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Post by Michelle on Apr 8, 2006 10:50:12 GMT -5
S’cubies! Have I got a deal for you! The new VM review is up and ready for a read. So what do you say? Are you in, or are you out?[/size] Hurry on over to the homepage (www.soulfulspike.com). Don’t delay. Be the first one to read:
PLAN B: Come out, come out, wherever you are – by Erin
Don’t deny your attraction.
Save yourself a few seconds if you like, by clicking on the pic below to connect directly to the review. (And with a review this yummy why waste time?)Thumper with his gang, in happier days When you've finished your reading, don't forget to stop by VM ep2.17 thread, to give Erin any feedback you might have. Enjoy! It's dynamite!! [/quote] Spring, I love your icon! Very cute. Plan B (kinda) rhymes with Bambi. Never thought of that until you posted that pic. Probably doesn't mean anything, but interesting nonetheless. Great review, Erin! As I read it, I thought of that song by the Steve Miller Band with the line, "Time keeps on ticking into the future." Time is running out--it's certainly run out for Thumper. Great observation of the significance of Logan mentioning the song "I've Had the Time of My Life." I also really liked your summation of who's out and who's in. It's a theme we've returned to again and again this season. And it's interesting how "in" and "out" can take on both positive and negative connotations. Some people want desperately to be part of the in crowd (positive); some people feel compelled to keep their secrets in the closet (negative). And yet, some people enjoy being out. I think the reference to "Easy Rider" is an example of those who don't want to be part of the establishment, but prefer counter-culture. So *not* being part of the in crowd is a positive for them. And some people aren't choosing to keep their secrets in the closet, some people (like Grace Manning) are literally being forced into a closet. Which segues to the other theme of this episode: freedom. The ability to choose for oneself. It all comes down to whether you are able to choose to be out or in, or whether you're forced to be as such. And choice is something that comes up often as we move from adolescence into adulthood. Parents give teenagers more responsibility, but in return, are allowed more freedoms. And young adults are faced with making some really difficult decisions as a result: should they take that drink, do that drug, have sex with that person? And so on. The decisions they make can affect the rest of their life. They might want to ask themselves: if this doesn't work out, do I have a Plan B?
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Post by Queen E on Apr 8, 2006 11:54:58 GMT -5
Spring, I love your icon! Very cute. Plan B (kinda) rhymes with Bambi. Never thought of that until you posted that pic. Probably doesn't mean anything, but interesting nonetheless. Hee; probably not, but if you stretched, there could be some point to be made about childhood into adolescence into adulthood. However, I'm too tired to make it. Thank you! It was fun to write! They really know how to use music and music references on VM, much like they did on Buffy. I always appreciate the intelligence behind this show (and Buffy, obviously); music is such an important feature of most adolescent experiences...in fact, the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack itself (much sucky modern music, some excellent R & B) was extremely popular when I was in 8th grade, and can recall certain events if I hear the songs now. And, seriously, what is with the multiple references to that film this season? Were they screening it in writing meetings, or does it actually have a greater significance to the story...coming of age, maybe, or the fleeting nature of time? Excellent thoughts, yes! They were really pushing the notion of "in" and "out" in this episode, as well as in the series as a whole. Much like music, social standing is of paramount importance during these years. Weevil is an important example...not an 09-er, but being kicked out of the PCH-ers left him twisting and (almost) friendless. Yet Weevil obviously knows how to make the best out of a bad situation. He is the best example of making "Plan B" work for him. In fact, he made greater progress on his quest to bring Felix's killers to justice once he was on the outs with the PCH. Oh yeah. And I think the oblique reference to the morning after pill is no accident here. I think all of the characters are going to be faced with even more Phyrric choices before this season is over. And now I'm thinking of another song; Janis Joplin's "Me and Bobby McGee": "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose." Thus far, I think that only Weevil and Logan are at the point...my prediction is that before the end of the season, that group is going to grow much larger.
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Post by SpringSummers on Apr 8, 2006 13:48:43 GMT -5
Spring, I love your icon! Very cute. Plan B (kinda) rhymes with Bambi. Never thought of that until you posted that pic. Probably doesn't mean anything, but interesting nonetheless. Hee; probably not, but if you stretched, there could be some point to be made about childhood into adolescence into adulthood. However, I'm too tired to make it. Thank you! It was fun to write! They really know how to use music and music references on VM, much like they did on Buffy. I always appreciate the intelligence behind this show (and Buffy, obviously); music is such an important feature of most adolescent experiences...in fact, the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack itself (much sucky modern music, some excellent R & B) was extremely popular when I was in 8th grade, and can recall certain events if I hear the songs now. And, seriously, what is with the multiple references to that film this season? Were they screening it in writing meetings, or does it actually have a greater significance to the story...coming of age, maybe, or the fleeting nature of time? Excellent thoughts, yes! They were really pushing the notion of "in" and "out" in this episode, as well as in the series as a whole. Much like music, social standing is of paramount importance during these years. Weevil is an important example...not an 09-er, but being kicked out of the PCH-ers left him twisting and (almost) friendless. Yet Weevil obviously knows how to make the best out of a bad situation. He is the best example of making "Plan B" work for him. In fact, he made greater progress on his quest to bring Felix's killers to justice once he was on the outs with the PCH. Oh yeah. And I think the oblique reference to the morning after pill is no accident here. I think all of the characters are going to be faced with even more Phyrric choices before this season is over. And now I'm thinking of another song; Janis Joplin's "Me and Bobby McGee": "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose." Thus far, I think that only Weevil and Logan are at the point...my prediction is that before the end of the season, that group is going to grow much larger. Erin, we have been hanging around together too long. I almost called my review last week "Nothing left to lose" and was humming "Bobby McGee" all week due to the "freedom theme." Is it my imagination, or is the S3 developing something of an overall "review style" the more we get to know and read each other's stuff? I mean, we are still all very distinctive, but . . . we're all . . . S3ish too. Loved your review, by the way. Definitely agree about the relevant themes and such.
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Post by Queen E on Apr 8, 2006 14:08:52 GMT -5
Hee; probably not, but if you stretched, there could be some point to be made about childhood into adolescence into adulthood. However, I'm too tired to make it. Thank you! It was fun to write! They really know how to use music and music references on VM, much like they did on Buffy. I always appreciate the intelligence behind this show (and Buffy, obviously); music is such an important feature of most adolescent experiences...in fact, the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack itself (much sucky modern music, some excellent R & B) was extremely popular when I was in 8th grade, and can recall certain events if I hear the songs now. And, seriously, what is with the multiple references to that film this season? Were they screening it in writing meetings, or does it actually have a greater significance to the story...coming of age, maybe, or the fleeting nature of time? Excellent thoughts, yes! They were really pushing the notion of "in" and "out" in this episode, as well as in the series as a whole. Much like music, social standing is of paramount importance during these years. Weevil is an important example...not an 09-er, but being kicked out of the PCH-ers left him twisting and (almost) friendless. Yet Weevil obviously knows how to make the best out of a bad situation. He is the best example of making "Plan B" work for him. In fact, he made greater progress on his quest to bring Felix's killers to justice once he was on the outs with the PCH. Oh yeah. And I think the oblique reference to the morning after pill is no accident here. I think all of the characters are going to be faced with even more Phyrric choices before this season is over. And now I'm thinking of another song; Janis Joplin's "Me and Bobby McGee": "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose." Thus far, I think that only Weevil and Logan are at the point...my prediction is that before the end of the season, that group is going to grow much larger. Erin, we have been hanging around together too long. I almost called my review last week "Nothing left to lose" and was humming "Bobby McGee" all week due to the "freedom theme." Is it my imagination, or is the S3 developing something of an overall "review style" the more we get to know and read each other's stuff? I mean, we are still all very distinctive, but . . . we're all . . . S3ish too. Loved your review, by the way. Definitely agree about the relevant themes and such. Thank you! And I am honored to be sharing a brain with you. I definitely think we are a developing a style, sort of a "review/analysis" thing.
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Post by Lola m on Apr 9, 2006 11:25:50 GMT -5
Wow, Erin! Just wow!
Easy rider and motorcycle gangs; Thumper’s bike – Felix’s bike – Weevil’s bike; trucks and truckers; buses; driving and movement; mechanics and explosives. You found a/the theme. The theme of the ep – theme of the mysteries! Everyone had a plan and several of those plans went boom like Thumper. Did the person who planned the bus explosion do so as part of a plan that has yet to come true or was it clean up for a plan that went sour?
Loved your use of the metaphor of implosion. We started the season with an explosion – now the fallout of that is collapsing in on itself. Plus, the idea of a countdown: countdown to the stadium’s destruction – countdown to the solution of the season’s mystery.
Lovely phrasing, by the way: Also, nice touch, reminding us of Veronica’s mention of Caligula. That slipped by me at the time, but looking back on the episode, it seems rather creepily apt.
You also did the best summary I’ve read yet regarding Logan’s actions (not the relationship actions, but the arc / mystery related ones).
It’s sooooo easy to forget all the important small actions and important clues we got in this ep. Sooo easy to be distracted by the squeeful happy bits or the oooh wow scary dramatic bits.
We’re meant to be distracted, to be fooled, to be misled by Logan as the misunderstood Johnny Castle and misled in this season’s mystery as well. Someone’s wearing a false face, someone’s not what they seem to be.
Your “in and out of the closet” bullet point list was perfect, and not just because it fit the “who’s gay” theme that the show is working and that we all are starting to think is gonna be key to this season’s mystery. But also because you used it to create a lovely summary of the interactions of this ep (which were much more complicated than they appear on the surface) and thus, a nice summary of where we are in moving toward a solution to the bus crash and the events that started it all.
Brava, Erin, brava!!
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Post by Lola m on Apr 9, 2006 11:30:29 GMT -5
S’cubies! Have I got a deal for you! The new VM review is up and ready for a read. So what do you say? Are you in, or are you out?[/size] Hurry on over to the homepage (www.soulfulspike.com). Don’t delay. Be the first one to read:
PLAN B: Come out, come out, wherever you are – by Erin
Don’t deny your attraction.
Save yourself a few seconds if you like, by clicking on the pic below to connect directly to the review. (And with a review this yummy why waste time?)Thumper with his gang, in happier days When you've finished your reading, don't forget to stop by VM ep2.17 thread, to give Erin any feedback you might have. Enjoy! It's dynamite!! [/quote] Spring, I love your icon! Very cute. Plan B (kinda) rhymes with Bambi. Never thought of that until you posted that pic. Probably doesn't mean anything, but interesting nonetheless. Great review, Erin! As I read it, I thought of that song by the Steve Miller Band with the line, "Time keeps on ticking into the future." Time is running out--it's certainly run out for Thumper. Great observation of the significance of Logan mentioning the song "I've Had the Time of My Life." I also really liked your summation of who's out and who's in. It's a theme we've returned to again and again this season. And it's interesting how "in" and "out" can take on both positive and negative connotations. Some people want desperately to be part of the in crowd (positive); some people feel compelled to keep their secrets in the closet (negative). And yet, some people enjoy being out. I think the reference to "Easy Rider" is an example of those who don't want to be part of the establishment, but prefer counter-culture. So *not* being part of the in crowd is a positive for them. And some people aren't choosing to keep their secrets in the closet, some people (like Grace Manning) are literally being forced into a closet. Which segues to the other theme of this episode: freedom. The ability to choose for oneself. It all comes down to whether you are able to choose to be out or in, or whether you're forced to be as such. And choice is something that comes up often as we move from adolescence into adulthood. Parents give teenagers more responsibility, but in return, are allowed more freedoms. And young adults are faced with making some really difficult decisions as a result: should they take that drink, do that drug, have sex with that person? And so on. The decisions they make can affect the rest of their life. They might want to ask themselves: if this doesn't work out, do I have a Plan B? [/quote] Very nice musings on the different "ins and outs", Fotada!
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Post by Lola m on Apr 9, 2006 11:33:44 GMT -5
Erin, we have been hanging around together too long. I almost called my review last week "Nothing left to lose" and was humming "Bobby McGee" all week due to the "freedom theme." Is it my imagination, or is the S3 developing something of an overall "review style" the more we get to know and read each other's stuff? I mean, we are still all very distinctive, but . . . we're all . . . S3ish too. Loved your review, by the way. Definitely agree about the relevant themes and such. Thank you! And I am honored to be sharing a brain with you. I definitely think we are a developing a style, sort of a "review/analysis" thing. **nods agreement on the S3 review/analysis thing** Repeating word choices, literary and musical themes, large arc discussion, posing questions.
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Post by leftylady on Apr 9, 2006 14:03:14 GMT -5
Only saw the episode last night with the makeup broadcast after a sports preempt so just now catching up on the thread (and review).
Great job, Erin. Liked your Dirty Dancing mirror. Thought of the film myself to see L/V dancing when he says that line. But also loved the lyrics to Sway as they danced: "I don't want to hurt you." "always been a dreamer ... coming down .. my solid ground" etc. Maybe Logan and V have turned a corner.
Also good catch on the St. Jude/hopeless causes as we waited for Thumper to go up with the stadium.
Pixi: Logan & Spike as soulmates. Love it, love it, love it!
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Post by leftylady on Apr 9, 2006 14:21:05 GMT -5
Beaverland, heh heh. Ahem. I mean, yes. Beaver was very worrying to me in this ep. Granted, it could all just be a guy not ready for sex yet, and feeling (because our society says that a guy should always want it) kind of embarassed or pressured, etc. But his reactions just seemed to hint at "something else is going on". Well, Veronica has told us that penises are very distracting, and in this Dick-less episode we get to look at Beaver. But.... I can take Cassidy's behavior at face value. 1. He's younger, as he points out. 2. He's the quiet, uncertain type who might need a lot of social encouragement. 3. We saw what brutal taunting Dick gave him at the carnival because of this "date" with Mac. This makes it pretty sure a bet that if Dick is presently at home, he would make a loud and obnoxious jackass of himself even from outside Cassidy's closed & locked bedroom door if he took Mac home. Kinda kills the mood, wouldn't you say? About the breakup: fellas out there reading this. Yes, girls, specially young girls. will discuss personal aspects of their dating lives with their girlfriend to figure out what is normal from you fellas or not. But Mac's telling Cassidy that she talked with V is not exactly smart. Lots of boyfriends have been known to take offense at "out of school" discussions of intimate details or lack thereof by their girlfriends. If Mac had said that "Dr. Phil says ..." or "Seventeen magazine says ...", maybe Cassidy's reaction might have been different, but given the the confidante was a classmate he sees daily, embarassment along with the attributes mentioned in no.1 above, I'd have been surprised if he reacted in any other way. So, just another red herring on the potential "outing"? Woody is plainly obvious with the inappropriate comments and touching, but I'll keep my options open on the Cassidy classification for now.
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Post by leftylady on Apr 9, 2006 14:24:25 GMT -5
Another thought on the dating / taunting:
After Magic Mountain Dick taunting of Cassidy, we have the nameless jerks ready to taunt Charlie for daring to talk to a girl in class. Charlie for sure is at a social disadvantage when it comes to dating. But in some ways, shy Cassidy is too.
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Post by leftylady on Apr 9, 2006 14:25:54 GMT -5
Spring, too I like your new avi. But, really, we aren't demons, or at least most of us!
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Post by Spaced Out Looney on Apr 9, 2006 17:17:13 GMT -5
Logan won the prize on the freedom essay, but plagarized Easy Rider. OK.
Mac and Beaver have been dating for four months.
Logan can be a real jackass
Same scum, different wardrobe.
Weevil!
Logan took Lambs parking space, Hee!!
The girl you're trying to make me right now is the girl I'm trying not to be. Oh, Wallace.
Good music
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Post by Karen on Apr 9, 2006 18:49:33 GMT -5
Great review, Erin! I loved how you tied in the real life references in the episode to their possible meanings to the show. I love those little details - especially your 'Closet Opens' section and 'who's out' and 'who's in'.
We’ve got a desired destination: the Land of Who, What, When, Where, and How. Now the questions are: Who is going to ride to freedom? Who is going to go over the cliff?
Still so many mysteries yet to be solved! Thanks for pulling together both some of the answers and the questions still waiting to be answered. My head is spinning!
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Post by Pixi on Apr 10, 2006 9:03:00 GMT -5
Bravo Erin - great review! A real treat to read!
Yes - lots of imploding going on.
I notice you didn't address the "Dance". I love looking at the eyes and body language in this scene as I believe Veronica's I couldn't care less about Logan's outward stance is also imploding here. It's just a dance and she doesn't relax into it but the eye contact and looking away is speaking volumes.
Lovely, lovely paragraph detailing this. A treat to read.
Nice analogy.
I also enjoyed you're who's in and who's out list. I do believe that while Logan may have plagiarized the phrase from Easy Rider - if you look at the scene there is more than one page on the essay Veronica looks at. Grabbing a key phrase from a book or movie to support a position and then expanding on it to the length that his essay looked - I have to argue with the plagiarizing label and Veronica could only have read a brief bit before she talked to Logan.
But again - masterful job. A very enjoyable read.
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Post by Queen E on Apr 10, 2006 12:19:59 GMT -5
Wow, Erin! Just wow! Easy rider and motorcycle gangs; Thumper’s bike – Felix’s bike – Weevil’s bike; trucks and truckers; buses; driving and movement; mechanics and explosives. You found a/the theme. The theme of the ep – theme of the mysteries! Everyone had a plan and several of those plans went boom like Thumper. Did the person who planned the bus explosion do so as part of a plan that has yet to come true or was it clean up for a plan that went sour? So many questions, and yes, I think it could be either of those. My theory is the latter; it was "clean up." However, I think that's what we've been pushed to think, what with Curly's connection to Aaron Echolls... Thank you! And yes...it reminds me of the TS Eliot poem..."This is the way the world ends/this is the way the world ends/this is the way the world ends/not with a bang but a whimper." Although the implosion was loud; it's a "turning in" and "turning on itself" that I think we're seeing here. Neptune is rotten at its core, much like Twin Peaks; and, if I may say so, this was the Twin Peakiest episode we've had... That's Joss' fault. All these years of watching Buffy and Angel have really alerted me to word choice and word repetition. And heh, the Caligula. With the stadium being destroyed in this episode, Veronica mentioning Caligula and Roman history just jumped out. Put that together with Woody's creepy arm fondling and gah! OK, now I'm really blushing! Thanks, Lola. If I can bring up the Spike comparison that comes so easily: His insistence on his own laziness, his own lack of caring reminds me of Spike's continued Season 4 "I'm evil!" mantra while still managing to fight the good fight (sometimes). Repeating things like that is a way to convince yourself more than anyone else. This also goes into the debate between action vs words. We have Logan saying one thing and doing another....we have Woody saying: "Yes, Terrence's actions look guilty, but I believe in the quality of his character." In other words, words speak louder than actions. Jackie, too; she can insist she's trying to be a better person, but saving Charlie from being teased goes much further in convincing the audience. Why, thank you! Unlike last season, I really think we're moving towards a conspiracy...that the people who are "in" are going to all be involved somehow... Can't wait to see how it ends!
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