Because the Truth Is In (This Comic) Here

[hsifeng]

So, I’ve been watching the X-Files in the morning while I pack lunch and get ready for work. I average about two episodes every three days with this method. Which means I am already through Season One.*

 

Some things that have been amusing me during this re-watch spree (and also during my co-re-watch spree with the hubby for Buffy the Vampire Slayer):

 

1)      ZOMG – What the hell did people do before they had cell phones? The convoluted lengths that characters have to go to in order to stay in contact regarding vital information during convoluted and fast-paced plots is maddening! At least Mulder and Scully end up with phones after the first few episodes, but Buffy and the gang actually have to MEET UP at the library. How archaic!

 

 /end sarcasm

 

It does make one realize that a pre-cell world present a whole slew of interesting communication issues, if you aren’t willing to actually sit down and talk to people face-to-face regularly. Which makes an interesting point about where we are now, both on TV and real life.

 

Wow. That might have been a deeper thought than I originally intended.

 

2)      The internet. See above for similar reaction. I mean, Sam and Dean Winchester would NOT SURVIVE without these two key elements in their hunting scheme on their show. On the other hand Mulder and Scully manage to outwit both aliens and the government pretty regularly with nothing but duct tape and chewing gum.

 

Wait, that was MacGyver.

 

Which leads me to this point – I think show writing has actually dumbed down a lot as a result of these technologies. On the X-Files, Chris Carter rarely (if ever, at least in the first season – ok, that is enough disclaimers) uses some wacky new-fangled technology as a way OUT of a problem plotline. He used them all the time to introduce bad guys (evil computers, alien-human hybrids, etc.) but he didn’t have his agents solving crimes by waving a magical tech-wand at them (“I see you there CSI Los Angeles, with your BS super computer graphics that can apparently do everything from track license plates from the outer rings of Saturn to order the perfect latte. Can you say ‘gimmick’? I knew you could.”).

Anyway. I guess this is a long winded way to introduce the actual point of this post. COMICS!

 

 

 

 

(*EDIT* Ok, the images won't post - so go here to look at them. Really, totally worth your time. I swear!)




*And by the way, what the hell happened to TV shows? X-Files episodes average 46 minutes in length and there are 24-25 of them in a season. Supernatural (the only other show I’ve watched enough to really make a basis of comparison)? 42 minute episodes and 22 in a season, if you are lucky.  My conclusion? TV Execs are bastards and they are selling a lot more ad time these days while simultaneously cutting down the number of episodes you get. And don’t even get me started on the whole mid-season-break phenomenon. 

/fumes

Comments

[stacymckenna.livejournal.com]

I also hate the "16 episodes is a full season" baloney. I'm currently watching Bones via Netflix, and was pleasantly surprised to find more than 20 episodes per season. In fact, I'd gotten so used to the truncated versions of a season (see: Monk) that my brain actually goes to "I'm not done with this season YET?!" on occasion.

[hsifeng.livejournal.com]

YEAH! After watching TV shows circa the 1980's and 1990's I am feeling more and more jipped by short seasons. I know, I know; TV is a product I don't *really* need more of in my life. But still...

/grumble