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Post by William the Bloody on Mar 21, 2005 10:04:46 GMT -5
Let the discussion begin!
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Post by Pixi on Mar 21, 2005 10:38:56 GMT -5
Interesting analysis. To say my jaw is hanging open and my brain is going huh - I would never have thought of that - doesn't really do my reaction justice. I can't rewatch the gift too much because it is so very sad at the end. I always cry even though I know she'll be back. I loved the way Spike was a part of the gang - the loathing the scoobies poured out on him during season 6 isn't here and I always wanted Spike and Giles to be better friends. It seemed like they would have had so much to talk about.
I agree about JM's acting at Buffy's threshold. It's almost a primer in the actor's ability to use subtle facial expressions to convey volumes. I often go very basic on my students and just work on facials and they don't often get how very important it is.
Thanks for a great read. You've been busy!!!
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Post by SpringSummers on Mar 21, 2005 18:01:17 GMT -5
Interesting analysis. To say my jaw is hanging open and my brain is going huh - I would never have thought of that - doesn't really do my reaction justice. Yes - I can understand. It kind of took me aback too, when I first started noticing the . . . direction things were taking, but I became convinced of the deliberateness of the words and imagery, and what they invoke. Me too! I didn't see much loathing pouring out for Spike in Season 6 - there was some minor snarkiness, but mostly, Spike ignored the Scoobies, and they ignored him. Xander was actually quite nice to him, when he visited him in the crypt in Gone, and advised him that he really needed to get himself a girlfriend. It wasn't until the Anya-thing that things got to what I would term "loathing level" and that was just Xander - and Spike left shortly thereafter. I don't have any professional expertise, and it is nice to get some info and confirmation from you. James just really gets to me with his acting - it is very effecting without being in any way "hammy" or over-the-top. I remember reading some snarky reviews now and then that accused him of show-stealing or scenery-chewing, but I can't see that at all. He is just plain doing an excellent job, and yes - that will get you some attention, but it doesn't seemed designed for attention-stealing. It simply seems like he's doing his best. Thanks for the feedback, as always. Yes, I have been busy - and it's very nice to know my efforts are enjoyed.
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Post by LadyDi on Mar 21, 2005 18:53:26 GMT -5
Yeesh! I understand you're impatient to get to s6, but posting these so quickly hardly gives a body time to frame a reply. Of course, I really shouldn't complain, 'cuz I always find some new and interesting ideas when reading your analyses.
Funny (peculiar), I love Intervention, not so much Tough Love, love Spiral, not so much The Weight of the World, and love The Gift (despite it being so sad). Just something that occured to me the other day, since you were posting on these eps. Is it just me?
As for Buffy's reward, do you mean just death itself? She doesn't know her destination ahead of time (none of us really do). Perhaps she is taking it on faith that wherever she ends up will be better, or that it just wont matter. She's done (she thinks), and that's what counts. Spike expresses similar feelings in Just Rewards. Most people go thru their lives trying to find purpose. Buffy had a purpose, and she fulfilled it admirably.
I might quibble with the you only get one shot at life and then you're done idea. There's too much we still don't know to make that claim conclusively.
I definitely agree that plot continuity took a backseat to thematic continuity in BtVS and AtS. Unfortunately, I can't be as sanguine about it as you seem to be.
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Post by Queen E on Mar 21, 2005 18:58:02 GMT -5
Oh my god, Spring, I'm not sure I'm worthy to share a site with you. I never would have thought to read Dawn's "bleeding" with menarche, and yet now that you've pointed it out, especially with the placement of the "shallow cuts," it seems absolutely obvious.
Also loved the calling back to the Byzantium theme you discussed in "Spiral"; very applicable to Buffy's arc as she moves from life to death to life again.
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Post by SpringSummers on Mar 21, 2005 19:14:53 GMT -5
Yeesh! I understand you're impatient to get to s6, but posting these so quickly hardly gives a body time to frame a reply. Of course, I really shouldn't complain, 'cuz I always find some new and interesting ideas when reading your analyses. Take your time. Comment on any of the threads, anytime! I have the same feeling. I mean, I like them all, but I agree with the basic assessment, here, though I couldn't say why exactly. Yes - I think that Buffy - that look on her face as she jumps and after - there's a kind of ecstasy to it - and ecstasy in leaving this world behind, for whatever is to come. Uhm - how to put this . . . I'm not really saying that that is my philosophy. I'm saying that it is the philosophy being expressed by the ep. Though, in fact, it is my belief that we get one shot. Well - I'm not so much sanguine as forgiving. I loved the thematic continuity, and ME did an awful lot with a very brutal schedule and circumstances. I wouldn't be so forgiving if this was say . . . a movie with a huge budget and plenty of time to get things right. These folks are pounding out weekly "movies" and trying to keep years and years of canon straight, and dealing with actors who may come and go, and not knowing whether they will be there next year, so trying to make the story fit various possibilities . . . I can overlook the (to me) minor plot issues.
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Post by SpringSummers on Mar 21, 2005 19:20:25 GMT -5
Oh my god, Spring, I'm not sure I'm worthy to share a site with you. Now that is just silly. But many thanks for the compliment and the feedback. I never noticed it either, until I put my "analysis hat" on. I noticed the phallic stuff first - that mention of "cudgels" and that huge tower, the hole, all that - and then when I looked at Dawn holding her abdomen and saying "It's started!" and blood dripping on her feet, and her big sis telling her it would be OK . . . it just hit me like - well, like a ton of bricks. All of a sudden all the words and images started to pop out at me - bleeding box, jelly belly, etc. Joss is just - he's amazing. Yes - I truly think that Byzantium reference is deliberate and about that particular poem. It fits so well with all the physical/emotional vs artificial/intellectual images.
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Post by makd on Mar 21, 2005 20:22:37 GMT -5
Always loved your reviews, but this? This is the best; surely the finest of your always astute reviews.
Awesome --- and I almost never use that word --- just awesome.
Thank you so very much for sharing your insights on this one - and on all the others, of course, as well.
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Post by Spaced Out Looney on Mar 21, 2005 22:26:25 GMT -5
I have to say, I got the menstruation metaphor before, but you totally take it to a new level. Brilliant. I had picked up on Willow's determination to "bring Tara back" but not about how people don't stay dead when you kill em. Hee. I had often wondered what Buffy was going to say. I think this makes sense. And she's not able to connect with Dawn after her resurrection. More later. Looking forward to season 6!
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Post by SpringSummers on Mar 22, 2005 8:09:35 GMT -5
Always loved your reviews, but this? This is the best; surely the finest of your always astute reviews. Awesome --- and I almost never use that word --- just awesome. Thank you so very much for sharing your insights on this one - and on all the others, of course, as well. Thanks so much, makd. I enjoy doing these and sharing my thoughts with folks who - whether they agree or not - understand and appreciate. I very much appreciate your feedback. Stop back by anytime!
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Post by SpringSummers on Mar 22, 2005 8:13:18 GMT -5
I have to say, I got the menstruation metaphor before, but you totally take it to a new level. Brilliant. Yes - I didn't do any extensive background reading on this one - but I can't possibly be the first to have noticed or mentioned the menstruation images. Yes - the distance between Buffy & Dawn is a significant thing throughout Season 6. Do come back for "more later" if you get inspired - and thanks for the feedback.
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Post by Queen E on Mar 22, 2005 11:38:07 GMT -5
Now that is just silly. But many thanks for the compliment and the feedback. Well deserved, I say. Funny how that works, isn't it? Sometimes I feel close to insane with the amount of referencing, repetitions, and images he packs in to 42-45 minutes of programming. It's like those magic eye pictures; once you see the dancing hippos, you can't unsee them... Absolutely. And intriguing in a season in which we have two major characters being "split" in different ways: the Xanders, and Buffy and her bot.
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Post by Lynn on Mar 22, 2005 15:01:20 GMT -5
Oh Spring thank you. I don't know why this show moves me so but you enrich it even more for me.
JM is such a watchable actor and the show gives him a chance to play a character who is "a legendary dark warrior," a comic hero, a lover, and an evolving personality, rather than static and predictable. The sexual role reversals are fascinating.
Even when he is standing in the background he looks involved in what is happening. Of course looking gorgeous doesn't hurt.
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Post by SpringSummers on Mar 23, 2005 8:23:10 GMT -5
Oh Spring thank you. I don't know why this show moves me so but you enrich it even more for me. Thanks for letting me know. It helps keep me going with this enormous undertaking! Agree all the way. And true - looking gorgeous is a definite plus! Thanks again for the feedback.
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Post by SpringSummers on Mar 23, 2005 8:26:09 GMT -5
Well deserved, I say. Funny how that works, isn't it? Sometimes I feel close to insane with the amount of referencing, repetitions, and images he packs in to 42-45 minutes of programming. It's like those magic eye pictures; once you see the dancing hippos, you can't unsee them... Absolutely. And intriguing in a season in which we have two major characters being "split" in different ways: the Xanders, and Buffy and her bot. Yep - with Angel's "split personality" sort obliquely referred to here and there. Notice how Little Buffy "likes dolls." Angel - tons of "puppet," "artificial construct" imagery flies around for him. And of course, the references to Buffy's "two sides" - by Dracula, by Buffy herself in contemplating what would have happened if Toth had hit her . . . And the view of "the two sides of Spike" we get in "Fool for Love" and throughout the Season . . .
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