April 2004 posts


Previous April 2004

May 2004

The Return of Greenwalt? -- AngelVSAngelus, 16:39:32 04/30/04 Fri

I've always been a huge fan of Greenwalt, and have missed his presence on the show despite this season feeling more his style than it has in the last two years. He's in my echelon of greatness with Whedon and Minear as far as the Buffy hierarchy is concerned.
I was looking at the WB's website for the preview of the next ep of Angel that I missed and I was dumbfounded to see Greenwalt listed as director.
Anyone know if a)this is accurate and b)He'll be returning to do anything more than directing a single episode? I'd love him to write something.

Replies:

[> re: The Return of Greenwalt? (writing/directing/title credits for rest of season) -- Rob, 18:05:37 04/30/04 Fri

Next week's ep, "The Girl in Question," was written by DeKnight and Goddard, and directed by Greenwalt, who came back for this ep. The next ep, "Power Play," was written by David Fury and directed by James A. Contner. And the final ep, "Not Fade Away," was written by Joss Whedon and Jeff Bell, and was directed by Jeff Bell.

Rob
Time-looping and breaking the loop to fight W&H (Time Bomb 5.19 spoilers and spec) -- Mike, 18:43:55 04/30/04 Fri

I interpreted Time Bomb as furthering the thread of time-looping, literally (in this ep alone)and figuratively, that has been apparent recently; it appears that Angel is learning more about what it is going to take to really fight against Wolfram & Hart and to hopefully break himself out of this time-looping situation he placed him and his friends in at W&H. For now, just focusing on where the team are at in the fight. In the beginning of this ep, Angel is against handing the mother's baby over to the Fell Brethren and isn't with Wesley about keeping Illyria around. He's the regular Angel, good yet still conflicted. Meanwhile, Angel and friends are aware of W&H's already-present apocalypse and just stalling about what to do to prevent further damage to the world. Angel is still upholding his deal with W&H, remaining there like a CEO joke probably for Connor's sake. Aside from Connor, Angel appears to be focusing on the apocalypse yet him and his friends don't have a single plan to defeat it. Perhaps Angel is trying to devise a wiser strategy to bring down the Senior Partners, but his tactics in the past have failed him and thus remains in this time-loop doing W&H's bidding.

Angel, most notably, is continuing this repetitive cycle of remaining and compromising with W&H, yet there are now further changes going on here. Everything is becoming stale, and our heroes have been going down one by one. The remaining members are dealing with, as they have said, an "invisible war". And the attitudes they had in the beginning of this season have totally changed. Especially in Wesley's and Gunn's case for respective reasons. Wesley is becoming crazier - early scene with Illyria and the books. Though, Wesley is more thorough about Illyria becoming a valueable asset against W&H which in the meantime gives him an edge over Angel about devising a plan. Gunn is now not-insolent - regular-Gunn dress and more noble about saving the baby. Gunn is not compromising with evil, he's totally fighting aganist the Fell Brethren (another W&H client). Needless to say, Spike is the sole member who's remained consistent from earlier this year; and now he's sticking with the Fang Gang to fight against the apocalypse.

Through the effects of Illyria's unstable time-loop, the Fang Gang (sans Gunn) are all killed. I look at this as a possible forshadowing that remaining stale and using routine tactics to bring down the enemy will get them all killed later on, by the finale. Maybe, Angel read into some of that along with Illyria's speech about masters, ambitions, and change. While Angel focused on finding out the SP's plans fo him, time had caught up with Fred first and it came to a tragic end for her and an unsettling beginning for another. The diversion of working wth W&H and the real apocalypse wasn't revealed until after Fred's death. Angel and his allies look to be furthering into darkness, serving W&H, kept away from the SP's real plans.
Routine tactics/approaches this season have failed for Angel in thwarting W&H's plans for him and the world.

Now with him and his remaining friends, Angel may finally have a real strategy to bring down W&H for good. Thinking about Illyria's words and realizing he and others can possibly change outcomes of the future, Angel appears to now get the message about what needs to be done to fight this "invisible war". From what I could gather from the end of this episode, routine tactics/approaches to fighting now have to take a backseat. Angel may also be revisiting Lilah's speech about value and compromise to fight evil (Home). Through this season, Angel has compromised and been stuck in a loop with serving W&H. I think Angel's now devising a plan using value and compromise but not the way he's done thru the season. Angel finally agrees with Wesley in keeping Illyria arond, that she could be a valueable resouce after all to fight W&H. Playing an act to keep Hamilton out of the way in the meantime seems to be the way to go, but Angel will probably have to keep his allies in the dark for this plan to really work and fool W&H.

Finally it looks like Angel is making better use of what he's learned in recent eps and come up with an unorthodox, fighting tactic to bring down W&H and the SPs, and to break out of the loop for good. From the beginning of the series it was Angel's ambition to take down the enemy, and perhaps this tactic may prove successful but we'll have to see how this unfolds. Either way, it's a relief to see the possibility of Angel getting smarter about fighting the enemy and not being blind anymore about the inevitable list of casualites and sacrifices that transpire in any war.

Replies:

[> Re: Time-looping and breaking the loop to fight W&H (Time Bomb 5.19 spoilers and spec) -- skeeve, 08:12:14 05/04/04 Tue

Perhaps someone could tell me why no one suggested
to Illyria that she go back to the Well retroactively.
She could unkill Fred and after another million year
nap, Rip van Illyria might find a world more to her liking.

For that matter, even before I knew that Illyria could
do things with time, I'd have been looking for a do-over.
The Oracles gave Angel a do-over,
maybe the PTB would give one to Fred.
Somebody still owes Angel a life that wasn't given to Darla.
If he couldn't do it himself,
maybe he has connections that could help.

I suspect that ME is ignoring these possibilities
just to make the plot go the way they want.

[> [> No, Connor was the life that wasn't given to Darla. -- KdS, 11:45:12 05/04/04 Tue


[> [> [> Yep, details within (from 4.18 Shiny Happy People) -- Masq, 12:22:16 05/04/04 Tue

From my analysis of Shiny Happy People:

The Trials revisited: When Darla was brought back as a human being by Wolfram and Hart, she was dying of syphilis. Angel earned her a second chance at life by successfully facing a series of trials in a supernatural realm. But the life he earned couldn't be used to save Darla. She'd been given a second chance at life already--her resurrection by Wolfram and Hart was her second time as a human. Still, the debt was owed. And the following February, it was paid--Darla and the champion of the Trials conceived a child.

Jasmine implies that she arranged for the "debt" to be paid to Darla and Angel via the pregnancy, thereby making her directly responsible for Connor's conception. Jasmine required a father of miraculous birth in order to facilitate her own "birth" into the Earthly plane.

[> [> [> Re: No, Connor was the life that wasn't given to Darla. -- skeeve, 12:27:03 05/04/04 Tue

My recollection is that Connor was not a gift or payment to Angel.
Connor existed so that Jasmine could exist.
Not exactly a favor.

Apart from that, we don't know that the someone responsible
for Connor was the someone who was supposed to cure Darla.

[> [> [> [> No... (spoiler from "Shiny Happy People") -- Rob, 22:59:56 05/04/04 Tue

WOMAN: We became little more than observers. I could no longer bear to just watch all the suffering. I had to find a way back. But, first I needed a miracle. And so I arranged one. (touches Connor's face) Through you, Angel, through Darla. That is where my parentage began. Two vampiresócreatures one human corrupted by darkness. And you with a soulóa miracle already.

ANGEL: But how?

WOMAN: Through Lorne.

LORNE: Huh?

WOMAN: The day Lorne sent Angel and human Darla into the trials to earn a new chance at life.

ANGEL: I failed.

WOMAN: No, you earned that life. And there it is. (points to Connor)

Rob

[> [> [> [> [> Re: No... (spoiler from "Shiny Happy People") -- skeeve, 07:54:13 05/05/04 Wed

I gather WOMAN refers to Jasmine.
Angel might have been too down to notice,
but WOMAN was rather obviously lying.
Connor existed to serve her desire, not Angel's.
There was no earn-it-get-it relationship between
Angel and Connor.
W&H general questions (not spoilery) -- buffyguy, 20:28:57 04/30/04 Fri

What is Wolfram and Hart? It may sound like a stupid question, coming from someone whose seen all the episodes, but I still don't know the full meaning. I understand they are an interdimensional entity that has existed for at least as long as there have been old ones (hundreds of thousands of years), but what are they? Are they just an evil law firm that caters to the most powerful of demons and demon clans? Are they a force or source of evil that maintains its existence by furthering evil on earth (and naturally in other dimensions)? Is their goal to create an entire world of evil on earth? Or do they intend to keep good in the world only as a way of gleaning entertainment from corrupting it? If someone can give a clear-cut meaning and goal that'd be great. I cant believe i still cant answer this on my own, but hey, thats what you guys are here for.

Also, have we heard in any buffy or angel episodes of dimensions that are earthlike? I mean not a hell or heaven dimension. I was thinking Pylea and then remembered that some people on this board refered to it as a hell dimension, i dont know.

Replies:

[> Re: W&H general questions (not spoilery) -- Alistair, 13:28:27 05/02/04 Sun

On Earth, Wolfram and Hart appears to manifest as a large law firm, which works to keep its evil clients happy and as performing more evil. In Pylea, the wolf ram and hart were associated with the Council of the Trombli, some sorts of demonic priests which controlled that entire kingdom. Lorne said that Pylea is not a hell dimension, but it is a demon world, where the indigenous human population probably originated from any humans brought to Pylea to be slaves.

The true goal or form of the Senior Partners is unclear. One of them manifested as a demon (not its true species) in Season 2 of ATS and was probably killed or sent back to its native realm by Angel and a glove. Another one communed with Lilah at some point and she called him Mr. Suvarta. The conduit in the White room appears to be in touch with the senior partners, but it is unlikely to divulge any information on who they are or what their goal is. The Wolf Ram and Hart did exist in Illyria's day, several million years ago, and she considered them to be barely above the vampire. It appears that they have been able to accumulate a great deal of power.

[> [> Some thoughts on the Senior Partners -- Mighty Mouse, 16:18:02 05/05/04 Wed

I think the Senior Partners, whatever they are, stand out from other demons / evil entities because they were able to "adapt" when humanity gained control of this plane of existence. Illyria, as Alistair pointed out, suggested that the Wolf, Ram & Hart (the Senior Partners, I'm guessing) were a very small "power" in her time, that is, before humans. When humanity came, the Old Ones were either all dead, or banished from this realm. Most demons high tailed it in the aftermath also, or stayed and tried to "hide amongst the humans." The Senior Partners, however, adapted ... they took advantage of the ambiguity of human nature, and encouraged the evil that is within all of us (as stated by the quite dead Holland Manners in "Reprise"). As such, they benefited so much from humankind's existence that they grew to be a great power in multiple dimensions. Just by playing the fencesitter. Well, until they were able to instigate an apocalypse that will ... well, I'm not sure. Any apocalypse usually suggests the "end of good," but that never benefitted Wolfram & Hart, now did it?
It was a dark and stormy night... (way, way off topic)(career decision time) -- Jay, 20:41:12 04/30/04 Fri

Two weeks ago I got laid off of a job from a place that I had worked in one position or another for a number of years. And even though they didn't need to, I got an okay "go away" check. After the smoke in my head cleared out, I decided that I wouldn't even look for a job for two weeks with one exception. I'll get to that exception later. But, in the field I'm in, and in the town I'm in, my name started circulating long before I planned to, and I ended up with a job interview today. Almost a week before I hoped to schedule anything of the like.

Well, I went on the interview today and it went well even though I hadn't even finished my resume yet. They're looking for someone to be able to come in and work with their software with minimal training. The work conditions seemed to be, at the least, a marginally better than the job I lost, with a small exception or two. They didn't balk at the money that I was making. And they didn't come out and offer the job to me, but led me to believe the job was mine for the taking. All in all, a solid, safe job.

The exception that I spoke of earlier was for a former co-worker of mine with whom I've kicked around the idea of starting our own company with for a couple years. It's been mostly at his initiative, but I've never told him to stop dreaming. The day I walked out after being let go, I knew he had to be the first person I talked to about a job. After the first job interview, I went and talked to him. He wants to make me a 50-50 partner even though I don't have the qualifications he does. This is a much more unstable future since we'd be starting the company from nothing. It could very likely go under before we get six months in. Or, as my buddy was making his presentation, we could retire by the time we're fifty. He's much more optimistic than I am, but if he's even half right, I could still make the same money I would expect to working for someone else and still be a boss.

I'm at age where I'm accumulated a certain amount of skill and knowledge, and I am without any family obligations. Yet, to dive into such a dicey proposition as being responsible for fifty percent of a business that is nothing, well, it tightens my stomach. And I've always thought of myself as the kind of guy who would take on this kind of challenge on a whim. I'm a little unnerved by my internal reaction.

Or, I can just start my job search next week like I planned to a couple weeks ago, but that would only be postponing the inevitable.

Replies:

[> Re: It was a dark and stormy night... (way, way off topic)(career decision time) -- Old One, 21:20:56 04/30/04 Fri

Strictly from the point of view of being older and no longer having many opportunities to take risks of the sort you describe, I'd say go for it. Not many people are in the position of being responsible for no one but themselves, and you might not always be in that position either. It's a kind of "now or never" situation, as I see it.

I think more people end up regretting that they played it safe than that they took some risks.

Just my .02 CDN

;o)

[> Re: It was a dark and stormy night... (way, way off topic)(career decision time) -- CW, 06:19:02 05/01/04 Sat

I think that the very fact, that you're uneasy about looking forward running a business is a good sign. It's not an easy thing to do. But, if you're not expecting it to be, that's half the battle.

I can't tell you anything you don't know. You have to ask yourself a lot of questions. Are both you and your friend compatable for working together day-in-day out for maybe decades? Is what you're going to be doing going to make a profit ten years from now, or at least is there some flexiblity so that you can change with the times? Being the boss means working overtime every time its needed with no extra reward, not even a thank you. Is there is reserve of funds somewhere so that you can make it through a lean period in the business if need be?

Now that I've tried to scare you, you should ask yourself, do you really wnat to be working for someone else for the rest of your life? Retiring by fifty may seem less important than being able to make a normal work schedule that's comfortable for you instead of whatever is convient for your boss. Sometimes you would, at least hope to be too busy to think straight, but most of the time you'd be able take a day off whenver you needed it, without worrying about 'sick' days and such.

I've never actually run a business, but I've been very close to those who have. If the possiblities seem realistic, and you think you're tough enough to get through the rough times, being partners would probably be the better choice. If you need long-term stability, and prefer security to risk in your life, working for someone else might be a better choice in the long run.

[> Re: It was a dark and stormy night... (way, way off topic)(career decision time) -- Ames, 08:54:25 05/01/04 Sat

The fact that you're interested but nervous suggests that you should do it. You're probably looking for somebody to give you a kick in the pants and get you over the hump of deciding to take a risk.

A lot of people aren't cut out to be business entrepeneurs. Their interests and abilities lie elsewhere, and they're happy with a secure, stable job to pay the bills and allow them to indulge those interests. If that were you, you probably wouldn't be considering this.

If job security is what concerns you, consider the increasing likelihood that no job is safe and secure these days. Security lies in your own knowledge, abilities and experience. Those can only be enhanced by trying to exercise them in new and challenging ways.

(Speaking from the experience of moving from a secure, stable job to taking a risk and successfully starting a couple of small companies)

[> Re: It was a dark and stormy night... (way, way off topic)(career decision time) -- Pip, 09:06:16 05/01/04 Sat

I had a fairly similar decision to make fifteen years ago. I could either continue on a path of a safe, secure job or I could take a complete leap into the unknown. Eventually I made the decision by imagining how I would feel on my retirement. Would I be happier saying 'I used to want to be an actor', or would I be happier saying 'I gave it a go; didn't work out.'

In the end I decided that I could bear failure a lot more than I could bear 'it might have been'. If I'd tried and failed - well, at least I tried. And I'd know that I wasn't cut out for acting, instead of having some vague feeling that I might have been incredibly successful if only I'd taken the risk.

So try asking yourself that question. What's going to be more painful? Failing? Or 'it might have been.'

For myself, I'm unlikely to be able to retire at fifty, and I'm not famous. But I make a living. More, I don't want to retire at fifty; I don't want to retire until they carry me off in my coffin. Despite the deep insecurity of a job where I never know if I'll ever work again after this assignment's finished, I think that shows I made the right decision for me.

It doesn't mean it's the right decision for you. Which is the one you can't bear the thought of? Failure? Or 'it might have been.'

[> Re: It was a dark and stormy night... (way, way off topic)(career decision time) -- Cheryl, 09:39:44 05/01/04 Sat

He wants to make me a 50-50 partner even though I don't have the qualifications he does. This is a much more unstable future since we'd be starting the company from nothing. It could very likely go under before we get six months in. Or, as my buddy was making his presentation, we could retire by the time we're fifty. He's much more optimistic than I am, but if he's even half right, I could still make the same money I would expect to working for someone else and still be a boss.

It sounds like a very exciting opportunity. Uncertainty and no guarantees seems to be the norm these days, no matter what a person decides.

Family and friends have been trying to convince me to go out on my own as a consultant the past couple of years, but I have no desire to do it. Why? Partly because financially I just don't think I can swing it right now. Even though I'm single, I have obligations - house, car, student loans, etc. I'm not a big risk taker, and that would be too much of a risk for me to take right now. And I've also come to the realization that I like being in a social environment. Many of my best friends are my co-workers and former co-workers. I'm very lucky in that respect. So I don't think I'd want to be working solo or with just one other person.

Anyway, enough about me. I just wanted to mention it to let you know I've been in a similar situtation. Some practical things you should consider:

1) Does your friend have a legitimate business plan? Has he run a business before? Has a professional reviewed the business plan? What is the market like for what you do? What is the potential for clients and revenue?

2) Besides the typical financial concerns such as paying rent/mortage, etc., will you be responsible for a small business loan? Are you putting up your own capital? Is so, what are you using for collateral?

3) Will you have health insurance? Many small business owners and entrepreneurs forgo health insurance, especially these days with costs being so high. But you could end up losing everything if something catastrophic happens and you don't have insurance. I bring this up because I'm currently involved in a project right now (I'm a market researcher in healthcare) regarding the uninsured and it's been an eye opener.

4) Will you miss the office/social environment?

5) Are you a risk taker? How do you handle uncertainty and stress? Being nervous about a major change like this is normal, but consider how you've reacted in the past to high stress situations.

6) I think someone else already mentioned this, but how well do you know your "partner" and his business ethics, etc?

I wish you the best of luck. It's a big decision, but it could be a very rewarding one. Keep us posted!

[> Re: It was a dark and stormy night... (way, way off topic)(career decision time) -- Sara, 12:04:34 05/01/04 Sat

One very important thing to think about when starting a business is whether or not you have someone with the sales/marketing/business skills to get the company off the ground. It doesn't matter how strong you and your partner's actual skills are if you don't have anyone with the skills and inclination to sell them. Sounds like you're in a great position to take a risk, but don't underestimate the need to aggressively sell your company's products/services or it will be destined to fail regardless of their quality. Good luck - it sounds pretty exciting!
[Edit]

Current board | May 2004