the different things you might be implying by this statement.
Moffat has totally spoiled me with his insane stripping down of plot to the bare essentials, where you have to watch stuff at least twice to know what's going on. And then a few episodes later there'll be A BIG REVEAL and everything that came before will have to be re-watched in light of this and...
I was watching some season five the other day and marveling at how far we've come--and in, what, twenty episodes? It's so striking, though, to look from Moff ep to Moff ep and see the sorts of leaps he makes, not just in time but in tone and style . . . every episode something brand new. And there *is* a coherent narrative in there, but you do have to actively construct it <3
*sigh* I'm looking forward to the 27th. ;)
I want answers! You know "Let's Kill Hitler" is going to be something totally different again, though . . .
You know, I think it's basically a Conspiracy Theory thing, what with all the Evil People Controlling Everything.
Well, now you're pitting my love of conspiracy against my hate of RTD's leaden handling of Evil People Controlling Everything . . . I'm gonna end up watching this and throwing things, aren't I?
I'm eagerly awaiting someone declaring: 'You have no idea what you're dealing with!' (Unless someone's already said it. That's entirely possible.)
*sneeeerK* Know your genre conventions!
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*sneeeerK* Know your genre conventions!
On first watch (which was impeded by lots of family & children chatting) missed this statement by the Bad Guys:
"We are everywhere. We are always. We are no one. And soon the families will rise."
Fabulous, isn't it? I think I shall firmly forget about the 'Torchwood' label (a little hard, they mention it about every ten seconds) and just settled for genre entertainment.
Oh and:
Well, now you're pitting my love of conspiracy against my hate of RTD's leaden handling of Evil People Controlling Everything . . . I'm gonna end up watching this and throwing things, aren't I?
Oh go on go on go on go on go on go on go on ... ;)
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You are just so entertaining sometimes. That was a good movie, though. Although I'll be one of those people and say the book was much better.
I try my best. (It was the scene where Nightowl asks the Comedian who they're actually protecting people *from*, and the Comedian laughs and says: "Are you kidding me? From *themselves*!") I've not read the books (yet), but I will. Until then I have to settle for loving the film! *g*
I think otherness rarely strikes me as markedly . . . other. Or, at least, not of greater magnitude of otherness than your average human otherness.
Well I like it as a mirror for humanity, as a tool for exploring what it means to be human. A metaphor, you know? MD has... zero metaphors so far. OK, that's not true. Jack is reflected in both Oswald Danes and Rex, but...
Hahaha! Russel T. Davies?!?! I'm shocked! ; )
*snerk* Yes, I know. But still, he could have kept just a weevil or two. Heck, I'd be grateful for a Slitheen right about now... (Darcy and I were joking about this, actually, how it'd be fun if the Miracle was orchestrated by Ebil Alienz who wanted fresh hoomins to eat forever. We're a bit odd, did you know?) Also he - RTD - gets preachy. It's very watchable, but...
I'm having an amusing time imagining all the different things you might be implying by this statement.
*sticks tongue out* She's just by far the most interesting character so far (that is - morally ambiguous, without being a creep).
I was watching some season five the other day and marveling at how far we've come--and in, what, twenty episodes? It's so striking, though, to look from Moff ep to Moff ep and see the sorts of leaps he makes, not just in time but in tone and style . . . every episode something brand new. And there *is* a coherent narrative in there, but you do have to actively construct it <3
*much nodding*
I want answers! You know "Let's Kill Hitler" is going to be something totally different again, though . . .
I love that. So many curveballs!
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Hmmm, I think that would depend very much on context and outcome, but that does seem more promising than a mere corporate/government conspiracy. Trying to think of it not as Torchwood seems like a very good idea, though. I'm sure for what it is it's pretty good . . .
Oh go on go on go on go on go on go on go on ... ;)I've not read the books (yet), but I will. Until then I have to settle for loving the film! *g*
OMG, did you see the trailer when it came out? Even if you did, go watch it again cause you'll get so much more out of it. I still remember the first time I saw it, in a packed movie theater, before The Dark Knight--I think I was hyperventilating by the end, and so was everybody else, and then we all broke into applause and whooping. It really wasn't so much a proper movie trailer as it was a fanvid for the people who already knew the graphic novel. If you didn't know the material already, I can't imagine what you'd think of it . . .
Well I like it as a mirror for humanity, as a tool for exploring what it means to be human. A metaphor, you know?
Oh yes! I can see why it *would* be meaningful, it's just something that never quite gels for me. That said, it never bothers me either--it's just sort of there.
MD has... zero metaphors so far. OK, that's not true. Jack is reflected in both Oswald Danes and Rex, but...
This is my big issue with Sherlock--it's just so flat.
But still, he could have kept just a weevil or two. Heck, I'd be grateful for a Slitheen right about now...
HAhahahahaa! Oh god, don't say that too loud!
Darcy and I were joking about this, actually, how it'd be fun if the Miracle was orchestrated by Ebil Alienz who wanted fresh hoomins to eat forever. We're a bit odd, did you know?
Hee! I am on board for this plot development!
Also he - RTD - gets preachy. It's very watchable, but...
Yeah, this was the heart of Sepinwall's gripe, with the way that manifests in character motivations and cardboard bad guys and general heavy-handed story telling.
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But the heavy-handed, not allegory, but echo of media response to AIDS is making me very, very angry.
Do you all remember all those TV movies about plague ships for AIDS victims so we'd understand how inhumane it was to put tattoos on people and put them in fenced compounds? There were a lot of TV movies like that when I was in high school, because there were a lot of politicians saying shit like that. You know the cops wore rubber gloves when ACT-UP protested at the White House during the Regan years; you know, in case touching the protestors gave them AIDS?
And all I can do is watch this episode and say, "Oh yeah, I've seen this story; and I've seen this story when it was political, not just in memory of the political. And it's a true story, in the sense of how people behave. But fuck you if I wanted to see it again."
It's like CoE - Torchwood made a vehicle for RTD's agenda. Which you know... His show. But it'd be better without that label.
OMG, did you see the trailer when it came out? Even if you did, go watch it again cause you'll get so much more out of it.
Oh I have watched (and re-watched and re-re-watched) that many, MANY times. Possibly the greatest trailer EVER. Gives me goosebumps. *flails* Also I found this icon last night and it's rather brilliant. ♥
Hee! I am on board for this plot development!
It won't be that though. Not INHUMANE enough. (I mean, they're setting up
concentrationcamps now...)Yeah, this was the heart of Sepinwall's gripe, with the way that manifests in character motivations and cardboard bad guys and general heavy-handed story telling.
Humans are fucked up, did you know?
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Well, and yet in CoE I don't know that there was a very focused agenda, you know? It was strongly story/ideas-driven, and inevitably some of his favorite targets came away looking pretty tarred . . . but mostly it was messy. BSG was good at that too--it did sci-fi as political/social/historical allegory constantly, but it was very good at doing it in a loose way that could be alluding to many, many specific situations and in which it was nearly impossible to draw pat conclusions. It's sounding like MD isn't quite managing that . . . finesse?
Poor Torchwood--continually in the throes of growing pains.
Oh I have watched (and re-watched and re-re-watched) that many, MANY times. Possibly the greatest trailer EVER. Gives me goosebumps. *flails*
SO TRUE. I love when trailers reach the level of art <3
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That's a good way of putting it. CoE was brutal, but it was also very Torchwood team centric, it moved quickly (both in story terms and how it was broadcast) and there was a sort of inevitability to everything - like watching a fire spread. MD is... like s big flood and you just sit there and wait to see who'll drown next. (It's 9am, I'm not sure my allegories are the best, sorry.)
Poor Torchwood--continually in the throes of growing pains.
Well it *did* grow up with CoE, but I always saw it as a bit of a catch-22? It grew up, but in doing so also destroyed itself. RTD is trying to put it back together, but it's not quite working.
SO TRUE. I love when trailers reach the level of art <3
Word.
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DO you have a link? Just watched ep 5 tonight and if I keep watching it'll be out of a sense of duty. It's Day 5 syndrome all over again - 'Yes this is all very worthy and true, but... *shudders*'
Not that it couldn't turn out interesting, but I'm getting tired of being hit over the head with a brick the size of truck.
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*shudders*
Actually, a commenter on
One of my two biggest problems with RTD (along with his both stated and exceedingly clear belief that plots don't really need to make sense) is that his atheism is not merely bleak and nihilistic, but also (at least from my PoV) false in the way that some many conversions as an adult are - he still seems like he holds with the Christian paradigm that god is goodness and love, but he doesn't believe in god, and so to him, the universe must entirely lack both.
Doctor Who can't start soon enough. I feel like I need a bath.
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Although anybody who wants to criticize RTD's worldview and narrative proclivities isn't gonna get a lot of opposition from me.
Doctor WHOOOOOOOO!