One Tree Hill: Third Rate Script, Second Rate Angst, First Rate Pretty

[dangermousie]

I decided to watch One Tree Hill

OMG! Where has it been all my life? And I don't mean it in a "it's an insightful look at human condition that will change your life" way. Nope, I mean it in the "the shallow pretty angst that is as pointless as it is addictive" is pure trashy gold.

All the basketball is bearable only on FF, the dialogue is eminently unquotable, Peyton is probably the most annoying female character ever: nope, being a pretentious bitch does NOT equal hip and edgy, Nathan is kinda dull. I love my angsty bad boys but he is bad-lite, and not angsty at all. Unless you consider petulant = angsty (Has your entire civilization been wiped out by homicidal robots? Have you been tortured into insanity for the wormhole info you possess? Has your side lost a Civil War that took your ideals with it? Have you been experimented on and tricked into believing that your destiny prevents you from being with the only one you love? Are you doomed to never know a moment of perfect happiness because it would turn you into a soulless monster? I think not. So shut up, Nathan).

But who the heck cares? Chad Michael Murray (or whatever order his names go in) is Teh Hot. So hot that I could stare at the pretty for hours. And Lucas is sweet and nice and decent and has angst. And the soap of it all amuses the heck out of me.

So I will definitely continue to watch...

Comments

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

Murray is tres pretteh. He's one of those football jock types that I don't mind because he seems to have an underlying sensitivity to him (sort of like the jock who secretly writes poetry). These teeny night time soaps never fail to crack me up. It's a trend I think Dawson's Creek started and shows like Everwood, The OC and One Tree Hill took over.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

sort of like the jock who secretly writes poetry

Oh yes, he certainly has that vibe, mmmmmmm. (Unlike his bro Nathan who tries to go for deep bad boy and comes across as a brat)

These teeny night time soaps never fail to crack me up.

The shallowness is like crack! It's like al these people are pretty porcelain dolls.

Btw, love the icon!

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

I love the "deep, angsty bad boys" who really have nothing deep or angsty to brood about. As you said, no one had "their arm chopped of-mother died in their arms-terrible premonitions of their true love's death-really anal training system" disorder. They can call me (and kiss Anakin's shiny prosthetic ass) when they do. Or Dean's "my mother died a horrible death when I was five-my father just disappeared-I have a job that nearly gets me killed constantly" problems on Supernatural. If you're going to angst, at least do it credibly.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

He doesn't even have the "my Daddy used to put cigarettes out on me" Breakfast Club angst. So, his father isn't super nice and a bit pushy? What-e-vah. He is still a shallow pouty jerk. If he was witty or edgy or genuinely troubled and full of charisma, I'd buy it...

Maybe he improves. He actually smiled and was nice at somebody and I thought "he's actually cute and charming." So, hmmm....

And I am definitely checking out Supernatural...

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

I suppose every angsty cloud has a silver lining. That's the issue with teen dramas, the drama is never really that compelling. It almost takes a fantasy element to really throw some angst in there.

I'm really hooked on Supernatural. I think you'd like it. Dean is a great character; snarky, smart mouthed, laid back but ultimately pretty mature and trying to hide the fact that he too is one of the walking wounded in the world. He feels responsible for his brother, his missing father and every person in trouble they come across. He's one of those if you scratch the surface he's a pretty deep and very sweet guy no matter how he may present himself. Sam is your typical "boy scout" character. Dean is the one who's a little more complex.

And Jensen Ackles is TEH HOT.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Well, Dean sounds like he'd fit a fictional crush profile to a T....

The thing is, angst is wonderful, but I hate characters who wallow in it and go "woe is me" all the time, especially if a show keeps throwing their excuse for being annoying n our face and it's not much of an excuse but we are supposed to like them anyway.

You better have some real monsters in that closet, and also be mean in a witty, interesting way to get the "sexy bad boy" label. If all you have is a Dad who's a bit too pushy and your wittiest come back is "Bring it on," you don't qualify. Also, if you don't come across as mature (nasty but still not 10) that helps.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

Bring it on? Seriously? Does anyone even still use that term?

See, that's the thing. Even when they're trying to make the "bad" rich kids likable, they still end up coming across as jerks. They're trying to do that on Reunion, and I just don't buy it. The rich kid is a jerk and I don't know why the cute "poor" kid puts up with him.

The thing is, angst is wonderful, but I hate characters who wallow in it and go "woe is me" all the time,

And I think that's why I love Dean. He's got more issues than you can shake a stick at, but he's also the one telling his brother to take it easy and enjoy life. He's obviously in a lot of emotional pain, but he's not going to let that keep him from enjoying his life as much as possible.

You better have some real monsters in that closet

I laugh at this merely because Dean actually has monsters in the closet. Literally. He even makes a joke about it at one point.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

actually has monsters in the closet

ROFL. *loves* I know it's on WB, but what time and date?

Bring it on? Seriously? Does anyone even still use that term?


They do on One Tree Hill.

Even when they're trying to make the "bad" rich kids likable, they still end up coming across as jerks.

I don't need a character to be likeable to like him, but he has to be witty, charismatic and interesting. Look at pre-soul Spike. Definitely bad, in an evil killer vampire way. But witty and charismatic and sexy and I loved him.

Heck, look at early Michael on Roswell: definitely a jerk. But charismatic and funny ergo I love him.

The problem is, you need witty writers to pull it off, and most writers just aren't witty.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

Honestly, even pre-soul Spike had a bit of heart to him. Yes, his and Dru's relationship was completely wrong, but he was devoted to her, jerk though he may have been. Michael is a complete jerk, but he's sweet when it comes to Maria and tries so hard to make her happy. Dean can be a jerk when he wants, but he's protective of his brother and anyone weaker than he is (normally pretty women and children). None of them are obnoxious in their jerk-dom. None of them are whiny. And a lot of times they're more charismatic than the "boy scouts". But you're right, it does take some good writing.

Supernatural is on WB Tuesdays at 8 central.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I will definitely check it out!

And whiny is definitely the kiss of doom!

[phylogenetics.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the show is pretty third rate. What is with WB and their teeny bopper series on the lackluster love lives of bored adolescents? Geesh, this from a network that did Buffy....so disappointing....

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

What is really scary is that OTH is now entering its third season, while a show like Firefly didn't even last a full season.

I guess WB discovered a formula that works. It's better than hitting yourself over the head, but it's no great work of art.

[rawles.livejournal.com]

Peyton is probably the most annoying female character ever: nope, being a pretentious bitch does NOT equal hip and edgy

Yes.

(Has your entire civilization been wiped out by homicidal robots? Have you been tortured into insanity for the wormhole info you possess? Has your side lost a Civil War that took your ideals with it? Have you been experimented on and tricked into believing that your destiny prevents you from being with the only one you love? Are you doomed to never know a moment of perfect happiness because it would turn you into a soulless monster? I think not. So shut up, Nathan).

You win at life.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I watched 3 eps so far (fast forward does wonders) and Peyton gets more and more annoying. Soon she will reach critical mass and explode!

[linaerys.livejournal.com]

the shallow pretty angst that is as pointless as it is addictive

That is the best phrase I've seen all week.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Thank you :P

[jammer77.livejournal.com]

I have watched the first 4 or so episodes of OTH and I have to agree with you on Teh hot. Must get my hands on the rest of the Season 1 DVDs. Hmm...

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

See, I am easy. The plot is total tripe and most of the characters are too. But give me angsty hotties, and I am set!