And now, more fannishment ...

[apocalypsos]

Verdict: Boy, that was just really ludicrously awful, wasn't it?

Let's see ... I don't like the characters (I don't even like Miguel Ferrer and I adore Miguel Ferrer, and while I didn't get to see the entire original pilot where the little sister was deaf and Mae Whitman, I liked what I saw of her a lot more than I do now that she's a bratty computer hacker -- ooo, edgy! -- and a low-rate Rachel Bilson), the episode didn't flow at all as if the scenes were hastily chopped together, and the dialogue made me want to gag. "I'll bury one guy after the next"? Urgh.

And let's not even talk about the little girl saying pretty much directly into the camera, "I just thought it was cool a girl could do that," which offended some part of me so deeply I would have thrown my laptop across the room if it hadn't been, you know, my BABY. I imagine it's supposed to be some sort of thinly veiled feminist statement, but it fails so miserably I can't even comprehend. I mean, really, didn't we all think only boys could run sixty miles per hour?! (That's not what she meant, of course, but considering that was the first reaction that popped into my head, that's not good.)

And there are so very many things about the relationship between Jaime and Will that are skin-crawlingly skeevy I don't even want to think about it.

I just ... ugh. I would think I couldn't possibly hate this show any more than I already do but then I remember the PTB hired Isaiah Washington as if it were some great fucking casting coup and then I realize, no, actually, it COULD get worse.

Verdict: AWESOME. Oh, man, that's a great followup to suffering through The Bionic Woman. Charlie's great, the partner's great (the Woman in White! *squeaks*), and I maybe spazzed out at Alan Arkin (EDIT: ARGH. Meant to type Adam Arkin, typed Alan. I know the difference, I swear. That's what they get for having similar names. Hmph.) being the financial advisor/best buddy, especially during that last scene. "You want to drive the tractor." "You know, I think I kinda do." *snickers*

It inspires great fannish glee in me so I am most definitely torrenting it again next week.

Comments

[poisontaster]

And yes, right back atcha. I watch the pilots to see if anything is interesting enough to add to my TV schedule. But if it can't snag me within that window of opportunity...I have lots of other TV to watch and lots of other things I need to be doing with my time than to waste it on something that I only sorta like, or don't really like at all.

I'm so excited about Pushing Daisies! I added all the same shows *g* and that's definitely my favorite of all of them.

[apocalypsos.livejournal.com]

Oh, I am dying for new Pushing Daisies. I've been watching the same glorious episode for weeks now and I'm craving more. :)

And in a related vein, the pilot of Pushing Daisies is like the complete opposite of Bionic Woman when it comes to the strength of their female characters. Chuck is a brilliant character -- she's sharp and brave, loyal and capable, warm and witty. In one episode I managed to find out more about her personality than I felt like I'd ever learn about Jaime Sommers. Plus, Jaime puts up with her home situation with an ever-suffering version of the "loyalty" she's supposed to possess, while Chuck fills the same caretaker role with twice as much loyalty and far more cheer than Jaime.

And the aunts! Oh, how I love the aunts. It only takes them one episode to show real growth by leaving their house even though Chuck is gone. They're awesome role models even as shut-ins, so it's no wonder Chuck turned out the way she did.

Hell, even Olive -- who's kind of annoying in any dose longer than a few short minutes -- knows what she wants and goes for it. Granted, she's going after Ned and she doesn't really know the whole story, but STILL.

Oh, oh! And the great thing about Ned and Chuck not being able to touch is that the will-they-won't-they physical part of their relationship doesn't become nearly as important as the mental aspects. It's lovely and quirky and ... yeah, um, I kind of want to make out with the pilot. Heh. :)

[poisontaster]

God, yes. And really, that's a lot of what I look for in a pilot. I'll be the first to say that a pilot is a tough sell because you have to introduce the characters AND thread a plotline through it, but Pushing Daisies is a GREAT example of how it should be done. I was literally BOUNCING when I finished watching the pilot and I've been breathless for it ever since then. I saw the one episode and now I can't WAIT to "visit" with these characters again.

And even in sketch form, you're completely right; you know what these characters are about, you see actual personal change/growth through just that ONE HOUR, and there's enough personality infused through it to make you feel like you KNOW SOMETHING about these characters.