Tuesday, May 26, 2009

TLI: The Re-Watch

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Kim's planning her re-watch of the first disc of season 1 this weekend

117 comments:

Giancarlo said...

awesome, i myself wait for the blu ray edition in june to see all in majestic hd!. meanwhile im rewatching my other best show: alias

mb said...

Yes! I think this would be a perfect time to re-watch S.1 - may have to send an mp3 in w/ thoughts if you are still planning on recording and talking about this.

I imagine it may help bookend things in my brain as we near the end :(

PalmerEldritch said...

the end of your brain, mb? that's rough. ;)



a re-watch doesnt sound half bad. rally us, kim.


if i can get Silverlight working on my PowerPC iBook, i'm thinking of going Netflix live-streaming crazy while i'm away at training in a few weeks. any series i should check out that i could finish a season of in a bit less than a week?

Jordan said...

Palmer, I highly recommend you check out
Party Down, which is available on Netflix. Very funny show.

PalmerEldritch said...

crap! still cant watch Netflix on my iBook. argh.

t-dot kim said...

Yeah, I'm starting on Saturday. I think I'll be watching 1 disc per week. MB sure, please send in an mp3. It would be awesome.

Jordan said...

Maybe Kim and MB, you guys can comment on how much the first season(s) feel connected to/disconnected from these past few we've watched. ;) lol.

JonFromNKY said...

I tried doing this last year after the season ended. I got through S1, and S2, and got too busy to finish. Maybe this will keep me interested.

PalmerEldritch said...

an actual use for Heroes past season 1... clips for a J*zz in My Pants music video.

Jordan, i hope MB lays it on thick. "and then Sayid and gang listen to a transmission in French... PROOF that, since the inception of the show, they knew that they wanted to have a time traveling Jin meet a French pregnant woman in the past on the Island who's dead daughter, previously abducted by the leader of the Others, would go on to manifest as an aspect of the Smoke Monster to convince the leader of the Others to follow the commands of a fake Locke to kill a semi-mythical figure on the Island known as Jacob. PROOF!!!!"

Morgan said...

I usually do this before each season starts anyway (I know--I'm a nerd..but I don't have a self-laminated blast-door map). But I'm torn, do I start w/Kim or when the blu-rays come out?

PalmerEldritch said...

when do the blu-rays come out, morgan?

PalmerEldritch said...

june 16th.


that's not too far away.

Alirio said...

This gives me a reason to get the DVD'S... WOOT!

t-dot kim said...

So, should I push it back too and wait for the Blu-rays to come out too? This of course involves me buying a blu-ray player and then the box sets when they are released...seems too rich for my blood :(

We can start the re-watch mid-June for the blu-ray ppl. I'm in no rush, we have until Feb '10!

PalmerEldritch said...

that might make you the sweetest girl in the world!

i'd say release a quick note or podcastoid stating what you're going to do and telling people when you're going to start. then sometime after the blu-rays come out, start releasing your summer rewatch stuff. people can follow along at home on blu-ray, dvd, netflix, hulu, or abc.com

mb said...

lmao

Palmer and Jordan - you joke, but you won't be laughing when I prove that "Exposé" will turn out to be the lynchpin in the entire series




*****SPOILER**************(not)



Jacob = Nikki
Dark shirt = Paolo


Dark Shirt: "Do you know how badly I want to kill you?"

of COURSE he wants to kill Nikki - the bitch flung a medusa spider on him.

And why do you think Locke said "Things don't stay buried on this island". You can't bury & kill immortals.

PalmerEldritch said...

the RAZZLE DAZZLE season.

Chris JC said...

I watched the commentary on Walkabout yesterday again to get sort of in the swing but not ruin the episode.

I have the benefit of watching most of these on the PAL video system which means it'll take me 4.16% less time and all i have to put up with is the silly chipmunk voices and the music all being in a different key.

Kelly Jo said...

What episodes are on disc 1?

Chris JC said...

Pilot (split into two episodes)
Tabula Rasa
Walkabout

PalmerEldritch said...

cjjc, serious about the 4.6% issue? do tell!

Kelly Jo said...

Thanks Chris!

Fleudiddy said...

Here's my prediction for season 6 Miles if still alive will find Nikki and Paolo's diamonds.

Anonymous said...

Damn! I get no love. I was the main person to suggest putting off the re-watch till after the blu-ray comes out.

Anyway, PALMER check out Red Dwarf. I watched it on Netflix instant watch. There really isn't that much on instant watch that I hadn't seen (that I wanted to). They also have MI-5 which Kim was singing the praises of and I think Hurls also liked it. I thought it was "rubbish."

Chris JC said...

Palmer, I typed what I intended to be a simple and non boring explanation so as not to worry people who don't care, but it was not too successful in either of those regards. Luckily I found this:

PAL's % SpeedUpThe speed difference pushes music up in pitch and makes people sound higher in pitch.It's really noticeable on some characters - in LOST Jack and Ben sound ludicrous and Nathan in Heroes has the same problem. It doesn't seem as big an issue with female characters.

Chris JC said...

Confusion control - that article is written by an Australian so it compares the US and Australian versions of DVDs, but it's the same television standard used here too.

Chris JC said...

Although further confusion arises because NTSC is 30 frames per second (and movies have "faked" interpolated frames to bring them to the right speed on US video and DVD).

You'd then think that this would equate to PAL version of US television running SLOWER, but I assure you it's definitely faster. I'll have to find to demonstrate this somehow.

Chris JC said...

Lots more discussion, followed by me shutting up on the subject: Speed Stuff

memphish said...

Kim have you started a new rewatch blog site yet?

Giancarlo -- I loved Seasons 1 and 2 of Alias. 3 was ok; I liked how it ended at least. Season 4 got unwatchable to me. I hated how they'd stopped the cliffhangers and wrapped everything up every episode. I never got through it and I'd heard such bad things about S5 I never even tried.

Finished S2 of The Wire on Tuesday. I watched 5 episodes in about 6 hours. Felt woozy afterwards. Definitely liked S1 better primarily because it lacked Ziggy. I may get to S3 before the summer ends, but I'm trying not to watch it too fast because then it will be all over. Great series if anyone is looking for something to Netflix.

Holli

Giancarlo said...

memphish--you are right season 4 of alias was not like the previous ones cause they were trying to get new viewers,but they failed,the first half of season 5 is awful but the second half is oustanding i would def recommend watching since episode 9 forward.

Stephanie said...

I think I own the first two seasons of Alias but a friend has them. I couldn't get through season two because it's so episodic. Hard to watch on DVD. Morgan has expressed interest. Will try to watch this summer. That is, if my friend gets then back to me.

Party Down is really good.

t-dot kim said...

We can use popjunkster.blogspot.com for the LOST re-watch. I started a blogpage over 2 years ago--might as well put it to some use.

I'll use it mostly for the re-watch schedule.

t-dot kim said...

I put a link on this blog's home page (under the Scott and Steve Forum link)

Giancarlo said...

im also watching true blood season 1 on demand on hbo and i gotta say im really into it, i like the swearing ha ha.

Jordan said...

Holli, Season 2 of The Wire is by far the least loved of the series. I say least loved because fans still liked it. It just isn't on the same plane of amazingness of the other seasons. That said, the worst of The Wire is still miles better than most anything else. Season 3 really amps things up. Then season 4 will have you crying like a baby. But 2 is still very good. Watching Amy Ryan on that show then seeing her on The Office really goes to show what an actress she is.

Chris, the PAL stuff sounds really strange. What do you think is the reasoning for that? Do Brits hear in a different frequency? Or are you guys just in a hurry?

Agree on the Alias comments. It started out great. But the story just got so dang convoluted. And then they made the grave mistake good shows sometimes make when struggling ratings wise and started to cater to dumb/ADD America. And tried to make it easier to digest by making it more episodic.

Steph is correct. Party Down is great. Watch it. I was trying to find a clip, but can't, so I'll just explain it. There's a scene in the episode where they cater a porn awards show where Bill from Freaks & Geeks is hitting it off with this porn star. His character is a struggling writer and a bit of an angry geek. Things are going well, and the hot porn star seems to like him. She asks him what he does, and he says he's a writer. Mostly hard sci-fi as he puts it. She replies that she loves sci-fi. And then proceeds to talk about how much she loves dragons. Being the true nerd he is, he is obligated to point out the difference between sci-fi and fantasy, and how dragons are fantasy, and how fantasy blows. Effecitively killing his chances with the porn star. Hilarious. Again, watch it. It got picked up for a second season too.

andrew. said...

- i've been trying to watch Party Down on Netflix Instant View but I'm always low on the queue or something because it wants 1 hour or prep time. My internet connection is wonky so it could just be that.

- The Wire Season 2 - I like it a lot, but i understand people's problems with it. I really like the actor that plays Ziggy, but I can understand that the character seems to create a lot of the conflict on his own. I also appreciate the fact that Simon did a story about the stevedores, because real working class representation is nearly non-existant in American media. Season 3 definitely gets back to the style of season 1, and season 4 is the bestest.

- I've been rewatching True Blood too. I still don't understand why the audience warmed up to the show, because I think it's great right out of the gate.

- Looking forward to the LOST rewatch. Maybe Ben Linus will call and let us know his thoughts on important issues like kidnapping pregnant ladies and missing wedding rings.

Jordan said...

Wait. You have to wait in line to use watch instantly on Netflix now?

Jordan said...

Make sure your tattoo artist uses spellcheck. Especially when getting tats of pretentious sayings in different languages.

Jordan said...

Yup...

PalmerEldritch said...

YOU BROKE THE BLOGSPOT!!!!


yeah, munchkin mcminipants has a crappy tattoo.

ugh. one of the haircutting women where i get my hair cut has a stupid tattoo of megan fox's stupid tattoo of marilyn monroe. in the same place too.

you frickin have a copy cat tattoo of someone else's crappy tattoo?? ugh.

here are more awful tattoos! clickey.

Jordan said...

Interview with Michael Giacchino about becoming the movie soundtrack it guy.

Jordan said...

Just caught up on Breaking Bad. What crazy shit! The show is the best thing on tv (sorry Lost). The first season was pretty dang good. But this second season has been pure awesomeness. I'm telling you. Watch it. I absolutely cannot wait for Sunday's finale!

If my pitch for people to watch the show isn't enough, here is tv critic Tim Goodman's. And a quick quote:

"For everyone else already keen to creator Vince Gilligan's magnificent first 19 episodes, Sunday's finale will be a minor cultural happening - the culmination of one of the most rewarding TV seasons in some time.

There are all kinds of ethical dilemmas in "Breaking Bad," myriad nuanced characters that you rarely see on television, and a willingness to challenge viewers' perceptions (for example, an argument can be made that Walt, the central character and a man the audience is rooting for, has slowly morphed from sad-sack cancer victim to something less likable, something flawed in a way that necessitates our acceptance of his increasingly serious character traits). "Breaking Bad" is also an understated comic gem. The cast is universally excellent. And the series, which is shot on location in Albuquerque, has arguably the finest cinematography and sound work on television.

To all the early adopters - enjoy Sunday. To all the interested newcomers - enjoy the DVDs, because it's never too late for great television."

Jordan said...

To further continue blogspotting with myself (ooh, that sounds naughty), here is a very convincing fan made Green Lantern trailer starring Nathan Fillion.

Jordan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jordan said...

I think I have a title for a movie or comic book series. "J: The Last Blogspotter".

andrew. said...

- i can't wait for the Breaking Bad finale. Like Jordan said, season 1 was great, but this season has been really intense. I thought that the story line in the last 2 episodes was a little too predictable, but the last scene of this past week's episode was genuinely chilling. I have a hard time recommending the show to friends because it is so intense, but I do think it is the best thing on TV.

- Speaking of finales, what was maybe the series finale for Reaper was on tuesday, and it continued Reaper's run of junkfoody goodness. I don't think I will be heartbroken if it doesn't return but it was fun enough. Ray Wise was awesome. It was funny that Nina was basically the Anya character from Buffy, and was also pretty great.

- I think Chris will agree that The Misfit Is Here is worth checking out for some LOST laughs, and now's a good time since there are no spoilers to be had. I particularly enjoyed his latest smoke monster lostigation. The best part is to go back to the earliest posts, before everyone figured out he was joking and you can read some great responses from serious Lost fans, angry about his mistakes.

- I hope to god that Michael Giacchino takes every last job from Hans Zimmer. God I hate that guy's "music."

Chris JC said...

Jordan, there's no deliberate "reason" beyond the fact that it's an artefact of us having two different television systems, developed separately from each other. Throw in SECAM and some of the bizarre NTSC variants and you've got a world of strange.

On the plus side, PAL has a much higher resolution so we've got a nice clearer picture, but one that doesn't update as often.

JonFromNKY said...

I'm glad you guys are watching Breaking Bad too. I feel like that show is way under appreciated.

memphish said...

I'll have to reconsider Breaking Bad. I'm glad you guys are enjoying it. I got through 3 episodes last season before it over-intensed me. But then again, maybe I was just in a fluffy summer TV mood (Burn Notice; back in less than 1 week).

Holli

Stephanie said...

Thank you, Jordan. I so want to see that Green Lantern. Someone needs to make an awesome fake trailer of David Boreanaz as Captain America or something. I shouldn't even pretend to know comics.

Jordan said...

"I have a hard time recommending the show to friends because it is so intense, but I do think it is the best thing on TV."

Yes, I have the same problem. But the show has been so damn good this second season from start to finish, that I now have a hard time not recommending it. It still is far from for everyone. But it so good now, that if you consider yourself a fan of good television and compelling drama and storytelling, I don't see how you can avoid it. And YES, it is very intense. There are scenes at times that are so uncomfortbable, that you want to ff. And scenes that are so intense that you find yourself so relieved when a comedic scene comes. But I'm telling you people. If you can deal with intense drama, just watch it.

And a note if you do give the show a try. The first season was good. But it's not til the end of it that the show started to really come into it's own. So if the first couple eps don't grab you, don't worry. Then when the second season starts, it continues things with a bang and never lets up.

If you're looking for a comedy to watch this summer, check out Party Down. If you want a drama, go with this. Those are my suggestions. Listen to me now, thank me later. ;)

Jordan said...

One last article quoted to hammer home the hyperbole. This taken from Newsday talking specifically about the finale, which I really cannot wait for:

This Sunday's "Breaking Bad," coupled with with last Sunday's "Phoenix," is the most extraordinary finale of the season. This is like nothing you have ever seen.

And once again, a prediction: "Breaking Bad" will be nominated for a best drama Emmy this July. If there is any justice, and often there is not, "Breaking Bad" will win in September. This is the best program on television, commercial or pay.

At this moment, you are hopefully reading this review as the sun is shining, and as your garden beckons. So, let's not waste your valuable time. This is TV's best finale of the season, and - not incidentally - this is also the best show on TV as well. But, I should warn you as well: "ABQ" packs a tremendous emotional wallop. Some viewers may also find some of this especially painful. (I did.) Of the second season, there was genuine magic in "Breaking Bad," much of it culminating in the final four episodes. But beyond writing, editing, casting, and myriad other production elements - all masterfully rendered - there was the acting. We know how great Cranston, Gunn, Paul and other regulars are. But howabout Odenkirk’s Goodman or the tragically star-crossed Margolis' - played by veteran John de Lancie and Krysten Ritter (she of "Gilmore Girls") ? Just stunning.

Grade: A +

mb said...

Just checking in - haven't been keeping up. Anyone watching that "Breaking Bad" show?


;)

JonFromNKY said...

Watch it, and listen to Mr. Bill's BTCE Breaking Bad podcast.

Jordan said...

Not much to keep up with MB. Just me babbling to myself. Everybody else has gone on holiday for the week apparently.

mb said...

Breaking Bad is definitely on my short list of shows to watch (probably rent) one of these days (along w/the Wire). If I can just make it till the age where the Deuce stops incessantly trying to injure himself...(sigh) maybe I'll have a bit more time on my hands :)

Chris JC said...

I've rented and have been watching The Lost Room.

It's great so far. Nonsense, but jolly good nonsense.

Chris JC said...

Smoke Monster gets spin-off series(The Onion)

PalmerEldritch said...

SAVE MONEY ON BACONNAISE TODAY AT AMAZON!!!

memphish said...

Loved the Smoke Monster spin-off.

Holli

andrew. said...

- i liked The Lost Room, and not just because it was filmed in Pittsburgh. I have a hard time having to watch Kevin Pollak in anything but he's balanced out by the beautiful Julianna Margulies. I'm also surprised that Peter Krause doesn't get more work.

- really wanting to see The Brothers Bloom & Drag Me To Hell.

Jordan said...

As if 24 wasn't getting crappier by the season, Freddie Prinze, Jr. is being added to the cast next season.Summer Glau potentially to Dollhouse?

Jordan said...

So I didn't watch a single episode, as I just assumed it was getting canceled. Dollhouse. Now that it's getting a 2nd season, is it worth checking out?

A couple other shows I'm curious about, but not sure. In Treatment & Damages. Anybody watch or have watched these?

memphish said...

I liked The Lost Room as well.

In Treatment is in my Netflix queue, but I haven't gotten there yet. Sepinwall seems to love it, so I figure I might too.

Damages Season 1 is very good. Season 2 was less focused and less good though it did feature Rawls and Freeman from The Wire. Acting wise it's top notch. Plot wise Season 2 never quite coalesced for me the way Season 1 did. Jamie Bamber's sister is the acting exception. She is shite. Or maybe she's good and it's just the character that is A #1 annoying.

Holli

mb said...

I know it's a tall order - but Felix, if you're reading (and have the ambition) I'm imagining an episode of "Where There's Smoke" guest starring Ben Linus.



"mmmmmmmHeeeey smoke-ster! How about I kick it at your place for awhile. Show me some of the wack-ass 'pictures' you downloaded from Juliet's brain. Yeeeeaaahh - fucking awesome man."

Chris JC said...

I now can't hear It's Getting Better without hearing "Yeah, right on!" in my head.

Stephanie said...

I do not see Freddy Prinze Jr as a Jack Bauer apprentice.

PalmerEldritch said...

hey aimee!

LOST concept art book.

Freddie on 24 sounds god awful. that show has a shit ton of guest actors. Robo-Cop, Samwise Gamgee, Dr. Bashir, Candyman, Daniel Jackson, The Mummy, Ritchie Valens, King Koopa, The Bowler, and Zoolander's dad!

how about Summer Glau on 24 and Prinze Jr can go be on Dollhouse?

KABLAMO!!!!

andrew. said...

oh shit. don't let Jordan see that concept art book. It's the smokey gun that they didn't plan out the whole show from the beginning.

Jordan said...

Palmer, Don't forget Sylar on 24. Albeit before he was Sylar.

Jordan said...

Did anybody actually watch 24 this past season? Don't ask me why, but I did. Just finished it. How stupid was the last episode and ending? Ugh. Speaking of stupid, I still need to finish Prison Break.

Chris JC said...

Ah, pre-Sylar Sylar on 24...back when the wife and I knew him as WOLF BOY, given the pushy eyebrows and the canine type snout.

Giancarlo said...

i really liked 24 this season,except for the ending which was totally anti-climatic,but def 100% better than the lame season 6

memphish said...

I watched all but the last 2 hours of 24 because I just didn't care at that point and could see the writing on the wall, especially with Kim. I kept it on the DVR about a week; Hubby watched it and said it was stupid, and so I deleted it unwatched and am satisfied with that. I think 24 needs to be renamed 16, possibly even 12.

Holli

Jordan said...

"The following takes place between 7 pm & 8 pm. Events occur in double time."

Giancarlo said...

you are right memphish, it should go to cable, be more explicit and last 13 episodes. i think it would be awesome again

PalmerEldritch said...

chris, is 24 in england called 22:53:40?

24 in a shorter, more explicit form? it's called Taken and stars Liam Neeson. fun movie!

PalmerEldritch said...

and, yes, that WAS roger linus as neeson's hat-wearing friend.

Stephanie said...

Freddie Prinze Jr does need a job since he'll soon have another mouth to feed.

I'm so excited about seeing The Brothers Bloom. Rian Johnson assures me that it will be coming to B'ham eventually.

I hear from the /filmCast that 24 was good this season.

Jordan said...

It was just whatever. Wasn't horrible. But they've done so much on that show by now, that what they did was just mundane. Never too exciting or surprising. And the ending was really bad/anticlimatic.

Chris JC said...

Nice one, Palmer. The first two seasons of 24 were shown on BBC2 here, (all the others have been on subscription satellite and cable channel Sky so fewer people see them and therefore 24 is no longer anything like a big deal over here. Same thing they did with LOST and have just done with House).

Since the BBC shows things without commercial interruption (by forcing you to pay for them) more than one humorous soul has suggested calling it 18.

scrdmnkydst said...

Don't forget that they did the same thing with Prison Break too.

But no one cares about that...

Chris JC said...

Did they? Still a bit of a fucker when the show's built an audience already. I do remember when Sky bought series and showed them first but didn't hold exclusive rights, like they did with The X Files.

If they'd kept it exclusively on Sky most of us here would probably be only dimly aware of it.

memphish said...

Even after Season 5 Further Instructions still sucks. Locke is amenable to coercion. Tell me something I don't know. Also annoying Charlie, Claire, Nikki and Paolo. This episode had it all. Only possible question remaining was it good/bad Island influencing Locke in the Smoke Lodge and through babbling Eko.

Holli

PalmerEldritch said...

just wait for the lackluster follow up episode, "Even Further Instructions" in which Locke works as a drug mule for an LSD dealer at an arcade in a local mini-mall and does something boring and indecisive!

memphish said...

I followed it up with that other stinker "The Cost of Living." Man that sucker still isn't redeemable even with this whole speculation that it's the Man in Black confronting Eko. One of the worst lines in the history of LOST is when Locke says: "Well, I'm suddenly feeling very stupid." after Nikki points out Wickmund mentions "projects" with an s. Now if I can just power past Stranger in a Strange Land in the next couple of days things will be looking up. I know certain people (Aimee) like to pick on SOS, but I've always liked SOS.

Holli

Chris JC said...

For those who care about this year's Britain's Got Talent, or The Susan Bboyle Show as the world knows it:

It's just finished and she came second to Diversity, a dance troupe who, in the final at least, were fucking amazing.

Stephanie said...

SOS was pretty good to me. It answered a lot of my questions.
I'm just feeling disenchanted with the show in general lately. Season 5 seemed to focus on the wrong things. The reveals are lame. The writing doesn't seem to be up to par with the first 2 season. I'm hoping the show will be back to blowing me away again next year.

memphish said...

I think Danny Pickett must be Phil's younger brother and that Phil sent him a picture of his boss LaFleur who terrorized him for 3 years. That's the only reason I can think for Pickett's irrational hate of Sawyer. Also makes his death that much more satisfying.

And for all the crapitude of Further Instructions and The Cost of Living, the on Island stuff in I Do totally makes up for it, especially the end. I noticed they were playing the Life and Death theme while Pickett prepared to kill Sawyer. Only then he is thwarted. Psych.

Holli

Jordan said...

Steph, I'm with you somewhat. I'm not quite as grinchy as you've grown. I still highly enjoy the show. But I can't help but notice the drop in quality over the past couple seasons. The writing in particular in terms of character archs and development has just become silly. The first few seasons the characters all grew in ways that made sense. Their actions were usually justifiable and their motivations usually were believable. But now it's all just ridiculous. The characters are about as manic as could be. Herky jerky and changing their minds at the drop of a hat. And past experiences are rarely taken into consideration. It used to be that the characters' entire history all played into their decisions and course of action. Not so much anymore. Take Juliet for example. She was a character who more than most was extremely careful and thought out in her actions. Yet in the season finale, they turned her more irrational than Kate. I could go on. All I'm saying is the writing seems a bit lazy compared to what we were treated to in the first few seasons. But like I said, I still thoroughly enjoy it.

Jordan said...

Ugh. I hate Susan Boyle. Nothing personally against her. She's fine. What I hate is the whole idea behind Susan Boyle's fame. It's as if we as a society have been so brainwashed by all the cookie-cutter and perfect looking pop stars and celebrities, that when we see a less than attractive woman who can sing, we're amazed. "What?! How on earth is that awful looking woman able to sound like that?! Only gorgeous people can sing!" Sigh.

Stephanie said...

What bothers me about the Susan Boyle deal is that America seems to be looking down their nose at Britain for being so shallow as to mock her looks. But in reality she wouldn't be allowed on tv here. The American Idol producers would take one look at her and show her the door, no matter what kind of voice she has.

Jordan said...

As Chris as previously pointed out, the show that she was on is not their equivilant of Idol. It's the equivilant of America's Got Talent. Which she could get on. It's just that nobody here gives two shits about that show. She wouldn't make it on X-Factor or whatever the Brit AI is either.

scrdmnkydst said...

...she probably would make it onto X Factor though.

X Factor doesn't have an upper age limit like American Idol has and it also allows vocal harmony groups onto the show as well.

Chris JC said...

I think Herlihy made that distinction, to be honest. I think her US equivalent would have made America's Got Talent too, but you're right - Pop Idol wouldn't have touched her.

In the end it's all for naught as she'll probably get a good amount of work and some decent interview fees, and the main prize was won by this peppy little bunch:

Diversity.

Jordan said...

Dominic Monaghan can't escape LOST.

memphish said...

Since I'm starting my rewatch in Season 3 instead of Season 1 it's funny you mention both the writing and character development. That's when Javy left the writing staff and you could definitely tell. And that's where all the characters start changing for me. Jack changes from the strong hero to all stalker on his ex-wife and psycho on his dad and then breaks easily at the hands of Ben and Juliet. Kate is a total wimp after one handcuffed breakfast with Ben. Sawyer actually gets more likable because unlike Kate and Jack and despite his Every Man For Himself mantra Sawyer becomes more heroic and caring for others. And the characters back on the beach, while mostly ignored, act inconsistently as first they worry about their friends and then do nothing about it.

If you like nature programs like Planet Earth, Discovery is running Nature's Amazing Events this weekend. There are 6 parts in all. The final 2 air tomorrow and they are re-running the earlier parts as well. The one about the sardine run off South Africa just aired and it was spectacular. Check 'em out.

Holli

memphish said...

Hitler's not happy with LOST.

Holli

Jordan said...

Don't really agree with much of Hitler's rant. As not answering questions is far from my biggest gripe with the show. But I do agree with him about fan theories. lol.

BREAKING BAD FINALE TONIGHT! WOO HOO!!!

Stephanie said...

Damn you, youtube blocker.

I'm ok with the number of questions are answered. When you look back, such as listen to old podcasts, you can see we really do know more than we realize. I'm mainly frustrated with the inconsistent storytelling. Such as Jack came back to the island for Kate. Well, why didn't Jack show Kate that when he had the chance? And Juliet's flip-flopping position. You know, all that stuff.

andrew. said...

yeah.

Jordan said...

I'm right with ya Steph. I have zero issues with the rate of answers. If anything, I've always felt the overall viewer demand for answers to be overblown. The average viewer doesn't care about storytelling. They just want to know what is going on. I rather a good storyline and quality character archs. To me, it's more about the journey as opposed to the destination.

And yeah, agreed on the sloppy storytelling. I already went into that yesterday. But to add to my point, another example.

In addition to Juliet's sudden trip to irrationality land, the other thing that really annoyed me was Jack's supposed motive for wanting to blow up the island. Kate? Really? Seriously? SIGH.

So here was my thought process during the prior episodes when Jack and Kate were arguing over whether they should blow up the island. I've never really agreed much with Jack before. But in this argument, I was on his side for once finally!

Wanting to reset time to me came off as Jack wanting to do whatever he could to save all the people that had previously been lost since 815's crash. All the people who died in the crash, as well as all our beloved Losties. In doing this, Jack would be fighting to save the lives of all his friends who had died. People he couldn't save. In addition, he'd be saving his newly discovered half-sister. In contrast, Kate only caring about wanting to not lose her relationships seemed extremely selfish and small-minded.

Since season one, Jack has always been about saving people. He has always felt as if it was his responsibility. I mean, his entire reasoning for returning to the island and getting the O6ers to return was, "We have to save them!" Jack has always felt that he was responsible for the safety of the group. So if Dr. Jack could in theory save them plus the ones he had previously lost, of course he'd want to blow up the island!!!

BUT NO! That would've made far too much sense. And would have fit in with the character that has been built over the course of the show much too well. No. Instead his rationale is Kate. Just Kate. How simplistic and stupid was that? Seriously. Not only is it far too small and selfish of a reason to do such a drastic thing. But it also makes very little sense from Jack's point of view if you think rationally.

Had Jack been doing it to save lives, his thinking would be justifiable: "Yeah, maybe we won't all know each other. And we will not remember any of our time together. But saving all those lives is far too valuable!" Instead, his thought process is retarded: "I don't care if I kill tons of people, and permanantly affect the futures of all of you. But I want another shot at Kate. And I don't care the fact that I have no assurance that I will even ever meet her in the future. Yeah, maybe it's one in a billion odds. But I gotta take it. Cuz before we hated each other and proved to be incompatible, I liked the chick and she's hot."

To me, this is the perfect example of the sloppy writing I've been referring to. How the same level of consideration towards character archs and development is not there as it was in earlier seasons. It's as if characters do things for reasons to advance and fit in with the current plot more so than to stay true to the character.

Jordan said...

I think I know some of the reason behind this. Not to always make it about MB and my on-going debate on just exactly how planned out the show was in the early seasons. But under my accusation that they didn't exactly know what the show was about in the first couple seasons, they weren't overwhelmed with getting to places and giving off tons of information. There was the time and space to mostly focus on the characters. It was a character based series. The island and it's vague mysteries was the backdrop. But now, that is totally different. It's entirely plot driven now and compared to the early seasons, it's moving at a breakneck pace. And the characters are forced to fall into it however they land. Either by being written against type or given nothing to do. It makes sense really. It's a totally different show when you examine it's structure.

Hey it's all good. I just think it's worth noting. I still love the show in it's current form. Just kinda pales in comparison when held up to those early season eps. And is really a different show overall when you really analyze things. Every now and again, I'll stop the channel on an old rerun. And I instantly notice a different feel and tone. Going into that would be another essay, so I won't. But I'll just say that for that reason, I'm holding off my series re-watch til after the entire series is complete. I fear that being reminded just how much better the earlier seasons were will take away from my ability to totally enjoy the final season. It's been so long and meandering of a ride, that the changes and drops in excellence have been easy to not notice. It's been gradual and time warps our viewpoints, so I'm able to enjoy the ride. But I fear if re-watched it all now, It would be like taking a maginfying glass to an old lady's face. Ok, not quite. But you get my point.

Jordan said...

Whoa. Never before had to split a post into two. Now I know that blogger's character limit is 4,096. That one was long even by my standards. Apologies to anyone who actually read it all.

Jordan said...

I can't help but laugh at the fact that both Andrew and I agreed with Steph. Just a tad bit difference in the amount of words it took us to relate it in. lol.

PalmerEldritch said...

KABLAMO!!!

scrdmnkydst said...

I much prefer the character based structure set on a backdrop of mythology rather than a mythological based structure with some character dropped in for the mix.

Also, it's my belief, therefore fact, that the over-arching plot of the show was defined just before the writing for Catch 22, desmond's episode.

andrew. said...

- ha ha. i like reading your long posts Jordan.

- a month or so back some random dude walked into my store and handed me a shoebox of CDs and said 'Here, I don't want these any more' and walked out before i could even register what was happening. They were a lot of top40 CDs circa 2000, so today i took them to the used-stuff store and got trade. I got a Letta Mbulu Lp and the Generation Kill DVD set. Thanks random dude.

- Is it me or is Pixar really underpromoting Up? I guess I've known that it was coming out for a while, but now that it's here, I just don't see many ads. Maybe I'm watching the wrong channels.

- I'm getting (even more) excited for the Breaking Bad finale by listening to the official Breaking Bad podcast. It's not essential, since its not the sort of show that needs the showrunners to tell you things like Jae Lee committed suicide and wasn't thrown out of the window ;), but its a fun behind-the-scenes podcast.?

Jordan said...

I am stoked.

andrew. said...

- breaking bad finale was solid. more subdued than i expected, but good just the same. This hiatus is going to be nearly as tough as LOST's.

- commercials for Mad Men. I can't even remember what was happening on that show.

- i'm so stoked that AMC is doing the Prisoner miniseries (now scheduled for November 2009).

- and now, for everybody, merrily christmas in June!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EQ-eUoDk0w

Jordan said...

Man, I don't wanna have to wait! While subdued isn't exactly the right word for the show. Compared to other episodes, and given it being the finale, I guess that was a bit calmer than would be expected. About as calm as can be while having such emotional and stressful scenes along with that ending. And I never once guessed that was what the teddy bear scene was going to be about. I don't think anybody did. Not to take shots as our beloved Lost. But it really is nice to watch something not so obvious in it's surprise reveals. Even when hinting at it all season long.

I just read this in an interview with the show creator. If you take the titles from the episodes this season that feature the bits of the flash-forward teddy bear scene teaser in the open, they all combine to spell out something quite ominous. I'll let you read the interview (good interview btw) instead of spelling it out here. And if you saw the ep, you know what that means. Pretty cool. What is really cool is that the episode titles actually also fit the specific eps in totally different ways. Now that is sneaky.

Anonymous said...

Many LONG posts by Jordan since I was last on here.

Anonymous said...

What about Desmond on 24?

Wow I can't believe that wasn't the first one up being that this is a Lost blog.

Anonymous said...

A lot of posts, but I read them all. Jordan, you should maybe write columns for newspapers (don't know if you already do). Pretty good points.

Herlihy, I actually they had a direction as of writing season 3.

Think about it. If Live Together, Die Alone ended with Desmond turning the key, LOST could've technically ended. People would be pissed, but hey, that's basically how this season ended. Instead of ending the episode there, they included a couple scenes to give direction to season 3. Penny's guys finding the island and Jack, Kate, Sawyer being taken.

The first pod of episodes for season 3 were pretty much whatever. I think they were similar to season 1 & 2 and many people had issues with that pod of episodes.

I guess you can say when they came back from hiatus? W/e. I still hold that Lost was intended to be Survivor meets Jurassic Park.

Anonymous said...

Wow! I didn't make sense.

What I meant is that the first couple episodes of season 3 were like season 1 & 2 to me, flashback driven and focusing on character, yet many people didn't like them. I say this because several people on the blogspot are questioning why the show focuses more on overall plot than character development. I think it's because of the reaction that pod of episodes got.

Kelly Jo said...

I'd agree with that.

memphish said...

Glad those watching enjoyed the Breaking Bad finale.

Real life LOST this morning. I hope Frank was flying.

Holli