BTVS fandom gripe

[timepiececlock]

I have to stop reading other people's episode summaries.

I just have to... stop.

I was happy. Really, really, happy. And other people's comments are making me feel depressed, and what's more making me bad for liking the show.

Unlike a lot of you, I like this show, I like this season, and I liked the last episode.

And I don't want to be made to feel bad for actually liking my favorite show on tv.

So I'm just going to skip all the episode summaries for the next 2 weeks until it ends. Or, most of them. I'll probably break and read a few. I'm weak.

But instead I'll be commenting on icons and fic and random stuff, rather than ep response/discussion.

ETA: This is not meant to pinpoint one specific person. And see previous post where I said I :heart: you all and want to read your fic. Just not ep summaries, for another 14 or so days.

Comments

[wickedprincess3.livejournal.com]

oh sweetie, I'm sorry. I felt the same way last season cause I lurrved it but everyone else didn't and I felt like I was stupid for liking it. There are people who like this season. Plus it's then end and everyone is bitter about that.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

oh sweetie, I'm sorry.

It's ok. I've just decided that it's easier to be happy in my own bubble than to try and defend my happiness in other people's bubbles.

I felt the same way last season cause I lurrved it but everyone else didn't and I felt like I was stupid for liking it.

I vascilatted last year. I loved the show but hates some of the things the characters did. I only hated one episode, and loved most of the rest. Season 6 gave me some all-time favorites: Tabula Rasa, OMwF.

But honestly, I only started last year. I'm not ready to give up the fandom and I'm not jaded enough to claim I don't love every minute that it's on screen.

Plus it's then end and everyone is bitter about that.

Yeah, I can kind of see that coming out in places when people write.

Plus, I think everyone's going to be disapponted in some way, because the only way for it to disappoint no one is for it to not end.

[crossouttheeyes.livejournal.com]

I love your icon!

I like this show, I like this season, and I liked the last episode.


*does the "Yah! I'm not the only one!" happy dance*
I'm with you on that. I've liked loved this entire season. I liked last season too. DMP wasn't my most favorite episode ever but it still had it's likable moments.

I was thinking that maybe I'm just too easy to please, that's why I really don't have any gripes about the seasons. Actually, I have one gripe with this season, it's the last one. *sob* I don't want it to end!

Episode reviews should have warnings. A nice little note saying, " I am pleased/neutral/dissatisfied with *insert episode title here*. "

[sassangel.livejournal.com]

I loved it Shaka, just said so in my LJ.

You're not alone.

Sass

[xanphibian.livejournal.com]

*wince* I'm sorry. Was it me? I'm sorry. *apologizes some more* I'm having end of series issues, I think. MAJOR issues. I think maybe I expect the unattainable. I'm up and down. One minute, I love it all, the next minute I hate it all. It's a rollercoaster ride of grief. This is the best show EVER and I'm bitter that it's almost over. And I don't mean to be bitter. I want to just cry. I just... I'm so emotionally invested. In Spike, in Spuffy... I can't handle it. I'm having a fannish meltdown.

(((((hugs)))))

[xanphibian.livejournal.com]

*runs and puts warning on post*

[saussy.livejournal.com]

Just want you to know, I love Touched and I love Season 7. So there!

Staying positive

[tiashome.livejournal.com]

There are others, chica.
You know, I love this show, love the season, and loved Touched. If watching this show didn't make me happy, I wouldn't bother. But it does, so I'll be excitedly watching the last 2 eps. Don't feel bad for liking something that makes you happy.
::hugs Rashaka::

[crossouttheeyes.livejournal.com]

*sticks tongue out*
Smart ass!
*runs away giggling because she said, "ass"*

I love Season 7 as well...

[selenak.livejournal.com]

...and I liked "Touched". And the previous episodes. And I'm a fan from season 1 onwards. Who, incidentally, happens to love the later seasons best and thinks the series finishes on top of its game.

[buffyx.livejournal.com]

Dude, I totally get you.

I've learned by now to hole up in a select few "comfort zones" where I know I won't have to deal with reading that kind of stuff. Not that people aren't entitled to their thoughts, or that I can't handle anyone else's opinions, it's just, so often it turns into excessive character bashing. Unfortunately, I am one of those easily-influenced people, and when I constantly read/see/hear depressing things about a show I desperately want to like, and have that take away from my initial happiness over an episode and even replace that happiness with guilt, I realize that I can't deal with that. I've stopped lurking at certain boards, distance myself from others, and stick to the places I know that won't drive me out of my mind. I'm keeping myself tightly insulated until after the finale airs, at least.

[callherblondie.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain. But one thing I've always loved about BtVS fans is how much they care and how intelligent they are. We're not ashamed to say we adore this show and yet we're not so blinded that we can't criticize what we love. I love how people care enough about this show to vocalize what they're not happy with as well as what they are. I love Spike and I love Buffy and Spike together. I don't always love what the writers do with them but dammit, I care. I care enough to hate certain things and to be enamoured with certain things. I'm really proud of this fandom because the fans still care and aren't willing to just take what the writers dish out. I have friends that aren't really into BtVS and don't understand how I sometimes complain about a show that I profess to love. When they ask me why I don't just stop watching if stuff pisses me off, my reply is always, because I care. So yeah, it sucks when other BtVS fans don't love S6 like I do or love B/A and not B/S but I console myself with the thought that at least we all care enough about this show that we tune in. I'm really going to miss this fandom ::sniff::

[jidabug.livejournal.com]

I'll just join in on the S7 lovefest, 'kay? I loved "Touched" and the B/S snuggling, in particular. Loved. It. Don't get down if everyone doesn't agree, though. Just think that you're getting more enjoyment out of it than those who are disgruntled. But I find that reading the dissenting opinions can be educational, even if I don't necessarily grok why they don't love it as much as I do. Ya know?

Re:

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Just think that you're getting more enjoyment out of it than those who are disgruntled.

Hn...Yes.

But I find that reading the dissenting opinions can be educational, even if I don't necessarily grok why they don't love it as much as I do.

Is "grok" a type-o? If it's not, I don't know the term. If it is, my brain is too fizzled to guess. I'm curious though.

Re:

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

But one thing I've always loved about BtVS fans is how much they care and how intelligent they are.

Oh, totally. That's why LJ is so cool, and forums are so cool.

You're definitely right, and after the show ends I plan to talk about and analyze endlessly. Without pulling any punches. But one of the problems is that when I read what some people say, their arguments are so intelligent and convincing that I begin to change my opinion to suit theirs, often in a more negative way of viewing. And I don't like that feeling, so I'm just going to tone down my fan-consumption of it all for a the next two weeks.

[gwynnega]

I've been feeling the same way - loved "Touched," and then it's a bringdown to hear people picking it apart. Actually it's been interesting too, because people have such diametrically different opinions on almost every aspect of the ep, i.e., people saying "Oh good, Buffy's finally opening up!" and also, "This is the last straw, Buffy's just using Spike!" about the exact same scene.

Because the show's ending, I think some folks are being ultracritical. Then again, I loved season 6...

Re:

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

I've learned by now to hole up in a select few "comfort zones" where I know I won't have to deal with reading that kind of stuff.

My problem is that I read so many people's journals that I can never remember who's happy from week to week and who's not.

, I am one of those easily-influenced people, and when I constantly read/see/hear depressing things about a show I desperately want to like, and have that take away from my initial happiness over an episode and even replace that happiness with guilt,

That's the only problem I can find in being in a fandom full of really smart people. I'm always getting re-convinced of something, and it doesn't always increase my enjoyment of the show. Sometimes it really does make it better, though, so it's hard to decide. After the finale I'll have a short recovery period (to pout, whine, and deal with my loss), and then go into discussion.

Grok.

[jidabug.livejournal.com]

It's a word coined by Robert Heinlein in "Stranger in a Strange Land" and means (according to Dictionary.com (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=grok)): To understand profoundly through intuition or empathy.

A most excellent book, too, by the way.

Re:

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

diametrically different opinions on almost every aspect of the ep, i.e., people saying "Oh good, Buffy's finally opening up!" and also, "This is the last straw, Buffy's just using Spike!" about the exact same scene.

That was weird; I noticed it too. Downer A hated the Spuffy but thought Wood/F was hot. Downer B loved Spuffy but hated Willow/Kennedy and thought the Spike/faith fihgt was gratuitous. Downer C hated all the sex but loved the Mayor (well... I think almost everyone loved the Mayor. He's just cool like that.)

( ^----those aren't specific people, just examples)

thanks.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

learn something new everyday. ^_^

Re: Staying positive

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

::loves hugs::

*joins happy dance*

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

DMP wasn't my most favorite episode ever but it still had it's likable moments.

The DMP episode consisted of two solid minutes in which Spike entered the fast food place, said the words "Service me", and left. Shortest episode of Buffy I've ever seen. Wonderful, of course. ;)

*sob* I don't want it to end!

That's one thing I think even disgruntled viewers will admit too. I know I don't either-- It's only my second year! They can't end my show in season 2! I deserve more!

Episode reviews should have warnings. A nice little note saying, " I am pleased/neutral/dissatisfied with *insert episode title here*. "

But not for spoilers.

Re:

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

I'm not alone?

I want to belive.

The truth is out there.

The end is near.

::sob::

Re:

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

*wince* I'm sorry. Was it me? I'm sorry.

It was like 50 people over the last few weeks. Don't feel bad. This is about me and my opinions and what I choose, not about judging other people's thoughts. ::huggles::

... I'm so emotionally invested. In Spike, in Spuffy... I can't handle it. I'm having a fannish meltdown.

I'm emotionally invested in both of those, as well. I haven't hit melt-down stage. I'm still in denial.

Wait, wait!!

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

but not if you're watching spoilers! Only for episodes that have already aired!