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Post by Queen E on Jul 10, 2004 20:42:21 GMT -5
Feel free to share your thoughts.
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Post by SpringSummers on Jul 10, 2004 21:08:48 GMT -5
Hi Erin!
This is one of the few early AtS eps I have seen - and I like your take on it.
I especially liked your "crossover" observations about the Harsh Light of Day - had never thought about the way these two titles play off each other - and about the sunlight hitting Spike's head where the chip will soon be.
I really like doing the analyses so long after the ep originally aired. You can see and relate to things in a way that you couldn't possibly otherwise. I mean - you know where Spike is heading, so it adds a lot of weight to his words about not wanting to be in "Angel's chains," etc., as you pointed out.
Also good observations on the darkness & light.
Keep up the good work!
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Post by Queen E on Jul 10, 2004 21:28:53 GMT -5
Hi Erin! This is one of the few early AtS eps I have seen - and I like your take on it. I especially liked your "crossover" observations about the Harsh Light of Day - had never thought about the way these two titles play off each other - and about the sunlight hitting Spike's head where the chip will soon be. I really like doing the analyses so long after the ep originally aired. You can see and relate to things in a way that you couldn't possibly otherwise. I mean - you know where Spike is heading, so it adds a lot of weight to his words about not wanting to be in "Angel's chains," etc., as you pointed out. Also good observations on the darkness & light. Keep up the good work! Thank you muchly! If you enjoy them even half as much as I enjoy reading Spikecentricity, I am a very lucky writer! Me too (rewatching after so long)! I can relate so many more things that they are obviously foreshadowing when I look back. The first episode I rewatched after "Chosen" first aired was "Restless" to see what they paid off as it came to a close. A lot of things "pop" now that didn't before. I'm chomping at the bit to read the new "Spikecentricity," but am trying mightily to save it 'til Monday as a treat to stave off the "blah" of going back to work. We'll see how well I can manage delayed gratification.
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Post by beccaelizabeth on Jul 10, 2004 22:26:48 GMT -5
Feel free to share your thoughts. *bows* all hail may cool thoughts
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Procrastinating Scubie
Guest
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Post by Procrastinating Scubie on Jul 12, 2004 12:04:33 GMT -5
Excellent review, Erin! I'm in awe of all the threads you managed to poke apart. Love the Oz bits about Oz being similar to Angel and the "identity crisis" theme.
Spike/Buffy/Angel angst. Light to dark, and dark to light.
I never thought about the "debt" theme before. But Angel is all about redeeming himself. Being Angel is both a burden, and a source of pride. And I didn't think about how Buffy might actually be afraid to see Angel and that's why she didn't give him the Gem herself. Afraid of her feelings for him, and probably afraid of being yet again rejected.
I haven't seen this episode in a while, and can't wait to rewatch it now after reading your insights.
Besides - snarkey Spikey, and tortured Angel. You just can't go wrong with that, can you?
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Post by Karen on Jul 12, 2004 12:05:44 GMT -5
Excellent review, Erin! I'm in awe of all the threads you managed to poke apart. Love the Oz bits about Oz being similar to Angel and the "identity crisis" theme. Spike/Buffy/Angel angst. Light to dark, and dark to light. I never thought about the "debt" theme before. But Angel is all about redeeming himself. Being Angel is both a burden, and a source of pride. And I didn't think about how Buffy might actually be afraid to see Angel and that's why she didn't give him the Gem herself. Afraid of her feelings for him, and probably afraid of being yet again rejected. I haven't seen this episode in a while, and can't wait to rewatch it now after reading your insights. Besides - snarkey Spikey, and tortured Angel. You just can't go wrong with that, can you? Oops, this is me. Karen
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Post by Queen E on Jul 12, 2004 12:40:33 GMT -5
Excellent review, Erin! I'm in awe of all the threads you managed to poke apart. Love the Oz bits about Oz being similar to Angel and the "identity crisis" theme. Spike/Buffy/Angel angst. Light to dark, and dark to light. I never thought about the "debt" theme before. But Angel is all about redeeming himself. Being Angel is both a burden, and a source of pride. And I didn't think about how Buffy might actually be afraid to see Angel and that's why she didn't give him the Gem herself. Afraid of her feelings for him, and probably afraid of being yet again rejected. I haven't seen this episode in a while, and can't wait to rewatch it now after reading your insights. Besides - snarkey Spikey, and tortured Angel. You just can't go wrong with that, can you? You really can't. Really perfect combo, in my opinion. When I first watched this episode, way back when, it seemed a little insane that Buffy didn't go herself. But, in light of everything that happened in the episode, with Parker, even as un-self aware as she can seem sometimes, I think she knew better than to go see Angel when she was feeling so very low and vulnerable. And I about fell over when I noticed the "Pay Inside" written on the wall. Watching Buffy, Angel, and Firefly is like reading an excellent book...they just take so much time to detail and hone these episodes; it's extraordinary to watch.
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Post by Lola m on Jul 12, 2004 19:56:18 GMT -5
Excellent review, Erin! I'm in awe of all the threads you managed to poke apart. Love the Oz bits about Oz being similar to Angel and the "identity crisis" theme. Spike/Buffy/Angel angst. Light to dark, and dark to light. I never thought about the "debt" theme before. But Angel is all about redeeming himself. Being Angel is both a burden, and a source of pride. And I didn't think about how Buffy might actually be afraid to see Angel and that's why she didn't give him the Gem herself. Afraid of her feelings for him, and probably afraid of being yet again rejected. I haven't seen this episode in a while, and can't wait to rewatch it now after reading your insights. Besides - snarkey Spikey, and tortured Angel. You just can't go wrong with that, can you? I guess, when I think about it, BtVS season 4 and AtS season 1 have that common thread of Buffy and Angel trying to move on with their lives. Still thinking of each other somewhat, that push and pull between their past and their hoped for futures. I mean, we see that more directly in Buffy, but it's also a kind of undercurrent in Angel as well. Lola
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Post by Lola m on Jul 12, 2004 20:20:18 GMT -5
Splendiferous job again, Erin! Love the way you turn a phrase. “Spike . . . has “crossed over” to Los Angeles, dragging the thread of the plot with him.” LOL
Love all your comments on the delicious foreshadowing and lines that are so much more . . . interesting viewed in hindsight and the comparisons between Oz and Angel. But as I mentioned to Sara, I really appreciate most the things you guys are able to help me see that I didn’t notice or appreciate before.
Like the thematic ideas of dark and light and how they illustrate the differences between Angel’s journey and Buffy’s. I mean, it’s there in the titles of the eps and yet I hadn’t really put it all together.
**Note to self, pay more frickin’ attention to the titles. Joss does this to me all the time and I still don’t think to ask myself “what does the title seem to suggest?”** ;D
Particularly enjoyed your concept of debt as a recurrent theme, which is just sooooo a match for Angel. A very different theme than for BtVS, which I would link more to the word “duty”. But debt is a very important and motivating factor in Angel’s life. The debt he feels he owes for the terrible things he did as Angelus. The debt he feels he owes to TPTB or whoever else is responsible for bringing him back from hell. Later, the debt he feels he owes to Darla – to try to give her another chance at a human life after taking away her vampire one. And the very different debts he feels he owes to Dru and Spike, the responsibility he must feel for their very existence, much less the terrible things they did.
Thanks again, Erin!
Lola
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Post by Queen E on Jul 12, 2004 21:12:24 GMT -5
Splendiferous job again, Erin! Love the way you turn a phrase. “Spike . . . has “crossed over” to Los Angeles, dragging the thread of the plot with him.” LOL Love all your comments on the delicious foreshadowing and lines that are so much more . . . interesting viewed in hindsight and the comparisons between Oz and Angel. But as I mentioned to Sara, I really appreciate most the things you guys are able to help me see that I didn’t notice or appreciate before. Like the thematic ideas of dark and light and how they illustrate the differences between Angel’s journey and Buffy’s. I mean, it’s there in the titles of the eps and yet I hadn’t really put it all together. **Note to self, pay more frickin’ attention to the titles. Joss does this to me all the time and I still don’t think to ask myself “what does the title seem to suggest?”** ;D Particularly enjoyed your concept of debt as a recurrent theme, which is just sooooo a match for Angel. A very different theme than for BtVS, which I would link more to the word “duty”. But debt is a very important and motivating factor in Angel’s life. The debt he feels he owes for the terrible things he did as Angelus. The debt he feels he owes to TPTB or whoever else is responsible for bringing him back from hell. Later, the debt he feels he owes to Darla – to try to give her another chance at a human life after taking away her vampire one. And the very different debts he feels he owes to Dru and Spike, the responsibility he must feel for their very existence, much less the terrible things they did. Thanks again, Erin! Lola *channeling Kathie the Secretary from Kids in the Hall* Blush, blush. And wow; you are absolutely correct with the idea that "Buffy" is all about duty; duty as slayer, daughter, sister, watcher, friend, and how those interact with one another. Thank you, I so appreciate your feedback!
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Post by Nan-S'cubie Mascot on Jul 13, 2004 5:20:33 GMT -5
Erin, I'm just discovering these analyses of yours. They're wonderful! And one of my favorite eps of AtS, too!
Nothing to add except my ongoing appreciation and enjoyment. I'm so glad you signed yourself on to do these!
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Post by Queen E on Jul 13, 2004 8:33:41 GMT -5
Erin, I'm just discovering these analyses of yours. They're wonderful! And one of my favorite eps of AtS, too! Nothing to add except my ongoing appreciation and enjoyment. I'm so glad you signed yourself on to do these! I'm enjoying doing it so much, I'm just thrilled you guys like it too! Thanks, Nan!
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Post by Nickim on Jul 25, 2004 12:09:34 GMT -5
Great job, Erin. I really appreciate how you pointed out that "The Harsh Light of Day" moves "Into the Dark." I never thought about the episode titles in that way, since I didn't watch them when they first aired. I like the "debt" theme. It's very appropriate for Angel.
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Post by Queen E on Jul 25, 2004 12:39:17 GMT -5
Great job, Erin. I really appreciate how you pointed out that "The Harsh Light of Day" moves "Into the Dark." I never thought about the episode titles in that way, since I didn't watch them when they first aired. I like the "debt" theme. It's very appropriate for Angel. And it is all over these first season episodes, I'm finding. The episode names was one of those things that was a little lightbulb as I was writing the analyses. Honestly, Joss and Co...frickin' genius. Thanks for your thoughts, Nicki! Please continute to post your opinion!
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Post by Linda on Aug 2, 2004 0:12:22 GMT -5
Hi Erin!
The first two episodes took me longer to think about than I had hoped. I am too brain-dead to remain undistracted by Spike in this episode. ( ;D...Spike...) I'll have to post comments for it later, I'm afraid.
{{Erin}} Great job on your analysis, though!
Linda, still thinking " ;D...Spike"
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