So I’m watching “Angel” last night, which featured the first of the five last new episodes. Only The WB doesn’t call them “new”, but “fresh”. As is, “A fresh episode of ‘Angel’ tonight on the WB…” Which I don’t like at all, because by extension, reruns are not so fresh, and now I’ve got images of mothers and daughters walking along beaches, and really, that’s not good.
Last night also marked the second time this week that someone, mid-episode of a multi-year, multi-arc narrative television show has asked me, “Hey, what’s happening on this show?” at about the 8th minute. So I have to watch the TV, absorb the new episode, and simultaneously try to explain years of mythology. And the result was the same in both cases: with them ruing their desire to ask what they thought was a simple question. To quote the “Cave Dwellers” episode of Mystery Science Theatre 3000, “This is the part of the movie called, ‘She had to ask…’”
I won’t make this an “Angel” recap episode by any means, but I think it’s pretty sad how, after this season, I’ll only have “Alias” as my “mythology” show. I love how my roommate enjoyed last night’s episode, while I reveled in the continuity happening both in and out of the show’s inclusive narrative. I can understand why people don’t watch the hyper-literate, more than slightly geeky, “Angel”, but I can’t for the life of me figure out how “Alias” isn’t pulling down “CSI”-like numbers…it’s got gadgets, really sweet fights, love triangles, betrayals, an overarching plot that takes its time in unpeeling (one storyline has been intact since episode 1, and they’re almost done Season 3 now), and did I mention Jennifer Garner in a different, but incredibly hot, costume every week?
Oh well. To each his own. When Jen and I are sipping Cristal in a few years time in a hot tub, I can say, “Yea, I’ve known you were the ‘nizzle since back in the day. I even wrote an resumé to be your boyfriend. Isn’t that adorable?” And she’ll say, “Oh Christ, that was YOU? I am but fortune's fool. Security!”
Two “Wading in the Velvet Sea” contests are still up and running. Apply to be “Miss Ryan-McGee Dot Com”. After all, these people did. So did these fine folks. Or, fill out “The Official ‘Wading in the Velvet Sea Fan Club’ Questionnaire”. Both are recommended as part of this balanced breakfast.