I'm with Joss. Of course, we all know that i'm a spoiler nazi. For me, it ruins the story if I know what happened. I remember when I was spoiled for "Becoming", I knew Angel was going to turn human, but I was just waiting for it to happen, and then I enjoyed the show. Maybe it's just the way I process information. Ginger likes the journey, even when she knows the ending. If I know the ending, I just want to get there as quick as possible. If I don't know the ending, I can enjoy the ride.
Yes, it's terribly simple. The good guys are always stalwart and true, the bad guys are easily distinguished by their pointy horns or black hats, and, uh, we always defeat them and save the day. No one ever dies, and everybody lives happily ever after.
Giles ,'Conversations with Dead People'
Boxed Set, Vol. III: "That Can't Be Good..."
A topic for the discussion of Farscape, Smallville, and Due South. Beware possible invasions of Stargate, Highlander, or pretty much any other "genre" show that captures our fancy. Expect Adult Content and discussion of the Big Gay Sex.
Whitefont all unaired in the U.S. ep discussion, identifying it as such, and including the show and ep title in blackfont.
Blackfont is allowed after the show has aired on the east coast.
This is NOT a general TV discussion thread.
Vortex - Apr 11, 2007 9:18:07 am PDT #9888 of 10001
"Cry havoc and let slip the boobs of war!" -- Miracleman
Topic!Cindy - Apr 11, 2007 9:19:46 am PDT #9889 of 10001
What is even happening?
I'm just the opposite (sometimes, I actually don't spoil much for anything, any more). If I know the ending, I can enjoy the ride.
Fred Pete - Apr 11, 2007 9:23:12 am PDT #9890 of 10001
Ann, that's a ferret.
Agreed, there's a difference between reading the whole book in order and reading the last page first. I guess the sentence just leaped at me out of context because much of the appeal of arc-y shows like Buffy and Angel is, what happens next?
Matt the Bruins fan - Apr 11, 2007 10:35:55 am PDT #9891 of 10001
"I remember when they eventually introduced that drug kingpin who murdered people and smuggled drugs inside snakes and I was like 'Finally. A normal person.'” —RahvinDragand
I think there's a danger of depending so much on the HSQ that the viewing experience won't hold up to repetition.
I've found that if I'm REALLY into a show, I want to remain unspoiled, at least for season finales. But being spoiled for things I'm only lukewarm about seems to increase my viewing pleasure. And it definitely helps if I know about something I won't like ahead of time—the spoiler gives me time to process and accept.
Daisy Jane - Apr 11, 2007 10:40:13 am PDT #9892 of 10001
"This bar smells like kerosene and stripper tears."
For me, it ruins the story if I know what happened.
Hee. I like this out of context.
P.M. Marc - Apr 11, 2007 11:13:37 am PDT #9893 of 10001
So come, my friends, be not afraid/We are so lightly here/It is in love that we are made; In love we disappear
I think there's a danger of depending so much on the HSQ that the viewing experience won't hold up to repetition.
I've found that to be the case, too.
Jessica - Apr 11, 2007 11:38:31 am PDT #9894 of 10001
If I want to become a cloud of bats, does each bat need a separate vaccination?
I think there's a danger of depending so much on the HSQ that the viewing experience won't hold up to repetition.
I think depending on HSQ is lazy writing, and that if an ep can't hold up to spoilage/repeat viewings, it wasn't that good to begin with. t /judgmental bitca
WindSparrow - Apr 11, 2007 2:22:37 pm PDT #9895 of 10001
Love is stronger than death and harder than sorrow. Those who practice it are fierce like the light of stars traveling eons to pierce the night.
I think depending on HSQ is lazy writing, and that if an ep can't hold up to spoilage/repeat viewings, it wasn't that good to begin with.
There are a number of shows that I started watching after their first run, or after they had been on for a few seasons. To someone who has already watched Buffy s4, the HSQ of "Becoming" - well, it's still powerful. The story, as you say, does not wholy depend on the ignorance of the outcome for the viewer. That said, there are a number of enchantingly brilliant works that I love that I choose to re-read or re-watch often. When I do so, particularly in the company of someone who has not experienced one before, I am excited for them because it is their first time. I get nostalgic for the first time - no matter how much I love the rerun, I can't go back and have that first time again. And unfortunately, spoilers as well as having watched later seasons before the early ones diminishes the effect of that first time experience for me. While I can still enjoy the work I'm spoiled for, I find I often prefer to maintain naivete so that I can have that rapturous first time.
Jon B. - Apr 11, 2007 5:34:26 pm PDT #9896 of 10001
A turkey in every toilet -- only in America!
Life on Mars: That was pretty fucked up.
Lee - Apr 11, 2007 6:49:17 pm PDT #9897 of 10001
The feeling you get when your brain finally lets your heart get in its pants.
Several of us are going to be doing a W&P of the SPN eps Dead Man's Blood and Salvation, tomorrow, starting at 8:00pm board time, for whoever wants to join us.