AURAPTOR'S BLOG

AURaptor

You know what I hate ? ( Yeah, I'm sure you do too )
Sunday, December 3, 2006

This really hit me again when I'm watching S-5 of Buffy, on the commentary version of Fool for Love . The writer mentions something about the mythology of the Vamp/Slayer story, which has a fair bit to do with the purpose of the show in the 1st place. But that's not what I hate. What DOES bother me though is when folks say stuff like " It's only a t.v. show...why does any of that other, made up stuff even matter ? "

It matters ( to me ) because it adds so much more depth to the story. It matters because it makes the characters more than just people acting out things , but puts them in a context of an even bigger story ( yes, I know....made up ) which occur before their time and will carry on after they're gone. The characters , like all of us, are merely blips on a really damn long time line. So seldom do we think of ourselves in that manner. We're all about what's good for us NOW. What can we see, do , NOW, and what does something across the world or across the Cosmos have to do with ME?

Ok, so I got a tad too deep there toward the end. But if for nothing else, a well designed past in such a story as Buffy/Angel/Firefly, etc... makes it all the more interesting for the viewer. If you take the time to watch a t.v. show, why is it so odd that you'd find the backstory any less compelling than the story you're already watching?

Some folks don't even bother w/ watching the commentary on their dvds. Which is fine, I get that. Sometimes those things can be a real bore. I grew to like most commentaries though, after having watched the movie/show . I like hearing how writers/actors or whom ever felt about doing a certain character, or how they wanted to try something else, etc... But to say it's JUST a show..... man, that irks me!

COMMENTS

Monday, December 4, 2006 1:51 PM

CYBERSNARK


Once upon a time, "Beowulf" was just a story (just a fanfic, in fact, since the original text is now long gone). "Hamlet" was just a Saturday afternoon play.

There is an ~art~ to Storytelling, whatever medium the Storyteller(s) might choose.

You never see anyone dismissing the Impressionists because Van Gogh's sunflowers weren't photographically accurate.

Monday, December 4, 2006 5:04 AM

MSG


Hey right with you...only a t.v. show...yeah well that's only brain surgery:)

Sunday, December 3, 2006 9:20 PM

BLUEEYEDBRIGADIER


It's frustratin' alright, AURaptor...especially whent the "it's just a TV show" gets applied to anything Joss has done:(

Present-moment TV is having its popularity right now with reality TV and other "unscripted" programming, which I guess proves people like not having to think of the bigger picture while they're being entertained. Me? I'm the opposite generally...give me brilliant storytelling and character development and I'm there;D

BEB


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