…but will tonight, and I’ll let you know what I think.
Ages ago, when I was a young, impressionable maiden (no, really, I was), I got hooked on Patricia Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta novels. The first one was Postmortem, and I ate that series up. This was before the emergence of shows like CSI or Body of Proof and the whole forensic science aspect was new and fascinating to me. I loved the science, the mystery, the chemistry of the characters. In short, I’ve been a lover of the forensic science mystery for a long time.
When CSI premiered, I checked it out, and I liked it. After a while, though, it got repetitive, and I lost interest. While the premise was interesting, it wasn’t as character-driven as I usually liked in a TV drama. However, when Bones premiered in 2005, I jumped on it like a mouse on cheese. Here was a drama with two strong leads (One of whom was David Boreanaz, hello.) a twist on a premise I loved (Forensic anthropology? Awesome!) and a great supporting cast.
From the beginning, series creator, Hart Hanson, talked about how it was a character-driven show, a show about relationships, not just another police procedural. And it was. It had great mysteries, but it had great character dynamics, too. Continue reading »
When I first saw the previews for the two shows I was most interested in this fall, Once Upon a Time and Grimm, I thought something along the lines of, “Oh, typical. Two networks, two different takes on the same theme. Instant competition, instant press. Yeah, that’s kind of irritating, get an original idea.” BUT, after having watched the pilots for both series, I can tell you that the argument is pretty much invalid because the series are two completely different animals. While Once Upon a Time has a whimsical and otherworldly feel, Grimm is much darker fantasy, very grounded in the real world, and more of a police procedural with a twist.
The premise of Grimm is that, far from a fairy tale world, the original Grimm’s Fairy Tales were not just stories but, as one character cleverly puts it, “profiling.” The descendants of the Grimm family have the ability to see the otherworldly creatures around them when the creatures lose control and cannot maintain their human disguises. What do you know? Our hero, Nick Burkhardt, is one such Grimm that is only now discovering his powers. The show draws from the old German mythology, including “blutbaden” the original Big Bad Wolves, or wolfmen, and some strange creatures that are beautiful women until their faces seem to rot away. The pilot didn’t delve into the greater world too much, which was a wise choice as it leaves a lot of mystery to explore and avoids the dreaded “info-dump” that bogs down what should be a fast-paced show. Also, point of interest, I will never wear a red hoodie sweatshirt again. Watch the pilot to find out why.
The show is filmed in Portland. Why is this significant? Well, the deep, dark forests of the Pacific Northwest not only create some great reasons not to go into the woods, but also put me in mind of one of my favorite shows of all time, The X-Files. Is this intentional? Probably. The co-creator of the show has a pretty awesome supernatural television pedigree that starts with The X-Files and includes Buffy. This show seems to be following a similar format to The X-Files. It is primarily a police procedural with hints of an overarching mythology, which means that it’s not the end of the world if you miss an episode here or there, though you may find you don’t want to.
Now, I’ll admit, I went into watching this pilot with higher expectations than I did with Once Upon a Time, so I did find a few things I’d like to see improved on; however, overall, I really liked the show. I think the chemistry between Nick (David Giuntoli) and his partner could use some work. I was getting mixed messages about how long they had been partners, some dialogue hinting that they were still getting to know each other, and some seeming to imply a deeper level of trust. Still, I think the acting was good, and the potential for them to grow is there. Similarly, we didn’t see much interaction between Nick and his live-in girlfriend, Juliet, which makes his conflict over how deeply he wants to involve her in his world a bit bland. What should be a really torturous decision for Nick doesn’t seem all that bad because we haven’t been invested in their relationship. Can this develop? Sure, I’d love to see Juliet become a bigger part of the show.
Two character stand-outs would have to be Eddie (Silas Weir Mitchell), a reformed bludbat, or big bad wolf, and Aunt Marie (Kate Burton) Nick’s mysterious aunt who shows up with her old Airstream bearing some bad news and a strange green key. (Also, Aunt Marie is an ass-kicking librarian. Further proof that my attempts to make librarians the next action heroes is working. Go Aunt Marie! Beatrice applauds you! No idea what I’m talking about? Read my book.) I have a sneaking suspicion that Aunt Marie may not last long in the series, so catch her while you can. I’m looking forward to seeing more creatures reveal themselves throughout the series. The source material is dark and rich, so I’m curious to see what the writers do with it.
In summary, don’t feel like you’re getting more of the same if you’re a fan of Once Upon a Time. Likewise, if Once Upon a Time is not your cup of tea, you might give Grimm a look. The series are very different in subject, style, and atmosphere. I found both to be really enjoyable in completely different ways and I’m looking forward to seeing where both go this season. Grimm is on NBC on Friday night at 9/8C, later than Once Upon a Time and appropriate for the darker tone of the series.
Happy Halloween!
Elizabeth
P.S. NBC has put together a very cool little interactive easter egg where you can snoop through Aunt Marie’s trailer. If you’re into the show, check it out! It’s very cool.
I don’t watch a lot of television. I like television, but it’s not something I have much time for between writing, teaching, wife-ing, and mom-ing. However, I saw the previews for the new ABC show, Once Upon a Time, a few weeks ago, and I was intrigued.
The show is from the writers of Lost, so I expected a complex storyline and something different. I also liked the idea of a fairytale world gone wrong. The premise of the show is that “once upon a time” there was a fantasy realm cursed by an evil queen (apparently the one from the Snow White fairytale, who’s a very respectable baddie, in my opinion). The characters from classic fairytales are thrown into the modern world with no memory of their own “happily ever after” or who they really are.
Now, while the premise may seem a bit precious at first, I was impressed by the casting (Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, and Robert Carlyle all star) and I wanted to see what the writers of a show like Lost could do with the setup, so I thought I’d give the series a chance.
So far, I’m impressed! The main character, Emma Swann (Morrison looking cool, but not overly glamorous) is a tough bail recovery agent with a complicated past. She gets drawn into the small town of Storybrooke by an unusual ten-year-old boy named Henry. I like elusive main characters and interesting kids on my television, so the first few minutes of the show caught me. It was fun to see the fantasy back story gradually unfold through the episode, and not have one big story-dump at the beginning. Also, if you tend to get confused between Goodwin and Morrison because they have similar looks…yeah, that’s intentional. (Side note: Goodwin’s hair is amazingly cute in a pixie cut, which makes this curly haired writer very jealous.) Carlyle steals every scene he’s in, and I can’t wait to see what they do with his character.
I loved seeing the modern versions of the fairytale characters. From hints in a mysterious book (you know I love my mysterious books!), viewers can expect to see characters from the classic tales, along with some more modern fairy tales like Alice in Wonderland and the Wizard of Oz. I’m looking forward to playing “spot-the-character” in the next few episodes. (This might necessitate a drinking game…I’ll keep you posted.)
In summary, Once Upon a Time has impressed me enough that I’ll be tuning in next Sunday to watch. It’s on ABC at 8/7C (so moms might have to set the DVR to work around bedtime) so if you like a little intrigue with your happily ever after, you might want to take a look.
I don’t watch much television anymore. When I have free time, I’m usually writing, and with the Small Boy and C in the house, the television is usually tuned to either Discovery Channel or Top Gear (the real, British one, not the American). That said, I do have a couple shows I watch regularly, and one of them is Castle, which is premiering tonight at 10/9c on ABC.
So, here’s five reasons (other than Nathan Fillion, that goes without saying) I make the time for Castle when so much else can’t keep my interest.
The hero of the show is a writer. Let me repeat that. The hero of the show is a writer! And not some really-a-superhero-who-just-happens-to-be-a-writer, but one who is more at home behind a computer than in a car chase, and loves weaving ridiculous stories into everyday conversation. In fact, that is Castle’s superpower. His ability to think outside the box is the reason Beckett puts up with him. Castle is also a normal guy when it comes to the horrors that they deal with on cases. You can see the shock and revulsion on his face when confronted with the depravity of the criminals they apprehend. Fillion doesn’t play him cool in those scenes, and that makes the character both appealing and relatable.
Castle/Beckett. It seems too simple to say that their relationship is central to the show, but I can’t leave it out. The writers have created two appealing characters, but even more, the viewers can see why the characters appeal to each other on more than a superficial level. I love all the little hints about Beckett’s background and personal life that the writers have dropped, without ever revealing too much. Of course Castle is following her around, she’s is an intriguing woman. In the same way, Castle can be really annoying to Beckett, but he’s also very loyal and very smart. The Beckett/Castle partnership is one of the most balanced on television, and I have loved watching it develop.
Fantastic supporting cast. How many police shows have you seen where the other detectives are simply there to show how brilliant the main characters are? Yeah, I find that annoying, too. In Castle, the writers have created a cast of diverse characters, all of which you can easily imagine having a full life off-screen (Oh, and the Esposito/Lanie storyline? LOVE.). The writers and the actors don’t shortchange these characters and the show is so much richer for it. Also, I may have a slight crush on both Ryan and Esposito. Just putting that out there.
Positive family dynamic. Does it seem too “Pollyanna” to say that I love seeing positive family dynamics on a show? I don’t care. Castle’s mother and daughter are pretty clearly the center of his world, and that’s incredibly refreshing. I love the scenes with Castle and Alexis; as a former middle-school teacher, it’s great to see positive portrayals of teens who are smart and genuine. Martha can be flighty, but she’s also a savvy, mature woman with a lot of depth. The Castle family scenes are never throwaway filler and I like that, too.
Slightly serial, but still episodic. I love show mythology. I was an X-Files fan from Season One. I watched Buffy religiously. But there are shows out now (looking at you, Fringe) that I have stopped watching for now because I’ve “fallen behind” and the current show no longer makes sense. I like that Castle has developed some over-arching plot with Beckett’s mother’s murder, but it’s not the focus every week and I can miss a show without losing the whole thread.
These are only the top five reasons that Castle is a “must-watch” for me. The show is not perfect. The writing can be hit or miss at times, but the cast works with it and I rarely finish watching an episode without a smile on my face. There’s a great balance between the humor and the drama, and the cast has great chemistry. If you haven’t seen it before, jump in!
I’m sick of the dumb-as-dirt women I’m seeing on television lately. I don’t know these women. Most of my friends, even if they’re not Rhodes Scholars, are pretty savvy about their own lives. And I rarely see the grown women I know acting like high school drama queens. So I give you, R/W/L Smart Chick’s Edition. Enjoy.
I love opening a book and feeling like I’ve fallen into a really well-developed universe, and Kissed by Darkness is looking like a great read so far. Add in a kick-ass heroine with a quick wit, a great sense of humor, and a pair of nice boots? I’m sold. Plus, it’s set on the West Coast. Go Portland!
I’m only a few chapters in, but I’m already enjoying Morgan’s distinctive voice, the well-developed cast of supporting characters, and the intriguing premise. This is the first of the Sunwalker Saga, and if the first book is any indication, I’m going to enjoy digging into the second one, as well.
Kissed by Darkness is well-written and moves at a fast clip without seeming rushed. It’s adult paranormal fiction with a smart feel, a lot of humor, and a very appealing protagonist. Check it out!
Pet peeve? Giving a female protagonist in a series a smart, professional career, and then writing her like she was a bubble-headed teenager. (Ally McBeal? I’m looking at you.) Thing I love with hearts and flowers? Finding female characters in supposedly misogynistic environments that are smart, savvy, and fully developed.
Which is why I can recommend watching Sons of Anarchy, whose fourth season just premiered here in the U.S. Given the premise of the show, a drama surrounding a motorcycle club in Northern California, viewers might expect the show’s female characters to be window dressing, but they would be dead wrong. Katey Sagal won a Golden Globe last year for her portrayal of Gemma, the matriarch of the club, and why she didn’t win every other award out there, I don’t know.
These women are powerful, intelligent, diverse characters; and the writers on the show have a lot of respect for them. The male/female interaction is genuine and uncontrived. The relationships feel real. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It’s Shakespeare on Harleys, people. Check it out.
This listening pick has a lot to do with what I’m writing right now, which is the third Elementals book, and has some very East meets West themes. So I’m listening to a lot of this particular album while I write.
But, if you’ve never checked out Loreena McKennitt’s music, please get thee to iTunes or your local music store soon! This is folk/Celtic/world music that not only sounds great, but has a lot of depth. If you’ve ever read McKennitt’s liner notes, you know that she not only writes and performs, but she does a lot of research into the culture, folklore, and geography of the genres that inspire her. Your ears will thank you, as will your brain.
Check out “The Mummer’s Dance” from The Book of Secrets. And don’t forget, smart chicks rule.
(Or, why Buffy still rocks and no one will remember True Blood in a few years)
The complete series, Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, is streaming on Netflix right now and a lot of the girls I follow in Tumblr are watching it; it’s making me all nostalgic and happy. (It’s also throwing a lot of Spike gifs up on my dashboard, so thanks for that, girls.)
Now, I’m a Buffy fangirl from way back. In fact, I even watched the cult movie classic with Kristy Swanson in the titular role! (So, maybe it was because I was a Luke Perry fan, but that’s not examine that too closely, okay?) When the series started, I was hooked from the first season. Loved it. Felt it. Followed it. Watched it religiously.
I cried when she killed Angel. I sobbed when Joyce died. I drooled every time bad Spike strutted across the screen. (I still do that.) And you know what? I can re-watch that series anytime and still love it.
I bought the first season DVD set of True Blood. Watched it once.
I don’t dive into the whole “True Blood sucks” pool all that much. I’m quickly losing interest in the series as a whole, though I am a huge fan of the Charlaine Harris universe. But why has Buffy remained so popular, and True Blood so quickly alienated fans that should be its most loyal?
In the end (like so many things about storytelling) it comes down to character.
Joss Whedon loved his characters. Good guys, bad guys, bit parts … whatever. You could see it on the screen. You could hear it in the writing. There weren’t any extra people hanging around; every character contributed to the show. That doesn’t mean you were supposed to like every character, but you could tell that the writers appreciated and valued them.
True Blood? I could see half that enormous cast killed off and not shed a tear.
In twenty years, I think there will still be Buffy fans. Will they do some horrible remake when my kid is a teenager? Probably. And original fans will cringe. In twenty years will anyone remember True Blood? Maybe? I kind of doubt it. It has no where near the staying power of Buffy for many, many reasons.
In fact, I would argue that much of the popularity of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and fantasy novels now is the direct result of Buffy fans growing up and starting to write and buy a lot of books. Let’s face it, that show changed how many of us saw female heroines, and there’s a little Buffy in most of the popular female protagonists running around the paranormal playground. (There’s a few Spikes running around, too. I’m looking at you Bones … and I like what I see.) I know I am a proud Buffy fangirl, and I always will be.
So … thank you, Joss! For a lot of reasons. (*sob* Firefly! *sob*) But most especially for loving your characters and giving us a kick-ass show that still resonates.
