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bironicHey, folks. Sorry for prolonged radio silence, both on the posting and the replying-to-comments fronts. Haven't been feeling quite myself lately; not so good for the creativity or the sociability.
First, a very happy and very belated birthday to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
lysa1 and noydb666. Lysa, I miss your wonderful sarcasm and wish you didn't live half a dozen time zones away. Here's to another year of your deliciously naughty fic and beautiful art. Noydb, you've got some fascinating insights and I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Many happy returns to both of you.
Quick update on life: Thanksgiving weekend was nice, if too short -- got to meet some new people and see old friends, cooked and tidied a lot, attended a concert (Ryan Star), saw a play (Little Dog Laughed) and rented a movie (Amores Perros -- unofficial Oscar nominee for Highest Number of Dead or Dying Dogs on Film Ever). And brooded, but that's not much fun to talk about. I hope those of you who celebrated had a nice holiday and those of you who didn't celebrate had a nice not-holiday.
Watched Goblet of Fire Wednesday night and noticed for the first time that Voldemort's tongue is forked. Guess I was always too distracted during the part where he's pressing his thumb to Harry's scar and imitating his cries to see the double tip when his tongue slides out. Very cool.
My brain also pinged on the foreshadowing of Arthur's "That's my boy!" at the World Cup, after Crouch et al fire their collective "Stupefy!" at the trio. Man, that line still wrenches the proverbial guts at the end. Relatedly:kabale, you may be pleased to know that there's a little post-Patronus you-voice in my head that comments on the painful irony when the band strikes up at Harry's reappearance.
Hey, yeah -- remember when I used to post about fandoms other than House? Here's a little something to make up for it. Sort of a disjointed and hastily-written musing on heroes, solitude, teamwork, facing enemies and hitting rock bottom that I want to try to get down before any more Tritter episodes air.
Have been returning to thoughts of how House differs from many of the shows and books I've been a fan of in the extent to which he faces (or denies that he's facing) problems alone. Star Trek was all about the teamwork, the philosophy that only by working together -- even with the unlikeliest alliances -- will problems be solved and adversities overcome. BtVS emphasized again and again that Buffy owed her success and longevity as a Slayer to her team, her family, her Watcher and Scooby gang and motley crew of helpers. House more closely resembles Harry Potter, the lone and sour hero who always ends up facing the enemy alone, despite having a multi-talented back-up team (Hermione/Ron/Dumbledore // Wilson/Cuddy/Fellows, and no, those aren't orgy groupings), the "enemy" in House's case being his patients' diseases in general and now Tritter in particular. And as if House didn't make life hard enough for himself (or rather, as if the writers haven't made life hard enough for him), in the best heroic tradition, what little support he has is now being stripped away from him, or perhaps, rather, he's pushing his allies away from himself. I'm thinking particularly of the latest development with Wilson, who has so far been House's best and most loyal friend but may in fact have been pushed too far (for the moment) last week.
What I'm curious to see is whether this police investigation arc will more closely resemble BtVS season four, in which Buffy broke away from the Scoobies ("The Yoko Factor") only to realize how much she needed them, at which point they reunited and merged their strengths to overcome Adam; or Angel season whatever-it-was, when Angel deliberately alienated everyone close to him and spiralled down, alone, into the depths of depression before pulling himself up to face the season's villain. I think. I don't really remember how that arc ended except for vague memories of bitter and mistrustful reconciliation, because I lost the ability to connect with what Angel was going through and stopped enjoying those episodes.
But anyway. Speaking as a spoiler-free fan who wishes to remain so, I do think that, like all the best heroes, thanks to the strongest threat that's faced them yet, both House and Wilson are headed for rock-bottom during this arc. It'll be interesting to see how they build themselves back up. *thinking* Maybe the question is whether House, like Angel or Harry, will pit himself against his nemesis one-on-one, as he does with his cases each week after his Fellows and Wilson have contributed their shares, or whether he'll employ each of his team members' and friend's talents to get rid of this guy, like Buffy or a Star Trek crew. Or some combination of the two. Or neither.
Like I said, disjointed. I just hope the resolution is worthy of the build-up.
First, a very happy and very belated birthday to
lysa1 and noydb666. Lysa, I miss your wonderful sarcasm and wish you didn't live half a dozen time zones away. Here's to another year of your deliciously naughty fic and beautiful art. Noydb, you've got some fascinating insights and I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Many happy returns to both of you.Quick update on life: Thanksgiving weekend was nice, if too short -- got to meet some new people and see old friends, cooked and tidied a lot, attended a concert (Ryan Star), saw a play (Little Dog Laughed) and rented a movie (Amores Perros -- unofficial Oscar nominee for Highest Number of Dead or Dying Dogs on Film Ever). And brooded, but that's not much fun to talk about. I hope those of you who celebrated had a nice holiday and those of you who didn't celebrate had a nice not-holiday.
Watched Goblet of Fire Wednesday night and noticed for the first time that Voldemort's tongue is forked. Guess I was always too distracted during the part where he's pressing his thumb to Harry's scar and imitating his cries to see the double tip when his tongue slides out. Very cool.
My brain also pinged on the foreshadowing of Arthur's "That's my boy!" at the World Cup, after Crouch et al fire their collective "Stupefy!" at the trio. Man, that line still wrenches the proverbial guts at the end. Relatedly:
kabale, you may be pleased to know that there's a little post-Patronus you-voice in my head that comments on the painful irony when the band strikes up at Harry's reappearance.Hey, yeah -- remember when I used to post about fandoms other than House? Here's a little something to make up for it. Sort of a disjointed and hastily-written musing on heroes, solitude, teamwork, facing enemies and hitting rock bottom that I want to try to get down before any more Tritter episodes air.
Have been returning to thoughts of how House differs from many of the shows and books I've been a fan of in the extent to which he faces (or denies that he's facing) problems alone. Star Trek was all about the teamwork, the philosophy that only by working together -- even with the unlikeliest alliances -- will problems be solved and adversities overcome. BtVS emphasized again and again that Buffy owed her success and longevity as a Slayer to her team, her family, her Watcher and Scooby gang and motley crew of helpers. House more closely resembles Harry Potter, the lone and sour hero who always ends up facing the enemy alone, despite having a multi-talented back-up team (Hermione/Ron/Dumbledore // Wilson/Cuddy/Fellows, and no, those aren't orgy groupings), the "enemy" in House's case being his patients' diseases in general and now Tritter in particular. And as if House didn't make life hard enough for himself (or rather, as if the writers haven't made life hard enough for him), in the best heroic tradition, what little support he has is now being stripped away from him, or perhaps, rather, he's pushing his allies away from himself. I'm thinking particularly of the latest development with Wilson, who has so far been House's best and most loyal friend but may in fact have been pushed too far (for the moment) last week.
What I'm curious to see is whether this police investigation arc will more closely resemble BtVS season four, in which Buffy broke away from the Scoobies ("The Yoko Factor") only to realize how much she needed them, at which point they reunited and merged their strengths to overcome Adam; or Angel season whatever-it-was, when Angel deliberately alienated everyone close to him and spiralled down, alone, into the depths of depression before pulling himself up to face the season's villain. I think. I don't really remember how that arc ended except for vague memories of bitter and mistrustful reconciliation, because I lost the ability to connect with what Angel was going through and stopped enjoying those episodes.
But anyway. Speaking as a spoiler-free fan who wishes to remain so, I do think that, like all the best heroes, thanks to the strongest threat that's faced them yet, both House and Wilson are headed for rock-bottom during this arc. It'll be interesting to see how they build themselves back up. *thinking* Maybe the question is whether House, like Angel or Harry, will pit himself against his nemesis one-on-one, as he does with his cases each week after his Fellows and Wilson have contributed their shares, or whether he'll employ each of his team members' and friend's talents to get rid of this guy, like Buffy or a Star Trek crew. Or some combination of the two. Or neither.
Like I said, disjointed. I just hope the resolution is worthy of the build-up.
no subject
Date: Nov. 28th, 2006 11:12 pm (UTC)As for your fandomish thoughts that's rather interesting. I hadn't thought about the way books/shows/etc. can be divided into the lone hero or the team varieties. It will be interesting to see how House deals with that crisis - I'll be watching through you for now :-)
no subject
Date: Nov. 28th, 2006 11:25 pm (UTC)BtVS emphasized again and again that Buffy owed her success and longevity as a Slayer to her team, her family, her Watcher and Scooby gang and motley crew of helpers.
Though the Slayer motto was that the slayer stands alone and Buffy herself often shoo-ed her friends away saying that they shouldn't be there to help her. And yet despite that fact, like you said, Buffy only survived as long as she did (...and came back from the dead a couple of times) because of her team. It's an interesting contradiction.
Angel deliberately alienated everyone close to him and spiralled down, alone, into the depths of depression before pulling himself up to face the season's villain. I think. I don't really remember how that arc ended except for vague memories of bitter and mistrustful reconciliation
I'm pretty fuzzy on the details, but my memory claims that once his scooby gang found out that he had only been *pretending* to be evil, they agreed to an uneasy & cautious truce that led to the maimery & destruction of the second half of the last episode. So, like Buffy, Angel kept pushing people away, only to discover that he needed them and, surprise of surprises, they were still willing to stand by him.
I'm also curious to see what direction House will take-- since this isn't a Whedon show, and DS has repeatedly said that he will never make House fluffy, my wary instinct says that House won't be whedonesque and, instead, will find new ways to damage all his remaining relationships (and said relationships will generally continue to suffer his abuse). Before that, House will probably make amends before going down again.
no subject
Date: Nov. 29th, 2006 01:59 am (UTC)Are you thinking of the series finale of Angel? Because yes, that's what happened. I was thinking of an earlier season -- second, maybe -- where Angel spent this whole long arc pushing everyone away to face someone from Wolfram & Hart. The season where Wesley got shot, maybe? I should just look it up already.
blah-blah-ing
Date: Nov. 29th, 2006 11:50 am (UTC)Wouldn't it be, though? But that would be, like, healthy of him or something. *rolls eyes*
Yeah, I was referring to the season finale. If it's season 2 you're talking about, I watched that recently... he spends the first third obsessed with (human) Darla, which pisses off the gang a lot but they try to be supportive/drag him away from his obsession. When she becomes a vampire he decides that he needs to do this alone so he deliberately cuts them off by firing them-- and this is the Ultimate Blow. Once he gets over the Darla obsession he feels guilty for how he treated his ex-team and has to do a lot of bowing and scraping. To "make up" for it, he makes Wesley the boss (Wesley is slow to forgive him again but he does), gives Cordelia lots of clothes (which grants him instant forgiveness XD), and Gunn... wasn't as invested at that point?
And yes it's the season in which Wesley gets shot. :) Angel shows up to the hospital for that.
Come to think of it, I once wrote up a comparison of Darla/Angel and Stacy/House.
Re: blah-blah-ing
Date: Nov. 29th, 2006 11:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Nov. 29th, 2006 12:55 am (UTC)Thanks! And ditto.
I was wondering where you had disappeared to, but figured you were busy with the holiday. I'm sorry to hear you weren't feeling great; I hope things are better now.
As for whether House will use his team to defeat Tritter: I can't see it (at least not House asking them to help). Although he uses others to solve his medical puzzles, they're mostly doing the scut work so he can concentrate on the analysis. Wilson is the only person he truly works with on the same level, and obviously that fellowship is in danger at the moment. Thus, I think House will have to defeat Tritter on his own. (It'll probably occur via a deus ex machina.)
no subject
Date: Nov. 29th, 2006 01:55 am (UTC)Aw, thanks for the concern. We can recover together -- you from flu/sinusitis, me from this restless depression.
no subject
Date: Nov. 30th, 2006 02:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Nov. 30th, 2006 02:27 am (UTC)Love it.
House has acknowledged that he needs (and wants) his underlings and Wilson -- in "Forever" and "Meaning," he yelled at Foreman and admitted to Moriarty/himself that he needs his fellows to challenge him, to cover all his bases, even if he still overrides them; in "Babies & Bathwater" and "Son of Coma Guy" he made his feelings for Wilson as clear as they may ever be -- but yes, he's not the group-huggiest of team leaders, and it would be nice to see him show a little gratitude after this all blows over.