Bargaining Part 1 Discussion

[KMInfinity]

springsummers said:

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.

Add me to the list of those who think Season Six is the best, for many reasons.

Some of the posts in this thread made me reflect on the nature of analysis related to what the writers/producers/actors say about the work. Of course it is valid territory for interpreting text, but I remember a quote from Isaac Asimov, when a fan asked about some meaning within a story: “I only wrote it. Even the writer doesn’t always understand all the significance of the material.” (very loosely paraphrased from memory…I’ll have to look that up…)

sharky said:

In some ways, I consider Spike's journey superior to Angel's in that he sought a soul rather than was cursed by one. But part of that is that I like Spike more than I do Angel. I think you could argue that Angel, ultimately, is the more heroic of the two. But Spike, for me, was always more fun.

Big agree here!

It’s interesting how “best” and “worst” lists are so subjective. Granted that the difference between art and entertainment exists, and critical analysis can try to separate the wheat and the chaff…but my husband can make a very convincing case for why Beer Bad is one of the best Buffy eps of all time.

And last, a big thanks to Spring for returning to these essay analyses. Your insights and comments give me a fresh lens when rewatching episodes, thus keeping them alive.

[SpringSummers]

kminfinity said:

springsummers said:

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.

Add me to the list of those who think Season Six is the best, for many reasons.

Some of the posts in this thread made me reflect on the nature of analysis related to what the writers/producers/actors say about the work. Of course it is valid territory for interpreting text, but I remember a quote from Isaac Asimov, when a fan asked about some meaning within a story: “I only wrote it. Even the writer doesn’t always understand all the significance of the material.” (very loosely paraphrased from memory…I’ll have to look that up…)

sharky said:

In some ways, I consider Spike's journey superior to Angel's in that he sought a soul rather than was cursed by one. But part of that is that I like Spike more than I do Angel. I think you could argue that Angel, ultimately, is the more heroic of the two. But Spike, for me, was always more fun.

Big agree here!

It’s interesting how “best” and “worst” lists are so subjective. Granted that the difference between art and entertainment exists, and critical analysis can try to separate the wheat and the chaff…but my husband can make a very convincing case for why Beer Bad is one of the best Buffy eps of all time.

And last, a big thanks to Spring for returning to these essay analyses. Your insights and comments give me a fresh lens when rewatching episodes, thus keeping them alive.

Thanks for the feedback, KM.

Life continues to be very busy for me, but I haven't given up on the analyses.

I agree about the extreme subjectiveness of "best and worst" lists - I liked Beer Bad very well.

[makd]

It's taken me a LONG time to get caught up with all the reviews you've posted, but I just finished Bargaining, Part 1.

Great job, Spring! I congratulate your commitment and the brilliance of your reviews. They're a joy to read.

[S'ewing S'cubie]

I agree with Mary. Your analyses are brilliant and I do wish you'd resume writing them as soon as you are able.

[Kerrie]

dianeu said:

I agree with Mary. Your analyses are brilliant and I do wish you'd resume writing them as soon as you are able.

Me too! I hardly ever have a chance to come on line anymore but the first thing I do on those rare occassions is to check whether Spring has written any more reviews. As season 6 is my ultimate favourite season I get very anxious that I will not get Spring's reviews. However, I imagine they take a long, long time.

PS Happy Easter everyone.

Cheers,

Kerrie (who is supposed to be teaching but is on the internet just like all the kids! Oh well - no harm, no foul. Its the last lesson before Good Friday.)

[SpringSummers]

makd said:

It's taken me a LONG time to get caught up with all the reviews you've posted, but I just finished Bargaining, Part 1.

Great job, Spring! I congratulate your commitment and the brilliance of your reviews. They're a joy to read.

Thanks so much!

[SpringSummers]

dianeu said:

I agree with Mary. Your analyses are brilliant and I do wish you'd resume writing them as soon as you are able.

I appreciate the encouragement, Diane.

I really do want to get back to them . . . it's just been so hard, for some reason.

[SpringSummers]

kerrie said:

dianeu said:

I agree with Mary. Your analyses are brilliant and I do wish you'd resume writing them as soon as you are able.

Me too! I hardly ever have a chance to come on line anymore but the first thing I do on those rare occassions is to check whether Spring has written any more reviews. As season 6 is my ultimate favourite season I get very anxious that I will not get Spring's reviews. However, I imagine they take a long, long time.

PS Happy Easter everyone.

Cheers,

Kerrie (who is supposed to be teaching but is on the internet just like all the kids! Oh well - no harm, no foul. Its the last lesson before Good Friday.)

Kerrie!

Good to see you!

Thanks for the nice words about my reviews.