I find the dynamics of the team interesting. They're not a typical "hotshot" squad, and Web's a bastard to whom they don't seem particularily loyal, and they don't seem to have that much stakes in each other. So why are they there? Career prestige? Personal damage? Paul's motivation seems to be a need to keep an eye on Web, but what about Mel and Danny? Where do they fit in?
Reavers ain't men. Or they forgot how to be. Now they're just nothing. They got out to the edge of the galaxy, to that place of nothing, and that's what they became.
Mal ,'Bushwhacked'
The Minearverse 3: The Network Is a Harsh Mistress
[NAFDA] "There will be an occasional happy, so that it might be crushed under the boot of the writer." From Zorro to Angel (including Wonderfalls and The Inside), this is where Buffistas come to anoint themselves in the bloodbath.
Sue - Jun 15, 2005 5:47:37 pm PDT #9122 of 10001
hip deep in pie
DCJensen - Jun 15, 2005 5:48:14 pm PDT #9123 of 10001
All is well that ends in pizza.
So basically the intent is to build a narrative in which you appear like you're writing a slow acceleration to end at the 45 minute mark (with commercials), and instead of a denouement, you pick up the flow after it shifts into a lower gear and starts the ramping again?
Strega - Jun 15, 2005 5:50:39 pm PDT #9124 of 10001
I thought I was Paul.Does he have a pink kitchen?
Now I'm kind of in love with that image.
Strega, you figured out Sahjahn's plan?I did! Because I rule! Well, it took a while. But at some point it struck me that someone who travelled through time could screw around with prophecies, and then I got very excited.
Tim, shh. But see, when y'all improvised, it worked out really well! Planning is for wusses.
Jessica - Jun 15, 2005 5:51:35 pm PDT #9125 of 10001
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset
She's saying Brandt must have let her out, but she's got skills locked up inside she's not even aware of, much less someone like Paul. Web knows, though. He's just waiting for her to harness it with her own awareness.
I think Brandt did let her out, and I really don't want Rebecca to be a treasure trove of hidden superspy powers. Obviously as she gains experience in the field, she'll learn not to make as many recklessly idiotic judgement calls (which in turn will lead to her making fewer mistakes, at which point she'll get cocky and make even more recklessly idiotic judgement calls, and so on). Maybe I'm not understanding what you mean by "skills," but I can see her skating dangerously close to Mary Sue territory if she gets much smarter.
but I also think that if you set up a mystery, some portion of the audience should figure it out. If you're playing fair, anyway.
Absolutely true. Otherwise, it won't hold up on rewatch. Of course, personally, I don't value surprise much as a storytelling tool (which is why I seek out spoilers). A story that works will work with or without the HSQ, and this one definitely did. I didn't figure it out until the locked drawer, but I felt like I should have gotten it earlier.
LOVED this ep, btw. Just a beautifully beautifully crafted script.
Also, I assumed Rebecca had sent the page until Web started asking Paul about it.
Anne W. - Jun 15, 2005 5:52:27 pm PDT #9126 of 10001
The lost sheep grow teeth, forsake their lambs, and lie with the lions.
I think Brandt did let her out
Ditto. I love the idea that when he heard genuine fear and panic, he wigged out.
askye - Jun 15, 2005 5:52:36 pm PDT #9127 of 10001
Thrive to spite them
I got irked at Paul when they were doing the reinactment thing and he said Rebecca fought back -- like he was trying to protect her from Web. Or he thought that she fought back, which made no sense, it would have been a major turn on to see her fighting back (if Brandt was who they thought he was) and Paul should have, at least, gotten that.
SailAweigh - Jun 15, 2005 5:58:07 pm PDT #9128 of 10001
Nana korobi, ya oki. (Fall down seven times, stand up eight.) ~Yuzuru Hanyu/Japanese proverb
Maybe I'm not understanding what you mean by "skills,"
Perhaps skills is the wrong word. I'm thinking of those people who lift up cars under extreme duress to save someone because it's needed, the adreneline gets going and shit just happens. You don't necessarily know how you did it, you just know that you did.
However, I think I have to agree with you when I think back over some of the dialogue and what you say. Brandt had never seen real fear, it scared him and he really didn't want to hurt Rebecca. I think he thought she could handle it because "FBI cookies" (but she's still cookie dough), but then it turned out she couldn't and he freaked.
Emily - Jun 15, 2005 6:01:15 pm PDT #9129 of 10001
"In the equation E = mc⬧, c⬧ is a pretty big honking number." - Scola
Now that you mention it, SailAweigh, I am wondering what Brandt's motivation there was. Did he think she was there for that? I suppose he might have, even without prior negotiation (which is neither safe nor sane nor consensual, but makes sense if he was banned from the club). Was he really trying to scare her but didn't bargain for her response?
Lilty Cash - Jun 15, 2005 6:01:22 pm PDT #9130 of 10001
"You see? THAT's what they want. Love, and a bit with a dog."
Finished now.
So, I'm thinking I'm not going to join the FBI, lest I end up carving myself to bits, turning sex criminal, or becoming a Professional Victim.
Good one!
Pix - Jun 15, 2005 6:05:57 pm PDT #9131 of 10001
We're all getting played with, babe. -Weird Barbie
Damn you, Tim.
My house is really dark.