Because the Truth Is In (This Comic) Here
Feb. 3rd, 2011 04:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hsifengSo, 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
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(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-04 06:17 am (UTC)I also pulled the season 3 X Files guide for you, Ill get it to you...uhm soon ;D
(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-04 06:33 am (UTC)You know what? That past paragraph was both an accurate summation of the episode, and completely psychotic. :-)
(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-04 03:28 pm (UTC)and, yeah. it's all about the profit margin. i think that can explain the episode lengths and quality.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-04 05:18 pm (UTC)Then again, most shows outlive their story arcs by a mile.
I think this video illustrates my point:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yqGmx73UJ0
Now wait… I think I got that cultural euphemism backward somehow...
*shrugs*
Rewatched the 'Fluke' episode this morning. Remembered how freaked out all of the faire-brats were about using the porti-potties after dark when that one aired.
Laughed inappropriately.
*grin*
(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-04 05:20 pm (UTC)No need to bring me X-Files fancrack; they have it all over the internet if I want it. Dark street corners with Fox and Dana making out in fanfic abound. (/shifty eyes) Not that I would know anything about that…
(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-04 05:24 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-04 05:25 pm (UTC)Sad really.
Mostly I am thinking of
pretty much every major network crime/copshows wherein the ‘mode de jour’ of case solving is the magical clickity-clack of the keyboard and very little actual police work.Annoying, since I realize that while investigators do use modern tech to solve cases, they also use tried-and-true methodologies that aren’t computer based.
And no, I am not just talking about beat downs in interrogation rooms.
Honestly, this sort of thing is why I loved ‘The Wire’ when it was out. A whole lot of man power going into making a case the old fashioned way. Of course, they were also not trying to tie up their whole storyline in 40 minutes.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-04 05:27 pm (UTC):)
(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-04 05:33 pm (UTC)I think Konnie gave out that info at the shop...please kills me
Curses
;P
(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-04 05:36 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-04 05:42 pm (UTC)thats exactly what I meant
;D>
(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-04 06:56 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-04 07:29 pm (UTC)/grumble
(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-07 01:10 pm (UTC)We might have to endure the shampoo and cosmetics ads on Thursday, however, instead of waiting. Distinct possibility. *Squee*
Also, I'm amused by the way modern horror movies always have to have a side note early on in which all characters to be in peril must find out that their cellphone batteries have died unexpectedly. It's so hard to be lost these days.
Also, Demi's maddened by the improvement in picture quality over the last ten or so years. If someone doesn't arrange Buffy on Blu-ray soon, I suspect she's going to write a very strongly worded letter. :D
(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-07 01:11 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-07 04:41 pm (UTC)Bagpuss...?
(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-07 04:43 pm (UTC)THIS THURSDAY!?!
*flails on your behalf*
OMG. I can't wait to discuss with you once you see the ep. I may have to rewatch S6.1 this week to be prepared....
*grin*
And yes, I do think it is pure comedy gold that the writers think making cell service out a sign of Bad Things About To Happen.
Because every good demon knows killing cell coverage is job one.
*chuckle*
(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-07 05:35 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-07 05:50 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-02-07 07:18 pm (UTC)Thank god we are both members of each other’s mutual geek-appreciation society.
;)