Community, Once Upon a Time, and Other Random TV -Related Updates...

[sherrilina]

So I've spent the last few days marathoning Community like crazy and I'm finally all caught up! I loved it, only wish I discovered this gem earlier. My thoughts:

I love the way it plays with genre and references TV and movies (especially through Abed), and just how creative and clever the stories and writing are most of the time. It's one of the rare shows that makes me literally laugh out loud, and the paintball epps are some of the most epic and brilliant things I've ever witnessed (especially the season 2 ones)! <333 I also love the characters, and the adorable bromance between Troy and Abed. It was nice to finally understand the context of all the clips and gifs I've seen of this show before, lol (especially during all the Troy campaigning in FMM last year).

Contrary to popular opinion it seems, I actually thought season 1 was the weakest season so far--it definitely started off very slowly in the first half, and I don't think there were many truly great/brilliant episodes until the very end--whereas season 2 had a lot more fantastic and clever epps that were instant favorites for me. The one area where I do agree it's gone downhill since season 1 are in the characterizations and some of the relationships, particularly where Britta is concerned. I'm really getting sick of the whole "Britta is the worst!"/"Everyone hates Britta!" schtick, it's not funny and it's sad/very undeserved. Britta has such a good heart most of the time, trying to help other people and holding good intentions (whether it's trying to help Abed find a new show to fill the void of Cougartown or offer all of her money to make Troy's hero stay longer, etc), and is so very far from "the worst" (Pierce is obviously in that category for starters, and probably Jeff too before Britta). If you can't tell, I really love Britta. So I wish they'd lay off of that, and also make Pierce less horrible (he was not as awful in season 1, more pitiable) and tone down Chang and the Dean's crazy a little (or more so in the former case). And relationship-wise, my OTP (not counting the brOTP of T/A) is Jeff/Britta, whereas I'm not a big fan of the Jeff/Annie thing, IDK...(I realize they're playing with conventions, etc, but still).

BUT anyway, overall I love the show, and I desperately hope it comes back, it's too good to go yet! ;_; (And I also really don't want it to end on that Christmas epp...:/ Though at least it was better than the claymation Christmas epp in season 2, which was just awkward and painful to get through, aside from a few moments like the Lost burn). Seriously, I am not much of a comedy person, generally, and outside of SDoaCG this is the first comedy (and show on NBC) I've followed since Seinfeld. *prayer circle* Some of my favorite episodes are (in airing order):

Beginner Pottery, Modern Warfare, Accounting for Lawers, Basic Rocket Science, Epidemiology (omg this one KILLED me), Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, Paradigms of Memory, A Fistfull of Paintballs, For a Few Paintballs More, Remedial Chaos Theory, and Horror Fiction in Seven Spooky Steps.

And finally, some of my favorite lines (Jeff, Troy, and Abed definitely get the best ones, and Troy gets the best reactions):

Coach Bogner: Jeff Winger, shouldn’t you be at an Urban Outfitters?
Jeff: I’ll go there later if I feel like it.



Jeff: Why six hours? Are they hosting the Oscars?
Chang: Damn! And the winner for best adapted Oscar burn, Jeff Winger, for “Oh Snap! The man who went there!”

(As an Oscar fan I especially appreciated this last one...:p)

Abed: Troy, make me proud. Be the first black man to make it to the end. (I choked on my soda at this one)

Troy: Me and Abed have an agreement. If one of us dies, we stage it to look like a suicide caused by the unjust cancellation of Firefly. We’re gonna get that show back on the air buddy!

Troy: Set phasers to love me!

I need to go find more gifs, knowing what they mean now...;)

+ Today I also finally caught up on Once Upon a Time just in time for its return this Sunday! :) A few thoughts on this show as well...

I have to say, I'm not quite as in love with this show as many people seem to be, but I find it intriguing/entertaining enough...I find the Fairy Land flashbacks 500x more interesting than any of the Storybrook RL bits though--both from a backstory standpoint and just in terms of interesting storylines. And shallow as it is, NGL I really prefer Snow's long hair to the pixie cut! She looks so much more beautiful with the long hair, IMO, and IDK the pixie cut just bothers me, I've never been much of a fan...though I suppose the haircut fits her less sassy, more mousy elementary schoolteacher persona....*shrug*

But yeah, the fairty-tale bits are my favorite parts of the show, and my favorite storyline within that is the Snow/James one, which surprised me by being a lot more awesome and Ever After-esque than I was expecting! I love how they first meet and begin to fall for one another, and love the whole "I will always find you" (and its different layers of meaning as time goes on) schtick; reminds me a bit now of Georgina/Seth in the Succubus books, in terms of them being drawn to one another in different lifetimes. It's too bad that things are stalled right now for them in the IRL segments. I look forward to seeing more flashbacks of them showing how they ended up marrying from where we left off--especially how James got out of marrying Midas' daughter. I also look forward to more Snow backstory period, particularly what secret she betrayed that resulted in the death of the Evil Queen's beloved--it's an intriguing mystery and angle, and I wonder how long they'll spin that one out before the reveal...

In terms of the negative, I'm also not totally sold on Emma yet, she strikes me as very bland most of the time, IDK. Though at least she's better than the kid--omg, how annoying and grating is that kid, I sure wish they'd cast someone of the caliber of Colin Ford in the role! O_o I also find Regina kind of irritating at times during the RL segments, in that her storyline (and dialogue period) seems very repetitive: "Stay away from my kid! Stay away from my kid! Leave town now! I'm in charge, don't mess with me! I know what's best for my son...you are not his mother!", etc. Again, I like everyone more in Fairy Tale Land, except maybe for Rumpelstiltskin, since he's obviously less gross/grimy in the RL realm, lol. I love him too loads, he's so perfect at being creepy and sinister and mysterious all at once--I wonder about his motives, for instance, whether he wants Emma to win or not to fulfill his prophecy, what he gave the curse to the Evil Queen in exchange for (same for Henry), and what he will ask Emma for in the future (man was that a stupid bargain to accept!). What he'd do with the kids too...I also want to see him and Crowley have a King of the Crossroads Deal-Off now. :p

I was sadly spoiled on the Graham thing from this multi-ship fanvid for the Mitchell/Annie (spoilers for Misfits and DA too), so that did not come as a surprise, though it's a shame since his character had become very interesting all of a sudden, and I will miss his hot self and even sexier accent...:( Oh well...overall though again, I am enjoying this show to be sure, and am eager to see it return this upcoming Sunday! It can be very cute and clever the way it interweaves fairytales into Storybrook (like Red Riding Hood, lol), and some of the new takes on the tales as with Snow and Cinderella. I look forward to seeing what new tales might arise and how they'll be interpreted and come across in the real world...

+ For those of you who are Cesare/Lucrezia fans, there is a commentfic meme going on right now over at cesare_lucrezia, check it out!



+ This is random, but I also was stamped as Morgana in a recent merlin_land challenge, and feel honored! <3 ;) Still need to finish season 4 of Merlin...



+ I saw The Adventures of TinTin last night, and while visually stunning, it was one of the excruciatingly boring, interminable 2 hours of my life...:/ I think sadly it's one of those things you have to be a fan of already to really appreciate (unless you are a kid). Another Moffat gutter-ball for me.

 

Comments

[cranmers.livejournal.com]

I don't watch any of those shows :(

I found something for you though:

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

LOL, nice cartoon, thanks for sharing! :D MTE 9/Rose/10...(And well you watch The Borgias and Merlin at least, for the second two bullets...;))

You should really check out Community if you're ever up for a great little comedy, it's SO hilarious and great for TV lovers especially, since the humor is meta and it often makes references to TV shows...:)

[cranmers.livejournal.com]

True, true...

But I didn't feel I could come back to you on those points! :/

Ooooh. Community it is! I need to get on a new show.

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

Yes, you should pick up Community--it also has shorter episodes, so it goes by faster! ;) If you do ever get around to watching it, let me know what you think!

[cranmers.livejournal.com]

Oooh! I recently started watching Big Bang Theory. The eps are only twentry minutes! Half a season in two hours! Fandom made easy, is what I call that :D

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

Heh, if you REALLY want a comedy that's "Fandom Made Easy" you should check out "The Secret Diary of a Call Girl," which is only 20 min per epp, but then also only 8 epps per season--2 hour 40 min, and you're done with an entire season! ;) (And there are only 4 of them total).

It is a great, fun little show though, it stars Billie (who's fantastic in it) and Rory's Douchier Twin (he looks SO much like AD it's creepy!) And Matt Smith even guests in on epp, hilariously...:p. Lots of scenes of London too...

[cranmers.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, I know of that show. It was on itv 2 back in the day. I've caught a few episodes. I always thought of it as an okayish, last resort kind of watch. I might find it funnier now that I'm a few years older though. Because, well, LMFAO at the idea of the Doctor hiring prostitutes (I'm never seen Matt Smith in any other role) ;)

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

Lol Matt Smith actually didn't hire her in his epp, long story...;) But it provided some nice 11/Rose fodder for the imagination, lol.

[cranmers.livejournal.com]

Hahaha. Are you one of the die hard Doctor-Rose shippers then?

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

I suppose--I ship it in every incarnation 9 and above at least! ;) IDK, I just think it's interesting to think about what she'd make of Eleven/how they'd interact if they ever met up--and I like to think he still cares for her, even if not in quite the same way anymore...;)

[cranmers.livejournal.com]

Gotcha. I don't think we've ever chatted about shipping in Doctor Who? That's why I asked. I mean, I wasn't like PURPOSELY LOOKING FOR DISAGREEMENT OR ANYTHING! :P

I just think it's interesting to think about what she'd make of Eleven/how they'd interact if they ever met up--and I like to think he still cares for her

I agree with you there.

I tend to fluctuate between blanketly ship the Doctor with any of his companions (whoever, doesn't matter) and having my intense Doctor/Foreveralone is the way to go (because no one understands him, YA KNOW?! and his guilt complex is the bestest). So I can't really come around to the idea that there's like, one specific person for him?

I still ship Doctor/Rose, so Eleven/Rose would be no exception! I want Eleven to get all like 'they break my heart' on ussss !!

[probing-grays.livejournal.com]

haha I loved Tintin, but I had read them all as a kid, so I probably would have liked ANY adaptation ;)

If Colin Ford was in OuaT, that would have been AMAZING

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

I think that is it, there's the nostalgia element for you, plus you actually know these people and their deal, and what the tropes are, and already appreciate them. The closest I've come to TinTin is when I visited the palace that Marlinspike Hall is based off of in like Belgium or something (I remember they had tons of TinTin memorabilia there, and said so in the guides). If someone made a feature-length film of Magic School Bus or something I'd probably feel the same way as you do here...;)

Seriously though, when does TinTin supposedly take place? :s It's all so old-fashioned, and I'm trying to figure out if the reference to "third world" is an anachronism or not accordingly, etc. I have to say, it was also so jarring seeing him shooting guns and such in a kids' comic that way...

If Colin Ford was in OuaT, that would have been AMAZING

Yeah, too bad he's too old now! And hey, you told me you wanted my thoughts on OuaT to see where we lay in terms of opinions--I'm curious now, tell me how I place! :p Are we agreed or disagreed mostly, or 50/50 split?

[probing-grays.livejournal.com]

It's like a 1930s Belgian cartoon. It was actually pretty progressive for its time (it called out a lot of racism) but a lot of it looks SUPER racist today.

Tintin does a lot of stuff that's considered pretty adult for cartoon's media today, particularly with guns. There's a lot of shooting. I remember thinking it was all really cool when I was a kid.

I also grew up with Magic School Bus! That would definitely make for a cool movie. :P

I think we're about 50/50 when it comes to OuaT. I generally like it, but, when pressed, would have to admit that a lot of stuff is not that great. But I like Emma more than you, and Gold less. I just find him to be kind of annoying.

WE NEED ANOTHER TIE-BREAKER, sob

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

WE NEED ANOTHER TIE-BREAKER, sob

Lol noooo! :p How funny we were 50/50...hmm, surely there's another show that we've both seen that could serve as one? (Not counting Sherlock, since that's practically an extension of Moffat!Who). Did you not see Buffy, etc?

[probing-grays.livejournal.com]

I've never seen Buffy :(

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

Wow, you need to fill that void in your life/gap in your fandom street cred sometime! O_O :p. What else have you seen? If we don't have any other shows in common, I have an idea for the next tie-breaking show: Being Human UK (only 6 epps in s1!) It's got supernatural elements and Britishness, so it should be up your alley! ;). All but one main character have guested on Who in fact (Annie was on of the abductors of Martha in "Gridlocked," George is Alonso from VOTD who hooks up with Jack in EoT, and Nina is one of the spiky aliens in EoT). :D. And the other cast member is Kyri in The Hobbit...

Just throwing that out there!

[probing-grays.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, all of Whedondom is this big gap in my fandom cred. ;______; I've never seen Firefly either.

I almost watched Being Human, but my main TV watching friend in Michigan didn't like it so I ended up skipping it over. But! In the interests of breaking a tie, I might have to look into it :P

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

Damn, Firefly in of itself is a huge nerdage staple indeed, lol--I remember Bones even name-dropped it as such...it's only 15 episodes girl, you should catch up! :p

Or look up Being Human UK--I can't believe your friend didn't like it, what a shame! :/ (Though I also have to rec Community, really great little comedy if you like meta/playing with genre).

[honeymink]

I'll definitely look at both of these things although I have refused to watch Merlin after they destroyed ArMor. Sometimes I wish we could add on to CL involving other characters.

Oh and I finally managed to set up that master post for the holiday exchange, however small it was. I am sorry about the delay but today my hearing is so bad again that I could cry. I don't know anymore.

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

You did the right thing, Merlin is probably not worth continuing more than that...*sigh*

And aw hun that's fine, you got it up the day things were due, nobody's expecting anything more! As you've no doubt noticed, I'm late with my gift already, so I definitely wouldn't be one to talk! ;) (I'll try to get mine posted before Monday).

[honeymink]

I just couldn't take it anymore. ArMor were so perfect and enticing. Who on earth felt that it was a good idea to give that up in order to produce the upteempth show that somewhat stuck to the legend? Be a bit more daring, give us something new - especially when the actors have such great chemistry! /rant

Oh and yes. Ah. I was a mess with my stuff... everything took so much longer than expected. And now I'm worried my receipient will hate it. :P

I'll try to get mine posted before Monday

Oh that's absolutely fine. Never wanted to create any stress with this. So ignore the LJ message I just sent you. :)

[phoenixrising06.livejournal.com]

Welcome to Community fandom. Now join us in our hiatus weeping.

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

Gladly:



Seriously though, do you have any recs for good Community fan comms? And also where does your icon come from, a promo?

[phoenixrising06.livejournal.com]

community_tv is the mother comm, there are also a few shipping comms and a fic comm if you're interested. My icon is from a photoshoot the cast did with Entertainment Weekly. The full-sized photo is here.

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

This is late but thanks for the heads up, I just joined! :)

[blue-emotion.livejournal.com]

I was stamped as Gwen, not quite sure how I feel about that lol!
Loved that video, although I've never watched OUAT or Misfits, it was put together really nicely, and I'm loving Lana Del Rey's voice atm.

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

Lol, it means you're a nicer person than I perhaps? :p And that in s1 we're besties? ;)

Yeah I also thought it was very well-edited, and I especially loved it for introducing me to that song by Lana Del Ray (the 2nd one I'd heard!), she is amazing isn't she? I first heard her on GG with "Video Games", her songs are so beautiful and haunting, though especially these two...(I'm always looking for new angsty numbers for ships, lol).

You should watch Misfits though, or s1-2 at least!

[themirrorofsin.livejournal.com]

tbh I'm only watching for Regina/Queen now. Oh and Mr Gold/Rumples and Ruby *sigh*

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I looked up your posts after I watched and saw you liked R/G...*hug* Sorry, hun!

[themirrorofsin.livejournal.com]

*sigh* sad but not surprised - my OTPs never work out lol
*hugs*

[hmsharmony.livejournal.com]

LOL, congrats on your stamp! Just don't go randomly killing anyone who crosses your path, bb. ;-) (I KID, I KID.)

Sorry you're not enjoying OUAT that much. =( If I'm being honest, I'm really only interested in Snow, Charming, and Emma, but my obsession with their stories is enough to get me through. (I'm also obsessed with Ginnifer Goodwin and Jennifer Morison, so....)

That kid is actually the worst, though. No doubts about it. I feel horrible saying it because he IS a kid, but ... yeah. =(

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

Heh, I SHALL TRY TO RESTRAIN MYSELF. :p

Lol, I said I just wasn't as obsessed as many others, not that I wasn't enjoying it much...;) I do love the S/C storyline too, and Emma in terms of when they figure out she's their daughter, even if I don't enjoy her as a character so much. Glad we can agree on the kid as well, lol...

Also when do you go back to school again?

[hmsharmony.livejournal.com]

LOL, you'll have to forgive me. At this point "obsessed" and "enjoyment" are synonymous for me. XD TBH, I have no idea how I'd feel about Emma if she weren't played by Jennifer Morrison. Thankfully I have that going for me, so I'm conveniently blinded to any faults that might exist in her character. =P

I head back the 20th!

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

I take it you were a big Cameron fan on House? ;)

And cool, okay, hopefully we'll be able to meet up still (not sure about this week now because I sprained my ankle yesterday and am trying to rest it, but maybe next week? Or are you entrenched with your papers?

[hmsharmony.livejournal.com]

Next week would actually work perfectly because I have to email my papers by Monday morning. Save packing and dress shopping, I have nothing else on my plate!

And ugh, yes. Cameron was my favorite and I sobbed when they kicked her off the show. D= (Chase/Cameron was also my OTP, so....)

[thedoingofit.livejournal.com]

I have to say, I'm not quite as in love with this show as many people seem to be, but I find it intriguing/entertaining enough...
This is about where I am, especially since everything I love and watch isn't running right now, although I guess I still have to catch up on Sherlock... But yeah. I'm enjoying it well enough and I want to see more, but I'm not super invested. As you said, though, I'm excited to see what fairytales will come up and what their contemporary interpretations will look like! :o)

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've been falling behind too each week, still haven't seen the last one, IDK. It's only OK IMO, even though I love Snow/James, I wasn't happy with how their relationship was portrayed last week...

Though lol, I'm even less eager about Sherlock, sounds even more sexist this year, and I can frankly wait until it's streaming on Netflix in the summer or something...:p I'm still not caught up on BE (two more epps though!) and Merlin and Misfits...too much to watch! IDK if I'll stick with OuaT if it doesn't get better, IDK.

[thedoingofit.livejournal.com]

I'm actually feeling more meh about it than I was before... It feels a little like things are being strung out for the sake of being strung out, which I really don't like (who does, heh?). I probably won't seek it out here, and since I can't watch it on Hulu anymore... Meh.

I'm going to start watching Misfits, though. I take it that you'd recommend it? :)

I quite enjoyed this season of Sherlock: in some ways I felt that it was even better than last season, but I'll wait until you've watched it to elaborate further. :)

AND I JUST REALIZED THAT BEING HUMAN IS BACK!!? THOUGHTS??