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Post by SpringSummers on Jan 9, 2006 3:11:17 GMT -5
Hi, S'cubies! I finally finished and tried uploading my new review myself (for the first time) and it ALMOST all went well. For some reason that I can't yet figure out, I can't get the link to the new review to appear on the listing of the ep links . . . so anyhow, here's a link: www.soulfulspike.com/spikecentricity/BargainingIReview.htmthat I hope will work until I get this figured out. HELP, Vlad or Matthew, if you see this! I uploaded the new spikecentricity.htm file, with the new link in it, and it transferred over just fine, but . . . it doesn't show up. I can't for the life of me figure it out. The htm file looks fine when I open it locally (on my hard drive). But the changes don't show up when I try to open it on the server . . . I dunno. HELP! EDITED TO ADD: OK - it's all fixed. Read, comment . . . Let the discussion begin!
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Post by iadorespike on Jan 9, 2006 10:25:03 GMT -5
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Post by Queen E on Jan 9, 2006 15:23:52 GMT -5
Bravo, Spring! You are back and kicking serious ass. I am standing in awe.
Love how you note the use of "stop" again and again in the opener...the ultimate safety word, especially in light of the excesses of the rest of the season.
And right there with you on being a huge fan of Season 6!
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Post by Kerrie on Jan 9, 2006 17:00:34 GMT -5
At last. I was so excited to read the latest analysis. It was worth the wait. There was mention of Spike's different hairstyles having a meaning. I am not familiar with this theory: what is it?
I will also join in the chorus of saying season 6 was the best season of BtVS. I doubt whether any other season of BtVS woud have captured me as a viewer and turned me into a fan. I admit that as I only started watching BtVS during season 5 that this opinion is untested.
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Post by Moscow Watcher on Jan 9, 2006 17:16:38 GMT -5
I love reading your essays, Spring, and hope you'll continue. Have you ever tried to think about this season in terms of pre-9\11 and post-9\11? There is something heartbreaking, prophetic and amazing in the fact that during those "147 days" when a Slayer couldn't defend the innocent from forces of evil America irreversibly changed and became a different country. Creepy coincidence, n'est-ce pas? I checked the scripts dates. The last one finished before 9\11 is Life Serial. All The Way is finished Sept., 17. Obviously OMWF has been written pre-9\11. But, starting with Tabula Rasa, the scripts are written by people who recently witnessed a terrible national tragedy. Right now there is another BtVS discussion on SMGfan, and one poster mentioned TWoP recapper who disliked season 6 and wrote that it felt like the audience missed a season in which writers explained the changes that happened to the characters. Interesting observation. I think that the events of 9\11 can be equated to "missing season" because they changed people's mentality. I think that one of possible season 6 interpretation can be that of America struggling with the resurrection of national spirit through violence, pain and blood. And - to finish my post on a more cheerful note - some screencaps
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Post by Michelle on Jan 9, 2006 17:43:27 GMT -5
"Who’s The Boss?" First of all—I have to say how much I love the title you gave your analysis right off the bat. The sexual affair between Buffy & Spike is a constant struggle for control, e.g., it’s not until Spike shows Buffy that he can hurt her again that she initiates sex. Who really wears the pants in their relationship? That is the question that will be explored throughout the season. I had forgotten how much humor was interspersed throughout this episode: Xander’s attempt buy alcohol from the “guy who lives in the box,” and Buffybot at the open house saying, “I don’t think I know of a breed of humans this small. Who’s going to live here?” Huh…I just realized that both of these lines refer to living in a small, cramped container--much like Buffy experienced when she awoke inside her coffin. Even the funny lines have hidden meaning, eh? Ah yes! The camaraderie between Spike & Giles was what I loved so much about the “The Gift” as well (the “we band of buggered” exchange). I think that if Spike hadn’t so rudely rejected Giles offer to become one of the good guys way back in Season 4, we might have been able to see more of that. And to this I say: Praise Jesus! Season 6 is what first got me interested in the show. I was flipping channels and my remote came to a screeching halt when I spotted the sparks flying between a cute blonde girl and an even cuter, blonder guy. And I’ve been hooked ever since. Thank you again, Spring, for doing this! Real life issues should alway come first. And I would never want you to feel that these analyses are becoming a burden. Fandom should be fun! (Though I do feel your analyses are a big leap beyond just "fun." I would classify them as infotainment at the very least. ) So, if you ever feel that you can't continue, please don't ever feel guilty about taking a break, or even stopping completely. I'll try to be mature about it.
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Post by Michelle on Jan 9, 2006 17:50:05 GMT -5
At last. I was so excited to read the latest analysis. It was worth the wait. There was mention of Spike's different hairstyles having a meaning. I am not familiar with this theory: what is it? I will also join in the chorus of saying season 6 was the best season of BtVS. I doubt whether any other season of BtVS woud have captured me as a viewer and turned me into a fan. I admit that as I only started watching BtVS during season 5 that this opinion is untested. Oh yes, I meant to ask about this as well: what is the metaphor for the changing hairstyles? I am a BIG fan of the curly hair at the beginning of Season 6; it is second only to the bed-head style featured in "Intervention." Guh!!
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Post by Cal on Jan 9, 2006 18:32:15 GMT -5
Nicely done, Spring. I thought that your analysis was very interesting, and while we are in the minority, I think, I completely agree with this: I loved Season 6, and thought it was BtVS’s most edgy, riskiest, and most brilliant Season.I'm not sure why Season 6 takes such a beating from fans, but I know that I'll be looking forward to more of your ananlyses as you move on with this much-maligned group of episodes. I'm in complete agreement with this. I love Season 6! Season 5 is my favourite, but it's very closely followed by S6. Why it gets such a beating from fans is beyond me. Another wonderful analysis, Spring. I've been looking forward to your analyses on S6, and this one was certainly worth the wait! Thank you!
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Post by Kerrie on Jan 9, 2006 20:35:40 GMT -5
I love reading your essays, Spring, and hope you'll continue. Have you ever tried to think about this season in terms of pre-9\11 and post-9\11? There is something heartbreaking, prophetic and amazing in the fact that during those "147 days" when a Slayer couldn't defend the innocent from forces of evil America irreversibly changed and became a different country. Creepy coincidence, n'est-ce pas? I checked the scripts dates. The last one finished before 9\11 is Life Serial. All The Way is finished Sept., 17. Obviously OMWF has been written pre-9\11. But, starting with Tabula Rasa, the scripts are written by people who recently witnessed a terrible national tragedy. Right now there is another BtVS discussion on SMGfan, and one poster mentioned TWoP recapper who disliked season 6 and wrote that it felt like the audience missed a season in which writers explained the changes that happened to the characters. Interesting observation. I think that the events of 9\11 can be equated to "missing season" because they changed people's mentality. I think that one of possible season 6 interpretation can be that of America struggling with the resurrection of national spirit through violence, pain and blood. You make some interesting points, but with all due respect I don't think the 9/11 tragedy featured into it at all. I am Australian BtVS fan and whilst acknowledging the importance of September 11 I can't say that it affected me in the way that you are implying. (I would hope that Australian tragedies leave you as unaffected. Secondly, in terms of the "missing season" theory. I have heard elements of this theory before in the web-site, Tabula Rasa, reviews. I am not sure where the characters changed so radically so as to be unrecognisable. Given the circumstances of Buffy dying and the Scoobies resurrecting her it seemed to make sense to me. (I should point out that I always saw it as the equivalent as Buffy trying to commit suicide and the Scoobies preventing her - in the short term there is going to be some major fallout.) I am not sure if I am making sense, but I thought that Buffy's disconnection from most friends and family made sense: I have suffered depression on and off for years and whilst never trying t commit suicide I can honestly say that after those times when I have come closest to trying to commit suicide it has taken years to reconnect with friends and family. In those after times it has felt like I was "going through the motions, walking through the part". The sense that there is no-one to talk to about any of it felt like just one more inescapable burden. On cheerier notes. I have also been thinking about Spring's analysis. Upon reflecion, Giles's reaction (i.e. laughter) to learning of the events of season 6 make more sense at a metaphorical level now. However, given that he didn't laugh at other disasters in Buffy's life (e.g. "sleeping" with Angel), I can't help wondering whether Buffy's failed efforts at dealing with adult responsibilities were a little close to Giles's own experiences. I better go now, I think I am not making sense. Hopefully you(pl) will be able to follow my thoughts well enough even if you disagree. I don't know whether to go back to digging out the back yard or having a shower. My back and shoulders are beginning to ache so I think I will stop work and start lounging around. Who knows I might even start reading extracts from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to the gruesome twosome. I think they are currently watching OMWF.
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Post by Spaced Out Looney on Jan 9, 2006 20:42:49 GMT -5
At last. I was so excited to read the latest analysis. It was worth the wait. There was mention of Spike's different hairstyles having a meaning. I am not familiar with this theory: what is it? I will also join in the chorus of saying season 6 was the best season of BtVS. I doubt whether any other season of BtVS woud have captured me as a viewer and turned me into a fan. I admit that as I only started watching BtVS during season 5 that this opinion is untested. I believe the term is "bedhead of redemption." Theory is, the more shalacked (sp?) his hair is, goodness seems to wipe of some of that hair gel. Or so I understand. Wanted to mention 9/11 as well. Something that sticks with me is a comment in the twop recap about the tower collapsing (actually, that's in part 2) being a little too close for comfort. I always think of that everytime I get to that part.
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Post by SpringSummers on Jan 9, 2006 21:09:18 GMT -5
Nicely done, Spring. I thought that your analysis was very interesting, and while we are in the minority, I think, I completely agree with this: I loved Season 6, and thought it was BtVS’s most edgy, riskiest, and most brilliant Season.I'm not sure why Season 6 takes such a beating from fans, but I know that I'll be looking forward to more of your analyses as you move on with this much-maligned group of episodes. Thank you, Anna! I appreciate the feedback and am glad you enjoyed the analysis. I'm not at all sure Season 6 fans are in the minority . . . though its detractors are very vocal, I've never seen any conclusive evidence on "which Season is the most popular." I don't buy the notion that "everybody knows" the earlier Seasons were better, or even that "everybody knows" that most fans think the earlier seasons were better, etc. The impression you get seems to depend on what sites you like to hang out on . . . FX used to have people voting on favorite shows for their Buffy marathons, and I detected no particular bias for a particular Season, or even for "the early Seasons." Informal polls I've seen on websites are all over the place. So, all I know is: I loved Season 6! And I am not at all alone in that.
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Post by SpringSummers on Jan 9, 2006 21:09:57 GMT -5
Bravo, Spring! You are back and kicking serious ass. I am standing in awe. Love how you note the use of "stop" again and again in the opener...the ultimate safety word, especially in light of the excesses of the rest of the season. And right there with you on being a huge fan of Season 6! Thanks for the support and encouragement!
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Post by SpringSummers on Jan 9, 2006 21:12:38 GMT -5
At last. I was so excited to read the latest analysis. It was worth the wait. There was mention of Spike's different hairstyles having a meaning. I am not familiar with this theory: what is it? I will also join in the chorus of saying season 6 was the best season of BtVS. I doubt whether any other season of BtVS woud have captured me as a viewer and turned me into a fan. I admit that as I only started watching BtVS during season 5 that this opinion is untested. I see that Liz mentions the "bedhead" thing, and that's pretty much the way I've heard it too: That the more slicked back Spike's hair was, the more evil he was. Though this kind of falls apart when you get to AtS Season 5. His hair was slicked back the whole time, and he'd never been less evil. Maybe it has more to do with how "open" he is, than how "evil" he is. I imagine there is some significance to it, but I would have been happy to dump this minor metaphor, whatever it may be about, in exchange for more bedhead Spike.
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Post by SpringSummers on Jan 9, 2006 21:15:39 GMT -5
I love reading your essays, Spring, and hope you'll continue. Thank you! My personal take on this is that Season 6 was all planned out before 9/11, and its arc had little to do with 9/11. However, I thought Season 7 was chock-full of references to 9/11. Thanks for the lovely screencaps! Nice choices!
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Post by SpringSummers on Jan 9, 2006 21:21:51 GMT -5
"Who’s The Boss?" First of all—I have to say how much I love the title you gave your analysis right off the bat. The sexual affair between Buffy & Spike is a constant struggle for control, e.g., it’s not until Spike shows Buffy that he can hurt her again that she initiates sex. Who really wears the pants in their relationship? That is the question that will be explored throughout the season. Yes, I must nod in agreement . . . "Who's the Boss?" is very much a season-long question. Oh! Nice catch! True. But Spike was no where near ready to do anything but bristle at the suggestion Giles was making at that point. It was a fun relationship to watch . . . I loved them in that car, in A New Man ("We've picked up a tail!"). Thank you! Thanks, Fotada. Believe me, I won't do them if they become burdensome. I love doing them, and I'll keep doing them as long as I have time and am enjoying it.
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