They do fight, Jessica, but she's mostly a kicker in a very broad she-fu style. High kicks, wire work, backflips.

Though back when the show first started, AM's character was the only one who had any idea how to fight and even she stuck to the basics. Somewhere along the way they all suddenly learned how to fight Matrix-style. Not sure what the deal is these days as I stopped watching 1 or 2 seasons ago.

I thank you for the compliment - except is it really a theory? I'm pretty sure they said it outright.

What they said was this, and I quote Strega because we had a similar reaction to the way said "theory" was presented:

"The thousand-year war of good versus evil is well underway." Oh, I see. Angel adds that evil hasn't mentioned it to anyone, "which is probably why they're winning." Maybe the MoG can win if they just ignore it, then. What if they gave an apocalypse and nobody came? Spicule says, "We're apparently on the wrong side. Or the right side, if you like winning." Gunn still isn't convinced, but Angel insists, "Next time you go out there, take a good look around. It's true." Gunn promptly gets up and exits. Ten minutes later, he rushes back in, sits down, and says, "Holy cow, it's totally apocalyptic out there!" Okay, that didn't happen. I don't know. On the one hand, I like the idea of the apocalypse being something subtle instead of another round of hellmouths and world-ending disasters. On the other hand, I don't think "subtle" means "completely undetectable."

Another thing, Jessica, is that just about no one does convincing kicks, even the stuntpeople. They may do beautiful and difficult kicks, but nothing you'd ever use in a fight. So folk aren't used to watching for anything vaguely realistic.

Punches, OTOH, are much more accessible, and you can't really distract with theatrics.

You poll most non-martial artists (and even including them, perhaps) that have been in impromptu fights, and most of them won't have kicked, and even fewer kicked above the waist, much less the head. It's just not sensible unless you're really good. And even then ...

Not sure what the deal is these days as I stopped watching 1 or 2 seasons ago.

I think it's mostly AM's character with the wi-fu now, and the rest just use the good old potion asspull.

You poll most non-martial artists (and even including them, perhaps) that have been in impromptu fights, and most of them won't have kicked, and even fewer kicked above the waist, much less the head.

Yep. Too hard to land anything and too easy to get knocked over.

Not that I fight in bars a lot or anything.

Another thing, Jessica, is that just about no one does convincing kicks, even the stuntpeople. They may do beautiful and difficult kicks, but nothing you'd ever use in a fight. So folk aren't used to watching for anything vaguely realistic.

True, that.

I like the idea of the apocalypse being something subtle instead of another round of hellmouths and world-ending disasters. On the other hand, I don't think "subtle" means "completely undetectable."

I find I'm OK with it. We can't really see it because it's all around us. Like a goldfish looking for water.

Punches, OTOH, are much more accessible, and you can't really distract with theatrics.

Unless the theatrics involve wearing a big trenchcoat that billows all over the place when you throw the big looping shot. Spike, I'm looking at you.

The kicking thing holds up though. It's like when the UFC and mixed martial arts fighting first started. Everyone expected the Muay Thai and Karate guys to just axe-kick everyone to death, but turns out that since they all only ever fought other students of the same form, nobody ever prepped them on what to do when the other guy just dives at your legs and knocks you over. Thus Brazilian Jiu jutsu and amateur wrestling guys pretty much took over.

when you throw the big looping shot.

But those get thrown in real life too. Which is good, because they're much easier to see.

Thus Brazilian Jiu jutsu and amateur wrestling guys pretty much took over.

Knee kicks are illegal, right? Because Muay Thai would definitely benefit if you left that in.

What if they gave an apocalypse and nobody came?

I think I love this line. I might want to tag it.

What if they gave an apocalypse and nobody came?

No Jasmine.