Veronica Mars Glee, Rurouni Kenshin coolness, Meteor Garden fun and oh yes, BSG

[dangermousie]

Gleeeeee! Troy is coming back for an ep (or more, for all I know).

I know I am in a minority but I really liked him and liked him with Veronica. In fact, up until the big reveal, I'd say he was the best boyfriend choice for her, being fun and laid-back (ergo not RobotBoy or Leo) and not as issue-prone as Logan.

But then he turned out to be a drug-dealer. Oh well.

But still, total glee!

In fact, I wouldn't mind them hooking up again if it could plausibly be character consistent (I doubt it's possible, but you never know. He could have found Jesus and reformed or something. Mind boggles).

I kinda gave up on V/L as happening any time this milleneum. I generally lose interest in ships which indulge too long in 'will they/won't they fall for each other' junk. If the question is 'they love each other madly but will they overcome the no sex rule/aliens/mindfucks/trauma/each other' I will be a happy camper (all of my ships are of that variety, actually). But the couple in question has to really love each other. Because if they aren't desperate about each other, why should I be desperate about them? In some cases, if I love a character and he/she is desperately in love with a character that doesn't really reciprocate, I might ship that way, too. But if both parties are functioning just fine without each other, I kinda lose interest. And Veronica and Logan are clearly fine. Also, V will clearly have some boyfriend at some point, so at least it might be a guy I find fun to watch.

In other news, Husband and I are slowly but surely working our way through Rurouni Kenshin, which I continue to enjoy but in a nice, manageable way. No obsession. Perhaps it's because it's not nearly as "one story, one arc" as Fushigi Yuugi or Hana Yori Dango or Escaflowne or Trigun. Fushigi Yuugi, e.g. has one story and one story arc. This is not the case here. It is however, iterative, in the same way the best US series are iterative. It's BSG or VM not Farscape or B5. (of course, I am only 15 episodes in, so it might change).


Also, Sanosuke is getting more and more a favorite as eps continue. In some ways, he reminds me of a big kid, which is remarkably cute. He is also kinda similar to Tamahome, before the latter's big issues hit, or Tamahome with a different background and issues, actually. Also, his liking for Megumi, who is poised, and ladylike and somehow still fragile, is beyond adorable. I love how he ends up defending her against the Yakuza and then when she wants to treat the cut on his cheek, he blows her off with "this is just a scratch, don't worry about it." Macho showing off? Boyish insecurity? Not wanting to deal with his feelings? Combo of all three, I think. I love the image of just his silouette through the shades, standing there is her office as she performs surgery on his friend who's been shot. So pretty. But my favorite is Megumi visiting the dojo and she and Sanosuke are doing an arguing thing and the stranger in the group (a school-teacher looking for a doctor) is all "why are you fighting?" And Yahiko goes "they aren't fighting, they are teasing each other." Heeee. So much love. And in case we don't get it, we have a little intercut with Megumi in her office saying she has a cure for everything 'except love sickness' and Sanosuke standing in the dojo, leaning on a post, all moody. Heeeee. Seriously, so MUCH love.

Tonight, I am watching more Meteor Garden. After all, I am only 6 episodes in and have 13 more to go and I need my angst fix. Besides, I miss the Dao Ming Si and Shan Cai bickering (they really are going to be one of those couples that fight and make-up all the time and live in a state of loving turbulence). I haven't even gotten to the part of the Mother-from-Hell yet. I really really hope that she goes back to US or whatever, because the thought of living with her in the house is scary. I seriously can't wait until the angst because I liked the second half of HYD more than the first and I would imagine the same is true for Meteor Garden. I actually adore Shan Cai's crazy parents. They have no manners and are nutty and want to marry her off to a rich person, but they genuinely love her and each other. Not anything Dao Ming Si has.

Oh, and in conclusion, there seems to be a kerfuffle (love that word) in BSG fandom over Dee/Kara/Lee thing. Why? I mean, I understand rabid shippiness as I've been a rabid shipper for many a ship myself, but if it's not going your way at the moment (whatever way it is), it's not the fault of a fictional character who does not exist. Rant at the writers/TPTB for screwing up your ship, or the story, or writing it badly or making no sense, or the character who interferes being unrealistic and flat and dull or whatever (and I've seen plenty of people make such arguments, and they are well-thought-out and intelligent and really convincing). But the whole "Dee is spawn of Satan whore who is personally here to ruin my life" that I also saw a few times in other places is kinda over-reacting IMO.

Comments

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

Megumi is well suited to Sano simply because she doesn't take crap from him. He's a forceful personality even if he is laid back, but Megumi is forceful too and she makes up for his immaturity. Sano's a loner and I think that's part of his issues with not being able to put himself out there emotionally. He latches to Kenshin because Kenshin shows an understanding to him that no one else has and the whole rag tag bunch at the dojo come along with Kenshin.

An interesting marriage they'd have since Sano would be a pushover with the kids and there would be constant fireworks between him and Megumi.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Sano's a loner and I think that's part of his issues with not being able to put himself out there emotionally

But then seeing how his last experience with a quasi-family and being part of a group ended, his loner-status and his non-interest with being really close is quite understandable. But I do think he is rather gregarious by nature and can't help but care for people (witness him be very upset when one of his gambling buddies dies from opium, or when another gets shot with a wooden cannon).

He's a forceful personality even if he is laid back, but Megumi is forceful too and she makes up for his immaturity.

And unlike Kaoru, who would simply be too hyper, I think Sano likes Megumi because in many ways she is so very calm. He finds that appealing.

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

She also is very able to cut through is machismo, which is mostly an act on his part. Unlike Aoshi, who really is a tough personality even when relaxed and Kenshin, who for all his niceness is not someone you'd want to screw around with, Sano can get emotionally hurt pretty quickly. A girl like Kaoru is too immature for Sano, who is immature enough on his own. Kaoru, as much as I don't like her, pairs up with Kenshin since he has the maturity and the patience to put up with her. Megumi, as the most mature of the women we come across in the series, is suited to the not very thoughtful, but very soft hearted Sano. Masao is suited to Aoshi simply because she's the only one he ever lightens up at all around. That and he needs someone to take care of and she's young and brash enough to need the taking care of.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Sano can get emotionally hurt pretty quickly

You really get a sense of this, which is incredibly nice considering that in many an other person, having the background he does would seal him off from feeling emotionally vulnerable. But in many ways he is very spontaneous.

Kaoru, as much as I don't like her, pairs up with Kenshin since he has the maturity and the patience to put up with her.

Heh, you and katranna dislike exactly the same female anime characters (Miaka and now Kaoru). Will it be shocking if I admit I love Kaoru (just like I love Miaka, only I like Kaoru more)? :P

I think Kenshin himself is so studiedly laid-back and reserved, it's good for him to have a hyper, pushy, bustling, genuinely fun woman around.

Masao is suited to Aoshi simply because she's the only one he ever lightens up at all around. That and he needs someone to take care of and she's young and brash enough to need the taking care of.

*excited high-pitched squeal* Aoshi has a potential OTP? *dies in bliss*

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

Sano is a big lug in a lot of ways. His fighting style even reflects that. There's no real finesse to it. Just like him, it doesn't mean it's not effective though.

I don't like the women who come across as either helpless or obnoxious. I happen to like Relena from Gundam Wing, possibly THE most hated female character in anime, simply because she is proactive and definitely isn't helpless. I tolerate Kaoru. She comes across too bossy for me with all her pushing around of Kenshin and she doesn't have much to back it up in my mind. Meryl did and she was also sensitive to Vash when she had to be. Kaoru just comes across as selfish to me.

Aoshi does have a bit of an OTP with Misao, a rather bratty ninja girl whose devotion to him you at least can't question. I figure she'll be alright when she gets older, and she does settle down after Kenshin puts the smack down on her. She's suited to Aoshi though since she can hold her own in a fight, yet childish enough to need his guidance from time to time.
Misao

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

She's suited to Aoshi though since she can hold her own in a fight, yet childish enough to need his guidance from time to time

Heeeee. All these potential households sound really unrestful :P

I don't like the women who come across as either helpless or obnoxious.

Me neither, but I guess everyone's definitions of helpless and obnoxious differ. I don't mind the character not being great at defending oneself as long as they at least try and there is a plausible explanation as to why they need help (e.g. I think someone like Miaka tries her best to fight off whatever menace but as a 15 year old modern girl, it would be odd if she was better equipped than she is. I give her points for trying, at least.)

I like Kaoru because she is bossy but I do see her as caring. But once again IMO.

The one thing I can't tolerate is prolonged mopiness or sulkiness. The few characters I ended up dsliking all had that in common: OVA Hitomi, Yui, Suboshi. I mean, I am fine with ditzy or pushy or not the best in self-defence or whatever. As long as they aren't all "I am so helpless woe is me I shall whine"

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

The sad part about Suboshi is that he wasn't helpless.

The RK households are all going to be a bit of a mess I think. The Sano/Megumi household will probably be the most amusing as they're both so volatile. Kenshin is willing to take most anything from Kaoru, so it would be pretty peaceful until Kaoru gets into a snit. Aoshi and Misao might end up pretty normal if she settles down. Aoshi is never going to be fun and games, but Misao is spunky and fiesty and isn't afraid to stand up to Aoshi, probably the only woman in the series not overawed by him.

Women in anime I do love.

Noin from Gundam Wing. Tough, capable and devoted to her man.

Kaname from Full Metal Panic. She's pushy and gives her guy a hard time, but she's also smart and tough and he can get on your nerves with is overprotectiveness.

Several of the women from Samurai Deeper Kyo. They're all capable and intelligent.

Cleo from Sorcerous Stabber Orphen. She's loud and always in Orphen's face, but Orphen dishes it out as good as he gets it. If she were with any character other than Orphen I'd hate her, but they're so well matched that I like her.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

The sad part about Suboshi is that he wasn't helpless.

He did love to play the victim card, though. I have to say, he is the character I disliked most by the time FY ended. I didn't feel like cheering when Nakago died. But when Suboshi bought it? Heck yeah.

The Sano/Megumi household will probably be the most amusing as they're both so volatile.

I can just imagine. At regular intervals, bystanders will just head for the hills, Sano and Megumi will have a yelling match and everything will settle down. Until next time. :)

Kenshin is willing to take most anything from Kaoru, so it would be pretty peaceful until Kaoru gets into a snit.

Or until enemy No. 4971 comes after Kenshin :P

Aoshi is never going to be fun and games,

From the limited exposure to him I've had so far, I wouldn't even be willing to go as far as be certain he has a full range of facial expressions. The thought of him grinning is...just not working for me :P

but Misao is spunky and fiesty and isn't afraid to stand up to Aoshi, probably the only woman in the series not overawed by him.

Good Lord, for some reason, now I am getting Avon/Leonie from Heyer's "These Old Shades" vibe. Which is OK, as long as there isn't cross-dressing :P

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't even be willing to go as far as be certain he has a full range of facial expressions.

He can smile. Faintly. But facial expressions are for the weak.

Good Lord, for some reason, now I am getting Avon/Leonie from Heyer's "These Old Shades" vibe.

You know, come to think of it, it is pretty close to that. Misao is 16 I think and Aoshi is what, like 21 or 23 or something. She's also tiny, which makes the size difference kinda cute as Aoshi is HUGE. She was also in love with him forever while he didn't have much interest as she was too young and he just saw her in a sisterly way. That ends a little at the end of the series. She knew him for forever, so it's not like she'd be going into it not knowing how he is.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

He can smile. Faintly. But facial expressions are for the weak.

This literally made me ROFL. I think that very action means I am doomed of course :)

Misao is 16 I think and Aoshi is what, like 21 or 23 or something.

I googled, at at least according to the cite I looked at, Aoshi is 26 (though I have no idea at which point in the show he is that age). Much, much better than Leonie's 19 to Avon 40+, in any event.

She's also tiny, which makes the size difference kinda cute

This actually a personal kink of mine (it's have to be, I am pretty shprt myself and my husband is almost a foot taller than me).

Aoshi is HUGE.

I am totally amused by the fact that both Sano and Aoshi tower over Kenshin (most people do) and yet he manages to defeat them thoroughly...

She knew him for forever, so it's not like she'd be going into it not knowing how he is.

Brave woman :)

Also, the DVD I bought off Ebay is a bootleg, so the subtitles, which were fine for the first 13+ eps started getting wonky, and the translator stopped translating some stuff alltogether (which makes RK more of a mystery than a Samurai show). Any good sources for non-bootleg stuff?

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

I think 26 is right, come to think about it. I think Kenshin is about 28 (which is ANCIENT for an anime hero) and Aoshi is actually the closest in age to Kenshin. Sano is only about 21 when it starts from what I remember.

Sano and Aoshi are both big guys for anime. There's a great picture of Kenshin and Aoshi standing back to back were Aoshi is about two feet taller than Kenshin. It's even funnier when Kenshin goes back to his Master, who, in addition to being hot, is about four times Kenshin's size. He even makes Sano look small.

Bootlegs can get wonky. I've got a couple like that. Rightstuf.com is a great site. A little on the expensive side sometimes. I'll check my other ones when I get home. HOnestly most of mine are bootlegs or foreign versions that don't have the English dub option. On ebay you can get those for a decent price. They also have the series available sooner that haven't been lisenced in America yet. I'm considering getting the Japanese release of Gun Sword that way since the whole series is available for sale on ebay and they aren't going to release it until summer over here.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

I think Kenshin is about 28 (which is ANCIENT for an anime hero)

I think being an anime figure is like being a track runner or whatever. Over 25 means you are dooooone.

There's a great picture of Kenshin and Aoshi standing back to back were Aoshi is about two feet taller than Kenshin

ROFL. Kenshin is what, 5'2"? That means if I were even the smallest heels I'd be taller than him. I guess it's good for speed of movement but still ...

when Kenshin goes back to his Master, who, in addition to being hot, is about four times Kenshin's size.

Heeee. For a second I read this as "Kenshin goes back to his Maker" and went WTF? :)

HOnestly most of mine are bootlegs or foreign versions that don't have the English dub option.

I don't have a moral thing against bootlegs (though it would be nice to give $$$ to legit companies, they are so much more expensive), but I do have a practical thing against bad subs. So far I've been pretty lucky. Both Escaflowne, Trigun and FY had perfect subtitles (and also English dub, but I didn't listen to it so no idea how good it is). Hana Yori Dango (which had only Japanese audio) had great subs for 49 out of 51 eps but two eps in the early 40s went psycho, with one translating everything literally and making no sense and the other cutting off the ends of sentences. But it still wasn't too bad.

Kenshin, however, had decent subtitles all in all (though "ice" does not equal "rice" IMO) at first, but now the translator seems to have taken a break which is kinda annoying. If it's just those couple of eps, it's OK, but I hope it doesn't start getting worse...

[crumpeteer.livejournal.com]

Most anime heroes are in their mid teens. In Gundam Wing Zechs is 19, which makes him the old warhorse of the main characters. Anyone over 20 is generally set in a position of being the impossing tortured figure or a "leader" of some kind and always secondary figures. The anime hero over 24 is rare. Even Alex Row, who could pass for his early thirties in personality and impossingness, is only in his mid-twenties.

I've had some dodgy subs before, but nothing too bad. If you buy the Japanese releases they're always good because they're licensed in Japan and the subs have to be decent. That's only viable for shorter series that sell the whole series in one package (such as Trigun). Massive series like Naruto or Inuyasha it's better to find a decent fansub. I read a lot of seller reviews on Ebay. Anime is an expensive hobby. There's a shirt at Hot Topic that says "Anime- Crack Would Be Cheaper" and it's not too far off.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

In Gundam Wing Zechs is 19, which makes him the old warhorse of the main characters. Anyone over 20 is generally set in a position of being the impossing tortured figure or a "leader" of some kind and always secondary figures.

I have clearly been wasting my life. Woe.

The anime hero over 24 is rare. Even Alex Row, who could pass for his early thirties in personality and impossingness, is only in his mid-twenties.

I remember being shocked to find out that Allen Schezar was 21 (!!!!!). He is a seasoned commander/knight who has a child who is old enough to be running (at least nominally) a kingdom when the ruler is away and...For my own peace of mind, I ignore the ages unless they are mentioned and repeatedly (in my head, Allen is at least in his mid 20s and nothing shall convince me otherwise).

Of course, there is always Vash whose age is in the triple digits :)

Anime is an expensive hobby. There's a shirt at Hot Topic that says "Anime- Crack Would Be Cheaper" and it's not too far off.

LOL.

[ayn-rand-fan-13.livejournal.com]

I know! I mean, it's not even that I really like Troy all that much, he kind of pissed me off, but I'm still kind of excited about it.

You know what's really funny, except not? I was watching the last DVD in the set, and before the menu page there's this preview for season 2. There are all of these shots of Veronica with Troy, and I was all "What the hell are they showing Troy for? He left in the beginning of season 1, never to be seen again!", and now it turns out that I was correct in my assumption that the networks are smarter than I am.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Oh Troy! I liked him so much before the drug dealer thing. He'd totally be the guy I'd want to date on that show if it wasn't for that big problem :)

Ahhhhh, the WASP drug lord is back :P

[ayn-rand-fan-13.livejournal.com]

Really? Troy? Huh. I dunno, I think the "hot, smart normal guy" to be all over is Casey Gant (when he's not a bastard).

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

But Casey was kinda brainwashed. And Troy was cuter. And lots of fun.

But still DRUGS. Heh.

In realistic terms, no boy in VM is good dating material.

[ayn-rand-fan-13.livejournal.com]

Well, realistically, nobody in high school is actually cool, let alone good dating material. It's like "he's smart, hot, funny, and...kind of a stoner yeah, but who cares?"

You know, considering the other shit that goes down on Veronica Mars, I kind of forgot about the drugs thing. It's nothing big compared to, say, murder, incest, or statuatory rape. Just for example, I mean.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

kind of forgot about the drugs thing

It's the playing of V for the sake of another girlfriend who is his partner in crime that's way worse. But whatever, I'll see how it goes. Hopefully there will be more Troy. Anything is better than more Donut.

[ayn-rand-fan-13.livejournal.com]

Except Donut is coming back, right? Because people are only in the opening credits who have been signed on for twelve episodes, and Teddy Dunn hasn't been on for twelve yet. I think.

Well, I don't think he was really playing Veronica. I mean, did it matter either way if she investigated or not? I could be totally wrong, but the only thing the plan depended upon was a bribable taxi driver, and nobody else figuring it out.
He was obviously lying, and is still kind of a jackhole, but I do think he really liked Veronica. Anywho, I'm really excited about him coming back.

Oh! Random story! We're reading "Macbeth" in English, and back when Duncan was still on all the time, I kept getting confused. I totally picture the king of Scotland looking like Teddy Dunn. It never even crossed my mind that they aren't the same person.

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Donut is probably coming back. Woe. I can feel the vacuum all the way from here.

[ayn-rand-fan-13.livejournal.com]

You know, I never actually hated Duncan. Sure, he sucked as a character, but I can't hate him for that. He's like...blank space. Sure, something useful could have been there, but can you really find it in your heart to feel any sort of emotion for it, one way or another?

[dangermousie.livejournal.com]

Yes, but I hated the boredom he produced...

[ayn-rand-fan-13.livejournal.com]

I have a really sucky memory, so I don't actually remember any seens with him. All I know is that Veronica Mars has never bored me.