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Date Posted: 14:06:36 05/20/03 Tue
Author: ScarletNicky
Author Host/IP: 130.127.13.220
Subject: I think a lot of the backlash is because this is the last chance
In reply to: sassette 's message, "Definitely more excited than sad . . . the wildfeed gave me chills (spoilers)" on 12:45:31 05/20/03 Tue

for a lot of fans to get what they want, and almost none of them will get it. If you wanted B/A, B/X, a happy Spuffy ending or even a kiss, then you didn't get it. If you wanted that big Xander story arc or Dawn's 'keyness' explored, or a return to the original "core 4" Scooby dynamic of the first 3 years, you didn't get it. Even if your main thing is hating Spike, his death can give you little satisfaction, since he went out so gloriously.

Interesting that the mainstream press, such as Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide, The New York Times, USA Today, etc. are giving "Chosen" stellar 'A+, 5-star' type reviews. I'm holding USA Today right now, and reviewer Robert Bianco says it "accomplishes most everything you could ask of a finale" and "brings the story to a satisfying conclusion," calling it a "rousing hour." Most every review has been this way.

I think this illustrates how much harder to please the dedicated fans are because, unlike the critics and casual viewers who only want to see a good and exciting story, we have wishes that we've wanted to see fulfilled. For myself, I always loved the Dawn/Spike friendship and hate that they never had that reconciliation I wanted to see. But that doesn't mean the show sucks. It just means I didn't get what I wanted.

One criticism I've heard that I think is valid (except for the 'cookie dough' speech, which is bad, but doesn't sink the entire hour) is that the characters seem a little shallow and uncaring by cracking jokes after Anya & Spike's deaths, especially considering the latter died saving a bunch of people who hated him and a woman he feels didn't love him back. They didn't laugh it up after Becoming and The Gift, and I don't think it quite fits for them to be so uncaring here, and doesn't present the survivors in the best light.

But overall I'm willing to say it's a mostly-good, mostly-satisfying, though not perfect script (haven't seen it yet), and that most of the bitterness can be attributed to fans who are now having to adjust to the unpleasant reality that many of the things they most wanted to see before the show ends will never come to pass. And no matter what Joss wrote in the last script, that was going to be the case.

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Replies:

[> Not so much backlash, as just plain lash -- Eurydice, 14:46:49 05/20/03 Tue (141.154.26.96)

Those who are disappointed in the finale have been expressing that disappointment for quite some time - not just in the finale but in the entire season. Their opinions have been, for the most part, well reasoned and well expressed and are no more rooted in emotion and expectation that those who are enjoying the finale.

No need to worry about anybody else's views but your own - you like it, great. Others don't, that's fine too. The writers can take the heat - that's why they get paid the big bucks. :)


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[> [> I do understand, I just don't like it :) -- sassette, 15:03:01 05/20/03 Tue (141.213.136.140)

I've been away from fan boards for almost two years now, generally, because I've found that bitterness has become the expected response to any plot development, and that people who actually like the show or even discussion about aspects of the show are totally shut out by posts about how terrible the show is now. I'm just not seeing it, and I don't think it represents most fans, but a very small faction of the fan population who don't like the developments 1) with Spike and 2) that have separated the "Core Four" and are *extremely* vocal about their dissatisfaction.

Even when the Spike debates of S5 were at their peak, people at least expressed positive ideas about the show and positive voices weren't either dismissed or drowned out. But (and I think this is largely due to TWoP and the way the attitude over their, both towards the show and towards other posters, have infested other fan boards, but I could be wrong), now bitterness is the trend and, as a non-bitter viewer, I don't think it's a particularly welcome atmosphere. So, I do understand how you feel, but I feel a bit upset that so much bad feeling has infected the fan boards.


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[> [> [> I don't think I'm particularly bitter -- Eurydice, 15:49:57 05/20/03 Tue (141.154.26.96)

I was only pointing out that there shouldn't be a fear of backlash because the disappointment has always been there.

You're right that general bitterness has little value other than to create a poisonous atmosphere, but I don't think that it springs from nowhere. There've been some valid concerns this season about lack of coherence and continuity - maybe it's because I'm a writer, but I find that when something doesn't make sense to the audience, it's usually because it just plain doesn't make sense. And I believe that the general aura of dispair and negativity on the show itself for the past two years has also added to the fans' mood. Even the most polly among us has found it hard to keep smiling - and there are only so many "Why I love Buffy" threads that can be started before the whole thing is of no more value than bitterness.

Even so, we've figured out how to have some wonderful times on this board - we've got an angst-free place for shippiness, lots of silliness, and some great philosophical debates - most recently through Ramses' daily POC thread. Even those who've pretty much given up on the show cherish the friends and good times they have here.


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[> [> Re: Not so much backlash, as just plain lash -- JMH, 16:25:59 05/20/03 Tue (208.42.19.108)

Sassette -- was nice to see your name posting again & I just wanted to say that I SO agree w/everything you said. The pros of this show have so very much outweighed the cons -- hells-bells, with what passes for television programming nowadays, I'm thankful we got 7 seasons from a quality show now going out in style. Like I tell my kids, negativity exists everywhere at every level & many many people take it with them into adulthood. I'm going to miss this show terribly.


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