Companion Discussion

[ostarella]

Thought I'd throw this out on LJ - get my 2 cents worth in ;-)

What are your thoughts on this drastic change of direction for the series? Was it inevitable? Was it necessary? Was it successful?

I have mixed feelings on the change. On the one hand, I loved the fact that the show moved away from the comic to the more serious. I have nothing against the humor, but I didn't care for the slapstick, especially the way it changed Face's character. It almost seemed like the more bumbling Face became, the more "capable" Murdock got, and I didn't care for that. Murdock was not SF, after all. I think some kind of change was necessary, and I didn't mind Stockwell's part, but I think it could've worked better had the team been "independent contractors" for him, rather than "kept men".

What is your reaction to the new characters, Hunt Stockwell and Frankie Santana?

After actually reviewing the eps, I didn't mind Stockwell (again, with the above caveat). He wasn't nearly as nasty as a lot of fanfic (including my own) made him out to be. I don't think he really thought they were minor irritants that he could use - I think he took that attitude to exert some control over them.

Frankie was, in reality, just irritating. He had no real use to the team, except in the writers' eyes. And his attitude of Latin Stud was nauseating. He did have his moments, as in this first ep, but he should have remained, as someone on the list mentioned, a temporary fixture.

For better or worse, would you have been as interested in TAT, from a fanfic standpoint, if not for season five?

I think Season Five enhanced my interest. I certainly tend more toward the S5 "atmosphere" in my stories.

Comments

[billy-shriner.livejournal.com]

I must admit, I was surprised at how much I liked Season 5 once I'd got the boxsets. Especially with everything I heard before getting them.

I actually like Stockwell I just think it could have been *done* better.

I don't like Frankie, he's a total waste of space. I didn't mind him in the trilogy, but after that, if peeps think Amy and Tawnia should be bit pieces to the show, he DEFINITELY should have been. They didn't need him. Stockwell on the show (even with Carla) made enough of a difference IMO.

All of a sudden he becomes the *stud*. I think we've discussed before (not that I'm obsessed with snogging) that Face doesn't actually kiss one girl in season 5. He walks out of a bedroom with one, but that's about it.

I did like the atmosphere to season 5 too. I love seasons 1 & 2 and although there are some good episodes in season 3 & 4, there are a lot more lame ones too. And although some where fun, I think the level of slapstick went overboard in those seasons, in comparison to seasons 1 & 2.

(now do I copy and paste this into the ATSB too ;o))

[billy-shriner.livejournal.com]

some were fun! I mean ;o) damn a paid account would come in handy! ;O)

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

Handy for you - not as much fun for the rest of us. LOL

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

I could never understand the "stud" thing with Frankie. God, that kind of man I'd run like hell from. Ewww. Nor did I understand the writers putting him and Face together on dates. That's like puting a China cup on a tin saucer.

(now do I copy and paste this into the ATSB too ;o))

Why, sointenly :D

[billy-shriner.livejournal.com]

I could never understand the "stud" thing with Frankie. God, that kind of man I'd run like hell from. Ewww.

so would I!!!! so would I!!!!

Damn, everytime I was watching Frankie get close with that girl in Theory Of Rev...I was like WHERE'S FACE!!!???

grrrr Although I do actually like that episode. Shows what the boys were made of ;o)

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

Although I do actually like that episode. Shows what the boys were made of

I think it was like that with so many eps. They were, in general, very good *if* you threw out certain...personalities... ;-)

[beckyblack]

Theory of Revolution is one I like too, since it illustrates the basic incompatability between the team and Stockwell. Of course they are going to stay and help out the opressed locals, that's exactly the sort of thing they always do (it's the knights thing again.) So if Stockwell really thought he could order thenm to just come home and they'd obey, he's deluding himself. I think at some point he has to think he made a mistake recruiting the team and that episode could very well be that point.

And of course Face gets a spectacular bit of whumping.

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

I always did like that little bit of "we're doing it *our* way" that came in so often. :D

And of course Face gets a spectacular bit of whumping.

She said with glee... LOL

[beckyblack]

Well it at least makes sense for Face to take Frankie out with him "on the pull" (as we call it where I come from.) After all it's an old tactic to take along a less attractive friend to make you look better. :D

[ostarella.livejournal.com]

True - that's the only reason it would make sense ;-)