Angel - Season 2 impressions (episode 18)
Jan. 16th, 2006 08:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
thalia_seawoodDead End
A summary can be read here.
- In the first season of Angel, Hero was the episode I despised. And no, what upset me wasn't Doyle's death. In season 2, Dead End gets the price for my least favorite episode. Watching it bugged me so much, I was close to stop viewing it alltogether. Good thing my boyfriend kept me company while I was watching; he pretended to be Deeply!!!Sensitive!Lindsey and so managed successfully to make me laugh.
- I'll try to explain what bugged me about this episode.
Warning: This review includes heavy sarcasm. If you treasure Dead End, you might be upset by reading my take on it.
First of all, I usually like conflicted characters. Anakin Skywalker is my favorite fictional character. In the Jossverse, I'm totally intrigued by Spike, Angel and Darla. I think Faith is a captivating character. I hope to see more of Lilah Morgan, because there are moments when I think there's more to her than your average villain. In other fandoms, I have a weak spot for Garak or Kai Winn, for Irina Derevko or Arvin Sloane.
However, I never felt *forced* to like these characters! We openly see their bad sides; at times, we also see their weaknesses or their motivations. With some of these characters, we see how despite their strenghts, they follow a wrong path. But we are never told: You really must like these characters. They are so sensitive and misunderstood. Yet, this is exactly what the writers do with Lindsey here!
Starting with the very first scene, I got the urge to barf because of its phoniness.
We see Lindsey getting up in the morning. We see how hard life is for him, because the poor dear has lost his hand. And, OMG, this guy used to play guitar. Isn't it such a tragedy that he can now never ever play it again?!!
All right: Yes, Lindsey has lost his hand. Yes, he can no longer play his guitar. Yes, that's hard for him.
But hey: Actions have consequences.
Lindsey *chose* to work for Wolfram & Hart; he chose to work for them despite knowing they are trying to spread evil in the world; he chose working for them, because they offered him power.
He tried to *burn* the scroll, even though he knew it was the only way of saving Cordelia. Heck, he tries to burn the scroll, *because* he knows it's the only way of saving Cordelia!
As a result, Angel chops of his hand to save the scroll and rescue Cordelia's life. Seems to me Lindsey having his hand cut off is a consequence of his actions - and I do not want to pity him excessively because of it.
Anakin Skywalker loses his arm in episode II. He loses all of his limbs in episode III. All of this is ultimately caused by his own actions. However, here I can feel sorry despite knowing that what he did beforehand was wrong. I guess it's because I don't feel pressured into feeling sympathy. However, if George Lucas had filmed a scene where we see Darth Vader looking morosely at his electric guitar that he will now never play again, my sympathy might have evaporated. ('Oh, poor little Vaderkins can't play his guitar after having killed all the younglings. Yeah, life can be tough that way.')
- From the first scene onwards, all scenes revolving around Lindsey feel like badly written fanfiction.
Lindsey gets the GaryStu part:
He has so much musical talent which shows he's really, really, really sensitive deep down inside.
Lorne knows him and thinks his music is great.
Even Cordy, Wes and Gunn can see that Lindsey is wonderfully gifted - never mind, that Lindsey nearly caused Cordelia's death.
Oh, and when Angel speaks up against Lindsey, everybody treats him as if he's just a bad loser, because he can't recognised how absolutely amazing Lindsey is.
And like in a fanfiction stereotype, the two enemies have to work together.
Now, I don't usually mind this scenario, but here both Angel and Lindsey are told that, hey, the grudges they hold are kind of childish and if they would just let go, they could be the best of friends. Yes, right.
Lindsey worked *years* for W&H, he nearly caused Cordy's death, he was the one who made sure Darla was turned into a vampire - in front of Angel just to rub it in, he tried to run over Angel with a truck.
Still, Angel is essentially told he's childish when he doesn't want to work with Lindsey.
What Angel did to Lindsey is actually harmless in comparison what Lindsey did to him. Also Angel reacted to Lindsey's actions, not the other way around.
To prove my point, I quote the negative highlight of this show:
Angel: "Lindsey?"
Lindsey on stage: "This whole world shines so brightly."
Host comes over to them: "Isn't he fabulous?"
Angel: "He comes here?"
Host: "He used to come all the time before some caballero chopped off his strumming hand. - Looks like he's got a new one."
Lindsey: "Pretty as a picture, she's..."
Cordy: "Wow. He's good."
Gunn: "Lawyer's got some pipes."
Lindsey: "Settles me with love and laughter."
Angel: "You think he's good."
Cordy never taking her eyes off Lindsey: "Shh."
Lindsey: "and I can't feel a thing."
Gunn nods to the music as Angel looks up at the ceiling.
Lindsey: "The sky's gonna open. People gonna pray and crawl."
Several demons are watching Lindsey up on the stage, smiling, tapping their hands to the music.
Lindsey: "It's gonna rain down fire..."
Angel: "What is that? Rock? Country? Ballad? Pick a style, pal."
Wesley: "Shh."
Host: "Angel cakes. Don't make me ask you to leave."
Lindsey: "The sky is gonna open, people gonna pray and sing. Oh, I can't feel..."
He ends the song with a chord and the audience starts to applaud and cheer. Cordy is clapping as well, eyes still fixed on Lindsey.
Angel looks form Cordy to Gunn, who's nodding his head.
Cordy: "We can't sing after that."
Host: "You won't have to."
Cordy looks over at Angel as the host meets Lindsey halfway from the stage carrying two drinks.
Host: "Golly, pilgrim. Sure is good to have you back in the saddle. (Hands Lindsey one of the drinks) Your favorite. T&T, the imported."
Lindsey takes the drink but only smells it.
Lindsey: "Look, I got a crazy man's hand here who wants to kill - someone, maybe me, I don't know. What do you see?"
Host leading him over towards where the A-team is standing: "Well, you know what they say: the hand is quicker than the eye. You'll get that later."
Lindsey: "Look. I need help."
Angel: "I'll say. You might want to start with his singing."
Laughs.
Cordy slaps the back of her hand against Angel's chest and steps up to Lindsey.
Cordy: "Hi. You probably don't remember me. Cordelia. I know you're evil - and everything, but that was just so amazing."
Gunn: "That was kind of tight."
Wesley: "Terrific, really."
Angel: "Is everyone drunk?"
Lindsey: "What's he doing here, huh? (To Angel) What are you looking at?"
Host: "Easy, easy, children. I don't allow violence in *my* club. Angel's here for the same reason you are."
Lindsey: "How's that?"
Host: "Two enemies, one case, all come together in a beautiful buddy-movie kind of way."
- This was the one scene with Angel and Lindsey I found funny in parts. However, when I look at it more closely, once again we are given the impression that the hostility between them is just childish behaviour - and I really can't agree with that.
Angel: "Excuse me. I'm on a case here, Lindsey. Does everything always have to be about killing you all the time?"
Guy: "I-I can see you guys got issues, so I'll just..."
Stops as Angel tightens the rope on the guy's throat.
Lindsey: "That's my lead! You're choking my lead!"
Angel: "'He's *my* lead! He's *my* lead!' What, are we on the schoolyard here? Look, if you wanna get to the bottom of this, you got to learn how to play with others.
- Another scene I hate. It's just unbelievable tacky.
Lindsey, the man who works for Wolfram & Hart *knowing* all the time that this company is capital letter, caps lock EVIL, caves because the man whose hand got amputated for his benefit used to work with him in the mailroom.
Please, spare me! Lindsey works with a lot of people on a day-to-day basis, and I never got the impression that he has any ties to them. If he had been as sentimental as that, he would *never* have risen to the top of W&H.
Lindsey turns to look at the guy with the missing right hand. The camera reverses so that we look out through the glass door.
Angel (muffled through the door): "Or what's left of him anyway."
Lindsey (muffled): "Oh god. I know him."
Lindsey steps closer to the cell and the camera reversed again to show us the guy in the cell looking out at Lindsey.
Lindsey: "I didn't get the name before. - We worked in the mailroom together. - Brad?"
- Lindsey selects to turn on his conscience again and decides to leave Wolfram & Hart despite being offered the top job.
Only I don't buy that he quits because of his conscience. I notice that Lindsey has a pattern in his life: If he becomes really successful, he works on destroying his own success. E.g. he has his first flash of conscience just before his first big promotion. And now, that he finally has reached his goal, he once again quits.
- The final scene between Angel and Lindsey could have been worse. Or maybe I just have stopped caring at this point.
We are essentially shown that despite their differences Angel and Lindsey have a connection. And no, I still don't buy it.
Angel putting the "Cops suck" shield on Lindsey's car would be funny if it didn't show once again that, really, these two have more of a friendly quibble than any real hostility between them.
- The frustrating thing is that I do like "enemies find common ground" stories, but I don't like it when they are cheesy and unbelievable. E.g. it would have made a huge difference, if Lorne, Cordy, Wes and Gunn had not stood up for Lindsey just because he has a nice voice and can play the guitar. I mean how realistic is that?!
- Another development I'm not keen on: I can feel romance vibes between Angel and Cordelia. Angel is definitely more and more acting as if he's interested in Cordy.
I know some fans ship Angel and Cordy, but I don't want to see them romantically involved. I enjoy the snarky friendship they have and am afraid that a romance between them will be incredibly sappy.
I like Angel's smile in this scene, but am guarding myself against the romance...
Cordy: "You had a hankering for turkey, ham and roast beef sandwiches?"
Angel points to one: "You missed the vegetarian."
Cordy: "Soup and salad, too? What is going on here?"
Angel quietly: "I forgot what you liked."
Cordy: "Why didn't you ask me?"
Angel: "Well, you said, why is everyone asking you if they can get you anything, and-and I didn't wanna *do* that..."
Cordy: "So you did this - instead."
Angel quietly: "Yup."
Cordy: "I love you."
Angel's worried look melts into a big smile as Cordy picks up two sandwiches.
Cordy: "And you ought to do *that* more often."
Goes back to her desk.
Angel: "Buy you food?"
Cordy: "Smile."
- What I like about this episode is the bits that revolve around Lilah. Strangely enough, I feel sorry for her. She tries so hard in W&H, but has a difficult standing in a company that's dominated by men. When she gets the top job because Lindsey resigns, you can see how much she is humiliated by winning her position in this way. She wanted to win because everybody saw she was better than Lindsey. Getting the job is better than dying, but still getting it because Lindsey quits, leaves a bitter aftertaste for her.
And yes, I know she's just as evil as Lindsey. But at least she's consistent about it.
- We get some infos about Lilah's history:
The screen shows a picture of Lilah and her name. Current assignment: Co-Vice-President for Special Projects - Junior Associate, 1994, - Senior Associate, 1997, - Junior Partner, 2000 - Graduate of Montesori(?) University School of Law 1994 with High Honors - Law Review 1992-94 - recruited by Los Angeles Office - Supervised by Holland Manners.
A summary can be read here.
- In the first season of Angel, Hero was the episode I despised. And no, what upset me wasn't Doyle's death. In season 2, Dead End gets the price for my least favorite episode. Watching it bugged me so much, I was close to stop viewing it alltogether. Good thing my boyfriend kept me company while I was watching; he pretended to be Deeply!!!Sensitive!Lindsey and so managed successfully to make me laugh.
- I'll try to explain what bugged me about this episode.
Warning: This review includes heavy sarcasm. If you treasure Dead End, you might be upset by reading my take on it.
First of all, I usually like conflicted characters. Anakin Skywalker is my favorite fictional character. In the Jossverse, I'm totally intrigued by Spike, Angel and Darla. I think Faith is a captivating character. I hope to see more of Lilah Morgan, because there are moments when I think there's more to her than your average villain. In other fandoms, I have a weak spot for Garak or Kai Winn, for Irina Derevko or Arvin Sloane.
However, I never felt *forced* to like these characters! We openly see their bad sides; at times, we also see their weaknesses or their motivations. With some of these characters, we see how despite their strenghts, they follow a wrong path. But we are never told: You really must like these characters. They are so sensitive and misunderstood. Yet, this is exactly what the writers do with Lindsey here!
Starting with the very first scene, I got the urge to barf because of its phoniness.
We see Lindsey getting up in the morning. We see how hard life is for him, because the poor dear has lost his hand. And, OMG, this guy used to play guitar. Isn't it such a tragedy that he can now never ever play it again?!!
All right: Yes, Lindsey has lost his hand. Yes, he can no longer play his guitar. Yes, that's hard for him.
But hey: Actions have consequences.
Lindsey *chose* to work for Wolfram & Hart; he chose to work for them despite knowing they are trying to spread evil in the world; he chose working for them, because they offered him power.
He tried to *burn* the scroll, even though he knew it was the only way of saving Cordelia. Heck, he tries to burn the scroll, *because* he knows it's the only way of saving Cordelia!
As a result, Angel chops of his hand to save the scroll and rescue Cordelia's life. Seems to me Lindsey having his hand cut off is a consequence of his actions - and I do not want to pity him excessively because of it.
Anakin Skywalker loses his arm in episode II. He loses all of his limbs in episode III. All of this is ultimately caused by his own actions. However, here I can feel sorry despite knowing that what he did beforehand was wrong. I guess it's because I don't feel pressured into feeling sympathy. However, if George Lucas had filmed a scene where we see Darth Vader looking morosely at his electric guitar that he will now never play again, my sympathy might have evaporated. ('Oh, poor little Vaderkins can't play his guitar after having killed all the younglings. Yeah, life can be tough that way.')
- From the first scene onwards, all scenes revolving around Lindsey feel like badly written fanfiction.
Lindsey gets the GaryStu part:
He has so much musical talent which shows he's really, really, really sensitive deep down inside.
Lorne knows him and thinks his music is great.
Even Cordy, Wes and Gunn can see that Lindsey is wonderfully gifted - never mind, that Lindsey nearly caused Cordelia's death.
Oh, and when Angel speaks up against Lindsey, everybody treats him as if he's just a bad loser, because he can't recognised how absolutely amazing Lindsey is.
And like in a fanfiction stereotype, the two enemies have to work together.
Now, I don't usually mind this scenario, but here both Angel and Lindsey are told that, hey, the grudges they hold are kind of childish and if they would just let go, they could be the best of friends. Yes, right.
Lindsey worked *years* for W&H, he nearly caused Cordy's death, he was the one who made sure Darla was turned into a vampire - in front of Angel just to rub it in, he tried to run over Angel with a truck.
Still, Angel is essentially told he's childish when he doesn't want to work with Lindsey.
What Angel did to Lindsey is actually harmless in comparison what Lindsey did to him. Also Angel reacted to Lindsey's actions, not the other way around.
To prove my point, I quote the negative highlight of this show:
Angel: "Lindsey?"
Lindsey on stage: "This whole world shines so brightly."
Host comes over to them: "Isn't he fabulous?"
Angel: "He comes here?"
Host: "He used to come all the time before some caballero chopped off his strumming hand. - Looks like he's got a new one."
Lindsey: "Pretty as a picture, she's..."
Cordy: "Wow. He's good."
Gunn: "Lawyer's got some pipes."
Lindsey: "Settles me with love and laughter."
Angel: "You think he's good."
Cordy never taking her eyes off Lindsey: "Shh."
Lindsey: "and I can't feel a thing."
Gunn nods to the music as Angel looks up at the ceiling.
Lindsey: "The sky's gonna open. People gonna pray and crawl."
Several demons are watching Lindsey up on the stage, smiling, tapping their hands to the music.
Lindsey: "It's gonna rain down fire..."
Angel: "What is that? Rock? Country? Ballad? Pick a style, pal."
Wesley: "Shh."
Host: "Angel cakes. Don't make me ask you to leave."
Lindsey: "The sky is gonna open, people gonna pray and sing. Oh, I can't feel..."
He ends the song with a chord and the audience starts to applaud and cheer. Cordy is clapping as well, eyes still fixed on Lindsey.
Angel looks form Cordy to Gunn, who's nodding his head.
Cordy: "We can't sing after that."
Host: "You won't have to."
Cordy looks over at Angel as the host meets Lindsey halfway from the stage carrying two drinks.
Host: "Golly, pilgrim. Sure is good to have you back in the saddle. (Hands Lindsey one of the drinks) Your favorite. T&T, the imported."
Lindsey takes the drink but only smells it.
Lindsey: "Look, I got a crazy man's hand here who wants to kill - someone, maybe me, I don't know. What do you see?"
Host leading him over towards where the A-team is standing: "Well, you know what they say: the hand is quicker than the eye. You'll get that later."
Lindsey: "Look. I need help."
Angel: "I'll say. You might want to start with his singing."
Laughs.
Cordy slaps the back of her hand against Angel's chest and steps up to Lindsey.
Cordy: "Hi. You probably don't remember me. Cordelia. I know you're evil - and everything, but that was just so amazing."
Gunn: "That was kind of tight."
Wesley: "Terrific, really."
Angel: "Is everyone drunk?"
Lindsey: "What's he doing here, huh? (To Angel) What are you looking at?"
Host: "Easy, easy, children. I don't allow violence in *my* club. Angel's here for the same reason you are."
Lindsey: "How's that?"
Host: "Two enemies, one case, all come together in a beautiful buddy-movie kind of way."
- This was the one scene with Angel and Lindsey I found funny in parts. However, when I look at it more closely, once again we are given the impression that the hostility between them is just childish behaviour - and I really can't agree with that.
Angel: "Excuse me. I'm on a case here, Lindsey. Does everything always have to be about killing you all the time?"
Guy: "I-I can see you guys got issues, so I'll just..."
Stops as Angel tightens the rope on the guy's throat.
Lindsey: "That's my lead! You're choking my lead!"
Angel: "'He's *my* lead! He's *my* lead!' What, are we on the schoolyard here? Look, if you wanna get to the bottom of this, you got to learn how to play with others.
- Another scene I hate. It's just unbelievable tacky.
Lindsey, the man who works for Wolfram & Hart *knowing* all the time that this company is capital letter, caps lock EVIL, caves because the man whose hand got amputated for his benefit used to work with him in the mailroom.
Please, spare me! Lindsey works with a lot of people on a day-to-day basis, and I never got the impression that he has any ties to them. If he had been as sentimental as that, he would *never* have risen to the top of W&H.
Lindsey turns to look at the guy with the missing right hand. The camera reverses so that we look out through the glass door.
Angel (muffled through the door): "Or what's left of him anyway."
Lindsey (muffled): "Oh god. I know him."
Lindsey steps closer to the cell and the camera reversed again to show us the guy in the cell looking out at Lindsey.
Lindsey: "I didn't get the name before. - We worked in the mailroom together. - Brad?"
- Lindsey selects to turn on his conscience again and decides to leave Wolfram & Hart despite being offered the top job.
Only I don't buy that he quits because of his conscience. I notice that Lindsey has a pattern in his life: If he becomes really successful, he works on destroying his own success. E.g. he has his first flash of conscience just before his first big promotion. And now, that he finally has reached his goal, he once again quits.
- The final scene between Angel and Lindsey could have been worse. Or maybe I just have stopped caring at this point.
We are essentially shown that despite their differences Angel and Lindsey have a connection. And no, I still don't buy it.
Angel putting the "Cops suck" shield on Lindsey's car would be funny if it didn't show once again that, really, these two have more of a friendly quibble than any real hostility between them.
- The frustrating thing is that I do like "enemies find common ground" stories, but I don't like it when they are cheesy and unbelievable. E.g. it would have made a huge difference, if Lorne, Cordy, Wes and Gunn had not stood up for Lindsey just because he has a nice voice and can play the guitar. I mean how realistic is that?!
- Another development I'm not keen on: I can feel romance vibes between Angel and Cordelia. Angel is definitely more and more acting as if he's interested in Cordy.
I know some fans ship Angel and Cordy, but I don't want to see them romantically involved. I enjoy the snarky friendship they have and am afraid that a romance between them will be incredibly sappy.
I like Angel's smile in this scene, but am guarding myself against the romance...
Cordy: "You had a hankering for turkey, ham and roast beef sandwiches?"
Angel points to one: "You missed the vegetarian."
Cordy: "Soup and salad, too? What is going on here?"
Angel quietly: "I forgot what you liked."
Cordy: "Why didn't you ask me?"
Angel: "Well, you said, why is everyone asking you if they can get you anything, and-and I didn't wanna *do* that..."
Cordy: "So you did this - instead."
Angel quietly: "Yup."
Cordy: "I love you."
Angel's worried look melts into a big smile as Cordy picks up two sandwiches.
Cordy: "And you ought to do *that* more often."
Goes back to her desk.
Angel: "Buy you food?"
Cordy: "Smile."
- What I like about this episode is the bits that revolve around Lilah. Strangely enough, I feel sorry for her. She tries so hard in W&H, but has a difficult standing in a company that's dominated by men. When she gets the top job because Lindsey resigns, you can see how much she is humiliated by winning her position in this way. She wanted to win because everybody saw she was better than Lindsey. Getting the job is better than dying, but still getting it because Lindsey quits, leaves a bitter aftertaste for her.
And yes, I know she's just as evil as Lindsey. But at least she's consistent about it.
- We get some infos about Lilah's history:
The screen shows a picture of Lilah and her name. Current assignment: Co-Vice-President for Special Projects - Junior Associate, 1994, - Senior Associate, 1997, - Junior Partner, 2000 - Graduate of Montesori(?) University School of Law 1994 with High Honors - Law Review 1992-94 - recruited by Los Angeles Office - Supervised by Holland Manners.
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no subject
Date: 2006-01-16 10:01 pm (UTC)Well, maybe he's half-veela and charmed them with his singing. That'd go well with his occasional gary stuishness :)
And I too feel oddly sorry for Lilah. I don't even like the character that much, but every time she's onscreen I'm all "oh, poor Lilah" before I remember that she's actually evil.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 07:23 pm (UTC)Yes, it's similar for me. In the beginning, I wasn't very interested in her character, because she didn't get much to do. But the actress really does a great job with this part. There are always little hints of vulnerability there and it intrigues me. (Obviously subtle writing and acting is the key to making a villain more sympathetic. :-) Not that I'm saying Christian Kane did a bad job. I think he did the best with the part he was given.)
no subject
Date: 2006-01-16 10:46 pm (UTC)I do think Angel is pretty childish about him, though. . .
I don't remember Lilah's school, but it's a made-up one.
You'll be happy to know you'll be seeing more Lilah and less Lindsey in the future.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 07:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 07:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-16 10:52 pm (UTC)That Lorne heard Lindsey sing did bring a (evil)smile on my lips, it will be mentioned again later on.
The text to the song that Lindsey sang is interesting *cough* season four *cough*
no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 07:59 am (UTC)True, and the oddest thing? David Greenwalt, who wrote the song especially for Christian Kane and this episode and whose character Lindsey was in many ways had left the show at the end of season 3 and had nothing to do with season 4.
That Lorne heard Lindsey sing did bring a (evil)smile on my lips, it will be mentioned again later on.
Looking evil and gleeful right along with you. Hah!
no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 06:48 pm (UTC)Looking more and more forward to season 4!
no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 07:18 pm (UTC)Yes, that's it exactly.
The text to the song that Lindsey sang is interesting *cough* season four *cough*
*smile* When I was driving home from work yesterday, I was wondering if the song maybe contained some hidden message a la the dreams in Restless. Very neat if that's the case!
no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 12:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 06:52 pm (UTC)My dislike for this episode is caused because I'm German and despise TV shows that clumsily bring up Nazi analogies. I'm not in general against dealing with this subject on TV, but you need to be a very good writer to pull it off.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 07:03 pm (UTC)BTW, Lindsey isn't really an anti-hero, is he? Joss has said then when he writes, he wants us to get inside the heads of his villains and see that in THEIR mind, they are also right. So you get Spike's main focus on curing Drusilla, and getting rid of the slayer was a way to do that. (or get himself more accepted by his family, whatever) With Lindsey, I don't feel it, never felt it, and clobbering you in the head doesn't help me.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 07:15 pm (UTC)We know Spike or Angel have killed viciously in the path and that they have enjoyed it. Even when e.g. Angel has a soul, he makes at times serious mistakes. Sometimes he just acts like a jerk. Spike is in love with Buffy and can be extremely selfless, but we also see his dark side when he stalks her or has the Buffybot built.
Now I love Spike or Angel exactly because there is no excuse for what they do wrong. (The exception is Lorne's little speech to Angel that the death of the lawyers wasn't so bad after all.) But usually we just have to cope with the fact that these characters have flaws. However, they also have some incredible strengths and so we take them as they are and start caring for them.
With Lindsey I get the impression the writers gave him the villain part, but then tell us that everything he did wasn't really that awful because he plays the guitar, has a good voice, is handsome and occasionally really sorry.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 07:48 pm (UTC)Well, here I can't agree anymore, but I would if Lindsey's last appearance had been Dead End.
*looks evilly again*
no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 08:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-18 02:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-21 04:24 pm (UTC)Can you forgive terrible acts if someone is truly sorry? What if they don't appear to be that remorseful but still do incredible heroic acts?
Yes, and if your victims are already dead? What then? Saying sorry won't do a lot of good. Actually, saying sorry can be an act of atonement, it can make things better, but it still won't undo what happened before. So I thing doing "heroic acts" is a good idea. They also will not undo the crime, but at least it's a way to balance the scales. Saying "oh, I have sinned" and then just sitting down in a dark corner regretting it, doesn't do much good by itself after all.
Not sure if you have an interest in Star Wars, but a couple of writers wrote a brilliant story called The Penitent along the premise: What if Anakin Skywalker came back from the dead? How would he deal with all the crimes he committed? It's a fascinating read by some very talented authors.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 07:56 am (UTC)But as Lakrids said, the Lorne comment is redeemed in an absolutely evil brilliant way (though upseting to Lindsey fans *veg*). Anyway, that's the last you'll see of Lindsey for a good long while, and when he comes back, I promise, there are no signs of Misunderstood!Lindsey anymore. (And lo, there were complaints as to why Lindsey who got such a splendid exit suddenly was so... *gags self*)
Meta thoughts, when I'm inclined to feel generous: part of the problem with this and all the Pylea arc is that Christian Kane, Julie Benz and Juliet Landau all weren't available anymore for the later part of season 2. So they had to (preliminary, for the season) wrap up everything related to their characters post haste, and were left with some Alice in Wonderland fluff.
On a more serious note:
I notice that Lindsey has a pattern in his life: If he becomes really successful, he works on destroying his own success. E.g. he has his first flash of conscience just before his first big promotion. And now, that he finally has reached his goal, he once again quits.
Yes, that was the part that made sense to me.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-17 07:04 pm (UTC)Musical!Draco is one of the stereotypes in Draco-centric Harry Potter fiction; it always serves the purpose of showing how sensitive he is. :-)
(Alternate paths to making a character sympathetic in fandom is giving him a mother or sibling who the character loves and takes care off. Or physical or sexual abuse during childhood.)