OTHER SCIENCE FICTION SERIES

Should I get Dark Angel?

POSTED BY: CALHOUN
UPDATED: Saturday, November 11, 2006 14:49
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 4908
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Tuesday, October 10, 2006 11:40 PM

CALHOUN


I think I watched 1 episode when it was on Tv and thought it a bit silly. Its on sale at the moment and i'm thinking about purchasing, who is prepared to reccommend it to me?


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Wednesday, October 11, 2006 12:06 AM

NICODEMUS


With its strong female lead (just one of the shows to take that idea from Buffy), it's not a bad show. Admittedly, the second season gets a bit wayward at times, but the first season is definitely worth a watch. If it's on sale for a reasonable price, I'd suggest you buy season 1. If you enjoy that, try season 2, but bare in mind that this was yet another show that got cancelled with many plot-arcs undeveloped.

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If you find yourself getting too worked up about stuff that isn't real (RP Threads etc), then go outside, breathe in some fresh air and try feeding the ducks. (Because ducks don't care about your politics, religion, skin colour, choice of music or even your haircut. They like everyone, provided you bring them food.)

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Wednesday, October 11, 2006 12:18 AM

CALHOUN


Yeah thanks, I really dont need that much convincing.. theres not much else for me to watch and at 30 bucks australian i'll give it a go.

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Wednesday, October 11, 2006 3:27 AM

KANEMAN


A pretty okay kinda in a sorta way show. But hey, hours of Jessica Alba's gorgeous mugg for thirty bucks...sold!!!!!

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Wednesday, October 11, 2006 7:21 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.


Since that compares to $22.33 US dollars, I think that is a very reasonable amount for the first season. Second season is worth watching, mostly for the last three or four episodes, but it's up to everyone to determine if it's worth the same amount of money to them. I lucked into getting them both for less than $20 each.




wo men ren ran zai fei xing.

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Wednesday, October 11, 2006 11:25 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!


Quote:

Originally posted by Calhoun:
I think I watched 1 episode when it was on Tv and thought it a bit silly. Its on sale at the moment and i'm thinking about purchasing, who is prepared to reccommend it to me?




In full, season 1 of D.A. is damn impressive. If only for Jessica Alba, but there's also a nice developing story that starts off slow but really kicks in. I forget the specifics of Season 2, but for the most part, it's crap. The introduction of the MUTANT mutants which hedges ever so close to X-Men type of powers should have been

a) left for later on in the series
b) more fully developed
c) never even been brought up - ever.


Select to view spoiler:


The introduction of the mutants was fine, but spun terribly out of control w/ the rest of the gang. IMO, such a seque could have been pushed back to SE 3 or later. If at all. Joshua I had no real problem with, but I couldn't help thinking of Vincent from that horrific late 80's t.v. show -Beauty and the Beast





People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Wednesday, October 11, 2006 12:18 PM

JOSSISAGOD


Season one was GREAT, season two had some strong points, but over all wasn't as good as season one. Plus, I'm always up for a show with a strong, HOT, female lead!

Fe'nos Tol
JOSSIS(Most Definitely)AGOD

Self appointed Forsaken! Been on the list for a while now!
98% of teens have smoked pot, if you are one of the 2% that haven't, copy this into your signature.
"Look at me, I'm STUPID!" The Doctor.

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Thursday, October 12, 2006 4:29 AM

CYBERSNARK


Quote:

Originally posted by AURaptor:
that horrific late 80's t.v. show -Beauty and the Beast



I liked Beauty & the Beast (until Catherine left the show, of course, then it spun into Galactica 1980 territory).

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Thursday, October 12, 2006 4:45 AM

CHRISISALL


Dark Angel had great production value, a musical score that was befitting a movie, complex characterization, gripping drama, and heavy social commentary.
And the hot girl thing.
First season is gold, second (as Ecgordon said) is a must for key episodes, most noteably the first and the last.
My most-watched DVD's this side of Firefly or Buffy.
Recommended.

Thumbs up Chrisisall





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Thursday, October 12, 2006 8:45 AM

FLF


Just buy it. Go on. You know you want to. Go on. It's really good. Honestly. Go ooooooon.

OK - now to acutally give you reasons- this is one of my favourite TV shows - (possibly nudging into 3rd/4th behind Buffy and Firefly) - -and season 1 in particular has excellent character development, story arcs, and enough kick-ass fun to make it one hell of a show.
Season 2 is a bit of a disappointment - - though i did quite enjoy the overall story line - and the last episode is AMAZING (althought one of the biggest and most annoying cliff-hangers EVER).


So go on. Buy it.

FLF and her excellent persuasive technique...

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Thursday, October 12, 2006 11:12 AM

THIEFJEHAT


For those of you saying season 1 was good, I think I have to disagree. As I watch this show (I just happened to rent season 1 from blockbuster yesterday) I am never suprised at any turn. Perhaps I'm spoiled by Joss's storytelling prowess, but James Camreon has yet to wow me. Example: In one episode I just finished on disc 2 Max was remembering a boy from her past who shared her abilities. At the same time a young guy enters the plotline of a different situation elsewhere. And I go "gee, 100 bucks says this dude just happens to be the guy max was talking about" and guess what? I was right. This situation wasn't new, I had already predicted several things on disc 1 and frankly was getting tired of watching at all.

Another thing that irks me is I can't shake this feeling that James Cameron copied Faith to create his character Max. Max acts and presents herself exactly like Faith. In fact, the way they've made Jessica Alba look, Max and Faith could be sisters. So here's a super strong bio-engineerd girl (copy of slayer strength) who is trained as a soldier (copy of slayer training) who is an anti-hero with an attitude (copy of Faith's personality). Add to that she has a wheelchair-bound handler guy who is a hacker and gets information for her that allows her to get into adventures (copied the concept of a watcher).

The last thing that irritates me is the wooden lines that come from Alba, esp when she is narrating. There are just too many character encounters that simply do not play off the way people would actually talk to each other or to an audience in the case of a narration. The only characters that strike me as believable are the annoying boss at Max's delivery service where she works, and her 4 friends, cindy, the jamacian, the white guy, and her roomate. Every other character has either spoken or acted their lines in off-kilter unbelievable ways that ruin any suspension of disbelief I had.

Maybe those of you praising the show are looking at the overall storyline. I can agree that the near future setting with fallen technology is engaging. I can also get behind the political upheaval of this world and the "kill or be killed" atmosphere that abounds. On those subjects of world-building Cameron got it right. All other things considered though, I will still stand behind my feelings regarding character failures in this show. I think anybody who watched Dark Angel would agree that Joss would have done better.


Do not fear me. Ours is a peaceful race, and we must live in harmony.

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Thursday, October 12, 2006 2:42 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!


Quote:

Originally posted by Cybersnark:
Quote:

Originally posted by AURaptor:
that horrific late 80's t.v. show -Beauty and the Beast



I liked Beauty & the Beast (until Catherine left the show, of course, then it spun into Galactica 1980 territory).

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.



Dunno what my deal was back then, but I could not stand that show. And I liked Linda Hamilton too, but as for the rest of it, me, please!



People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Thursday, October 12, 2006 6:54 PM

SINGATE


Quote:

Originally posted by thiefjehat:
Another thing that irks me is I can't shake this feeling that James Cameron copied Faith to create his character Max. Max acts and presents herself exactly like Faith. In fact, the way they've made Jessica Alba look, Max and Faith could be sisters. So here's a super strong bio-engineerd girl (copy of slayer strength) who is trained as a soldier (copy of slayer training) who is an anti-hero with an attitude (copy of Faith's personality). Add to that she has a wheelchair-bound handler guy who is a hacker and gets information for her that allows her to get into adventures (copied the concept of a watcher).

The last thing that irritates me is the wooden lines that come from Alba, esp when she is narrating.



I also noticed the Faith-Max similarities but they didn't bother me quite so much since I am a Faith fanatic. Always thought she should have had a spinoff BTW. Max wasn't nearly as bad as Faith nor was she in anyway mental. Most of Max's bad attitude is due to her being created and hunted by a not so nice government agency. Tends to skew a person's perception of society. She has every reason to live by the creedo "always watch your back". I agree with your assessment of Logan because I kept seeing Wesley everytime he was on screen, especially after he ended up in the wheelchair.

What you said about the dialogue I totally agree with. The overblown use of street slang by Max had me cringing a few times. Jessica Alba just didn't seem believable with a lot of her dialogue.

That last part was really my only criticism of the show. I even enjoyed most of the second season including all of the new additions to the cast. However, I did not like the way many integral members of the S1 cast were uncerimoniously dumped without any explanation. Good show, get it if you can!

_________________________________________________

We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far.

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Thursday, October 12, 2006 7:33 PM

PEULSAR5

We sniff the air, we don't kiss the dirt.


Quote:

Originally posted by singate:
Quote:

Originally posted by thiefjehat:
Another thing that irks me is I can't shake this feeling that James Cameron copied Faith to create his character Max. Max acts and presents herself exactly like Faith. In fact, the way they've made Jessica Alba look, Max and Faith could be sisters. So here's a super strong bio-engineerd girl (copy of slayer strength) who is trained as a soldier (copy of slayer training) who is an anti-hero with an attitude (copy of Faith's personality). Add to that she has a wheelchair-bound handler guy who is a hacker and gets information for her that allows her to get into adventures (copied the concept of a watcher).

The last thing that irritates me is the wooden lines that come from Alba, esp when she is narrating.



I also noticed the Faith-Max similarities but they didn't bother me quite so much since I am a Faith fanatic. Always thought she should have had a spinoff BTW. Max wasn't nearly as bad as Faith nor was she in anyway mental. Most of Max's bad attitude is due to her being created and hunted by a not so nice government agency. Tends to skew a person's perception of society. She has every reason to live by the creedo "always watch your back". I agree with your assessment of Logan because I kept seeing Wesley everytime he was on screen, especially after he ended up in the wheelchair.

What you said about the dialogue I totally agree with. The overblown use of street slang by Max had me cringing a few times. Jessica Alba just didn't seem believable with a lot of her dialogue.

That last part was really my only criticism of the show. I even enjoyed most of the second season including all of the new additions to the cast. However, I did not like the way many integral members of the S1 cast were uncerimoniously dumped without any explanation. Good show, get it if you can!

_________________________________________________

We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far.



I would have to agree with most of the critisms of the show. When it originally aired I think Fox aired it to directly compete with Buffy (it failed miserably)but it didnt have the feeling of cohesiveness that Joss Whedon's shows have. Also, while I agree Jessica Alba is SMOKIN HOT her acting ability leaves a lot to be desired. The character would have been better served by another actress who could pull the "Faith Attitude" better. A few years ago I was discussing this with some friends and we thought Michelle Rodriquez would have been perfect.

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Thursday, October 12, 2006 9:08 PM

CALHOUN


Quote:

thiefjehat wrote:
Thursday, October 12, 2006 11:12
For those of you saying season 1 was good, I think I have to disagree. As I watch this show (I just happened to rent season 1 from blockbuster yesterday) I am never suprised at any turn. Perhaps I'm spoiled by Joss's storytelling prowess, but James Camreon has yet to wow me. Example: In one episode I just finished on disc 2 Max was remembering a boy from her past who shared her abilities. At the same time a young guy enters the plotline of a different situation elsewhere. And I go "gee, 100 bucks says this dude just happens to be the guy max was talking about" and guess what? I was right. This situation wasn't new, I had already predicted several things on disc 1 and frankly was getting tired of watching at all.

Another thing that irks me is I can't shake this feeling that James Cameron copied Faith to create his character Max. Max acts and presents herself exactly like Faith. In fact, the way they've made Jessica Alba look, Max and Faith could be sisters. So here's a super strong bio-engineerd girl (copy of slayer strength) who is trained as a soldier (copy of slayer training) who is an anti-hero with an attitude (copy of Faith's personality). Add to that she has a wheelchair-bound handler guy who is a hacker and gets information for her that allows her to get into adventures (copied the concept of a watcher).

The last thing that irritates me is the wooden lines that come from Alba, esp when she is narrating. There are just too many character encounters that simply do not play off the way people would actually talk to each other or to an audience in the case of a narration. The only characters that strike me as believable are the annoying boss at Max's delivery service where she works, and her 4 friends, cindy, the jamacian, the white guy, and her roomate. Every other character has either spoken or acted their lines in off-kilter unbelievable ways that ruin any suspension of disbelief I had.

Maybe those of you praising the show are looking at the overall storyline. I can agree that the near future setting with fallen technology is engaging. I can also get behind the political upheaval of this world and the "kill or be killed" atmosphere that abounds. On those subjects of world-building Cameron got it right. All other things considered though, I will still stand behind my feelings regarding character failures in this show. I think anybody who watched Dark Angel would agree that Joss would have done better.



BAH! .......

Now you pipe up! I just went out and bought both seasons, kinda scared to start watching them now.

Need to find a block of time now where I can watch a few episodes in a row.

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Thursday, October 12, 2006 9:19 PM

JUBALISEARLY


Dark Angel had a good premise, an interesting plot, a believable alternative universe scenario, and was good (not great) feminine/hero- scifi.

The direction of many of the episodes were stellar, and the characters introduced were robust and lively. Alba as pretty and exotic as she may be, was not the right choice for Dark Angels main character. Her acting was at times downright wooden, and her delivery of punchlines was litterally two decades late.

The individual writing for scenes was also lacking, there were many chances for the characters to explain themselves and thier motivations without delivering cheesy one liners or quick witty banter.

Many of the better shows featured dialouge that was too fast or too formulaic.

"I want to get closer to Logan but I can't"

"I cant fit in with the normal people"

"We have to save ____ from ____ because its the right thing to do."

The worst was an episode about an escaped monster that looks like a cross between a dog and an anteater, and is actually rubber suit over a midget and you can actually see a zipper.

Episodes like that make up about half of season 2.


In season 1, The show is great because it contrasts Max against normal people, and shows Max to be the real freak of nature that she is. (Yes the episodes where Max is in heat are not so bad either) Its at these weirdest of times where Max's humanity comes through the most and makes the viewer like her. However these times are far and few between, with much of the episodes lost in diatrobes about morons who view mutants as vermin.

Other great episodes include those that show Max's roots in Manticore, to the creepy idea of max having an identical clone with a semi-normal life. Same genes, different person...

Alec, a second season character, was a powerful new edition and was sadly written into a shoebox. Here we had the oppurtunity to see what the male side of transgenic's had to offer. Would he suffer from over agressive tendencies? Might he have something new to offer? No...just a boring watered down X-5. Instead of a great character we got a whiny Han wanna be who drifted from awkwardly heroic to obnoxiously predictable. Still the actor (who's on supernatural now by the way) did a superb job with what he was given, doing his best to give his character balls...though he was never allowed to go further. Had Dark Angel been more succesful there may have even been a spinoff...

Don't even get me started on the whole mutant nation thing...


I give Dark Angel a 7/10 over all with some big minuses for acting and writing.


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Friday, October 13, 2006 3:04 AM

CALHOUN


Well, I just watched the pilot and it didnt suck!

Actually I quite liked it.

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Friday, October 13, 2006 5:07 AM

PATSRULE


I'd say the first season was pretty good. The second season sucked harder than Christy Canyon. But if you thought the first episode was silly, it probably isn't for you.

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Friday, October 13, 2006 5:10 AM

NICODEMUS


We all need to remember that prior to this show, many viewers only knew Jessica Alba from her role on 'Flipper'.

**************

(Thx to Desktop Hippie for the banner)
If you find yourself getting too worked up about stuff that isn't real (RP Threads etc), then go outside, breathe in some fresh air and try feeding the ducks. (Because ducks don't care about your politics, religion, skin colour, choice of music or even your haircut. They like everyone, provided you bring them food.)

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Friday, October 13, 2006 8:00 AM

CHRISISALL


Quote:

Originally posted by thiefjehat:




The last thing that irritates me is the wooden lines that come from Alba, esp when she is narrating. There are just too many character encounters that simply do not play off the way people would actually talk to each other or to an audience in the case of a narration.

I had a similar negative reaction to Buffy when I started watching it; it took time to get the rhythm and feel for the show.

The rest of your analysis is just wrong. Logan as Watcher? No way.
Max had dark wavy hair (season 1) the only real similarity to Faith.
The lingo? Future, hello? Whatever.

On one hand you slam it for being a rip-off, and on the other for not doing what Buffy did so well itself. You can't have it both ways.

Ya didn't like it is all.

And yeah, Joss could make ANYTHING better.


Transgenic Chrisisall

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Friday, October 13, 2006 8:03 AM

CHRISISALL


Quote:

Originally posted by Calhoun:
Well, I just watched the pilot and it didnt suck!

Actually I quite liked it.

The first and the last were my two favourites.

Keep us posted on how ya like it, or how ya don't..



Chrisisall 524

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Monday, October 16, 2006 7:52 AM

PATSRULE


Quote:

Originally posted by chrisisall:

On one hand you slam it for being a rip-off, and on the other for not doing what Buffy did so well itself. You can't have it both ways.



"You can't have it both ways" is one of the most inaccurate, insane, or 'desperate to defend a show' responses I have seen in a while.

The history of television is filled with rip-off's of previously created shows that lack the spark that made the original work. In fact, my philosophy on television is one or two good ideas come along each year, then the next year will be filled with so many rip-offs that try to emulate the successful show, but lack the spark that made the successful show work. Not only will the rip-offs stink, but they will dilute the original to seem to be not as good because they are associated with the rip-offs that followed them.

I don't think there has been a successful television show in the last 30 years that didn't have a show try to copy it's formula but miss the 'it' that made the original so good.


Whether Dark Angel is a Buffy rip-off at all may be open to debate, I wouldn't know, as the only episode I have ever seen was the pilot, and that was just a month ago. But to say a show can't both be a rip-off and not do what the original did to be good....I am sure you can go back and find a better way to get your point across than that.

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Monday, October 16, 2006 8:50 AM

CHRISISALL


Quote:

Originally posted by patsrule:
I am sure you can go back and find a better way to get your point across than that.

I just meant that yeah, it could have copied Buffy very well- if that's what it intended to do. But it didn't. So to yell about Dark Angel being a copy of Buffy... just makes no sense...if it was a copy, then it would be a lot more like the original, the fact that it isn't that close should be proof that they weren't trying to copy it.

He was trying to slam it on two counts: It's a copy, and a bad copy- I'm sayin' it's not a copy, that's why it's a bad copy.

My brain hurts now Chrisisall

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Monday, October 16, 2006 10:05 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.


I don't think James Cameron needs to steal from anyone, much less Joss, and I don't give a frak what Harlan Ellison would have to say on the subject.

Dark Angel was no more a copy of Buffy than Buffy was a copy of The Fearless Vampire Killers.

The fact that Buffy is the better series (sorry Chris) is beside the point.



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Monday, October 16, 2006 11:06 AM

CHRISISALL


Quote:

Originally posted by ecgordon:

The fact that Buffy is the better series (sorry Chris) is beside the point.



You tryin' to make me angry?
Don't make me angry Mr. Ecgordon. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry. <---see? All green?

Just kidding...time and repeated viewings has proved Buffy the superior series *gasp* But...my fondness for DA remains higher.

Rational Chrisisall

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Tuesday, October 17, 2006 4:54 PM

THIEFJEHAT


(sigh)

Chris, I've read many of your aggressive posts to ppl in the past. I wondered when the day would arrive when we might butt horns.

I believe the time is now.

"The rest of your analysis is just wrong. Logan as Watcher? No way."

The comparison is quite apt. In BTVS the slayer (buffy, faith, Nikki, Kendra,....whomever) is a simple directionless warrior for goodness without a watcher. The watcher serves the storytellers purpose of a means for introducing, and resolving plot (the adventures the slayer gets into) Many episodes of BTVS involve an external threat that is identified by Giles. Giles provides buffy with information needed for the slayer to meet the threat. Then when the threat is resolved the watcher may or may not have a moment at the end of an episode to explain what transpired to give us, the viewers, closure. This was the recipe for the early 3 seasons before Joss reinvented the show in season 4. Now examine Max's friend Logan. Logan is the character of this show that serves the same purpose as Giles, that is he introduces plot in the form of information for max then resolves plot at the end of an episode. Instead of a Watcher's library, Logan has his extensive contacts and his hacking prowess. Occasionally he needs external information to reach a conclusion regarding a subject just like Giles. EXAMPLE: Giles: "Buffy, I need you to go the dark cript in the cemetary and retrieve an object of great value that will shed light on the current issue." Logan: "Max, I need you to sneak into the sector police station #4 records room and pull a case file that was sealed from public knowledge. The information in the file will help shed light on the current issue"

You say "Logan as a watcher, no way" without understanding the use of the character as a plot device.

Quote:


Max had dark wavy hair (season 1) the only real similarity to Faith.


Dark hair is but small part regarding the subject of copied character. You see only the surface. Faith and Max are both remarkably similar in attitude and focus. Prior to her turn to evil in the last half of season 3, Faith serves as a perfect sounding board for Max. Are they going to be utterly the same? Of course not. Even identical twins are never perfectly identical in personality. But I think everyone can see where James Cameron pulled his ideas from

Quote:


The lingo? Future, hello? Whatever.


Who said anything about lingo? Read over my post and show me where I was talking about lingo or slang.

I was talking about the poorly delivered lines we get from Alba. Sometimes telling us something she just told us like we didn't get it the first time. When a book writer or a TV writer tells then re-tells his/her audience a thing it means one of 2 things. 1. The writer doesn't trust the audience to understand his point or 2. The writer is unaware he is repeating himself. If you want a great example of this kind of foolish writing read the 1st expanded Dune novel "House Atredies" by frank herbert's son Brian. All Brian can do is repeat himself again and again. James Cameron did the same thing with Max episode to episode. Add to that the wooden way the lines come off and you simply have inferior writing. That's all. It's not Alba's fault. She's delivering the lines she was told to deliver. Lay it at cameron's feet.

Quote:


On one hand you slam it for being a rip-off, and on the other for not doing what Buffy did so well itself. You can't have it both ways.


I'm not sure if this is worth responding to. There is no "Both Ways" there. The two subjects are part of the same thing. There are in fact several other issues that all blend into the overall negative picture.


Look, I'm not going to grade Cameron's work as an F. It's more like a C-. He has some characters I like. Max's friend at work that covers for her absenses is very funny. Boss: "Where's Max?" friend (without missing a beat) "Max has been selected as one of 3 finalists in a contest..." Boss cuts him off "Forget it" See? That's funny. That's joss worthy to boot. So it's not all bad writing. But if you compare those nuggets to when Max is riding on her bike and narrating to us, there is a very marked difference in tone.

As a student of political science I enjoyed the fallen future setting. I liked how people are willing to barter everyday things as money. I believe that Max was paid for a service with a quart of motor oil at one point. That was nice. It added a good bit of ambiance to the world.

As a student of physics I liked the use of an EMP to fracture the world. It could actually happen.

As a student of warfare I liked how Max was trained. Her flashbacks of squad and unit manuvers were on par with real tactics. Zack's attitude regarding his life as a "mission" was well done.

Those are the positive items. But I cannot overlook the flaws which are major. I've also thought about exactly when Dark Angel was aired on TV, year 2000. That means Cameron was developing his story and characters in 1998-1999. And what else aired in that time period? BTVS season 3. It seems too perfect that he had that program on TV at the same time he was developing Max and Logan.

Like I said, Dark Angel gets a C-. It was 80's quality TV. The bar is much higher now.


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Wednesday, October 18, 2006 6:30 AM

CHRISISALL


Quote:

Originally posted by thiefjehat:
(sigh)

Chris, I've read many of your aggressive posts to ppl in the past. I wondered when the day would arrive when we might butt horns.

I believe the time is now.

You want to see agressive?
You picked the wrong battle THIS time my friend!
*eyes turn white*
Dark Angel was NOT lifted from Faith as you erroneously postulate...
*grows out of his shirt*
Max beat Faith's ass...
*all green*
RAHHHHHHGH!

Quote:




The comparison is quite apt. In BTVS the slayer is a simple directionless warrior for goodness without a watcher. The watcher serves the storytellers purpose of a means for introducing, and resolving plot

'M' in the Bond films, Obiwan in Star Wars, Gandalf in LOTR, Mick in Rocky...films fairly brim with examples of this plot device, did Cameron also lift from these?

Giles helped Buffy tune and expand her abilities, did Logan do that for Max?
Giles frequently joined the fray, could Logan?
Logan had resources in and outside the law to help him, did Giles?
Logan had the hots for Max, did Giles for Buffy?

The similarities are there, to be sure, but no more similar than in many other books and movies.

Quote:



Dark hair is but small part regarding the subject of copied character. You see only the surface. Faith and Max are both remarkably similar in attitude and focus. Prior to her turn to evil in the last half of season 3, Faith serves as a perfect sounding board for Max. Are they going to be utterly the same? Of course not. Even identical twins are never perfectly identical in personality. But I think everyone can see where James Cameron pulled his ideas from



Pouty, dark hair and outfit, and given to ass-whooping I'll give you that. Different personality, sense of purpose, fighting style, ethnic background and dynamic with her partner.
Quote:




I was talking about the poorly delivered lines we get from Alba.

Purely subjective; I also like the Ford narration in Blade Runner.
Quote:




Like I said, Dark Angel gets a C-. It was 80's quality TV. The bar is much higher now.


We must agree to disagree here, I think DA's first season was solid 'A' material.

But I enjoy the banter with ya, no hard feelings, okay?

Transgenically obsessed Chrisisall, who also loves Buffy

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Sunday, October 22, 2006 3:10 PM

THIEFJEHAT


Quote:

Originally posted by chrisisall:
I think DA's first season was solid 'A' material.



Then how do you rate firefly? A+? In my schooling, a 4.0 was all one could hope to achieve.

I measure all things to what I consider "A" works. Firefly, Dune books 1-6, and Neil Gaiman's Sandman series for Vertigo Comics all get A's. An "A" is a hard thing to recieve.


Here's a question. Who wins in a straight up fist fight twixt Faith and Max? Only ponder this if you have absoutely nothing better to do.



Do not fear me. Ours is a peaceful race, and we must live in harmony.

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Sunday, October 22, 2006 3:23 PM

FUTUREMRSFILLION


I got hooked on it in reruns recently. I am dying to get the DVD!


----
Bestower of Titles, Designer of Tshirts, Maker of Mottos, Keeper of the Pyre

I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"



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Sunday, October 22, 2006 5:35 PM

CALHOUN


I am halfway through the first season and it has its enjoyable moments though I honestly cant compare DA to Firefly because quite frankly there is no comparison. I think Buffy is about 75%-80% as good as Firefly and Dark Angel is only about 80% as good as Buffy.

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Sunday, October 22, 2006 6:22 PM

THIEFJEHAT


Quote:

Originally posted by Calhoun:
I am halfway through the first season and it has its enjoyable moments though I honestly cant compare DA to Firefly because quite frankly there is no comparison. I think Buffy is about 75%-80% as good as Firefly and Dark Angel is only about 80% as good as Buffy.



Bingo. That's about right.


Do not fear me. Ours is a peaceful race, and we must live in harmony.

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Monday, October 23, 2006 5:38 AM

CHRISISALL


Quote:

Originally posted by Calhoun:
I think Buffy is about 75%-80% as good as Firefly and Dark Angel is only about 80% as good as Buffy.

I would roughly agree with that, which, to me, still puts all of them on the top shelf.
The very best moments of all three are just about equal for me, although FF and Buffy have so many more of them.


Not too far out there Chrisisall

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Monday, October 23, 2006 5:45 AM

CHRISISALL


Quote:

Originally posted by thiefjehat:

Here's a question. Who wins in a straight up fist fight twixt Faith and Max? Only ponder this if you have absoutely nothing better to do.





It would be the fight of her life, but Max would win; Faith relies too much on her givens (strength, stamina) and never applied herself to technique, Max has formal training, and endless down and dirty experience.
Doubt it? Look at the pummeling she took and dished out in 'Reds'. Faith had trouble with four normal policemen at the end of season 7.

Home from work Chrisisall

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Tuesday, October 24, 2006 10:44 AM

WINDSTRUCK


I like Dark Angel.

The strong female character is the only thing that I get to see similarites in Buffy. Faith's attitude in a way is similar to Max. Just the slang. But I do not believe it is a copy of Buffy in every way. The DA and BTVS has similarities only.

Logan as a watcher? I never felt it. As a device to tell a story, never felt it either. Maybe that is just me? But I was never looking for that. I thought Prof. X though.( probably the wheelchair). Watching DA gave me the feeling of X-Men, wolverine and his clone? what's her name?

I like Dark Angel, still give it an "A-". Top 5 of top 10 list.

I just finished DA. My aunt even made a comment that it was better than Buffy, because there were no demons. It changed a lot in season 2 though.

I was excited to see the name JOSE MOLINA story editor and writer in Dark Angel. Firefly's ARIEL? Did he write it? I know he wrote episodes in Firefly but can't remember why.

If DA did a different season 2 and placed s2 in season 3. It would have worked out well. When the story was over, I would have wanted to see more. Maybe a movie.





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Tuesday, October 24, 2006 11:06 AM

CHRISISALL


Quote:

Originally posted by Windstruck:


Logan as a watcher? I never felt it. I thought Prof. X though.( probably the wheelchair).

I thought that at one point too.



His powers were mostly mental Chrisisall hee hee

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Tuesday, October 24, 2006 2:27 PM

CYBERSNARK


Quote:

Originally posted by chrisisall:
His powers were mostly mental

One of those lines that's funny on numerous levels.

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Wednesday, October 25, 2006 4:02 AM

CHRISISALL


Quote:

Originally posted by Cybersnark:
Quote:

Originally posted by chrisisall:
His powers were mostly mental

One of those lines that's funny on numerous levels.


Yep.



Maximum Lad Chrisisall

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Thursday, October 26, 2006 12:23 AM

WINDSTRUCK


Another thing:

If there was a fight between Buffy and Max, my bet is on Max.

Between Max and River, I am not sure. River may have the advantage with her psychic abilities. But is it enough to actually beat Max?

But Glory is my overall goddess of kick-butt.


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Thursday, October 26, 2006 3:45 AM

CHRISISALL


Quote:

Originally posted by Windstruck:
Another thing:

If there was a fight between Buffy and Max, my bet is on Max.

Not sure here, Buffy's incredibly in tune with her slayer-y-ness...
Quote:



Between Max and River, I am not sure.

Whoever got the best sleep the night before...

Chrisisall524

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Monday, November 6, 2006 12:10 PM

CALHOUN


Well, I just finished the first season last night and I quite enjoyed it. I am a bit wary of season 2 though.. dont wanna get my hopes up, seems most of you agree season 2 is not much good.

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Monday, November 6, 2006 1:00 PM

CHRISISALL


Quote:

Originally posted by Calhoun:
Well, I just finished the first season last night and I quite enjoyed it. I am a bit wary of season 2 though.. dont wanna get my hopes up, seems most of you agree season 2 is not much good.

Well, it continues the story, and as you now know, It ain't over like that, so it has closure-value, especially towards the end, but it veers into SF much more heavily, what with all the 'nomolies and such. But Max and Logan WERE the show for me; I can deal. If they are the show for you, maybe you can too.
Best of luck!

Bip bip bip Chrisisall

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Monday, November 6, 2006 1:31 PM

CALHOUN


Quote:

chrisisall wrote:
Monday, November 06, 2006 13:00

Bip bip bip Chrisisall




Muahahahahaha.. funny

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Saturday, November 11, 2006 2:49 PM

AKUKODOGO


It is only after seeing Firefly that the failings of Dark Angel come to light.
I thoroughly enjoyed season one, although I got tired of Max's attitude sometimes, I just wanted her to grow up and go forward, to stop being a whiner.
The second season had some adventurous eps and I was more than willing to suspend disbelief for some of them.
My favouritist ep is Brainiac, only cause I loved the conceit of the 'Brian/Brain' character, and I am a romantic.
I was also terribly concerned about the fate of Joshua when the season was axed, cause I am a dog person and you know 'dogs' need their people. Smiles. (Particularly liked the ep when his artistic nature comes to the for.)
I missed the first couple of eps of season 2 so coming in on Alec only half explained it took me a while to warm to him, but there were times when he really nailed it.
Loved Reagan, what a dick, and his bip bip bip.

So... hope you are happy you spent the money Calhoun

Come on little crazy person....

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