Wednesday TV Time

[trancer21]

Didn't really watch much tv tonight. Had no interest in One Tree Hill Does Columbine, no Invasion and I seriously wasn't going to watch another goddamn Barbara Walters special.

I guess someone finally smacked JJ Abrams upside the head with the lack of female interaction, or he's totally taking cues from BSG. Sure, there wasn't *any* Ana-Lucia but now femmeslashers have no excuse *not* to write Lost femmeslash 'cuz, yippee, the women finally had screentime..together..without the boys!!

I like to think of this episode as 'the interesting shit that goes on during the Un-Holy Trinity eps'. Shit happened. Questions were answered. The flashbacks had a purpose other than filler. Ethan! Danielle! Claire/Kate slash! *sigh* I remember when Emilie da Ravin was on Roswell, she and Katherine Heigl had such slashy subtext. Now I know it wasn't just Katie who brings the slash!

Claire - she really is the opposite of Rousseau isn't she? Sure, she went a little overboard with the 'something's wrong with Aaron' but the others, I mean 'the men', have been a bit dismissive of Claire's concerns. And it was a nice change of pace to watch her take charge of her own destiny. While, in the end, Aaron may or may not have had a simple virus. Doesn't change the fact that now Claire, and the audience, knows something was done to her and Aaron. Something that can't be dismissed as simple motherly hysteria. The Others have a vested interest in Aaron.

Kate - I know most of fandom hates her but dammit, I like Kate (and no, it's not just the shallow viewer in me). This ep really highlights how much the character has faltered because TPTB decided to keep Jack. Narratively, Kate's still a bit lost, no pun intended, but when the character actually has shit to do, she really shines. She really does have a protective streak when it comes to Claire. If this were another show where The Penis Didn't Reign Supreme, it'd be interesting to watch this relationship develop. Although, asking Sawyer for a gun and telling him he couldn't ask why was kinda dumb. But, that's more PTB shipper bullshit, so I'm ignoring it. Whether or not Kate actually gave *back* the gun is the real question. Oh, and Kate, when you pull a gun on Rousseau, you better be fucking prepared to shoot! The woman's batshit insane, had her child stolen and killed all her friends, do you really think pulling a gun on her is going to scare her?

Jack and Locke - God, you guys *really* suck at keeping secrets don't you? And Locke, you really sucked at noticing when you're being played, don't you? I mean, COME ON, you know something squirrelly is going on with Gary in the Box and you *still* fucking fall for his manipulations! Fucking dumbass. Jack going down is expected. I'm starting to look forward to when Locke goes down.

Mr. Ecko - really highlights how much Jack and Locke suck. I loved him asking why they have to push the button. He has his morals, and his own code of ethics. But, that does not mean he won't do what needs to be done. His conversation with Gary in the Box was revelatory, heartbreaking and chilling. Plus, he really needs to ditch the shirt!

OH, and in case I haven't mentioned it before, Hawai'i is really effin' beautiful. And to think these assholes* get paid to live there.

*when I say assholes, I mean it in the I'm so totally jealous way!

Comments

[flying-peanuts.livejournal.com]

I know most of fandom hates her

What?!?! Give me names so I can go slip a pillow cover on all of them! What is wrong with people: do they just not like strong, independent women? Idiots.

I agree with everything you've said; I particularly agree with your assessment of Claire (and the Kate/Claire potential) and with your affinity for Mr. Eko, whom I adore.

So, basically, I agree and you rock.

[ripley78.livejournal.com]

What?!?! Give me names so I can go slip a pillow cover on all of them! What is wrong with people: do they just not like strong, independent women? Idiots.

*raises hand* I am one of those people. Yes I do like strong, independent women, just Kate isn't either one of those in my eyes. It's an arugment I've had in multiple groups *g*. Her biggest gift has been the ability to manipulate the men to get done what she wants to do. Instead of just saying "No I'm going with you" she goes behind their back, tags along, and almost gets herself killed. She continually lies, continually lets Jack and Sawyer tell her what to do, and all around I've never cared for the character. I would much rather have seen Sun and Claire go on this hike because I think Sun can teach Claire a hell of alot, and I love their interaction on screen.

Hell I would rather have seen more Ana, she's not likable, but at least she doesn't pretend everyone likes her and trusts her.

Her relationship with Claire is interesting, because Claire IS becoming a strong and independent woman, but she is still fairly young and naive to a point.

[flying-peanuts.livejournal.com]

I can't comment on the hike because I'm running behind: I haven't even watched last week's episode yet! But - I think it's interesting that you don't see Kate as a strong person. I think a weaker one would have accepted Jack's "no, you can't go" and not bothered to follow the group, for example. A weaker person would have, by now, told those who look down on her for being a murderer just why it is that she killed in the first place. It's all a matter of interpretation, of course, and that's why it's fascinating.

I love Sun and her quiet steeliness.

[ripley78.livejournal.com]

I'll definitely agree that a weak person would have accepted Jack's no, however in a way Kate DOES accept the no. She doesn't ever tell Jack that she's going and he really can't stop her, because he really can't. She glares at him, then chases after them putting everything and everyone in danger. Had Kate not followed them a few episodes ago (seems like more than just two or three, damn reruns) they could have gotten information from the Others because Jack DID have their bluff called, but no one was going to risk their precious Kate.

Thing is about Kate being a murderer, no one really knows why or who she murdered, and considering killing people seems to be a popular fad on the island, I doubt anyone would look down on her, especially since she isn't the one that shot useless Shannon. I think if Kate DID give her reasons for killing her stepdad/real dad, people WOULD look down on her. She didn't kill him because he was a bad man, a drunk, an abusive person (perhaps physical and sexual), no, she decided to kill him only when she found out he was her biological father. That's not strong, that's crazy.

And to be clear (since the internet can't direct tone), I'm not trying to be argumentative *g*, I get that occasionally.

I will admit perhaps a slight bias, because I truly believe Kate could have been a more fascinating character in the hands of a different actor and different writers. I feel like the writers don't really know which direction they want to go with Kate, so her backstory is all over the place. They set up that she did this supremely horrible thing, like she was a mastermind behind a mass murder or something, and all she did was set things up so her house would "tragically" explode with her dad inside. I don't fault Evangeline Lilly for her character being different places all over the map, but she plays Kate so...so...stiff. Oh well *g*.

I will DEFINITELY agree with you about Sun. She is by far my favourite character on this series. Yunjin Kim and Daniel Dae Kim have excellent chemistry and just act their hearts out when they have scenes together.

[trancer21.livejournal.com]

I still find it hard to believe that the same man who created Alias, a show with some of the best female characters on tv is also the same man who created Lost. I'm not saying the female characters on Lost all suck, but in comparison to Alias? They leave alot to be desired, except Ana-Lucia. And I say this as someone who likes *all* the female characters, even Shannon before the fandom decided that they really did love her.

As for Sun, I like the character but until they stop writing her as a) passive or b) the Magical Mystical Minority, I'm not moving her to the "lurve" category.

[ripley78.livejournal.com]

Kate - I know most of fandom hates her but dammit,

I'm one of those people, and she really bothered me this episode. Mostly because she reminds me of where Jack was last season, and I hated him then too. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but it is how Kate approachs things that bother me. Instead of standing in the distance and making sure Claire didn't get hurt, she runs up and tells Rousseau to go away. Claire was handling it fine up until that point, but like Jack, Kate HAD to get into the middle of things.

She has the syndrome like most of the others (losties that is) do, and that is they seem to forget they haven't been on the island that long, and they dismiss everything someone who has been on the island longer than them says. Sure, Rousseau is crazy, and desperate, and as a mother Claire should know desperation to get your kid back will lead you to do anything (which she did finally get at the end of the episode).

It also bothers me, again, that like Jack, Kate can no longer do anything without a gun, and she quickly dismisses people as going on wild goose chases. This bothers me most because when the guys "shut" her out she'll follow them to hell and back, yet when Claire insists something happened to her baby (something they ALL realized was TRUE last season) Kate questions every move Claire makes, and then brushes Rousseau off when the woman was right so that Kate could go in and "protect the little woman".

She ultimately IS the female version of Jack and I really really hate that. Not to mention Evangeline Lilly only has about two facial expressions in her arsenal and is of the practice "say it don't show it".

[trancer21.livejournal.com]

See, I don't consider you one of "those people" because your arguments are based upon what you've seen onscreen. As opposed to some of the more, um, passionate members of Teenage Women of Propriety whose hatred for Kate boils down to a) she's woman, b) she's a woman and c) she takes screentime away from Sawyer and Jack.

I don't see her as "dismissive" of Claire as much as not wanting Claire to bolt full steam ahead into the unknown. As stated, Claire was going to do this regardless of who came with her. And, she doesn't exactly know how to protect herself. The last time Claire went into the jungle bad things happened. Really bad.

Her combativeness with Danielle is a difference of perspective. *We*, as audience, know things that Kate does not. Part of that problem is the fact that the Losties never friggin' communicate with each other, but that's an argument for another time, lol.

As for Kate's acting, we'll just have to agree to disagree. As someone who doesn't hate Jack either, I don't necessarily see her being his female equivalent as a bad thing. But, it does make me wonder how different the show, and the Kate character, would have been had Jack died in the pilot.

[ripley78.livejournal.com]

Man, I'm all up in your LJ today *snicker*

passionate members of Teenage Women of Propriety whose hatred for Kate boils down to a) she's woman, b) she's a woman

Heh, if I'm going to hate someone for being a woman, I'll stick that lovely duty to Paris Hilton. Very few women could make the gender look quite as bad as she seems to be able to do!

I don't see her as "dismissive" of Claire as much as not wanting Claire to bolt full steam ahead into the unknown

I'd almost accept that...except for the fact she stood there with a gun and let Claire lead the way into a derelict medical bunker. I DO like that she's being protective of Claire, because that means at least her character is thinking outside of her own world view. I just think she's taking it to the extremes the way Jack tends to, by treating Claire like this breakable object.

Her combativeness with Danielle is a difference of perspective. *We*, as audience, know things that Kate does not. Part of that problem is the fact that the Losties never friggin' communicate with each other, but that's an argument for another time, lol.

I completely agree that none of these people talk to each other, and it's something that really bothers the hell out of me. They are stuck on this island so they need to be building trust, but no one has really made a step to do that. They might take one step forward, but two or three episodes later they take 4 giant steps back. What bothered me though about Kate and Rousseau I can't quite put my finger on it, and I might have worded it badly. I don't blame Kate for being suspicious of Rousseau, hell I would be too, but it was like everytime Rousseau wasn't playing but the rules Kate set up in her head she just flipped out on the woman. Instead of calmly walking up to Rousseau and Claire, annoyancing her presence followed by a Xena glare, she just ran up and nearly tackled Rousseau. I would understand that being a reaction of Charlie, but Kate has only really JUST taken to being protective of Claire (funnily once Charlie was out of the picture...Ooo there's more stuff for slash fic for you *g*).

I dunno, perhaps just chalk that part up to me being a little biased *g*.

[mantaraggio.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I dunno, I just don't get slashy vibes from this show. I mean, I get them from Ana-Lucia and sometimes from Kate, but unlike BSG, where it is just so obvious that the women are all frakking each other six ways from sunday, I can't imagine any of the women on Lost being together. And I really wouldn't buy Claire/Kate. Maybe that's just me...

Living in Hawaii:
Cons: Really big bugs, possibly sharks, hot and humid.
Pros: It is quite possible Adewale spends his days off sunbathing nekkid.

[trancer21.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I dunno, I just don't get slashy vibes from this show.

Heh, I knew I should have been a bit more specific. When I said the really gay episode, I should have added "...for Lost". Sure, it wasn't BSG slashy but, there's now something textually to work with compared to the last year and a half.

Cons: Really big bugs, possibly sharks, hot and humid.

Compared to Alaska with bears, moose and wolves routinely within the city limits, I'll take non-lethal bugs over animals that can kill/eat you over bugs! Hot and humid? Okay, you got me there since I'm a big weenie when it comes to warm weather.

Pros: It is quite possible Adewale spends his days off sunbathing nekkid.

Also, getting drunk with Michelle Rodriguez!!

[mantaraggio.livejournal.com]

Oh, don't mind me and my Hawaii snark, I'm just jealous, too. And yeah! Doin' body shots off Michelle would make it all worth it.

Speaking of hot women, I know they said she was supposed to be a teenager, so I feel kinda gross saying this, but Rousseau's daughter was really hot. And ohmygod, I just googled her and she's 17 and she used to be on Malcolm in the Middle... I feel dirty. I think I'll stick to lusting after the elder Rousseau from now on.

[trancer21.livejournal.com]

Ohmygod, she's seventeen!?! God, do I feel old, and perverted, and dirty, and can we send her over to South of Nowhere to make out with Ashley and/or Spencer, or both?

Must think naughty thoughts of Michelle Rodriguez and body shots..

[lostingeekdom.livejournal.com]

Somehow, I've never been able to get into this show. Too testosterone fueled .. or something. I do like Sun, from the bits i've seen of her .. and Evangeline Lily is pretty. Oh, and Naveen Andrews always rocks with his acting. I haven't watched any of the Ana Lucia or Adebisi episodes yet.

[trancer21.livejournal.com]

Well, if I could recommend one episode to watch it would be the 'Tailies' episode. If Lost had been about *them*, I'd think it's the kickass show everyone else does. I think of Lost like I do Smallville, interesting premise with lots of potential, but not exactly hitting the mark every week.

[trancer21.livejournal.com]

Except Smallville didn't set up a character everyone should hate, refuse to write motivations for them, and then wonder why everyone can't seem to like this character, she's JUST like SAWYER *rolls eyes*.

Heh, for a second there, it took me a bit to get the sarcasm. I was too busy reading your icon! I'd say SV and Lost are a bit even on the unwarranted character hate, ie, Lana, Lois, Chloe and Clark. Okay, maybe the Lana stuff is warranted but *Clark*!?! Smallville fandom makes me sad.

[ripley78.livejournal.com]

Wait...people hate CLARK? I don't get the attraction TO Tom Welling, but I don't know why they'd hate Clark! Though I'll admit, I'm way WAY behind, I've only just started on the Smallville bandwagon, but I had kept up with discussion and basic premise of the show over the years (it's why I finally started watching, Blockbuster online is a beautiful thing!). I could understand if it was a show based on, say Matt Murdock that people would hate him...but Clark Kent?!

[ripley78.livejournal.com]

I wish they had an edit comments button so when LJ eats formatting I could fix it *g*.

I think of Lost like I do Smallville

Except Smallville didn't set up a character everyone should hate, refuse to write motivations for them, and then wonder why everyone can't seem to like this character, she's JUST like SAWYER *rolls eyes*.

Gotta say word on the first part though, I'd love to see the Ana/Eko show, I think those two compliment each other well, and both blunt as hell.

[ripley78.livejournal.com]

*bangs head on desk* GRR it still didn't work! Oh well, you know what you wrote *g*, damn LJ.

[trancer21.livejournal.com]

Dammit, how am I supposed to reply to what you post when you delete it!! And no, I don't know what I wrote 'cuz I'm on the drugs!! Or high on life..or something.

[ripley78.livejournal.com]

It's just me keeping you on your toes *smirk*. And me being anal, I hate when LJ screws up my formatting. We should campaign for a "edit comments" button.

And I'll repost with my original icon so other people can read it *g*