(late) thoughts on the Buffy reboot

*X-posted from The Writer's Notebook*


By now, most of us die-hard Joss/Buffy fans have heard the news about the Buffy reboot. I know I'm a little late to the blogging party, but between teaching and lack of internet, I haven't had time to really sit down and write about this whole thing. So here goes:

I too am marching in the "Anti-Buffy Reboot" parade. Why? Well, to summarize, leave a good thing alone. But there's more to it for me than that. I think the show ran its course in several ways:

1) Characters/Char arcs: I, personally, was happy with the way Buffy wrapped up. I was sad to see it go, but I think the story and the characters had completed their journey. (Yes, I know about the Season 8 comics. I've read 2...wasn't impressed. I've heard more about some of the storylines and well, I am not terribly motivated to read more, sadly). I feel like all the characters got to nice "end" points in their lives where we could leave them and 'write our own ending' in some ways. For me, Buffy went on to have a more normal life with her friends, maybe occasionally fighting vampires and such. Xander continued with his job. Dawn grew up even more and helped out Buffy from time to time. You get the idea. Perhaps that's too "boring" but I mean after 7 years of what they faced, wouldn't YOU want a break too?

2) Nobody does it better--casting. I can't see anyone else playing any of the main characters as well as SMG, Nicky Brenden, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Head, et all played them. I just can't. Those actors WERE those roles for 7 years. For me, they became those characters--not just actors playing them. Each actor brought new levels of emotion, humor, drama, and so forth to their parts over the years of the show. I recently watched the show all the way from the beginning (for the first time on dvd) (and yes, that will probably be the subject of a near future blog entry) and it is amazing how the actors grew into their roles season by season--how the roles/characters changed and grew along the way. The actors made it feel very natural--nothing seemed contrived or forced for the most part. Rarely did they act 'out of character' unless there was a specific reason for it. So to see a new shiny cast try to fill those shoes? I think it would be a disaster. Plus what would be the purpose of "starting from scratch" when such a large story has already come full circle? I just don't see a point.

3) Go Joss or Go Home! Whedon created those characters and their universe. He did so with great care. Honestly, who else's hands could shape a movie/show like he did? Joss Whedon seems to be a master of writing and bringing together eclectic characters. Not many writers/directors/etc can do that. I just don't know of anyone with his level of sheer genius that could handle the task.

4) Remakes and Sequels--they never end well. I've seen many-a-reboot/remake etc in my time (ok in my short 25 years). 9 times out of 10, they are AWFUL or not as good as the original (i.e. Bridget Jones' Diary, The Matrix trilogy). Leave a good thing alone, I say.


Those are my main thoughts on the subject. Ultimately, what Hollywood wants, Hollywood will probably get....but I won't support it.

if i could ask Joss 5 questions...

I got this idea on a limb...feel free to comment w/ your own questions/thoughts :-)

**possible spoilers for BtVS and Ats**


*these are not in any special order*

1. What in the world am I supposed to do/think with/about the ending of Angel? I mean seriously...

2. Who in the world came up with the Connor/Cordy storyline in Angel season 4 and why didn't you stop them?!?


3. What does your writing process look like?


4. Why couldn't you let one couple be happy on any of your shows?

5. What is your favorite book? And what written work has inspired you most?

JOSS IS BAAAACCKKKK

Joss to Direct Avengers Movie!!!

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Ode to Joss Whedon Shows (a poem)

Ode to Joss Whedon Shows
by Cat


There once was a man called Joss.
Of tv and writing he was boss.
No one else could compare
To a man with red hair.
From horror to musical, no matter the category.
He is the master of telling a story.


The first show I saw of his was Buffy
Which sounds like it would be lame and fluffy.
The first episode I saw proved me wrong
And I couldn’t wait to see how the story moved along.
Witty one-liners, emotional dialogues, and kick-ass fights
Made for an unforgettable experience on Tuesday nights.



Next came Angel—the brooding detective vamp.
High on noir and short on camp.
He helped the helpless and saved the day
Meeting old friends like Cordy and Wes along the way.
From demons to vamps to puppets and more—
Joss always had an adventure in store!


Let us not forget the short-lived Firefly
Why it got canceled—we don’t understand why!
There was Captain Mal and his crew
Who fought the reevers and the alliance too.
The ship Serenity sailed for better or worse
As one of the finest crafts in the ‘verse.


Last but not least, Dollhouse and Dr. Horrible arrive!
Two Whedon works we all wanted to see thrive.
Dollhouse won over some and disappointed a few
While Dr Horrible’s views on the internet flew!
What Joss has in store next—it will surely be great.
And well worth the wait!

How Joss can do it—genius, talent, or plain ol’ luck.
Remember “Always be yourself, unless you suck.”

disappointment in the dollhouse

I must admit--about a year ago when I heard that THE GENIUS (Joss Whedon) was returning to tv with a new show starrting Eliza Dushku (BtVS' "Faith")--I was beyond excited. Finally "good" tv would be back--and maybe Joss would be back on the map. I remember watching the premiere in a hotel room in Chicago (I was at the AWP conference) and I remember thinking "ok this seems intriguging. i'll give it a shot." So I did.

I watched the first 4-5 episodes--but I had trouble watching consistently. I almost had to "force" myself to get caught up (bad sign). But I figured I would keep going. Eventually, I finished the entire season (thank goodness for hulu). But I was disappointed. Why? Here are a few reasons:

> Joss was hardly a presence on the show. He didn't seem to be writing or directing a lot. He left others in charge--and people like Jane Espenson et al are wonderful writers, don't get me wrong, but somehow some of the trademark "Joss-ness" was lost.

> Lack of wit/humor. That trademark banter that was present with Buffy, Angel, and Firefly was hardly present. Much dialogue was delivered dramatically and plainly. Not to say that it was "bad" dialogue, but it lacked those one-liners and insightful monologues that the other shows were famous for.

>Lack of "Team": On Buffy there was the "the scooby gang." On Angel, there was the "AI Team" on Firefly, there was the crew. On Dollhouse...that sense of team and community was lost. I remember reading this in article on DH, and agreeing with it. You couldnt root for a group of characters to triumph--maybe one or two.

> dark and gritty: it's "popular" these days in literature, tv, movies to be "dark and gritty." Everyone should have an existential crisis. The atmosphere is dark. People wear black. Sometimes this works. Sometimes it doesn't. Dollhouse seemed to have too much--especially the last couple of episodes of season 1--I was really shocked by some of the violent and even sexual content (and I'm a student of literature--i've read a lot of stuff). I didn't like the scenes with Whisky, for example. Now season 6 of Buffy had some of the same kind of content, but it didn't seem nearly as "creepy."

This is not to say the show never had it's good moments or that it was a "bad" show. I was just disappointed. And I hate feeling that way when it comes to Joss' work. Maybe the show needed more time to "find it's groove." I don't know. But I do hope that I see more from Whedon soon, and that I am just as excited, but not disappointed.

--Prophecy Girl