Okay, I'm not one for being spoiled. In fact, I wouldn't be posting here it all if it weren't for the fact that I saw the episodes and that I like to enable.

But, this scene.. it was so gratifying to watch unspoiled reactions to it. There was meta-watching going on. I was enjoying the show, but also watching the reactions and enjoying that.

I can see the joy of the spoiled.

I can see the joy of the spoiled.

I just see the joy of rewatching, here.

I just see the joy of rewatching, here.

Well yeah. I mean to say, I can understand how a spoiled person would enjoy seeing other people react.

But in reality, if I had been spoiled for that bit, I would have been BUMMED because the shock of it...

woow. Delicious HSQ. I was glad to have been unspoiled for my initial viewing.

For me, unspoiled is the thing you can't undo, of having details before first partaking of the work.

The state of having seen it is completely different for me. Also, obviously, unerasable. But I like my startlement, I like it lots.

Well yeah. I mean to say, I can understand how a spoiled person would enjoy seeing other people react.

But in reality, if I had been spoiled for that bit, I would have been BUMMED because the shock of it...

woow. Delicious HSQ. I was glad to have been unspoiled for my initial viewing.

I like being spoiled because it clears my brain from obsessing about the possible mechanics of what's coming next and let's me enjoy the journey.

And good HSQ, for me, retains the HSQ. Every time I watch Becoming II, I'm still in awe when Buffy puts that sword through Angel.

I know. We've had this discussion before and now I agree with you.

The rewatch with the unspoiled is so fun though.

Sue xposted with me.

Being startled is a key part of my HSQ, which is why I prefer not to be spoiled. Giles showing up to battle Willow, Spike trying to rape Buffy, Angel trying to smother Wesley -- it's like a bit of extra mindfuck.

Tenterhooks are fun!

What I don't like is having my head full of other people's opinions before I see something. Because those will totally colour how I experience it.

What I don't like is having my head full of other people's opinions before I see something

Is it easy to be spoiled without that? The spoiler thread, for instance, isn't just for announcing what's happening next, but to pounce all over it, hold it up to the light, examine it from angles, and talk about it. I'm not sure, aside from wildfeeds, how one avoids that.

I wonder when the next show I'll truly not want to be spoiled for will come along. I don't like being spoiled for Alias, for instance, because the surprise is so much of why I enjoy it. There's not much else. Same with 24, although I think those creators know and exploit that more.

Is it easy to be spoiled without that? The spoiler thread, for instance, isn't just for announcing what's happening next, but to pounce all over it, hold it up to the light, examine it from angles, and talk about it. I'm not sure, aside from wildfeeds, how one avoids that.

I unsubbed from the spoiler thread a while ago when it became less about delivering the spoils and more picking the spoilers apart. Also I unsubbed from the Angel thread because of the time lag. Though I miss the excitement of the build up to episodes, and I still occassionally read the watch and posts, for the reactions.

There are still spoiler sites. I am less spoiled then I used to be, but I'm pretty darned spoiled.