For me, I can't buy him still being *that* startled by everything that happens. Either it's a good persona to maintain, because it's his schtick and it draws a good crowd (why shouldn't he pay his rent?) or he really maintains what feels like a constant high level of naivete. Either way, not consistently interesting for me to read.

This.

Basically, good for him but I am not his market.

I'm digging his reading of LotR, but it feels like he's treating Buffy partially as a forum for psychoanalyzing his high school years.

For me, I can't buy him still being *that* startled by everything that happens.

Oh my god, seriously. And not just startled, but PUMMELLED! BY! EMOTION! SO! MUCH! EMOTION!

HE HAS ALL THE FEELS.

Oh, god, I'm both tired and old. And I age and tire just reading that level of intense flailing.

it feels like he's treating Buffy partially as a forum for psychoanalyzing his high school years.

Ah. That must be why I like him so much -- that's exactly the way I've always watched and read and thought about Buffy (and, seriously, don't ever read a single word I write about My So-Called Life, because I'm positive you will promptly lose every shred of respect you ever might have had for me).

He's definitely not everyone's beautiful cake, but I'm charmed by the pummeled-by-emotionness. There's just something about the utterly fearless giddy nakedness of his emotions that makes me happy. I practically never wade into the comments (I skim for Buffistas but mostly ignore the others), but Mark himself... yeah. I'm totally down with the fact that the puppyness rubs a lot of people the wrong way, but I just like it. It does make me feel old, but in an Awwwww, so young and earnest! sort of way.

I practically never wade into the comments (I skim for Buffistas but mostly ignore the others)

You should read enigmaticagentscully's comments. She's also watching for the first time and her reactions are adorable. She's recently started adding her Dad's amusing comments on the show. To wit: "That's another magic shop owner that's been killed! These places must be available on a short lease—comes fully stocked, just ignore all the chalk outlines on the floor...remind me never to open a magic shop in Sunnydale."

He's definitely not everyone's beautiful cake, but I'm charmed by the pummeled-by-emotionness.

It'd be fun if you came to the event on Wednesday! But it's probably hard to get there. Maybe I could pick you up?

I... don't know. Maybe? With job and kids and spouse it can be tricky. Let me ponder, and discuss with Hec. Between the two of us (both fans of Mark Doing Stuff), I think maybe possibly we can get one Zmayhem rep out there, possibly? No promises.

it feels like he's treating Buffy partially as a forum for psychoanalyzing his high school years.

If you look at Mark Reads Harry Potter, he kind of does the same thing there.

I don't see anything unusual about using stories about characters going to school to psychoanalyze your own experience going to school. I mean...that's what make stories so important and wonderful, that they can reflect your experience in a way that makes you understand them better.

I don't think it's required by any means. I fully enjoyed and appreciated the early years of Buffy despite my high school experience not being hellish at all.