offbalance (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
offbalance) wrote2007-03-19 09:05 am
offbalance) wrote2007-03-19 09:05 am
Dresden Weekend.
It figures. The week after I spent most of my time gassing on about The Dresden Files, the first episode I'm completely caught up for isn't that awesome.
From my understanding of it, this week was basically the first pilot they had done, as opposed to "Birds of a Feather," the actual (and far more awesome) pilot. Now, this pilot wasn't an unmitigated disaster on the level of the original, unaired Buffy pilot (but what could be, really?), more along the lines of the NCIS pilot. A few things had been changed, and once you see what had been, you're beyond thankful that they were.
Mostly, the things I didn't like about the pilot were the inclusion of Random Blonde Reporter Chick. She only was a distraction, both for Dresden himself and the story, and I kept wishing for her to go up in a ball of flames. He didn't have half the chemistry with her as he had with the werewolf girl in "Hair of the Dog" or with Bianca in "Bad Blood," or, of course, with Lt. Connie Murphy. Like Robin Lively in the NCIS pilot, this chick was disposed of, and the show is better for it.
The other problem was the total and complete absence of Bob. Now, I love and adore Bob, the unholy combination of Giles, Benson, and Thelma that he is (with a generous dash of Marvin thrown in). He provides exposition, back story, and most importantly of all, a generous dose of snark. His character is positively marvelous (and he totally saved Dresden's bacon in "Soul Beneficiary").
The Magical Mystery of the week was pretty good, but I think it would have been even better with the cast the way it is now. Also, his apartment was way too bright and Ikea-cheery in this version. I much prefer the greener, danker, more eccentric tones/decorations of its current state.
Firefly was done a great disservice by having its episodes shown out of order. However, as I watched pretty much the entire season of The Dresden files this weekend, I really couldn't tell (the way I could on a Whedonverse show) that I was seeing the fourth filmed episode after the third. The only slight indicator is Murphy, but I kind of liked how she'd be all pro-Dresden in one episode and a bit more guarded and distrustful of him in another - it only added depth to her character, given that her back story is that of a woman who escaped a bad marriage. To me, it comes off as her finding herself warming to and trusting him, but remembering her history, she pulls back and grows cold, feeling like she can't trust him completely. Although this wasn't a conscious choice, I feel like it works well.
What I really want is an episode dealing entirely with Dresden's uncle and what exactly went down there. Because I'm dying to know. I mean, the show gave cliff notes, but that's not as satisfying. (I mean, would SPN have the same impact if we'd only heard about Mary-on-the-ceiling, instead of being able to see the event for ourselves?) I'm really hopeful this show gets a second season. Really. hopeful.
I'm trying to find a Dresden icon to my liking, but I'm being super-picky for some reason. I may have to even try to make one on my own.
In other news, Friday I stayed in because of the awful weather, and Saturday morning I did a new workout that completely kicked my ass. Saturday evening was spent with good friends and good beer (Yuengling Black & Tan, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...), and Sunday morning was brunch with![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
leopard_lady & S, and his friend D. As well as much grousing and grumbling about the workout that my thighs STILL have not completely forgiven me for (must mean it's working).
And now, to work.
From my understanding of it, this week was basically the first pilot they had done, as opposed to "Birds of a Feather," the actual (and far more awesome) pilot. Now, this pilot wasn't an unmitigated disaster on the level of the original, unaired Buffy pilot (but what could be, really?), more along the lines of the NCIS pilot. A few things had been changed, and once you see what had been, you're beyond thankful that they were.
Mostly, the things I didn't like about the pilot were the inclusion of Random Blonde Reporter Chick. She only was a distraction, both for Dresden himself and the story, and I kept wishing for her to go up in a ball of flames. He didn't have half the chemistry with her as he had with the werewolf girl in "Hair of the Dog" or with Bianca in "Bad Blood," or, of course, with Lt. Connie Murphy. Like Robin Lively in the NCIS pilot, this chick was disposed of, and the show is better for it.
The other problem was the total and complete absence of Bob. Now, I love and adore Bob, the unholy combination of Giles, Benson, and Thelma that he is (with a generous dash of Marvin thrown in). He provides exposition, back story, and most importantly of all, a generous dose of snark. His character is positively marvelous (and he totally saved Dresden's bacon in "Soul Beneficiary").
The Magical Mystery of the week was pretty good, but I think it would have been even better with the cast the way it is now. Also, his apartment was way too bright and Ikea-cheery in this version. I much prefer the greener, danker, more eccentric tones/decorations of its current state.
Firefly was done a great disservice by having its episodes shown out of order. However, as I watched pretty much the entire season of The Dresden files this weekend, I really couldn't tell (the way I could on a Whedonverse show) that I was seeing the fourth filmed episode after the third. The only slight indicator is Murphy, but I kind of liked how she'd be all pro-Dresden in one episode and a bit more guarded and distrustful of him in another - it only added depth to her character, given that her back story is that of a woman who escaped a bad marriage. To me, it comes off as her finding herself warming to and trusting him, but remembering her history, she pulls back and grows cold, feeling like she can't trust him completely. Although this wasn't a conscious choice, I feel like it works well.
What I really want is an episode dealing entirely with Dresden's uncle and what exactly went down there. Because I'm dying to know. I mean, the show gave cliff notes, but that's not as satisfying. (I mean, would SPN have the same impact if we'd only heard about Mary-on-the-ceiling, instead of being able to see the event for ourselves?) I'm really hopeful this show gets a second season. Really. hopeful.
I'm trying to find a Dresden icon to my liking, but I'm being super-picky for some reason. I may have to even try to make one on my own.
In other news, Friday I stayed in because of the awful weather, and Saturday morning I did a new workout that completely kicked my ass. Saturday evening was spent with good friends and good beer (Yuengling Black & Tan, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...), and Sunday morning was brunch with
leopard_lady & S, and his friend D. As well as much grousing and grumbling about the workout that my thighs STILL have not completely forgiven me for (must mean it's working).And now, to work.