The Brass Section!

[handful_ofdust]

First off: Congrats, America. Some of my friends think this is more of the same (SSDD, or what have you) and are grimly waiting for the other shoe to drop, while some are ecstatically happy—but I live in another country, so I get to be just generally bemused, hopeful and not begrudge anyone else their favorite dreams/nightmares. I truly have no stake, aside from being happy we all managed to get through the last eight years without nuclear war breaking out anywhere (which I was, on several occasions, almost sure was going to happen before Cal reached even Junior Kindergarten age). (Shame about those genocides, though.)

In far more important news, meanwhile—and I realize this is bringing the BIG bitch, so don’t assume that I don’t—the new fannish thing is Merlin, huh? Man, that was fast. But I guess it meets all the hallmarks—vaguely family-friendly, not very good (thus emminently “fixable”), cute cast with at least one genre stalwart to hold onto (Anthony Stewart Head), source material almost everyone’s already familiar with, plays better with the sound off and an emo song laid overtop. Still and all…there’s nothing people could be doing instead? Like, anywhere? Because holy crap, guys, there are genuine shows out there dying for lack of attention, and it’s not like the BBC needs your votes. Where were you all when they cancelled Blood Ties?

Writing for today: 619 on “Strange Weight”, Chapter Four thus far, plus an even 600 on A Book of Tongues, Chapter Two. And it has been like pulling fucking teeth up in this mother, which is why I’m going to quit, take a chore/bath break, cook dinner and watch Fringe before I start hammering at it again. Yeah, that’s right: Fringe, that show everybody shat on from a height when it first premiered, but which I hate to tell you has actually been getting exponentially better ever since. Those who can’t get over the but-that-guy-played-Pacey bullshit are cordially invited not to attend, just as I will (in turn) consider myself hitherto banned from all Merlin-love-related activities.;) Ta!

Comments

[baggyeyes]

I think my sister would hug you just for the Blood Ties comment. She loved that show. Royally pissed when Lifetime (?) canceled it. I hardly watch TV these days - Just Doctor Who and Supernatural. Oh, and now, The Closer.

I want to say something good for your progress, but I'm afraid to jinx it. Instead, I'll say, I heard a great song, but I have no idea who did it "Blind something something. Called "Down in New Orleans". Really wonderful piece.

[handful-ofdust.livejournal.com]

Blind Lemon Jefferson? Nick Cave wrote an amazingly creepy song about him, as well as a deal of poetry.

Yeah, like I said--I know I'm squee-harshing big-time, but MAN, that thing looks like a bale of crap. Whereas Blood Ties may have had its problems, but at least it wasn't twee. The twee part; I think that's the thing I hate most, in...almost anything, really.

[theengineer.livejournal.com]

I rather like Merlin. It contains huge amounts of cheese yes, but I think the characters are making good use of the material. And I'm in love with Morganna.

[handful-ofdust.livejournal.com]

So that's a good reason for you to watch it, and I wish you well. But do you feel compelled to proselytize? Probably not.

Merlin?

[kelpqueen.livejournal.com]

It's possible I am living under a rock, so... what is Merlin? First I've heard of it! And I LOVE Tony Head. I guess I'm not really cut out to be a fan of anything. Maybe I can work myself up to being a buff first.

Re: Merlin?

[handful-ofdust.livejournal.com]

Buff is probably better, because then you don't feel bound and determined to participate. I just...I know this is where the energy is going now; I can feel it shifting over. And I simply have a really hard time figuring out why no one can apparently get caught up creatively in a show that's actually worth the investment, anymore--too much work? Damn kids, get off my lawn!;))

[ozsaur.livejournal.com]

I missed a couple of episodes of Fringe but I caught it again last night, and yes, yes! it is getting better! I just... I like that the cast is full of grown-ups. One of the many reasons I like Burn Notice, too.

I tried, really tried to like Blood Ties but the pacing always felt off to me. Every episode I watched just seemed to drag.

[handful-ofdust.livejournal.com]

Good on ya for going back to Fringe, and I say that as the same person who thought Episode Two was some of the worst TV I'd ever seen--going by last night alone, I really think it may have legs. With Blood Ties, meanwhile--all I can tell you is, it too got better. Just in time to get cancelled.