an open letter to myself, re: torchwood
Jul. 6th, 2011 02:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rivendellroseI am sick to death of hitting up against Torchwood: Miracle Day trailers everywhere, but I've sort of got used to tuning them out. It's Starz, for god's sake. When was the last time they did something worthwhile?
And then I09 goes and says something like this:
And all indications are that Torchwood will be this summer's answer to Inception: a huge mindfuck with a human story at its center.
Now, I admit that when Inception came out I thought the hype was a little extreme, but actually going to see it totally changed my tune on that - it really was a fantastically awesome movie. I was even forced to recant my long-term hatred of Leonardo diCaprio, which is a big thing for someone (like me) who came of age in the era of (roll your eyes with me) Titanic. He's a good actor, when he's not trying to be a romantic lead. When he's trying to be a romantic lead, he makes me nauseated. Fortunately, he was great in Inception. But that's beside the point. The point is... no. No, "Miracle Day" will not be this summer's Inception in any way other than that people will talk (endlessly) about it. That, I will believe. And the thing is, it'll start out looking like this comparison might be accurate! That's how they'll trick us. Just like with TorchWeek a few years ago - the beginning (the first 3/5ths) will be good. It might even be awesome. But by the 4/5ths mark, I expect people to start getting that "wait, what?" sinking feeling in their stomachs... and then the last 5th. We all remember what happened in that last episode of TorchWeek, don't we? Let me remind you.
July of 2009 - TorchWeek. I chronicled the fallout on my LJ.
Episode 1. Review Titled: "I'm genuinely impressed this time
Episode 2. Titled "it happened again! they really can do it!" - summary: "Two good episodes in a row! And not just 'good,' but genuinely "yay, that was fun, I want the next one now!" kind of good!"
Episode 3. Title irrelevant, but the sum-up was "Dear Torchwood: To my continued shock and confusion, I ♥ you."
Episode 4. Review Titled: "kind of a 50/50 sort of night for Torchweek."
Episode 5. Review Titled: "this is why we can't have nice things."
I think the titles and summaries alone sum up my feelings, but feel free to dig back. I know I kind of want to. Because it's nice to remember that, hey, there actually were signs of it being totally awesome at the beginning, before everything went to shit. And that's the really funny thing - that's exactly the experience I've had with the majority of Torchwood episodes, too - they usually start out looking quite good! I get all excited about them! "This is it," I say - "They've figured it out! They've hit their stride, and they're really doing good things!" I mean, for god's sake, I'm a huge fan of B5, I'm not exactly the type to judge a show by some dodgy acting and special effects or screwy writing straight at the beginning. ...But then it kind of... goes to hell.
Somehow around the 4th act, things start falling apart. Consistently. Remember how awesome "Countrycide" was? Now remember how completely effing random the end was. Remember how the beginning of "Meat" was really quite creepy and interesting? Yeah, now remember the Fail Whale. Remember the one with the carnies and the film that showed itself? Dude, I was psyched by the trailer for that - it looked like the X-Files, and reminded me of my days as an A/V operator at university, and how terrified I was when one of the 16mm projectors refused to shut off properly once. It was creepy. And... okay, honestly, I don't remember how that one ended, but I do remember staring blankly at the screen when it was over and then telling![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
maymargaret that I was going to watch an episode of the X-Files, because I'd been given to expect scary, and I had not received it at all.
And no, I don't know particularly why I'm ranting about this on my lunch break (except to wave my hands madly and blame I09 for playing the damned ads all the freaking time), and to be really really angry that Ronald Moore's 17th Precinct didn't get picked up and we're finished with Chuck until the new season comes out on Netflix Streaming, and Netflix only has the English dub of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and I hate the American voice actors, and I just finally watched Sherlock and absolutely loved it, but now I don't have any TV to watch, damn it.
So this is mostly a reminder to myself: No matter how desperate you feel, do not get sucked into Miracle Day, self. Based on previous evidence, I will only regret it.
For crying out loud, I can't seem to make myself like Doctor Who lately, I'm certainly not going to be happy if I try to watch Torchwood. Clearly, it's just time for me to... I don't know, pick up Arrested Development or Farscape or one of those other shows that I keep saying I'll watch but somehow never get around to.
At least untilmaymargaret gets home (in 2 weeks!) and I can force her through marathons of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Battlestar Galactica (2003) in rapid succession. ♥
And then I09 goes and says something like this:
And all indications are that Torchwood will be this summer's answer to Inception: a huge mindfuck with a human story at its center.
Now, I admit that when Inception came out I thought the hype was a little extreme, but actually going to see it totally changed my tune on that - it really was a fantastically awesome movie. I was even forced to recant my long-term hatred of Leonardo diCaprio, which is a big thing for someone (like me) who came of age in the era of (roll your eyes with me) Titanic. He's a good actor, when he's not trying to be a romantic lead. When he's trying to be a romantic lead, he makes me nauseated. Fortunately, he was great in Inception. But that's beside the point. The point is... no. No, "Miracle Day" will not be this summer's Inception in any way other than that people will talk (endlessly) about it. That, I will believe. And the thing is, it'll start out looking like this comparison might be accurate! That's how they'll trick us. Just like with TorchWeek a few years ago - the beginning (the first 3/5ths) will be good. It might even be awesome. But by the 4/5ths mark, I expect people to start getting that "wait, what?" sinking feeling in their stomachs... and then the last 5th. We all remember what happened in that last episode of TorchWeek, don't we? Let me remind you.
July of 2009 - TorchWeek. I chronicled the fallout on my LJ.
Episode 1. Review Titled: "I'm genuinely impressed this time
Episode 2. Titled "it happened again! they really can do it!" - summary: "Two good episodes in a row! And not just 'good,' but genuinely "yay, that was fun, I want the next one now!" kind of good!"
Episode 3. Title irrelevant, but the sum-up was "Dear Torchwood: To my continued shock and confusion, I ♥ you."
Episode 4. Review Titled: "kind of a 50/50 sort of night for Torchweek."
Episode 5. Review Titled: "this is why we can't have nice things."
I think the titles and summaries alone sum up my feelings, but feel free to dig back. I know I kind of want to. Because it's nice to remember that, hey, there actually were signs of it being totally awesome at the beginning, before everything went to shit. And that's the really funny thing - that's exactly the experience I've had with the majority of Torchwood episodes, too - they usually start out looking quite good! I get all excited about them! "This is it," I say - "They've figured it out! They've hit their stride, and they're really doing good things!" I mean, for god's sake, I'm a huge fan of B5, I'm not exactly the type to judge a show by some dodgy acting and special effects or screwy writing straight at the beginning. ...But then it kind of... goes to hell.
Somehow around the 4th act, things start falling apart. Consistently. Remember how awesome "Countrycide" was? Now remember how completely effing random the end was. Remember how the beginning of "Meat" was really quite creepy and interesting? Yeah, now remember the Fail Whale. Remember the one with the carnies and the film that showed itself? Dude, I was psyched by the trailer for that - it looked like the X-Files, and reminded me of my days as an A/V operator at university, and how terrified I was when one of the 16mm projectors refused to shut off properly once. It was creepy. And... okay, honestly, I don't remember how that one ended, but I do remember staring blankly at the screen when it was over and then telling
maymargaret that I was going to watch an episode of the X-Files, because I'd been given to expect scary, and I had not received it at all. And no, I don't know particularly why I'm ranting about this on my lunch break (except to wave my hands madly and blame I09 for playing the damned ads all the freaking time), and to be really really angry that Ronald Moore's 17th Precinct didn't get picked up and we're finished with Chuck until the new season comes out on Netflix Streaming, and Netflix only has the English dub of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and I hate the American voice actors, and I just finally watched Sherlock and absolutely loved it, but now I don't have any TV to watch, damn it.
So this is mostly a reminder to myself: No matter how desperate you feel, do not get sucked into Miracle Day, self. Based on previous evidence, I will only regret it.
For crying out loud, I can't seem to make myself like Doctor Who lately, I'm certainly not going to be happy if I try to watch Torchwood. Clearly, it's just time for me to... I don't know, pick up Arrested Development or Farscape or one of those other shows that I keep saying I'll watch but somehow never get around to.
At least until
maymargaret gets home (in 2 weeks!) and I can force her through marathons of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Battlestar Galactica (2003) in rapid succession. ♥
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no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 01:47 am (UTC)Farscape! Oh yes! Watch Farscape!
Farscape! Farscape! Farscape!
*coughs* *Lets go of Jen's shoulders*
*brushes imaginary dust off*
I mean... I'd HIGHLY recommend Farscape if you want a new show to get into.
I've gotten at least two people hooked on it on different occasions ;)
You'll laugh (really hard), you'll cry (really hard), you'll never look at crackers the same way ever again ;)
no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 01:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 02:03 am (UTC)And crustaceans!
(OMG - you'd LOVE Pilot!)
no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 03:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 03:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 03:09 am (UTC)Okay, that is all an awesome recommendation, but I admit to being particularly drawn by this last bit.
Especially the crackers. Now that's a thing to make a person curious!
I'm not going to explain the crackers! You'll have to find out for yourself ;)
Date: 2011-07-07 03:30 am (UTC)Joooooin us! ;)
no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 01:57 am (UTC)Otherwise? I totally get you, and agree completely re: both Torchwood and the lack of anything watchable on TV right now. That's how A was finally able to lure me into Supernatural: I've been desperate for a new fandom. And Torchwood ... no. Just, no. They had their chance, and then CoE happened, and, nope, not going there, not again. I feel the same way about Joss Whedon; after Dr Horrible, I was done.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 03:06 am (UTC)That's one thing I've often wondered about, from what I've heard of Supernatural. It seems like it teeters perpetually on the edge, just from 2nd hand stuff.
Honestly, I don't think I could convince The Boy to go along with me on Supernatural, and since most of our TV-watching is together over dinner or whatever, we'd be unlikely to watch it. But I shall keep in mind the option of a Good Parts Version, because that's definitely how I'd want to see it. ♥ If I start having TV-watching time on my own again sometime, I shall keep it under consideration!
I feel the same way about Joss Whedon; after Dr Horrible, I was done.
Gah, you and me both. I like some of the songs from Dr Horrible, I admit that I do, but the actual story, especially everything to do with Penny? Oh god, gag me with a spoon. We recently rewatched a good portion of Firefly, and, honestly, the majority of my reaction was "...well, that was not nearly as awesome as I remembered it being." And I won't even talk about our brief foray into Angel. Early Buffy, I still love, but Joss Whedon in general, I am more than done with.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 10:12 am (UTC)It's one of those shows with Multiple Personality Disorder, where some episodes are just glorious, while others leave you gaping for all the wrong reasons. The first couple of seasons are pretty much just monster of the week, but once the whole heaven vs hell thing gets introduced, there's actual plot. And once the angels show up in season 4? That's when it really gets cooking. And OMFG slashy.
But. No matter how awesome it is in certain areas, it's still problematic in how it treats women. That's really what made me stay away from it for as long as I did. Even now that I've become a fan, I'm not entirely comfortable with some of the things they've done, while loving them unto death for others. See above re: show with MPD.
I like some of the songs from Dr Horrible, I admit that I do, but the actual story, especially everything to do with Penny? Oh god, gag me with a spoon.
Truth? I really loved it, right up until we got to the end. And then Penny died and OMFG, really, Joss? Really? This whole "nobody gets to be happy" obsession of his has become a total cliche. He does it every single time. The whole reason I liked Dr Horrible to start with was because I thought, maybe, just maybe, he'd moved on from that particular overused plot device. But no. Rocks fall, and the beloved dies. Again. It's just like RTD's angst obsession, only without the gratuitous character torture and emo wallowing.
Early Buffy, I still love, but Joss Whedon in general, I am more than done with.
Agreed. I haven't rewatched Firefly since it first aired, mainly because I'm afraid it will have been visited by the Suck Fairy. I never got into Angel, because I always hated that character with a hatey hate, and the whole premise of Doll House squicked me beyond the telling of it, so I never watched any of it.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 03:05 pm (UTC)Yup, that's something I'd gathered in spades from other people's descriptions. I just... to be honest, as much as I like a good slashy dynamic, I like female characters who are handled well better. And they're a hell of a lot more rare, it seems. Show producers seem to be twigging to the whole slash phenomenon, and it reads to them as "Dude, we don't even need a girl around as a developed love interest if we go this way! This is awesome!" Which, no. This is what drives me away from slash and makes me cringe when I see shows that have an obvious set-up for it (like SPN). Which is not fair, but... man, we get enough of the sidelining of female characters for the slash in fandom, and now the canon is in on the game? Really? The heaven vs hell thing does sound fantastically cool, though.
Totally totally totally agreed on Dr Horrible. I was so into it for the most part, until the end. There's some fail, and I never liked Penny much at all, but I'll forgive a lot for NPH singing and being adorable, and Nathan Fillion playing a comic book hero as a villain. The end just killed everything except the songs for me and colored everything else with fail-tinted glasses.
Firefly... the Suck Fairy has kind of twiddled around the edges, at least in my experience. Or maybe it's just that the shiny has worn off because of every other stupid thing I've seen Joss Whedon do in the years since. The tragic thing about Angel: The Series is that Angel the character is sometimes really fun in it - it sometimes lets David Boreanaz out to play with his sense of humor, and he's a good comic actor. ...And then it goes back to being all angst all the time and all the helpless wimminz needing Angel to rescue them, and I had to run away screaming.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 07:16 pm (UTC)The heaven and hell thing is pretty freaking cool, though. And I love that the angels aren't Michael Landon/Roma Downey new age goody-goodies. They're Old Testament-style scare the everliving shit out of you bad asses who don't give a rat's ass about humanity ... except for Castiel, who is canonically gay for Dean Winchester, which is omg, so freaking awesome, even if they've never had the balls to let them actually get together.
The tragic thing about Angel: The Series is that Angel the character is sometimes really fun in it - it sometimes lets David Boreanaz out to play with his sense of humor, and he's a good comic actor.
Nod nod nod. He was so very miscast as that character. I hated him on Buffy & Angel, but love him on Bones because they let him play to his comic, everyman strengths. He's funny as hell on that show, and so damned human.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 02:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 03:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 03:22 am (UTC)It was part of the reason I never got into the new Battlestar...
It's also how RTD ended up wrecking the Daleks. He not only over-used them - he overused them and then ridiculously upped the stakes every time they showed up. It's like dude, it can only be the end of ALL OF EXISTENCE so many times before it gets ludicrous.
Farscape has it's share of angst, but most of it is understandable and explainable and it is countered with equal piles of LOLs.
(Oh god, BEST body-switching episode of anything, EVER! XD )
no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 03:25 pm (UTC)Permit me to flail fannishly for a moment... I had this same qualm, I swear I did. It took me years to get past watching just the first few episodes. But honestly, really, truly, once I started going again I loved it so much I couldn't stop. There are some really heavy bits, and there are some episodes that should just plain be skipped (oh god are there ever), and if you have triggers for certain things, I can warn what episodes should be avoided (because I don't normally, and I still walked around dazed after once particular episode, and insisted we take a break for a few days before continuing), but omfg that show is so awesome. Anyway. TL;DR, I loved it; it definitely had it's issues, but, IMHO, it's on a different level from RTD and his all-angst-all-the-time diet. And there's lots of awesomeness and fun to make up for it.
Eeeeeeeee, I shall look this weekend to see if I can find DVDs of Farscape. How many seasons is it? And is there anything weird about order that I should know about?
it can only be the end of ALL OF EXISTENCE so many times before it gets ludicrous.
THIS. He's so compulsive about raising the stakes ALL THE TIME that it turns into completely shit storytelling. "Let me guess, fate of the whole universe and all creation again? Doctor angsting because he can't save everybody and why does he even try? YAWN. Screw off, do something different for a change!"
The poor Daleks. They really did get used to death, and as much as I love them, I'm glad that they're on a break for a while. They need to be put in the back of the toy box for a while so that we can forget about them and remember all over again how cool and scary they are, when they come back. ♥
no subject
Date: 2011-07-08 03:14 pm (UTC)(And I don't know about the US version - but Netflix.ca has all of it, and I really can't see the Canadian version getting it before the US one)
Things are pretty stand-alone episodic till about 3/4 of the way through Season 1 and then I'd definitely recommend watching in order. The momentum really starts to pick up and although they're good with the "last time on Farscape" teaser at the beginning of certain eps that can only help so much...
(Although I believe, depending on the box set - the show's been released 2 or 3 times - there is actually a bonus feature specifically designed to get you up to speed on everything up to the start of Season 3 ;) )
But yeah, things have far reaching consequences, and stuff does not get put back all nice and neat in the box at the end of the each episode.
About BSG - so it does have some happy bits? 'Cause that was the part I really had problems dealing with - the fact NO ONE seemed to like or get along with anyone else.
(Especially loving the original show as I did - which yes, was utter cheese, but I found sweet and endearing, because it was focused so much on family).
Oh I was SO annoyed watching the BSG mini-series/pilot to find out they'd totally ripped to shreds the father/son relationship between Adama and Apollo, 'cause that was one of my favorite parts of the old show.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 08:15 am (UTC)I mean, I know I should. Leo is, as you said, not wholly horrible when he's not trying to be all broody and romantical (jesus, I'm so glad people are over THAT movie finally) but dammit, I was sick of hearing about it (and hearing spoilers) by 2 DAYS POST RELEASE. Bah.
/rantypants
The point being WTF I thought Torchwood was over? And why the hell is it on Starz of all damn places?
Lastly, GOD YES GET YOUR BLUTH ON, WOMAN. You need to see AD because all the cool kids do. Don't you wanna be a cool kid, huhuhuh?
no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 03:28 pm (UTC)Hahahaha, that was totally me with Avatar (the James Cameron one). I got so burned out on the hype that by the time I actually saw the damned thing my reaction on walking out of the theater was pretty much "very pretty, story was very 'meh.' Let's go get dinner."
The point being WTF I thought Torchwood was over? And why the hell is it on Starz of all damn places?
I believe the short version goes something along the lines of how RTD figured out that Americans like Torchwood and that he could get more money out of it if he brought it to the US and prostituted it to a production company other than the BBC. Fortunately, it's Torchwood, so it doesn't really mind getting prostituted. But still, I disapprove on principle and for so many other reasons. :P
You need to see AD because all the cool kids do. Don't you wanna be a cool kid, huhuhuh?
My high school experiences says no, even when I try to be I fail miserably. But I'll try to make an exception for this. ;)
no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 07:43 pm (UTC)I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Failed British telly remakes are kind of how we do things.
Next time I'll aim my manipulations at a wholly different side of your ego, then. BUT YES, AD is amazing. Too short, over too quickly, but I've yet to encounter anything half so clever since. Community is as close as I've found, which you should also look into if you've not done so yet.
Mind, props to Farscape as well, though it tends to be a bit of a failcake at times. It's still quite good.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-08 03:30 pm (UTC)I saw it fairly early, but my reaction was pretty much identical to yours. I was quite indifferent to it.
And then THE HYPE - oh god the hype kept building and building until I actively hated the damn thing.
(Especially when I'd say something like "Well if you liked Avatar you should really see District 9, it's similar, but even better" and I'd get this polite brush off and you could SO tell it was because Avatar was "pretty" and D9 wasn't... :P
I mean come on - how could you look at that little face and not think it cute?
Mind you one day I'll learn to stop trying to show non-geeks fun things, since wanting to hit them when they sneer politely at me is not good for my blood pressure ;P )
no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 05:19 pm (UTC)I'm less enthused about DW these days, but I still like it. It just doesn't give me the squee I used to get. I'm finished with TW after COE... that was an abomination, so I don't think I'll give it another chance. I watched COE months after it ran, so maybe I'll just do the same for MD.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-07 09:35 pm (UTC)I need this reminder for myself. *sigh* At the end of Children of Earth I SWORE I was done with Torchwood, and yet...!
(Also I put in a vote for Farscape. Seriously. It's some pretty epically awesome crack.)