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Aug. 2nd, 2005 10:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
swatkatFirst things first - anyone who reads Buffy should go and read this fic now:Amoral Boundaries by ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
wisdomeagle (Dawn/Illyria). I'd read this back when it was first posted and was completely blown away by the *power* of it all, but forgot to save the link. And now that I've found the link again, the fic is equally awesome on a re-read. Dawn maybe just a girl, but she's also the Key.
*
I want to squee about shows. Bear with me? *g*
Buffy
I probably shouldn't call this a re-watch - this is my real Buffy watch, without the fast-forwarding or skipping eps altogether (yes, I know, I can't believe it either - would you believe that I only saw Band Candy for the first time a few days ago? *boggle*), and man, this show is awesome. I still love Angel more, of course, but still. And S3 is the best season ever. S2 was good (and I think I ship Buffy/Angel. not surprising, because favourite female character + favourite male character + theirloveissotragic = OTP!!!), but it had some weak eps. There's hardly a weak episode in this one.
I love Buffy. The character, that is. *LOVE* her. I knew that I did - I loved her when I met her first in S6, where she certainly wasn't at her best - but this time I know it for certain. (however, the fandom doesn't seem too keen on her. what is it with my girls and fandom? *sigh*)
S3 has Faith. Does it get any better than this? And we *are* allowed to have two favourite characters, right?
I heart Cordy. She should be slashed with Buffy. Often. And Faith too, of course, and Willow, but Buffy first.
GILES! I saw Helpless yesterday - dear, dear Giles! The scene at the library? With Giles and Buffy after Travers leaves? Kills me.
The Zeppo - Xander is such an idiot sometimes (*smacks him for being such an idiot with the girls*), but I love him anyway. This ep reminds me why.
Bad Girls is like slash on a platter with a cherry on top. With extra helpings. And chocolate sauce.
LFN
I'm afraid I'm nearly not as enthusiastic about LFN S3, because this season? Is boring. The writing is boring (albeit decent compared to what follows) in the first half, and incredibly bad afterwards. Which sucks, because S2 ended so *brilliantly*, with Nikita facing what is perhaps the most important crisis in her Section life, and what do we start S3 with? Michael's sekrit spyfamily which is really a deep cover mission to capture the Big Bad Vachek. *rolls eyes*
Am I the only person to find the boy who played Adam a bit wooden? Cute, yes, but so… wooden.
I have nothing against Elena, but really, if they *had* to marry Michael off, why couldn't it be someone interesting, like another operative? Or oooh, even a terrorist? Someone strong and intelligent and pretty who'd be an equal to Michael and Nikitaand therefore ideal for slashing Nikita with?
Gates of Hell's weepy!suicidal!Michael? Really does not do it for me. Yes, it's very sad and all, and my heart breaks in the cello scene, but I'd rather have his anger, his quiet despair in Hard Landing (gah!).
Imitation of Death is boring.
I love Cat and Mouse. Not only is Dominic teh awesome, but we also get to see sullen!snarky!Nikita, which I love.
I may be the only person in fandom who doesn't hate Greg Hillinger.
Maybe it's just the pervy HP fan in me, but am I the only one to see creepy Karl Peruze/Simon Peruze vibes in the ep whose name I can't remember? It's allnell65's fault.This episode is also mediocre (as opposed to pathetic and bad) – the let's-programme-Nikita thing (made worse by the over the top Michael/Nikita. I love the ship, but can we have some focus, please?) doesn't work the way it did in Brainwash, but the slap is worth everything. *Of course* Michael knew what was going on! I do love the Paul/Madeline/George bits in this ep, though. Paul's face when he sees the screen – there's that quiet despair again, which works way more than suicidal!Michael. Madeline's expression when she asks Paul what's wrong, and he simply walks away. Madeline's nervousness in the meeting with George. Birkoff's concern for Paul.
I hate to say this, but Paul and Madeline are, as my sister says, way cooler than Michael and Nikita. I *love* them when they're plotting and planning and being mysterious and sinister.
Alias
I'm not exactly attached to this show, and I watch it only intermittently, but yes, it's certainly not as bad as I thought the first time round. In fact, it's *good* (even though the plotlines often make as much sense as the Sex Police). The show's strength, I think, lies in the characters, who, despite the plotlines, somehow manage to capture your imagination with their complexity.
I like Sydney. I am so predictable. I also love that they allow her to laugh and cry and *emote*.
Irina Derevko? Words cannot express the fabulousness of Irina, and Jack/Irina.
wisdomeagle (Dawn/Illyria). I'd read this back when it was first posted and was completely blown away by the *power* of it all, but forgot to save the link. And now that I've found the link again, the fic is equally awesome on a re-read. Dawn maybe just a girl, but she's also the Key. *
I want to squee about shows. Bear with me? *g*
Buffy
I probably shouldn't call this a re-watch - this is my real Buffy watch, without the fast-forwarding or skipping eps altogether (yes, I know, I can't believe it either - would you believe that I only saw Band Candy for the first time a few days ago? *boggle*), and man, this show is awesome. I still love Angel more, of course, but still. And S3 is the best season ever. S2 was good (and I think I ship Buffy/Angel. not surprising, because favourite female character + favourite male character + theirloveissotragic = OTP!!!), but it had some weak eps. There's hardly a weak episode in this one.
I love Buffy. The character, that is. *LOVE* her. I knew that I did - I loved her when I met her first in S6, where she certainly wasn't at her best - but this time I know it for certain. (however, the fandom doesn't seem too keen on her. what is it with my girls and fandom? *sigh*)
S3 has Faith. Does it get any better than this? And we *are* allowed to have two favourite characters, right?
I heart Cordy. She should be slashed with Buffy. Often. And Faith too, of course, and Willow, but Buffy first.
GILES! I saw Helpless yesterday - dear, dear Giles! The scene at the library? With Giles and Buffy after Travers leaves? Kills me.
The Zeppo - Xander is such an idiot sometimes (*smacks him for being such an idiot with the girls*), but I love him anyway. This ep reminds me why.
Bad Girls is like slash on a platter with a cherry on top. With extra helpings. And chocolate sauce.
LFN
I'm afraid I'm nearly not as enthusiastic about LFN S3, because this season? Is boring. The writing is boring (albeit decent compared to what follows) in the first half, and incredibly bad afterwards. Which sucks, because S2 ended so *brilliantly*, with Nikita facing what is perhaps the most important crisis in her Section life, and what do we start S3 with? Michael's sekrit spyfamily which is really a deep cover mission to capture the Big Bad Vachek. *rolls eyes*
Am I the only person to find the boy who played Adam a bit wooden? Cute, yes, but so… wooden.
I have nothing against Elena, but really, if they *had* to marry Michael off, why couldn't it be someone interesting, like another operative? Or oooh, even a terrorist? Someone strong and intelligent and pretty who'd be an equal to Michael and Nikita
Gates of Hell's weepy!suicidal!Michael? Really does not do it for me. Yes, it's very sad and all, and my heart breaks in the cello scene, but I'd rather have his anger, his quiet despair in Hard Landing (gah!).
Imitation of Death is boring.
I love Cat and Mouse. Not only is Dominic teh awesome, but we also get to see sullen!snarky!Nikita, which I love.
I may be the only person in fandom who doesn't hate Greg Hillinger.
Maybe it's just the pervy HP fan in me, but am I the only one to see creepy Karl Peruze/Simon Peruze vibes in the ep whose name I can't remember? It's all
nell65's fault.This episode is also mediocre (as opposed to pathetic and bad) – the let's-programme-Nikita thing (made worse by the over the top Michael/Nikita. I love the ship, but can we have some focus, please?) doesn't work the way it did in Brainwash, but the slap is worth everything. *Of course* Michael knew what was going on! I do love the Paul/Madeline/George bits in this ep, though. Paul's face when he sees the screen – there's that quiet despair again, which works way more than suicidal!Michael. Madeline's expression when she asks Paul what's wrong, and he simply walks away. Madeline's nervousness in the meeting with George. Birkoff's concern for Paul.I hate to say this, but Paul and Madeline are, as my sister says, way cooler than Michael and Nikita. I *love* them when they're plotting and planning and being mysterious and sinister.
Alias
I'm not exactly attached to this show, and I watch it only intermittently, but yes, it's certainly not as bad as I thought the first time round. In fact, it's *good* (even though the plotlines often make as much sense as the Sex Police). The show's strength, I think, lies in the characters, who, despite the plotlines, somehow manage to capture your imagination with their complexity.
I like Sydney. I am so predictable. I also love that they allow her to laugh and cry and *emote*.
Irina Derevko? Words cannot express the fabulousness of Irina, and Jack/Irina.
no subject
Date: 2005-08-04 01:45 pm (UTC)Gah. Willfully! Obtuse! Nikita can drive me to fits of violence. And you're right - in this, very popular, sort of fic - everyone has to be stupid so that a not noticebly brilliant Michael comes off as smart by comparison.
Being a DON, you see the one side and consider them TRs by default; being a TR, I see the other side and consider them DONs by default -- in reality, they're warping all three characters.
You're right of course - most of the DOMs didn't really think all that much of Paul or Madeline either - so mostly Section just goes down in a blazing pile of crap under that silly cow Nikita. Why poor Paul has born the brunt of my hostility to this view is anyone's guess. Probably got a lot to do with my own current dim view of "bosses'. ;-)
I know some of my obsession with figuring out a way to get back to a more sympathetic view of Paul is vague uneasiness with the way I've let all this fanon get to me.
rather fanon-Michael
In some stories I've started to wish that canon Michael would show up to kick the crap out of his fanon-counterpart. Something I suspect he could do without unbuttoning his jacket. Or wasting any time on anything so stupid as remorse. *eg*
no subject
Date: 2005-08-04 02:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-04 02:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-04 05:32 pm (UTC)Swatkat
no subject
Date: 2005-08-04 02:15 pm (UTC)Quite possibly. *g* But perhaps also because the complication of the Nikita/Michael relationship makes it hard for you to take out your frustration on Michael, the way I do. So...Paul's easier to be annoyed with.
In some stories I've started to wish that canon Michael would show up to kick the crap out of his fanon-counterpart. Something I suspect he could do without unbuttoning his jacket. Or wasting any time on anything so stupid as remorse. *eg*
This sounds like the premise of a wonderful parody fic to me: all of the characters confronting and assassinating their fanon counterparts. I can see it now:
Adrian (with a dainty but disgusted sneer): I am the ruthless genius who founded the most covert antiterrorism organization on the planet. I am not, nor shall I ever be, anyone's doddering sweet grandmother!"
She signals with a nod, and out of nowhere a helicopter rises over the horizon to splatter Fanon!Adrian with a barrage of gold bullets....
no subject
Date: 2005-08-04 05:28 pm (UTC)Swatkat
OK, here goes...
Date: 2005-08-04 06:13 pm (UTC)Fanon!Nikita (pouting and chewing gum at the same time): But if I change my name, My-kohl won't be able to call me 'Kita!
Canon!Nikita (whipping off sunglasses and glaring angrily): No one. NO one calls me 'Kita!
With that, Canon!Nikita shoots a bullet directly into Fanon!Nikita's head, which deflates with a "pfffft" as all the air is let out.
Re: OK, here goes...
Date: 2005-08-04 08:38 pm (UTC)Now - how would Madeline take on (that's Section-speak for kill) Mad Maddy the pscyho loon who is desperately in love with Michael?
*Pops popcorn and waits for more story*
Next chapter...
Date: 2005-08-04 09:05 pm (UTC)"Michael is *MINE*!" she cries, then smiles one of those Mona Lisa smiles that never quite reaches her eyes as she contemplates her diabolical plan. First, she'll send Nikita on a mission that requires her to sleep with the entire Australian national rugby team. Twice. Then she'll send the tapes to Michael anonymously, but make sure that they're dusted with PCP so he goes into a raving mad frenzy after he touches them. Then, just for fun, she'll visit a kennel and stomp on fluffy puppies for a while, before she heads over to Michael's apartment for--
A tap on her shoulder interrupts her reverie.
"Excuse me," says a smooth-but-cold voice.
Before she can react, the pot is snatched from her hand and she feels a violent shove against her back, toppling her over and down the twisting flight of stairs....
In the moments before she hits bottom, she cries out, "Why?"
The voice laughs. "I wanted the orchid."
you are too, too good
Date: 2005-08-04 11:12 pm (UTC)I can't say no to the birthday girl!
Date: 2005-08-05 02:59 am (UTC)This may be the last until after the weekend, though -- I'm out of town from tomorrow until Sunday night. Have a wonderful birthday!!
Re: Next chapter...
Date: 2005-08-05 02:11 am (UTC)N
Hmmm
Date: 2005-08-05 02:56 am (UTC)Here's the last one of the day, I believe. (Anyone else who wishes is invited to jump in!)
************
With a high-pitched harpy screech, Fanon!Elena hurled the contents of the Samuelles' kitchen cabinets onto the floor, smashing every piece of china and crockery into bits that she crunched into powder under the leopard-skin spiked heels that she bought on her last shopping spree to Milan.
"I don't want this IKEA crap! I refuse to eat off anything that isn't gold plated! I don't care if it means we can't afford to buy Adam any toys this Christmas!"
Hiding underneath the kitchen table, Canon!Elena hugged Adam to her and ducked to avoid a flung coffee mug emblazoned with "World's Best Dad."
"Who *are* you," she asked timidly, "and why have you invaded my home?"
Fanon!Elena threw back her head and laughed mockingly. "Why, I'm Elena Vachek -- internationally-famous drug-addicted supermodel lesbian child-abusing nymphomaniac assassin, that's who!"
Suddenly, a crazed gleam lit Fanon!Elena's eyes. She seized an enormous butcher knife and began to stalk Canon!Elena, who shoved Adam out the door to safety, but sadly, tripped and found herself pinned to the floor by the madwoman.
*Pop! Pop! Pop!* came the sound of bullets firing. Fanon!Elena slumped to the floor in a pool of blood and a horrified Canon!Elena scrambled away.
"Nikita! How did you know to come? I called Michael, but I always just get his voicemail...."
"Oh, I was just in the neighborhood
lurking and stalking and being a secret agentbuying donuts. Lucky coincidence, eh?""Where did you get the gun from?" asked Elena, bewildered.
"Uhh...uhh...this crazy person must have dropped it outside the front door. Good thing it was already loaded and everything, because gosh I don't know the first thing about guns. Nor does Michael! I swear!"
"Shouldn't we call the police?"
"Oh, never you mind about that right now," Nikita said, hurrying Elena into the living room as swarms of housekeeping operatives arrived in the kitchen. "Let's go watch one of those chick flicks and commiserate about absentee men, and I bet in a couple of hours you'll believe you dreamed the whole thing!"
no subject
Date: 2005-08-05 12:40 pm (UTC)Canon!Nikita approves most heartily, and I am now your fangirl for life.
Re: Hmmm
Date: 2005-08-05 03:40 pm (UTC)Swatkat
oh, happy birthday to me!
Date: 2005-08-05 05:51 pm (UTC)Who else would she be?
Whoopee!
no subject
Date: 2005-08-05 12:37 pm (UTC)Canon!Nikita (whipping off sunglasses and glaring angrily): No one. NO one calls me 'Kita!
*dies laughing*