tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post5567740191570427163..comments2024-03-28T23:03:57.917-04:00Comments on Doux Reviews: Vampire Diaries: Stand by MeBillie Douxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-27667336496407499722016-04-06T00:58:06.768-04:002016-04-06T00:58:06.768-04:00Caroline: “We need a funeral. Or a cover story. Or...Caroline: “We need a funeral. Or a cover story. Or a funeral and a cover story. I should go tell my mom, she’ll know what to do…I will call Matt, and then I’ll tell my mom, and then I’ll make a list, or a casserole, or whatever people are supposed to do in these situations.” <br /><br />I never realized before how Caroline and I are similar, probably because she's a cheerleader and I cannot emphasize enough how much I'm not; but that is the exact reaction I would have had to this situation. Especially the list part. I don't know what I would have made a list of, but I would have made a list of something, possibly a spreadsheet.<br /><br />Because Silas killed Jeremy, is he now afflicted with the hunters curse?<br /><br />Can someone please remind Bonnie of when all the ghosts were made corporeal including all those vengeful vampires and how horrible that was and how this would about a thousand times worse?Mariannahttp://www.mariannahorn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-8382306744558840082013-09-10T16:41:09.614-04:002013-09-10T16:41:09.614-04:00Such an awesome episode, and a great review, Josie...Such an awesome episode, and a great review, Josie! I'm re-reading these as I'm re-watching before season 5 starts, and they always make me happy! <br /><br />While I don't see the feminist thing as strongly as some, I understand where you guys are coming from. To me it's not about a lost little girl (Elena, Caroline, Bonnie) reaching out for her big strong manly-man (Stefan/Damon, Tyler, Shane) to save her, it was more about a loss of childhood. While non of us can say these characters have been innocent children for a while, it remains that they still have a lot of growing to do. I very, *very* vaguely remember being 18 and thinking I knew so much, and that I was so much more mature than when I started high school versus when I left. Now, years later, I realize how innocent I still was at the time. My point is that our heroines still have so much to learn, and so, sooooo much more to lose. And while Buffy was (and still is!) a complete and utter badass, Joss himself said that the Slayer was most interesting when she was vulnerable, which is why he stripped her of everything so often. "No weapons, no friends, no hope. What's left?" "Me." BAM! :) <br /><br />My biggest issue this season has been that everyone in Mystic Falls acted like Elena shouldn't want to enjoy her vampirism. That she should brood and drink animal blood because that's what Stefan does. Damon was right that she was much more like him. She's not a ripper. She killed Conner, but, to be fair, he was trying to kill her and her brother. He was fair game in my opinion. <br /><br />Can I say how much I loved Damon finally finding Bonnie and hugging her? Made me smile. <br /><br />Also, I would love to see how Caroline acted with her humanity turned off. I think she would just be super efficient and probably take over the world. <br /><br />Oh, and on the issues of what supernaturals would come back, it was mentioned in an earlier episode that Jenna wasn't on the other side because she hadn't been a vampire long enough, and didn't kill anyone or something like that. I want to say it was Anna that told Jeremy that. Not sure though. <br /><br />That was a much longer post than I thought it was going to be, but oh well! I'm killing time until all my shows start back up. Suzie_Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-69857318528432895332013-03-06T12:02:20.025-05:002013-03-06T12:02:20.025-05:00Woah. What an episode!
There's been some talk...Woah. What an episode!<br /><br />There's been some talk lately of the morality of the heroes on this show getting lost. With that in mind, I found it interesting that when it came down to a very real, very emotional reason to do some mass killing (resurrecting your last family member) Elena was the one that made the tough call not to; interesting in juxtaposition to the mass killing resulting from killing Kol. <br /><br />Glad Nina Dobrev is getting credit for this performance, too. <br /><br />After being reminded of Anya's spech, I was about to go watch the Buffy ep "The Body," but couldn't take all this sadness at once. Maybe tomorrow. <br /><br />-Deborah <br /><br />P.S. I thought I was a feminist, but I didn't see this angle at all until I read the beginning of Josie's review. <br />DebG.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15535778897976326759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-9177877646834678382013-02-27T23:16:22.232-05:002013-02-27T23:16:22.232-05:00Different anonymous here. Perhaps nothing more nee...Different anonymous here. Perhaps nothing more needs to be said on the topic of VD/gender/communist time travel, but it may be worth pointing out that a feminist critique of a TV show has less to do with character behaviors than it does with writers’ choices. What’s been interesting (and often problematic) this season is the writers’ approach to the effects of power on women. <br /><br />Caroline spent much of the first season being terribly violated, and her transformation into a vampire proved how vital strength and empowerment are for a young woman. Whereas this season, both Elena and Bonnie have suffered a lot of judgment as a result of becoming more powerful. Yes, there’s something to be said for an examination of the abuse of power, etc… the feminist critique comes in when the show’s not really examining that, or at least not doing it very well. (And are there that many young women who would relate to a character whose problem is Too Much Strength?)<br /><br />Personally, I find the characters’ increasingly random approaches to morality to be more distracting than the gender issues, but that doesn’t mean those angles and interpretations aren’t relevant, interesting or thoughtful. That said, if someone has a Soviet Time Machine, davayte! <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-11686756897960791032013-02-26T14:36:31.933-05:002013-02-26T14:36:31.933-05:00Jenneal - yes, I wondered that. Whether or not the...Jenneal - yes, I wondered that. Whether or not they planned it all along, it would make more sense of the fact both Jenna and Alaric were vamped before they died, which seemed kind of pointless at the time, especially in Jenna's case. Why vamp her and then deny us the chance to see Vamp Jenna in action?!Juliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203399623895589924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-77387994914139783622013-02-26T13:58:44.530-05:002013-02-26T13:58:44.530-05:00Intense.
Kudos to Nina Dobrev for that last scen...Intense. <br /><br />Kudos to Nina Dobrev for that last scene in the house. Not just the moment when Elena switches off her humanity, but also the grief-crazed destruction of her house. I know that feeling. OK, not the feeling of burning down my house, but of irrationally wanting to destroy objects that remind you of someone you have lost. I feel like that compunction has been played out a lot in fiction, but somehow she captured it perfectly and it brought me to tears. I don’t know which is more sad, Jeremy’s death, or the house burning down! I really loved that house, and I think Elena is going to regret losing everything inside. Seeing her journal burning was the kicker. I think it is interesting that she made the same decision to burn down the house both before and after the “switch”, first out of emotion and afterwards, out of unemotional logic. <br /><br />I didn’t really see the anti-feminist thing. I, for one, tend to turn to those I love when I am in pain, so Caroline calling Tyler seemed perfectly human, and the fact that he is male is sort of beside the point. I think we are supposed to understand that Caroline has lost someone she loved, too. As for Damon telling Elena to turn off her humanity, that is also a pretty human thing to do, male or female. When you see someone you love in pain like that, you are desperate to do anything you can to make it stop. Not that it was a good decision, and one that is going to come back to haunt him, but I think it was made out of love and not out of some patriarchal attitude. Also, don’t forget, the one person Elena really wanted was Bonnie, and Damon was so desperate to find her (because he knew Elena needed her most of all) that he hugged her. He didn’t run to Elena thinking he was the solution to her problems, he stayed on the island to find the woman he really thought could help. <br /> <br />BTW…Interesting all the references to Buffy “The Body”. I suppose the writers saw that connection, too, since they named the episode “Stand by Me”, which is also the title of a film based on a short story called “The Body” by Stephen King. <br />Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-52052919908982601742013-02-26T13:52:01.453-05:002013-02-26T13:52:01.453-05:00Pulling things back for a sec...
I'm wondering...Pulling things back for a sec...<br />I'm wondering if the writers planned to bring characters back all along. Maybe turning Aunt Jenna into a Vampire, Lexi was a vampire, Grams being a witch, Jeremy and Alaric hunters, was part of the plan? They will all be back when the "veil" is dropped (cause honestly, who can stop Bonnie and Shane/Silas?)Everyone dead was turned into a supernatural being.<br /><br />Or am I reading too much into it? Steven Moffat has totally ruined me.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01747979537730463743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-32434299760664678162013-02-26T12:34:04.734-05:002013-02-26T12:34:04.734-05:00What an interesting conversation and how cool is i...What an interesting conversation and how cool is it that we get to have discussions about feminism? One of the things I love about this blog is the depth of character and intellect in the reviewers and their reviews. They show that you can be a feminist (anarchist/liberal/conservative) and enjoy a show even as you question it's portrayal of the world. In fact, it's that kind of nuanced viewing that drew me to this blog in the first place. I review the Walking Dead which doesn't exactly do a great job with it's women characters but it does address other important human issues (and it has some hot actors) so I watch and review it. (I can be shallow and intellectual at the same time). If we just turn off everything that bothers us, if we don't question the things we love then how will change happen?drnanamomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667806039402426676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-59849305953339531152013-02-26T11:45:04.192-05:002013-02-26T11:45:04.192-05:00I am capable of watching, reading, and enjoying te...I am capable of watching, reading, and enjoying texts that do not agree with my political philosophies. That doesn't mean I pretend my political philosophies don't exist.Josie Kafkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17892717530356699008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-46031467081158166712013-02-26T11:43:25.774-05:002013-02-26T11:43:25.774-05:00Josie, I probably AM being rude, especially as I a...Josie, I probably AM being rude, especially as I am a guest on your blog. But I think you misunderstand me, as well. You wrote: <br /><br />"I am ignoring these concerns in order to continue to enjoy the show."<br /><br />My point is: If you regard your concerns as serious, then how could you? And if they're not that serious, why mention them at all? <br /><br />And now I'll shut up. Sorry for the disturbance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-89875282168547800712013-02-26T11:31:29.956-05:002013-02-26T11:31:29.956-05:00Billie
awwww crap
Nonetheless, still believe you&...Billie<br />awwww crap<br /><br />Nonetheless, still believe you're a genius...celticmarchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06018881585193380762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-49919831572860952882013-02-26T11:13:51.138-05:002013-02-26T11:13:51.138-05:00Anonymous, you clearly did intend to give offense....Anonymous, you clearly did intend to give offense. You implied I'd be happier as a Communist propogandist. How is that not offensive?<br /><br />I will engage you, nonetheless, because you seem to be struggling with a very simplified version of feminism, in which you imagine that I want all women to be super-powerful ass-kickers who never exhibit a moment of weakness. That is not my version of feminism. <br /><br />As I said earlier, and as Billie just re-stated: one character (Elena) does not equal anti-feminism, because not all female characters stand for all women. <br /><br />But when all the female characters, at the same time, lose their agency to the dominant men in their lives, that stops being an issue of individual characters and starts being an issue of how the show treats women with power.<br /><br />You also seem to have misunderstood the context of my comment: I was explaining my perspective to Panda, who had done a great job providing an alternate opinion in a kind and thought-provoking way. In the review itself I make clear that <b>I am ignoring these concerns in order to continue to enjoy the show.</b> <br /><br />I could post a lot more--about how I'm equally upset by the trend of portraying all men as a type of "man-child" in so many modern comedies, about how disturbing it is that "feminism" is so easily understood as "reductive" rather than "in favor of gender equality, for all genders." But given the tone of your comment, I doubt I could even convince you of my perspective (which you seem to want to misunderstand), much less of its veracity.<br /><br />Josie Kafkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17892717530356699008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-89571823428086567132013-02-26T11:11:08.741-05:002013-02-26T11:11:08.741-05:00Clearly, I need to turn in my NOW membership. And ...Clearly, I need to turn in my NOW membership. And I'm tired. Anyone else want to take this?Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-37864289209764221102013-02-26T11:04:54.797-05:002013-02-26T11:04:54.797-05:00Every example has its counter-example: Katherine, ...Every example has its counter-example: Katherine, one of the strongest women on the show, is evil. Bonnie is always teetering along the edge of evil. Lexi, another strong woman (who I absolutely loved) got killed off after an episode or so. Klaus' mother was totally gaga (and evil. too, by the way). Rebecca? Well let's reserve judgement on her for now.<br /><br />I didn't say there weren't positive examples. But there have also been plenty of examples that could have been construed as "portraying women from a traditional male perspective." Only, in the first few seasons, these didn't seem to bother anyone.<br /><br />You may be right in that this season really is lacking a shining female figure (a la Caroline), though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-58839297260692670492013-02-26T10:53:28.880-05:002013-02-26T10:53:28.880-05:00I can't take credit for "feminazis."...I can't take credit for "feminazis." That was coined by Rush Limbaugh. :)Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-90390586182415085342013-02-26T10:51:14.626-05:002013-02-26T10:51:14.626-05:00"feminazis"
Billie, you've just mad..."feminazis"<br /><br />Billie, you've just made my day.<br /><br />(BUT) If I learn that you burn book, I'm pitching myself through my 3rd storey's window.celticmarchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06018881585193380762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-33047306214923817882013-02-26T10:31:39.540-05:002013-02-26T10:31:39.540-05:00Anonymous, what about the wonderfully empowering C...Anonymous, what about the wonderfully empowering Caroline plot? Initially a victim, she came into her own when she became a vampire. What about Bonnie being the most powerful person on the show? What about Elena being the power in her relationship with both Stefan and (until the whole sire bond thing) Damon? Elena is not Bella, or I wouldn't like her. I never said every woman has to be Sydney Bristow.<br /><br />And I'm done. I'm sure Josie will have something to say, and I'm equally sure it will be terrific.Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-14357297868737939662013-02-26T09:47:25.906-05:002013-02-26T09:47:25.906-05:00Billie,
my point was simply that the whole premise...Billie,<br />my point was simply that the whole premise of this show (sweet, good, helpless Elena) could be considered to be anti-feminist, if you get right down to it. Elena was never conceived to be another Buffy or another Sydney Bristow. So, I don't get this sudden surprise over anti-feminist undertones which have actually always been there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-55621304947984394632013-02-26T08:53:16.777-05:002013-02-26T08:53:16.777-05:00Anonymous: Clearly, we feminazis need access to ti...Anonymous: Clearly, we feminazis need access to time travel so that we can check out future plot points and not watch episodes in which we might observe feminist or anti-feminist themes. Then we'd never have to make comments that include feminist viewpoints, and your world would be perfect.Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-89903205546403069782013-02-26T06:30:07.525-05:002013-02-26T06:30:07.525-05:00Josie -- you may speak for me at any time.
:-)Josie -- you may speak for me at any time.<br /><br />:-)ChrisBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10843864158239536750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-24728705119046259322013-02-26T03:55:38.141-05:002013-02-26T03:55:38.141-05:00In my opinion, if the feminist angle is what's...In my opinion, if the feminist angle is what's most important to you, then you should probably never have liked this show, in the first place. After all, this series was basically always about sweet, helpless, little Elena being protected from the bad world by her male admirerers. Your present objections sound a lot like the old "guilty pleasure" dilemna to me. Sorry, but even in the real world, not every woman measures up to the feminist ideal. So why should they on a show like this? If you want to see what it looks like if your characters always have to behave according to some ideologically determined role model, then you should take a time machine ride back to communist Russia and watch some of their old movies...you know, that "hero of the working class" stuff.<br /><br />Sorry, but that's my opinion. No offense intended.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-11687618570985877762013-02-26T00:39:16.628-05:002013-02-26T00:39:16.628-05:00Panda, I don't think you're wrong, and I&#...Panda, I don't think you're wrong, and I'll bet the showrunners would agree with you.<br /><br />ChrisB and I (if I may speak for her) are troubled by the sum of those coincidences, especially in the way that Elena (and Bonnie) have both been stripped of their "agency" or self-determination this season. Very few women (possibly just Katherine, who is running from Klaus) seem to be in charge of their own actions on this show anymore. It's one of the more troubling aspects of vampire fiction these days, and I'm a bit miffed that VD has decided to go down that path this season.<br /><br />ChrisB and I are also probably coming at it from a different perspective, as female humans, versus the perspective you bring, as a male panda bear. :-)Josie Kafkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17892717530356699008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-8290191678308946282013-02-25T16:11:47.577-05:002013-02-25T16:11:47.577-05:00Great job by Nina Dobrev this week. She reminds m...Great job by Nina Dobrev this week. She reminds me a little of Sarah Michelle Gellar even though they don't resemble each other physically (apart from being small and beautiful). But SMG would have been turning on the waterworks a little more, I think.TheShadowKnowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11073693648569864707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-84401657146376782062013-02-25T11:59:31.030-05:002013-02-25T11:59:31.030-05:00The idea of Lexi coming back, Jenna, Alaric... wow...The idea of Lexi coming back, Jenna, Alaric... wow there's been a lot of death on this show. Honestly I would love to see Caroline and Lexi interact.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-11434756065274763002013-02-25T11:47:26.556-05:002013-02-25T11:47:26.556-05:00Nice review, Josie.
Yeah, Billie!
Lexie should be...Nice review, Josie.<br /><br />Yeah, Billie!<br />Lexie should be back.<br />The show would be more fun with her back in it. :)<br /><br />I hope the show does not drop its momentum towards the end of the season.<br />PlatinumRosebudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11426871129709203669noreply@blogger.com