|
|
Post by S'ewing S'cubie on May 17, 2004 13:56:15 GMT -5
The ultimate NERD ALERT! is a double header. By decree of those whose heads are firmly in the wrong part of their anatomies, we are about to lose our last link to the Jossverse. S’cubies, Spangels, Spuffies, Spanders all are in states of denial or advanced grief. Therefore, in order to go out in style, your humble servant presents not one, but two (count ‘em!) Nerd Alerts! for your therapeutic pleasure.
This is not the time to hold back, my dears. Use them well and they will help you weather the terrible loss we all face. As always, spelling doesn’t count, but imagination always does.
|
|
|
|
Post by S'ewing S'cubie on May 17, 2004 13:57:01 GMT -5
The ultimate NERD ALERT! is a double header. By decree of those whose heads are firmly in the wrong part of their anatomies, we are about to lose our last link to the Jossverse. S’cubies, Spangels, Spuffies, Spanders all are in states of denial or advanced grief. Therefore, in order to go out in style, your humble servant presents not one, but two (count ‘em!) Nerd Alerts! for your therapeutic pleasure. This is not the time to hold back, my dears. Use them well and they will help you weather the terrible loss we all face. As always, spelling doesn’t count, but imagination always does. HAIL and FAREWELL – This is your place to say goodbye to our fictional friends. This is where you can tell Fred how much you miss her or offer consolation to Wes as he deals the best he can. Tell Angel what you think of his most recent decisions, offer a verbal hug to Lorne or give your love to their creator, Joss Whedon. All opinions are welcome and just this once, I’ll even accept a little dissing. Not much, you understand, but because feelings are running so high if you need to vent—do it here. |
|
|
|
Post by S'ewing S'cubie on May 17, 2004 13:57:32 GMT -5
The ultimate NERD ALERT! is a double header. By decree of those whose heads are firmly in the wrong part of their anatomies, we are about to lose our last link to the Jossverse. S’cubies, Spangels, Spuffies, Spanders all are in states of denial or advanced grief. Therefore, in order to go out in style, your humble servant presents not one, but two (count ‘em!) Nerd Alerts! for your therapeutic pleasure. This is not the time to hold back, my dears. Use them well and they will help you weather the terrible loss we all face. As always, spelling doesn’t count, but imagination always does. DEATH to the WB – Therapy Here you may dis to your heart’s content. You may imagine horrible retribution to the morons who cancelled our show, or write them a letter just to tell them off. Once more, because feelings are running so high if you need to vent—do it here. |
|
|
|
Post by SpringSummers on May 18, 2004 9:18:34 GMT -5
HAIL TO OUR FICTIONAL FRIENDS
Angel: Thank you for the broody, the moody, the commitment you have to duty. When I'm wondering how to face that tough decision, I ask myself: What would Angel do?
Wes: Thank for the nerdy, the wordy, the "lurid"y. When I'm wondering if a bookworm like me can really handle the confrontation, I ask myself: What would Wes do?
Cordy: Thank you for the queeny, the meanie, the preeny. When I'm wondering how in the hell a girlie girl like me is going to rise to the challenge, I ask myself: What would Cordy do?
Gunn: Thank you for the rough, the tough, the very right stuff. When I'm wondering how I am going to live one more day dealing with the pampered snobs I confront in my everyday work, I ask myself: What would Gunn do?
Fred: Thank you for the sweet, the neat, the odds that you beat. When I'm wondering how I'm going to possibly retain my humanity in a situation that has me wanting to break heads, I ask myself: What would Fred do?
Lorne: Thank you for the green, the sheen, the knowing what people mean. When I wonder how to best be a friend in a touchy situation, I ask myself: What would Lorne do?
Harmony: Thank you for the funny, the sunny, the smile sweet as honey. When I wonder what shoes to wear, or how I'm going to deal with the mechanic acting, one more time, like I'm a total idiot, I ask myself: What would Harmony do?
Spike: Thank you for the walk, the talk, you're even sexy when you stalk!! When I wonder how I can possibly survive the latest blow, I ask myself: What would Spike do?
I hope to see you all again!
|
|
|
|
Post by S'ewing S'cubie on May 19, 2004 12:43:07 GMT -5
HAIL TO OUR FICTIONAL FRIENDS Angel: Thank you for the broody, the moody, the commitment you have to duty. When I'm wondering how to face that tough decision, I ask myself: What would Angel do? Wes: Thank for the nerdy, the wordy, the "lurid"y. When I'm wondering if a bookworm like me can really handle the confrontation, I ask myself: What would Wes do? Cordy: Thank you for the queeny, the meanie, the preeny. When I'm wondering how in the hell a girlie girl like me is going to rise to the challenge, I ask myself: What would Cordy do? Gunn: Thank you for the rough, the tough, the very right stuff. When I'm wondering how I am going to live one more day dealing with the pampered snobs I confront in my everyday work, I ask myself: What would Gunn do? Fred: Thank you for the sweet, the neat, the odds that you beat. When I'm wondering how I'm going to possibly retain my humanity in a situation that has me wanting to break heads, I ask myself: What would Fred do? Lorne: Thank you for the green, the sheen, the knowing what people mean. When I wonder how to best be a friend in a touchy situation, I ask myself: What would Lorne do? Harmony: Thank you for the funny, the sunny, the smile sweet as honey. When I wonder what shoes to wear, or how I'm going to deal with the mechanic acting, one more time, like I'm a total idiot, I ask myself: What would Harmony do? Spike: Thank you for the walk, the talk, you're even sexy when you stalk!! When I wonder how I can possibly survive the latest blow, I ask myself: What would Spike do? I hope to see you all again! This is magnificent! What a lovely tribute. |
|
|
|
Post by makd on May 19, 2004 19:40:40 GMT -5
Hope the copyright holders don't mind the changes I made. This pretty much says it for me: Writer(s): leo robin/ralph rainger Thanks for the memory Of things i can't forget Spike and Angel on a jet Our wond'rous weeks writ by writer geeks And vegas and roulette How lucky we were And thanks for the memory those evenings of TV Cordy in a bikini She had a pad with Dennis there And Wes would steep the tea, how cozy it was Now since The WB's no, we wake up Alone on a gray morning-after We long for the sound of your laughter And then they'll see the laugh's on them ptui to the WB! But thanks for the memory Each episode a thrill We've been through the mill We've lived a lot and learned a lot The WB loved you not and still We'll miss you so much Thanks for the memory Of Gunn and Fred and Wes fighting at their best Even in Pylea - keeping Groo close to the vest Away from all the demon priests How sunny it was Thanks for the memory Of demons you destroyed Banter we enjoyed Tonight the way things look We need a book by Sigmund Freud How brainy he was Gone are those evenings - those Wednesdays, Together we'd watch a great show But now we begin with TNT and tapes And wish that the frog was watching, too Gone is our repentant vamp, our Angel Our hero, our champion, our guy Together we'd watch a great show We followed him around the tube, and watched him - then we sighed - how lucky we were. I know it's a fallacy That grown men never cry Baby, that's a lie We had our bed of roses But forgot that roses die And thank you so much   |
|
|
|
Post by Linda on May 20, 2004 5:32:24 GMT -5
DEATH to the WB – Therapy Here you may dis to your heart’s content. You may imagine horrible retribution to the morons who cancelled our show, or write them a letter just to tell them off. Once more, because feelings are running so high if you need to vent—do it here. Hi all, Too full of feeling regarding the end of 5.22 to properly say farewell to the people of the Buffy & Angelverse. So, I will just express my disgust of the WB and their HYPOCRITICAL, self-congratulating, condescending, "tribute" at the end of the episode tonight. I'm sure I'm not the first person to think of this curse, but I just wanted it to be recorded here: May all the WB executives responsible for the cancellation of Angel be forced to alternately WATCH and then PARTICIPATE in their own reality programming. In a very Special Hell, time will twist and they will do BOTH things simultaneously, in an endless moebius strip of an existence. Linda, who really isn't this vindictive, usually. |
|
|
|
Post by Sue on May 20, 2004 7:24:32 GMT -5
Hi all, Too full of feeling regarding the end of 5.22 to properly say farewell to the people of the Buffy & Angelverse. So, I will just express my disgust of the WB and their HYPOCRITICAL, self-congratulating, condescending, "tribute" at the end of the episode tonight. I'm sure I'm not the first person to think of this curse, but I just wanted it to be recorded here: May all the WB executives responsible for the cancellation of Angel be forced to alternately WATCH and then PARTICIPATE in their own reality programming. In a very Special Hell, time will twist and they will do BOTH things simultaneously, in an endless moebius strip of an existence. Linda, who really isn't this vindictive, usually. Trophy! |
|
|
|
Post by Lola m on Jun 1, 2004 21:21:44 GMT -5
Better late than never, eh? I've ranted and raved enough about the Witless Bastards, the Warty Butchers, the Weasely Buggers, etc. .....so ... ptuie! We will speak no more of them!  On to the thank yous! (Broken into two parts, 'cuz I'm such a wordy little babbling fool!) Thanks for the memories, Angelkins and gang!I’ll just be honest and give the first (and most) airtime to my favorite blondie bear. Spike Those cheekbones, those eyes, those abs, those headtilts …ummm – where was I? OK – serious now. My love of Spike is not just a physical thing, truly, although the physical presence (hee hee - his physical presence has a ...... **cough** excuse me) of JM is a wonder to behold and goes beyond mere “good looks”. Movement, action, attitude, expression and above all, versatility. I’ve rarely seen an actor handle, much less master, the range of emotion and characterization we’ve seen over the years from JM. What is the quintessential Spike? What distinguishes him? It’s like trying to capture lightning in a jar, for quintessential Spike can be anything and everything. Sweet, mean, fierce, gentle, predator, prey, protector, loving, harsh, funny, heartbreakingly serious, deadly, romantic, sexy. Coldhearted killer, romantic lead, comic sidekick and swashbuckling adventurer. Honey – you had me at “who do you kill for fun around here?” The entire voyage from BtVS season 2 latest, but instantly most watchable, villain to season 7 romantic world-saver to AtS season 5 hero-come-into-his-own has been, well, just some truly amazing frosting on a damn fine cake. Angel Ya lovable lug, ya! Fiercely protective dad and leader, socially awkward lovable goof, classically handsome man, and true (if sometimes ethically challenged) hero. Frustrated at every turn at W&H, battling in a new kind of way against an enemy that is impossible to grasp – impossible to truly vanquish. Some of the loveliest themes this year had to do with Angel. Watching him snark and snarl and talk and re-bond with Spike and getting to see him see his son alive, healthy and happy. Wes My darlin’ woobie. Loyal beyond all reason, with that sweet soft voice. Deadly with a weapon or a book, my poor darling crazy-as-a-jaybird Wes. Such an amazing man he turned out to be. Goofy/prissy wet behind the ears watcher to rogue demon hunter in adorably uncomfortable leather to sincere but flawed AI team member to confidently commanding leader to master of arcane knowledge to dark and dangerous man of action. A man who loved Fred so much and then watched over and guided the being that stole her body. Gunn Straight talking, no nonsense Man with a Mission. He really got to represent all of us this season – got to be the most human, most real character – and possibly the most ennobled at the end. The oh-so-human frailties of insecurity and doubt leading to such normal and banal human failings. Reaching for the quick fix, turning a blind eye when those who are hurt along the way are “not one of us”. To me, his real path back to himself was not due to suffering in the W&H holding dimension, but in trying to do right again when he got out. Lola |
|
|
|
Post by Lola m on Jun 1, 2004 21:27:18 GMT -5
More babbling, I'm afraid.  Gettin' carried away here, but what better time to get maudlin and excessive?  Fred and Illyria Xander said it best: “smart chicks are so hot”. Fred: brave and clever, scrappy survivor and down-home sugar sweet genius, we got to see her go from creeping mouse-like through the halls of the Hyperion to kicking ass and taking names in the lab of W&H. Illyria: proud and destructive, disdainful of the mortal body she is forced to inhabit and the mortal beings she is forced to move among. Grand icy beauty - not just the heartbreaking moments where Fred shines through, but also the powerful and deadly Illyria her/him/itself. Lorne. Our sweet soul singer. Wardrobe that would make any show worth watching even without the great writing and acting - the quip man, the clever line man, the bestest of nicknames man. Empath, softy, the demon with the heart of gold. Our favorite cowardly lion who was so much braver than he should ever have been forced to be. Crooning his way into our hearts, the lover-not-a-fighter forced into a final role that was just too much and too cruel for him. Cordelia, Doyle, Lindsey, Harmony. What can I say? We got to see them all this season, in one way or another. Everyone got at least one great shining moment and for that I am really really happy. Eve, we loved to hate you. Hamilton, I wish we could have loved to hate you longer – an awesome villain played to perfection. The season: What a ride! What started as a total departure for our gang – heading off to battle dragons by walking right into their lair – ended up coming full circle. Outnumbered and wounded, fighting the good fight in a dark and rainy alley outside the Hyperion. From the fluorescent-bulb, necro-tempered brightness of W&H to the classic Angel-noir look of that final scene. Angel’s humanity coming true in his son. Wes’ journey back to the source of his strength in adversity. Overcoming the pain of his childhood, opening himself up to love and Fred, using his watcher training to the last as he guided Illyria. Spike reconciling his Spikeness and Williamness. The inner poet finally being seen and appreciated. Gunn’s long dark road away from and then truly back to his core, his heart. The man who always looked to the mission came back to it at the end, simply and easily – helping to load supplies on a truck. Because it’s not always the grand gesture that’s the most important. Our Fred, IMHO a true glimpse of a bit of the real Fred coming out when it was needed most. Both in saying good bye to Wes and then in her standing with the rest to fight as she was needed. Can we honestly believe that pure Illyria would have evolved as she did, if no Fredness survived? Of course not. The woman who survived those years in Pylea is still there – cavewoman and astronaut in one. Yep – it’s all one big wheel going around, folks. We just gotta wait for it to lift us up to the top again. Lola |
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Jul 6, 2004 2:08:31 GMT -5
Hi all,
Warning: Long post. Feel free to skip These are some of my not-so-random thoughts about the "Last Day" sequence in Not Fade Away. They've been kicking around in my head for the past month and a half. I thought I'd share them with you all, since, even if you don't agree with me, you know where I'm coming from. And you won't give me any funny looks (probably) for having them. And lastly: it's cheaper than therapy.
From Shells:
Illyria: We cling to what is gone. Is there anything in this world besides grief?
Wes: There’s love. There’s hope, for some. There’s hope that you’ll find something worthy. That your life will lead you to some joy. That after everything, you can still be surprised.
Illyria: Is that enough? Is that enough to live on?
(silence)[/size]
These are the lines that went through my head as I was thinking about the way everyone chose to live their last day in Not Fade Away. I believe Joss answered the question with that sequence - in love and hope and joy and surprises and big gaping holes of loss. There was so much to cheer about in everyone's choices: Lorne’s singing, Gunn’s visit to Anne’s shelter, Spike’s poetry slam, Angel’s visit with Connor and Wes' ministering to Illyria. And yet, each one of them has endured so much loss over the past few years, that I couldn’t help thinking about the "negative space" - the things that were missing from each of their “last” days.
Lorne sang. His love of music was what brought him to this dimension. It gave his life the shape and meaning and happiness that he could never find back in Pylea. The music is still in him, he still sang with skill and feeling, but my impression was that he no longer found comfort or strength from the audience. This is what I feel Lorne has lost: his joy in connecting to others through music. Throughout the season (and most of last season IIRC), Lorne never sang or listened to a song as an end in itself (except, tragically, “You Are My Sunshine” in A Hole in the World), but instead, used it as a tool for the gang. Even his rendition of “Don’t Leave Me This Way” at the beginning of Life of the Party seemed equal parts covering and plea for help. This is so very different from what I remember of The Host we got at the beginning of Season Two, who seemed to enjoy even the worst karaoke singers because of the connection he felt with them. And through that connection, he was able to use his gift to help them - good, bad or hideously ugly. Lorne’s spirit seemed already broken and lost as he sang his last, wishful song, apparently to himself, despite the presence of an audience. Through his association with Angel, his music became a weapon - something that pained him almost beyond measure. It could no longer be a source of unjudged joy. But that was a natural consequence of choosing a side. So he got in touch with his inner Hulk for one last blow for the greater good. And now believes his show is over. But, though now a mixed blessing, music is still a part of him. Someday he can forge a different and stronger connection to the world and through it, find joy once again.
Gunn went back to his old neighborhood. He got to visit with Anne and he got a “keep fighting the good fight” affirmation from her. But he had started out looking for his old gang. And didn’t find them. This is what I feel Gunn has lost: his connection to (and perhaps even still his respect of) his street-self and his roots. When we first met Gunn, he was an admired leader who fought to protect his people and had the strength to stake his sister-turned-vampire. Throughout the years, he had less and less contact with his old gang. Until this episode, I believe that the last time Rondell and the others were even mentioned was back in Season Four’s Sacrifice. I think it's probable that Gunn was responsible for the sizeable donations of which Anne spoke, but I believe his personal rejection of that life (expressed to Eve in Conviction when she gave him Dr. Sparrow’s card) was still there somewhere. However, Gunn made the attempt to reconnect and was able to draw inspiration from his conversation with Anne and strength from his convictions and determination from his desire to atone. And so he was still standing after axing Senator B and dusting a whole roomful of vamps. He may only be a mortal, with one unearned gift for which he will probably never stop paying, but he's still fighting, despite the odds and injuries, because he knows that it is the fight that matters.
Ah, Spike. He gathered all of his courage (even the false kind from a bottle) and presented his inner poet to the world. And the world cheered. He first offered them the poem that was responsible for his death and then the poem that was inspired by his de-triggering and the beginning of the newest phase of his life. This is what I feel Spike has lost: a woman in his life to inspire his poetry and fill his heart (not gonna make an expansion joke here). And yet Spike was able to find acceptance for his poetry and therefore his feelings, if not from their original inspirations, then at least by the world at large. And by that acceptance, found healing and joy and strength for himself. So he slew the bad guys, and more importantly, he rescued the baby. He was the only one of the gang that had the job not only to destroy, but also to save - the job for a champion. Because he is no longer all about the girl. He can still be inspired by her and draw strength from her, but he doesn’t make his choices for her any longer. He is his own man and he is effulgent.
to be continued... (cue ominous music)
|
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Jul 6, 2004 2:17:47 GMT -5
continued...
Angel visited Connor, as is only fitting since this entire season was all about Connor and what Angel gave up for him. As he sat there telling Connor about his current life, the only part we got to hear about was Nina - someone who was personally unaffected by his decision to rewrite history. I believe, out of respect for Connor’s decision to keep the memories at a distance, Angel did not tell him about what happened to Cordy, Fred, Wes and Gunn - the people who formed his family both before and after Holtz. But then, these are Connor's losses. What has Angel lost? During his tenure at W&H he has lost: Connor, Buffy, Cordy, Fred, Nina, (and by the end of this episode, temporarily IMO, Lorne and Wes), his original mission, his championhood, his shanshu, his hope of forgiveness and redemption, and the friendship and unquestioning trust of his people. In other words almost all of his family and most of himself. And yet, he continues to fight the good fight, as Cordy said in You’re Welcome, even when he didn’t remember why. And he got a gift back, unasked: Connor. Connor, who chose to help his father because of both his new memories and his old. Connor, who was instrumental in the success of Angel’s part of the Big Dumb Plan (thanks, Julia, for immortalizing the term). Connor, who meant more to Angel than any shanshu. Connor, who was Angel’s missing heart and who restored Angel’s hope. And so, Angel’s W&H decision is vindicated, regardless of the success or failure of his BDP. And now, Angel can face down the dragons and trolls and everything else that the SPs choose to throw at him. Because Pandora’s box was not empty after all.
Wes tended to Illyria. Out of all of the gang, perhaps including Angel himself, these two have lost the most. Illyria's losses are profound, yet easy to list: her world, her power, her dignity, and, until this "last day", Wesley. But what has she gained? These are her gifts from Fred: her form, her memories, her powerful curiosity about the world, and most significantly, access to human emotion. These are her gifts from Wes: knowledge of the world, a place to be, a person to ask (and who asks in return) the hard questions, and someone who needs her. (And her gift from Spike: violence as a way of dealing. ;D) Illyria makes use of her gifts, and is able to offer Wes "inspiration", concern, comfort, and understanding, things that we never saw being offered to him by any of the others. And, near the end, she offered him love. And then vengeance and grief and aid to his friends.
Wes' losses are more complicated than Illyria's, but no less profound: Fred and his hope of love and joy, a life without patricide or the memory of kidnapping Connor, his battle-tested loyalty to and trust in Angel, and most ominously, his moral compass that would tell him it is not okay to shoot a coworker or stab Gunn just because they weren't trying to help Fred 100% & it probably wasn't fatal to them. (This extended run-on sentence is in honor of Fred.) And yet, despite all of his losses, Wes maintains his sense of humor ("Mistress Spanks-a-lot", heh), his sense of duty to Illyria and to Angel's mission (if not necessarily to Angel), his clarity of vision and a related brutal honesty with himself and Illyria. And he teaches her a deep truth: that there are things more important than what you want. Then, at the end: that the most important of these is love. In teaching Illyria this, he answered her final question from Shells: "Is that enough to live on?" Yes, it is. Wes is a truly spectacular human being.
Lastly, I wanted to mention the loss I found most grievous. Everyone spent the day away from each other, except for Wes & Illyria (and that decision was initially about both of them having nowhere else to go.) Yes, they all needed to do what mattered to them individually, but I found it almost unutterably sad that they could not find a way to share it with each other and draw renewed strength and friendship from one another. And the reason for this loss is the reason why my thoughts never seemed complete until now, over a month later: Fred. Her absence is the Hole in the[ir] World, the negative space of the entire final third of the season. By losing Fred, everyone lost their way of connecting with each other. She was the one whom they all loved, and for whom they would put aside all of their differences. When she was gone, everyone went into their own separate worlds of mourning. Without Fred, there is no one except Angel with the chance to pull them all back together. (And his people skills - still kinda non-existent.) Without Fred, there is no simple joy in just connecting with another person, no automatic acceptance and appreciation for people just as they are, no expressions of affection and love, no kindness or mercy, and as Julia, Rachael & others have pointed out, no one with the survival plan. However, although her death dealt a blow to Wes' and Lorne's spirits from which they still haven't recovered, it also propelled Gunn onto his path to atonement, brought Spike decisively into the group, gave Angel a way in to the Circle of the Black Thorne, brought Illyria into the world and through her, gave Wes an immediate reason to go on. And every single one of them is a better and stronger person for having had Fred in their life. Not necessarily happier, since, in Joss' world, love brings pain, but better and stronger. Very few people have that effect on those around them. Fred is just such a rarity. And she's been sorely missed.
And so, despite the loss and the grief that comprised the last few episodes of this season, there was still love and hope and renewed strength inherent in each person’s last day. The sequence was so balanced and beautifully done. Thank you to Joss and Jeffrey Bell and ME and Andy H., J. August R., James M., David B., Vincent K., Alexis D., and Amy A. for the crown jewels out of all the gems of the episode and the season.
Personal note (well, more personal than all of the above, anyway): Season Six still exists in Joss' head. I hope3 that we will get to see it, but even if we don't, I still believe that both Fred & Wes & all the others live on.
Linda, not caught up, but, hopefully, no longer so obsessed, either.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cal on Jul 6, 2004 7:15:44 GMT -5
Linda - beautiful, beautiful post. |
|
|
|
Post by Lola m on Jul 6, 2004 8:34:40 GMT -5
Linda - beautiful, beautiful post. I agree. An amazing post, Linda.  Lola |
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Jul 11, 2004 5:37:31 GMT -5
{{{Cal and Lola}}} Thank you for your sweet comments. I was wondering if I made the post too sentimental, 'cause my assumptions are so open to alternative interpretations. I don't want anyone to be afraid to disagree with me. But thanks. I loved this season of Angel. Both you and the other S'cubies were a major part of that. Linda, P.S. Lola: EETAH with your farewell post...The wheel keeps turning, eh? Too bad we Jossverse fans are destined to be on the rim, where the lows are REALLY low (Jossless Fall Season!!!) Luckily the highs will hit in April 2005. |
|
Gettin' carried away here, but what better time to get maudlin and excessive? 
