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Post by Dalton on Jul 3, 2003 1:49:53 GMT -5
Miss Pamela said: "...However, in my humble opinion as a relatively new poster here (about 1.5 months or so)and as an unabashed "Spike lover..." So, you picked up on that, huh.
Well, my bias may be all too evident but that doesn't render my opinions and observations invalid, right? And I've chimed in on plenty of other (well, some, anyway)aspects of this amazing show.
Anyway, what I love so much about this board (and the reason why I'm still sitting at my computer at work at 7:05 pm when the parking in my neighborhood dries up by 6pm, yet I have deferred my parking anxiety until after I can tear myself away from here for the night), is the in-depth analysis and thoughtful opinions on every aspect of the show shared by the members. The few *phoo-phoo* types of postings I've come across on this board about JM leave me cold and I just skip over right past them. This is the only forum I have found, my only outlet, where I can get valuable information and insights into the onion layors that make up the complex world of this show, and share my own ideas and explore my own questions with others sharing this common interest.
Up through most of season 4, I (like so many others, including those folks over at the Emmys apparently), always dismissed this show as something frivolous and silly because of its title and a mere superficial understanding of the concept. But once I finally tuned in, it has grown from a mild interest and respect for it's quality into what has become very nearly an obsession. I am absolutely immersed and frustrated with every little flaw and inconsistency I find, because they get in the way of my *suspension of disbelief*. It's the complexity of this show, the overall quality of the writing, structure, continuity, and most of all the inherent respect for the intelligence of its audience, that makes this suspension of belief possible and generates such volumes of thoughtful analysis and discussion. Joss and his team have created a television show in which a believable world inhabited by believable characters is as absorbing for me as only a few favorite books have ever been.
Yes, Spike has become a big part of the draw. He is almost like a Svengali in his power to mesmorize me, except that Svengali would be doing it deliberatly, rather than unconsciously. When I first saw him I thought he was kind of hot, sure, but only in watching the show over time, and recognizing the complexity if his character, how he has developed and grown, (as do all the wonderful characters on the show), did I come to be so fascinated and yes, so very smitten.
Okay, I've wound myself down now and am finally running out of words. I guess I could go on, but for the sake of my diminishing parking prospects and the reader's patience I'll just end here and creep off home, pretending to be a *normal* person again.
Til tomorrow....
deborah cohen
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Post by Dalton on Jul 3, 2003 1:50:47 GMT -5
I was the one who found downloading the newest Netscape initially yielded an EDIT button. It quickly ceased doing so. I posted a reply to your initial question in that thread on the miscellaneous board. Too many posts for me on the episode board for BoTN, somehow. Or maybe it's because they don't seem to be talking about things that I find interesting...and doing so with immense vigor and repetitiveness. Could it be a result of BtVS starvation, do you think? A long drought before and a long drought to come, and all those pent-up words....
Nan Dibble
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Post by Dalton on Jul 3, 2003 1:51:47 GMT -5
Yes, Nan - I saw that, and thank you so much for the input. As far as all the posts, I don't know if it's BtVS starvation or not. But have you (or anyone else) noticed just how, in all the ScoopMe! boards for TV shows, that BtVS is in such a distant first place for number of posts, with AtS a distant second (but still far ahead of all the other shows)? Despite any differences among BtVS fans here, it IS somewhat heart-warming to me to see this level of interest in the show. Of course, it's not just here, but everywhere. I hope the PTB at ME, UPN, and others are taking notice!
Miss Pamela
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Post by Dalton on Jul 3, 2003 1:52:35 GMT -5
Yep, I'm a card-carrying member of U.S.A. - "Unabashed Spikelovers Anonymous" although I can't seem to help being NOT anonymous about it. If I were to start my own rock band, it'd be tempting to call it "James Addiction". ;-) I've seen interviews where James Marsters has said he didn't think Spike could carry his own show. But as much depth and breadth we've seen from the character over, what - 6 years now - I think he could. I'd love to see Spike, Giles, and Oz working together; I miss Oz's understated coolness and astuteness, plus he could perhaps help keep the two proud Brits from tearing each other apart. ;-)
Miss Pamela
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Post by Dalton on Jul 3, 2003 1:53:04 GMT -5
Yes, Buffy is the series attracting the most discussion here, by far. I've also noticed (being a relatively new contributor myself--a few months) the number of new posters that keep popping up at each new episode discussion. I gather that each episode is not only attracting new/formerly casual viewers but instilling in them an inrrepressible urge to TALK about it--enough to inspire them to search out this and probably other discussion boards. And former lurkers are coming out of hiding, too. My conclusion is that Principal Wood's "mystery" element is one of the things keeping the pot boiling with speculation and a certain amount of bewilderment: when whether or not it's REALLY the Watchers' headquarters blew up attracts frenzied commentary pro and anti, God is clearly in the details, and each detail has the power to prompt minute examination....
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Post by Dalton on Jul 3, 2003 1:53:38 GMT -5
Deb- You very eloquently stated the way i feel about the show- I was drawn in gradually and now go back to enjoy riches i had previously not recognized. I heve enven talked people into wtching Firfly as a result of my devotion to Buffy. Like you i had enjoyed JM's performance from his earliest appearance but i fully expected his demise and while i regretted the necessity it in no way impeded my enjoyment of the series. That he has become the hert of the show is testment to the integrity of his acting and the flawless nature of the ensemble acting and cooperation of all involeved in producing the show.
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Post by Dalton on Jul 3, 2003 1:54:04 GMT -5
YEAH! What you said. Just cut and paste that into my post. You said everything I am thinking but more articulately. Well, except for the parking problem. I have more trouble parking at work than at home (grin).
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Post by Dalton on Jul 3, 2003 1:54:36 GMT -5
If no one minds, I'll just put up a new "All Things Spike/James Marsters" Topic so it rises to the top again for awhile. We already have the "Spike Regaining Confidence" topic area which is our new place to play, but all we have to do is jump our playground to the top once in a while and number it. Then we also know there are other "All Things Spike" topic areas for the Spike fans further down in the Miscellaneous Board. Worth a try.
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Post by Dalton on Jul 3, 2003 1:55:08 GMT -5
Thank you Elle and Alexandra. My friends all think I'm a bit nuts for expending so much energy on this show, (that is, watching Tues nights, watching the few taped shows I have over and over, and all the time I've recently been spending here on this board). So it's especially gratifying to know I am not alone.
deborah cohen
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Post by Dalton on Jul 3, 2003 1:55:38 GMT -5
Apologies in advance if this message pops up twice. I just posted my reply but it didn't appear so I'm re-posting it. Thank you Ellie and Alexandra.
My friends think me a bit nuts for all the time and energy I expend on this show in general and Spike in particular. Maybe they're right, but it sure is gratifying to have this outlet to share and exchange thoughts and ideas with other simalarly *touched* people. Here I feel perfectly normal and at home.
deborah cohen
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Post by Dalton on Jul 3, 2003 1:56:31 GMT -5
Is that what happened to me when I saw my first Buffy episode? Oh yeah, that describes it pretty well. I was "touched" somehow - in the head, in the heart, and okay, other places too. My first episode was last year when I tuned in to see "Entropy" and I was sucked in right there. Lots of angst, lots of nerdy laughs, lots of Spike doing what Spike does best. And in that episode I didn't even see anything more personal than Spike re-doing his belt after he and Anya polished the Magic Box table. Okay, I'm going to try to use the new "All Things Spike Part Two" topic area so I don't have to scroll down so far. I am SOOO lazy.
Alexandra K.
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