How many TV watchers are fans? Fans care for arc, watchers less so, I'd wager.

How I can be classified depends on the show. There are shows that I am a fan of, and then shows that I watch.

Shows I just "watch" don't really need major arcs. They are convienence shows for me, like drive-thru entertainment.

If it is a show where I can call myself a fan, then I love arcs and character development and mythology. Like eating a fabulous restaurant where it is more than just the food but still an amazing dinner.

I think what I am trying to say is that for me, L&O is fast food and I want other options when I am hungry, but sometimes I just settle for a cheeseburger.

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Contrary to what seems to be the entire thread, I am excited for a Spike movie, and don't care when it's set. There didn't seem to be any way out of most end-season situations on either show, but there always was. And I don't care if characters come back from the dead, either.

I neither like or dislike Spike. But I never particularly liked or disliked any character in the Buffyverse, it was always about how their character arcs were written. I didn't dislike Buffy!Wesley, but I didn't care for the character all that much. Angel!Wesley grew on me big time, because of how he was written. Not that AD doesn't deserve accolades for the protrayal, he certainly does. But almost every actor in every M.E. show had been able to carry his/her assigned role with a few notable exceptions (I'm looking at you, Eve) and, to me, the success or failure of a Spike movie is going to be less about the Spike character, and more about how the movie's written (I'm looking at you, Tim.) When I heard about the Angel spin-off, and Cordelia going with him, I never thought to myself, "now that's a show." But Joss made me a believer.

Now, he could spin off a show with Andrew, Clem and Kitty Fantastico back from the dead, and I'd be just as excited. Because I know the writing and arcs and everything I love about the Buffyverse would be in place. Plus it opens the door for both on-screen and off-screen cameos which make my inner fangurl squee.

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to me, the success or failure of a Spike movie is going to be less about the Spike character, and more about how the movie's written (I'm looking at you, Tim.)

Did Tim say he was asked to write too, or just to direct?

Now, he could spin off a show with Andrew, Clem and Kitty Fantastico back from the dead, and I'd be just as excited. Because I know the writing and arcs and everything I love about the Buffyverse would be in place. Plus it opens the door for both on-screen and off-screen cameos which make my inner fangurl squee.

*cough* Wolfram, there are fanboys, too, you know. That said, girl, boy, I'm with you on the above.

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He posted "write," too, Cindy.

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Wolfram, there are fanboys, too, you know. That said, girl, boy, I'm with you on the above.

But the word "fangurl" makes me giggle.

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You know, it's apt that we were discussing The 4400 just now, cause the finale brought the HSQ like whoa.

Tim probably would have had Tom lock all the NTAC people in the basement with distempered 4400s, though.

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Well, after what happened with Kyle, you could play it that way, without too much trouble

But OMG the HSQ.

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Tim, I love you this {................much.................}

And that love is pretty much unconditional. Like, if you decided to burn puppies alive, or called me a fat cuntface piece of crap, well, I'd have to rethink the love. Those sorts of conditions may apply.

And while I'll support whatever it is you do with ruthless loyalty, if the Spike thing happens, I'm taking a 'net leave of absence for two years and moving to Montana.

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DS9 had great arc shows. Great ones.

Just because I wanted to see this said again. Pretty much the only problem with any of the DS9 arcs was that they weren't planning on being an arc show from the beginning, IMO, so they had to go to the retcon well a few too many times.

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I'm taking a 'net leave of absence for two years

I'm redirecting my URL to AICN.

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