Personal: Summer Break

[butterfly]

So, a huge part of the reason why I have all this time to watch stuff right now (and bang about on the internet) is because my school is doing a month-long break between Spring and Summer terms. This is definitely nice, on the one hand, because it means that I get to watch the finale episodes of S4 of Doctor Who without it messing with my ability to do schoolwork (because... it would), but I actually have too much time because I quit my job (for three reasons: a. more time for school, b. the 'moving closer to Portland in a couple of weeks' thing would make the commute really suck, c. I really kinda hated it) and school is out for a month.

Soap operas appear to have been my solution. Because I had no idea how addictive they were (and, of course, after I start watching them is when people mention this *grins*).

Also, regarding Doctor Who: I have no speculation. I'm not going to try to guess what happens next (though I'm enjoying reading other people's guesses). I'm just going to watch the story. Judging on previous evidence (three other television series, plus three+ years of RTD's Who), I think I'll like it. That's enough for me at the moment.

Of the things that I'm watching/have recently watched:

Alles Was Zaehlt: A+ for chemistry between Deniz and Roman; C for Vanessa (with a bump up to a straight B for the actress, who I liked well enough on her own); B- for recent plot developments.
As the World Turns: A for the chemistry between Luke and Noah; D for Ameera (B- for the actress, though, who I thought was really cute); C+ for recent plot developments.
Being Human: General A for overall excellence. A+ for chemistry between the three leads. Bumped off half a point for only having one episode (but more in Jan. Yay!).
Bob and Rose: A for plotting. B for Holly. A+ for Bob and Rose's chemistry.
Casanova: A+ for plotting (loved the framing device). A+ for chemistry between Casanova and every single character with whom he shared the screen. Bonus points for Goth!Naples.
Doctor Who (series 4): General A- for plotting. A+ for chemistry between the Doctor and Donna. Bonus points for recent developments.
The Sarah Jane Adventures: General A for strong plots, good characters, and intercast chemistry. Not an A+ because of the pilot, which wasn't quite as good (no Clyde!).
Verbotene Liebe: A+ for chemistry between Christian and Oliver; B for recent plot developments; bonus points for Gregor and Olivia.

Gay Soap Opera Note: I love the way all the actors in the gay plotlines have reacted to questions about whether or not it's more difficult for them to be playing gay -- they have an across-the-board reaction along the lines of no, of course not. Why are you even asking? Are you unaware of what this thing called 'acting' is all about? Jake Silbermann (Noah) was delightfully baffled at being asked about it and Igor Dolgatschew (Deniz) pointed out that he's not actually from Turkey, either, why aren't they asking him about that? Sadly, these are things I found randomly on YouTube or following links, so I can't point them out, but I was really pleased by it all.

Comments

[a-white-rain.livejournal.com]

Jake Silbermann (Noah) was delightfully baffled at being asked about it and Igor Dolgatschew (Deniz) pointed out that he's not actually from Turkey, either, why aren't they asking him about that? Sadly, these are things I found randomly on YouTube or following links, so I can't point them out, but I was really pleased by it all.
That made me smile! <3

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Jake actually had to take a moment before he said anything. It was cute.

[pluckyyounggirl.livejournal.com]

I have no speculation. I'm not going to try to guess what happens next (though I'm enjoying reading other people's guesses). I'm just going to watch the story. Judging on previous evidence (three other television series, plus three+ years of RTD's Who), I think I'll like it. That's enough for me at the moment.

Same here. I'm just happy waiting for it all to unravel right now, and I trust that it will be good and that I will like it. It's nice to be able to be so laid back about something for once.

As for SJA, which I only just watched, as well - it's crazy how everyone on that show has crazy (sometimes rather inappropriate) chemistry with each other! I love it. They're really such a wonderful cast. Plus, Cylde! CLYDE. 'Nuff said.

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Same here. I'm just happy waiting for it all to unravel right now, and I trust that it will be good and that I will like it. It's nice to be able to be so laid back about something for once.

So true. I'm thinking of doing a big rewatch this week, to remind myself of all the important/adorable/awesome bits. I suspect that I will skip all of Moffat's excepting the Jack episodes, though.

As for SJA, which I only just watched, as well - it's crazy how everyone on that show has crazy (sometimes rather inappropriate) chemistry with each other! I love it. They're really such a wonderful cast. Plus, Cylde! CLYDE. 'Nuff said.

Clyde is so much love. I was so glad that they replaced Kelsey, because that character just did not work. And Clyde works so well!

[pluckyyounggirl.livejournal.com]

I suspect that I will skip all of Moffat's excepting the Jack episodes, though.

This sounds like a very wise plan. I'm fairly good with the denial, actually - I've nearly put The Episodes That Shall Not Be Named out of my mind entirely by now. Sometimes, I read their names in episode lists and find myself puzzled, but then I just look somewhere else very quickly.

Clyde is so much love. I was so glad that they replaced Kelsey, because that character just did not work. And Clyde works so well!

Clyde really is wonderful, and works so wonderfully with everyone else. I love how we have such similar opinions on so many things - makes me feel a bit more sane. :D

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

This sounds like a very wise plan. I'm fairly good with the denial, actually - I've nearly put The Episodes That Shall Not Be Named out of my mind entirely by now. Sometimes, I read their names in episode lists and find myself puzzled, but then I just look somewhere else very quickly.

It's amazing how much better S2 flows without that one episode, too. Taking that other one out of S3 changes absolutely nothing. And we will not speak of S4. I think I'm still traumatized.

Clyde really is wonderful, and works so wonderfully with everyone else. I love how we have such similar opinions on so many things - makes me feel a bit more sane. :D

It is quite comforting to share an opinion with someone who is articulate and intelligent. Reassuring, as well.

[pluckyyounggirl.livejournal.com]

And we will not speak of S4. I think I'm still traumatized.

*shudders*

The podcast for 4x09 came up on my mp3 player while I was our running yesterday. I was pleased to realise that nobody actually talks about the episode.

It is quite comforting to share an opinion with someone who is articulate and intelligent. Reassuring, as well.

Right back at you.