Long time, nothing of substance blogged. I don't really have anything to say, I'm just babbling here.
Still missing Firefly. While it lasted, it was an amazing piece of science-fiction. Mourning the long slow death of Farscape. Again, while it lasted, it was an amazing piece of science-fiction.
Actually, I have in my more contemplative moments, been reflecting on Inara. See, I disliked the concept of Inara even before the show came on. I could understand where ME & Co. was going with the idea, but I disliked the very idea. I mean, really, I'm leery of the concept of a geisha as it is, and ME & Co. was sexualizing the idea of a lot more then I see geisha sexed up.
Then the show started, they tossed in the 'hooker with a heart of gold' cliche. As an added bonus, they had the cap't treating her like shit! Usually, this would have gained my sympathy for the character, but ooooooh, did Inara make me gnash my teeth. Because, not only did I dislike the concept and the cliche, I disliked how the actress was playing her! This woman piled up so many red marks with me it was a wonder to behold.
Lest anyone think this is the endemic problem of fandom misogyny raising it's head in me, let me inform you that this apathy is truly rare for me. The only other female character that I've felt this level of bile for is Kate from S1 Angel. (I wonder why it's the ME & Co. shows...) I liked Nikita and Maddy in LFN, even in the midst of bone-headed behavior. Though I do wonder how I can anything Scary Maddy did was bone-headed. Aeryn, Zhaan, Chiana and Jool (sp?) on Farscape were strange and vivid (oooh, pretty colors!) woman. I still adore Anya and Cordelia from the Buffy/Angel worlds. In varying degrees I like Buffy, Willow, Kennedy, Tara, Dawn and Faith.
Coming back to Firefly, I thought that Kaylee, Zoe and River were damn fine characters. Each one was incredibly interesting to me, so my dislike of Inara really gets to me. No matter how many words I type, I just can't quantify what it was that bugs me about her. I toss out that I don't like the cliches designed into her character. That I resented that they just kept pushing and pushing the romance between her and Mal. The hand of the writers was entirely to heavy and visible in that developing relationship and it irked me. A lot.
I've got a ton of reasons here. I think they're all good reason, but still no closure for me. So, to sum up, I'm gonna retreat to country lyrics "It sure ain't Christian to judge a stranger. But I don't like her...
I'll think of a reason later."
posted by Mer W at 4:38 PM
snickersA truly Canadian Apology to the USA...
Courtesy of Rick Mercer from This Hour Has 22 Minutes CBC Television
On behalf of Canadians everywhere I'd like to offer an apology to the United States of America. We haven't been getting along very well recently and for that, I am truly sorry. I'm sorry we called George Bush a moron. He is a moron but, it wasn't nice of us to point it out. If it's any consolation, the fact that he's a moron shouldn't reflect poorly on the people of America. After all it's not like you actually elected him.
I'm sorry about our softwood lumber. Just because we have more trees than you doesn't give us the right to sell you lumber that's cheaper and better than your own.
I'm sorry we beat you in Olympic hockey. In our defense I guess our excuse would be that our team was much, much, much, much better than yours.
I'm sorry we burnt down your white house during the war of 1812. I notice you've rebuilt it! It's Very Nice.
I'm sorry about your beer. I know we had nothing to do with your beer but, we Feel your Pain.
I'm sorry about our waffling on Iraq. I mean, when you're going up against a crazed dictator, you wanna have your friends by your side. I realize it took more than two years before you guys pitched in against Hitler, but that was different. Everyone knew he had weapons.
And finally on behalf of all Canadians, I'm sorry that we're constantly apologizing for things in a passive-aggressive way which is really a thinly veiled criticism. I sincerely hope that you're not upset over this.
We've seen what you do to countries you get upset with.
posted by Mer W at 2:11 PM
