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Post by Blue Sunflower on Apr 7, 2009 15:51:46 GMT -5
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Post by pacejunkie on Apr 7, 2009 20:11:06 GMT -5
The only reason I'm giving this a B+ instead of an A- is because of the Sock/Kristin story which gets worse by the week. I did like seeing their parents come back right after Sock gave his little speech about having no shame. Who's feeling shameful now Sock?
But to get off of that horrid subject, I loved Nina (knew she wasn't dead) and I especially loved Andi's growing concern about Sam. Yeah demons, devils and Hell are all commonplace to him now. Yeah he can explode bottle with that temper of his. Yeah he would choose to make the sheriff suffer for life instead of handing him a merciful death. Does that make him evil? And the Devil seems to be watching this train wreck and loving it.
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Post by randomnation on Apr 7, 2009 20:28:48 GMT -5
I was flirting with giving it a B+ too, but I thought everything wrapped up nicely, so an A- it is. First the bad--Sock and Kristin. Why, writers, why!? Every other aspect of the show has been good to great, but then you come up with this...mostrosity? For shame! Sock telling the boys she tasted or smelled like vanilla was gross. I too liked seeing the return of the parentals. Lets hope they lay the smackdown...down! The rest of the episode was pretty damn good. I loved the entire concept of the soul, the fact that it took the boys out of the town, and not knowing whether or not the sherrif was good or not. Too many red herrings for me to keep up with.  I thought the concept of Justice Vs. Evil Torment was nicely handled(totally on the side of Justice here FYI). I wonder if the Nina/Sam kiss will be brought up again though... Speaking of Nina, her scene with the bartender was beyond excellent! I loved that whole demon/soul interaction. "You're not...real" "And you smell delicious". The entire exchange was just done very well and showed, at least in this case, how demons and souls are different and how they recognize each other. The show also addressed Sam's telekinetic powers. He said it being a devil power, but I was hoping it'd be a "Reapers Only" type of thing. There have to be other Reaper's out there, no? I keep wanting them to delve into this issue more. But alas, they haven't. Still, it was nice to get some time spent on it. Sam and Andi...*sigh* The one thing I'll say is that at least this breakup was properly built up. Hopefully it's not the end for them. |
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Post by pacejunkie on Apr 7, 2009 20:37:17 GMT -5
I think we can expect to see some story progression there with Nina and Sam. She admitted she's turned on by him and he was awfully shocked at being snogged. And now Andi breaks up with him so he has no conflict there. They didn't write that scene for nothing. But I bet it will be a slow progression, just enough to give Sam pause but he won't want to hurt Ben so he won't tell him. Then of course Ben will catch them together eventually, and he will accuse Sam of betraying him and being generally evil. I see Sam getting caught in a lot of compromising positions this season and being regarded as potentially evil by his friends.
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Post by randomnation on Apr 7, 2009 20:45:08 GMT -5
Erm...I dunno. I wasn't thinking it'd get that extreme, but I was thinking there might be a time coming up where Sam confessed the kiss to Ben, he'd get upset for a short while, but in the end realize that Sam did nothing to reciprocate and their friendship would be just as good as before. But that could just be me being naively optimistic for the show.
I thought Ben thinking his life would be "nothing" without Nina was a tad too meolodramatic. I found myself wanting to roll my eyes...that could have done with a rewrite, but on the whole, Jeffrey Vlamming did a good job tonight.
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Post by pacejunkie on Apr 7, 2009 21:05:52 GMT -5
Well if Ben is really that clingy and desperate, I could see him putting all his eggs in that demon basket and lamenting her loss pretty heavily.
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Post by whatthefetch on Apr 7, 2009 22:05:04 GMT -5
Didn't anybody besides me catch the devil saying this town was like a "David Lynch film"? Cracked me up, then I had to explain it to my kid that Ray was in a David Lynch series.
Once again the Kristin/Sock thing is grossgrossgross, this show cannot get rid of her quick enough. Otherwise, good episode.
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Post by onyourmark on Apr 7, 2009 22:07:12 GMT -5
In the meantime, Reaper now totally has dude/Tentacle Monster as a canonical pairing.
Think about that.
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Post by cko on Apr 7, 2009 23:41:58 GMT -5
Mark, jinx! I totally said in Chat: Cue the tentacle sex fic. But no-one there wanted to think about that. Hey, I didn't invent it. I just report what I see.
So, agree with what most people said here. Sock and Kristen, bad and getting worse. Hard to know if anything could resolve there satisfactorily, other than just plain dropping the whole thing. Hey, it could happen.
I loved the Creepy Town deal. Fun and familiar. I know I keep saying this, but seeing them in outdoor settings! In the sunshine! Andi arc, yes. Makes total sense to me. I do wish she'd be more understanding of Sam's plight, but I totally sympathize with her, too. She wants a normal life, and a future. She wonders if she can have that with Sam.
Darn, Ben looked so sexy in that first scene (tank top yay!) but I'm with Nina. Too sweet and clingy isn't for me, either. Don't know what to make of the turn of events at the end.
The Devil was great with his video camera and meta. Loved the detail of the soda shop setting. Great mood and tone overall, with some underlying themes, again the good and evil. I for one was okay taking a break from the Where is Mrs. Oliver? since I knew they'd be out of town. I didn't vote on a grade yet, but I'm guessing I'll say....B+.
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kathyk
Demon
Bounty Hunter Extraordinaire
Posts: 165
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Post by kathyk on Apr 8, 2009 0:06:37 GMT -5
I really liked this episode except for Sock and kristin. Nina is awesome and completely understood why she kept her distance from Ben. Neediness can be creepy. Loved when Sam was talking about focusing on the here and now because that's all he has. He doesn't know his past and with the Devil controlling his life he has no future. I think Sam is a modern day Job and the devil is testing him.
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Post by cko on Apr 8, 2009 1:36:03 GMT -5
Another nice review from Zack Handlen at the AV Club with some appreciative insights. As I keep saying, I think it's good to post on some of these main sites to show interest in the show...plus a lot of the discusison is pretty good. |
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Post by thucyken on Apr 8, 2009 12:57:46 GMT -5
I have to say, I liked it. I always like getting some Devil/Sam interaction where I can honestly feel that the Devil is manipulating Sam towards getting a bit evil-er. And though the Kristen storyline is not my favourite, I am glad to see them moving ahead with it, because a story with movement is infinitely better than one which stays in the same place.
I'm not really feeling Sam-as-evil or even Sam-as-enjoying-his-job that much, though. I'd like to see him get a wee bit greyer in the morals before everybody else starts jumping on him for it.
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Post by pacejunkie on Apr 8, 2009 14:56:27 GMT -5
I agree. So far it's more misunderstood!Sam we've been seeing. I thought he was more morally grey when he was justifying stealing the beer truck.
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Post by loandbehold on Apr 8, 2009 16:13:20 GMT -5
I like this one better than the prior 2. Not up to the Sweet Science (that's the name of the boxer soul episode, right?), but still an improvement.
The David Lynch line, as someone else mentioned, got a whoop from me. Now, if they can get the FBI agent (Kyle name-I-can't-spell) into an episode, it would get an A just for the stunt casting.
Nina! She's great. Glad she survived and kissing Sam, if the show wants to go there, they have their "in" to Sam being more enticed by sin. I agree that, up to know, I haven't seen Sam "enjoying" his Reaping or powers. But this has potential. Plus, Ben-Sam-Nina-Andi angst galore. With Sock as everyone's confidante.
Speaking of Sock, I'm hoping the return of the parental units puts the kibosh on the Sock-Not!Josie relationship.
All in all, B+.
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Post by cko on Apr 8, 2009 22:00:12 GMT -5
I think he's busy, though. I take it you don't watch Desperate Housewives, lo?
I haven't wanted any triangle or quadrangle (or should i call it a "square"?), but you putting it that way makes it seem more intriguing. Maybe it's about time they shook up the relationships a bit. [/unpopular opinion]
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Post by Blue Sunflower on Apr 9, 2009 15:53:55 GMT -5
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Post by Blue Sunflower on Apr 9, 2009 21:56:10 GMT -5
Words do not describe how much I love it when the Devil acts like a real Dad to Sam. Preparing him for Andi's blow? Just amazing. I really do get the feeling Sam is the only "child" the Devil actually cares about - particularly in regards to how the child is feeling. I doubt Morgan would get a pre-emptive "buck up" right before *his* ass is dumped.
And I'm sure now it was Sam that broke the glass with Cady, and killed the flowers. I think it has more to do with extreme emotions though, and not necessarily bad-slash-evil ones like anger.
But seriously. Kill Kristen, and I'm almost to the point where they can kill Sock. Leftover people are Ben, Sock, and Kristen, and the ONLY roomie option is Sock/Kristen. Spare me. I'm pretty sure Nina would have mentioned to Andi if Ben had any negative "sleeping" activities that would prevent Sock from bunking in there.
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Post by bec on Apr 10, 2009 4:56:33 GMT -5
Oh, I know, right? Why can't Sock and Ben share a room? But of course Sock is going to try to get in the same room as Kristin, and as long as Kristin doesn't protest, he gets his way. I guess it is sort of plausible that Kristin wouldn't protest because she doesn't know everyone else as well as Sock does. She might feel like she's imposing if she insists on having a room to herself while everyone else have to share. Sam and Ben aren't going to cockblock Sock, and Andi doesn't know Kristin too well. So I guess it works. Just barely. Not that this makes that whole b-plot any less annoying and pointless.
I'm spoiler-free, so I really thought Nina was being killed off. I was like "NooooO! Why couldn't it have been Kristin?" After gooey Ben came flying out after the soul capture, I was hoping Nina would be there, too. And then I kept hoping she'd swoop in to save the guys when they were being hunted by the sheriff. I stopped hoping for that by the time the sheriff and Sam got to the mine and it was night. So I was surprised when she did finally show up.
Hee, the David Lynch bit didn't register with me as meta when I was watching. Ray Wise embodies The Devil so well I totally forget that he is an actor who have played many other roles and is not actually The Devil.
The Devil was being really nice with that whole buck-up speech at the end. There didn't even seem to be any ulterior "evil influence" stuff in there. He was just being nice. That is really weird considering he is The Devil. But weird in a good and interesting way.
I'm not crazy about what seems like yet another breakup with Andi (though I guess this is technically their first actual breakup as an actual couple), but it was well played. The bottle smashing in front of Andi is what sold it to me. I'd break up, too, with a guy who seems to have crazy hell powers he can't even control. What's to say he won't someday accidentally break me like that bottle even though he didn't exactly mean to do that? Better to get away while the getting is still good.
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Post by novium on Apr 10, 2009 12:12:36 GMT -5
I'm not sure if they are going for a love triangle. They might. My interpretation right now though that it basically served as a way to freak out Sam about the whole evil thing. She kisses him, but then wanders off. There didn't seem to be any UST-y/romantic tension to it. I think we can expect to see some story progression there with Nina and Sam. She admitted she's turned on by him and he was awfully shocked at being snogged. And now Andi breaks up with him so he has no conflict there. They didn't write that scene for nothing. But I bet it will be a slow progression, just enough to give Sam pause but he won't want to hurt Ben so he won't tell him. Then of course Ben will catch them together eventually, and he will accuse Sam of betraying him and being generally evil. I see Sam getting caught in a lot of compromising positions this season and being regarded as potentially evil by his friends. |
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Post by novium on Apr 10, 2009 12:17:22 GMT -5
(replying to your post but I'm more replying to the mention of it in chat). I'm not sure it's always emotions though. I think perhaps the emotional connection highlights the lack of control, but we've seen it flare up at other times too. And I'm sure now it was Sam that broke the glass with Cady, and killed the flowers. I think it has more to do with extreme emotions though, and not necessarily bad-slash-evil ones like anger. . |
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Post by Blue Sunflower on Apr 10, 2009 16:54:40 GMT -5
Snerk. Snerk, snerk, snerk, snerk, snerk, snerk, snerk.
I'll repeat: I've found in my life that "because they are idiots" pretty much covers all situations.
That was my hope too. Alas, no such luck.
I vote for dumbass.
I agree.
Considering how stupid she is, that's incredibly out of character.
Truer words have never been written.
I really want to know how Sam thinks they'll get home if Andi takes his Prius.
See? That's our Sammy. Never thinking.
This whole paragraph reeks of awesome.
Another awesome paragraph, but I wanted to point out the two The Cop homages: cop-looks-good-but-is-actually-bad, and the gun not shooting. I was disappointed it wasn't Sam's powers that stopped it, like the Devil stopped AD Skinner. Either that, or I'd like to think it was *Sam* that stopped AD Skinner's gun.
I wondered that too, and at first thought the Devil was setting him up to murder the sheriff - even if unknowingly. Nice fanwank.
Lucky for them that Continuity showed up.
I love you bec. Kisses!
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Post by cko on Apr 10, 2009 19:28:37 GMT -5
bec, awesome recap. So funny and true. You picked up on all the things I liked, hated, and more. Also, I didn't get the deal with the fake grenade until you explained it, I agree there was a lot of "the Hell???", and this really makes sense in light of all the debate I've read about whether it makes any sense that Andi thinks Sam is going evil. Loved reading this, so entertaining.
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kathyk
Demon
Bounty Hunter Extraordinaire
Posts: 165
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Post by kathyk on Apr 10, 2009 20:33:44 GMT -5
I have no doubt Sam enjoys reaping. He's a nice person and I'll bet he watched plenty of movies or cartoons as a kid. He's living every kid's dream of using cool weapons to beat the bad guys. What frustrates Sam is the Devil's interference in his life and that he's been put in some scary situations that he can't share with anyone. I doubt that he told anyone about the Devil murdering the cop right in front of him.
Sam also is coping with the fact that his parents betrayed him and that's not something his friends can help him with either.
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kathyk
Demon
Bounty Hunter Extraordinaire
Posts: 165
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Post by kathyk on Apr 11, 2009 0:39:31 GMT -5
I wonder if Sam's experience with the cop kept him from letting Nina kill the Sheriff? I don't think Sam wanted to see another person die in front of him. I agree with Blue that Sam's powers are tied into his emotions like Harry Potter's before he went to Hogwarts. I find it ironic that we are discussing whether Sam is evil when Sock's behavior has been awful.
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Post by bec on Apr 11, 2009 0:44:57 GMT -5
Thanks, you guys!
When I was watching I just assumed Andi will come back and get them at the end of Sock's jail sentence. But that doesn't make sense with their deciding to break Sock out of jail right after she and Kristin left with the car. At the end, I think they walked back. If it would have been possible for Kristin to do so, then these three guys with their boundless energy should be able to do it. Maybe they planned to hide in the trees if the sheriff came after them in his car, since they probably wouldn't have stolen the sheriff mobile if the sheriff was just a regular sheriff and wasn't totally insane.
Another thing that occurred to me: it's true what The Devil said about Sam being able to withstand any blow. The guy takes so many beatings without getting seriously hurt, he's practically a cartoon character.
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Post by Kwyjibo on Apr 11, 2009 0:56:42 GMT -5
Okay, I thought this episode was really good.
Pros:
- The bar "tentacle" was really funny in the scenes with Sock and Nina.
- The fact that the hotel "tentacle" was disturbed with the whole "Sock slept with his sister" thing was priceless.
- Ben and Sock hiding in the trunk, and the way Nina was calling for him ("Benji!!!!!").
- Nina feeding and petting her food, I wonder if she does that all the time... haha
- The Devil: "Never heard about the 4th wall??" That was great along with the reference to David Lynch.
Cons:
- Sock actually slept with his sister. I wanted him to always desire her and be miserable because he would never have her. It would've been a perfect "I'd sell my soul to the Devil to sleep with her" opportunity for a later episode.
- Andi. God! Is she ever gonna give Sam a break?
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Post by bec on Apr 11, 2009 1:50:56 GMT -5
Hee, yeah. All the actors who played a tentacle were really awesome. Just the right amount of creepy. And the bartender was especially amusing.
That llama was so cute! I hope the show brings in more adorable furry creatures to play the part of Nina's meals. Speaking of furry and adorable, where is King Charlie? It's been a long time since we last saw him. I hope he didn't get eaten.
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Post by Blue Sunflower on Apr 11, 2009 1:52:36 GMT -5
I hope he didn't get eaten. [Sam] Yeah, me too. [/Sam] |
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Post by Kwyjibo on Apr 11, 2009 2:00:15 GMT -5
I hope he didn't get eaten. [Sam] Yeah, me too. [/Sam] [The Devil]Well, you know I'd probably lie to you if you asked me...[/The Devil] |
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Post by Blue Sunflower on Apr 11, 2009 4:10:33 GMT -5
[Sam] Yeah, me too. [/Sam] [The Devil]Well, you know I'd probably lie to you if you asked me...[/The Devil] [Sam] You are so weird. [/Sam] |
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