Gr. Supernatural is TERRIBLE! I can't watch it even though PadalAckles are on there. >_<. Still. Both hot. Good choices. thanks Mike
Well, it's not absolute dreck like 7th Heaven or anything. It has redeeming factors beyond the hotness. The boys and the guy who plays their dad are all pretty good actors and manage to make the show reasonably watchable. Especially The Ackles. His sarcastic bad boy act entertains me to no end. Otherwise? No, I guess the redeeming factors peter out after that. But it makes for good "shut off my mind" tv.
It's like a Cheeto. Not very nutritious and honestly not even that tasty, but fun to have once in awhile. As long as your standards are low.
It's like a Cheeto. Not very nutritious and honestly not even that tasty, but fun to have once in awhile. As long as your standards are low.
ROFL!
I do agree. The show is mildly interesting but not very engaging. It's like a cross between Buffy and the X-Files without Buffy's charm or X-Files' intrigue. I'm sure you'll lash out at me for this, Mikey, but I like Smallville better. Overall bleh, but a lot of the storytelling is very well done. Not to mention the Aquaman episode is permanently saved on the TiVo.
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Gr. I missed the aquaman episode as well as last night's So you think you can dance. A friend of mine got out of prison so we went to visit him. Good stuff. Glad I don't know more people that have been to prison though.
I must MUST watch the aquaman episode. Maybe it's cuz I'm pathetic and alone, but those commercials really did get my heart a palpitatin'!
I do agree. The show is mildly interesting but not very engaging. It's like a cross between Buffy and the X-Files without Buffy's charm or X-Files' intrigue.
Imagine if Supernatural also combined both shows' weakness to late-season crappiness!!
I'm sure you'll lash out at me for this, Mikey, but I like Smallville better. Overall bleh, but a lot of the storytelling is very well done.
Oh dear lord. Smallville is the worst show I watch religiously. It fails at literally everything. It never makes sense, the leads are downright despicable (I couldn't hate Clark or Lana more even if I tried. And believe me, I tried. Just out of curiosity.), the writing is horrendous, the acting is pitiful (except, of course, by the actors whose characters consistently get the shaft), it sends awful messages to its audience, and its story arcs are all over the place (Lana is possessed by an evil witch through a skanky tattoo and she needs to find three rocks, one of which is in China, where the witch knows kung-fu, but Lana's boyfriend is a descendant of a rival witch, but he's evil too, and Lana kills his mom, a meteor flattens him and the witch gets exorcized somehow? The **** is that!?).
And I simply cannot stop watching. It's far too deliciously horrible to ever stop watching it. Especially now that Lana is Queen Evil. And an Ashmore has been cast as a sooper seecrit character. Hint: it's Jimmy Olsen.
I like the way Cheetos taste. Does that mean I have low standards?
The only show I actually watch religiously anymore is Project Runway. I got addicted halfway through Season 2...and the rest is history. haha.
Today is Mikey's and my 6 month anniversary. It doesn't seem like 6 months, but I guess they flew by faster than I thought.
15 days until he leaves...[[sighs]]
I guess the good part of that is that towards the end of August, mikey's parents are paying for me to take a coach bus down to their house, and I can stay there for a few days....get to see the house [for real], and some of Columbus.
yup. that's about all I got.
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I know it seems that I don't care, but something in me does I swear.
[gaymers]
founder of the MTGS Forum Pirates
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I... Am Cheezus! I'm back and I demand your parmesian! >>;... Um got sent to Juvi for a while... Long story =D!
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When the finger points to the yonder moon,
The fool will not look at the fingertip.
The Whole cannot be changed.
We've already lost that chance.
Because the time left to us was short.
We were mistaken in our path.
But now do we realize,
We should not change the whole,
But the parts.
<__<... Apparently it's not legal to press ham against a McDonalds drive through... Nor is it legal to trip on Mushrooms
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When the finger points to the yonder moon,
The fool will not look at the fingertip.
The Whole cannot be changed.
We've already lost that chance.
Because the time left to us was short.
We were mistaken in our path.
But now do we realize,
We should not change the whole,
But the parts.
>__< It wasn't all my fault! I was tricked, my friend was at my place and he gave slipped me some mushrooms in my sandwich. I wanted to go to McDonalds and when I realised I had no money I dropped my pants and mooned the Drive-Through...
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When the finger points to the yonder moon,
The fool will not look at the fingertip.
The Whole cannot be changed.
We've already lost that chance.
Because the time left to us was short.
We were mistaken in our path.
But now do we realize,
We should not change the whole,
But the parts.
I said -all- my fault >__>... But um Juvi was so not that much fun. So um I'm out =D!
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When the finger points to the yonder moon,
The fool will not look at the fingertip.
The Whole cannot be changed.
We've already lost that chance.
Because the time left to us was short.
We were mistaken in our path.
But now do we realize,
We should not change the whole,
But the parts.
Yeah, although the conception of rape in the showers is flawed... It actually happens during lunch... <__<...
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When the finger points to the yonder moon,
The fool will not look at the fingertip.
The Whole cannot be changed.
We've already lost that chance.
Because the time left to us was short.
We were mistaken in our path.
But now do we realize,
We should not change the whole,
But the parts.
When the finger points to the yonder moon,
The fool will not look at the fingertip.
The Whole cannot be changed.
We've already lost that chance.
Because the time left to us was short.
We were mistaken in our path.
But now do we realize,
We should not change the whole,
But the parts.
Also, just so we're clear, joking about rape isn't really that funny.
And Deal or no Deal is fantastic. I love watching greedy, stupid people fall victim to their own greed and stupidity. I cheer for their failure. And laugh gleefully when it happens.
Oh dear lord. Smallville is the worst show I watch religiously. ...
I don't watch it religiously, so I've no doubt missed the vast bulk of its horrible moments. I thought the episodes that featured Alicia were all very good, and the seaons finale where Clark's father died was very moving.
But yeah, any plot element that revolves around the kryptonian cave and symbols and stones and such seems rather blech. It kinda kills the whole essense of Superman being alone on Earth. I enjoy the concept behind the Luthers' relationship and how it plays out, although it often seems either convoluted or utterly predicatable. Come to think of it, that's a good description of the show: "The plot is alternately incredibly convoluted or utterly predicatable, with a splash of redeeming drama here and there." Actually, come to think of it, that's a good description of just about every fictional show on television.
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I don't watch it religiously, so I've no doubt missed the vast bulk of its horrible moments. I thought the episodes that featured Alicia were all very good, and the seaons finale where Clark's father died was very moving.
Too bad Clark's grief when Alicia was murdered only managed to last until the end of the episode. He was over his dead wife and getting scouted by college football teams the next episode. I was disgusted. Of course, they went from enemies to lovers to married to widowered in the span of two episodes, so I guess I expect too much.
The fallout from Jonathan's death managed to last awhile though, happily. Though that wasn't the finale. The finale was a woeful piece of work called "Vessel". It may have been the most insulting thing I've ever watched. It's bad. At one point Lana leaves Chloe to be gang-raped on the streets of a rioting Metropolis to go confess her love to Lex, who has since been possessed by Zod. And instead of laughing in her face and chucking her off the roof of Luthorcorp, Zod makes out with her. Gah!
Be glad you don't watch it religiously. I found I needed booze just to get through it each week. Between Smallville, Alias and Lost, my liver took a weekly beating this year.
You know how some shows feel like they have a natural progression to the story but that extra stuff gets tossed in? For example, Buffy seemed to have a very clear and consistently progressing overall story, but that the entire fourth season felt like filler to stall the story from progressing because the show was popular. Well, that's what the entire Smallville plot feels like.
Quote from {mikeyG} »
I found I needed booze just to get through it each week. Between Smallville, Alias and Lost, my liver took a weekly beating this year.
ROFL!
You know, a guy with a good sense of humor is very sexy...
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You know how some shows feel like they have a natural progression to the story but that extra stuff gets tossed in? For example, Buffy seemed to have a very clear and consistently progressing overall story, but that the entire fourth season felt like filler to stall the story from progressing because the show was popular. Well, that's what the entire Smallville plot feels like.
I think the plot of Smallville is more like throwing concepts at a wall and seeing if it sticks. Who cares if it makes sense as long as people watch. Throw in some Lana-worship and you have one of The WB's top shows. I weep for society.
Though I never felt Buffy season 4 was filler. I think it's probably the most underrated season. If only because they tried something different with it. The Scoobies went and drifted apart, something everyone goes through that pivotal freshman year. Sure, the monster arc with the Initiative was below par, but the emotional arc of the season was really great I thought. Some of the episodes were definately filler on their own, but I thought that did a good job of displaying how aimless and disjointed that time of one's life can be.
You know, a guy with a good sense of humor is very sexy...
I know. And don't think I ever let people forget it.
Sure, the monster arc with the Initiative was below par, but the emotional arc of the season was really great I thought. Some of the episodes were definately filler on their own, but I thought that did a good job of displaying how aimless and disjointed that time of one's life can be.
I'll buy that, but at the same time I never felt like the characters developed. The whole relationship with Riley was very hollow (although I suppose that was mostly the point), the Initiative pretty much came out of nowhere and had no lasting impact on anything at all. Adam was a lame villain. Spike was at his least interesting. Willow rather spontaneously became a lesbian (not that I minded, but honestly the change didn't add anything to the show except that it brought Tara in). Xander and Giles... pretty much did nothing special. Other than Hush, the shining jewel of an episode, there just wasn't much going on in season 4.
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I'll buy that, but at the same time I never felt like the characters developed.
To a point, they didn't. I think Buffy did and Willow did, but I agree that Xander and Giles mostly didn't (but I think that that may have been the point, as odd as that sounds). Riley didn't really have a whole lot of room to grow (though his disenchantment and the gradual opening of his eyes to the fact that things aren't black and white were something at least). Anya and Spike were mostly replacements for Angel and Cordelia, and were mostly just enduring setup for their real development in season five.
Although, I kind of liked that not everyone had a definitive growth. Because not everyone grows. It would have sucked if no one at all grew, but I think Joss was trying to say something with Xander and Giles' non-growth. That, or he dropped the ball badly.
[
the Initiative pretty much came out of nowhere and had no lasting impact on anything at all. Adam was a lame villain.
Agreed on both points. Until season seven, season four had the worst season-long monster arc. The Initiative's one saving grace was the chip they put in Spike. Everything else was very much not up to Buffy standards.
Spike was at his least interesting.
For sure. He didn't really hit his stride until season five, but like with everyone else, I'm willing to put a lot of his growth in season four as growing pains. He was in the same boat as the Scoobies: alone in a whole new life he didn't know how to deal with.
Willow rather spontaneously became a lesbian (not that I minded, but honestly the change didn't add anything to the show except that it brought Tara in).
You're right that they didn't really explore the ramifications of Willow's sudden sexuality shift (though I'm adament to this day that she was not a lesbian but bi, but that's neither here nor there). I wish they had, honestly. They touched on it at season's end, but it was pretty much a moot point by season five. Though part of me is glad they didn't do "A Very Special Episode" where Willow struggles the stereotypical hardships of a queer life.
An interesting sidenote is that Joss always planned for either Xander or Willow to eventually experiment with a same-sex relationship, he just didn't know which one. He laid a bit of groundwork for both (mostly subtextual) but didn't decide upon Willow until Seth Green told him he wanted to leave the show. Left with an arc that got a bit ruined, Joss salvaged things with Willow's sexuality arc. To this day, I lament the fact that it wasn't Xander getting it on with Riley. *sigh*
Other than Hush, the shining jewel of an episode, there just wasn't much going on in season 4.
I think they had several wicked episodes. Primeval and Restless for a start. Faith's two-parter was also awesome, but then, Faith always is.
I'd classify the bulk of season four as average, episodes that I'd give a 6 or 7 to and would never really stand out as greatness. But still better than crap.
I just have to say... hooray for Buffy discussion! C'mon people, we can't be the only Gaymers into Buffy!?
A slight shift of gears: What are the most emotional/sad moments of the show? The top for me are:
4. Buffy finds her mother dead.
3. Buffy kills Angel.
2. Tara dies.
1. Buffy reveals Willow brought her back from heaven (the look on Willow's face is heart-breaking).
One of the happiest moments of the show for me was the series finale, when Willow's struggle came full circle and she reached beyond the dark and found light.
I just have to say... hooray for Buffy discussion! C'mon people, we can't be the only Gaymers into Buffy!?
There's three main fandoms I think rate high as cult gay fandoms: Buffy, Xena and X-Men. I don't know why, but for some reason, a lot of the gay community gravitates to one or more of these fandoms. I guess something in each one of them sparks some kind of association in our collective minds.
Geez, sad moments? That show piles them on like they're nothing.
Ranking high? Giles' discovery of Angel's 'gift' in Passion. Dru's illusion of Jenny for Giles in Becoming Part 2 and of course the whole last section of that episode with Buffy having to send Angel to hell. Willow's "you'd rather be with someone you hate than be with me" outburst to Xander mid-season 2 when she finds out about he and Cordy. Anya's outburst of not understanding in The Body is probably the best moment from that already exceptional episode. The final moments of The Gift are really sad, too. The melancholy slow-motion deaths of the alternaverse Scoobies in The Wish always gets me too, mostly because of the symbolism of who kills who.
Though for real moments like that, Buffy's sister series Angel went overboard. Life really sucks for characters on Joss' shows.
Well, it's not absolute dreck like 7th Heaven or anything. It has redeeming factors beyond the hotness. The boys and the guy who plays their dad are all pretty good actors and manage to make the show reasonably watchable. Especially The Ackles. His sarcastic bad boy act entertains me to no end. Otherwise? No, I guess the redeeming factors peter out after that. But it makes for good "shut off my mind" tv.
It's like a Cheeto. Not very nutritious and honestly not even that tasty, but fun to have once in awhile. As long as your standards are low.
Archatmos
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Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
ROFL!
I do agree. The show is mildly interesting but not very engaging. It's like a cross between Buffy and the X-Files without Buffy's charm or X-Files' intrigue. I'm sure you'll lash out at me for this, Mikey, but I like Smallville better. Overall bleh, but a lot of the storytelling is very well done. Not to mention the Aquaman episode is permanently saved on the TiVo.
Current New Favorite Person™: Mallory Archer
She knows why.
I must MUST watch the aquaman episode. Maybe it's cuz I'm pathetic and alone, but those commercials really did get my heart a palpitatin'!
Imagine if Supernatural also combined both shows' weakness to late-season crappiness!!
Oh dear lord. Smallville is the worst show I watch religiously. It fails at literally everything. It never makes sense, the leads are downright despicable (I couldn't hate Clark or Lana more even if I tried. And believe me, I tried. Just out of curiosity.), the writing is horrendous, the acting is pitiful (except, of course, by the actors whose characters consistently get the shaft), it sends awful messages to its audience, and its story arcs are all over the place (Lana is possessed by an evil witch through a skanky tattoo and she needs to find three rocks, one of which is in China, where the witch knows kung-fu, but Lana's boyfriend is a descendant of a rival witch, but he's evil too, and Lana kills his mom, a meteor flattens him and the witch gets exorcized somehow? The **** is that!?).
And I simply cannot stop watching. It's far too deliciously horrible to ever stop watching it. Especially now that Lana is Queen Evil. And an Ashmore has been cast as a sooper seecrit character. Hint: it's Jimmy Olsen.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
I like the way Cheetos taste. Does that mean I have low standards?
The only show I actually watch religiously anymore is Project Runway. I got addicted halfway through Season 2...and the rest is history. haha.
Today is Mikey's and my 6 month anniversary. It doesn't seem like 6 months, but I guess they flew by faster than I thought.
15 days until he leaves...[[sighs]]
I guess the good part of that is that towards the end of August, mikey's parents are paying for me to take a coach bus down to their house, and I can stay there for a few days....get to see the house [for real], and some of Columbus.
yup. that's about all I got.
I know it seems that I don't care,
but something in me does I swear.
[gaymers]
founder of the MTGS Forum Pirates
'tar/banner by R&Doom.
When the finger points to the yonder moon,
The fool will not look at the fingertip.
The Whole cannot be changed.
We've already lost that chance.
Because the time left to us was short.
We were mistaken in our path.
But now do we realize,
We should not change the whole,
But the parts.
-Epitaph 01-02
.... !
Yes, that's my whole post.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
When the finger points to the yonder moon,
The fool will not look at the fingertip.
The Whole cannot be changed.
We've already lost that chance.
Because the time left to us was short.
We were mistaken in our path.
But now do we realize,
We should not change the whole,
But the parts.
-Epitaph 01-02
I .... yeah. There's no words.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
When the finger points to the yonder moon,
The fool will not look at the fingertip.
The Whole cannot be changed.
We've already lost that chance.
Because the time left to us was short.
We were mistaken in our path.
But now do we realize,
We should not change the whole,
But the parts.
-Epitaph 01-02
Having idiot friends who would 'slip' you junk is one's own fault.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
When the finger points to the yonder moon,
The fool will not look at the fingertip.
The Whole cannot be changed.
We've already lost that chance.
Because the time left to us was short.
We were mistaken in our path.
But now do we realize,
We should not change the whole,
But the parts.
-Epitaph 01-02
Probably the point. *shrug*
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
When the finger points to the yonder moon,
The fool will not look at the fingertip.
The Whole cannot be changed.
We've already lost that chance.
Because the time left to us was short.
We were mistaken in our path.
But now do we realize,
We should not change the whole,
But the parts.
-Epitaph 01-02
Can't beat juvie efficiency. Salisbury steak and a tight piece of ass all in one lunch break!? Too good to be true.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
When the finger points to the yonder moon,
The fool will not look at the fingertip.
The Whole cannot be changed.
We've already lost that chance.
Because the time left to us was short.
We were mistaken in our path.
But now do we realize,
We should not change the whole,
But the parts.
-Epitaph 01-02
And Deal or no Deal is fantastic. I love watching greedy, stupid people fall victim to their own greed and stupidity. I cheer for their failure. And laugh gleefully when it happens.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
I don't watch it religiously, so I've no doubt missed the vast bulk of its horrible moments. I thought the episodes that featured Alicia were all very good, and the seaons finale where Clark's father died was very moving.
But yeah, any plot element that revolves around the kryptonian cave and symbols and stones and such seems rather blech. It kinda kills the whole essense of Superman being alone on Earth. I enjoy the concept behind the Luthers' relationship and how it plays out, although it often seems either convoluted or utterly predicatable. Come to think of it, that's a good description of the show: "The plot is alternately incredibly convoluted or utterly predicatable, with a splash of redeeming drama here and there." Actually, come to think of it, that's a good description of just about every fictional show on television.
Current New Favorite Person™: Mallory Archer
She knows why.
Too bad Clark's grief when Alicia was murdered only managed to last until the end of the episode. He was over his dead wife and getting scouted by college football teams the next episode. I was disgusted. Of course, they went from enemies to lovers to married to widowered in the span of two episodes, so I guess I expect too much.
The fallout from Jonathan's death managed to last awhile though, happily. Though that wasn't the finale. The finale was a woeful piece of work called "Vessel". It may have been the most insulting thing I've ever watched. It's bad. At one point Lana leaves Chloe to be gang-raped on the streets of a rioting Metropolis to go confess her love to Lex, who has since been possessed by Zod. And instead of laughing in her face and chucking her off the roof of Luthorcorp, Zod makes out with her. Gah!
Be glad you don't watch it religiously. I found I needed booze just to get through it each week. Between Smallville, Alias and Lost, my liver took a weekly beating this year.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
....kill me now.
You know how some shows feel like they have a natural progression to the story but that extra stuff gets tossed in? For example, Buffy seemed to have a very clear and consistently progressing overall story, but that the entire fourth season felt like filler to stall the story from progressing because the show was popular. Well, that's what the entire Smallville plot feels like.
ROFL!
You know, a guy with a good sense of humor is very sexy...
Current New Favorite Person™: Mallory Archer
She knows why.
I know, right?
I think the plot of Smallville is more like throwing concepts at a wall and seeing if it sticks. Who cares if it makes sense as long as people watch. Throw in some Lana-worship and you have one of The WB's top shows. I weep for society.
Though I never felt Buffy season 4 was filler. I think it's probably the most underrated season. If only because they tried something different with it. The Scoobies went and drifted apart, something everyone goes through that pivotal freshman year. Sure, the monster arc with the Initiative was below par, but the emotional arc of the season was really great I thought. Some of the episodes were definately filler on their own, but I thought that did a good job of displaying how aimless and disjointed that time of one's life can be.
I know. And don't think I ever let people forget it.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
I'll buy that, but at the same time I never felt like the characters developed. The whole relationship with Riley was very hollow (although I suppose that was mostly the point), the Initiative pretty much came out of nowhere and had no lasting impact on anything at all. Adam was a lame villain. Spike was at his least interesting. Willow rather spontaneously became a lesbian (not that I minded, but honestly the change didn't add anything to the show except that it brought Tara in). Xander and Giles... pretty much did nothing special. Other than Hush, the shining jewel of an episode, there just wasn't much going on in season 4.
Current New Favorite Person™: Mallory Archer
She knows why.
To a point, they didn't. I think Buffy did and Willow did, but I agree that Xander and Giles mostly didn't (but I think that that may have been the point, as odd as that sounds). Riley didn't really have a whole lot of room to grow (though his disenchantment and the gradual opening of his eyes to the fact that things aren't black and white were something at least). Anya and Spike were mostly replacements for Angel and Cordelia, and were mostly just enduring setup for their real development in season five.
Although, I kind of liked that not everyone had a definitive growth. Because not everyone grows. It would have sucked if no one at all grew, but I think Joss was trying to say something with Xander and Giles' non-growth. That, or he dropped the ball badly.
[
Agreed on both points. Until season seven, season four had the worst season-long monster arc. The Initiative's one saving grace was the chip they put in Spike. Everything else was very much not up to Buffy standards.
For sure. He didn't really hit his stride until season five, but like with everyone else, I'm willing to put a lot of his growth in season four as growing pains. He was in the same boat as the Scoobies: alone in a whole new life he didn't know how to deal with.
You're right that they didn't really explore the ramifications of Willow's sudden sexuality shift (though I'm adament to this day that she was not a lesbian but bi, but that's neither here nor there). I wish they had, honestly. They touched on it at season's end, but it was pretty much a moot point by season five. Though part of me is glad they didn't do "A Very Special Episode" where Willow struggles the stereotypical hardships of a queer life.
An interesting sidenote is that Joss always planned for either Xander or Willow to eventually experiment with a same-sex relationship, he just didn't know which one. He laid a bit of groundwork for both (mostly subtextual) but didn't decide upon Willow until Seth Green told him he wanted to leave the show. Left with an arc that got a bit ruined, Joss salvaged things with Willow's sexuality arc. To this day, I lament the fact that it wasn't Xander getting it on with Riley. *sigh*
I think they had several wicked episodes. Primeval and Restless for a start. Faith's two-parter was also awesome, but then, Faith always is.
I'd classify the bulk of season four as average, episodes that I'd give a 6 or 7 to and would never really stand out as greatness. But still better than crap.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains
A slight shift of gears: What are the most emotional/sad moments of the show? The top for me are:
4. Buffy finds her mother dead.
3. Buffy kills Angel.
2. Tara dies.
1. Buffy reveals Willow brought her back from heaven (the look on Willow's face is heart-breaking).
One of the happiest moments of the show for me was the series finale, when Willow's struggle came full circle and she reached beyond the dark and found light.
Current New Favorite Person™: Mallory Archer
She knows why.
There's three main fandoms I think rate high as cult gay fandoms: Buffy, Xena and X-Men. I don't know why, but for some reason, a lot of the gay community gravitates to one or more of these fandoms. I guess something in each one of them sparks some kind of association in our collective minds.
Geez, sad moments? That show piles them on like they're nothing.
Ranking high? Giles' discovery of Angel's 'gift' in Passion. Dru's illusion of Jenny for Giles in Becoming Part 2 and of course the whole last section of that episode with Buffy having to send Angel to hell. Willow's "you'd rather be with someone you hate than be with me" outburst to Xander mid-season 2 when she finds out about he and Cordy. Anya's outburst of not understanding in The Body is probably the best moment from that already exceptional episode. The final moments of The Gift are really sad, too. The melancholy slow-motion deaths of the alternaverse Scoobies in The Wish always gets me too, mostly because of the symbolism of who kills who.
Though for real moments like that, Buffy's sister series Angel went overboard. Life really sucks for characters on Joss' shows.
Archatmos
Excellion
Fracture: Israfiel (WBR), Wujal (URG), Valedon (GUB), Amduat (BGW), Paladris (RWU)
Collision (Set Two of the Fracture Block)
Quest for the Forsaken (Set Two of the Excellion Block)
Katingal: Plane of Chains