Why do people like this show???
POSTED BY: RiveR6213
UPDATED: Monday, January 1, 2007 20:10
VIEWED: 20375
PAGE 4 of 8
Okay, I'll take all of your words for it, and I'll continue to watch it; I bought all the season sets, so maybe I'll start to see what the fuss is all about.
As a brunette you can understand that I STILL have a problem with a thin, 90LB blonde gurl who kicks the crap out of 250LB guys while subjecting them to cheesy oneliners.
Oh, by the way, it did sort of bother me when i went to the video store and ask the storeguy where I could find Buffy the Vampire slayer....he said, "Its in our Buffy section"
Buffy has her OWN SECTION?!
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well you shouldnt buy the sets if you dont think they're all that good tis jsut gonna piss you off more, and I am truly sorry firefly only got 14 episodes, because i think it would have been the best of his shows. but to be so meant o all of us who love something, and Joss and everyone is just wrong, stop being depressing and go away
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Am I being mean to you guys? My intentions was not to be mean, and if I come off as being mean, please forgive me; I'm sorry.
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I hate to say it, but I'm with you River. I think it's hard on those of us who's introduction to Joss was Firefly. That show is the result of all the experience Joss gained by doing the first two shows. It is very polished and well written. Better yet, it is very well directed and the 'Verse seems to follow a stricter guideline of rules.
I'm almost done watching season 1 of Buffy and so far I have been impressed with Joss's dialogue but that's about it. The directing so far is terrible and the amount of "conveniencies" that are employed in order for the premise to work makes me laugh. I don't mean to, but that's what it makes me do. I kind of feel that if the directing and acting were up to the writing it would be so much better. It would even make the conveniencies easier to take.
But I hear everybody talking about sticking with it, so I'm gonna, through Season 3, then I'll decide whether or not to watch the rest.
I suppose Zander is my favorite character so far. He's kinda like the Wash of the Buffy 'verse.
And even though Buffy hasn't captured my heart as of yet, I still find it very interesting from the standpoint that you're watching the evolution of a great talent. Joss's "voice" can be clearly heard right from the pilot episode. I noticed that he directed the last episode of season 1. I'm assuming that's the first time he directed anything. I'm excited to watch that episode and see if he can manage to bring more out of the actors. And I'm guessing that he directs more frequently as he gets his director's feet under him. I think that will help the show (for me), so that's another reason why I'm sticking with it.
One other thing: I don't think River was being mean at all. He/she had an honest question - the same one I've had - and he/she just wanted to see if some answers from the fans could help him/her some. Don't be so fragile, people.
And at least have a little sympathy for us new fans to the Joss world: Firefly is just so damned perfect. It's hard to backtrack from that. Very hard.
Listen, I always grew up a big Star Wars fan. I have even enjoyed the new trilogy where most people have not. It is flawed, as are most things, but still has lots of enjoyable moments. But Firefly/Serenity has changed even my love for Star Wars. Firefly/Serentiy has just been maintained at such a high level so far that it makes me less willing to compromise for other things. I bought Episode III the other day on DVD and haven't even opened it up. I'd just rather watch Firefly.
That's how good Firefly/Serenity is, and it's hard for anything else to live up to it, even other Joss Whedon creations.
"I don't wanna explode."
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I did the same thing!
I bought episode III of Star wars and I didnt even open it up, matter of fact, when I got home, I ended up watching Firefly the Complete Series again!
I still havent opened it up yet now that I think about it!
And by the way, I'm a "she"
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Quote:Well, that just goes to show that everyone has different reactions. “Firefly” was the first Joss Whedon program I ever saw, but after it was cancelled I went on to watch his other two shows--and absolutely *loved* them. Indeed, my favorite show that he made is not “Firefly,” but “Angel.” So, it’s too much a generalization to say that all those who first saw “Firefly” have a hard time adjusting to the Buffyverse.
I think it's hard on those of us who's introduction to Joss was Firefly. That show is the result of all the experience Joss gained by doing the first two shows. It is very polished and well written. Better yet, it is very well directed and the 'Verse seems to follow a stricter guideline of rules.
Imaleafonthewind, it sounds like you haven’t finished season one yet. I’m glad you plan to stick it out, because the first season of any Whedon show is always the shakiest, with them still figuring out all the dynamics. (Think about that for a moment. It’s a trend in all Whedon shows, which means that had “Firefly” continued, it would have gotten even better its sophomore year and the browncoats would be warning prospective converts that “you have to get through season one before you really get to the good stuff.” Although the 14 episodes we have are all brilliant, they would seem weak in comparison to later seasons. Damn FOX!)
As for “Prophecy Girl,” that was Joss’ directorial debut. He’s described BtVS as something of a film school the public could watch because he was using the series to learn how to direct (and later other writers on the show got into the director’s chair, too, and did great things). “Prophecy Girl” is probably the best ep of season and was a sign of better things to come in the next season. In the first season, Joss only really had two good writers, himself & David Greenwalt, resulting in some less-than-stellar episodes. He also had to deal with directors who really didn’t know how to handle the material--the Joss usual of having scenes shift from one genre to another; drama to horror to comedy. Very difficult to light and film a scene that has to be scary, then funny, then scary, then dramatic. And the directors weren’t entirely receptive to his suggestions because, until “Prophecy Girl,” he’d never directed before (and he’d never run a show before, either). So, there will be definite improvement in the next season. And tell me again about the “bad directing” once you’ve seen “Hush” and “Restless;” once Whedon and the writers get control over direction things get really brilliant. As for the “conveniences” you mention, I’m not sure what you mean but I can guess about a couple of them (let me know if I’m off). In the two part premiere, Joss establishes that people rationalize away anything that challenges their perception of what is “real.” Some people have trouble with that idea, but I personally think it makes perfect sense. Folks see something weird but shake it off as a trick of the light all the time; it’s just that idea taken a little further. It’s also a classic device of horror, the people unable to see the monsters until it’s too late. It is also a metaphor into the teen mindset; the parents and adults (except Giles) are basically clueless about how the real world works but the teens see reality for what it is. And if you’re wondering why the police aren’t more on top of things, wait until Seasons Two and Three; they explain the situation much better.
And your comment of “a stricter guideline of rules” is interesting. The Buffyverse does have a strict set of rules (see www.atpobtvs.com for the Metaphysics section), the thing is that the rules basically allow virtually anything to be possible--one way or another. But there are still very strict rules. Vampires can and can’t do certain things. Magic can and can’t do certain things (can’t heal, can’t resurrect after a “natural death”). Prophecies always come true--but they can be manipulated. And there is some other stuff, too.
River6213, maybe you’re just not looking for the right things in the series. I’ll
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"I simply don't understand how trash like Buffy stayed on the air for so long and primo shows like Firefly gets the axe in short order after only 14 episodes; it numbs the mind.
The fact that Buffy the vampire Slayer has such a huge following also blows me away; what's the matter with you people? This show is meant for pre-puberty types, that's the only thing I can think of that would make it popular. I can't imagine anyone over 18 liking it very much."
I think there are some very mean things being said in there. i understand that she may not like the show as much as firefly, but knowing there are people here who do might make a more firendly person not call the show trash and continuosly post how odd it is such crap has such a following. I have been told the same thing about my devotion to firefly.
i just get sick of people ranting on about how much something sucks. go post about how awesome firefly is, how cool this one episode was instead its a healthier happier way to pass the time.
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Hogwaffle,
Thanks for posting that.
Sorry for calling Buffy the Vampire slayer "trash"
Please don't be mad at me Just because I dont have such huge opinion of Buffy right at the moment! My opinion doesnt mean its not a good show; it just means that I havent come to a conclusion yet based on what I have seen so far. Its just my opinion, its not written in rock yet.
I'm watching all the seasons in the DVD series that they have available (I bought them all and it was expensive, and Buffy has her own section) and I'm bound to run into an episode I like, but that hasnt happened yet.
I'm doing this BECAUSE of all the posts that some of you wrote about the show that made want to look at each episode and season of Buffy. And the fact that Joss wrote them all makes me HAVE too look at all the episodes.
So please dont be mad at me for having some early opinions, I don't mean anything by it.
P.S. There are some things about Firefly that suck also, but the good parts outweigh the bad parts. That sound fair too you?
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Ok, there's a lot of opinions already been given, and one more by me is probably not gonna sway any one, but here it is anyway. I rate Buffy among my all-time favourite shows. I didn't fall in love with it straight away, but I did like it enough to keep watching, though I did miss the odd ep at first (this was before PVRs). By about midway through S2, it became must-watch TV.
However, I DON'T align myself with those numerous fans who think the show is good because of all the metaphors and allegories and what-not that it apparently contains. I enjoy the eps because they are entertaining, and the dialogue is so very, VERY funny.
If you've reached season 4 (which is without a doubt my favourite season no matter what the purists say) and still don't like the show, then I think you should give up.
I still remain convinced that the only reason the show didn't get more critical acclaim is because too many people didn't even give it a chance. But you obviously have, and NO show is going to appeal to absolutely everyone.
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I dunno I just do.
First came the movie, I've always wanted to see it b/c I knew it would be terrible or hooky. MER loves her hooky stuff.
Then came the series. I watched the series b/c I love the movie.
So all in all, if you don't like hooky, chances are you won't like Buffy. One of my friends lsughed at the idea of the Buffyverse as being rather silly. And it is, but basically you have to buy into the fact that it's their world and it's real to them.
Oh and having the liking of horror in general helps.
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